A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Krabi vs. Dewa Sanzan for Attractions, Couples, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Dewa Sanzan can help you decide which place is right for you.

Krabi

Krabi is a vibrant, colorful, and stunning town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums. See Krabi travel costs.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a sacred, remote, and traditional religious site. Other reasons to visit include hiking and museums. See Dewa Sanzan travel costs.

Krabi and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Krabi. Although Krabi and Dewa Sanzan are popular destinations, Krabi has more sights and attractions for tourists. Krabi is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, shopping, and small town charm, while Dewa Sanzan attracts visitors for its hiking. Krabi is more touristy than Dewa Sanzan and is known for its easy access to inland adventures and nearby island hopping as well as its lively night market. It is also well known for Tiger Cave Temple (Wat Tham Suea). Dewa Sanzan is famous for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges.

How is Krabi different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dewa Sanzan and Krabi. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Krabi is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Krabi specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. In the area you'll find mountain top temples such as Wat Tham Suea and natural spots such as Khao Khanap Nam Cave. In town there's the stunning Wat Kaew Korawaram temple as well.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Dewa Sanzan. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Is the Food Better in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Krabi is very good for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Krabi has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. It's not particularly known for its culinary scene, but Krabi Town does have great street food and a lively night market. For some of the best restaurants, head to Chao Fah Road.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Krabi is very good for nightlife and partying. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Krabi. There's a decent live music scene, but in general the town is quiet at night. There's also a good night market.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan Better for Resorts?

Krabi is a decent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Not known for its high-end resorts, Krabi offers a few options. There's no real beach in town, so the better resorts are found at nearby beach towns.

Dewa Sanzan is not a resort destination.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan Better for Beaches?

Krabi is a decent place to visit for the beach. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Krabi. The town itself has no beach, so you'll need to take a day trip to nearby Railay Beach or Ao Nang.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is a very popular place for its hiking trails. However, Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Dewa Sanzan. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Krabi is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Krabi is an excellent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its shopping areas.

Krabi is well-known for its shopping. The town's night market is fun to explore. There's also the popular Krabi Town Walking Street (where you'll find the night market) as well as some larger stores and small malls near town.

Dewa Sanzan has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Krabi is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Krabi is very family-friendly. The town makes a great base for island hopping and exploring the province of Krabi. Nearby you'll find Krabi Fun Park, which includes a ropes course. There are also caves nearby to explore and plenty of stunning natural beauty.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly town. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Krabi is an excellent place to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Krabi makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. There's easy access to many beautiful areas with caves, viewpoints, and beaches. Krabi Walking Street also has great restaurants and a lively night market.

Dewa Sanzan is a good town for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Krabi and Dewa Sanzan are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Krabi is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. The town has a more local vibe, as many backpackers head on to Ao Nang or Railay Beach. You'll find affordable accommodation here though, as well as easy access to some great excursions.

It's common for backpackers to visit Dewa Sanzan. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find reasonable public transit in both Krabi and Dewa Sanzan.

Public transit is mostly limited in Krabi. There's no real public transit so you'll need to get around by rental car, motorbike, or songthaew truck (pickup trucks with seats in back).

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Krabi or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Krabi is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Krabi is a somewhat walkable place. There's a walking street and a few parts of town that are relatively walkable.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Krabi Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Krabi?

How long in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Krabi and Dewa Sanzan. In our opinion, Krabi has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Krabi than Dewa Sanzan. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Krabi than Dewa Sanzan. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Krabi, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Krabi than Dewa Sanzan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Krabi that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Krabi than Dewa Sanzan if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Krabi.

One day in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the local town of Krabi. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

In Dewa Sanzan, many people enjoy the museums that this religious destination offers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. This religious site offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

A weekend in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the colorful destination of Krabi. This town offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Dewa Sanzan. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

The local town of Krabi offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Dewa Sanzan is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums when visiting the destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Krabi. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

You'll find museums around the traditional destination of Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Thailand, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Thailand, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When comparing the travel costs between Krabi and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Dewa Sanzan is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Krabi Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Krabi or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Krabi experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Krabi or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Krabi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Krabi throughout the year. Also, the hiking are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

In the summer, Krabi is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Krabi in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during summer. Krabi gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Krabi. In July, Krabi usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Krabi gets 287 mm (11.3 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Krabi is August to October.

Should I visit Krabi or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Krabi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Krabi because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking trails.

In October, Krabi is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Krabi average around 27°C (81°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Krabi gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Krabi. Krabi usually gets more rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Krabi gets 304 mm (12 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. December to March is the dry season in Krabi. August to October is the rainy season in Krabi.

Should I visit Krabi or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Krabi and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Krabi year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Dewa Sanzan can get quite cold in the winter. Krabi is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the winter. The daily temperature in Krabi averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

In Krabi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Krabi usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during winter. Krabi gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Krabi usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Krabi gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. December to March in Krabi is the dry season.

Should I visit Krabi or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Krabi as well as Dewa Sanzan. Krabi attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the spring, Krabi is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Krabi in April average around 29°C (84°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krabi this time of the year. In the spring, Krabi often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Krabi gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun.

Krabi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Krabi usually gets more rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Krabi gets 120 mm (4.7 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Krabi