A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Mombasa vs. Saaremaa for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Mombasa or Saaremaa?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Mombasa and Saaremaa. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Mombasa or Saaremaa?

Mombasa

Mombasa is a beautiful, large city on the eastern coast of Kenya, bordering the Indian Ocean. The city is famous for its stunning beaches, friendly locals, and diverse marine life. Mombasa experiences a tropical climate year round, meaning temperatures rarely drop below 70° Fahrenheit. The rainiest months of the year are April and May and the driest months are January and February. Temperatures tend to be more mild from May through October, usually in the 70's and 80's. Temperatures get much warmer from November through April, with daily averages reaching the high 90's.

Saaremaa

Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Kenya, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Kenya, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Mombasa and Saaremaa, we can see that Saaremaa is more expensive. And not only is Mombasa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Mombasa is in Africa and Saaremaa is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Mombasa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mombasa and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saaremaa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saaremaa than you might in Mombasa.

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

Which is Bigger, Mombasa or Saaremaa?

Mombasa has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Mombasa and Saaremaa, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Mombasa or Saaremaa?

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

Should I visit Mombasa or Saaremaa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Mombasa and Saaremaa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Mombasa year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Mombasa is a little warmer than Saaremaa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mombasa in July average around 24°C (75°F), and Saaremaa averages at about 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saaremaa this time of the year. In Mombasa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Mombasa usually receives less sunshine than Saaremaa during summer. Mombasa gets 216 hours of sunny skies, while Saaremaa receives 302 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Mombasa usually receives more rain than Saaremaa. Mombasa gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Mombasa or Saaremaa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Mombasa as well as Saaremaa. Mombasa attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Mombasa is generally much warmer than Saaremaa. Daily temperatures in Mombasa average around 26°C (79°F), and Saaremaa fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Mombasa this time of the year. In the autumn, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Saaremaa. Mombasa gets 291 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saaremaa receives 101 hours of full sun.

Mombasa receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Mombasa usually gets more rain in October than Saaremaa. Mombasa gets 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Mombasa or Saaremaa in the Winter?

Both Saaremaa and Mombasa are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Mombasa throughout the year. Also, the cuisine are the main draw to Saaremaa this time of year.

It's quite cold in Saaremaa in the winter. Mombasa is much warmer than Saaremaa in the winter. The daily temperature in Mombasa averages around 27°C (81°F) in January, and Saaremaa fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually receives more sunshine than Saaremaa during winter. Mombasa gets 283 hours of sunny skies, while Saaremaa receives 33 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Mombasa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saaremaa. Mombasa gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Mombasa or Saaremaa in the Spring?

Both Saaremaa and Mombasa during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Mombasa because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saaremaa. In the spring, Mombasa is much warmer than Saaremaa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mombasa in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Saaremaa averages at about 4°C (38°F).

It's quite sunny in Mombasa. In the spring, Mombasa often gets more sunshine than Saaremaa. Mombasa gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saaremaa receives 196 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Mombasa. Mombasa usually gets more rain in April than Saaremaa. Mombasa gets 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain, while Saaremaa receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Saaremaa and Mombasa