A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Kamakura for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Nha Trang or Kamakura?

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 Nha Trang and Kamakura. 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.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a vibrant, high energy, and coastal city. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking.

Nha Trang and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Kamakura?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kamakura than Nha Trang. While Nha Trang is larger than Kamakura, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is very popular for its museums, food, historical sights, and hiking, while Nha Trang attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, and scuba diving & snorkeling. Nha Trang is more touristy than Kamakura and is popular for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha.

How is Nha Trang different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nha Trang or Kamakura?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its historical sights. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Nha Trang. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

Is the Food Better in Nha Trang or Kamakura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nha Trang area. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is an unbeatable place for nightlife. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for nightlife and partying.

The nightlife in Nha Trang is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

Kamakura has a large number of nightlife venues. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is a popular place for its resorts. However, Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Nha Trang has a handful of resorts to choose from. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is a moderate city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Nha Trang and Kamakura both offer nice beaches.

Nha Trang offers a nice beach destination. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Kamakura is a good option for a beach vacation. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a good destination for its old town. However, Nha Trang does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Nha Trang does not have a historic old town.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a good destination for hiking. However, Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Kamakura offers some nice hiking trails. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Nha Trang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Kamakura?

If you're looking to go shopping, Nha Trang and Kamakura both offer plenty of nice spots.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Nha Trang. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

Many visitors go to Kamakura to go shopping. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Families?

Nha Trang is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Nha Trang is a very family-friendly place to visit. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

Kamakura is a family-friendly city. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Nha Trang and Kamakura both superb destinations for a couple.

Nha Trang is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nha Trang is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Nha Trang. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nha Trang and Kamakura both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Nha Trang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Nha Trang or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Nha Trang is very walkable. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Nha Trang Worth Visiting? and Is Kamakura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Nha Trang or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Nha Trang than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nha Trang, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nha Trang than Kamakura 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 Nha Trang.

One day in Nha Trang or Kamakura?

The city of Nha Trang offers food and shopping. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Kamakura. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamakura has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Kamakura?

Nha Trang is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Nha Trang, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the quaint destination of Kamakura. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Kamakura?

Nha Trang is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the charming coastal city of Kamakura. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nha Trang or Kamakura?

Nha Trang is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that nightlife is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Kamakura is a popular choice for travelers. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Nha Trang and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Nha Trang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nha Trang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nha Trang 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 Kamakura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kamakura than you might in Nha Trang.

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Kamakura?

Nha Trang has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang and Kamakura, 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 Nha Trang or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Nha Trang or Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura and Nha Trang during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Nha Trang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Kamakura for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Nha Trang is generally a little warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 28°C (82°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Nha Trang usually gets less rain in July than Kamakura. Nha Trang gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year. January to August is the dry season in Nha Trang. September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Kamakura in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Nha Trang and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Nha Trang year-round. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the autumn for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

Nha Trang is a little warmer than Kamakura in the autumn. The daily temperature in Nha Trang averages around 26°C (79°F) in October, and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Nha Trang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Nha Trang usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Nha Trang gets 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, September to December is the rainy season in Nha Trang.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Nha Trang as well as Kamakura. Nha Trang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Nha Trang is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Nha Trang in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Nha Trang usually gets less rain in January than Kamakura. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, January to August in Nha Trang is the dry season.

Should I visit Nha Trang or Kamakura in the Spring?

Both Kamakura and Nha Trang are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Nha Trang throughout the year. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the beaches.

In April, Nha Trang is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Nha Trang average around 26°C (79°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. In April, Nha Trang usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Nha Trang gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Nha Trang