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

Should you visit Pattaya or Kamakura?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Kamakura can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a colorful, active, and vibrant resort city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Pattaya travel costs.

Kamakura

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

Pattaya and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Kamakura?

Both Kamakura and Pattaya have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Pattaya is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Kamakura attracts visitors for its museums and attractions, historical sights, and hiking. Pattaya is more touristy than Kamakura and is popular for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Kamakura is famous for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches.

How is Pattaya different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pattaya or Kamakura?

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

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Pattaya. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Pattaya and Kamakura.

Pattaya has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Street food is what this city is all about. You'll find streets lined with restaurants, but you'll also find snacks and other culinary treats at every corner. Khao Gaeng (curried rice with meat or vegetables), Kai Jeow (omelet over rice), and Moo Ping (grilled pork) are among the favorites.

Dining out in Kamakura is an experience not to be missed. 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.

Is Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Pattaya 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 Pattaya is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. Despite a promotional campaign to promote family vacations, this city still holds tight to its party hard reputation. You'll find live bands, international DJs, and rooftop parties any night of the week.

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 Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Resorts?

Pattaya is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Pattaya is known as a popular and fun resort destination. If you're looking for built-up, all-the-frills, beach resorts, then this is your place. It's a touristy beach city with hotels are resorts that line the waterfront.

Kamakura is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a popular place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Pattaya has a few good snorkeling spots. There are snorkeling and dive excursions that leave from town, or you could throw on a mask and snorkel and look for marine life right off the beach.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beach.

Pattaya is considered a top beach destination. There are countless white sand beaches in the area that range from party-focused, to romantic, to family-friendly. The blue waters and silky sand have long made this one of the most popular beach areas in Thailand.

Many people head to Kamakura to enjoy the beach. 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 Pattaya or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its old town. However, Pattaya 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.

Pattaya does not have a historic old town.

Is Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Kamakura. 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.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Kamakura?

Pattaya is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Pattaya is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is filled with markets, malls, bazaars, and street vendors that sells everything from clothes and bathing suits, to Thai crafts or local foods.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. 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 Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Families?

Pattaya 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.

Pattaya is a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the amusement parks, water parks, and cultural parks. Highlights for families include Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Ramayana Water Park, and Mini Siam. For something totally unique, check out the ice sculptures at Frost Magical Ice of Siam and for something cultural and fun you can head to Legend Siam Pattaya. Despite local efforts to promote family-friendly activities, it's important to remember that the city does still has a party town reputation. There are areas that you should avoid with kids.

Kamakura is a family-friendly resort 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 Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Kamakura is a great coastal city for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Kamakura is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Pattaya is a good resort city for couples to visit. There are many beach-oriented activities around town like boat rides and water sports. You could also enjoy a spa day or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun for the day.

Is Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Pattaya and Kamakura are nice places to visit.

Pattaya is a good resort city to visit for backpackers. While it used to be a party town, these days Pattaya is more of a family destination that's filled with amusement parks and family-friendly resorts. Backpackers will still find hostels and budget accommodation, but that backpacker atmosphere isn't what it used to be.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kamakura. 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 Pattaya or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

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

While Pattaya offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The baht bus (songthaew) is the cheapest way to get around town. These are colorful pickup trucks with seats in the back. There are also motorbike taxis as well as regular taxis.

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 Pattaya or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known for its ease of walking around.

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

Pattaya is generally not very walkable. There's a walking street, as well as several walkable areas, but the city is relatively large and you'll likely want to catch a ride most places.

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Pattaya or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Pattaya 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 Pattaya, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

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

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

One day in Pattaya or Kamakura?

The resort city of Pattaya offers museums and nightlife. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

In Kamakura, you'll find nightlife and food. This coastal city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

A weekend in Pattaya or Kamakura?

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

In Kamakura, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Kamakura has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Kamakura?

Pattaya 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.

Kamakura is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Pattaya or Kamakura?

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamakura. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kamakura. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Pattaya and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Pattaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pattaya 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 Pattaya.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Kamakura?

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

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

Should I visit Pattaya or Kamakura in the Summer?

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

In July, Pattaya is generally a little warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 29°C (84°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In the summer, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Pattaya usually gets less rain in July than Kamakura. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Kamakura in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Also, most visitors come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

Pattaya is much warmer than Kamakura in the autumn. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 28°C (82°F) in October, and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Should I visit Pattaya or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Pattaya as well as Kamakura. Pattaya attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Pattaya is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Pattaya in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun.

Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Kamakura. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Pattaya or Kamakura in the Spring?

Both Kamakura and Pattaya are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Pattaya throughout the year. Also, the beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In April, Pattaya is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 30°C (86°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. In April, Pattaya usually receives less rain than Kamakura. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Pattaya