A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sandakan vs. Atami for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sandakan or Atami?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Sandakan or Atami?

Sandakan

Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.

Atami

Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Atami?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Atami. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Atami, 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 Sandakan or Atami?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Atami in the Summer?

Both Atami and Sandakan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Sandakan is around the same temperature as Atami in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the summer, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Atami. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Atami. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Atami averages at about 18°C (64°F).

Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Atami during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Atami. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sandakan or Atami in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Atami. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Atami fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

In the winter, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Atami. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun.

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Atami. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.

Sandakan is much warmer than Atami in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Atami during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atami. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives less rain than Atami. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Atami and Sandakan