Which place is cheaper, Dewa Sanzan or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Dewa Sanzan?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Dewa Sanzan? 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 Dewa Sanzan?
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.
Dewa Sanzan
Dewa Sanzan, Japan is a picturesque city in the Tohoku region which consists solely of the three sacred mountains: Mount Haguro, Mount Gassan, and Mount Yudono. The mountains are considered holy to the Japanese Shinto religion and are a popular pilgrimage site, especially since many ascetic pilgrims live in the mountains and are occasionally spotted throughout the various hiking trails.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Dewa Sanzan $65
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Dewa Sanzan is $65. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sandakan and Dewa Sanzan in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Dewa Sanzan $28
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Dewa Sanzan $56
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Dewa Sanzan
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Dewa Sanzan? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Sandakan Hotel Prices and Dewa Sanzan Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Dewa Sanzan $22
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Dewa Sanzan?
Prices for flights to both Dewa Sanzan and Sandakan change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySandakan $19Dewa Sanzan $24
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Dewa Sanzan $9.23
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $105
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $197
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $241
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
Tours and Activities in Dewa Sanzan
For Dewa Sanzan, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tsuruoka & Dewa-Sanzan Full-Day Private Tour with Government-Licensed Guide: $228
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Dewa Sanzan $7.27
When comparing the travel costs between Sandakan 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 Sandakan Expensive? and Is Dewa Sanzan Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Dewa Sanzan?
Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?
Both Dewa Sanzan 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. Also, many travelers come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking.
Sandakan is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the summer, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 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 Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Dewa Sanzan. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Dewa Sanzan 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, many visitors come to Dewa Sanzan in the autumn for the hiking trails.
In the autumn, Sandakan is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during autumn. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Dewa Sanzan 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 Dewa Sanzan. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Dewa Sanzan 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Dewa Sanzan. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the museums and the cuisine during these months.
Dewa Sanzan can be very cold during winter. In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).
In the winter, Sandakan often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Dewa Sanzan. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Dewa Sanzan. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Dewa Sanzan. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Dewa Sanzan -1°C (30°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?
Both Dewa Sanzan and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year.
Sandakan is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during spring. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun in the spring.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives around the same amount of rain as Dewa Sanzan. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Dewa Sanzan 9°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Dewa Sanzan | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 206 mm (8.1 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 151 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 116 mm (4.6 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 96 mm (3.8 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 191 mm (7.5 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 174 mm (6.8 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 154 mm (6.1 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 207 mm (8.1 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 231 mm (9.1 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.