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

Should you visit Sandakan or Kamakura?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Kamakura? 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 Kamakura?

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.

Kamakura

An old city center of medieval Japan, Kamakura sits today on the seaside just south of Tokyo. Due to its early beginnings, the city is dotted with Buddhist Zen temples and Shinto shrines. It has become a prominent resort town drawing visitors with its many historic landmarks as well as nearby beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Kamakura, we can see that Kamakura 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 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 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 Kamakura Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Kamakura?

Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Kamakura. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan 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 Sandakan or Kamakura?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura in the Summer?

Both Kamakura and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In July, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 27°C (81°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sandakan or Kamakura in the Autumn?

Both Kamakura and Sandakan during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kamakura for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

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

In the autumn, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun.

Kamakura gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Kamakura. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Kamakura in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kamakura in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Sandakan is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sandakan in January average around 26°C (80°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Kamakura during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun in the winter.

Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sandakan or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Kamakura. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Kamakura for the beaches during these months.

In April, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sandakan this time of the year. In the spring, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets less rain in April than Kamakura. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Sandakan