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

Should you visit Sandakan or Koyasan?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Koyasan? 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 Koyasan?

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.

Koyasan

Mount Koya, Japan is a mountain city located just south of Osaka in the Wakayama prefecture. The area is known as the headquarters of the Shingnon sect of Japanese Buddhism and was first settled in 816. Over time, it has developed into the small town of Koya that is now home to a religious studies university and over 100 temples, many of which offer accommodation.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Koyasan, we can see that Koyasan 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 Koyasan would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Koyasan 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 Koyasan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Koyasan?

Koyasan 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 Koyasan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Koyasan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Koyasan because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

In Sandakan, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.

Koyasan receives a lot of rain in the summer. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sandakan or Koyasan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Koyasan. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Koyasan this time of year.

In the autumn, Sandakan is a little warmer than Koyasan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sandakan in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Koyasan averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In the autumn, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 159 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Koyasan. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Koyasan. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 105 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Koyasan in the Winter?

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

In January, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Koyasan. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 26°C (80°F), and Koyasan fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Koyasan during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Koyasan receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Koyasan. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sandakan or Koyasan in the Spring?

Both Koyasan and Sandakan during the spring 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 visitors come to Koyasan in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Sandakan is much warmer than Koyasan in the spring. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Koyasan fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

It's quite sunny in Sandakan. In the spring, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Koyasan. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Koyasan receives 176 hours of full sun.

Koyasan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets less rain in April than Koyasan. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Koyasan receives 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Koyasan and Sandakan