Which place is cheaper, Okinawa or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Okinawa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan or Okinawa? 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 Okinawa?
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.
Okinawa
Okinawa is the southernmost prefecture of Japan and includes hundreds of the Ryukyu Islands. The chain of islands is off the southern mainland portion of the country and is made up of 49 inhabited islands and over one hundred uninhabited islands. Naha is Okinawa's capital, which is located in the southern part of Okinawa Island.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Okinawa $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Okinawa is $104. 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 Okinawa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Okinawa $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Okinawa $144
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Okinawa
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Okinawa? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Okinawa $9.32
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Okinawa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Okinawa:
- Naha hotels to Okinawa Naha Airport (ОКА) - Departure Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer from Naha City Hotels to Nakagusuku Cruise Port : $59
- Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA) to Naha hotels - Arrival Transfer: $59
- Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Cruise Port to Naha City Hotels : $66
- Private Transfer from Naha City Hotels to Nakagusuku Cruise Port : $66
- Private Transfer from Okinawa Airport (OKA) to Nakagusuku Port: $85
- Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $85
- Private Transfer from Nakagusuku Port to Okinawa Airport (OKA): $94
- Okinawa Naha Airport (OKA) to Naha Hotels - Round-Trip Transfer: $118
- Airport Transfer! Naha Airport (OKA) to Center of Naha: $124
- Airport Transfer! Center of Naha to Naha Airport (OKA): $125
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Okinawa?
Prices for flights to both Okinawa 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 $19Okinawa $23
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 $7.19Okinawa $14
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $105
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
- 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
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
Tours and Activities in Okinawa
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Okinawa are as follows:
- Beautiful sunset kayak tour in Okinawa: $36
- Mangrove Kayaking Tour: $38
- Okinawa Hot spot walk and local food ＆ beer tour(All include): $46
- Jungle River Trek: private tour in Yanbaru, north Okinawa: $49
- Kayak Mangroves or Coral Reef: private tour in north Okinawa : $53
- North Okinawa Bus Day Tour Manzamo Kouri Island Ocean Expo Park American Village: $57
- Mangrove Kayak ＆ Sea Fishing Experience in Okinawa: $57
- Sakaemachi Market Bar Hopping Tour: $58
- Naha: Full-Day Snorkeling Experience in the Kerama Islands, Okinawa: $66
- 2-Hour Private Gorilla Go Kart Experience in Okinawa: $68
- Kerama Islands 1 day snorkeling tour from Okinawa Naha: $72
- Sushi Making Experience Class in Naha Makishi Public Market: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Okinawa $14
Sample the Local Flavors in Okinawa
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Okinawa:
- Naha Local Pub Crawl: $110
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Okinawa, we can see that Okinawa 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 Okinawa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Okinawa 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 Okinawa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Okinawa?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Okinawa. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan and Okinawa, 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 Okinawa?
Okinawa 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 Okinawa in the Summer?
Both Okinawa 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 summer months attract visitors to Okinawa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Sandakan is around the same temperature as Okinawa. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Okinawa averages at about 29°C (84°F).
It's quite sunny in Okinawa. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives less sunshine than Okinawa during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 258 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Okinawa. It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Okinawa. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySandakan 27°C (81°F)Okinawa 29°C (84°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Okinawa in the Autumn?
Both Okinawa 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, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Okinawa this time of year.
In October, Sandakan is generally around the same temperature as Okinawa. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Okinawa fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
In the autumn, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Okinawa. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 174 hours of full sun.
Okinawa 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 Okinawa. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Okinawa 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Okinawa in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Okinawa. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Furthermore, many travelers come to Okinawa for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Sandakan is much warmer than Okinawa in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Okinawa fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Okinawa during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Okinawa receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.
Okinawa receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Okinawa. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySandakan 26°C (80°F)Okinawa 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Okinawa in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Okinawa. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Okinawa in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sandakan is a little warmer than Okinawa. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Okinawa averages at about 22°C (71°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 Okinawa. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Okinawa receives 149 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Okinawa. Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets less rain in April than Okinawa. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Okinawa receives 164 mm (6.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Okinawa 22°C (71°F)
Typical Weather for Okinawa and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Okinawa | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 125 mm (4.9 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 156 mm (6.1 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 164 mm (6.5 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 24°C (76°F) | 254 mm (10 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 27°C (80°F) | 255 mm (10 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 28°C (83°F) | 266 mm (10.5 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 117 mm (4.6 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 116 mm (4.6 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.