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

Should you visit Sandakan or Shiretoko National Park?

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

Should I visit Sandakan or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Sandakan or Shiretoko National Park?

Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

Both Shiretoko National Park 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, many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Sandakan is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during summer. Sandakan gets 221 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun in the summer.

It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In July, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?

Both Shiretoko National Park 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, most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Sandakan often gets more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Sandakan gets 191 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 158 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in October than Shiretoko National Park. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Shiretoko National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round.

The weather in Shiretoko National Park can be very cold. Sandakan is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

Sandakan usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during winter. Sandakan gets 156 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 108 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 Shiretoko National Park. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Sandakan or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Shiretoko National Park. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the spring. In the spring, Sandakan is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 5°C (40°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 Shiretoko National Park. Sandakan gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun.

Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sandakan usually gets more rain in April than Shiretoko National Park. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Sandakan