Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Sapa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
Jump to 
Should you visit Sapa or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Sapa and Boracay can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Sapa or Boracay?
Sapa
Sapa is a beautiful town in the northern mountains of Vietnam by the border with China. Many travelers pass through the area on their way from China into Hanoi. Alternatively, some travelers head north from Hanoi to spend a few days in the beautiful mountains where tribal cultures are still alive and well. There are a good number of ethnic minorities that populate the area. The eight populations in the area include H'mong, Dao, Tay, Giay, Muong, Thai, Hoa, and Xa Pho, but the vast majority in the area are H'mong. Within the town of Sapa itself, there are about 7,000 people. The rest of the population lives in the surrounding countryside and are peasant farmers.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.
-
Sapa Prices
Vietnam PricesBoracay Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySapa $45Boracay $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Sapa is $45, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $66. 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 Sapa and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSapa $11Boracay $23
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSapa $22Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Sapa and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Sapa or Boracay? 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: Sapa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sapa $8.93Boracay $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Sapa are as follows:
-
Short Motorbike Ride$1.14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Speedboat Caticlan to Boracay Transfer (Oneway): $81
- Private Transfer from Boracay Port to Boracay Island Hotel: $59
- Private Transfer from Boracay Island Hotels Boracay Cruise Port: $59
- PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER TO BORACAY: $58
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $53
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $53
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Two-way Shared Transfer from/to Airport to Hotel: $34
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer to Boracay: $34
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $29
Is it cheaper to fly into Sapa or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Sapa 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
-
Food Meals for one daySapa $27Boracay $25
Typical Food Prices in Sapa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Sapa:
-
Casual Dinner (for One)$2.58
-
Quick Breakfast (for Two)$2.08
-
Coffee (for Two)$2.27
-
Western Dinner (for Two)$7.55
-
Pho Soup$0.57
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sapa $5.82Boracay $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Sapa
For Sapa, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
-
CatCat Village Tax$1.52
-
Ta Phin Village Tax$0.76
-
Walking Stick$0.19
-
Paddle Boat Rental on Sapa Lake (1 Hr)$3.03
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hours Boracay Inland Private Tour in E-Trike: $125
- 2-Hour Boracay Land Tour via Etrike: $32
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $8.95
- Boracay ATV Tour and Kawa Hot Bath: $85
- Boracay Atv Mainland Adventure with lunch: $59
- Boracay Cliff Jumping & Snorkeling Experience (Private): $105
- Boracay E-trike Land Tour: $23
- Boracay Eco-Hopping Tour: $85
- Boracay Island Hopping Experience: $63
- Boracay Island Hopping Tour with Hot Kawa Bath Experience: $30
- Boracay Island Hopping with Lunch+ Atv Mainland Adventure: $57
- Boracay Island Hopping+ Helmet Diving (Shared Tour): $63
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySapa $7.76Boracay $16
Typical Alcohol Prices in Sapa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Sapa are as follows:
-
Two Beers$0.95
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sapa and Boracay, we can see that Boracay is more expensive. And not only is Sapa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sapa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sapa 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 Boracay would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boracay than you might in Sapa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sapa Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sapa or Boracay?
Sapa has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Boracay. When comparing the sizes of Sapa and Boracay, 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.
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.