A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sapa vs. Kamakura for Hiking, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sapa or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura can help you decide which place is right for you.

Sapa

Sapa is a picturesque, cultural, and scenic town. It's a very nice small town not to be missed. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and hiking.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a laid back, ancient, and quaint coastal city. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums.

Sapa and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sapa or Kamakura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura than Sapa, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Kamakura is more popular for its museums, nightlife, beaches, and historical sights, while Sapa is known for its hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Sapa is popular for its stunning village and mountain trekking, beautiful rice paddies, and colorful weekly markets. Kamakura is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also home to the Great Buddha.

How is Sapa different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kamakura and Sapa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sapa or Kamakura?

Kamakura is great for its historical sights. However, Sapa is not a good destination for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Kamakura specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Sapa offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. While the many nearby villages are filled with markets and culture and have the feel of living museums, there are few actual museums in the area.

Is the Food Better in Sapa or Kamakura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Sapa and Kamakura both to be great destinations.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Sapa. The area's food highlights the local agricultural scene with lots of meat, fish, and vegetables. If you want to check out traditional Hmong cuisine, Thang Co is one of the most common dishes. It's a soup that has a strong smell and is prepared with local herbs and meats.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Kamakura. Dining is part of the fun in this beautiful town. There are many great restaurants where you can sample luxury dishes, but there are also street food stalls with egg pancakes or noodle dishes.

Is Sapa or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is great for nightlife. Also, Sapa is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife and partying.

Many people head to Kamakura for the nightlife scene. There's a diverse mix of bars and music venues. The nightlife scene is particularly active during the summer months when visitors head to the beach, but throughout the year you'll find tachinomiya standing bars, international style pubs, and jazz clubs where locals like to hang out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sapa. While you don't visit the area for its nightlife, there's a big backpacker scene here so you'll likely find a crowd looking for a good time. The town has a night market and there are plenty of bars that cater to the tourists.

Is Sapa or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Kamakura is very good for its beaches. However, Sapa is not a beach destination.

Many people head to Kamakura to enjoy the beach. Many locals from Tokyo or Yokohama head here during July and August to cool off at the beach, relax in the sun, and go surfing. The beaches can get crowded, but they're long and sandy and can make for a nice escape.

Sapa is not a beach destination.

Is Sapa or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is very good for its historic old town. However, Sapa does not have a historic old town.

Kamakura is a good destination for visiting its old town. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Sapa does not have a historic old town.

Is Sapa or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Sapa is an unbeatable place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its hiking trails.

People visit Sapa specifically for its hiking, as the natural beauty is well-known. Trekking is, by far, one of the best ways to experience the area's beauty. You'll pass by scenic rice paddies, walk along mist covered mountains, and stumble into fascinating villages. Many people hire a local guide to guide them. This helps the local economy and offers insider information.

Many people include a hike when visiting Kamakura. Just outside of town there are many hiking trails that crisscross through the wooded hills and connect the many temples. Many of the trails are relatively short and take just an hour or two to complete.

Is the Shopping Better in Sapa or Kamakura?

Sapa is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Sapa is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Many villages have a weekly market that is very fascinating to explore. In addition to local food items, there are often locally made handicrafts that make great souvenirs from your travels.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Kamakura. While the city itself is ancient, you can head to Kamakura Komachi-dori Street to find trendy boutiques and modern shopping. This is a popular place to pick up a souvenir or check out the current fashions.

Is Sapa or Kamakura Better for Families?

Sapa is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Sapa is a very family-friendly place to visit. Many people arrive via an overnight train, which is an adventure for the whole family. Once you arrive, your kids will experience a local culture that is uniquely its own. You can participate in a homestay and enjoy meals prepared by a local family. There are also many kid-friendly hikes through the surrounding mountains.

Kamakura is a family-friendly town. It's a town that's filled with history and character, which isn't every kids cup of tea. If you're traveling with young kids you might want to head to beach for a bit. There are also ice cream and donut shops that you can use as well to break up the sightseeing.

Is Sapa or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Both Sapa and Kamakura are great destinations to visit as a couple.

Sapa is a great town if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy experiencing unique cultures and hiking through stunning mountain settings will love a trip to this mountain town. While the tourists have definitely discovered the area, there are still places that have a local vibe with traditional Vietnamese markets and homesteads.

Kamakura is a very popular place to visit for couples. Many couples enjoy visiting this quaint town as a day trip from Tokyo. There are impressive temples as well as restaurants and gardens.

Is Sapa or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sapa is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Sapa. Like much of Southeast Asia, this town and the surrounding areas are solidly on the backpacker trail. You'll find cheap places to stay and tours that cater specifically to the budget and backpacker crowd.

Kamakura is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's an easy day trip from Tokyo, but there are also some affordable hostels that make it an easy place to spend the night.

Is Sapa or Kamakura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sapa and Kamakura both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Sapa offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are public buses through the region. If you're hoping to visit nearby towns for their market days, an organized tour or private guide is a good option.

Kamakura has a few public transit options. There's a city bus system, but for the more remote places you'll want to take a taxi.

Is Sapa or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Sapa is a well-known place for its walkability. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Sapa is very walkable. Trekking is, by far, the best way to experience the area and all of the beauty and culture that it has to offer.

Kamakura is a somewhat walkable place. It's a small city, and most of the sights can be reached on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Sapa Worth Visiting? and Is Kamakura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Sapa?

How long in Sapa or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sapa or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sapa than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Sapa, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

Families should spend more time in Sapa than Kamakura. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Sapa, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Kamakura than Sapa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Kamakura that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sapa than Kamakura if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Sapa.

One day in Sapa or Kamakura?

The beautiful town of Sapa offers nightlife and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Kamakura. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Sapa or Kamakura?

Sapa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sapa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kamakura is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Sapa or Kamakura?

Sapa is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the laid back destination of Kamakura. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Sapa or Kamakura?

Sapa is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

The laid back coastal city of Kamakura offers nightlife and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Vietnam, The Best Tours for Seniors to Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

Which is Bigger, Sapa or Kamakura?

Kamakura has a larger population, and is about 20% larger than the population of Sapa. When comparing the sizes of Sapa 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.