A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sendai vs. Flores for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Sendai or Flores?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Sendai or Flores, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Sendai or Flores?

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

Flores

The town of Flores is located in Peten, Guatemala. The main hub is located on an island on Lago Peten Itza, which is connected to the mainland by a causeway. On the other side of the causeway are the towns of Santa Elena and San Benito, however, all three are often referred to as Flores. Most people visit the area for its proximity to the ancient Mayan ruins of Tikal, though the town itself is also charming with colonial buildings and historic churches lining the cobbled streets.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Guatemala, and The Best 3-Day Tours in Guatemala.


Which place is cheaper, Flores or Sendai?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Sendai is $133, while the average daily cost in Flores is $43. 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 Sendai and Flores in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sendai $61
    Flores $8.73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sendai $122
    Flores $17
Compare Hotels in Sendai and Flores

Looking for a hotel in Sendai or Flores? 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.

Hotels in Sendai


Hotels in Flores


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: Sendai Hotel Prices and Flores Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sendai $18
    Flores $7.97

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sendai

Also for Sendai, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Sendai City: Private transfer to/from Sendai Airport: $88
  • Private Transfer from Sendai Airport to Sendai City: $187
  • Odawara to Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) -Departure Private Transfer: $103

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Flores

Also for Flores, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Tikal Transfer and Tour Guide From Flores: $90
  • Same day Round-Trip VIP Exclusive Transfer to Tikal from Flores : $133
  • Private transfer Mundo Maya Airport to Flores Island Hotels: $10
  • Bus transfer from Flores, Guatemala to Belize City: $20

Is it cheaper to fly into Sendai or Flores?

Prices for flights to both Flores and Sendai 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 day
    Sendai $58
    Flores $23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sendai

For Sendai, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Local Food Tour in Shiogama, Japan Top Tuna and Sushi Town: $135
  • Michinoku Coastal Trail Sake Tasting with Dinner: $143

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sendai $19
    Flores $20

Tours and Activities in Sendai

For Sendai, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Afternoon Cycling Tour in Naruko: $151
  • Catch and Dine A Gourmet Fishing Experience in Miyagi: $24
  • Sendai and Matsushima Private Tour with Licensed Guide: $101
  • Local Foodie Tour, wander around the gourmet town: $120

Typical Entertainment Prices in Flores

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Flores's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Tikal Entrance (for 2)
    $39
  • Map of Tikal
    $3.26

Tours and Activities in Flores

For Flores, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Shared Guided Sunset Tour in Yaxhá from Flores: $25
  • 2-Day Tour to Tikal and Yaxhá from Flores Island: $220
  • All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores and Airport: $105
  • All Inclusive Tikal Tour from Flores or Mayan World Airport: $78
  • Awaken to Tikals' Sunrise Exclusive Tour: $199
  • Basic Tour to Tikal Includes Transportation and Guide Service: $25
  • Discover "Crater Azul" & Its Crystal-Clear Waters On A Full-Day Tour From Flores: $280
  • From Flowers Eco Tour to Blue Crater All Inclusive: $70
  • From Flowers Sunset Tour in Tikal: $25
  • Full Day Tikal Sunrise Tour from Flores and Archaeological Tour: $48
  • Full-Day Shared Tour to Tikal from Flores Peten with Lunch: $110
  • Guided Tour of Tikal from Flores or Airport Private Service : $140

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sendai $11
    Flores $21

Typical Alcohol Prices in Flores

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Flores are as follows:


  • Two Margaritas
    $2.61


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sendai and Flores, we can see that Sendai is more expensive. And not only is Flores much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sendai is in Asia and Flores is in Central America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Flores would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flores 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 Sendai would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sendai than you might in Flores.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sendai Expensive? and Is Flores Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sendai or Flores?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Flores. When comparing the sizes of Sendai and Flores, 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.