A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Shiretoko National Park vs. Koh Pha Ngan for Hiking, Backpackers, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan, 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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park is a national park remote,natural,scenic,pristine. This is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's also known for hiking.

Koh Pha Ngan

Koh Pha Ngan is a high energy, funky, and beautiful party island. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include hiking, nightlife, and food.

Shiretoko National Park and Koh Pha Ngan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Koh Pha Ngan than Shiretoko National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Koh Pha Ngan is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Shiretoko National Park is more popular for its hiking. Koh Pha Ngan is more touristy than Shiretoko National Park and is known for its wild Full Moon Parties, large backpacker crowds, and strikingly beautiful beaches. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is famous for the Full Moon Parties. Shiretoko National Park is well known for its pristine ecosystems, diverse wildlife, and rugged coastline.

How is Shiretoko National Park different from Koh Pha Ngan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Koh Pha Ngan and Shiretoko National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

Koh Pha Ngan is a moderate party island for its sights and museums. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its museums and history.

Koh Pha Ngan offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Visitors come of the natural beauty, outdoor sports, and hardcore parties more than the sights and museums. Kuan Yin Temple is worth visiting, as is Wat Pho and Wat Phu Khao Noi.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Shiretoko National Park. This is a beautiful and pristine park, but there are limited amenities and museums in the area. You can hit up the Shiretoko Rausu Visitor Center for information on the region.

Is the Food Better in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Koh Pha Ngan is a nice place to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for its restaurants.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Koh Pha Ngan area. There is frequent turnover in the restaurant scene around town, but there are a few mainstay restaurants that offer consistent and reliable Thai or international cuisine. In general, the food is fresh and the typical Thai favorites are available most places. Also make sure you check out the Thong Sala Night Market, which offers unique snacks and local dishes.

While Shiretoko National Park is not famous for its food, you'll find what you need there. There are a couple of restaurants on the edge of the park, but if you're planning to do any hiking, it's best to bring your own food.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Nightlife?

Koh Pha Ngan is a world-class destination for its evening party scene. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

People head to Koh Pha Ngan just to party. The island's famous Full Moon Parties have landed it on many lists for top party destinations around the world. These parties are held every month on the night of the full moon, with the biggest crowds between November and March. The parties are traditionally held at the beach in Haad Rin. If you miss the Full Moon Party, you can check out the Half Moon Festival on Baan Ti. During other times, you'll find a variety of different parties that capitalize on the party reputation of the island, so whenever you visit, you can enjoy some level of festivities.

Shiretoko National Park is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Resorts?

Koh Pha Ngan is a nice place to visit for its resorts. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a resort destination.

Koh Pha Ngan has a few great resort options. Much of the island caters to the backpacker crowd, but there are some luxury resorts to choose from as well. Many resorts take advantage of the beautiful nature on the island or intentionally prioritize a serene environment where you can relax by the pool.

Shiretoko National Park is not a resort destination.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Pha Ngan is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Pha Ngan has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. The island has its share of dive shops and a nice underwater setting where you can see coral and a variety of marine life. The island doesn't draw the huge diving crowds like some of the other islands, but that isn't always a bad thing.

Shiretoko National Park is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Beaches?

Koh Pha Ngan is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a beach destination.

The beaches in Koh Pha Ngan are among the best in the world. The white sand beaches with turquoise blue waters make this island a truly beautiful destination. While most people think of beach parties and Full Moon Parties, the island also has some quieter beaches where you can relax in a peaceful paradise. The parties are mostly concentrated around Sunrise Beach in Haad Rin. This beach also has cheap bungalows that are popular with the backpacker crowd. For the quieter beaches, head to the northern side of the island around Hat Khuat and Hat Thian.

Shiretoko National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Hiking?

Shiretoko National Park is a world-class destination for its hiking experiences. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for hiking.

Many people visit Shiretoko National Park specifically for its hiking. The park is pristine with striking and varied landscapes as well as diverse wildlife. Hiking is the best way to experience the area, and the scenic views, and world class hiking trails are among the best.

Many visitors go to Koh Pha Ngan for the hiking trails. In its interior, the island has beautiful jungle and impressive hikes. Some of the best hikes are found in Than Sadet National Park, but come prepared because they can often be challenging. They usually end with a breathtaking viewpoint, secluded beach, or stunning waterfall though.

Is the Shopping Better in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

Koh Pha Ngan is a moderate party island for its shopping areas. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Koh Pha Ngan has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. Although shopping isn't particularly popular on the island, it does offer a unique opportunity to support individual shop owners as there are more independently owned vendors on this island than in many other areas. Head to the markets and you'll find the most independent shops to support.

Shiretoko National Park is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Families?

Shiretoko National Park is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Koh Pha Ngan is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Shiretoko National Park. Kids who enjoy an outdoor adventure will appreciate a visit to this park. There are wildlife viewing opportunities as well as mult-day hiking trails. Some parts of the park are challenging to access, so younger kids may be limited in what they can do.

For families, Koh Pha Ngan is not always the best place to visit. Most people think of Full Moon Parties and backpacker crowds when they think of this island. There are actually some quieter areas on the eastern and northern sides of the island that are good for families. The activities are best suited for older kids and include hiking, windsurfing, yoga, and shopping.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Couples?

Shiretoko National Park is well known for romance. Also, Koh Pha Ngan is still popular, but not quite as popular for its romantic activities.

Couples visit Shiretoko National Park frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. Couples who enjoy nature, wildlife, and pristine hiking trails will enjoy a visit to this remote and natural park. There are many great hikes as well as scenic spots that you can explore.

Koh Pha Ngan makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy partying, yoga retreats, and outdoor exploration will find something for them on this island. There are beautiful hikes to waterfalls as well as nice beaches and, of course, the wild parties.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Koh Pha Ngan is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Shiretoko National Park is not as famous, but is still a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Koh Pha Ngan is a very popular party island to visit for backpackers. This island is synonymous with backpacker vibes and full moon parties. Head to the southern side of the island around Haad Rin and Ban Tai for the highest concentration of backpacker crowds. Like much of Thailand, there is frequent turnover in hostel ownership, so most reviews that you read online will be out of date. It's best to talk to people on the road to get the most up-to-date perspective.

Shiretoko National Park is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Multi-day treks are a great way to explore the park and see the parts that are less popular with tourists.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koh Pha Ngan is a moderate party island for its public transit. However, Shiretoko National Park is not a good remote,natural,scenic,pristine for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Pha Ngan. Your best bet for getting around the island without a private vehicle is Songthaew taxi, longtail boats, and rental mopeds.

Public transit is quite limited in Shiretoko National Park. While there are buses that travel from Utoro to the east coast, they are infrequent. Your best options for visiting the park are having a private vehicle or joining a tour. Many parts of the park are only accessible by hiking or by boat.

Is Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan a more walkable city?

Shiretoko National Park and Koh Pha Ngan both are notable when exploring on foot.

Shiretoko National Park is a somewhat walkable remote,natural,scenic,pristine. It's a vast park with many hiking and cycling trails.

Koh Pha Ngan is somewhat walkable. It's possible, and even enjoyable, to walk from place to place around the island but allow yourself a lot of time and bring water because temperatures can be very warm.

For even more information, also check out Is Shiretoko National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan or Shiretoko National Park?

How long in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

In either Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Shiretoko National Park because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 3-4 days is a good amount of time for Shiretoko National Park, and 3-5 days is enough time in Koh Pha Ngan.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Shiretoko National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Pha Ngan that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Koh Pha Ngan than Shiretoko National Park 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 Koh Pha Ngan.

One day in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

In Shiretoko National Park, many people enjoy the that this national park remote,natural,scenic,pristine offers. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find nightlife and food around the high energy party island of Koh Pha Ngan. It's also a great beach destination, too. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

Shiretoko National Park is a fun place to experience. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Lots of people come for the hiking. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring.

Koh Pha Ngan is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Five days in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

You'll find around the national park destination of Shiretoko National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the hiking. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Koh Pha Ngan is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. So, five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

A week in Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

Shiretoko National Park is a popular place to visit. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Pha Ngan. Most people come for the beaches. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Shiretoko National Park and Koh Pha Ngan, we can see that Shiretoko National Park is more expensive. And not only is Koh Pha Ngan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Koh Pha Ngan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Koh Pha Ngan 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 Koh Pha Ngan.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Shiretoko National Park Expensive? and Is Koh Pha Ngan Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan?

Shiretoko National Park has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Pha Ngan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Shiretoko National Park and Koh Pha Ngan. Most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Koh Pha Ngan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In the summer, Shiretoko National Park is cooler than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the summer temperatures in Shiretoko National Park in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Koh Pha Ngan receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Shiretoko National Park usually receives less rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Shiretoko National Park gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Shiretoko National Park as well as Koh Pha Ngan. The autumn months attract visitors to Shiretoko National Park because of the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Pha Ngan throughout the year.

In October, Shiretoko National Park is generally much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Daily temperatures in Shiretoko National Park average around 10°C (51°F), and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite rainy in Koh Pha Ngan. Shiretoko National Park usually gets less rain in October than Koh Pha Ngan. Shiretoko National Park gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to March in Koh Pha Ngan is the dry season. October and November in Koh Pha Ngan is the rainy season.

Should I visit Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan in the Winter?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Shiretoko National Park are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Pha Ngan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the winter. Shiretoko National Park is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan in the winter. The daily temperature in Shiretoko National Park averages around -6°C (20°F) in January, and Koh Pha Ngan fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).

In January, Shiretoko National Park usually receives more rain than Koh Pha Ngan. Shiretoko National Park gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Pha Ngan is December to March.

Should I visit Shiretoko National Park or Koh Pha Ngan in the Spring?

Both Koh Pha Ngan and Shiretoko National Park during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Shiretoko National Park for the natural beauty. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Pha Ngan year-round.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Shiretoko National Park. In the spring, Shiretoko National Park is much colder than Koh Pha Ngan. Typically, the spring temperatures in Shiretoko National Park in April average around 5°C (40°F), and Koh Pha Ngan averages at about 24°C (76°F).

Shiretoko National Park usually gets less rain in April than Koh Pha Ngan. Shiretoko National Park gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Koh Pha Ngan receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Koh Pha Ngan and Shiretoko National Park