A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Dewa Sanzan for Couples, Hiking, Food, and Backpackers

Should you visit Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Dewa Sanzan can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a spectacular, idyllic, and remote island chain. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Dewa Sanzan

Dewa Sanzan is a sacred, remote, and traditional religious site. Visitors also love the hiking and museums.

Similan Islands and Dewa Sanzan: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Similan Islands than Dewa Sanzan, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Similan Islands is better known for its food, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Dewa Sanzan is more popular for its museums, hiking, and shopping. Dewa Sanzan is more touristy than Similan Islands and is known for its traditional religion, three sacred mountains, and the Shukubo Pilgrim Lodges. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting. Also, Similan Islands is famous for the undersea world.

How is Similan Islands different from Dewa Sanzan?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan is a religious site with good options for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Dewa Sanzan offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. This is a sacred religious site that is at the heart of the Shugendo folk religion. The religion combines Buddhist and Shinto traditions and there are several temples in the area including the most sacred sights at Yudono-san, Haguro-san, and Gas-san, as well as the Churenji and Dainichibo Temples.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Similan Islands is very good for its restaurants. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its restaurant scene.

Similan Islands has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Dewa Sanzan may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. In your guesthouse you'll be given "Shojin cuisine", which is the traditional cuisine that has been handed down through the generations. It is strictly vegetarian and is heavily influenced by whatever vegetable is currently in season in the area. Traditionally, the cuisine focused on sustenance and not taste, but for the purposes of hospitality, the dishes are more flavorful than is typical in the traditional cuisine.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan Better for Nightlife?

Neither Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan offer decent nightlife.

Similan Islands doesn't offer many options. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Dewa Sanzan. This is a religious site that is remote and focused on mountain worship and devotion. Nightlife is non-existent in the area.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Similan Islands is not to be missed. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Dewa Sanzan is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for the beache. However, Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Similan Islands is a very popular vacation destination. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Dewa Sanzan is not a beach destination.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan Better for Hiking?

Dewa Sanzan is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Dewa Sanzan. Experienced hikers can climb Mt. Gassan and Mt. Yudono in one day and do Mt. Haguro separately. For Mt. Gassan, you'll want to take the bus to the 8th station and climb from there.

Similan Islands offers some nice hiking trails. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan is not a good area for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping in Dewa Sanzan can be found for those interested. This is a sacred sight that is devoted to worship and a simple life. As such, shopping in not available in the area with the exception of a couple of convenience stores.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan Better for Families?

Similan Islands is very good for its kid-friendly activities. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Similan Islands is a family-friendly island chain. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Dewa Sanzan is not such a family-friendly island chain. The remote location make this a challenging place to access. It's a religious destination and its sacred and historic past is often lost to children. Out of respect for the strict religion, this site is best visited as an adult.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for its romantic activities. Also, Dewa Sanzan is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Similan Islands has plenty to offer. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Dewa Sanzan is a good island chain for couples to visit. Couples who want to do something that's a bit different from mainstream Japan will appreciate a visit to this religious site.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Dewa Sanzan is a religious site with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Dewa Sanzan is a good religious site to visit for backpackers. This is an off-the-beaten-path destination for backpackers, and it can be difficult to reach by public transit. Once you're there, if you want a traditional experience, you can stay at a Shukubo Pilgrim Lodge.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find respectable public transit in both Similan Islands and Dewa Sanzan.

Public transit is mostly limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Public transit is generally limited in Dewa Sanzan. There is public transit from Tsuruoka Station to Mt. Haguro and the accommodation in the area. There are also buses to the top of Mt. Haguro, Mt. Yudono, and Mt. Gassan 8th Station.

Is Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan a more walkable city?

Similan Islands is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Dewa Sanzan is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable place. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

Dewa Sanzan is generally not very walkable. Everything is very spread out so walking can be challenging. Experienced hikers will enjoy hiking to each of the three shrines.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Dewa Sanzan Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Dewa Sanzan or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Similan Islands and Dewa Sanzan. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Similan Islands than in Dewa Sanzan. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 2-3 days is enough time in Dewa Sanzan.

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

Couples should spend more time in Similan Islands than Dewa Sanzan. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Similan Islands that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Dewa Sanzan than Similan Islands 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 Dewa Sanzan.

One day in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the idyllic island chain of Similan Islands. It's also a great beach destination, too. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The religious destination of Dewa Sanzan offers museums. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the spectacular destination of Similan Islands. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. This island chain offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

The religious site of Dewa Sanzan offers museums. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the spectacular island chain of Similan Islands. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. Many people spend five days here.If you enjoy all that's offered here, then five days is just the right amount of time to spend here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

Dewa Sanzan is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. This religious site offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and food when visiting the destination of Similan Islands. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Most people come for the beaches. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this island chain.

Many people enjoy the museums when visiting Dewa Sanzan. Hikers are also drawn to this area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Contiki Tours to Japan, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Similan Islands and Dewa Sanzan, we can see that Similan Islands is more expensive. And not only is Dewa Sanzan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dewa Sanzan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dewa Sanzan 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 Similan Islands would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Similan Islands than you might in Dewa Sanzan.

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan?

Dewa Sanzan has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Similan Islands experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan in the Summer?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Dewa Sanzan for the hiking during these months.

Similan Islands is a little warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 23°C (74°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during summer. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Dewa Sanzan. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In July, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Dewa Sanzan. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 191 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the summer. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan in the Autumn?

Both Dewa Sanzan and Similan Islands during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Dewa Sanzan because of the hiking trails.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Dewa Sanzan averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun.

Dewa Sanzan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in October than Dewa Sanzan. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year. October to May is the dry season in Similan Islands.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Dewa Sanzan. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Also, the museums and the cuisine are the main draw to Dewa Sanzan this time of year.

It's quite cold in Dewa Sanzan in the winter. In January, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Dewa Sanzan. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around -1°C (30°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan during winter. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Dewa Sanzan receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

Dewa Sanzan receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Dewa Sanzan. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Dewa Sanzan in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Dewa Sanzan. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

Similan Islands is much warmer than Dewa Sanzan in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Dewa Sanzan fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the spring, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Dewa Sanzan. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dewa Sanzan receives 188 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in April than Dewa Sanzan. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Dewa Sanzan receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Typical Weather for Dewa Sanzan and Similan Islands