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

Should you visit Similan Islands or Kamakura?

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 Kamakura 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 remote, spectacular, and idyllic island chain. You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. It's also known for food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Kamakura

Kamakura is a quaint, charming, and laid back coastal city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Kamakura travel costs.

Similan Islands and Kamakura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Kamakura?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Kamakura. Although Similan Islands and Kamakura are popular destinations, Kamakura has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kamakura is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, historical sights, and shopping, while Similan Islands attracts visitors for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Kamakura is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its historic temples and shrines as well as its popular beaches. It is also well known for the Great Buddha. Similan Islands is famous for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Kamakura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Kamakura 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 Kamakura?

Kamakura is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Kamakura. This ancient city is filled with historic landmarks such as the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, Hasedera Temple, and Hachimangu Shrine, among many others.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Kamakura is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Kamakura has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura Better for Nightlife?

Kamakura is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Kamakura has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Similan Islands a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Kamakura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for its beaches. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Similan Islands. 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.

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.

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura Better for its Old Town?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its old town. However, Similan Islands does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Kamakura. It's a quaint historic town with many shrines, temples, and historic landmarks that reflect its long running political past.

Similan Islands does not have a historic old town.

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura Better for Hiking?

Both Similan Islands and Kamakura are destinations which offer nice hiking.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Similan Islands. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Kamakura offers some nice hiking trails. 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 Similan Islands or Kamakura?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Kamakura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura Better for Families?

Both Similan Islands and Kamakura are nice to visit with kids.

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.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Kamakura. 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 Similan Islands or Kamakura Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is an unbeatable place for romance. Also, Kamakura is not as famous, but is still a good coastal city to visit for its romantic activities.

Similan Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

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

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Kamakura is a good coastal city to visit for backpackers. 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.

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

Kamakura is a coastal city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally 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.

Is Similan Islands or Kamakura a more walkable city?

Similan Islands and Kamakura are nice when it comes to walkability.

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

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

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

Should I spend more time in Kamakura or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Kamakura?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Similan Islands or Kamakura to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Similan Islands than Kamakura because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamakura.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Kamakura 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 Kamakura.

One day in Similan Islands or Kamakura?

The beautiful island chain of Similan Islands offers scuba diving and snorkeling and food. Most people come for the beaches. 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.

The quaint destination of Kamakura offers nightlife and food. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Kamakura?

Similan Islands is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

The coastal city of Kamakura offers food and shopping. 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 Kamakura?

Similan Islands is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Similan Islands, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Kamakura is a great place to explore. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Kamakura?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. It is common to spend one week here. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Similan Islands has to offer. This island chain offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Kamakura. 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 Adventure Tours to Japan, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Japan.

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

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 Kamakura Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Kamakura?

Kamakura 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 Kamakura in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Kamakura. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, many visitors come to Kamakura in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 28°C (82°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 137 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kamakura. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Kamakura. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain this time of the year. June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Kamakura in the Autumn?

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

Similan Islands is much warmer than Kamakura in the autumn. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and Kamakura fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 129 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kamakura. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Kamakura. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 177 mm (7 in) of rain each month for the autumn. The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Kamakura in the Winter?

Both Kamakura and Similan Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Kamakura because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Similan Islands is much warmer than Kamakura. Typically, the winter temperatures in Similan Islands in January average around 27°C (80°F), and Kamakura averages at about 6°C (43°F).

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Kamakura. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kamakura receives 175 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Kamakura. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Kamakura in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Kamakura. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Kamakura this time of year.

In April, Similan Islands is generally much warmer than Kamakura. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 29°C (83°F), and Kamakura fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Kamakura during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Kamakura receives 161 hours of full sun in the spring.

Kamakura receives a lot of rain in the spring. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kamakura. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Kamakura receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the spring. October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands.

Typical Weather for Kamakura and Similan Islands