A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Tanah Rata for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Similan Islands or Tanah Rata?

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 Tanah Rata 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.

Where Should I go: Similan Islands or Tanah Rata?

Similan Islands

There are places divers like, and there are places divers love. One of the most popular spots to visit the underwater world is at the national park of the Similan Islands in southern Thailand. With 140 square kilometers of land and nine islands, this area is a paradise for those ready to get their feet wet.

The park is made up of nine islands: Ko Bon, Ko Bayu, Ko Similan, Ko Payu, Ko Miang, Ko Payan, Ko Paying and Ko Huyong. If these names are a bit too similar for you to easily differentiate, don't worry. Most refer to each island with a number from 1 to 9. Two more islands were added to the park – Koh Bon and Koh Tachai – in 1998.

Even though the park was only established in 1982, the islands have been around for approximately 65 million years. They are the product of swells of hot magma during the Cretaceous period and smoothed over by glacial ice and water erosion. The reefs beneath the surface are approximately 5,000 years and therefor the oldest in Thailand. Luckily, because of its deep waters, the islands' underwater landscapes were essentially unharmed during the 2004 tsunami.

Each island is covered in lush, tropical jungle and white, sandy coastlines. There is fish of every shape, color and size – including the famous "Nemo" clownfish, batfish, barracudas, whale sharks and manta rays.

You'll want to plan your visit around monsoon season. So book a trip sometime between December and April. March is a particularly good time to visit as the winds have died down and the water is crystal clear. The park is closed from May to November.

There are a few tents and bungalows on some of the islands. They are government run, and you'll need to reserve them in advance. Many divers will simply take day trips, or sleep on board boats. There are several organized tour and boat options available out of Phuket, Khao Lak and Ranong. Both areas will likely offer day trips and live-aboard cruises. These cruises typically start at four days and 4 nights, but shorter trips are available. There is an entry fee to the park, along with a daily usage fee for those spending multiple days in the park. This fee is paid to your driver before the trip.

Tanah Rata

Tanah Rata is one of the main tourist towns in the Cameron Highlands. The Cameron Highlands are in western Malaysia and are a popular retreat for Malaysian residents and international travelers alike. The area's higher elevation offers an often much needed break from the country's oppressive heat. It also has a beautiful setting that is rich in agriculture and has rolling hills that are beautifully covered in tea plantations. Tanah Rata has many of the area's tourist amenities. ATMS, banks, and the area's main hospital are all found in town. For some, the area feels too touristy, but if you linger longer, and explore on your own, you can easily escape the mass tourism and see the area for what it is.

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 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Malaysia.

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

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 Tanah Rata Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Tanah Rata?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Similan Islands or Tanah Rata in the Summer?

Both Tanah Rata and Similan Islands during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round.

June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. It rains a lot this time of the year in Similan Islands. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Tanah Rata. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the summer temperatures in Similan Islands in July average around 28°C (82°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Tanah Rata in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Tanah Rata. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Tanah Rata receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Tanah Rata. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Similan Islands is generally around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (81°F), and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Tanah Rata in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Tanah Rata. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year.

It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Tanah Rata. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata in the winter. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Tanah Rata fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Tanah Rata in the Spring?

Both Tanah Rata and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May. The rainy season in Similan Islands is June to September. It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In April, Similan Islands usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tanah Rata. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Tanah Rata receives 167 mm (6.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Tanah Rata. Typically, the spring temperatures in Similan Islands in April average around 29°C (83°F), and Tanah Rata averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Typical Weather for Tanah Rata and Similan Islands