A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Vang Vieng vs. Atami for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Atami?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Atami? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Vang Vieng or Atami?

Vang Vieng

Vang Vieng is a town in the Vientiane province of Laos that sits along the banks of the Nam Song River. With its beautifully carved karst topography cliffs towering over the winding river, the area has become very tourist-oriented for those seeking to explore the outdoor wonders. People from all over come to engage in the unique landscape-mountain biking, trekking, kayaking, caving, swimming, and rock climbing, amongst others.

Atami

Sharing a home with the famous Mount Fuji inside the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, Atami is a Japanese city set on the seaside of the Izu Peninsula. With volcanic hills and natural hot springs, visitors are very much drawn to the unique landscape of the place. There are many hot springs resorts that take advantage of the area's natural features, which have been attracting visitors since the 8th century.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Vang Vieng or Atami?

Atami has a larger population, and is about 63% larger than the population of Vang Vieng. When comparing the sizes of Vang Vieng and Atami, 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.

When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Atami?

Atami has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vang Vieng experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Atami in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Atami. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, most visitors come to Atami for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Vang Vieng is generally cooler than Atami. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 22°C (72°F), and Atami fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Vang Vieng usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atami during summer. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 140 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atami receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Atami. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Atami receives 202 mm (8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Atami in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Atami. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Atami because of the shopping scene.

Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Atami in the autumn. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in October, and Atami fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the autumn, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Atami. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 130 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Atami. Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in October than Atami. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Atami receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Atami in the Winter?

Both Atami and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Atami this time of year.

In the winter, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Atami. Typically, the winter temperatures in Vang Vieng in January average around 24°C (75°F), and Atami averages at about 5°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Atami during winter. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies, while Atami receives 162 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Atami. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Atami receives 73 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Atami in the Spring?

Both Atami and Vang Vieng during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Atami for the beaches.

In April, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Atami. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 23°C (73°F), and Atami fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

It's quite sunny in Vang Vieng. In the spring, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Atami. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atami receives 161 hours of full sun.

Atami gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually gets more rain in April than Atami. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Atami receives 163 mm (6.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atami and Vang Vieng