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

Should you visit Vang Vieng or Shiretoko National Park?

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

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shiretoko National Park? 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 Shiretoko National Park?

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.

Shiretoko National Park

Shiretoko National Park, Japan is comprises the entire Shiretoko Penninusla in the northeast island of Hokkaido. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is considered to be one of the most remote areas in Japan with very few and very small settlements. This makes Shiretoko the perfect place for a fun hiking and camping adventure.

While the park is open year round, the weather in the area tends to greatly affect the enjoyment of your trip due to harsh winters and heavy rain at the end of summer. There is a short period from May to early July that is considered the best time to visit due to slightly less rain and comfortable temperatures around 65 degrees Fahrenheit.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vang Vieng and Shiretoko National Park, we can see that Shiretoko National Park 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 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 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 Shiretoko National Park Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Vang Vieng or Shiretoko National Park?

Shiretoko National Park 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 Shiretoko National Park in the Summer?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Vang Vieng during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Vang Vieng because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Shiretoko National Park in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Vang Vieng is a little warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the summer. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 22°C (72°F) in July, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

In the summer, Vang Vieng often gets less sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Vang Vieng gets 141 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in July than Shiretoko National Park. Vang Vieng gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shiretoko National Park in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Vang Vieng and Shiretoko National Park. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vang Vieng year-round. Also, most visitors come to Shiretoko National Park for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Vang Vieng is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Vang Vieng in October average around 23°C (73°F), and Shiretoko National Park averages at about 10°C (51°F).

In Vang Vieng, it's very sunny this time of the year. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during autumn. Vang Vieng gets 222 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Vang Vieng usually receives less rain than Shiretoko National Park. Vang Vieng gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shiretoko National Park in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Vang Vieng as well as Shiretoko National Park. Vang Vieng attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The weather in Shiretoko National Park can be very cold. In January, Vang Vieng is generally much warmer than Shiretoko National Park. Daily temperatures in Vang Vieng average around 24°C (75°F), and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vang Vieng this time of the year. In the winter, Vang Vieng often gets more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park. Vang Vieng gets 254 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Shiretoko National Park receives 108 hours of full sun.

Vang Vieng usually gets less rain in January than Shiretoko National Park. Vang Vieng gets 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Vang Vieng or Shiretoko National Park in the Spring?

Both Shiretoko National Park and Vang Vieng are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vang Vieng throughout the year. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Shiretoko National Park this time of year.

It's quite cold in Shiretoko National Park in the spring. Vang Vieng is much warmer than Shiretoko National Park in the spring. The daily temperature in Vang Vieng averages around 23°C (73°F) in April, and Shiretoko National Park fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng usually receives more sunshine than Shiretoko National Park during spring. Vang Vieng gets 230 hours of sunny skies, while Shiretoko National Park receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.

It's quite rainy in Vang Vieng. In April, Vang Vieng usually receives more rain than Shiretoko National Park. Vang Vieng gets 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain, while Shiretoko National Park receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Shiretoko National Park and Vang Vieng