Which place is cheaper, Yamaguchi or El Nido?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit El Nido or Yamaguchi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit El Nido or Yamaguchi? 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: El Nido or Yamaguchi?
El Nido
El Nido is a coastal destination on the Philippine island of Palawan. It consists of about 45 islands and islets all with beautiful beachfront scenery and plenty of opportunities for experiencing nature above and below the water. Some of the island's best features include limestone karst cliffs, coral reefs, lagoons, coves, and waterfalls.
Yamaguchi
Yamaguchi, Japan is the capital city of the Yamaguchi Prefecture, located on the Western tip of Honshu, Japan. During medieval times, Yamaguchi City flourished and was essentially the capital of Japan when Kyoto was demolished by the Onin war. After 1551, the city lost this standing, although evidence of its precious prosperity can be found in the architecture and even in the planning of the city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Philippines, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Philippines, The Best G Adventures Tours to Japan, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Tokyo.
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El Nido Prices
Philippines PricesYamaguchi Prices
Japan Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayEl Nido $47Yamaguchi $100
The average daily cost (per person) in El Nido is $47, while the average daily cost in Yamaguchi is $100. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for El Nido and Yamaguchi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personEl Nido $14Yamaguchi $47
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomEl Nido $28Yamaguchi $94
Compare Hotels in El Nido and Yamaguchi
Looking for a hotel in El Nido or Yamaguchi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: El Nido Hotel Prices and Yamaguchi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.El Nido $19Yamaguchi $21
Hired Cars and Shuttles in El Nido
Also for El Nido, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Van Transfer : From El Nido to Puerto Princesa Palawan: $170
- Private Transfer from El Nido to Port Barton Palawan: $170
- To Puerto Princesa 1-Way Shared Van Transfer: $14
- Lio Airport to/from Hotel Transfers: $35
- Island Hopping Tour B Snake Island with transfer: $39
- Island Hopping TOUR A with Lunch, Transfer & EDTF: $53
- El Nido Town: Transfers to/from Nacpan Beach: $12
- El Nido Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Tour C with Lunch and Transfers: $44
- El Nido Big Lagoon and Tropical Island Private Tour with Transfer: $179
- El Nido (Lio) Airport Transfers: $50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Yamaguchi
Also for Yamaguchi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yamaguchi Ube Airport To/From Yamaguch City Private Transfer: $399
Is it cheaper to fly into El Nido or Yamaguchi?
Prices for flights to both Yamaguchi and El Nido change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayEl Nido $20Yamaguchi $40
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in El Nido
For El Nido, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- El Nido, Sibaltan: Family Dinner, Bonfire and Karaoke: $39
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Yamaguchi
For Yamaguchi, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Yamaguchi ；Healthy tea drinking ； dinner: $81
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.El Nido $5.34Yamaguchi $8.69
Tours and Activities in El Nido
For El Nido, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- El Nido Full Day Tour C with Buffet Lunch : $45
- 2 Days Private Cruise in El Nido on a 43-foot Sailing Yacht: $672
- All-Inclusive El Nido Island Hopping Private Tour: $153
- Private Island Hopping Tour A with BUFFET LUNCH: $128
- Private Island Hopping Tour B: $132
- Private Island Hopping Tour C w/BUFFET LUNCH: $132
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour A w/BUFFET LUNCH: $21
- Sharing/Joiner Island Hopping Tour B: $28
- El Nido Advanced Enduro Tour: $200
- El Nido Big Lagoon & Tropical Island Private Tour: $356
- El Nido Group Tour A with Beach Lunch: $45
- El Nido Group Tour B with Lunch (Full Day): $47
Tours and Activities in Yamaguchi
For Yamaguchi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Fuji Plan - Kimono Experience and City Walk -: $37
- Kiku Plan - Wagashi making and tea ceremony experience -: $24
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayEl Nido $8.31Yamaguchi $8.21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between El Nido and Yamaguchi, we can see that Yamaguchi is more expensive. And not only is El Nido much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to El Nido would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in El Nido 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 Yamaguchi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Yamaguchi than you might in El Nido.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is El Nido Expensive? and Is Yamaguchi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, El Nido or Yamaguchi?
Yamaguchi has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of El Nido. When comparing the sizes of El Nido and Yamaguchi, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.