A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Lipe vs. Can Tho for Couples, Food, Families, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Koh Lipe and Can Tho can help you decide which place is right for you.

Koh Lipe

Koh Lipe is a idyllic, small, and local island. Many visitors also come to Koh Lipe because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the hiking, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling. See Koh Lipe travel costs.

Can Tho

Can Tho is a vibrant, friendly, and cultural city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Can Tho travel costs.

Koh Lipe and Can Tho: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Can Tho. Although Koh Lipe and Can Tho are popular destinations, Can Tho has more sights and attractions for tourists. Can Tho is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Koh Lipe attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty. Can Tho is more touristy than Koh Lipe and is popular for its colorful floating markets, fresh produce, friendly people, and intricate waterways. It is also well known for Cai Rang Floating Market. Koh Lipe is famous for its world class scuba diving and snorkeling, as well as its small and local atmosphere.

How is Koh Lipe different from Can Tho?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Can Tho and Koh Lipe. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

Can Tho is a great destination for its museums and landmarks. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its historical sights.

Many visitors head to Can Tho specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The main attraction nearby is Cai Rang Floating Market, but visitors also enjoy seeing Binh Thuy Ancient House, the Can Tho Rice Noodle Factory, Ong pagoda, and Nam Nha Pagoda.

If you're looking to pass the time, head to a museum or historic sight in Koh Lipe. The island is small and all about beaches and the undersea world, so you won't find any temples or museums here.

Is the Food Better in Koh Lipe or Can Tho? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Can Tho is a great destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Koh Lipe is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Can Tho makes for a great culinary experience. It's the largest city in the Mekong Delta, and there are many restaurants with rooftop views and lively atmospheres. The food is local and fresh. Grilled meats, noodle soup, and local produce are all popular. Many visitors come to Cantho specifically to experience the nearby floating markets. You really must sample the many dishes available at the markets, which are unique to the area and offer a whole new approach to street food.

Koh Lipe has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. There's enough of a restaurant selection that you'll find good local food and freshly caught seafood. The options change frequently as the tourist crowds have varied dramatically over the years, making it difficult for businesses to stay open.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Nightlife?

Can Tho is very good for nightlife. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for nightlife and partying.

Can Tho has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The city is very beautiful at night with many colorful lights. There are a number of bars and places for tourists to hang out and socialize.

The nightlife scene is quiet in Koh Lipe This is a small island that attracts tourists who want nature, beauty, and a serene and tranquil environment. You won't find much of a nightlife scene here.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Resorts?

Koh Lipe is great for its luxury resorts. However, Can Tho is not a resort destination.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Koh Lipe. There are a number of locally owned hotels on the island. Many have snorkeling gear for rent.

Can Tho is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Lipe is a must-visit destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Can Tho is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Koh Lipe is not to be missed. Although it is no longer the undiscovered island paradise that it once was, the snorkeling and diving on Koh Lipe remains some of the best in the country.

Can Tho is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Beaches?

Koh Lipe is a must-visit destination for the beach. However, Can Tho is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Koh Lipe is a very popular vacation destination. Despite the island's small size, the beaches are truly spectacular. They have white sand and the undersea world is just steps away, so don't forget your mask and snorkel.

Can Tho is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Hiking?

Koh Lipe is great for hiking. However, Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Koh Lipe for the hiking trails. The island of Koh Lipe doesn't have any hiking, but nearby Adang Island has some impressive hikes that offer views and small waterfalls. You can take a longtail boat for just a short ride to the nearby island.

Can Tho is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

Can Tho is a must-visit destination for shopping. However, Koh Lipe is a island with minimal options for its shopping opportunities.

Can Tho is a famous shopping destination with plenty of stores. The city is large with malls and a central market, but most visitors come specifically for the nearby floating markets. These unique markets are best visited by boat. Goods and food are sold out of vendor boats and popular food dishes include noodle soup and local fruits. Each boat has a tall bamboo stick displaying the items that it sells.

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Lipe has some nice offerings. The Walking Street is the main street through the island. Its where you'll find the island's shops and restaurants. Most are closed during the morning hours, but people begin to gather in the afternoon.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho More Beautiful?

Koh Lipe is a must-visit destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Can Tho is not a destination known for its beauty.

Many visitors also come to Koh Lipe because of it's amazing beauty. Many visitors consider this to be one of the most beautiful islands in Thailand. It still holds on to that undiscovered quality and the nearby national park offers excellent nature to explore.

Can Tho is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Koh Lipe or Can Tho.

Koh Lipe is a very family-friendly place to visit. This is a perfect island to explore with kids. There are beautiful beaches, great snorkeling, and plenty of opportunities to check out wildlife. Your kids will also enjoy seeing the Sea la vie fire show.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Can Tho is very family-friendly. Kids and adults alike will be fascinated by the floating markets and the beautiful Mekong Delta. Most visitors use this growing city as a base for exploring the area, which has a fascinating culture and interesting sights.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Couples?

Koh Lipe is a must-visit destination for its romantic activities. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Koh Lipe has plenty to offer. With its stunning beaches and beautiful nature, this is a great couple's destination. The island has wonderful snorkeling and white sandy beaches that are perfect for exploring with a loved one.

Can Tho is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples can take a romantic evening boat ride on the Mekong Delta. During the morning hours, the floating markets are one of Vietnam's most interesting destinations. You can sample local dishes and experience a completely different way of life.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Can Tho is a great destination for backpackers. Also, Koh Lipe is still popular, but not quite as popular for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Can Tho. This is a large city with a number of hostels and many backpackers who pass through during their trip to the floating markets and through the Mekong Delta.

It's common for backpackers to visit Koh Lipe. The island has become more popular than it was in years past, but it still offers a tranquil setting for those who are a bit jaded by the backpacker scene in Thailand.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

You'll find somewhat comparable public transit options in both Koh Lipe and Can Tho.

Public transit is generally limited in Koh Lipe. There are longtail boats, motorbike taxis, and golf cart taxis that you can hire.

Public transit is mostly limited in Can Tho. There are local buses, but many visitors come to this area as part of an organized tour because transportation can be a bit a tricky.

Is Koh Lipe or Can Tho a more walkable city?

Koh Lipe is great for its high level of walkability. Also, Can Tho is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its ease of walking around.

Koh Lipe is a very walkable island. It's an easy island to explore on foot and you can walk from one end of the island to the other in about half an hour.

Can Tho is a somewhat walkable island. The city center is relatively walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Lipe Worth Visiting? and Is Can Tho Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Can Tho or Koh Lipe?

How long in Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Koh Lipe or Can Tho to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Koh Lipe than Can Tho because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Lipe, and 1-2 days is enough time in Can Tho.

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

Couples should spend more time in Koh Lipe than Can Tho. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Koh Lipe that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Can Tho than Koh Lipe 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 Can Tho.

One day in Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

In Koh Lipe, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Can Tho offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

In Koh Lipe, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Can Tho is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Can Tho, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

Koh Lipe is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Koh Lipe has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Can Tho is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Koh Lipe. In Koh Lipe, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Can Tho is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Tours for Seniors to Thailand, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Hanoi.

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

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Koh Lipe Expensive? and Is Can Tho Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Koh Lipe or Can Tho?

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 Koh Lipe or Can Tho in the Summer?

Both Can Tho and Koh Lipe during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Lipe because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Can Tho year-round.

Can Tho gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Koh Lipe. Koh Lipe usually gets less rain in July than Can Tho. Koh Lipe gets 269 mm (10.6 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 313 mm (12.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

In the summer, Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Can Tho. Typically, the summer temperatures in Koh Lipe in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Can Tho averages at about 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Can Tho in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Lipe and Can Tho. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Lipe year-round. Can Tho attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

December to April in Koh Lipe is the dry season. Also, May to October is the rainy season in Koh Lipe. December to April in Can Tho is the dry season. Also, May to November is the rainy season in Can Tho. Can Tho receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Lipe gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Koh Lipe usually receives less rain than Can Tho. Koh Lipe gets 281 mm (11.1 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 343 mm (13.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

In October, Koh Lipe is generally around the same temperature as Can Tho. Daily temperatures in Koh Lipe average around 27°C (81°F), and Can Tho fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Can Tho in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Koh Lipe as well as Can Tho. Koh Lipe attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Can Tho throughout the year.

Koh Lipe usually gets more rain in January than Can Tho. Koh Lipe gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Can Tho in the winter. The daily temperature in Koh Lipe averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Can Tho fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).

Should I visit Koh Lipe or Can Tho in the Spring?

Both Can Tho and Koh Lipe are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Lipe throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Can Tho because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Koh Lipe is December to April. The rainy season in Koh Lipe is May to October. The dry season in Can Tho is December to April. The rainy season in Can Tho is May to November. It rains a lot this time of the year in Can Tho. It's quite rainy in Koh Lipe. In April, Koh Lipe usually receives more rain than Can Tho. Koh Lipe gets 124 mm (4.9 in) of rain, while Can Tho receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

In the spring, Koh Lipe is around the same temperature as Can Tho. Typically, the spring temperatures in Koh Lipe in April average around 29°C (85°F), and Can Tho averages at about 29°C (84°F).

Typical Weather for Can Tho and Koh Lipe