A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Sedona vs. Kamloops for Couples, Food, Hiking, and Families

Should you visit Sedona or Kamloops?

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

Should I visit Sedona or Kamloops? 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.

Sedona

Sedona is a dramatic, scenic, and striking town. It offers plenty of small town charm along with sights and activities, too. Sedona is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking. See Sedona travel costs.

Kamloops

Kamloops is a nature-filled, laid-back, and outdoorsy city. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Kamloops travel costs.

Sedona and Kamloops: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sedona or Kamloops?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Sedona than Kamloops, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Sedona is better known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, historical sights, hiking, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty, while Kamloops is more popular for its skiing. Sedona is more touristy than Kamloops and is known for its stargazing, desert setting, and yoga retreats. Also, Sedona is famous for Red Rock Crossing Park. Kamloops is well known for its hiking trails, bike paths, and golf courses.

How is Sedona different from Kamloops?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for Skiing?

Kamloops is great for skiing. However, Sedona is not a skiing destination.

Visitors travel far to experience snow skiing in Kamloops. There's a long ski season that runs from mid-November to mid-April. The region has two major ski resorts - Sun Peaks Resorts and Harper Mountain.

Sedona is not a skiing destination.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Sedona or Kamloops?

Sedona is a town with good options for its museums and history. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its museums and landmarks.

Sedona offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The Sedona Heritage Museum offers a glimpse into the history and culture of the area. There are also many galleries around town.

Kamloops offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. There are a couple of museums in the area that highlight the local culture and the region's heritage.

Is the Food Better in Sedona or Kamloops? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Sedona is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Sedona has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's grown into a foodie destination with local restaurants that pride themselves on using local ingredients. Mexican food is common but you'll also find cafes, classic American food, and other international options.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kamloops area. You'll find restaurants that range from casual to fine dining. There are also international options like Jamaican, Indian, or Chinese.

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Sedona and Kamloops.

If you're looking for night time activities Sedona has a few options to choose from. There are bars, live music venues, and even a casino in town. Breweries are popular and there are also upscale wine bars.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kamloops. You'll find pubs, bars, breweries and night clubs around town that range in personality and style.

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for Resorts?

Sedona is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Kamloops is not a resort destination.

In Sedona, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. Upscale resorts with spas, pools, and other amenities offer the perfect backdrop for a desert vacation.

Kamloops is not a resort destination.

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for its Old Town?

Sedona is a town with good options for its old town. However, Kamloops does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Sedona. Traditional architecture and historic charm give downtown Sedona a lot of character.

Kamloops does not have a historic old town.

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for Hiking?

Sedona is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its hiking experiences.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Sedona. It's red rock cliffs offer the perfect setting for dramatic hikes and breathtaking views. The colors are most impressive at sunrise and sunset and some of the most famous landmarks include Airport Mesa, Cathedral Rock, Bell Rock and Boynton Canyon.

Kamloops offers some nice hiking trails. The area is filled with hiking trails that pass through grasslands, desert landscapes, and pine forests. There is something for every skill level.

Is the Shopping Better in Sedona or Kamloops?

Sedona is an amazing town to visit for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Sedona draws large crowds to its stores. It's filled with local artisan shops and art galleries that highlight the region's beauty. Head to Uptown Sedona for some of the best boutiques. You should also check out the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village, the Sedona Art Center, and Hozho Distinctive Shops and Galleries.

Many visitors go to Kamloops to go shopping. Downtown you'll find local boutiques and eclectic shops. You could also head to Aberdeen Mall for all of the major brands and recognizable stores.

Is Sedona or Kamloops More Beautiful?

Sedona is an amazing town to visit for its scenery and beauty. However, Kamloops is not a destination known for its beauty.

Sedona is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The surrounded countryside is filled with dramatic desert landscapes and striking red cliffs.

Kamloops is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Sedona or Kamloops.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Sedona is very family-friendly. There are impressive parks and fun outdoor activities for the whole family. Head to Slide Rock State Park where your kids can enjoy a natural waterslide. There's also the Out of Africa Wildlife Zoo as well as a canyon railroad.

Kamloops is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There are great parks and outdoor spaces for kids as well as the Deep Creek Tool Museum, Westsyde Centennial Park and Petting Zoo, and Hells Gate Air Tram. You can also take a ride on the Kettle Valley Railway Steam Engine. Animal lovers will enjoy a visit to either Kamloops Wildlife Park or Kangaroo Creek Farm.

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for Couples?

Sedona is an amazing town to visit for its romantic activities. Also, Kamloops is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Sedona is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. Stargazing in the evening or picnicking in a park during the day. There are countless romantic activities that couples can enjoy. The area is filled with striking natural beauty that is at its best during sunset. Couples will also enjoy fine dining and a variety of outdoor activities.

Kamloops is a good town for couples to visit. The area is filled with great hikes and nice parks. There are also great restaurants that make for a good date night.

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Sedona is a town with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for backpackers.

Sedona is a good town to visit for backpackers. You'll find campgrounds, RV parks, and motels in the area, but no real hostels.

Kamloops is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's often overlooked by backpackers, but there is a hostel in town.

Is Sedona or Kamloops Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Sedona and Kamloops both offer respectable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sedona. Verde Shuttle offers shuttle routes through town.

Public transit is generally limited in Kamloops. There is a bus system through the city.

Is Sedona or Kamloops a more walkable city?

Sedona is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Kamloops is lacking in options for its ease of walking around.

Sedona is a somewhat walkable place. If you stay in Uptown Sedona, then the area is walkable, but if you're planning to stay further away then you'll need to have a car.

Kamloops is generally not very walkable. The downtown is the most walkable part of town.

For even more information, also check out Is Sedona Worth Visiting? and Is Kamloops Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kamloops or Sedona?

How long in Sedona or Kamloops?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Sedona or Kamloops to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Sedona than Kamloops because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Sedona, and 1-2 days is enough time in Kamloops.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Sedona than Kamloops 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 Sedona.

One day in Sedona or Kamloops?

Sedona is a small town where visitors enjoy the food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Kamloops. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Sedona or Kamloops?

Sedona is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Kamloops is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Sedona or Kamloops?

Sedona is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sedona, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Kamloops. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Sedona or Kamloops?

Sedona is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that shopping is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This town offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the outdoorsy destination of Kamloops. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America, The Best Historical Tours in United States of America, The Best Train & Rail Tours in Canada, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Canada.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Sedona or Kamloops?

Kamloops has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Sedona. When comparing the sizes of Sedona and Kamloops, 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.