A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Similan Islands vs. Da Nang for Beaches, Couples, Food, and Families

Should you visit Similan Islands or Da Nang?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Similan Islands and Da Nang can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Similan Islands

Similan Islands is a spectacular, idyllic, and remote island chain. You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Similan Islands travel costs.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a authentic, coastal, and accessible city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and museums. See Da Nang travel costs.

Similan Islands and Da Nang: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Similan Islands or Da Nang?

Both Da Nang and Similan Islands have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Similan Islands is better known for its scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, and shopping. Da Nang is more touristy than Similan Islands and is popular for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts. Similan Islands is well known for its world class diving and remote setting.

How is Similan Islands different from Da Nang?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Similan Islands or Da Nang?

Da Nang is a city with good options for its museums and history. However, Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Da Nang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Similan Islands does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Similan Islands or Da Nang? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Da Nang has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Similan Islands area. Most people visit the islands as part of an organized tour, which usually provides meals as part of the package.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Nightlife?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for nightlife and partying. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its evening party scene.

Da Nang has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Similan Islands. Peace and tranquility is what makes these islands special, and you'll find very limited amenities and no nightlife on the islands.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Resorts?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

In Da Nang, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Similan Islands is not a resort destination.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Similan Islands is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Similan Islands a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. These islands offer one of the world's most famous and impressive diving spots. World class divers travel great distances to experience the undersea world here. There are liveaboard boat trips that range in length from 4 to 6 nights and leave from either Khao Lak or Phuket. These trips will take you to the many great dive spots in the area. Do take note that the islands close every year from May until October.

Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Beaches?

Similan Islands is terrific for the beach. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Similan Islands. The world class beaches have white sand and stunningly blue waters. The setting is challenging enough to reach that you'll likely have few people to share the beaches with. The undersea world is also among the best and most vibrant around.

Many people head to Da Nang to enjoy the beach. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Hiking?

Similan Islands is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Similan Islands is a good destination for hiking. There are hikes through the jungle and to various viewpoints on several of the islands.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Similan Islands or Da Nang?

Da Nang is a decent place to visit for its shopping opportunities. However, Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

If you're looking to go shopping, Da Nang has some nice offerings. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Similan Islands is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang More Beautiful?

Similan Islands is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Da Nang is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Similan Islands as well. The remote setting makes this one of the few truly pristine places left to explore. In addition to the white sand and blue water, the undersea world here is spectacular.

Da Nang is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Families?

Da Nang is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Similan Islands is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Da Nang is very family-friendly. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Similan Islands. It's a remote setting, but it's spectacularly beautiful with great snorkeling and sandy beaches that kids and adults alike will enjoy.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Couples?

Similan Islands is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Similan Islands makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. Couples who want to escape the tourist crowds will appreciate this remote and beautiful beach setting. The blue water and sandy beaches make for a true paradise.

Da Nang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Da Nang is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for backpackers.

Da Nang is a good city to visit for backpackers. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

Similan Islands is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's remote setting makes it challenging to reach on a budget, but if you're willing to devote a day or more to travel, then you'll be well rewarded.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Da Nang is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Similan Islands is lacking in options for its public transit.

Da Nang has some public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Public transit is generally limited in Similan Islands. The national park operates boats between the islands. You can also charter private longtail boats, however these must be secured in advance and availability is not guaranteed.

Is Similan Islands or Da Nang a more walkable city?

Similan Islands is a popular place for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

Similan Islands is a somewhat walkable place. There are footpaths that connect the points of interest on some of the islands.

Da Nang is not a very walkable island chain. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Similan Islands Worth Visiting? and Is Da Nang Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Da Nang or Similan Islands?

How long in Similan Islands or Da Nang?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Similan Islands or Da Nang to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Similan Islands than Da Nang because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Similan Islands, and 1-2 days is enough time in Da Nang.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Da Nang than Similan Islands 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 Da Nang.

One day in Similan Islands or Da Nang?

In Similan Islands, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. This island chain offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The accessible destination of Da Nang offers food and museums. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Similan Islands or Da Nang?

In Similan Islands, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Most people come for the beaches. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

The city of Da Nang offers museums and nightlife. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Five days in Similan Islands or Da Nang?

Similan Islands is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Similan Islands has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Da Nang is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Similan Islands or Da Nang?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Similan Islands. In Similan Islands, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and food. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

Many people enjoy the food and museums when visiting Da Nang. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Hanoi, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City.

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

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

When is the best time to visit Similan Islands or Da Nang?

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 Similan Islands or Da Nang in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Similan Islands as well as Da Nang. Similan Islands attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang throughout the year.

June to September in Similan Islands is the rainy season. Also, January to July in Da Nang is the dry season. August to December in Da Nang is the rainy season. Similan Islands receives a lot of rain in the summer. Similan Islands usually gets more rain in July than Da Nang. Similan Islands gets 284 mm (11.2 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Similan Islands this time of the year. In the summer, Similan Islands often gets less sunshine than Da Nang. Similan Islands gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Da Nang receives 242 hours of full sun.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Da Nang in the summer. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 28°C (82°F) in July, and Da Nang fluctuates around 29°C (85°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Da Nang in the Autumn?

Both Da Nang and Similan Islands are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Similan Islands throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Da Nang because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The dry season in Similan Islands is October to May. The rainy season in Da Nang is August to December. It rains a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. It's quite rainy in Similan Islands. In October, Similan Islands usually receives less rain than Da Nang. Similan Islands gets 351 mm (13.8 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Da Nang during autumn. Similan Islands gets 181 hours of sunny skies, while Da Nang receives 158 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Da Nang. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Similan Islands in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Da Nang averages at about 25°C (78°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Da Nang in the Winter?

Both Da Nang and Similan Islands during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Similan Islands because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Da Nang year-round.

January to July is the dry season in Da Nang. Da Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Similan Islands usually gets less rain in January than Da Nang. Similan Islands gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

It's quite sunny in Similan Islands. In the winter, Similan Islands often gets more sunshine than Da Nang. Similan Islands gets 287 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Da Nang receives 136 hours of full sun.

In January, Similan Islands is generally a little warmer than Da Nang. Daily temperatures in Similan Islands average around 27°C (80°F), and Da Nang fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

Should I visit Similan Islands or Da Nang in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Similan Islands and Da Nang. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Similan Islands year-round. Da Nang attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

October to May in Similan Islands is the dry season. Also, June to September is the rainy season in Similan Islands. Similan Islands gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Similan Islands usually receives more rain than Da Nang. Similan Islands gets 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain, while Da Nang receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Da Nang this time of the year. In Similan Islands, it's very sunny this time of the year. Similan Islands usually receives more sunshine than Da Nang during spring. Similan Islands gets 249 hours of sunny skies, while Da Nang receives 210 hours of full sun in the spring.

Similan Islands is around the same temperature as Da Nang in the spring. The daily temperature in Similan Islands averages around 29°C (83°F) in April, and Da Nang fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

Typical Weather for Da Nang and Similan Islands