It's not that you can't afford Sanya, but Wanning offers better value for money!

🌊 Still torn between Sanya or Wanning? This detailed guide helps you calculate your "travel budget" clearly, saving you airfare right away! 📅 Itinerary Plan: 4 days 3 nights, about 1500 RMB per person Day 1: Arrive in Wanning → Check in at Shimei Bay homestay → Visit Phoenix Jiuli Book House → Have coffee at Sunset Bar Day 2: Surfing lessons at Riyue Bay → Photo shoot at Qiaohai Ranch → Nanyang-style dinner in Xinglong Day 3: Snorkeling at Jiajing Island → Shenzhou Peninsula Lighthouse → Buy seafood at the farmers' market for cooking Day 4: Experience Nanyang culture at Bali Village → Return trip 🏨 Accommodation: Sanya five-star prices ≈ Wanning sea view freedom ▫️ Sanya: Yalong Bay/Haitang Bay frontline sea view rooms cost about 2000+ RMB/night in peak season, regular hotels start at 600 RMB, sea view premiums are outrageous! ▫️ Wanning: Shimei Bay/Riyue Bay homestays about 300 RMB for sea view rooms, open the window to a glassy sea view 🌅 Surf-themed hotels about 600 RMB with private pools + free surfboards 🏄 Xinglong Town: 200 RMB for Nanyang-style homestays! 💡 Money-saving Tips: ✔️ Choose Shenzhou Peninsula/Shimei Bay non-scenic area accommodations, prices drop by 30% ✔️ Book rooms 1 month in advance, some homestays offer free airport pickup + surfing experience vouchers ✔️ Travel in the off-season (May-June), cut accommodation costs in half per person! 🍴 Food: Sanya seafood splurge VS Wanning full meal for 50 RMB per person ▫️ Sanya: First Market processing fee + seafood = 150 RMB per person, scenic area restaurants 200 RMB+ and hard to find signature dishes ▫️ Wanning: Hele Crab: freshly caught and cooked at the farmers' market, steamed/spicy stir-fry processing fee as low as 10 RMB per jin 🦀 Nanyang flavors: 50 RMB to try Indonesian curry fish balls, coconut rolls, and luo nai hua 🍛 Local canteens: Hou'an rice noodles 10 RMB, fermented vinegar hotpot 80 RMB per pot 🍲 💡 Must-try list: 🔥 Xinglong Nanyang flavors: affordable gem worth queuing 1 hour 🦞 Sister Fang’s Lingshui sour noodles: 12 RMB a bowl, sour and spicy, super appetizing 🥥 Coconut chicken: Shimei Bay farmer’s coconut chicken, 3 coconuts + Wenchang chicken 🚗 Transportation: Sanya taxis expensive? Wanning car rental + bus for free travel ▫️ Sanya: Taxi between scenic spots costs 50 RMB+ one way, car rental about 300 RMB/day (including fuel) ▫️ Wanning: Car rental self-drive: Shenzhou car rental about 150 RMB/day, Shimei Bay → Riyue Bay 20 minutes, free coastline all the way 🌴 Electric scooter rental: Riyue Bay about 30 RMB/day, visit popular lighthouse + surf shops 🛵 Bus option: Wanning tourist bus 2 RMB per ride, covers main attractions 💡 Travel tips: 🚗 For 4 people, renting a car is preferred, cost per person is 50% less than taxis 🛵 Couples/friends choose electric scooters, stop and snap photos anytime, super romantic 🏖️ Attractions: Sanya ticket traps VS Wanning free paradise ▫️ Sanya: Wuzhizhou Island ticket + boat 144 RMB, diving extra 380 RMB+ ▫️ Wanning: ✅ Riyue Bay: free surfing! Beginner lessons about 298 RMB/2 hours (includes coach + gear) ✅ Qiaohai Ranch: free to take photos of Studio Ghibli-style rice fields + cows 🐮 ✅ Shenzhou Peninsula Lighthouse: free cinematic sunset photos 🌅 ✅ Xinglong Tropical Botanical Garden: ticket includes free coffee tasting + chocolate DIY 🍫 💡 Hidden gems: 🌅 Shimei Bay Sea Viewing Pavilion: free sunrise viewing, overlook entire Jiajing Island 🚣 Jiajing Island snorkeling: day tour about 398 RMB (cheaper than Sanya!) 💡 Pitfall warnings ⚠️ Sanya warning: Tianya Haijiao scenic area "free photo" trap (photos charged separately) ⚠️ Wanning notes: Choose official surfing clubs, avoid roadside coaches (safety first!) Jiajing Island is off-limits for landing, snorkeling only with official day tours Wear helmets when riding electric scooters, traffic police check! 🌈 Summary: ✅ Limited budget? Choose Wanning, 1500 RMB per person for a 3000 RMB quality experience ✅ Family trips/with elders? Choose Sanya (Atlantis/Duty-Free shops more developed) ✅ Couples/friends/surf lovers must go to Wanning! Niche, free, and great value! 📌 Follow me for more hidden Hainan travel tips! #WanningTravelGuide #SanyaAlternative #BudgetTravelGuide #GraduationTrip