Which place is cheaper, Boracay or Kaikoura?
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 Kaikoura or Boracay?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Kaikoura or Boracay? 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: Kaikoura or Boracay?
Kaikoura
Kaikoura is a town on the east coast of the South Island, situated between Christchurch and Belnheim. It has a permanent resident population of 1,971. The Seaward Kaikoura Mountains that surround this town collide with the Pacific Ocean, and the continental shelf edge is just offshore. The ocean in Kaikoura is very rich in marine life, especially seals and whales.
Boracay
A small island in the Philippines known for its resorts and beaches, Boracay is a little escape. Each beach has its own unique character, each with new treasures waiting to be discovered.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, The Best 10-Day Tours in Philippines, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Philippines.
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Kaikoura Prices
New Zealand PricesBoracay Prices
Philippines Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKaikoura $162Boracay $66
The average daily cost (per person) in Kaikoura is $162, while the average daily cost in Boracay is $66. 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 Kaikoura and Boracay in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKaikoura $48Boracay $23
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKaikoura $96Boracay $46
Compare Hotels in Kaikoura and Boracay
Looking for a hotel in Kaikoura or Boracay? 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: Kaikoura Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kaikoura $17Boracay $28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Boracay
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Boracay:
- Shared Transfer from/to MPH for Domestic Passports: $21
- Caticlan: Shared Airport Transfer From/To Boracay: $23
- Caticlan Airport (MPH) to Boracay - Arrival Private Transfer : $24
- Boracay to Caticlan Airport (MPH) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Boracay to Caticlan Airport (MPH) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
- Caticlan: 1-Way or Roundtrip Airport Transfer to Boracay: $27
- Airport Transfer to Boracay or vice versa: $29
- Departure: Ferry boat Transfer Boracay to Caticlan Airport: $30
- Caticlan: Speedboat Airport Transfer to Boracay: $34
- Two-way Shared Transfer from/to Airport to Hotel: $34
- Boracay Adventures Transfer Services Via Caticlan: $35
- Private Transfer from Caticlan Airport to Boracay: $43
Is it cheaper to fly into Kaikoura or Boracay?
Prices for flights to both Boracay and Kaikoura 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 dayKaikoura $65Boracay $25
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kaikoura $152Boracay $15
Tours and Activities in Kaikoura
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaikoura are as follows:
- Llama Trek (Taster) - Kowhai River Valley and Native Woodland Tour: $79
- Private Seal Kayaking and Wildlife Tour in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal Kayaking Adventure in Kaikoura: $80
- Seal-Watching Pedal Kayak Tour: $81
- KaikÅura: Kayak Sunset Tour with Seal Sightings: $81
- Sunset Kayak tour in Kaikoura: $82
- Half-Day Wildlife Kayaking Tour: $94
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour: $94
- Guided Family Kayaking Adventure: $94
- Wildlife Sea Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Sunset Evening Kayaking Tour - Kaikoura: $95
- Whale Watching Cruise: $102
Tours and Activities in Boracay
Here are a few actual costs in Boracay for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Crystal Kayak Photo-op Experience: $6.27
- Boracay - Crystal Kayak phot-op Experience: $8.95
- Banana Boat Adventure: $10
- Boracay Private Land Tour: $13
- Flying Donut Water Tubing Experience: $14
- All-Terrain Vehicle or Buggy Car Experience: $15
- Boracay UFO Adventure: $16
- Sunset Cruise with Water Activities: $16
- Boracay Sunset Cruise: $16
- Boracay Island Rhythm Sunset Cruise: $17
- Bandwagon Ride Experience: $17
- Sunset Cruise Boat Party by Haqqy Life: $18
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKaikoura -Boracay $16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaikoura and Boracay, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Boracay much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kaikoura is in Pacific and Boracay is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Boracay would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Boracay 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 Kaikoura would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kaikoura than you might in Boracay.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaikoura Expensive? and Is Boracay Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kaikoura or Boracay?
Boracay has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Kaikoura. When comparing the sizes of Kaikoura and Boracay, 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.