A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Koh Samui vs. Rotorua for Nightlife, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Koh Samui or Rotorua?

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

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rotorua? 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.

Koh Samui

Koh Samui is a laid back, beautiful, and tropical resort island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Koh Samui and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Koh Samui or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Koh Samui. Although Koh Samui and Rotorua are popular destinations, Koh Samui has more sights and attractions for tourists. Koh Samui is very popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty, while Rotorua attracts visitors for its museums. Koh Samui is more touristy than Rotorua and is known for its ornate temples, beautiful beaches, and laid-back atmosphere. It is also well known for The Big Buddha Temple. Rotorua is famous for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Koh Samui different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Koh Samui or Rotorua?

Rotorua is a great town for its historical sights. However, Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Rotorua offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The area is filled with opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. The Maori village of Whakarewarewa is a highlight and you should also visit Te Wairoa. Fans of Lord of the Rings won't want to miss Hobbiton either. Finally, Rotorua Museum well worth a visit.

Koh Samui does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Koh Samui or Rotorua? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Koh Samui and Rotorua can be difficult as they are each excellent in their own way.

Koh Samui has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Food on the island is fresh and delicious. You'll find fine dining restaurants as well as hole in the wall dives where you can enjoy local flavors. There are also international restaurants if you need a break from the curries. Beachfront restaurants offer a beautiful setting and sunset dinner cruises are a not to be missed experience. Authentically local dishes usually include some form of coconut but there are also other common Thai dishes available almost anywhere like curries or Pad Thai.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Rotorua makes for a great culinary experience. There's a wide selection of culinary options in the area that include steambox (food prepared with the geothermal heat), and hāngī, which is a traditional Maori cooking technique. Many restaurants also make use of the local fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

Koh Samui is an amazing resort island to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for nightlife.

Koh Samui has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. All night beach parties, cheap bars, and lively dance clubs all give this island its party atmosphere. Young travelers from around the globe head here to enjoy music, cheap drinks, and world class fun. For the most active nightlife, head to Chaweng Beach, Lamai Beach or Bophut Beach.

Rotorua has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Resorts?

Koh Samui is an amazing resort island to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Rotorua is not a resort destination.

Koh Samui is a world class resort vacation destination. The island is filled with countless resorts, hotels, and private villas that you can rent. You can choose from beachfront properties or resorts that are located in the hills, which offer beautiful views. The resorts often have pools and range from five star all the way down to budget-friendly.

Rotorua is not a resort destination.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Koh Samui is an excellent place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Koh Samui is an extremely popular place to visit for scuba diving and snorkeling. It's easy to arrange snorkeling or scuba diving trips through hotels or travel companies, but it's also possible to snorkel right off the shore in places like Chaweng Beach. Due to the island's popularity, the coral isn't always the healthiest, but the water is clear and you'll likely see some interesting sea life just off the shore.

Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Beaches?

Koh Samui is an amazing resort island to visit for the beach. However, Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Koh Samui is considered to be a world-class beach destination. The white sand beaches are lined with coconut trees and look out on crystal blue waters, making this a perfect tropical destination. There are lively activity-filled beaches as well as quiet retreats where you can enjoy a peaceful setting away from the crowds.

Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

If you're looking to go hiking, Koh Samui and Rotorua both have excellent trails.

Many visitors go to Koh Samui for the hiking trails. Hikes will take you inland through the beautiful rainforest. There are hidden waterfalls as well as Buddha gardens and ridge trails with breathtaking views. Hikes range from easy to challenging, so make sure you understand the skill level required before you set out.

Rotorua is a popular spot for hiking. The area is filled with beautiful walking trails that take you by lakes, volcanoes, and geothermal hot springs. A favorite route in the area is Tarawera Trail, which is 15 kilometers long and ends at a natural hot water beach.

Is the Shopping Better in Koh Samui or Rotorua?

If you're looking to go shopping, Koh Samui and Rotorua both offer plenty of nice spots.

Koh Samui has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The resort areas have the most interesting shops and you'll find the most options around Chaweng. There are boutique shops as well as some malls. You can sometimes negotiate prices down in independently run stores, but some places advertise fixed prices.

Rotorua is a great destination for shopping. You'll find stores and galleries selling art and crafts around the main town center.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for its family-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Rotorua is a very family-friendly destination. The geothermal activity is fascinating for kids and adults alike. There are also many activities that will teach kids about the Maori culture and for animal lovers, there are farms and wildlife tours. Lord of the Rings fans won't want to miss Hobbiton, and there are many thrilling activities in the area such as white water rafting.

Koh Samui is a very family-friendly place to visit. The island is one of the slightly calmer, family-friendly options in Thailand. It has a number of activities that all ages can enjoy including water parks, water sports, and temples to explore. Snorkeling is also fun and there's an aquarium and zoo that you can check out.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for couples. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for romance.

Rotorua makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The unique environment and beautiful natural setting make this a wonderful honeymoon destination. Couples will appreciate the geothermal activity, beautiful walking trails, and diverse outdoor activities. There's also horseback riding, hot springs, and helicopter rides.

Koh Samui is a very popular place to visit for couples. Dinner cruises, beachfront restaurants, and beautiful sunsets all make this island a romantic destination for couples. There are also spas, resorts, and fine dining restaurants that you can enjoy.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is an amazing town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Koh Samui is not as popular, but is still a nice resort island for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Rotorua, as it is a very popular town for budget travelers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Koh Samui. The island feels a bit more like a holiday destination than a backpacker destination, but it still has a lively nightlife and affordable accommodation around Lamai Beach. It's also a nice place to go for yoga or Muay Thai classes.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Koh Samui and Rotorua both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Koh Samui offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Songthaew, the Thai version of a bus, and taxis or motorbikes are the best ways to get around the island.

Rotorua has a few public transit options. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

Is Koh Samui or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Rotorua is a popular place for its ease of walking around. However, Koh Samui is not known for its walkability.

Rotorua is a somewhat walkable town. The town itself is fairly walkable but if you want to get into the surrounding areas, having a vehicle provides the most flexibility.

Koh Samui is generally not very walkable. The roads have a good amount of traffic and generally aren't designed for walking.

For even more information, also check out Is Koh Samui Worth Visiting? and Is Rotorua Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Koh Samui?

How long in Koh Samui or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Koh Samui and Rotorua. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Koh Samui than in Rotorua. Usually, 3-7 days is a good amount of time for Koh Samui, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Rotorua than Koh Samui 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 Rotorua.

One day in Koh Samui or Rotorua?

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

You'll find shopping and museums around the town of Rotorua. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Koh Samui or Rotorua?

In Koh Samui, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the cultural destination of Rotorua. Hikers are also drawn to this area. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this town has to offer. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Koh Samui or Rotorua?

Koh Samui 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 Samui has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the cultural town of Rotorua. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Koh Samui or Rotorua?

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

Rotorua is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours Under $1000 in Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to Thailand, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Koh Samui or Rotorua?

Rotorua has a larger population, and is about 66% larger than the population of Koh Samui. When comparing the sizes of Koh Samui and Rotorua, 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.

When is the best time to visit Koh Samui or Rotorua?

Rotorua has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Koh Samui experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Koh Samui and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Koh Samui year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Koh Samui is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.

Koh Samui gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Koh Samui gets 143 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Koh Samui as well as Rotorua. Koh Samui attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Koh Samui is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Koh Samui in October average around 24°C (75°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.

Koh Samui receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Koh Samui usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Koh Samui gets 240 mm (9.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to February in Koh Samui is the dry season. October to December in Koh Samui is the rainy season.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Koh Samui are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Koh Samui throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In January, Koh Samui is generally cooler than Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Koh Samui average around 22°C (72°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

In January, Koh Samui usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Koh Samui gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter. The dry season in Koh Samui is December to February.

Should I visit Koh Samui or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Koh Samui during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Koh Samui because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.

Koh Samui is a little warmer than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Koh Samui averages around 24°C (76°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.

Koh Samui usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Koh Samui gets 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Koh Samui