A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Kaikoura for Beaches, Families, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Lombok or Kaikoura?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Lombok and Kaikoura. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Lombok

Lombok is a stunning, peaceful, and laid back island. You'll find world class beauty in Lombok as well. And you can't forget about the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Lombok travel costs.

Kaikoura

Kaikoura is a unique, nature-oriented, and biologically diverse town. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and hiking. See Kaikoura travel costs.

Lombok and Kaikoura: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Kaikoura?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Lombok than Kaikoura, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Lombok is well known for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. Also, Lombok is famous for Mount Rinjani. Kaikoura is well known for its local Sperm Whale population, abundance of marine life, and local crayfish (lobster) recipes.

How is Lombok different from Kaikoura?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Lombok or Kaikoura?

Lombok is a popular place for its sights and museums. However, Kaikoura is not a good town for its museums and history.

Lombok offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. The island has many traditional villages that let you glimpse the fascinating Sasak Tribe's culture. This is the largest tribe on the island and it makes up about 85% of the island's population. Sasak Sade Village is large and popular to visit. A visit offers a unique experience and helps you understand more about the island's culture.

While most people don't head to Kaikoura specifically for the museums and attractions, it does offer a few options. There aren't many museums in the area, but it's worth learning more about the region's history with a visit to Kaikoura Museum.

Is the Food Better in Lombok or Kaikoura? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Lombok and Kaikoura both to be superb destinations.

Lombok has a huge number of terrific restaurants. The island is considered world renowned for its Halal cuisine, and there are many popular local dishes that you should try. Ayam Taliwang is a grilled chicken dish, Satay Rembiga is grilled meat served over rice, and Bebalung is a soup that's made with goat or cow ribs.

Dining out in Kaikoura is an experience not to be missed. Seafood lovers will be in heaven in this town! There are many local, freshly caught favorites such as cod, mussels, and crayfish (which is actually lobster). You'll find plenty of casual eateries, including an authentic American diner.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is notable in both Lombok and Kaikoura.

If you're looking for night time activities Lombok has a few options to choose from. While the island is quieter than nearby Bali, it does still have an active nightlife scene. In particular, head to the areas around Senggigi Beach and Kuta Lombok for the most active bars and live music. With the more populated tourist areas and hotels come the more active clubs, bars, and evening entertainment.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaikoura. This is a small town so the nightlife scene is limited, but there are a few restaurants with bars around town.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Resorts?

Lombok is a well-known place for its resorts. However, Kaikoura is not a resort destination.

Lombok is known as a popular and fun resort destination. The island is filled with luxury resorts, villas, and hotels. You'll want to think about your priorities before booking your hotel. There areas that are better for beaches, hiking, culture or sightseeing, and each has its own personality and style.

Kaikoura is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is a world-class destination for its diving and snorkeling. However, Kaikoura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Lombok a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. The island is surrounded by clear waters and colorful coral, making it a superb snorkeling and diving destination. For some of the best dive spots head to the Gili Islands. Around the island you'll find places where you can see turtles, colorful fish, and possibly even Hammerhead Sharks.

Kaikoura is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Beaches?

Lombok is a world-class destination for the beach. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Lombok. Kuta, Senggigi, and the Gili Islands offer some of the area's best beaches. Many beaches have white sand, clear water, beautiful snorkeling, or fun surfing. Mawun Beach and Pandanan Beach are among the most beautiful beaches, while Selong Belanak Beach is very photogenic with its water buffalo. Tanjung Aan Beach has surfing and Kuta Beach Lombok is the most popular beach, but not among the best.

Kaikoura is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. There are many black pebble beaches in the area, which are great for wildlife spotting, but not so good for swimming. Gooch's Beach is one of the most popular, and it's sandier than many of the other beaches. South Bay is another popular area to visit.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Lombok and Kaikoura, and they are superb.

Many visitors go to Lombok for the hiking trails. There are many walking and hiking trails around the island, but the most well known is the three day hike to the peak of Mount Rinjani. This is the large and active volcano on the island. The hike is truly beautiful and spectacular, but it's also a challenging climb and the difficulty level should not be underestimated.

Kaikoura is a popular spot for hiking. There are many coastal walks in the area that will take you through a variety of landscapes. This is also a great way to see the many diverse types of wildlife throughout the peninsula.

Is the Shopping Better in Lombok or Kaikoura?

Lombok is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its shopping areas.

Lombok is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. There are many traditional markets and villages around the island where you can buy Sasak crafts. These items are characterized by bright colors and elaborate patterns. You'll find pottery, fabrics, clothing, and hand-woven baskets.

Kaikoura has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. There are local shops where you can pick up some interesting products that are unique to the area.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura More Beautiful?

Lombok is a world-class destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Kaikoura is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Lombok as well. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Kaikoura is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Families?

Kaikoura is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its family-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Kaikoura is very family-friendly. Kids who love animals will appreciate all of the wildlife in the area. This is one of the best places in the country to see dolphins, whales, and seals. There are world class whale watching trips as well as opportunities to swim with the dolphins and get close to the seals. There is also kayaking, a coastal train, and even sheep shearing. Minigolf is also a fun activity in the area.

Lombok is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The island is filled with natural beauty, waterfalls, beaches, swimming spots, traditional villages and wildlife. This makes it an idyllic destination for families, whether you're traveling with toddlers or older kids.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Couples?

Lombok is a world-class destination for its romantic activities. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for couples.

Lombok makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. The island has grown into a world renowned honeymoon destination. It has a more laid back vibe than nearby Bali, and you'll find pristine beaches and a tropical paradise. There are luxury hotels, stunning natural settings, and plenty of romantic or adventurous activities.

Kaikoura makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The town is all about wildlife, so if whale watching trips, dolphin spotting, and experiencing amazing local wildlife is your thing, then this is your spot! There are also beautiful coastal sights with a dramatic mountain backdrop.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Lombok is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Kaikoura is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Lombok. This island is often compared to Bali 30 years ago. It's a much quieter island, but there are still bars and towns that attract a crowd. If you're looking for a party, then you'll likely still be able to find one, but if you want a laid back retreat, that's available as well.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Kaikoura. There are a decent number of hostels in the area and plenty of fun activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Lombok is a moderate island for its public transit. However, Kaikoura is not a good town for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit is generally limited in Lombok. The island is spread out, so many visitors prefer to hire a car of motorbike. There are also public buses, minibuses, and taxis available.

Public transit is quite limited in Kaikoura. The town is very small and there is no real public transit in the area.

Is Lombok or Kaikoura a more walkable city?

Kaikoura is a good destination for its high level of walkability. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

Kaikoura is a somewhat walkable place. There are many coastal walks in the area, which is a great way to soak up the beauty and see the wildlife. The town itself is small and most of the accommodation is along Beach Road, so it's relatively easy to reach places on foot.

Lombok is generally not very walkable. There are towns on the island that are relatively walkable and there are hiking and walking paths in different places.

For even more information, also check out Is Lombok Worth Visiting? and Is Kaikoura Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Kaikoura or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Kaikoura?

It's fun to spend time in either Lombok or Kaikoura. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Lombok due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-4 days is enough time in Kaikoura.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Lombok than Kaikoura 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 Lombok.

One day in Lombok or Kaikoura?

The beautiful island of Lombok offers museums and nightlife. 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 food and shopping when visiting the destination of Kaikoura. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Lombok or Kaikoura?

Lombok 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.

Kaikoura 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 Lombok or Kaikoura?

Lombok is a popular choice for travelers. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than five days exploring. 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 Kaikoura. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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 Lombok or Kaikoura?

Lombok is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, one week is probably not enough for all of it. This island offers something for everyone.

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the unique destination of Kaikoura. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to Indonesia, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Indonesia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in New Zealand, and The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Kaikoura, we can see that Kaikoura is more expensive. And not only is Lombok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Lombok is in Asia and Kaikoura 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 Lombok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lombok 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 Lombok.

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