A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Lombok vs. Rotorua for Families, Couples, Backpackers, and Attractions

Should you visit Lombok or Rotorua?

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 Rotorua. 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 peaceful, laid back, and cultural island. Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food. See Lombok travel costs.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. The beauty of Rotorua is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Rotorua travel costs.

Lombok and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Lombok or Rotorua?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Lombok. Although Lombok and Rotorua are both popular with visitors, Lombok has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Lombok is more popular for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Rotorua is known for its museums and attractions. Lombok is popular for its striking natural beauty, pristine beaches, and local culture. It is also home to Mount Rinjani. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Lombok different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

Rotorua is great for its historical sights. Also, Lombok is not as popular, but is still a nice island for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Rotorua. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Lombok. 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.

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

Foodies will find both Lombok and Rotorua both to be very good 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 Rotorua is an experience not to be missed. 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 Lombok or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is good in both Lombok and Rotorua.

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 Rotorua. You'll find the best concentration of bars and restaurants around Tutankei Street, which is often referred to as "Eat Street".

Is Lombok or Rotorua Better for Resorts?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its luxury resorts. However, Rotorua is not a resort destination.

In Lombok, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. 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.

Rotorua is not a resort destination.

Is Lombok or Rotorua Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Lombok is an amazing island to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Lombok is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Lombok or Rotorua Better for Beaches?

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

Lombok is considered to be a world-class beach destination. 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.

Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Is Lombok or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Lombok and Rotorua, and they are very good.

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.

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 Lombok or Rotorua?

Lombok is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Lombok. 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.

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

Is Lombok or Rotorua More Beautiful?

Lombok is an amazing island to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Rotorua is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its scenery and beauty.

Lombok is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is filled with stunning beaches, beautiful waterfalls, and colorful marine environments.

Rotorua is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. It's surrounded by striking volcanoes, beautiful lakes, and surreal geothermal springs, giving it an exotic and beautiful atmosphere.

Is Lombok or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua 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, Rotorua is very family-friendly. 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.

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 Rotorua Better for Couples?

Lombok and Rotorua both fantastic destinations for a couple.

Lombok is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

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.

Is Lombok or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Lombok and Rotorua are fantastic places to visit.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Lombok is extremely popular for backpackers. 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.

Rotorua is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

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

Rotorua is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Lombok is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Rotorua offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are buses and shuttles that travel around town and through the area.

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.

Is Lombok or Rotorua a more walkable city?

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

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

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 Rotorua Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Lombok?

How long in Lombok or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Lombok and Rotorua. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Lombok than in Rotorua. Usually, 10-14 days is a good amount of time for Lombok, and 2-3 days is enough time in Rotorua.

Families should spend more time in Rotorua than Lombok. 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 Lombok than Rotorua. 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.

One day in Lombok or Rotorua?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?

In Lombok, you'll find museums and nightlife. 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.

Rotorua 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 Rotorua?

Lombok is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotorua. 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 Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Lombok. In Lombok, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With so much to do, one week is probably not enough time to see everything.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the diverse destination of Rotorua. 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 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lombok and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua 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 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 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 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 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 Rotorua Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Lombok or Rotorua?

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

Should I visit Lombok or Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lombok and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Lombok year-round. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Lombok is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Lombok in July average around 26°C (79°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

In July, Lombok usually receives less rain than Rotoruain January. Lombok gets 18 mm (0.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer. May to September in Lombok is the dry season.

Should I visit Lombok or Rotorua in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Lombok as well as Rotorua. Lombok attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In October, Lombok is generally much warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Lombok average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Lombok receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Lombok usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Lombok gets 109 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. November to April in Lombok is the rainy season.

Should I visit Lombok or Rotorua in the Winter?

Both Rotorua and Lombok are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Lombok throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Lombok is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Lombok averages around 28°C (82°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

In January, Lombok usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Lombok gets 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Lombok or Rotorua in the Spring?

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

In the spring, Lombok is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Lombok in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

Lombok usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Lombok gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. May to September is the dry season in Lombok. November to April is the rainy season in Lombok.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Lombok