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

Should you visit Pattaya or Rotorua?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Rotorua can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a active, vibrant, and high energy resort city. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Rotorua

Rotorua is a world-renowned, diverse, and cultural town. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Pattaya and Rotorua: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Rotorua?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Pattaya than Rotorua, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Pattaya is more popular for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Rotorua is known for its museums, hiking, and impressive beauty. Pattaya is more touristy than Rotorua and is known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. It is also home to the Sanctuary of Truth. Rotorua is popular for its geothermal activity, Maori cultural influence, and its role in the famous Lord of the Rings movies.

How is Pattaya different from Rotorua?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pattaya or Rotorua?

Rotorua is a great town for its historical sights. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its sights and museums.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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 Pattaya. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

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

Local dishes at restaurants are fun to try in both Pattaya and Rotorua.

Pattaya has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Street food is what this city is all about. You'll find streets lined with restaurants, but you'll also find snacks and other culinary treats at every corner. Khao Gaeng (curried rice with meat or vegetables), Kai Jeow (omelet over rice), and Moo Ping (grilled pork) are among the favorites.

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 Pattaya or Rotorua Better for Nightlife?

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

Pattaya has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. Despite a promotional campaign to promote family vacations, this city still holds tight to its party hard reputation. You'll find live bands, international DJs, and rooftop parties any night of the week.

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 Pattaya or Rotorua Better for Resorts?

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

In Pattaya, you'll find some of the region's top resorts. If you're looking for built-up, all-the-frills, beach resorts, then this is your place. It's a touristy beach city with hotels are resorts that line the waterfront.

Rotorua is not a resort destination.

Is Pattaya or Rotorua Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Pattaya is a resort city with good options for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Pattaya. There are snorkeling and dive excursions that leave from town, or you could throw on a mask and snorkel and look for marine life right off the beach.

Rotorua is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Pattaya or Rotorua Better for Beaches?

Pattaya is an excellent place to visit for the beach. However, Rotorua is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Pattaya attract visitors from all over. There are countless white sand beaches in the area that range from party-focused, to romantic, to family-friendly. The blue waters and silky sand have long made this one of the most popular beach areas in Thailand.

Rotorua is not a beach destination.

Is Pattaya or Rotorua Better for Hiking?

Rotorua is a great town for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Rotorua for the hiking trails. 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.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Rotorua?

Pattaya 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 Pattaya. The city is filled with markets, malls, bazaars, and street vendors that sells everything from clothes and bathing suits, to Thai crafts or local foods.

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

Is Pattaya or Rotorua Better for Families?

Rotorua is terrific for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its family-friendly activities.

Rotorua is an extremely popular town to visit for families. 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.

Pattaya is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the amusement parks, water parks, and cultural parks. Highlights for families include Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Ramayana Water Park, and Mini Siam. For something totally unique, check out the ice sculptures at Frost Magical Ice of Siam and for something cultural and fun you can head to Legend Siam Pattaya. Despite local efforts to promote family-friendly activities, it's important to remember that the city does still has a party town reputation. There are areas that you should avoid with kids.

Is Pattaya or Rotorua Better for Couples?

Rotorua is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

Rotorua is a great town for couples, as it has plenty to offer. 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.

Pattaya is a good resort city for couples to visit. There are many beach-oriented activities around town like boat rides and water sports. You could also enjoy a spa day or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun for the day.

Is Pattaya or Rotorua Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Rotorua is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Rotorua is extremely popular for backpackers. Well established on the backpacker trail, there are plenty of hostels in the area and tons of activities that backpackers will enjoy.

Plenty of backpackers visit Pattaya. While it used to be a party town, these days Pattaya is more of a family destination that's filled with amusement parks and family-friendly resorts. Backpackers will still find hostels and budget accommodation, but that backpacker atmosphere isn't what it used to be.

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

Pattaya and Rotorua both offer good public transit to get you around.

While Pattaya offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The baht bus (songthaew) is the cheapest way to get around town. These are colorful pickup trucks with seats in the back. There are also motorbike taxis as well as regular taxis.

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

Is Pattaya or Rotorua a more walkable city?

Rotorua is a town with good options for its high level of walkability. However, Pattaya is not known 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.

Pattaya is generally not very walkable. There's a walking street, as well as several walkable areas, but the city is relatively large and you'll likely want to catch a ride most places.

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

Should I spend more time in Rotorua or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Rotorua?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Pattaya and Rotorua. In our opinion, Rotorua has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Rotorua than Pattaya. However, 2-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Rotorua than Pattaya. 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 Pattaya. 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 Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Rotorua?

In Pattaya, you'll find shopping and museums. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This resort city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

In Rotorua, you'll find nightlife and food. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. This town offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

A weekend in Pattaya or Rotorua?

In Pattaya, you'll find museums and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Most people come for the beaches. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Pattaya has to offer.

In Rotorua, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Rotorua has to offer.

Five days in Pattaya or Rotorua?

Pattaya is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Rotorua is a great place to explore. Hikers are also drawn to this area. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Pattaya or Rotorua?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Pattaya. Many people enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting Pattaya. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Rotorua. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Rotorua. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, 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 Pattaya and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua is more expensive. And not only is Pattaya much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Pattaya 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 Pattaya would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Pattaya 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 Pattaya.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Rotorua?

Pattaya has a larger population, and is about 48% larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Rotorua?

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

Should I visit Pattaya or Rotorua in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Pattaya and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Pattaya year-round. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.

In the summer, Pattaya is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Pattaya in July average around 29°C (84°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.

In July, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Pattaya or Rotorua in the Autumn?

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

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

Pattaya receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Pattaya usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. June to October in Pattaya is the rainy season.

Should I visit Pattaya or Rotorua in the Winter?

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

Pattaya is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 27°C (80°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.

In January, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Pattaya or Rotorua in the Spring?

Both Rotorua and Pattaya during the spring are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Pattaya because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Pattaya is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Pattaya in April average around 30°C (86°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.

Pattaya usually gets more rain in April than Rotoruain October. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. December to April is the dry season in Pattaya. June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya.

Typical Weather for Rotorua and Pattaya