Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Sandakan?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sandakan or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sandakan 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.
Where Should I go: Sandakan or Rotorua?
Sandakan
Located on the Northeast side of the state of Sabah in Borneo is the city of Sandakan, which is the 2nd largest city in the country. Sandakan was a prosperous port town in the 1800s because of its exports of tobacco, timber, pearls, and ivory. However, this booming town that was formerly the administrative capital in North Borneo was bombed practically out of existence at the end of World War II.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Malaysia, The Best Adventure Tours to Malaysia, The Best Budget Tours to New Zealand, and The Best Tours for Seniors to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySandakan $58Rotorua $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Sandakan is $58, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $93. 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 Sandakan and Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSandakan $20Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSandakan $40Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Sandakan and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Sandakan or Rotorua? 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: Sandakan Hotel Prices and Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sandakan $33Rotorua $5.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $180
Is it cheaper to fly into Sandakan or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua and Sandakan 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 daySandakan $19Rotorua $29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Sandakan
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Sandakan.
- Mangrove Cruise with Fireflies Tour Including Dinner from Sandakan: $64
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $92
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $154
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sandakan $7.19Rotorua $34
Tours and Activities in Sandakan
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Sandakan are as follows:
- 2D1N Sandakan Private Tour with Kinabatangan River Cruise: $290
- Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre & Sepilok Orang Utan Rehab Centre Tour: $105
- Borneo Kinabatangan River Cruise Day Trip: $78
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 2 Days 1 Night At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $197
- Borneo Wildlife Tour 3 Days 2 Nights At Tanjung Bulat Jungle Camp Kinabatangan: $241
- Kinabatangan River Cruise from Sandakan: $90
- Labuk Proboscis, Sepilok, Sun Bear, Sandakan City Tour & Lunch: $138
- Private Full Day Sepilok Orang Utan, Bornean Sun Bear and Rainforest Discovery Center Tour: $125
- Private Tour: Half Day Sandakan City Tour Including Local Lunch: $51
- Sepilok Orang Utan & Bornean Sun Bear Centre with Sandakan City Tour with Lunch: $191
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two$27
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $21
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $21
- Government Gardens Walking Tour: $23
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Geothermal Adults Only Mineral Bathing - Pavilion Pools Bathing Ticket: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $27
- Agrodome Farm Tour with Show and Produce Tasting: $29
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $30
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Tour: $35
- National Kiwi Hatchery - Kiwi Encounter Tour: $37
- Velocity Valley Ticket: $39
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySandakan $6.59Rotorua $12
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine$11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sandakan and Rotorua, we can see that Rotorua is more expensive. And not only is Sandakan much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Sandakan 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 Sandakan would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sandakan 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 Sandakan.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sandakan Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sandakan or Rotorua?
Sandakan has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Sandakan 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 Sandakan or Rotorua?
Rotorua has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Sandakan experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Sandakan or Rotorua in the Summer?
Both Rotorua and Sandakan during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Sandakan because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Sandakan is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Sandakan in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sandakan. Sandakan usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Sandakan gets 195 mm (7.7 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySandakan 27°C (81°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sandakan and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Sandakan year-round. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Sandakan is generally much warmer than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Sandakan average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Sandakan gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Sandakan gets 253 mm (10 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSandakan 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Rotorua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Sandakan as well as Rotorua. Sandakan attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
Sandakan is around the same temperature as Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Sandakan averages around 26°C (80°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
Sandakan receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sandakan usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Sandakan gets 437 mm (17.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySandakan 26°C (80°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Sandakan or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua and Sandakan are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Sandakan throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Sandakan is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Sandakan in April average around 28°C (82°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
It's quite rainy in Sandakan. In April, Sandakan usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Sandakan gets 107 mm (4.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSandakan 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Sandakan
| Sandakan | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 26°C (80°F) | 437 mm (17.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (80°F) | 268 mm (10.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 27°C (81°F) | 158 mm (6.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 107 mm (4.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 138 mm (5.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 195 mm (7.7 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 213 mm (8.4 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 28°C (82°F) | 253 mm (10 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 344 mm (13.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 462 mm (18.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
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.