Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Santiago?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Santiago 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 Santiago 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.
Where Should I go: Santiago or Rotorua?
Santiago
Santiago is the capital city of Chile. It is centrally located in the long and narrow country, making it a good jumping off point to explore everywhere else. It's convenient location means that you can go skiing in the Andes one day, and hang out at the beach the next.
Santiago has a cool semi-arid climate that is similar to Mediterranean climates. The summers, which are between November and March, are warm and dry. The temperatures climb to around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. The winters, between June and August, are humid with cold mornings. The daily highs are around 55 degrees Fahrenheit and the lows stay a few degrees above freezing. Rain is more common in the winter months and the dry season is between December and March.
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 The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Santiago Prices
Chile PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySantiago $159Rotorua $111
The average daily cost (per person) in Santiago is $159, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is $111. 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 Santiago and Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSantiago $116Rotorua $46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSantiago $232Rotorua $92
Compare Hotels in Santiago and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Santiago 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: Santiago Hotel Prices and Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Santiago $5.72Rotorua $4.84
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Santiago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Santiago:
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Metro Ride$1.20
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santiago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Santiago:
- Villard Winery with exclusive guide + Premium Transfer: $220
- Transfer to Snowy Valley fullday for skiers: $49
- Transfer to San Antonio port with Valparaiso & Casablanca tour: $95
- Transfer in/out cruise to/from Santiago plus tour Valparaiso: $135
- Transfer from Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski to Santiago: $83
- Transfer from Santiago To Valle Nevado, Farellones, Colorado or La Parva ski: $100
- Transfer from Santiago Airport to Santiago Centro Commune: $52
- Transfer by Electric Car SCL Airport Santiago, Chile: $61
- Transfer Santiago-Viña del Mar / Viña del Mar-Santiago: $220
- Transfer Parque Farellones Fullday 50%OFF: $59
- Tour to Santiago and Valparaiso with Transfers included: $150
- TRANSFER TRANSFER AIRPORT-VIÑA DEL MAR VALPARAISO: $190
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: $192
Is it cheaper to fly into Santiago or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua and Santiago 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 daySantiago $24Rotorua $48
Typical Food Prices in Santiago
Some typical examples of dining costs in Santiago are as follows:
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Empanada$1.99
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Hamburger$2.65
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Dinner$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santiago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Santiago.
- Legacy Family Tour Lunch or Dinner Pairing 4 Strokes: $40
- Best Street Food Tour With A Local Guide: $56
- Street Food Tour in Santiago with a Local Guide: $57
- Mercado Meals Food Tour with 12+ Tastings: $60
- 4h Cooking Class in 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $77
- 4h Cooking Class in Santiago : 8 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks: $85
- Local Food Tour with Tastings & Drinks: $99
- Food Tour STGO, Eat like Locals!: $99
- Traditional Dinner Show in Santiago: $107
- Santiago Food Tour: Bohemian Flavors and Local Gems: $109
- Lastarria Food Tour: Wine, Bites & Social Culinary Experience: $109
- Small-Group Tour: Night City Tour with Santa Lucia Hill and Dinner Show: $116
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: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $120
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Santiago $50Rotorua $33
Tours and Activities in Santiago
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Santiago are as follows:
- 1 Day Tour of Isla Negra Algarrobo and Viña Undurraga from Santiago: $112
- 1 Day Tour of Viña Concha y Toro from Santiago: $120
- 1 Day Undurraga Vineyard Tour from Santiago: $120
- 3 Hours Santiago Blend Walking Tour: $30
- 6 Hour Tour of Culture, History and Flavors from Santiago: $75
- A City Tour Walking through the Unforgettable Santiago: $26
- A Fabulous Walking tour by the Old Santiago of Chile -: $25
- A Private Tour of Santiago with an Experienced Local Guide: $162
- A full Private Tour of Valparaiso from Santiago: $238
- Adega Montes Guided Tour with Private Transportation: $300
- Adventure in Portillo: Laguna del Inca and Mountain Picnic: $100
- All Santiago in One Day: Private Guided Tour: $250
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$26
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Mini Golf Experience: $12
- Whaka Geothermal Trails Self-Guided Tour: $25
- Jade Carving Experience at a Local Studio: $26
- Mountain Jade Highlights Tour: $27
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $28
- Geothermal Mineral Baths Experience: Pavilion Pools for 12+: $29
- Discover Rotorua Guided Walking Tour of Hidden Gems: $32
- Whakarewarewa Village Guided Tour: $32
- Authentic Kiwi Farm Experience at the Agrodome: $34
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Entry Ticket: $38
- The National Kiwi Hatchery Kiwi Encounter Tour: $38
- Waimangu Volcanic Valley Ticket & Self-Guided Walk: $38
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySantiago $8.89Rotorua $11
Sample the Local Flavors in Santiago
Also in Santiago, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- "Chile in Your Glass" Wine Tasting.: $22
- Cousiño Macul Heritage Wine Tour with Tastings: $25
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Beer and Welcome Shots: $25
- Premium Wine Tour in Viña Cousiño Macul Spanish official: $45
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Casablanca Wine Tasting: $59
- Wine Tasting + Cheeseboard + Gypsum Reservoir: $60
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $61
- Valparaiso, Viña del Mar & Casablanca Wine Tour: $62
- Undurraga Winery Tour with Entry and Wine Tasting: $70
- Half Day Trip to Undurraga Vineyard from Santiago - Wine Tasting Included: $75
- Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, with Wine Tasting: $75
- Undurraga Wine Tasting Tour from Santiago: $75
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 Santiago and Rotorua, we can see that Santiago is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Santiago is in South America 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 Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Santiago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Santiago than you might in Rotorua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Santiago Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Santiago or Rotorua?
Santiago has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Santiago 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 Santiago or Rotorua?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the southern hemisphere, summer is in January and winter is in July.
Should I visit Santiago or Rotorua in the Summer?
Both Rotorua and Santiago during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Santiago is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Santiago in January average around 21°C (70°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Santiago usually gets less rain in January than Rotorua. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 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 JanuarySantiago 21°C (70°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Santiago and Rotorua. Furthermore, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In April, Santiago is generally around the same temperature as Rotorua. Daily temperatures in Santiago average around 15°C (59°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In April, Santiago usually receives less rain than Rotorua. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 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 AprilSantiago 15°C (59°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Rotorua in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Santiago as well as Rotorua. Additionally, many travelers come to Rotorua for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Santiago is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Santiago averages around 9°C (48°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
Santiago usually gets more rain in July than Rotorua. Santiago gets 80 mm (3.1 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 JulySantiago 9°C (48°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Santiago or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua and Santiago are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the spring for the natural beauty.
In the spring, Santiago is cooler than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Santiago in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F).
In October, Santiago usually receives less rain than Rotorua. Santiago gets 10 mm (0.4 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 OctoberSantiago 15°C (59°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Santiago
| Santiago | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 21°C (70°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 18°C (64°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (54°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 9°C (48°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 9°C (48°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 10°C (50°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 15°C (59°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 17°C (63°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 20°C (68°F) | 10 mm (0.4 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.