Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Tanah Rata?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tanah Rata or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tanah Rata 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: Tanah Rata or Rotorua?
Tanah Rata
Tanah Rata is one of the main tourist towns in the Cameron Highlands. The Cameron Highlands are in western Malaysia and are a popular retreat for Malaysian residents and international travelers alike. The area's higher elevation offers an often much needed break from the country's oppressive heat. It also has a beautiful setting that is rich in agriculture and has rolling hills that are beautifully covered in tea plantations. Tanah Rata has many of the area's tourist amenities. ATMS, banks, and the area's main hospital are all found in town. For some, the area feels too touristy, but if you linger longer, and explore on your own, you can easily escape the mass tourism and see the area for what it is.
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 10-Day Tours in Malaysia, The Best 2-Week Tours in 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 dayTanah Rata $137Rotorua $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Tanah Rata is $137, 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 Tanah Rata and Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTanah Rata $67Rotorua $48
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTanah Rata $134Rotorua $96
Compare Hotels in Tanah Rata and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Tanah Rata 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: Tanah Rata Hotel Prices and Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tanah Rata $29Rotorua $5.01
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tanah Rata
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Tanah Rata:
- Departure Transfer from Cameron Highland to KLIA/KLIA2: $169
- Chauffeur: Cameron Highlands to Singapore Van Transfer: $118
- CameronHighland CityHotel to KualaLumpur Airport One-way Transfer: $109
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $93
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $110
- Cameron Highlands Hotels to Kuala Lumpur City 1-way Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur City One-way Transfer: $92
- Cameron Highlands City To Kuala Lumpur City Transfer: $94
- Cameron Highland to KUL Hotel (One Way Transfer): $153
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 Tanah Rata or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua and Tanah Rata 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 dayTanah Rata $44Rotorua $29
Typical Food Prices in Tanah Rata
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Tanah Rata:
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Dinner for Two$5.66
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Dessert$0.63
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Lunch$3.98
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Afternoon tea$3.88
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.Tanah Rata $34Rotorua $34
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tanah Rata
Here are a few typical costs in Tanah Rata for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Tea Factory Visit$5.66
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Tour of Orang Asli Village$21
Tours and Activities in Tanah Rata
Here are a few actual costs in Tanah Rata for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cameron Highlands Sightseing Tour: $33
- Cameron Highlands City Hotels to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands City to Kuala Lumpur Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $109
- Cameron Highlands Full Day Tour: $75
- Cameron Highlands to Kuala Lumpur International Airport EN-ROUTE Batu Caves Tour: $110
- Cameron Highlands: Agro Delight Tour: $61
- Special Cameron Highlands ~ Day tour;Solo;Couple;Group: $292
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 dayTanah Rata $19Rotorua $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 Tanah Rata and Rotorua, we can see that Tanah Rata is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tanah Rata 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 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 Tanah Rata would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tanah Rata 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 Tanah Rata Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tanah Rata or Rotorua?
Rotorua has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Tanah Rata. When comparing the sizes of Tanah Rata 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 Tanah Rata or Rotorua?
Rotorua has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Tanah Rata experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Tanah Rata as well as Rotorua. Tanah Rata attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Tanah Rata is much warmer than Rotorua in the summer. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Rotorua fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in January.
Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in July than Rotoruain January. Tanah Rata gets 91 mm (3.6 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 JanuaryTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Rotorua in the Autumn?
Both Rotorua and Tanah Rata are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Tanah Rata throughout the year. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Tanah Rata is much warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tanah Rata in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Rotorua averages at about 16°C (61°F)in April.
It's quite rainy in Tanah Rata. In October, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Rotoruain April. Tanah Rata gets 237 mm (9.3 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 AprilTanah Rata 27°C (81°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua and Tanah Rata during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Tanah Rata because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
In January, Tanah Rata is generally around the same temperature as Rotoruain July. Daily temperatures in Tanah Rata average around 27°C (80°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Tanah Rata. Tanah Rata usually gets more rain in January than Rotoruain July. Tanah Rata gets 131 mm (5.2 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 JulyTanah Rata 27°C (80°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Tanah Rata or Rotorua in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tanah Rata and Rotorua. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Tanah Rata year-round. Also, many travelers come to Rotorua for the natural beauty.
Tanah Rata is a little warmer than Rotorua in the spring. The daily temperature in Tanah Rata averages around 28°C (82°F) in April, and Rotorua fluctuates around 19°C (66°F)in October.
Tanah Rata gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Tanah Rata usually receives more rain than Rotoruain October. Tanah Rata gets 167 mm (6.6 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 OctoberTanah Rata 28°C (82°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Tanah Rata
| Tanah Rata | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 27°C (80°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 27°C (81°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 28°C (82°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 28°C (82°F) | 167 mm (6.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 28°C (83°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 28°C (82°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 28°C (82°F) | 126 mm (5 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 27°C (81°F) | 173 mm (6.8 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 27°C (81°F) | 237 mm (9.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 27°C (81°F) | 270 mm (10.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | 27°C (80°F) | 158 mm (6.2 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.