East coast or west coast will largely determine your airfare, the biggest budget component.
After comparing airfares, use websites to compare the currencies, then you are set.
I would think both countries are similar in that nature is the big draw--a one that is free!

I can only personally comment on Croatia as I have not been to New Zealand. I'll put in a huge plug for Croatia. It is more affordable than many countries in Europe, especially outside the cities. Dubrovnik is pretty expensive, especially fresh seafood.

Accommodations can be had for 50 euros a night for a double. The beauty is so dramatic it is difficult to put into words. It is incredibly remarkable.

As in most places the further away from cities the cheaper it gets. In rural Croatia you can easily find great meals for $10-$20 U.S. or less if you want. There are great roadside stands selling wonderful local foods in Istria. So far we have never spent over $60 US on accommodations and we have found great places.

Hi,
Thanks both of you for your comments. Do you have a trip report on Croatia?

Not a trip report per se but we love the country so much we bought a house there recently!!! I have done tons of research, too, and have lists of accommodations, restaurants, local foods, etc.

two VERY different locations. Croatia is cheaper .
I like both, but NZ would be my choice.

I haven't been to New Zealand and I do love Croatia. I think I would suggest Croatia because it's changing faster than New Zealand. It's getting more and more popular (and expensive) every year. New Zealand is likely to be the same in 5 years from now. Croatia won't be.

Great time to visit New Zealand with the exchange rate being almost 2:1.

New Zealand has absolutely magnificent scenery. Some good bargains to be had at the moment with the economy the way it is.The NZ tourist industry is working hard to entice overseas visitors to its shores.

People are very friendly and you won't have to learn a foreign language to speak with the locals.

We have been to Dubrovnik on a cruise but we spent 5 weeks driving in New Zealand. It would be NZ for us, in a heartbeat! The most wonderful place in the world. Air fares are cheap right now, rent from Apex and drive away. So much to see. Take ferry to change islands and Apex will have a new car ready for you. From island point to island point, NZ has an incredible beauty, wonderful people and it's a place you will crave to return to again and again!

I would say Croatia if you want more than just nature and English speaking people. New ZEaland may be easier and friendler, but Croatia has amazing culture and food in addition to natural beauty. One (Croatia) is more comparable to a Europe trip, while New Zealand is beautiful, but in essence more like the US.

I've been to both countries. If you are into medieval cities and a few ancient Roman sites, Croatia is your best bet. For beautiful scenery, NZ wins hands down. However, if finances are your pricipal concern, Croatia probably would be the place to go. I do agree with one of the previous posters in that Croatia is quickly becoming more "touristy", taking away some of its particular charm.

They are both great but with the money exchange rate New Zealand would come out less I think. The air fare to New Zealand can be really high.
Both are very interesting countries with friendly people. Even though the Croatia scenery is nice, I loved the mountains
and scenery on the south Island and the volcanoes and beaches on the north island of New Zealand.

Hi, I've been to both. I'd choose Croatia. NZ is very beautiful, but it is larger than you would think. We spent 12 days there on a tour with Friendly Planet and a lot of time was spent on the bus, since distances between places are great. In Croatia, we did our own itinerary, a 7 day small boat cruise out of Dubrovnik to the islands, then, we drove around for a week. The islands are beautiful, historic as well as having lovely beaches. Driving along the coast is lovely and the roads are great. Inland, we drove to Plitvic Lakes National Parks, one of the most beautiful places.

Thanks so much for all your input. I'm going to print it out and give it to my husband who gets to choose where we will go next year.

I guess I should have added that we will need to travel in January - February which would make NZ a better choice as far as weather....although I love bundling up with a coat, scarf and gloves as I live in CA and don't get to do that to often.

Well not sure I should really be expressing an opinion as I have not been to Croatia, so can't compare the two. But I can offer some opinion on NZ...

I spent 4 or 5 months backpacking/camping around New Zealand some years ago - saw pretty much all parts of it. New Zealand is beautiful, but frankly, most things you can see there are very similar to parts of California, Oregon and Washington.

New Zealand is about the same size as Oregon, has about the same population (actually is a little more crowded than Oregon is), has a similar climate (both are on the 45th parallel, one north and one south of the equator). Both places (Oregon and NZ) have mountains, glaciers, volcanoes, lava flows, rocky beaches, sandy beaches, hot springs, dry areas, wet areas, glorious rivers, beautiful forests, and so on. For that matter both California and Washington have all the things in the above list too. So if you like those kinds of things and money is a major issue, you might want to save the airfare and travel around the Pacific Northwest. Although Jan. - Feb. is sure not ideal for the Northwest, I grant you. ;->

Several people I know who have traveled to New Zealand have commented that they "didn't really see what the big deal was". These people all lived in either Oregon or California (as you do too), so NZ just was not that different from what they could see at home.

I mean I really enjoyed my time there and found the people friendly and delightful. As I said, I thought it was beautiful, but I just didn't find it very different from places I've been in the Northwest. Don't hate me, NZ -lovers. I loved it too and it's certainly not a bad place to go, but I couldn't honestly say that I think you'd get the "biggest bang for your buck" there, especially given how far you have to travel.

norcalif
Interesting point of view....the Pacific coast is indeed a most beautiful area.
My brother lives in Olympia and the parks there are beautiful.

Thanks for that.......

If you are traveling in January or February, then this isn't much of a debate. Go to New Zealand. Save Croatia for a summer trip.

In September, my sister and I went on a 2 week Croatian coast road trip, driving from Dubrovnik-Hvar-Split-Zadar-Rovinj. It was beautiful, and the most swimming opportunities of anywhere. It's an outdoor enthusiast's paradise, great climate, good food, incredible scenery, amazing history. Not inexpensive, (but we stayed in good hotels). I'd go back in a heartbeat. Have never been to NZ, so can't compare.

As I mentioned I have not been to NZ but have heard so much about it from friends who have gone. Most have said it is very similar to parts of the US. I personally would go somewhere unique with ancient history and totally different culture in addition to stunning, shocking, gobsmacking beauty. Croatia is not expensive (except Zagreb and Dubrovnik). I just cannot say enough good about it!

I have been to both places. NZ is most llike Western U.S.. In Croatia most of the places to stay are in private homes, most of which are clean and modern and chaper than most hotels. I agree with what many of the others say: It depends on what you are looking for.I prefer Croatia for its old towns and historic interest. Don't miss the Plitvice Lakes. WWe had no problems traveling by bus and train. There are old boats (used to be called 100 yr. old boats) where one can cruise the Dalmatian Coast. They have small cabins with private facilities and you also get your meals. Many sail out of Split. You visit the coastal towns, some islands, and there are stops for swimming. The cruises are a week.