Thailand or Bali? The ultimate comparison to help you choose the best destination: prices, beaches, activities, culture

When planning a trip to Southeast Asia, two destinations often come up: Thailand and Bali! So which one should you choose? Both are dream destinations and are known for being inexpensive, with beautiful beaches, sunshine and an exotic culture! Here are a few things to help you choose the destination that suits you best!

VS

THAILANDE

BALI

It's going to be a close match!

2 - The budget

Budget in Thailand:

• Accommodation for all budgets, including very cheap options (you can even find hotels for €10 a room), but be aware that hotel prices have risen significantly in recent years, especially for high-end hotels! (from €30)

• Excellent and very affordable street food (from €2 or €3 per meal)

• Lots of walks to do (free of charge) and many inexpensive "all-inclusive" packages (boat + bus + diving + meals)

• Plenty of inexpensive public transport (long-distance buses, trains, tuk-tuks, boats)

Budget in Bali:

• Luxury villas and hotels are now cheaper than in Thailand (from €20 with pool and breakfast)!

• Restaurants at all price points, but often very inexpensive and very good (you can eat a full meal from €4)

• Activities often require payment: most tourist attractions now charge admission fees: beaches, rice fields, volcanoes, waterfalls (between 50p and £2) and multi-activity packages (taxi + boat + diving + meal) for around £20 or £30.

• Transport: there is very little public transport in Bali, but you can hire a car with a driver for £30/day all-inclusive, which is great!

🌴 For accommodation: the best value for money and for inexpensive luxury hotels and villas: Bali wins hands down!

🌴 For mid-range and high-end restaurant dining and private transport: Bali again!

🌴 For backpackers on a tight budget looking for cheap hotels, street food and inexpensive long-distance public transport: Thailand wins!

1 - The beaches

Beaches in Thailand:

• Turquoise waters and white sand, especially in southern Thailand (Krabi, Phuket): crystal-clear water, magnificent beaches, sugar loaf mountains and vertiginous cliffs plunging into the sea, calm waters.

• Famous and numerous islands, all easily accessible by boat: Phuket, Koh Phi Phi, Koh Tao, Koh Lipe, Koh Samui.

• Easy swimming as the water is shallow near the shore (ideal for children) and snorkelling is available almost everywhere.

Beaches in Bali:

• Volcanic black sand beaches in the north, but also magnificent white sand beaches in the south (Nusa Dua), particularly on the surrounding islands (Gili Islands, Nusa Penida, Lembogan).

• Famous surfing spots in the west due to the large waves.

• Less suitable for swimming on the west coast due to the waves, but magnificent sunsets and very pleasant and easy swimming on the east coast as the waters are calmer.

• Unfortunately, beaches are often dirty when they are a little far from tourist areas: they are swept regularly and cleaned in front of hotels, but as Bali is at a crossroads of ocean currents, the island unfortunately collects plastic bottles and other floating debris from around the world, which wash up on its beaches every day.

🌴 For paradise beaches: Thailand wins!

🌴 For surfing, underwater scenery and diversity: Bali

3 - Nature and landscapes

Thailand's landscapes:

• Spectacular limestone cliffs in the south

• Dense forests where you can hike for hours

• Beautiful rivers where you can go rafting

Bali's landscapes:

• Spectacular terraced rice fields listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site

• Volcanoes (several of which are active and fairly easily accessible)

• Waterfalls absolutely everywhere

• Incredible cliffs by the sea

• A wide variety of beaches: black sand or white sand, calm seas or big waves for surfing

🌴 For its landscapes and incredibly rich and varied nature: Bali wins hands down!

4 - Culture and atmosphere

Thailand:

• Quite a festive atmosphere by the sea

• Flower markets, floating markets and night markets teeming with life, with an incredible atmosphere and unlimited street food

• Cities with a rich historical past and spectacular buildings, palaces, temples and statues covered in gold and decorations to visit everywhere, but also a large modern city (Bangkok)

• Unfortunately, prostitution is still widespread (especially in business districts and bars in the evening), and it can be shocking to see extreme poverty alongside the wealth of buildings and gold statues...

Bali:

• Much calmer and more relaxed atmosphere in Bali, here you are in the land of tranquillity!

• A mix of religions and traditions everywhere, many people wear traditional clothing.

• No big cities with huge skyscrapers, but still traffic jams during rush hour because there are few roads.

• Small, beautifully carved traditional houses and small temples everywhere.

• You feel safe everywhere, even at night, and people are all smiling and welcoming (except in some tourist areas where, unfortunately, the recent development of tourism means that some people insist heavily on being paid if you take their photo).

• There is little or no festive atmosphere in the evening (except for dance shows, restaurants and massages).

🌴 In terms of atmosphere, the two are so different that it's up to each person to decide what they're looking for in a holiday: if you like going out in the evening and visiting shops or markets, Thailand is the winner! But if you prefer a quiet, relaxing holiday in a different setting, Bali is the clear winner!

4 - Fauna and flora

Thailand:

• Lots of animals: monkeys, elephants, monitor lizards, birds... A complete change of scenery!

• Lots of flowers everywhere too, especially orchids! Here, you are in the kingdom of orchids. You will be amazed by all the different types and colours!

Bali:

• Lots of flowers and orchids too

• There are fewer animals than in Thailand, but lots of monkeys, birds and beautiful underwater wildlife. Here, there are no elephant rides, but there are excursions to go diving with manta rays!

🌴 When it comes to wildlife, Thailand wins! And when it comes to flora, let's just say that both are ex-eco!

5 - Climate: Thailand or Bali, which destination should you choose?

• The two destinations are in competition! You will find sunshine and warmth all year round! With a few differences:

• Thailand has two seasons: the dry season, which is cooler, and the rainy season, which is warmer. But as the country is very large and elongated, the seasons are not the same in the east and west of the country. It is therefore important to find out about the region you are going to visit before you leave and check the weather forecast accordingly!

• Bali, which has a tropical climate like Thailand, also has two seasons, but they are less contrasting than in Thailand, so you can visit all year round. However, during the rainy season, you are sure to have rain in the middle or late afternoon!

There you go! Now you know everything!

With all these points of comparison between Thailand and Bali, it's up to you to make your choice!

I would say that for a long backpacking trip, Thailand is better! And for a two-week honeymoon or holiday,

Sa wa dee et Rahajeng memargi !