When it comes to Southeast Asian dream trips, many travelers find themselves pitting Bali vs. Thailand. Both destinations have stunning beaches, dense jungles, ancient temples, and absolutely phenomenal food. For decades, both have been two of the most popular destinations in this region of the world—with good reason. So how do you choose where to visit?
It’s important to note that you’re not quite comparing apples to apples when it comes to Thailand vs. Bali. The latter is one island in the vast archipelago that makes up Indonesia, while Thailand is an entire nation with a great deal of regional and cultural diversity. That being said, even as a lone island, Bali offers a wealth of things to see and do.
The truth is that there’s really no wrong choice here and you can have a wonderful trip whether you opt for Bali or Thailand. Here are a few factors to consider when making your decision.
Weather
Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
A major factor in choosing Bali vs. Thailand is when you’re planning to take your trip. Both destinations have distinct wet and dry seasons, which can have a big impact on the quality of your vacation.
In Thailand, the dry, cooler period of the year typically runs from late October or early November until roughly early March. December through February in particular are lovely in Bangkok, with average temperatures hovering between highs of 91°F (33°C) to lows of 71°F (22°C). During this time, there’s virtually no rainfall and visitors can expect sunny skies.
From March until June, Thailand enters its hot season, which is dry, but also often both scorching and humid. Songkran, the annual Thai New Year celebration held each April, counteracts the soaring temperatures with nationwide water fights. From June until October, the skies are often cloudier and travelers can expect a brief, torrential downpour a couple times a day. Luckily, these showers seldom last more than an hour, so they seldom put too much of a damper on activities.
Ubud in Bali, Indonesia
Bali’s wet and dry seasons are almost the opposite of Thailand’s. April through October sees blue skies and little to no rain, while November through March tends to be muggy with regular showers. As with Thailand’s wet season, it’s rare for the rainfall to last an entire day, which means it’s still perfectly possible to have a great time in the off-season.
Location
Promthem Cape, Thailand
Many visitors opt to visit Bali or Thailand as part of a more extended journey through Southeast Asia. Both are pretty conveniently close to other countries, making it easy to hop around.
Thailand is especially close to Vietnam, Cambodia, and Singapore, while Bali is a great jumping-off point for the rest of Indonesia or Malaysia.
History
Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
Thailand is fiercely proud of the fact that unlike its geographic neighbors, its people were never under European colonial powers. The rulers of what was then the Kingdom of Siam used canny diplomacy to avoid conquest. To this day, the Thai royal family is one of the wealthiest monarchies in the world and still wields considerable influence. Speaking ill of the royals here is a criminal offense punishable by up to 15 years in prison, so visitors are advised to behave accordingly.
Bali, on the other hand, was under Dutch colonial rule for a considerable period of time. The island was liberated following the Second World War. The island’s popularity as a destination for travelers dates back to the 1960s and has ramped up steadily ever since.
Both Thailand and Bali are understandably proud of their history and cultural heritage to this day. Travelers to Bangkok can marvel at the glittering mosaics of Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which sits next to the magnificent Grand Palace. Other temples in the capital include Wat Pho, home to a renowned massage school, and Wat Arun, the Temple of the Dawn.
Pura Puseh Batuan Temple in Bali, Indonesia
In Bali, travelers can wander around the grounds of the remarkable Pura Puseh Batuan Temple in Ubud. This temple complex has a history stretching back more than 1,000 years, although many of the sculptural reliefs have been redone within the last few decades.
Read: Bali Travel Tips
Natural Wonders
Uluwatu in Bali, Indonesia
When it comes to Thailand vs. Bali, both destinations are blessed with truly incredible natural wonders, from cascading waterfalls to sandy beaches to lush jungles. Bali in particular packs a great deal of geographic diversity into a relatively small area. The emerald, seemingly endless rice paddies of Ubud, the beaches of Nusa Dua, and the cliffs of Uluwatu are all located within easy driving distance of one another.
To experience the wilder side of the island, one of the best things to do in Bali is to head out to West Bali National Park. Dive-certified travelers will be in heaven at Menjangan Island, where the underwater world is brilliant with color.
Ang Thong National Marine Park, Thailand
Thailand also offers plenty of spectacular natural spaces, including some of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the planet. Ang Thong National Marine Park, off the coast of Koh Samui, is an astonishing haven of biodiversity. Here, visitors can see foliage-covered limestone karsts rising sharply from turquoise waters.
Read: How to Plan a Trip to Thailand
Food
Gaeng keow waan gai
Regardless of which destination you choose, you’re going to eat very, very well. Both Thailand and Bali have rich, nuanced dishes packed with flavor. Both destinations also offer an incredible spectrum of dining opportunities, ranging from street food to fine dining restaurants.
Thai food is renowned for its artful balance of sweet, salty, spicy, sour, and bitter flavors in practically every dish. That means even savory stir-fries tend to have a good spoonful of sugar, especially in Bangkok where palates run sweeter. That’s not to say that your morning glory is going to taste sugary, however. Rather, the interplay of salt and umami from fish sauce, the heat of bird’s eye chiles, and a squeeze of citrus or splash of vinegar all work together to make the plate sing.
Each region of Thailand has its own curries, from Southern Thailand’s sour, ferociously spicy fish curries to Northern Thai curries laden with dried spices. Some, like the ubiquitous gaeng keow waan gai, green curry with chicken, rely on a creamy coconut milk base.
Gaeng som
Others, like the Southern-style gaeng som, or sour curry, has a thinner broth. All hinge on highly complex curry pastes, the best of which are pounded by hand in a mortar.
Thailand is blessed with incredible fresh produce, in large part due to the efforts of the late, beloved King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit. The royal family helped transform enormous tracts of land into farms for growing fresh fruits and vegetables. Thailand also has access to incredible fresh seafood, which frequently appears on the plate.
Balinese cuisine is quite distinct from other Indonesian cuisines. A large part of this has to do with the fact that Bali’s population is predominantly Hindu rather than Muslim. As a result, pork features prominently in the cuisine.
Babi guling
The most famous example of this is babi guling, the whole roasted pig that Anthony Bourdain raved about. The pig is rubbed with spices and slow-roasted over smoldering coconut husks for hours. It’s typically served at humble warungs, the best of which usually sell out by mid-afternoon.
Much like Thai cuisine, Balinese cuisine relies on a vast array of herbs, dried spices, and other aromatics. Bumbus, or spice pastes, form the fragrant backbone of many dishes. There’s also an incredible array of fresh seafood, much of it hauled in at the Jimbaran fish market.
FAQs
Which has better beaches, Bali or Thailand?
Nusa Dua in Bali, Indonesia
While the answer to that depends a lot on which beaches you plan to visit and who you ask, in general, Thailand has better beaches. There’s no denying that Nusa Dua or nearby Jimbaran have beautiful beaches, they’re no match for the white sands and turquoise waters in parts of Thailand. If soft sands and clear waters are your priority, opt for Thailand.
That being said, Bali offers a fairly wide variety of beaches—including rare black-sand ones. Although their name might conjure up dramatic visions of obsidian-hued shorelines, in reality, Bali’s black-sand beaches are more of an ashy, charcoal-tinged gray courtesy of pulverized volcanic stone. They’re still quite visually striking, however, especially since there are few places in the world where you can see them.
For a different kind of Balinese beach, head to Uluwatu, which is located an easy car ride from Nusa Dua and Kuta. Here, you’ll find sheer cliffs rising from the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean. You’ll find some incredibly photogenic stretches of sandy beach at the water’s edge.
Which is better for first-time visitors?
Wat Traimit in Bangkok, Thailand
Both Thailand and Bali have highly developed infrastructure for tourists, making them a breeze for first-time visitors to navigate. Although English is not the official language in either, it’s widely spoken to varying degrees, particularly in areas catering to international travelers. Both places are highly welcoming to visitors as well.
Is Bali nicer than Phuket?
Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand
The answer to that depends a lot on what appeals to you personally as a traveler. If you’re seeking upscale comforts, both destinations have them in spades. Bali and Phuket have been prime destinations for international travel for decades. That means you can expect to find designer boutiques, luxury spas, and fine dining restaurants in both places.
As with many places, however, these islands are not a monolith and both have their slightly rougher-around-the-edges corners. Patong in Phuket and Kuta in Bali are on the rowdier side, with backpacker bars that go from morning till late at night. In short, your experience in either destination depends heavily on where you go and what you decide to make of it.
Which destination is better for a honeymoon?
Jimbaran Beach in Bali, Indonesia
First, ask yourself a question: what do you consider to be romantic? Both destinations offer plenty of swoon-inducing settings, from breathtaking beaches to secluded restaurants atop seaside cliffs. If you’re looking to wine and dine your beloved, either will work sensationally.
If your idea of the perfect honeymoon constitutes a parade of spa treatments and beach loungers, Bali may be right for you. There’s a good reason so many couples choose the Island of the Gods for their weddings and honeymoons. Elizabeth Gilbert did set the “love” portion of her bestselling novel here, after all. There’s an almost endless number of ways to pamper yourself and your beloved here.
Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand
If you’re craving a bit more action and adventure, however, Thailand may be the way to go. Thailand is also an incredibly popular destination, but it still offers travelers more of an opportunity to get off the beaten track. There are also plenty of places for active travelers to really shine. If your concept of romance involves rock climbing on limestone karsts, Thailand could be for you.
Is Bali or Thailand better for adventure and nature?
Ang Thong National Marine Park, Thailand
Both Bali and Thailand offer plenty of opportunities to get up close and personal with nature. You’ll also find tour operators on both offering all sorts of outdoor activities.
Thailand has more designated national parks and protected natural areas, including the remarkable Ang Thong National Marine Park. Even if you start off in a popular, heavily visited destination such as Phuket or Koh Samui, it’s easy to escape the crowds. Both places offer plenty of opportunities to take a boat day trip to more secluded islands nearby.
West Bali National Park, Indonesia
That being said, once you get beyond the Bukit Peninsula, you can still find unspoiled nature on Bali. West Bali National Park is one of the best places to visit in Bali, renowned for its breathtaking beauty and impressive level of biodiversity.
Bangkok, Thailand
Whether you choose to visit Bali or Thailand, you’re likely to have a wonderful trip. One of the best ways to experience these beautiful places is on one of Celebrity’s cruises to Asia. Browse itineraries and plan your dream adventure.
