A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Cairns for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Bali or Cairns?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Bali and Cairns can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Bali is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food. See Bali travel costs.

Cairns

Cairns is a tropical, idyllic, and outdoorsy city. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Cairns travel costs.

Bali and Cairns: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Cairns?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Cairns than Bali. While Bali is larger than Cairns, Cairns has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cairns is more popular for its museums and attractions and hiking, while Bali is known for its food, resorts, and impressive beauty. Bali is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Cairns is popular for its stunning beaches, nearby rainforests, and easy access to the world's largest reef system. It is also home to the Great Barrier Reef.

How is Bali different from Cairns?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Cairns and Bali. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Bali or Cairns?

Cairns is a moderate city for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Cairns offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Most visitors spend their time exploring nature and the outdoors, but there are some interesting cultural sights around town as well. Make sure you check out the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park as well as the Cairns Aquarium.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Bali or Cairns? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bali is terrific for its restaurants. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

For foodies, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Cairns makes for a great culinary experience. Waterfront dining with a view is what makes the restaurant scene special. Seafood is everywhere and you can enjoy the catch of the day while you relax on a beachfront terrace. There are also international restaurants that have everything from Spanish tapas to Japanese noodle bowls.

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Nightlife?

Both Bali and Cairns are world-class when it comes to partying.

Bali is a world class party destination. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.

Cairns is a must-see party destination. For such as small city, the nightlife scene is incredibly vibrant, particularly during the peak tourist months. Backpackers are at the heart of the action, with many bars and clubs filling up each night with a young crowd. There are dance clubs, all night parties, cocktail bars, and beach side venues that are sure to offer a good time.

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Resorts?

Bali is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Bali is a great choice. The island has resorts as well as private villas that cater to everyone from celebrities to families or even budget travelers. Private villas offer a more secluded vacation while resorts usually have more amenities and the opportunity to socialize with other guests. There are also many family-friendly resorts around the island.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Cairns. There are many beautiful resorts that offer access to the beach and have impressive pools. There are family-friendly resorts, romantic resorts, and even some budget-friendly options.

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali and Cairns both offer world-class scuba diving or snorkeling spots.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali is not to be missed. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.

People travel to Cairns specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. It's access to the Great Barrier Reef make this one of the world's top scuba diving and snorkeling destinations. The undersea world is filled with colorful coral, diverse tropical fish, graceful sea turtles, and a truly magical setting.

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Beaches?

Bali and Cairns are world-class choices for a beach vacation.

With world-famous beaches, Bali is a very popular vacation destination. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.

The beaches in Cairns are among the best in the world. Near town you'll find stunningly beautiful beaches that range from hubs of activity to quiet coves. Cairns Esplanade Lagoon is the closest beach to the city center and it has a sandy beach and plenty of amenities. For a quieter setting, head north to Holloways Beach or to the family-friendly Yorkeys Knob Beach. Do take note that if the beach doesn't have a stinger net, then it's recommended you wear a stinger suit (to avoid jellyfish stings).

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Hiking?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its hiking trails.

Many people visit Cairns specifically for its hiking. Near town you'll find wonderful national parks, lush rainforest, and beautiful mountain ranges. There are countless bush walks and hiking trails in the area. Head into the countryside and you'll get lost in nature and breathtaking views.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Bali. Walking on the island is beautiful and with its varied landscapes you can explore scenic rice paddies or pristine rainforests. You'll find the most challenging hikes in West Bali National Park, where a guide is recommended, but there are many other shorter hikes on the island that can be explored independently.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Cairns?

Both Bali and Cairns are great shopping destinations.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. A big appeal of shopping on the island is the affordability. There are many local items that are fun to bring home including jewelry, handicrafts, furniture, and clothing.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Cairns. There's plenty of shopping around town in the form of shopping centers, markets, and boutique shops. Whether you're looking for trendy fashion or a fun souvenir, there are many places to explore.

Is Bali or Cairns More Beautiful?

Bali is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

Bali is considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Cairns is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Families?

Cairns is a must-visit destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Cairns is one of the most popular family destinations. With the Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest nearby, this is a playground for kids and adults alike. There are sandy beaches, rainforest walks, turtle rehabilitation centers, scenic railways, adventure sports, and so much more.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bali. The island has countless activities that kids can enjoy. There are watersports, snorkeling, surfing lessons and beautiful beaches. You can also expose your kids to the spiritual side of the island with kid-friendly yoga classes. Animals lovers will enjoy getting to see the monkeys up close and for a unique culinary experience, you can take a family cooking class.

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Couples?

Bali is terrific for couples. Also, Cairns is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. This beautiful island offers stunning beaches, adventure sports, and world class snorkeling. There are beautiful resorts with spas as well as couples yoga classes impressive natural areas.

Couples visit Cairns frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. It's a beautiful tropical setting with world class beaches and diverse marine life. Couples who enjoy the outdoors and adventure will love this amazing destination. You can experience the area's wildlife, relax on sandy beaches, or pamper yourself with a spa treatment. There is plenty of luxury, but also adventure-filled activities to choose from.

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Bali and Cairns are world-class destinations for backpackers.

Backpackers and budget travelers come from all over the world to visit Bali. Backpackers flock to this beautiful island for its stunning setting and affordable accommodation. There are many nice places where backpackers can hang out and get to know other travelers. If you want to get off the beaten path, it's best to head into the countryside and away from the main tourist hubs.

A large number of backpackers visit Cairns, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. Backpackers flock to this coastal town for its easy access to the Great Barrier Reef and its many activities and vibrant energy. There are adventure sports, wild nightclubs, and no shortage of places to hang out with other backpackers.

Is Bali or Cairns Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Bali and Cairns offer good public transit options.

Bali has a few public transit options. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.

Cairns has some public transit options. Sunbus operates a public bus service that travels through the city center and to many beaches. Most routes start at Cairns City Mall.

Is Bali or Cairns a more walkable city?

Bali and Cairns both are decent when exploring on foot.

Bali is generally not very walkable. There are some walkable towns and cities on the island, but many areas can be challenging to navigate on foot.

Cairns is generally not a very walkable island. While you can walk around many parts of the city center, most visitors want to head into the rainforest or experience the nearby day trips, which require a vehicle.

For even more information, also check out Is Bali Worth Visiting? and Is Cairns Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cairns or Bali?

How long in Bali or Cairns?

In either Bali or Cairns, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than Cairns because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 3-5 days is enough time in Cairns.

Families should spend more time in Cairns than Bali. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cairns, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Cairns. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Cairns than Bali if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Cairns.

One day in Bali or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bali. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Cairns. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Bali or Cairns?

Bali is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Cairns is a fun place to experience. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Cairns?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With so much to do, five days is probably not enough time to see everything. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the idyllic destination of Cairns. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

A week in Bali or Cairns?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the stunning destination of Bali. This island offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The adventure-filled city of Cairns offers nightlife and food. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia, The Best 4-Week (1-Month) Tours in Australia, and The Best Budget Tours to Australia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Cairns, we can see that Cairns is more expensive. And not only is Bali much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Bali is in Asia and Cairns 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 Bali would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Bali 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 Cairns would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cairns than you might in Bali.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bali Expensive? and Is Cairns Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Cairns?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cairns. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Cairns, 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 Bali or Cairns?

Cairns has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Bali experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Bali or Cairns in the Summer?

Both Cairns and Bali during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Cairns because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Cairns averages at about 29°C (84°F)in January.

Cairns gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in July than Cairnsin January. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 429 mm (16.9 in) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali. November to March is the rainy season in Cairns.

Should I visit Bali or Cairns in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Cairns. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, the hiking trails and the shopping scene are the main draw to Cairns this time of year.

In October, Bali is generally around the same temperature as Cairnsin April. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Cairns fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

Cairns receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Bali usually receives less rain than Cairnsin April. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 273 mm (10.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali. April to October in Cairns is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Cairns in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bali as well as Cairns. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many travelers come to Cairns for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bali is a little warmer than Cairns in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Cairns fluctuates around 23°C (73°F)in July.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Cairnsin July. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or Cairns in the Spring?

Both Cairns and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, many visitors come to Cairns in the spring for the beaches.

In the spring, Bali is around the same temperature as Cairns. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Cairns averages at about 27°C (80°F)in October.

In April, Bali usually receives more rain than Cairnsin October. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Cairns receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September. The dry season in Cairns is April to October. The rainy season in Cairns is November to March.

Typical Weather for Cairns and Bali