A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bali vs. Dallas for Food, Nightlife, Couples, and Backpackers

Should you visit Bali or Dallas?

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 Dallas can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife.

Dallas

Dallas is a upscale, chic, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bali and Dallas: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Dallas?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bali than Dallas. While Dallas is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Dallas is more popular for its museums and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Dallas and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Dallas is well known for its Tex Mex cuisine, upscale shopping venues, and cowboy culture.

How is Bali different from Dallas?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Dallas 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 Dallas?

Dallas is a well-known place for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Many visitors head to Dallas specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Museums range from historical to art and science with some of the favorites being the Dallas Contemporary Museum, the African American Museum, the Dallas Museum of Art, and the Frontiers of Flight Museum. The city is also home to the George W. Bush Presidential Library and the Nasher Sculpture Center. A must-see is the Sixth Floor Museum, which is in historic Dealey Plaza and is where Lee Harvey Oswald fired the shots that killed JFK. Today there's a museum that goes over the events of that day.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

Bali has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).

Dallas has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. There's a perfect combination of Texas cuisine and international flavors. You'll find Texas barbecue, Tex Mex, and steakhouses intermixed with Thai, Japanese, and Caribbean cuisine. There's also a great food truck scene and many local eateries.

Is Bali or Dallas Better for Nightlife?

Bali is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Bali is a destination that you simply have to visit at least once for nightlife. 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.

Dallas has a large number of nightlife venues. Head to East Dallas for the most active clubs with large dance floors and great music. The city also has rooftop lounges and plenty of live music as well as comedy clubs.

Is Bali or Dallas Better for Resorts?

Bali is renowned for its resorts. However, Dallas is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Bali is a perfect 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.

Dallas is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Dallas Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is renowned for its diving and snorkeling. However, Dallas is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

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.

Dallas is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Dallas Better for Beaches?

Bali is renowned for the beache. However, Dallas is not a beach destination.

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.

Dallas is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Dallas Better for Hiking?

Bali is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Bali is a popular spot for hiking. 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.

Dallas is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Dallas?

Both Bali and Dallas are very good 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 Dallas. You'll find a very diverse shopping scene around town, with everything from quirky local vendors to upscale fashion boutiques. There are cowboy outfitters where you can get a feel for the Texas style, but there are also posh shopping centers and local flea markets.

Is Bali or Dallas Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Bali or Dallas.

Bali is a very kid-friendly island. 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.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Dallas. The city is filled with families, and you'll find many kid-friendly activities around town. For some outdoor time you can visit the Rory Meyers Children's Adventure Garden or the Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The Dallas Zoo is a favorite for many kids and there are also a number of kid-friendly museums around town such as the Perot Museum of Nature and Science and the Dallas World Aquarium.

Is Bali or Dallas Better for Couples?

Bali is renowned for its romantic activities. Also, Dallas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

For those traveling as a couple, Bali has plenty to offer. 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.

Dallas makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Head to the observation deck at Reunion Tower for spectacular views of the night skyline. The city also has many great comedy clubs and performing arts venues as well as fine dining restaurants that make for a great date night.

Is Bali or Dallas Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is renowned for backpackers. However, Dallas is not a good city for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Dallas is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. While there are a couple of hostels around town, this isn't a popular destination for the backpacker crowd.

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

Both Bali and Dallas offer notable 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.

Dallas has some public transit options. While it's still very much a car-centered city, the public transportation system, DART, is one of the fastest growing in the country. It includes both light rail and bus service.

Is Bali or Dallas a more walkable city?

Bali and Dallas both are respectable 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.

Dallas is generally not a very walkable island. The city is not particularly walkable, but there are several more walkable areas such as Ellum and Uptown.

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

Should I spend more time in Dallas or Bali?

How long in Bali or Dallas?

It's fun to spend time in either Bali or Dallas. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Bali due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-4 days is enough time in Dallas.

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

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Dallas. 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 Bali than Dallas 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 Bali.

One day in Bali or Dallas?

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 shopping when visiting the destination of Dallas. 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 Dallas?

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.

Dallas is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Bali or Dallas?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Dallas. This city offers something for everyone. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Dallas?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the cultural 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 chic city of Dallas offers nightlife and food. 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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bali and Dallas, we can see that Dallas 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 Dallas is in North America, 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 Dallas would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dallas 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 Dallas Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Dallas?

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

Dallas 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 Dallas in the Summer?

Both Dallas and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dallas this time of year.

Bali is cooler than Dallas in the summer. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in July, and Dallas fluctuates around 88°F (31°C).

It's quite sunny in Dallas. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Dallas during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 337 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bali usually receives less rain than Dallas. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 2.4 inches (60 mm) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Dallas in the Autumn?

Both Dallas and Bali during the autumn are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, many travelers come to Dallas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Bali is a little warmer than Dallas. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Bali in October average around 27°C (81°F), and Dallas averages at about 69°F (21°C).

In Dallas, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Dallas. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 222 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in October than Dallas. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Dallas in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Dallas. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Also, many visitors come to Dallas in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Bali is generally much warmer than Dallas. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 26°C (79°F), and Dallas fluctuates around 46°F (8°C).

Bali usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Dallas during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Dallas receives 183 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Bali usually receives more rain than Dallas. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 1.8 inches (45 mm) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Dallas in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Dallas. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Also, most visitors come to Dallas for the activities around the city during these months.

Bali is a little warmer than Dallas in the spring. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in April, and Dallas fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Dallas. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets less sunshine than Dallas. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Dallas receives 251 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in April than Dallas. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Dallas receives 3.9 inches (98 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Dallas and Bali