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

Should you visit Bali or Denver?

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 Denver 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.

Denver

Denver is a sprawling, park-filled, and suburban city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. And you can't forget about the skiing, nightlife, and hiking.

Bali and Denver: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Denver?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bali than Denver. While Denver 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, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Denver is more popular for its skiing, museums & sights, and big city activities. Bali is more touristy than Denver and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Denver is well known for serving as a gateway to the Rocky Mountains and the many national parks that are in the area.

How is Bali different from Denver?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Is Bali or Denver Better for Skiing?

Denver is very good for snow skiing. However, Bali is not a skiing destination.

For winter sports and skiing, Denver is a great destination to visit. Although there's no skiing in the immediate area, there is a huge list of world class ski resorts within an hour or two of town. Two of the closest are Echo Mountain Resort and Loveland Ski Area.

Bali is not a skiing destination.

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

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

Denver offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. Many people use Denver as a starting or ending point for their mountain and national park trip, but those who linger can visit some of the city's museums and sights. Popular museums include the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, the History Colorado Center, and the Forney Museum of Transportation.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is renowned for its local cuisine and restaurants. However, Denver is not a good city for its restaurants.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Bali is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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).

Denver may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. It's a pretty large city, so you'll find some nice local restaurants, but the foodie scene is still emerging in many neighborhoods. A number of restaurants offer outdoor seating, which is nice. You'll also find a growing selection of international restaurants. For something uniquely local, you should try the Bison steak and fried pickles.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Nightlife?

Bali is renowned for nightlife and partying. Also, Denver 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Denver. The city has come a long way with its nightlife. There's a great craft beer scene and the downtown area has really come to life. Popular bars and clubs in town include the Grizzly Rose and 54Thirty Rooftop. Many places are concentrated in the Soco Nightlife District.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Resorts?

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

Bali offers an unforgettable resort vacation. 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.

Denver is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

People travel to Bali specifically to enjoy its famous scuba diving and snorkeling areas. 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.

Denver is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Beaches?

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

The beaches in Bali are among the best in the world. 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.

Denver is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Hiking?

Bali is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its hiking trails.

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.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Denver. The city is very close to many beautiful parks and hiking areas in the Rocky Mountains. It's not hard to make a day trip from town and enjoy some great hiking. Nice options include the Trading Post Trail in Red Rocks Mountain Park, Bergen Peak near Evergreen, and Chimney Gulch Trail near the town of Golden.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Denver?

Bali is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping areas.

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.

Denver has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. The city has many outlet malls that budget shoppers appreciate. There are also weekend farmer's markets, boutique shopping areas, and all of the major chains that you'll find in most larger cities.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Families?

Bali is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Denver is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

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.

Denver is a family-friendly island. It is a family-friendly city with museums, playgrounds, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are also a few ropes courses near town that kids and adults alike will enjoy. Popular activities include the Denver Zoo, the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, and Children's Museum of Denver at Marsico Campus.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Couples?

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

Bali has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. 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.

Denver is a good island for couples to visit. There are many beautiful and romantic outdoor activities in the area such as parks and botanical gardens. There are also spas, including the impressive Spa at the Brown Palace, as well as upscale restaurants and fun bars and clubs to explore.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is renowned for backpackers. However, Denver 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.

Denver is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. Some backpackers fly into Denver to begin their national park tour. There is a hostel or two around town, and if you leave town quickly you'll find campgrounds not far away.

Is Bali or Denver Better for Students?

Denver is very good for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Denver is a good city to visit for students. There are a few students in the city, but there isn't a college town vibe that you'd get at other nearby university areas.

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Both Bali and Denver 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.

Denver has some public transit options. If you're not planning to leave town, the light rail and bus systems offer good access to much of Denver.

Is Bali or Denver a more walkable city?

Bali is a moderate island for its high level of walkability. However, Denver is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Denver is not a very walkable island. While the downtown area is generally walkable, this is still a sprawling city where you'll really want to have a car to access areas outside of town.

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

Should I spend more time in Denver or Bali?

How long in Bali or Denver?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Denver. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Denver. Usually, 7-14 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Denver.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Denver. 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 Denver. 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 Denver 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 Denver?

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 shopping and skiing when visiting the destination of Denver. 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 Denver?

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.

Denver 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 Denver?

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.

You'll find nightlife and shopping around the park-filled destination of Denver. 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 Denver?

Many travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the frequented 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 accessible city of Denver offers shopping and skiing. 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 Las Vegas, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Denver?

Denver has a larger population, and is about 37% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Denver, 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.