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

Should you visit Bali or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans can help you decide which place is right for you.

Bali

Bali is a tropical, lush, and frequented island. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. And you can't forget about the live music, food, and nightlife.

Bali and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or New Orleans?

Tourists will generally find more to do in New Orleans than Bali. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. New Orleans is very popular for its music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Bali attracts visitors for its resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bali is famous for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. New Orleans is famous for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter.

The French Quarter

How is Bali different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Both Bali and New Orleans offer a number of amazing restaurants to choose from.

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).

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, New Orleans is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

Both Bali and New Orleans are amazing 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.

New Orleans is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is a must-visit destination for its live music scene. However, Bali is not a live music destination.

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in New Orleans The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Bali is not a live music destination.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Resorts?

Bali is a world-class destination for its luxury resorts. However, New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Bali is a world class resort vacation destination. 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.

New Orleans is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is a world-class destination for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Bali is a world class destination for scuba diving and snorkeling. 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.

New Orleans is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Bali is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Bali is considered to be a world-class beach 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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a well-known place for its old town. However, Bali does not have a historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Hiking?

Bali is an excellent place to visit for its hiking trails. However, New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

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.

New Orleans is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or New Orleans?

Bali is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Bali. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Families?

Bali is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Bali is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Bali is a world-class destination for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Bali is a great island for couples, as it 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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is a world-class destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

Many backpackers frequent 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Bali or New Orleans Better for Students?

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

New Orleans is a good city to visit for students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Bali is a island with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Bali has some 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.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Bali or New Orleans a more walkable city?

New Orleans is very good for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Bali?

How long in Bali or New Orleans?

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

Families should spend more time in Bali than New Orleans. 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 New Orleans. 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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the stunning island of Bali. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Visitors enjoy the food and nightlife when visiting the destination of New Orleans. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the lush destination of Bali. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. This island offers something for everyone. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

New Orleans is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the spiritual island of Bali. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

You'll find live music and food around the festive destination of New Orleans. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bali. Anyone can find something fun to do here. This is a popular place to visit for one week. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. In one week, you should have a good grasp of this island.

The vibrant city of New Orleans offers food and nightlife. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 in United States of America, and The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 19% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

New Orleans 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 New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans 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, many visitors come to New Orleans in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Bali is generally around the same temperature as New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Bali. In the summer, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Bali usually gets less rain in July than New Orleans. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year. April to September is the dry season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and New Orleans. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene during these months.

Bali is a little warmer than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 27°C (81°F) in October, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Bali as well as New Orleans. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Bali is much warmer than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Bali in January average around 26°C (79°F), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C).

In the winter, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Bali usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year. October to March in Bali is the rainy season.

Should I visit Bali or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans 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, the activities around the city are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In April, Bali is generally a little warmer than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In April, Bali usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Bali