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

Should you visit Bali or Phoenix?

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

Bali

Bali is a frequented, spiritual, and cultural island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Phoenix?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Bali than Phoenix. While Phoenix is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights and attractions for tourists. Bali is more popular for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix is known for its museums. Bali is more touristy than Phoenix and is popular for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. It is also home to Pura Lempuyang. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Bali different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Phoenix is very good for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Phoenix offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Many restaurants in Bali have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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).

Phoenix offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Bali or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its evening party scene. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife.

The nightlife in Bali is well established with world renowned clubs and venues. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Phoenix. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Bali or Phoenix Better for Resorts?

Bali is an unbeatable place for its luxury resorts. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Phoenix Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is an unbeatable place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Phoenix Better for Beaches?

Bali is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is not a beach destination.

Is Bali or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Bali is a great island for hiking. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for the nearby hiking options.

Many visitors go to Bali for the hiking trails. 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.

Phoenix offers some nice hiking trails. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Phoenix?

Bali is a great island for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Bali or Phoenix Better for Families?

Bali is a great island for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Bali or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Bali is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Bali or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is an unbeatable place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known for backpackers.

A large number of backpackers visit Bali, as it is a very popular island for budget travelers. 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Bali or Phoenix 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, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

While Bali offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. 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 Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Bali or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Bali and Phoenix 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.

Phoenix is generally not a very walkable island. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Bali?

How long in Bali or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Phoenix. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

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

In Bali, you'll find nightlife and food. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This island offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Phoenix. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Bali or Phoenix?

In Bali, you'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. Since there is so much to do in the area, a weekend is probably not enough for all of it.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

Bali is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bali has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the sprawling destination of Phoenix. 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bali. In Bali, you'll find shopping and nightlife. It's also a relaxing resort destination. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one week here.

The sprawling city of Phoenix 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

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

Which is Bigger, Bali or Phoenix?

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

Phoenix 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 Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Bali as well as Phoenix. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, many visitors come to Phoenix in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Bali is cooler than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the summer, Bali often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in July than Phoenix. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Should I visit Bali or Phoenix in the Autumn?

Both Phoenix and Bali are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year. Also, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene during these months.

In October, Bali is generally around the same temperature as Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during autumn. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Bali usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The rainy season in Bali is October to March.

Should I visit Bali or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Bali during the winter are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bali is much warmer than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Bali often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in January than Phoenix. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Phoenix in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Phoenix. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

In the spring, Bali is a little warmer than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during spring. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Bali usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain each month for the spring. April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Bali