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

Should you visit Bali or Seattle?

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

Bali

Bali is a stunning, tropical, and lush island. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include scuba diving and snorkeling, beaches, and hiking.

Seattle

Seattle is a outdoorsy, laid-back, and bustling city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the nightlife, live music, and food.

Bali and Seattle: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Bali or Seattle?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Seattle than Bali, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Seattle is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, and big city activities, while Bali is known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty. Bali is more touristy than Seattle and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Seattle is popular for its beautiful waterfront setting, diverse culinary scene, thriving art and cultural venues, and being the home of many international tech companies. It is also home to The Space Needle.

How is Bali different from Seattle?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Many visitors head to Seattle specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The city's most iconic landmark is the Space Needle. There's also a zoo, aquarium, and a handful of nice museums. Several favorites include the Chihuly Garden and Glass, the Museum of History & Industry, and the Seattle Art Museum.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Theater?

Seattle is very good for its theatre productions. However, Bali is not a theatre destination.

Seattle offers a number of shows and performances. There are a handful of theaters where you can enjoy traveling Broadway shows or smaller productions.

Bali is not a theatre destination.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Seattle. The city has many diverse dining options that make it a popular foodie destination. The seafood is world-class with many restaurants offering fresh caught salmon and oysters. There are also many great Asian restaurants with Pho, sushi, and dim sum all being popular around town. Seattle is also famous as the birthplace of Starbucks coffee, and both chain and independent coffee shops are common. Finally, make sure you check out the donuts at Pike's Place Market.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Nightlife?

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

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.

Seattle has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. The city is known for its breweries and eclectic nightlife scene. There is a thriving theater scene as well as many bars and trendy restaurants. The best neighborhoods for nightlife include Capitol Hill, Belltown, and Downtown.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Music?

Seattle is a well-known place for its live music scene. However, Bali is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Seattle is very popular with diverse venues. The city has developed its own music culture around several genres including alternative rock and grunge.

Bali is not a live music destination.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Resorts?

Bali is renowned for its resorts. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle is not a resort destination.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is renowned for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Seattle 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.

Seattle is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Beaches?

Bali is renowned for the beach. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its beaches.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Seattle. The city is surrounded by water so there are a number of rocky and sandy beaches nearby. Some beaches are more popular with locals while others attract a large amount of tourists. Alki Beach Park, Discovery Park, and Golden Gardens Park are among the best.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Hiking?

You'll find excellent hiking in both Bali and Seattle.

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.

Many visitors explore the nearby hiking trails while visiting Seattle. It's famously an outdoorsy city and the hiking will not disappoint. Within a half hour drive of town you'll find beautiful forests and stunning natural beauty. Head into the Cascades, to the coastal rainforests, or around Mount Rainier for all kinds of diverse landscapes. Seattle is well situated for you to experience hiking through the diverse Pacific Northwest landscapes.

Is the Shopping Better in Bali or Seattle?

Bali is notable for its shopping areas. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Seattle. Shopping in town has an eclectic mix of high end brands, local vendors, and vintage shops. There are farmers markets as well as the famous Pike Place Market, but also major malls with all of the standard department stores.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Families?

Bali is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Bali is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Seattle is a family-friendly island. This is an outdoor city with plenty of places where kids can run around and experience nature. There are several good museums as well as outdoor activities, parks, and a zoo. Make sure you check out the Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, Volunteer Park, and Artists at Play Playground.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Couples?

Bali is renowned for couples. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

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.

Seattle is a nice destination for couples. The city has a laid back vibe, a nice downtown area, and plenty of outdoor activities. There are a diversity of restaurants to enjoy and a great nightlife scene that makes for a good couple's getaway.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is renowned for backpackers. Also, Seattle is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Bali is a very popular island to visit for backpackers. 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.

Seattle is a good island to visit for backpackers. Although it's not the most popular city for backpackers in America, the city's chill vibe, fun breweries, and lively setting make it a great spot for young backpackers.

Is Bali or Seattle Better for Students?

Seattle is a well-known place for students. However, Bali is not popular with students.

Seattle is very popular with students. It is a major IT center with a large university, so international students will have plenty of opportunities here. It's also a vibrant city with many outdoor recreational opportunities and a fun nightlife scene.

Bali is not popular with students.

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

Both Bali and Seattle 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.

Seattle has some public transit options. There is a light rail system, a monorail, a street car, and buses.

Is Bali or Seattle a more walkable city?

Seattle is a well-known place for its high level of walkability. However, Bali is not a good island for its ease of walking around.

Seattle is a very walkable city. Many neighborhoods are very walkable, particularly in the downtown and major tourist areas.

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 Seattle Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Seattle or Bali?

How long in Bali or Seattle?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Bali and Seattle. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Seattle. Usually, 5-7 days is a good amount of time for Bali, and 2-3 days is enough time in Seattle.

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

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.

Seattle is a big city destination where you can fill many days. 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 Seattle?

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.

Seattle is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. Hikers are also drawn to this area. 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 Seattle?

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 live music and food around the cultural big city of Seattle. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Bali or Seattle?

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 bustling city of Seattle offers food and shopping. 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 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 Seattle, we can see that Seattle 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 Seattle 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 Seattle would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seattle 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 Seattle Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Bali or Seattle?

Seattle has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Bali and Seattle, 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 Seattle?

Seattle 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 Seattle in the Summer?

Both Seattle 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, many travelers come to Seattle for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bali is a little warmer than Seattle. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bali in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Seattle averages at about 67°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Seattle. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. Bali usually receives less sunshine than Seattle during summer. Bali gets 253 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Bali usually receives more rain than Seattle. Bali gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain each month for the summer. The dry season in Bali is April to September.

Should I visit Bali or Seattle in the Autumn?

Both Seattle 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. Furthermore, many visitors come to Seattle in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Bali is generally much warmer than Seattle. Daily temperatures in Bali average around 27°C (81°F), and Seattle fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Bali. In the autumn, Bali often gets more sunshine than Seattle. Bali gets 266 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 143 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets less rain in October than Seattle. Bali gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year. October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Seattle in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Bali and Seattle. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round. Furthermore, most visitors come to Seattle for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Bali is much warmer than Seattle in the winter. The daily temperature in Bali averages around 26°C (79°F) in January, and Seattle fluctuates around 42°F (5°C).

Bali usually receives more sunshine than Seattle during winter. Bali gets 170 hours of sunny skies, while Seattle receives 67 hours of full sun in the winter.

Seattle receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Bali usually receives less rain than Seattle. Bali gets 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 5.4 inches (136 mm) of rain each month for the winter. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali.

Should I visit Bali or Seattle in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Bali as well as Seattle. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Seattle because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Bali is much warmer than Seattle. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bali in April average around 27°C (81°F), and Seattle averages at about 51°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Seattle. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In the spring, Bali often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Seattle. Bali gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seattle receives 212 hours of full sun.

Bali usually gets more rain in April than Seattle. Bali gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Seattle receives 2.5 inches (64 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season.

Typical Weather for Seattle and Bali