A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Chiang Mai vs. Bali for Food, Nightlife, Hiking, and Couples

Should you visit Chiang Mai or Bali?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Chiang Mai and Bali. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is a natural, temple-filled, and laid-back city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali

Bali is a tropical, lush, and frequented island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include beaches, hiking, and shopping.

Chiang Mai and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Chiang Mai or Bali?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Chiang Mai than Bali. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Chiang Mai is very popular for its museums, historical sights, hiking, shopping, and big city activities, while Bali attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and impressive beauty. Chiang Mai is famous for its lively night market, historical temples, local cuisine, and cultural rainforest treks. It is also well known for Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Bali is famous for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats.

How is Chiang Mai different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Chiang Mai or Bali?

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its sights and museums. However, Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

The museums, monuments, and landmarks in Chiang Mai are among the most recognizable in the world. The city is filled with culture and you'll find many beautiful temples in the area. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep is a mountain-top temple that is an iconic landmark in the city. Other famous sights include Doi Inthanon and Wat Chedi Luang.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Foodies will find both Chiang Mai and Bali both to be first-rate destinations.

Eat your way through Chiang Mai, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. For many, this city offers some of the best food in all of Thailand. The cuisine is influenced by nearby Burma and China, with ginger and turmeric often used. Curries tend to be a bit milder and dishes are often served with sticky rice. Famous dishes around town include Khao Soi, Larb Kua, and Sai Oua. Cooking classes are also very popular around town and the courses often include a trip to a market.

For foodies, Bali is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for Nightlife?

Bali is a world-class destination for nightlife. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

People head to Bali just to party. 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.

Chiang Mai offers plenty to do in the evening. It is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it has the most active nightlife scene in the area. Whatever your style, you can find something to do at night here. Many people head to the riverside to drink and listen to music. You'll also find clubs concentrated around Nimmanhaemin Road and Loy Kroh Road. There's also the famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar, which is packed with stalls and people sampling food and drinks.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for Resorts?

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

Vacationers flock to Bali for its luxury resorts. 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.

Chiang Mai is not a resort destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

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

People travel from around the world to go scuba diving and snorkeling in Bali. 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.

Chiang Mai is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Bali offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around 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.

Chiang Mai is not a beach destination.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for its Old Town?

Chiang Mai 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 Chiang Mai. The old city is about 1.5 square kilometers in size and it has four gates, one on each side. The most famous area is Sunday Walking Street, which comes to life at 4pm every day when it is lined with stalls and filled with people.

Bali does not have a historic old town.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for Hiking?

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for the nearby hiking options. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its hiking trails.

Many people visit Chiang Mai specifically for its hiking. Many people use this city as a base for a trekking excursion into the surrounding countryside. The land is lush and beautiful and many treks also expose you to the welcoming Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand. Treks can be organized at almost any hotel or hostel as well the many tour agencies around town.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Chiang Mai or Bali?

Chiang Mai is a must-visit destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Bali is not as famous, but is still a good island to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Chiang Mai make it a world-class shopping destination. The city is famous for its night markets, which run every night of the year until around midnight. You'll find the streets packed with people and vendors, rain or shine. This is a great place to search for local handicrafts and try some of the city's famous street food. Popular items to buy include rice boxes, silk, and Thai sky lanterns.

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.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for Families?

Both Chiang Mai and Bali are high quality family-friendly destinations.

Chiang Mai is a very family-friendly destination. This city is very friendly and welcoming to kids. There are many cultural and adventurous activities that the whole family can enjoy. One of the most popular kid-friendly places to visit is the Elephant Sanctuary, where kids can get up close and personal with these beautiful animals. Kids will also enjoy heading into the countryside to trek or visit one of Thailand’s Hilltribes. The cultural experience and opportunity to meet a diversity of kids will be an experience your children will never forget. In town, a cooking class is a popular option for budding foodies.

Bali is a very kid-friendly city. 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.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is a world-class destination for romance. Also, Chiang Mai is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Bali is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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.

Chiang Mai is a very popular place to visit for couples. Trekking, rafting, temples, and some of the best food in Thailand all make this city a popular destination for a couple's getaway. The region is perfect for adventurous couples who want to experience more of the authentic side of Thailand.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Chiang Mai and Bali are first-rate places to visit.

Many backpackers frequent Chiang Mai. This is one of the biggest backpacker mecca's in Southeast Asia, and you'll find the city flooded with budget travelers out to experience it all. There are countless hostels and budget hotels available and most will organize treks and activities for guests. It's easy to meet other backpackers and many visitors end up staying longer than they planned. Prices in Northern Thailand are also much more affordable than many other areas.

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.

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

Chiang Mai and Bali both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Chiang Mai offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. Transportation options include red songthaew (converted pick-up trucks), buses, and tuk-tuks.

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.

Is Chiang Mai or Bali a more walkable city?

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

Chiang Mai is a somewhat walkable place. Although there are a few walking streets, the city can get very crowded and many places are easier to access with a tuk tuk or taxi.

Bali is generally not a very walkable city. 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 Chiang Mai Worth Visiting? and Is Bali Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bali or Chiang Mai?

How long in Chiang Mai or Bali?

Both Chiang Mai and Bali have a number of activities to choose from. You can spend a similar amount of time exploring either. In general, 2-7 days is a good amount of time for Chiang Mai, and 5-7 days is enough time in Bali.

Couples should spend more time in Bali than Chiang Mai. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Bali that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Chiang Mai than Bali 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 Chiang Mai.

One day in Chiang Mai or Bali?

Chiang Mai 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.

With shopping and nightlife around the lush island of Bali, there's plenty to do. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Chiang Mai or Bali?

Chiang Mai 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.

With nightlife and food around the destination of Bali, there's plenty to do. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. It offers something for everyone. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything.

Five days in Chiang Mai or Bali?

Chiang Mai is a laid-back big city where you can fill many days. This city offers something for everyone. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. Plenty of people spend five days in the area when traveling. Five days is often enough time to do most activities.

Bali, a popular island, is full of activities for travelers. This is a popular place to visit for five days. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. In five days, you should have a good grasp of this island. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

A week in Chiang Mai or Bali?

Chiang Mai is a welcoming city where you can fill many days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. Many people spend one week here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. Because of this, one week is usually enough time for a trip here.

Bali is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have one week, this island makes for a great vacation. One week should give you a good understanding of everything this island has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Thailand, The Best 3-Day Tours from Phuket, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chiang Mai and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Chiang Mai much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Chiang Mai would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Chiang Mai 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 Bali would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bali than you might in Chiang Mai.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Chiang Mai Expensive? and Is Bali Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Chiang Mai or Bali?

Chiang Mai has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Chiang Mai and Bali, 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 Chiang Mai or Bali?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season. Although in the rainy season, it doesn't necessarily rain every day.

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Bali in the Summer?

Both Bali and Chiang Mai during the summer are popular places to visit. Plenty of visitors come to Chiang Mai because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Bali year-round.

June to September is the rainy season in Chiang Mai. April to September is the dry season in Bali. It rains a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually gets more rain in July than Bali. Chiang Mai gets 161 mm (6.3 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the summer, Chiang Mai often gets less sunshine than Bali. Chiang Mai gets 146 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun.

In the summer, Chiang Mai is around the same temperature as Bali. Typically, the summer temperatures in Chiang Mai in July average around 30°C (86°F), and Bali averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Bali in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Chiang Mai and Bali. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Chiang Mai year-round. Bali attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali. Chiang Mai gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Chiang Mai usually receives more rain than Bali. Chiang Mai gets 122 mm (4.8 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Bali this time of the year. In Chiang Mai, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chiang Mai usually receives less sunshine than Bali during autumn. Chiang Mai gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chiang Mai is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Chiang Mai average around 29°C (83°F), and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Bali in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Chiang Mai as well as Bali. Chiang Mai attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate. The warm climate attracts visitors to Bali throughout the year.

Also, November to February in Chiang Mai is the dry season. October to March in Bali is the rainy season. Chiang Mai usually gets less rain in January than Bali. Chiang Mai gets 7 mm (0.3 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chiang Mai this time of the year. In the winter, Chiang Mai often gets more sunshine than Bali. Chiang Mai gets 283 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun.

Chiang Mai is cooler than Bali in the winter. The daily temperature in Chiang Mai averages around 23°C (74°F) in January, and Bali fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Chiang Mai or Bali in the Spring?

Both Bali and Chiang Mai are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Chiang Mai throughout the year. Plenty of visitors come to Bali because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

The rainy season in Chiang Mai is June to September. The dry season in Bali is April to September. In April, Chiang Mai usually receives less rain than Bali. Chiang Mai gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

It's quite sunny in Bali. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Chiang Mai. Chiang Mai usually receives more sunshine than Bali during spring. Chiang Mai gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

The heat can be very extreme in Chiang Mai. In the spring, Chiang Mai is a little warmer than Bali. Typically, the spring temperatures in Chiang Mai in April average around 31°C (88°F), and Bali averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Bali and Chiang Mai