A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Nha Trang vs. Jakarta for Nightlife, Attractions, Food, and Families

Should you visit Nha Trang or Jakarta?

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 Nha Trang and Jakarta. 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.

Nha Trang

Nha Trang is a resort-filled, vibrant, and high energy city. Other reasons to visit include food, beaches, and shopping. See Nha Trang travel costs.

Jakarta

Jakarta is a sprawling, friendly, and diverse city. With plenty of activities and things to do, it's a huge city that draws plenty of visitors. Visitors also love the museums, nightlife, and food. See Jakarta travel costs.

Nha Trang and Jakarta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nha Trang or Jakarta?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Jakarta than Nha Trang. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Jakarta is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, shopping, and big city activities, while Nha Trang attracts visitors for its nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Nha Trang is more touristy than Jakarta and is known for its backpacker-heavy nightlife scene, its long sandy beaches, and its beachside resorts. Jakarta is famous for its diversity, culture, cuisine, and mega-malls. It is also well known for Istiqlal Mosque.

How is Nha Trang different from Jakarta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Nha Trang or Jakarta?

Jakarta is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Jakarta. There's a huge number of museums around town like the National Museum, Museum Layang-Layang, and Museum MACAN. There's also Merdeka Square, which is one of the world's biggest public squares and Istiqlal Mosque, which is the largest mosque in Southeast Asia.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Nha Trang. While most people visit for the beaches and nightlife in the area, there are also several cultural sights worth visiting. Ponagar Tower, Long Son Pagoda, and XQ Historical Village are all interesting to visit. If you're looking for a thrill, also nearby is Vinpearl Land.

Is the Food Better in Nha Trang or Jakarta? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Jakarta is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Jakarta has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are so many different cultures represented in Indonesian cuisine, and you'll find them all in Jakarta. The food stalls, restaurants, and casual eateries all have their own flavor and style, which makes dining in this mega-city a true adventure.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Nha Trang area. Seafood is the most common option in many restaurants. You'll find local curries and spring rolls on many menus. Fish sauce is often served with dishes and many recipes have a sweet flavor. If you need a break from Vietnamese food, there are also restaurants that serve pizza, burgers, and other common international dishes.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta Better for Nightlife?

Nha Trang is terrific for nightlife. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for nightlife and partying.

Nha Trang is a must-see party destination. The nightlife scene is varied and caters to all types of travelers. There are glamorous rooftop bars and lounges, beachside parties, and booze cruises that cater to the backpacker crowd. The city is big enough to have options for everyone.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Jakarta. It's a huge city, so there's a very active nightlife scene, but it's mostly focused on locals and not tourists like you'll find elsewhere in Indonesia. For the best nightlife district, head to Kemang, which has many bars and clubs.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta Better for Resorts?

Nha Trang is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Jakarta is not a resort destination.

Nha Trang has a handful of resorts to choose from. There's a mix of budget guesthouses and hostels, luxury beachfront resorts, and everything in between.

Jakarta is not a resort destination.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Nha Trang is adequate for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Jakarta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are few places where you can go snorkeling in Nha Trang. Snorkeling is a bit tricky here, because you need to visit during the right season and you'll need to hop on a tour to get to the best spots. If you're lucky you'll have good visibility and see some interesting marine life.

Jakarta is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta Better for Beaches?

Nha Trang is a good destination for its beaches. However, Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Nha Trang offers a nice beach destination. The accessible beaches are very developed and filled with vacationers who are looking for fun activities. The sands are white and soft and the water is comfortable and fun to splash around in.

Jakarta is not a beach destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Nha Trang or Jakarta?

Jakarta is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nha Trang is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Jakarta is well-known for its shopping. The city is filled with high end luxury malls where you can buy the latest fashions and many international brands. Around town you'll also find everything from local handicrafts to chic boutiques and grand international chains.

Many visitors go to Nha Trang to go shopping. There are some local street markets that are fun to explore. There are also the typical shops and supermarkets that sell local produce, souvenirs, and any other essentials that you may have forgotten.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta Better for Families?

Nha Trang is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

Nha Trang is a very family-friendly destination. While it is known among the backpacker crowds for its party scene, there are also great beaches and many activities for families. Vinpearl Land is an amusement park in the area that has rides and shows. There's also Po Nagar Cham Towers and Long Son Pagoda, which are both interesting to visit. The beaches also make a great playground for kids who enjoy building sand castles and playing in the shallow water.

Jakarta is a family-friendly place to visit. Most visitors skip out on this huge city, and it's definitely not the first place that comes to mind when you think about family-friendly destinations, but there's actually a very fascinating culture that kids and adults alike can enjoy. There's the Kota area, which has colonial architecture. There's also a puppet museum and several history museums. But for most kids, the highlight is a visit to the Taman Impian Jaya Ancol area, which has amusement parks and even SeaWorld.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta Better for Couples?

Nha Trang is a great city for romance. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its romantic activities.

Nha Trang is a great city if you're traveling as a couple. There are several romantic hotels near the beach as well as some interesting cultural activities and beautiful beaches with water activities.

Jakarta makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Most travelers looking for a romantic destination will head to the many famous honeymoon spots in Indonesia. But for those who make their way to Jakarta, there is sure to be a lot of adventure and culture. The city has many great museums as well as nature parks and amusement parks.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Nha Trang is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Jakarta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Nha Trang is very popular with the backpacker crowd. Backpackers looking for a party head to the streets around Biệt Thự Street. There are many cheap hostels and guesthouses in the area, and you won't be far from the area's best nightlife.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Jakarta. Visitors often have strong feelings about this city, whether they love it or hate it. For those backpackers who spend some time here, they're sure to be treated to a look at true Indonesian culture, which is hard to find in the more touristy areas.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Nha Trang is a good destination for times when you don't have a car. However, Jakarta is not known for its public transit.

While Nha Trang offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There are six city bus routes. There are also many taxis and motorbike taxes available for reasonable rates.

Public transit is generally limited in Jakarta. Public transportation has improved a lot recently. There's a commuter line as well as buses. The system can be a bit overwhelming and slow though, so tourists often avoid it.

Is Nha Trang or Jakarta a more walkable city?

Nha Trang is a great city for its walkability. However, Jakarta is not known for its high level of walkability.

Nha Trang is very walkable. The city is compact enough that you can explore many parts on foot. Most of the attractions are near the intersection of Tran Phu and Biet Thu.

Jakarta is generally not very walkable. Central Jakarta is more walkable than most of the city but, in general, the city has a lot of traffic and isn't the best for exploring on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Nha Trang Worth Visiting? and Is Jakarta Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Jakarta or Nha Trang?

How long in Nha Trang or Jakarta?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Nha Trang and Jakarta. In our opinion, Nha Trang has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Nha Trang than Jakarta. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Nha Trang, and 1-3 days is enough time in Jakarta.

Families should spend more time in Nha Trang than Jakarta. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Nha Trang, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Nha Trang than Jakarta. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Nha Trang that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Nha Trang than Jakarta 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 Nha Trang.

One day in Nha Trang or Jakarta?

In Nha Trang, you'll find nightlife and food. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

People visit Jakarta because there is so much to do. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Jakarta has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Nha Trang or Jakarta?

In Nha Trang, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Nha Trang has to offer.

People visit Jakarta because there is so much to do. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Nha Trang or Jakarta?

Nha Trang is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the diverse city of Jakarta. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nha Trang or Jakarta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Nha Trang. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Nha Trang. One reason most visitors come is for the nightlife. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Jakarta is a popular choice for travelers. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Vietnam, The Best Adventure Tours to Vietnam, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Indonesia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Indonesia.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Nha Trang or Jakarta?

Jakarta has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Nha Trang. When comparing the sizes of Nha Trang and Jakarta, 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.