A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Pattaya vs. Bali for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Scuba Diving & Snorkeling

Should you visit Pattaya or Bali?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Pattaya and Bali can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Pattaya

Pattaya is a colorful, active, and vibrant resort city. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Bali

Bali is a cultural, stunning, and tropical island. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. Visitors also love the food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Pattaya and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Pattaya or Bali?

You'll generally find more things to do in Bali than Pattaya. Bali is bigger than Pattaya, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Bali is better known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, and impressive beauty, while Pattaya is more popular for its museums. Pattaya is well known for its beautiful beaches, plethora of amusement parks, and its party town reputation. Bali is well known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang.

How is Pattaya different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Pattaya or Bali?

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

Pattaya offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. There are several cultural attractions near town such as the Sanctuary of Truth, Wat Yansangwararam, and Wat Phra Yai (the Big Buddha).

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is terrific for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort 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).

Dining out in Pattaya is an experience not to be missed. Street food is what this city is all about. You'll find streets lined with restaurants, but you'll also find snacks and other culinary treats at every corner. Khao Gaeng (curried rice with meat or vegetables), Kai Jeow (omelet over rice), and Moo Ping (grilled pork) are among the favorites.

Is Pattaya or Bali Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find amazing options in both Pattaya and Bali.

Pattaya is a must-see party destination. Despite a promotional campaign to promote family vacations, this city still holds tight to its party hard reputation. You'll find live bands, international DJs, and rooftop parties any night of the week.

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.

Is Pattaya or Bali Better for Resorts?

Bali is terrific for its luxury resorts. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for its resorts.

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.

There are plenty of resorts in Pattaya to choose from. If you're looking for built-up, all-the-frills, beach resorts, then this is your place. It's a touristy beach city with hotels are resorts that line the waterfront.

Is Pattaya or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for snorkeling and scuba diving.

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.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery in Pattaya. There are snorkeling and dive excursions that leave from town, or you could throw on a mask and snorkel and look for marine life right off the beach.

Is Pattaya or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is terrific for the beache. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for the beach.

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.

Many people visit Pattaya for it's beautiful beaches. There are countless white sand beaches in the area that range from party-focused, to romantic, to family-friendly. The blue waters and silky sand have long made this one of the most popular beach areas in Thailand.

Is Pattaya or Bali Better for Hiking?

Bali is a great island for hiking. However, Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

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.

Pattaya is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Pattaya or Bali?

If you're looking to go shopping, Pattaya and Bali both offer plenty of superb spots.

Pattaya is well-known for its shopping. The city is filled with markets, malls, bazaars, and street vendors that sells everything from clothes and bathing suits, to Thai crafts or local foods.

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.

Is Pattaya or Bali Better for Families?

Both Pattaya and Bali are superb to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Pattaya is very family-friendly. Kids will love the amusement parks, water parks, and cultural parks. Highlights for families include Columbia Pictures Aquaverse, Ramayana Water Park, and Mini Siam. For something totally unique, check out the ice sculptures at Frost Magical Ice of Siam and for something cultural and fun you can head to Legend Siam Pattaya. Despite local efforts to promote family-friendly activities, it's important to remember that the city does still has a party town reputation. There are areas that you should avoid with kids.

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.

Is Pattaya or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for couples.

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.

Pattaya is a good resort city for couples to visit. There are many beach-oriented activities around town like boat rides and water sports. You could also enjoy a spa day or simply lounge on the beach and soak up the sun for the day.

Is Pattaya or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bali is terrific for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Pattaya is not as popular, but is still a nice resort city for backpackers.

With so many budget-friendly offerings, Bali is extremely popular 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Pattaya. While it used to be a party town, these days Pattaya is more of a family destination that's filled with amusement parks and family-friendly resorts. Backpackers will still find hostels and budget accommodation, but that backpacker atmosphere isn't what it used to be.

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

Pattaya and Bali both offer notable public transit to get you around.

While Pattaya offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. The baht bus (songthaew) is the cheapest way to get around town. These are colorful pickup trucks with seats in the back. There are also motorbike taxis as well as regular taxis.

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 Pattaya or Bali a more walkable city?

Pattaya and Bali are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Pattaya is generally not a very walkable resort city. There's a walking street, as well as several walkable areas, but the city is relatively large and you'll likely want to catch a ride most places.

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.

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

Should I spend more time in Bali or Pattaya?

How long in Pattaya or Bali?

Both Pattaya and Bali have a number of activities to choose from. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Bali than in Pattaya. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Pattaya, and 5-7 days is enough time in Bali.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Pattaya. 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 Pattaya. 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 Bali than Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Pattaya. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

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.

A weekend in Pattaya or Bali?

Pattaya is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the nightlife. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. 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.

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.

Five days in Pattaya or Bali?

You'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping around the vibrant destination of Pattaya. This resort city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

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.

A week in Pattaya or Bali?

The high energy resort city of Pattaya offers shopping and museums. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. 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.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bangkok, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Phuket, The Best Tours for Seniors to Indonesia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Indonesia.

When comparing the travel costs between Pattaya and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Pattaya or Bali?

Bali has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pattaya. When comparing the sizes of Pattaya 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 Pattaya 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 Pattaya or Bali in the Summer?

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

April to September is the dry season in Bali. Pattaya usually gets more rain in July than Bali. Pattaya gets 88 mm (3.5 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, Pattaya often gets less sunshine than Bali. Pattaya gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun.

Pattaya is around the same temperature as Bali in the summer. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 29°C (84°F) in July, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Pattaya or Bali in the Autumn?

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

December to April in Pattaya is the dry season. Also, June to October is the rainy season in Pattaya. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali. Pattaya gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Pattaya usually receives more rain than Bali. Pattaya gets 258 mm (10.2 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 Pattaya, it's very sunny this time of the year. Pattaya usually receives less sunshine than Bali during autumn. Pattaya gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In the autumn, Pattaya is around the same temperature as Bali. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Pattaya in October average around 28°C (82°F), and Bali averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Pattaya or Bali in the Winter?

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

October to March in Bali is the rainy season. Pattaya usually gets less rain in January than Bali. Pattaya gets 23 mm (0.9 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 Pattaya this time of the year. In the winter, Pattaya often gets more sunshine than Bali. Pattaya gets 276 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun.

In January, Pattaya is generally around the same temperature as Bali. Daily temperatures in Pattaya average around 27°C (80°F), and Bali fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Pattaya or Bali in the Spring?

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

The dry season in Pattaya is December to April. The rainy season in Pattaya is June to October. The dry season in Bali is April to September. In April, Pattaya usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bali. Pattaya gets 69 mm (2.7 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 Pattaya. Pattaya usually receives more sunshine than Bali during spring. Pattaya gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun in the spring.

Pattaya is a little warmer than Bali in the spring. The daily temperature in Pattaya averages around 30°C (86°F) in April, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Bali and Pattaya