A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Ubud vs. Paihia for Food, Families, Couples, and Attractions

Should you visit Ubud or Paihia?

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 Ubud and Paihia. 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.

Ubud

Ubud is a breathtaking, popular, and famous town. This is a charming small with plenty of activities, too. Ubud is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, hiking, and shopping. See Ubud travel costs.

Paihia

Paihia is a fun-filled, beautiful, and relaxing coastal town. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches. See Paihia travel costs.

Ubud and Paihia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Ubud or Paihia?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Paihia. Although Ubud and Paihia are both popular with visitors, Paihia has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Paihia is more popular for its scuba diving & snorkeling and beaches, while Ubud is known for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, shopping, small town charm, and impressive beauty. Ubud is popular for its cultural and religious sites, dramatic rice paddies, and local handicrafts. Paihia is popular for its warm year round climate, impressive beaches, and world class snorkeling and scuba diving. It is also home to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds.

How is Ubud different from Paihia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Ubud or Paihia?

Ubud is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Ubud. The town is filled with temples and cultural sights such as the Ubud Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah (the Elephant Cave), the Ubud Royal Palace, and the Blanco Renaissance Museum.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Paihia. There are some interesting cultural sights in the area like the Waitangi Treaty Grounds and the Museum of Waitangi.

Is the Food Better in Ubud or Paihia? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Ubud is a must-visit destination for its restaurants. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Eat your way through Ubud, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. You'll find some of the best restaurants on Bali in this town. There is everything from family-owned eateries to award winning restaurants. Dishes range from vegan to meat-filled and you'll find both local favorites and western cuisine.

Dining out in Paihia is an experience not to be missed. Local seafood, regional produce, and fresh ingredients make dining in the area a rewarding experience. You'll find fine dining restaurants, pizzerias, and local cafes to choose from.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Nightlife?

It's hard to distinguish whether Ubud or Paihia has a better nightlife scene.

Ubud has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The nightlife scene is mostly focused on cultural activities and live music. Many people head here to escape the party scene that is so popular elsewhere on the island.

If you're looking for night time activities Paihia has a few options to choose from. As a holiday spot, there are a number of clubs and bars that cater to tourists in the area.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Resorts?

Ubud is a must-visit destination for its luxury resorts. However, Paihia is not a resort destination.

Vacationers flock to Ubud for its luxury resorts. You'll find beautiful luxury resorts with impressive pools and dramatic landscapes.

Paihia is not a resort destination.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Paihia is a great destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Ubud is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

There are many scuba diving and snorkeling spots near Paihia. There are scuba diving and snorkel shops available around town where you can organize trips and excursions to experience the undersea world.

Ubud is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Beaches?

Paihia is a world-class destination for the beach. However, Ubud is not a beach destination.

Paihia offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. There are stunning beaches both in Paihia and throughout the Bay of Islands. Paihia Beach is in town. It's small but nice and makes a great picnic spot. For a more secluded spot head to Matauri Bay Beach or Takou Bay.

Ubud is not a beach destination.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Hiking?

Hiking trails can be found around both Ubud and Paihia, and they are excellent.

You'll find a nice variety of hiking trails around Ubud. There are many stunning walks and hikes just outside of town. There are stunning views from Campuhan Ridge Walk, which is best enjoyed at sunrise or sunset. Jalan Subak Sok Wayah Walk will take you through the rice paddies and Kajeng Rice Field Walk is close to town but tucked away from the crowds. One of the biggest draws of the area is the Tegallalang Rice Terraces Walk.

Many visitors go to Paihia for the hiking trails. The Bay of Islands is filled with coastal walks and peaceful hikes. This is a great way to soak up the area's atmosphere and take in some spectacular views.

Is the Shopping Better in Ubud or Paihia?

Ubud is a very popular place for its shopping opportunities. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Ubud is well-known for its shopping. Head to the Ubud shopping street for boutiques, markets, and local items. The town has grown into a shopper's paradise with many Balinese handicrafts around.

Many visitors go to Paihia to go shopping. There are plenty of retail stores around town where you can pick up clothes or enjoy some souvenir shopping.

Is Ubud or Paihia More Beautiful?

Ubud is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Paihia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Ubud is a beautiful place to visit, too. It's a stunning setting, which makes it appealing to tourists, but to truly enjoy the beauty you'll want to get a bit outside of town.

Paihia is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Families?

Paihia is a world-class destination for its family-friendly activities. Also, Ubud is still popular, but not quite as popular for its kid-friendly activities.

With a huge array of activities for kids, Paihia is very family-friendly. Beaches, dolphin spotting, ice cream, and chocolate factories make the Bay of Islands the perfect place for a family vacation. There are amazing walking trails like the Manginangina Kauri Walk and opportunities to learn about the Maori culture. There are also adventure spots and great beaches.

Ubud offers lots of family activities. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the jungles and rice paddies. There are also many great restaurants that are family-friend. Ubud is a bit cooler than the beach towns of Bali, so kids will enjoy an escape from the hotter temperatures.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Couples?

Ubud and Paihia both terrific destinations for a couple.

Ubud is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. Honeymooners flock to this small town for its stunning scenery and beautiful temples. There are luxury hotels, spas, massages, and poolside escapes that will make for the perfect honeymoon. You'll also find world class restaurants and breathtaking hikes in the area.

Paihia makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. You can enjoy sunset boat cruises, sip wine with a waterfront view, or walk through pristine natural areas. For thrill seekers there are adrenaline filled activities like parasailing or scuba diving.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Ubud and Paihia are excellent places to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Ubud is a very popular town for backpackers and budget travelers. If you need a break from the party scene on Bali, then you'll enjoy the reprieve of this small town. There are still plenty of backpackers and hostels, but the town itself offers a more relaxed setting.

Paihia is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are a handful of hostels around town as well as many great activities for backpackers like scuba diving or parasailing.

Is Ubud or Paihia Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Paihia is a good destination for its public transit. However, Ubud is a town with minimal options for times when you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Paihia, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are ferries and some intercity buses through the Bay of Islands.

Public transit is mostly limited in Ubud. Many people hire a vehicle or driver to explore the area. There are also tourist shuttles around with Perama Shuttle being one of the most established.

Is Ubud or Paihia a more walkable city?

Ubud is a very popular place for its high level of walkability. Also, Paihia is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

Ubud is a very walkable town. The town is generally walkable and easy to explore on foot, but you'll need other transportation if you want to get outside of town.

Paihia is a somewhat walkable town. It's possible to explore parts of the town on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Ubud Worth Visiting? and Is Paihia Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Paihia or Ubud?

How long in Ubud or Paihia?

In either Ubud or Paihia, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Ubud than Paihia because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 4-7 days is a good amount of time for Ubud, and 3-5 days is enough time in Paihia.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Ubud than Paihia 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 Ubud.

One day in Ubud or Paihia?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Ubud. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Paihia. 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 Ubud or Paihia?

Ubud is a great place to explore. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Paihia is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. It's also a great beach destination, too. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Ubud or Paihia?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Ubud. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Visitors enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the relaxing destination of Paihia. This coastal town 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.

A week in Ubud or Paihia?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the breathtaking destination of Ubud. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. If you have one week, this is a great place to go. This would be the perfect place to spend one week, as it has just the right amount of activities.

The relaxing coastal town of Paihia offers shopping and museums. 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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Indonesia, The Best Budget Tours to Indonesia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Ubud or Paihia?

Ubud has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Paihia. When comparing the sizes of Ubud and Paihia, 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.