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

Should you visit Da Nang or Bali?

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

Should I visit Da Nang or Bali? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Da Nang

Da Nang is a authentic, coastal, and accessible city. And you can't forget about the nightlife, food, and beaches. See Da Nang travel costs.

Bali

Bali is a lush, frequented, and spiritual island. You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. And you can't forget about the hiking, shopping, and nightlife. See Bali travel costs.

Da Nang and Bali: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Da Nang or Bali?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Bali than Da Nang. While Da Nang is larger than Bali, Bali has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Bali is better known for its food, nightlife, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, hiking, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Da Nang is more popular for its museums and attractions. Bali is more touristy than Da Nang and is known for its many temples, beautiful beaches, world class scuba diving, and cultural retreats. Also, Bali is famous for Pura Lempuyang. Da Nang is well known for its traditional pagodas, nearby beaches, and high end resorts.

How is Da Nang different from Bali?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Da Nang or Bali?

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

Da Nang offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. Some people use this city as a base for exploring other nearby towns. While it has some interesting sights, there aren't nearly as much history as in the surrounding area. The Golden Bridge Hands has become a popular tourist attraction and the nearby Marble Mountains are also a highlight. You can also check out the Museum of Cham Sculpture.

Bali does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bali is terrific for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

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).

Da Nang has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. The city's local cuisine is authentic and traditional. There are many local dishes to try such as Mi Quang (rice noodles and chicken), Bun Cha Ca (rice noodles and fish cakes), and Banh Trang Cuon Thit Heo (pork belly wrapped in rice paper).

Is Da Nang or Bali Better for Nightlife?

Bali is terrific for nightlife and partying. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its evening party scene.

Bali is a must-see party destination. 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.

Da Nang has a large number of nightlife venues. There are rooftop cafes, lounges, and local bars that are cheap and stay open late. You'll find a good number of places along Bach Dang Street, which turns into a walking street at 7 pm.

Is Da Nang or Bali Better for Resorts?

Bali is terrific for its resorts. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its luxury resorts.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Bali is a great choice. 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.

Vacationers can choose from a number of terrific resorts in Da Nang. The city has a good number of luxury, international brand hotels that are along the beaches.

Is Da Nang or Bali Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Bali is terrific for its diving and snorkeling. However, Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

The clear water and abundant marine life make Bali a world-class scuba diving and snorkeling destination. 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.

Da Nang is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Da Nang or Bali Better for Beaches?

Bali is terrific for the beach. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beach.

Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Bali. 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 head to Da Nang to enjoy the beach. There are beaches within a 10 minute drive of the city, which can get crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a more peaceful experience, you'll need to go to Son Tra Peninsula, which is where you'll find most of the luxury resorts.

Is Da Nang or Bali Better for Hiking?

Bali is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

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.

Da Nang is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Da Nang or Bali?

Bali is a well-known place for its shopping opportunities. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its shopping areas.

Bali is a popular shopping destination with plenty of stores. 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.

Da Nang has some good spots for those that want to go shopping. There are some shopping malls and local shops that make for interesting shopping experiences, but nothing compared to some of the more popular cities.

Is Da Nang or Bali More Beautiful?

Bali is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Da Nang is not a destination known for its beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Bali as well. The island is famous for its beautiful beaches and stunning countryside. It's also a very cultural island with a lot of spirituality.

Da Nang is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Da Nang or Bali Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Da Nang or Bali.

Da Nang is a very kid-friendly city. There's a surprising number of kid-friendly activities in the area. Amusement parks like Asia Park Da Nang and nearby Ba Na Hills Fantasy Park are fun for everyone. There are also beaches and beachfront resorts that aren't far from town.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Bali. 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 Da Nang or Bali Better for Couples?

Bali is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Da Nang is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for couples.

Bali makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Da Nang makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The surrounding area has luxury resorts and nice beaches that make for a romantic getaway.

Is Da Nang or Bali Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

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.

Da Nang is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's often skipped by backpackers and other tourists, but those who hang out for a day or two will appreciate an authentic city with genuine Vietnamese culture.

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

Both Da Nang and Bali offer notable public transit options.

Da Nang has a few public transit options. There are 14 bus routes in the city.

Bali has some 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 Da Nang or Bali a more walkable city?

Bali is a moderate island for its high level of walkability. However, Da Nang is not a good city for its ease of walking around.

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.

Da Nang is not a very walkable city. The city is very spread out and very difficult to explore on foot. There are some beachfront promenades that are pedestrian-friendly, but most of the city is not.

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

Should I spend more time in Bali or Da Nang?

How long in Da Nang or Bali?

Da Nang and Bali both offer a nice selection of activities for visitors. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Bali than Da Nang because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Da Nang, and 7-14 days is enough time in Bali.

Families should spend more time in Bali than Da Nang. 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 Da Nang. 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 Da Nang 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 Da Nang or Bali?

Visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Da Nang. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

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 Da Nang or Bali?

Da Nang is a fun place to experience. 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 Da Nang or Bali?

You'll find food and museums around the accessible destination of Da Nang. This city offers something for everyone. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Bali is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, five days is probably not enough for all of it. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

A week in Da Nang or Bali?

The accessible city of Da Nang offers museums and nightlife. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Hanoi, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Ho Chi Minh City, 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 Da Nang and Bali, we can see that Bali is more expensive. And not only is Da Nang much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Da Nang would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Da Nang 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 Da Nang.

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

Which is Bigger, Da Nang or Bali?

Da Nang has a larger population, and is about 85% larger than the population of Bali. When comparing the sizes of Da Nang 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 Da Nang or Bali?

Both destinations experience a warmer climate with nice weather most of the year. Instead of summer and winter seasons, they usually have a rainy season and a dry season.

Should I visit Da Nang or Bali in the Summer?

Both Bali and Da Nang are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The warm climate attracts visitors to Da Nang 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 Da Nang is January to July. The rainy season in Da Nang is August to December. The dry season in Bali is April to September. In July, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Bali. Da Nang gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bali receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

It's quite sunny in Bali. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bali during summer. Da Nang gets 242 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 253 hours of full sun in the summer.

Da Nang is around the same temperature as Bali in the summer. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 29°C (85°F) in July, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Da Nang or Bali in the Autumn?

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

August to December is the rainy season in Da Nang. October to March is the rainy season in Bali. It rains a lot this time of the year in Da Nang. Da Nang usually gets more rain in October than Bali. Da Nang gets 613 mm (24.1 in) of rain, while Bali receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

In Bali, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Da Nang often gets less sunshine than Bali. Da Nang gets 158 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 266 hours of full sun.

In the autumn, Da Nang is around the same temperature as Bali. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Da Nang in October average around 25°C (78°F), and Bali averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Should I visit Da Nang or Bali in the Winter?

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

January to July in Da Nang is the dry season. Also, October to March is the rainy season in Bali. Da Nang gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Da Nang usually receives more rain than Bali. Da Nang gets 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain, while Bali receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Da Nang usually receives less sunshine than Bali during winter. Da Nang gets 136 hours of sunny skies, while Bali receives 170 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Da Nang is generally cooler than Bali. Daily temperatures in Da Nang average around 22°C (71°F), and Bali fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Should I visit Da Nang or Bali in the Spring?

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

Also, April to September in Bali is the dry season. Da Nang usually gets less rain in April than Bali. Da Nang gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bali receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bali. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Da Nang this time of the year. In the spring, Da Nang often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bali. Da Nang gets 210 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bali receives 226 hours of full sun.

Da Nang is around the same temperature as Bali in the spring. The daily temperature in Da Nang averages around 26°C (80°F) in April, and Bali fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

Typical Weather for Bali and Da Nang