If you are considering a trip to either Bali or the Maldives, you may be looking for some general information that can help get you pointed in the right direction. The truth is, these two destinations are actually quite different. What do you need to know when considering Bali vs Maldives?
Bali is less about beaches, and more about exploration, like local art and culture. Bali is perfect for someone looking for an adventurous get-a-way that allows them to immerse in local culture.
The Maldives is all about beaches and relaxation. This is a perfect get-a-way for couples who want to spend time lounging on the beach.
Bali does have beaches, but they aren’t nearly as pristine as the Maldives. In fact, the water in Bali can almost be a bit gray on some days, far from the bright blue you think of when you imagine a beach vacation.
But Bali is also an exciting destination in its own right. It is a perfect spot for people who love to explore. Bali offers tremendous landscapes and is a good spot for people who like to hike.
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Bali vs Maldives: Beaches
Winner: Maldives
The clear winner for beaches, in my opinion, is the Maldives. Some people do not even consider Bali a “beach destination”.
Although Bali does have numerous beaches, and can offer breath-taking landscapes and sunsets, the quality of beaches just does not compare to the Maldives.
When you think Maldives, again, think of a relaxing beach resort. When you think of Bali, think adventure and exploration. Bali has a lot to do away from a beach, like exploring the art and local culture.
If relaxing on a beach all week is what you are looking for, I would recommend the Meeru Island Resort in the Maldives (Kaafu Atoll). It is a very well-rated destination that has over 8,000 reviews on Trip Advisor, which you can read by clicking on this link.
Bali vs Maldives: Food
Winner: Bali
Because both of these destinations are popular tourist destinations, you can expect international menus present at most all resorts, offering you just about anything you want.
But when discussing local cuisine, both offer unique options and are great for foodies. We give the slight edge to Bali, but it will depend heavily on your own preferences since there is a lot of difference in cuisine between Bali and the Maldives. If you are a foodie, this could be what helps you decide which destination is right for you.
Bali
When you think about food in Bali, think spicy oriental cuisine. The local cuisine will include poultry, seafood, and rice dishes. For example, you can expect entrees to include things such as duck, chicken, prawns and pork. Balinese cuisine is well known for its use of spices to mix in with poultry, seafood, vegetables, and rice.
For dessert, you’ll be offered dishes such as Pisang Goreng, which is fried bananas. Bali has a lot of different varieties of bananas, which can make this dish unique. The dish is served alone, with caramel, honey, or coconut shavings on top.
To read more about the local Balinese cuisine, click here.
Maldives
When you think about food in the Maldives, think seafood and fresh fruit. The local cuisine includes a lot of tuna, shrimp, and lobster and fruit such as mangos, papayas, and watermelon.
Some of the traditional dishes you’ll find in the Maldives include Banbukeylu Harisa, which is a curry with chili, onion, and coconut and Dhonkeyokajuru, which is a fried banana cake flavored with vanilla or rose water.
Coconut also plays a big role in local cuisine, much more than it does in a place like the United States. In the US, coconut is reserved mostly for deserts, but in the Maldives you can expect coconut to be included in many entrees, with things such as fish and onions.
To read more about the Maldivian cuisine, click here.
Bali vs Maldives: Best for Families
Winner: Bali
The Maldives is a great spot for couples, so it attracts a lot of honeymooners and babymooners. Although there are certainly families that do travel to the Maldives, Bali will likely offer you a wider variety of things to entertain all parts of the family.
If you do have a family and want to go to the Maldives, there are a few tips for you to consider:
- If you have young children, do you want a resort that offers babysitting services?
- If you have teenagers, will you want an all-inclusive resort so that they can eat all they want?
- One great family feature of the Maldives is excellent snorkeling opportunities. If snorkeling is something your family is interested in, the Maldives will deliver.
Bali vs Maldives: Best for Honeymoons
Winner: Maldives
The Maldives are a honeymooner’s paradise. Think villas, overwater bungalows, lagoons, lounging on the beach, snorkeling, swimming – that is what you will get vacationing to the Maldives.
Of course, Bali will also have luxurious resorts, but as we have discussed many times already, Bali just does not offer the beach atmosphere that the Maldives does. In the Maldives, you’ll find a variety of all-inclusive locations that will give you the privacy you desire and you won’t have to stress about how much you are spending on the trip because everything is already paid for.
Bali vs Maldives: Flight Cost
Bali
Flights from Los Angeles to Bali start at around $950 (1 person; economy round trip) and include 1-2 stops along the way, for example in Hong Kong or China.
Flights from New York City to Bali start at around $1200 (1 person; ecocomy round trip) and also include 1-2 stops along the way, perhaps in Qatar.
Flights from London to Bali start at around $1000 (1 person; economy round trip) and also include 1-2 stops along the way, often in Qatar.
Maldives
Flights from Los Angeles to Maldives start at around $1000 (1 person; economy round trip) and include 1-2 stops along the way, for example in China.
Flights from New York City to Maldives start at around $1150 (1 person; ecocomy round trip) and also include 1-2 stops along the way, perhaps in China or the UAE.
Flights from London to Maldives start at around $900 (1 person; economy round trip) and also include 1-2 stops along the way, often in Russia or Qatar.
When comparing the cost of flights between Bali vs Maldives, the good news is there isn’t that great of difference between the two when comparing then from departure destinations such as LA, NYC, and London. The bad news is, depending on where you are departing from, due to layovers and connecting flights, there could be a significant difference.
The first thing you will want to do is check the flight cost from your city of departure. In general, flights from New York City and London are a slight bit cheaper for the Maldives, while flights from Los Angeles are a bit cheaper for Bali. So, if you are in the United States, you may see a slight carry-over from this, meaning Western cities may be cheaper for Bali while Eastern cities cheaper for the Maldives.
Obviously though, this is highly dependent on several factors, especially specifically where you are departing from. Flight cost may not be your determining factor, but it is a good place to start your research so you have an idea of cost moving forward in your decision-making process.
Bali vs Maldives: Language
Bali
In Bali, most people speak Balinese, or Bali for short. A lot of the people who speak Balinese also speak or understand Indonesian.
Not to worry if you are not a native speaker, a lot of people in urban areas and tourist areas speak English.
Maldives
In the Maldives, the official language is Dhivehi. There are a variety of dialects that you will hear on the island.
In popular tourist areas in the Maldives, you’ll find people who speak English. A lot of speakers who are fluent in Dhivehi also speak English as well.
Bali vs Maldives: Travel Time
Travel time between Bali vs Maldives is another thing you will unfortunately need to account for. These trips (if departing from Europe or the United States) can be brutally long.
Depending exactly where you are leaving from, one may be significantly shorter than the other. I would advise you to at least consider the time of travel and if it one or the other is much longer, factor that into your decision.