Key Takeaways
|
Trying to choose between the Maldives and Bali? You’re not alone. This is a common pleasant dilemma for honeymoon couples. Two tropical islands offering their very own vibes.
Bali offers a lot of attractions like beaches, ancient temples, water sports, nature and wildlife safaris and more. It is ideal for people who like to be on the move in order to experience the country.
Meanwhile, the Maldives is all about slowing down. Rent a villa, jump in the water, and snorkel in some of the clearest waters you’ll ever see. The Maldives has been the top choice when comparing Bali vs the Maldives for a honeymoon.
Cost is another major factor in the Bali vs Maldives cost debate. Bali is usually pocket-friendly, while major costs can’t be avoided in the Maldives.
This blog compares both the destinations across seasons, costs, activities, nightlife and stays to help you make an informed choice.
Let’s begin!
Overview Table (Bali vs Maldives)
A quick overview table that compares Bali and the Maldives in six categories.
|
Categories |
Bali |
Maldives |
|
Type of holiday |
Best for adventure seekers and culture enthusiasts who love exploring multiple experiences | Perfect for those seeking seclusion, luxury, and intimate time with a partner. |
|
Things to do |
Beaches, temples, volcanoes, forests, hikes, water-sports, swings, partying, cooking classes, and more! |
Beaches, water sports, local island hopping and partying. |
| Best to accompany with |
Partners, family and friends |
Honeymooners or solo travellers seeking peace and privacy. |
| Cost | Can be Pocket-friendly |
Luxury getaway |
|
Transportation around the destination |
Scooters, private cars, ferries, speedboats, walks, and cabs | Mostly boats, public ferries and seaplanes. |
| Days needed | 1 week |
3-4 days |
Things to Consider Before Choosing
Below are three categories that will help you decide which destination is the best for you! Read carefully before choosing your next destination.
Best time to Visit
Tropical destinations like Bali and the Maldives have only two seasons – dry and wet. The best time to visit is when you find the sweet spot that matches your mood, budget and type of traveller.
Dry Season in the Maldives ( 25°C to 31°C)
- November to April, being the dry season in the Maldives, provides excellent weather to take in all the nature and luxury.
- Peaceful weather, great land and water visibility, lower humidity, perfect for a beach vacation.
- Resorts run at their full capacity, and expensive stays need to be booked at least two months in advance.
Wet Season in the Maldives (25°C to 30°C)
- Monsoon lasts from May to October in the country, keeping all the lovely resorts under cloudy skies.
- It brings in rainfall, heavy winds and also there will be an increase in humidity. The sea gets rougher and is not ideal for swimming, diving, or snorkelling. However, it’s perfect for surfing. North & South Malé Atoll, Thulusdhoo / Himmafushi islands are great for surfing.
- The number of travelers decreases and resorts will be emptier, giving you a chance to get them for a lower price.
Dry Season in Bali (23°C to 31°C)
- April to October is the dry season in Bali with sunny and clear skies. The span of these months is ideal for temple hopping, water sports, market visits, etc.
- Clear skies, lower humidity, and especially travelling around will be easier during the dry season.
- Do note that this is peak season, and hence, expect higher crowds, wait times and costs.
Wet Season in Bali (25°C to 32°C)
- The wet season in Bali runs from November to March. The greenery at this time of year is impeccable!
- However, the heat and humidity will be on the rise but slightly balanced by the rain. Rainfall will be at its peak from January to March.
- If you don’t mind the rain or if you are a digital nomad, it’s the best time to get heavy discounts on your stay. But stay updated on the weather to be cautious.
Things to do
The things to do in Bali and the Maldives are poles apart. Of course, there are some overlaps, like beach and snorkelling, but Bali does offer a lot more!
Things to do in the Maldives
The Maldives is an excellent place to experience world-class waters, diving, coral reefs and marine life. And their overwater villas don’t need an introduction.
Beaches and Nature
- Stay in overwater villas overlooking the Indian Ocean
- Relax on unlimited beaches to relax
- Watch the gorgeous sunsets on the islands
- Visit the magical bioluminescent beaches of Vadhoo Island
Adventure Activities
- Snorkel with manta rays & whale sharks at Banana Reef and Manta Point
- Scuba Diving
- Go on a dolphin-watching cruise
- Parasailing, jet skiing, kayaking and more
Culture and Sightseeing
- Explore the local markets of Mahe
- Old Friday Mosque
- National Museum of Maldivian History
- Heritage site of Utheemu Ganduvaru (palace)
Wellness and relaxation
- Spa
- Swim in your private pool
- Hot and cold plunge pools
- Sunrise Yoga
Things to do in Bali
Bali is a destination that offers something different to do in every corner you visit. As a tropical region, it has beaches, truly lush greenery, volcanoes and more!
Beaches and Nature
- Get in the Banjar Hot Springs
- Chill at hidden beaches in Uluwatu or Nusa Penida
- Watch the rice terraces in Tabanan Regency
- Enjoy lunch on a boat while feeding the koi fish
Adventure Activities
- Trek to the volcano of Mount Batur
- Swing in a long dress in Ubud
- Swim with green turtles at Crystal Bay
- Chase waterfalls like Bousra
Culture and Sightseeing
- Take a purification ritual at temples
- Take a Balinese cooking class
- Go on a firefly safari
- Watch a traditional Balinese performance
Wellness and relaxation
- Sign up for a yoga class
- Jog along the coastline
- Request for a flower bath at your hotel
- Try out a wellness retreat
Nightlife
Nightlife in Bali and the Maldives looks and feels different. The parties of Bali are wild, energetic, high-volume music, including EDM, techno, and disco grooves.
Meanwhile, parties in the Maldives are much more low-key, with mainstream music, jazz, Maldivian, karaoke, and techno at some places.
|
Bali |
Maldives |
|
FINNS Beach Club |
Club Med Kani |
|
Potato Head Beach Club |
Paradise Island Resort and Spa |
|
Motel Mexicola |
Arena Beach Hotel |
|
Savaya Bali |
Adaaran Club Rannalhi |
Note:
- Alcohol and bikinis are allowed only in designated places in the Maldives. They are mostly banned on local islands and can only be enjoyed on private resort islands.
- For example, Maafushi is a local island with one bikini-friendly area called Bikini Beach and just one bar, known as the Floating Bar.
- Parties will be held at different resorts and on different islands; however, travelling to and back at night on private speedboats will be expensive.
- Seaplanes are operational only during the daytime.
- In case you plan to go to a different island for parties, it’s best to gather a group and book a speedboat.
Stay Options and Experiences
This is one of the biggest expenses of a trip. Not just an expense, but choosing the right hotel will decide the entire experience!
To make it easy, here you have exemplary stays in both Bali and the Maldives that are divided into three subcategories – budget, mid-range & luxury stays.
Budget Stays (3-stars)
For this price, it’s astonishing how many great-looking places we can get in both Bali and the Maldives.
- In the Maldives, you can find a small, well-maintained homestay like ‘Sunseasurf’ that looks straight out of Greece.
- And in Bali, we have ‘Camaya’, which is trending on Instagram. An open-air bamboo house concept overlooking the rice fields!
|
Bali Stays |
Cost (approx.) | Maldives Stays | Cost in INR (approx.) |
| Mahe Garden Unn & Villas by Kamara | 5,000 | Keyla Inn | 7,000 |
| Easy Surf Camp | 7,000 | UMET Seaview | 9,000 |
| Tirtagangga Water Palace | 10,000 | SunSeaSurf Maldives | 15,000 |
| Camaya Bali- Magical Bamboo House | 16,000 | Dhiguveli, Maldives | 15,000 |
Mid-Range Stays (4-stars)
Levelling up, here we have the mid-range stays to capture the sweet spot between the budget ones and the luxury ones.
- Expect a boho-themed resort on the beach like the ‘Stone Hotels Dhiffushi’ in the Maldives.
- Meanwhile, the hotels in Bali have the traditional Balinese vibe with wooden structures and green spaces around you, like the ‘Dewi Kunti Villa’.
|
Bali Stays |
Cost (approx.) | Maldives Stays |
Cost in INR (approx.) |
|
Purana Suite Ubud |
12,000 | Si Coral Inn | 12,000 |
| Pramana Giri Kusuma |
15,000 |
Iru Maldives | 25,000 |
| Dewi Kunti Villa |
16,000 |
Season Paradise |
25,000 |
| Eco Six Bali | 40,000 | Stone Hotels Dhiffushi |
30,000 |
Luxury Stays (5-stars)
The ultimate luxury hotels take part in this list!
- Get the famous over-water villas where your backyard is the sea! Some of these resorts even have waterslides, like the ‘Soneva Jani’.
- In Bali, you can find a beach club that hosts crazy parties, like the ‘Desa Potato Head’.
|
Bali Stays |
Cost (approx.) | Maldives Stays | Cost in INR (approx.) |
|
Neano Escape |
17,000 |
Kurumba Maldives |
65,000 |
| ARNA Suites & Ocean Lounge |
25,000 |
Dhawa Ihuru |
120,000 |
| Desa Potato Head | 35,000 | Taj Exotica Resort |
150,000 |
|
The Westin Resort |
35,000 |
Soneva Jani |
580,000 |
Conclusion
Wrapping up the blog, now we know what Bali and the Maldives are like. Bali is great for people with itchy feet who wish to travel, explore and make the most out of the trip.
Meanwhile, if you are a person who would like to chill and sunbathe next to a pool all day long, the Maldives will be a great choice.
Ultimately, the right place for you depends on your travel style, budget and the kind of memories that you want to make.
Still confused? Let Dimaak Tours help you out with tailoring the best itinerary while you focus on creating those memories!
Frequently Asked Questions on Bali Vs Maldives
What’s better, the Maldives or Bali?
Both the Maldives and Bali have their own charm and appeal. It doesn’t do justice to decide which one is better than the other. Both destinations have their own pros and cons, and it depends on your travelling style, budget, travel partner and more!
Bali and the Maldives: which is better for a honeymoon?
Newly married couples usually have both the Maldives and Bali on their wishlists. If you want to incorporate adventures and sightseeing along with spending quality time with your partner, then Bali is the right choice.
On the other hand, if you want to spend your honeymoon peacefully with the right amount of privacy and nature, the Maldives is the go-to!
Bali vs Maldives, which is cheaper?
Hands down, Bali is the cheapest. Travelling around Bali is easy with cabs and scooters; meanwhile, we need speedboats and water planes in the Maldives, which can be quite expensive. The overwater bungalows in the Maldives are also more expensive than most of the luxury hotels of Bali.
