So, you’re planning your next trip and you can decide between fun activities like climbing the Burj Khalifa, wandering the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai and Bali’s rice terraces and world-famous temples like Tanah Lot?
Well, the two beach destinations certainly have their fans and deciding whether you want the city life of Dubai or the island life of Bali can be a hard choice to make. But we’re going to see if we can make it easier for you to make that choice and book your next vacation.
We put these two destinations head-to-head in a variety of categories that we believe matter to holiday makers, so that you can weigh up where you want to spend time and start booking your hotels, tours, restaurants and flights, as soon as possible.
Bali In Brief: What’s It Like?
Bali is a tropical island in the Indonesian Archipelago. It is often compared to paradise by those who love it. Despite being part of Indonesia, it’s a Hindu enclave and has its own unique culture compared to the rest of the republic.
It has more $1,000+ a night hotel rooms than any other holiday destination on Earth, but there’s something for every budget in Bali.
Bali has restaurants, entertainment, things to do and much more, and its beaches are world famous.
Dubai In Brief: What’s It Like?
Dubai is one of the 7 Emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates. It’s a hot, humid desert kingdom that has risen up over the last 50-60 years based on oil wealth.
It’s home to some of the biggest luxury shopping malls and brands on Earth and is full of iconic hotels and experiences.
The majority of people in Dubai spend their time indoors, and you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained there. And the beaches are there, if you’re willing to brave the heat and go outdoors.
Bali Vs Dubai: Head-To-Head Comparison
So, to make a fair comparison between Bali/Dubai, we’ve opted for a breakdown of the two destinations in a series of categories that matter to people on vacation.
We award a winner in each category, and that allows us to choose Bali or, even, Dubai as the overall winner at the end of the piece.
Beaches In Bali Vs Beaches In Dubai
Dubai’s beaches all tend to be very similar. This shouldn’t be too surprising, as despite the emirate having no shortage of sand, nearly all the beaches are artificial and constructed on reclaimed land.
They can be very attractive, and the private beaches are very popular with hotel guests seeking a place to drink cocktails on sun loungers. The public beaches are less pleasant, though, and often attract gentlemen from parts of the world in which women don’t usually wear a bikini on the beach.
Bali is famous for its beaches, and there is a huge range of sandy places to hang out, from the nearly white, soft sands of resort towns like Nusa Dua to the rugged volcanic shores of towns like Amed; there’s a beach for you in Bali.
So, we think Bali wins this category. It’s not that Dubai’s beaches aren’t pleasant; it’s just that they are all very much the same as each other.
Water Sports In Bali Vs Water Sports In Dubai
You can access a decent array of water sports in Dubai, though, as you might expect from one of the world’s more upmarket destinations, these are rarely cheap.
However, Bali is one of the world’s top water sports destinations, and from surfing in Uluwatu to scuba diving and swimming in Sanur, there’s an enormous range of water sports activities you can enjoy on the island.
Not only is it cheaper to learn water sports in Bali, but it’s more comfortable too. The Dubai heat can be very, very unpleasant, even if you’re in the water, and you’re much more likely to get a serious sunburn when out on the waves in the Emirate.
We don’t think this is particularly close. Bali wins this round; it’s a major destination for water sports and deservedly so.
Safety In Bali Vs Safety In Dubai
Bali is a very safe place and, in general, you can expect to face fewer dangers in Bali than you would in the cities of most Western countries.
However, there is some petty crime in Bali, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching, and burglary, and there are occasional violent crimes between tourists when alcohol is involved.
Dubai, on the other hand, is renowned worldwide as a place where you can leave your wallet and laptop on a table in a restaurant, walk away for an hour and be 100% confident that they will still be there when you return.
The Emirate is, perhaps, the safest destination on Earth in 2025, and we have to give this category to Dubai while acknowledging that the vast majority of visitors to Bali have a completely safe and enjoyable time on the island.
Things To Do In Bali Vs Things To Do In Dubai
The Bali/Dubai divide grows wider when it comes to things to do. Dubai offers a lot of curated experiences from big brand names at high prices, but if you’re looking for cost-effective things to do with friends and family, it’s very short on those things.
There are almost no cultural experiences (though nearby Abu Dhabi has been investing in cultural activities), and because of the heat, there’s not much to do outside, though the golf courses are air-conditioned.
Bali, on the other hand, has something for everyone. Indoor theme parks, volcanoes to climb, shipwrecks to dive, temples to explore, rice terraces to wander, and so much more.
There are high-end experiences in Bali, too, but they are part of a much wider range of experiences, and in this category, Bali wins hands down. You could spend a lifetime in Bali without being bored.
Nightlife In Bali Vs Nightlife In Dubai
While you may not associate the Middle East with wild parties and nightlife, Dubai has a very glamorous nightlife scene, but it comes at a very high price.
Because alcohol is not part of the local Islamic culture, it’s one of the few things in Dubai that attracts high taxes, and in addition, Dubai only grants alcohol licenses to pubs and bars that are based in 5-star hotels.
Thus, a night out in Dubai is an expensive thing, and while most bars will offer some kind of live entertainment, band or DJ, none of it tends to be cutting edge.
Bali is famous as a party destination, and while it’s not as cheap as it once was, there’s no doubt that you can spend a week partying in the best spots in Bali for the price of a good night out in Dubai.
There’s a much greater range of nightlife experiences in Bali too, from the amazing FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club, to pubs, bars and even minimarts with drinking areas.
So, Bali wins this category, but we have to note that Dubai’s nightlife is nice enough; it’s just expensive.
Culture In Bali Vs Culture In Dubai
Bali’s culture is famous around the world. Its unique Hindu aspect in an archipelago of islands with a Muslim majority makes it stand out from its neighbours.
The island is known for its kind, friendly, welcoming people, endless temples and amazing food culture, and the traces of that culture are everywhere in Bali.
Dubai has an interesting culture, but it’s far less accessible to visitors than Bali’s, and it’s been less well-documented, too. It’s not impossible to learn about the Emirate, but getting out to places like Hatha, where some of the more interesting recent history is often out of reach of most tourists from a practical perspective.
Bali wins this category, not only is the Balinese culture more prevalent, but it’s far easier to learn about and experience when you’re on holiday than Emirati culture.
Food In Bali Vs Food In Dubai
Dubai is home to some of the world’s finest restaurants run by the most famous chefs on the planet. You can eat in places run by greats like Marco Pierre White, Gary Rhodes and Gordon Ramsay. In fact, every 5-star hotel has an amazing restaurant.
Sadly, once you get beyond the high-end, the rest of Dubai’s food culture seems to be based around international and local fast food joints. If you’re in the mood for Johnny Rockets or Planet Hollywood, Dubai is a great destination.
Bali is also home to some incredible restaurants on the fine dining front, and the only reason there are no Michelin stars here is that the Michelin Guide doesn’t operate in Indonesia.
It also has far less emphasis on fast food in Balinese culture, and there is a much greater range of interesting mid-range and budget food offerings.
On that basis, we’d say at the high-end the two places are even, but Bali wins this category for having better food for all budgets, not just the wealthy.
Aesthetics Matter: Bali Or Dubai?
Dubai during the day is not the prettiest city on Earth. It’s lots of high-rise concrete and not much more. But at night, the city looks glorious under the lights, and it feels upscale and prestigious.
Bali has far more variety and while there are certainly areas of Bali that look a little shabbier than most neighbourhoods in Dubai, the rainforests, rice terraces, etc. all add a charm to Bali that Dubai is simply missing.
We are aware that aesthetics are always a matter of taste, but we genuinely believe that the natural beauty of Bali beats the chance to see the silhouette of the Burj Al Arab hotel.
Which Has The Better Shopping? Bali Or Dubai?
Both Bali and Dubai have some great shopping experiences, but if you like malls, then the city to be in is Dubai.
Among the modern architecture of this place, you will find some of the world’s largest and best malls, including Dubai Mall, Mall of the Emirates (including indoor skiing facilities in the desert) and more.
There’s also the rather nice advantage that Dubai doesn’t levy much in the way of taxes on shopping in the city and its malls, which means if you’re in the mood for a shopping spree on luxury and designer goods, you can spend a fortune and save a bigger fortune.
However, once you’ve seen one Dubai Mall, you’ve pretty much seen them all. There’s no doubt that shopping for brands is great in Dubai, but there’s very little in the way of small boutique stores.
Bali is the opposite of that; it’s all about small designer stores from boutique names and local brands. You can wander around Seminyak or Canggu and enjoy a unique shopping experience that you can’t get anywhere else in the world.
It’s the best place in the world, we think, to stock up on beachwear, and it’s great for surf gear too.
However, we can’t deny that if you want to do some serious shopping wherever you visit, then Dubai has more places where you might want to spend your money.
Which Place Is Best For Digital Nomads, Dubai Or Bali?
Most digital nomads are operating on a tight budget, and Dubai is not for people on a tight budget. While there are coworking spaces in the Emirates, the only digital nomads Dubai tends to be suited to are those raking in large amounts of cash who need a tax haven to store it in.
Bali is one of the world’s most popular nomad destinations, in contrast, and both Ubud and Canggu are packed with coworking, coliving and digital nomad meetup opportunities. This is an easy win for Bali.
Which Place Is Best For Expats, Dubai Or Bali?
This is a hard category; both places have large and happy expat communities. It’s probably easier to be an expat in Dubai as the Emirate is happy to sell long-stay permits to anyone with the money to pay for them.
There are also more job opportunities in Dubai for expats than in Bali. Dubai loves imported labour, Indonesia prefers local hires.
So, we’re going to let Dubai take this one, but with the proviso that Bali is a great expat destination too.
Bang For Buck: Which Is Better Value, Dubai Or Bali?
There is simply no contest when it comes to value for money. Dubai is an amazing place, but it’s a very expensive one. Renting a room, going for food and drink, etc., are all going to cost more than in Bali.
You can get some of the difference back on cars and driving, as these are cheap in Duba,i but not enough. Overall, Bali is simply massively better value for money for most people.
Final Round Up Dubai Vs Bali
So, Dubai is best for expats, and it’s the safest of the two destinations. But Bali sweeps every other category to win this head-to-head convincingly.
That doesn’t mean that Dubai is a bad choice for a holiday destination, but it does mean that Bali offers more for most holidaymakers than Dubai does and for a far more reasonable price.
FAQs
Is It Better To Go To Dubai Or Bali?
As you can see from our round-up above, we believe that for the vast majority of holidaymakers, Bali is going to be the better location for a vacation.
It costs much less money to enjoy a luxury lifestyle in Bali, and while Bali does have a rainy season, it gets 8 hours of sunshine on average a day at that time of year, so you don’t need to wait for the dry season to start planning your outdoor activities.
Overall, it’s possible to have a pleasant time in both places, but Dubai is really a big city with not much more entertainment than big shopping malls and expensive hotels. Bali has far more to offer, and for every budget level, too.
If you can only visit Bali or Dubai, we’d recommend that you visit Bali.
Is Dubai Bigger Than Bali?
No, in fact, Dubai is about 2/3 the size of Bali. Most of the Emirate of Dubai is empty land with very few settlements apart from the main city of Dubai. There is a lot of desert terrain to explore around the city, and some mountains and old hillforts.
Bali, on the other hand, is an island with some of the most varied and interesting geography on the planet, from active volcanoes to national parks, to rainforests and waterfalls; there’s something different at every turn on the island of Bali.
Is Dubai Or Bali Closer To Australia?
Bali is much closer to Australia than Dubai. It’s about a 4-6 hour flight to Bali from most major cities in Australia. It’s more like 18-20 hours to fly to Dubai, which is in the Northern Hemisphere in the Middle East, not far from Europe.
Is Dubai Or Bali Hotter?
While Bali is a beautiful tropical island, and it can get pretty warm in Bali, particularly during the more humid wet season, it’s rarely if ever as hot as it gets in Dubai.
Dubai is on the edge of the largest sand desert in the world, the Rub Al-Khali or the Empty Quarter. Temperatures in the summer can be far in excess of 40 degrees Celsius, and it’s next to water, so there’s a lot of humidity too.
While many people enjoy the stunning beaches in Bali for a spot of sunbathing, spending too much time on the beautiful beaches of Dubai could result in serious sunburn.
Is Dubai Or Bali Better For Families?
Both Dubai and Bali are very child-friendly, but if you’re weighing up Bali/Dubai for your next family holiday, you should realise that Dubai is far, far more expensive.
Things like childcare and nannying services are plentiful in Bali and very affordable. It’s easy to get an English-speaking driver to chauffeur you around all week, too, without breaking the bank.
If we had a young family, we’d choose Bali between Bali and Dubai every time. It’s just easier and cheaper.
Is $1,000 Enough For A Week In Bali?
Assuming that you’re not including the cost of your flights in that $1,000 and it’s $1,000 USD, not Zimbabwe Dollars, you can have a very nice week in Bali for $1,000.
You can easily enjoy the natural beauty of the island without breaking the bank, witness traditional ceremonies, enjoy a private transfer from the airport to your hotel and eat out every day and participate in the island’s vibrant nightlife with $1,000.
Is Bali The Most Beautiful Place In The World?
This is such a subjective question that it’s impossible to give a truly meaningful answer, except to say that we know some people who think that Bali is the most beautiful place in the world and the only way to decide if Bali offers what you’re looking for in the way of lush landscapes, diverse backdrops, etc. is to come and see it for yourself.
Is It Worth Vacationing In Dubai?
We think Dubai is something of an acquired taste. The author lived in Dubai for two years prior to coming to live in Bali, and they enjoyed their time in Dubai very much.
However, it’s a very artificial construct as Dubai is a brand-new state where everything has been constructed in the last 50 years. Many of the expats there describe it as a sort of “adult Disneyland”, and while there’s more freedom in Dubai than in much of the rest of the middle east, when you look past the luxury shopping, hotels and restaurants, it’s a bit short on cultural highlights, and other forms of entertainment.
We’d say that Dubai is an ideal stopover location on your way to or from somewhere further away, but it might not be the best spot for a two-week holiday.
Final Thoughts On Bali Vs Dubai
As you can see from our head-to-head, these are both great holiday destinations, but if you want to get the best value for money and have the most fun? If you have to choose between Bali and Dubai, we’d choose Bali. It’s the location with the most to offer most people.
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