If you’ve got the choice between Bali or Singapore, life is good. Both of these islands are in the tropics with amazing hotels and resorts to choose from.
There are beautiful beaches, interesting things to see and do, world-class shopping, cultural highlights, and so much more in each place that it can be hard to decide between them.
So, we thought we’d help out a little by putting Bali up against Singapore in one of our famous head-to-heads. We will examine all the important details for tourists impartially and then declare a winner.
Of course, there’s no need to worry, while – spoiler alert – one of these destinations is likely to suit more travellers than the other, they’re both great places to go. So, if you’ve already booked, you’re going to have a great time.
Bali In Brief: What’s It Like?
Bali is a tropical island famous for its beach clubs, island-hopping and incredible tourist attractions. It’s a top spot for pristine beaches and scuba diving.
But there’s more to Bali than you might get from first glance. You can also enjoy temples, museums, monkey forests, waterparks, death-defying swings, cliff jumping and some of the finest waterfalls on Earth.
The locals are world-renowned for their cheery hospitality, and there’s nowhere quite like Bali for a warm welcome and a place that you can feel totally at home in.
And where once the island was a touch underdeveloped for mainstream tourists, today, it has every comfort you could possibly imagine. This shouldn’t come as a surprise when you learn that Bali has the most $1,000+ USD a night hotel rooms of any place in the world!
And yet, as you’ll see, there’s plenty in Bali for budget travelers who want to enjoy the marine life, beautiful beaches, etc., without breaking the bank.
Singapore In Brief: What’s It Like?
Singapore is one of the richest nations, per capita, in the world. It’s a city-state that borders the Islamic Republic of Malaysia but has its own unique identity.
It’s well known for its extravagant lifestyles, and spots like Sentosa Island and Marina Bay Sands are well known throughout the world.
Singapore offers much more than high-flying riches, though, and places like Little India, Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Clarke Quay, Gardens by the Bay and the Merlion Statue in Merlion Park show the softer side of the city to visitors.
You won’t be short of world-class accommodation options in Singapore, as it’s very well furnished with hotels and resorts.
Where once Singapore was a stopover as people travelled between Australia and Europe or other major destinations, Singapore is now a destination in its own right.
Bali Vs Singapore Head-To-Head Comparison
We like to be fair about our match-ups, and while every category in this round-up is somewhat subjective, we’ll note that it’s not too hard to compare Singapore and Bali and find a winner in each category.
Beaches In Singapore Vs Beaches In Bali
Singapore is not renowned for its beaches. In fact, to be fair, this is because they are not overly aesthetically pleasing.
That doesn’t mean that they are unpleasant, mind you, you’ll find the island’s beaches are kept clean and well-maintained. You should know that many of the beaches in Singapore are man-made, and the best beaches are on Sentosa Island.
You can certainly enjoy a bit of sunbathing or undertake some water sports on a beach in Singapore.
However, Bali is famous for its beaches, and while not every beach in Bali is one of the most beautiful on Earth, a lot of them are in the running for that kind of accolade.
The beaches of Bali are also hugely varied, and you can find volcanic black sand beaches and near-pristine white beaches on the island.
This category is, perhaps, a bit closer than it appears but in our first category of Bali or Singapore, Bali is the winner.
Water Sports In Bali Vs Water Sports In Singapore
Singapore is a decent destination for fans of water sports. It’s got some excellent scuba diving spots, particularly if you hire a boat and go offshore a little. There’s a decent array of marine life around Singapore, too.
Other than scuba diving, you can surf, kite surf, jet ski, etc., in Singaporean waters easily enough.
However, the big issue with visiting Singapore for this kind of holiday is the cost. It’s one of the most expensive places in the region, and this is true for water sports equipment hire and lessons.
After you’ve shelled out for your double occupancy room in one of the hotels on the island, the extra costs quickly add up.
Bali, on the other hand, is famous for its water sports. There are a huge number of scuba diving locations on the island, and many of them are directly offshore from Bali, no boat required.
Water sports are plentiful in Bali, with Tanjung Benoa being a haven for these sports. You’ll also find that Canggu, Uluwatu, Seminyak, etc. are famous as surfing destinations throughout the world too.
So, this round of “Bali or Singapore” also has to go to Bali. It’s not that you can’t do these things in Singapore, it’s that you can do them better and for less money in Bali.
Safety In Bali Vs Safety In Singapore
Bali is considered a very safe destination. Wherever you are on the island, you’re at less risk of trouble from your fellow man than in most Western nations.
There are minor hazards regarding tropical diseases, natural disasters, etc., but the vast majority of visitors to Bali never have to deal with much more than a bit of traveller’s diarrhoea or some sunburn.
However, Singapore is world-famous as one of the safest places on Earth, and it is simply a more sterile environment than Bali.
With law breakers punished very severely in Singapore, strong public health measures and a strong police force. It’s a place that people go to and enjoy without much fear of problems.
So, in round three of Bali or Singapore, Singapore takes its first win. However, we should stress that most visits to Bali are trouble-free.
Things To Do In Bali Vs Things To Do In Singapore
Singapore is not short on things to do from Madame Tussauds to Universal Studios, Little India, the Merlion Park, even the Civic District is worth a look if you get there.
There are also museums, galleries, and parks for the visitor to enjoy when they’re not scuba diving. So, you’d think that once you’ve secured your expensive entrance tickets, this category would be a winner for Singapore, right?
No. While there’s definitely more brand presence in the things to do in Singapore, Bali is a bigger island and it’s set up to welcome tourists. 90% of Bali’s economy is tourism based.
There are more things to do in Bali, by far, than there are in Singapore. From climbing Mount Batur or Mount Agung (the island’s active volcanoes), to scuba diving around an ancient shipwreck, to coming face to face with the Bali Starling in West Bali National Park, to wandering through Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest, Bali has variety in spades.
So, this round of Bali or Singapore, goes to Bali even though you won’t be bored if your next trip is in either location.
Nightlife In Bali Vs Nightlife In Singapore
Some people are surprised to learn that Singapore has nightlife. But, of course, it does.
It’s a popular place and with the amount of money on the island, it shouldn’t be a surprise that people let their hair down in Singapore.
However, the nightlife is both expensive, limited and sometimes, a little more adult than you might be comfortable with. Clubs like Zouk, WOOBAR, Attica, etc. are fun but pricey.
Bali is world famous for its night life scene and while FINNS Beach Club may be the best of that nightlife, there are endless clubs, pubs, and bars to choose from. There’s always a party in Bali and you won’t have to break the bank to enjoy it.
So, there’s no contest in this round of Bali or Singapore – it’s a win for Bali.
Cultural Highlights In Bali Vs Cultural Highlights In Singapore
Singapore is really only 60 years old (ish, it was made a sovereign state on 9 August 1965) and while there have been people on the island for a bit longer than that, they’ve only been there for about 200 years in total.
It was a place where many Chinese that found themselves unhappy living in Malaysia moved to. A swampy mess until a man with a vision, Lee Kwan Yeuw bent the nation to his will and turned it into the country it is today.
So, it won’t come as a shock that while Singapore absolutely makes the best of its cultural heritage, it’s not in the same league as Bali.
Bali is the only Hindu enclave in the majority Muslim nation of Indonesia. It has been continuously inhabited for thousands of years and has a rich and generous culture that it is well known for everywhere in the world.
It’s the island of ten thousand temples (possibly more by our count), the island of the Gods and much more.
So, Bali wins this round of Bali or Singapore too.
What’s The Food Like In Bali Vs Singapore?
Singaporean cuisine may not be well known beyond its own shores but those who’ve enjoyed some Hainanese chicken rice, chili crab, fish head curry, laksa, etc. will tell you that the food in Singapore is very good, indeed.
The island’s famous hawker centers are the ideal place to get in touch with Singapore’s culinary heritage and for once, they’re surprisingly affordable too.
Bali also has a rich culinary tradition and as the only Hindu part of the archipelago, pork is a big part of the local cuisine.
Sate lillt, babi guling, nasi goreng, nasi campur, etc. are all big favourites with foreign visitors.
However, on this round of Bali or Singapore, we think it’s a tie. You can have an amazing meal in either place without spending a fortune. And if you want to spend a fortune, both islands have incredible fine dining scenes for you to enjoy.
Aesthetics Matter: Singapore Or Bali?
Singapore and Bali are very different places. Singapore is best known as a city-state. It has a glamorous skyline that is easily recognizable on a postcard and some attractive places to stroll around while you’re on vacation.
However, Bali is a picture postcard destination of rice fields, jungles, sunsets and beaches. It doesn’t have that “city chic” of Singapore but it doesn’t need it, it’s natural beauty is enough to carry it.
And while some might say it’s impossible to choose between Bali/Singapore in this category, we’d say that Bali edges out Singapore for aesthetic appeal.
Bang For Buck: Which Is Better Value, Bali Or Singapore?
If there’s one thing that everyone in Southeast Asia knows, it’s that Singapore is expensive.
All that law and order, clean streets, elevators in public bridges, etc. has to be paid for and the local people enjoy a very high standard of living.
If you want to save some money while on vacation, you won’t do it in Singapore.
Almost everything is cheaper in Bali than in Singapore, and we mean on a like-for-like quality basis.
You can probably enjoy a week or more at the best hotels in Bali and take in all the attractions of the island, for the same price as doing something similar in Singapore for a weekend.
So, Bali wins this round of Bali or Singapore.
Which Has Better Shopping? Bali Or Singapore?
Bali has some excellent shopping destinations and there’s no doubt that it’s a world-class spot for boutique fashion, beachwear and local art.
However, there’s also no doubt that Singapore is a trading hub for the world, and its stores are world-class in all respects.
Sure, it can be a little expensive in Singapore, but then, most imported items are a little expensive in Bali too.
So, Singapore wins this round of Bali or Singapore, and by a reasonable margin too.
Which Island Is Best For Digital Nomads, Singapore Or Bali?
Given that the average digital nomad isn’t particularly wealthy and that Singapore tends to only allow 30 days of stay for any given nationality, most digital nomads are going to find Bali is a much easier place to live.
Singapore might appeal to the richer nomad with its startup incubators and excellent banking.
But Bali’s endless coworking spaces, easy visas and large digital noamd communities in Canggu and Ubud are going to appeal more to the majority.
This is a fairly easy win for Bali in “Bali or Singapore” but there are some outliers who will prefer Singapore if they have enough cash to make it work.
Which Island Is Best For Expats, Singapore Or Bali?
Singapore has been a popular expat destination for a long time, with high wages, a high standard of living and little crime. It’s appealing to those with jobs in the banking and finance sector.
For many other expats, it’s simply too expensive. And for most retirees, it’s far beyond a modest pension.
Bali, on the other hand, has fewer jobs for expats than Singapore and they don’t tend to pay as well. On the flip side, retirees and other long-term non-workers will find it’s cheap and easy to stay in Bali for as long as they like.
Overall, given how different these two environments are, our last category of “Bali or Singapore” is a tie.
Overall Bali Or Singapore?
So, let’s weight up the scores in our Bali or Singapore head to head.
Singapore won the safest place to be and best shopping destination categories.
There was a tie for the best food and the best expat destination.
And Bali won the best beaches, the best water sports, the most things to do, the best nightlife, the most cultural highlights, the aesthetics category, the best value for money and the best island for digital nomads.
So, overall in our “Bali or Singapore” face off, Bali takes the crown. While both islands are nice places to visit, the majority of travellers will probably find they enjoy Bali a bit more.
FAQs
Which One Is Better, Bali Or Singapore?
As you can see from our head-to-head analysis above, we’d choose Bali in most instances over Singapore for your next trip. That’s not because Singapore is worse than Bali, but simply because Bali has more to offer most tourists than Singapore does.
If you can do a Bali/Singapore dual destination holiday, then you’ll find that what Singapore offers tends to complement the things Bali offers. The city of Singapore is one of the world’s most advanced and peaceful places, and while you won’t find many rice paddies at this world-class destination, you will find plenty of things to keep you occupied all the same.
Is Bali Or Singapore More Expensive?
In this category, there’s simply no comparison. Budget travelers will want to avoid Singapore and head straight to Bali. You’ll find that almost everything in Singapore costs more than it does in Bali, and in many cases, it costs substantially more.
Even things like entrance tickets for a museum are 4 to 5 times more expensive in Singapore City, and the budget hotels in Singapore will cost the same as a 5-star hotel in some parts of Bali! That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Singapore, but if you want the best value for money, it’s to be found in Bali.
Is Bali Worth Visiting Anymore?
Yes, Bali is worth visiting right now, and indeed, as far as we can tell, it will be worth visiting a long time into the future too.
It’s a great place for budget travelers seeking to enjoy beautiful beaches and good times. It’s also an amazing place for luxury travelers to enjoy some of the world’s finest hotels and restaurants.
It’s full of attractions, and there are popular activities galore to keep you having fun in Bali. You can go scuba diving one day, climb a volcano the next and then be partying at FINNS Beach Club, the world’s best beach club, the day after that.
Bali is one of the most exciting destinations on Earth, and while there’s no doubt that the island has some challenges as it grows to accommodate more visitors, we have every confidence that it will rise to the occasion admirably.
Is Singapore Bigger Than Bali?
No, Singapore is not bigger than Bali. In fact, Bali covers an area of about 5,780 square kilometers (that’s about 2,231 square miles) compared to Singapore’s 757.3 square kilometers (292 square miles).
It’s possible to walk from one end of Singapore to the other in a single day and night (you can actually find people doing this on YouTube), whereas it would take the best part of a week to walk from one end of Bali to the other.
Singapore is bigger in the global financial markets than Bali, as it serves as an offshore tax haven and intermediary for dealing with mainland China and other countries in this region.
The city of Singapore is also bigger than Bali’s capital city, Denpasar. But Bali is more about villages that have become towns rather than sprawling skylines and huge urban conurbations.
Which Month Is Best To Go To Bali?
We think the whole of the year is brilliant for visiting Bali. While there is a “wet season” in Bali, it’s not like India’s Monsoon season, and you get, on average, 8 hours of sunshine a day in Bali throughout the wet season.
However, if you want the best possible experience in Bali, and you can choose any month at all to come, May is a good option. It’s in the dry season, so it’s a little cooler and less humid at this time. But it’s also before the school holidays, and that means you can still get cheap deals on flights into Denpasar International Airport, hotel rooms and restaurant bookings.
But don’t let that put you off coming to Bali at any other time of the year, every month is warm, pleasant and fun in Bali. It’s the advantage of Bali being in the “tropics”; it never gets cold and miserable.
Is Bali Or Singapore Better For Kids?
We think Bali is better for children than Singapore. While there’s a lot to do for children in Singapore, it’s a place where children are tolerated more than enthusiastically welcomed.
Your children will find that in Bali, they are very much delighted to see your kids, and the locals will go out of their way to make them feel welcome.
It’s not unusual to visit a Balinese hotel and find the staff playing with the guests’ children in the gardens or by the pool.
Is It Cheaper To Fly To Bali Or Singapore?
That very much depends on where you’re flying from. It’s cheaper to fly to Bali from Australia. It’s cheaper to fly to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur.
The best way to find out the price of flights is to Google the dates you want to fly and your starting and ending points.
You will find that flights to Bali are, generally, cheaper in the off season. Singapore, however, sits on the equator and its weather is very similar all year round. That means it will be very hot and humid throughout your trip, and there is less variation between high and low seasons.
Final Thoughts On Bali Or Singapore
As you can see from our round up, both of these destinations are lovely places to spend some time.
However, Bali wins far more head-to-head categories than Singapore and is likely to appeal to more travellers than Singapore, particularly for the huge difference in bang for buck between the two places.
Related Blogs
Bali Or Lombok: Which Island Is Best For Your Indonesian Holiday?
Bali Vs Vietnam: A Small Island Or A Big Nation?
Bali Vs Maldives: The Tropical Island Heavyweights Go Head-To-Head
