Bali and Hawaii both feature amongst one of the best tropical getaways in the world. Both these places boast of some of the most beautiful sandy beaches, turquoise blue waters, lush green landscapes and stunning underwater ecosystems.
Bali and Hawaii both offer the best travel experience. From great hotels, foods, adventure, nightlife, culture and serenity. So, choosing one amongst these is really a daunting task.
Having been to both these places, I can surely say that both these places are similar and unique in their own way and you must visit both at least once in your lifetime.
That said if you find asking yourself Bali or Hawaii for Honeymoon?🏖
This blog post will help you to choose the best destination for you based on accommodation, food, ease of travel, nightlife, adventure sports, and other features that make these places worth a visit.
Let’s dive right in.
Bali or Hawaii for Honeymoon: Which is a better destination?
Before we dive deep into a detailed comparison of both these places let us have a short introduction of both these amazing places.
Table of Contents
Bali
Bali is an Indonesian island also known as the ‘Paradise Island’.
It is a Paradise Island in every sense of the word with beautiful and pristine sandy beaches, lush green paddy fields, ancient sea temples, volcanic mountains, jaw-dropping waterfalls and a strong influence of ancient Hindu culture.
Hawaii
Hawaii is the world’s largest island chain consisting of 132 islands. Surrounded by the turquoise blue waters of the North Pacific Ocean Hawaii is home to some of the best exotic islands in the world.
From the spectacular tropical landscapes, hot volcanic mountains, stunning underwater life, adventure sports to the streets bustling with nightlife and not to forget the world-famous pristine sandy beaches, Hawaii is truly a wanderlusts paradise.
We have compared both these places on the parameters given below to make it easy to choose the best option for you.
- Travel cost
- Safety
- Accommodation
- Food
- Weather
- Transportation
- Beaches
- Nightlife
- Honeymoon
- Family Vacation
Travel Cost
The first aspect of travelling to any destination is how much is the cost of travelling to that destination.
Travel costs depend on a lot of things from the distance between your travel destinations, from where you are going to travel and the flights you book to travel.
The below table shows the average cost of flying to Bali and Hawaii from the major cities around the world.
Cost of travelling to Hawaii from major cities
| City | Travel class | Average travel cost |
| New York to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 460$ 1000$ 2050$ |
| Los Angeles to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 270$ 640$ 1150$ |
| Chicago to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 300$ 1020$ 1450$ |
| London to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 1200$ 2300$ 6000$ |
| Berlin to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 1107$ 2160$ 4400$ |
| Paris to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 1200$ 2100$ 5100$ |
| Moscow to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 820$ 2400$ 3800$ |
| New Delhi to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 1300$ 2200$ 4300$ |
| Mumbai to Hawaii | Economy Premium economy Business | 1200$ 2200$ 3500$ |
Cost of travelling to Bali from major cities
| City | Travel class | Average travel cost |
| New York to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 460$ 1000$ 2050$ |
| Los Angeles to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 270$ 640$ 1150$ |
| Chicago to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 300$ 1020$ 1450$ |
| London to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 1200$ 2300$ 6000$ |
| Berlin to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 1107$ 2160$ 4400$ |
| Paris to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 1200$ 2100$ 5100$ |
| Moscow to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 820$ 2400$ 3800$ |
| New Delhi to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 1300$ 2200$ 4300$ |
| Mumbai to Bali | Economy Premium economy Business | 1200$ 2200$ 3500$ |
Winner: Tie, the cost of travelling to both these places depend relatively on the place you visit from and the travel class you book.
Also Read: Bora Bora vs. Greece: Which is better for Honeymoon?
Safety
No matter what part of the world you choose to travel to, the first question you have on your mind is ‘How safe is it?’.
When it comes to safety, both Bali and Hawaii are well-known for being the most tourist-friendly places on Earth.
Thanks to the local government’s investment in law enforcement both these places have a very low crime rate.
But if I have to choose one destination amongst these two, I would go for Hawaii as it’s a bit safer than Bali.
Not that Bali isn’t safe but Bali’s sole dependence on tourism for income makes it prone to many tourist scams and crimes.
Hawaii has its own share of scams but much less compared to Bali and are most prevalent on renowned islands Oahu and Maui.
Winner– Hawaii
Accommodation
Bali and Hawaii, both boast of some of the best hospitality in the world with world-class beach resorts, hotels and inns.
When it comes to choosing one amongst these two it all boils down to variety, features and the affordability of options you have for accommodation.
The below table shows the average price of accommodation in Bali and Hawaii based on type, features and cost of accommodation.
| Place | Budget | Mid-range hotel | Villas/ Luxury rooms |
| Bali | 12$ | 36$ | 123$ |
| Hawaii | 57$ | 165$ | 527$ |
It is quite apparent from the above table there is quite a difference between the prices of accommodation between Bali and Hawaii.
Budget rooms in Bali start for just 12$ per night compared to 57$ in Hawaii which is almost 3 times that of Bali. If you are with a family then you can easily afford a villa for the price of a mid-range hotel in Hawaii.
Winner: Bali
Also Read: Bali vs. Greece: Which is better for Honeymoon?
Food
Hawaiian seafood 
Balinese dish with fried fish and rice
It would be unfair to compare the cuisines from both these countries as both these places offer unique and best exotic dishes to satisfy your appetite.
Bali’s cuisine is greatly inspired by Hindu and Buddhist culture while Hawaii has a mixture of Polynesian and American influence.
So, when it comes to choosing one it all boils down to what and how much food you get for the price you pay.
| Place | Coffee | Breakfast | Bali Café for Two | Lunch for Two | Dinner for two | Beer | The average cost of food per day |
| Bali | 1.39 | 3-4$ | 30$ | 15$ | 11$ | 3.50$ | 18$ |
| Hawaii | 6-7$ | 8-16$ | 50$ | 30-45$ | 50-65$ | 6-9$ | 55$ |
Although, both these places have an amazing variety of exotic seafood to offer you Bali easily scores higher with an average cost of meals as low as 18$ per day. You cannot even buy breakfast for that money in Hawaii.
Winner: Bali
Weather
Bali and Hawaii both tropical islands have mostly clear and sunny weather all year around.
The best time to visit Bali is between April to October when the weather is balmy with 25-30c temperatures. If you looking for a more relaxed and quiet experience avoid travelling between April to June, that’s when most tourists visit Bali.
August to November is a great time for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
March to September is the best time to travel to Hawaii as it sees the least rainfall during this time. Hawaii has warm weather throughout the year so any time of the year is good to visit Hawaii.
If you are looking to save money on flights then June to September is the best time to travel as flights tickets as the least expensive during this time of the year.
Winner: Tie
Transportation
Your journey is incomplete unless you travel around your destination and explore everything that the place has to offer.
Bali and Hawaii offer a variety of transportation options to wander around ranging from public buses, rickshaws, rental scooters and cars and in the case of Hawaii also flights to get around from one island to another.
Bali has no public transportation system but you easily rent a motorbike or scooter for 4-5$ and a private car for 10-15$ for an entire day.
Hawaii has a good public transportation system with buses running within cities with fares ranging from 3$-4$. However, the cost of a rental car for a whole day is as high as 50-60$ which is thrice compared to Bali.
| Place | Bike/Scooter | Bus | Rental car | Taxi |
| Bali | 5$-24$ | 1.5-5$ | 15$-50$ | 3$-8$ |
| Hawaii | NA | 3$-4$ | 50$-100$ | 5$-25$ |
Winner: Bali
Beaches: Which is better?
Bali and Hawaii both have some of the best serene and sandy beaches with crystal clear blue waters that conjure up an image of being in a paradise.
Bali is known mostly for its pristine white sandy beaches and turquoise blue waters with clear and warm weather.
If you are someone who loves a livelier atmosphere then Kuta, Seminyak, Balangnan beaches will overwhelm you with its lively vibe full of tourists, malls, shacks and shops, resorts spread all around these beaches.
Those who love to soak in the serenity and beauty of the surroundings, they will find peace on the beaches of Padang Padang, Jimbaran and Balian.
For those adventurous types, the beaches like Bingin, Amed and Dreamland have plenty of adventure activities like surfing, snorkelling, deep-sea diving to satisfy your hunger for adventure.
The only problem with the beaches in Bali is that they are very overcrowded with tourists and small shops and hawkers trying to sell you stuff. Due to this constant hustle and bustle of people, most of the beaches are littered with garbage which is a major turn off sometimes.
When it comes to the variety of beaches to choose from nothing can beat Hawaii. Apart from having the most beautiful beaches in the world, Hawaii also has the most varieties of beaches to spend your time on.
Bored by the white sandy beaches? Don’t worry, Hawaii has a green, black and red beaches too laced with picturesque landscapes and turquoise-blue waters. Being a chain of islands, you will never fall short of finding a beach across every corner.
There is no comparison when it comes to adventure activities. Hawaii hands down provides the best scuba diving, snorkelling, surfing and trekking experience in the world.
Winner: Hawaii, with its variety of clean and serene beaches and adventure activities to choose from Hawaii easily is the winner.
Nightlife: Who has a better vibe?
Bali and Hawaii both come alive in the night with streets sprawling with tourists, jam-packed nightclubs and bars and adrenaline-pumping EDM music by the best DJ’s from around the world.
Bali especially is known for hosting world-class DJ’s from around the world. If that is not your thing, then you can simply find solitude on the beach laying in your hammock overlooking the oncoming waves.
Hawaii has a laid-back vibe compared to Bali. Live music is common along with local Polynesian and American music played around streets on an ukulele.
There are many nightclubs in Honululu and Maui two of the most popular tourist islands where one can experience the best nightlife in Hawaii.
Winner: Bali, having a variety of options to choose from, nightlife can be enjoyed to the fullest in Bali.
Bali or Hawaii for Honeymoon: which is better?
Gifted with scenic landscapes, crystal clear waters, blooming wildlife, sandy beaches and a welcoming culture, it’s no wonder both Bali and Hawaii make a perfect destination to spend some romantic time with your soulmate.
If you want to spend time with your soulmate in total tranquility and relaxation then Hawaii is the best place to be. Hawaii has a plethora of things suited for the best romantic outing with your partner.
From the mesmerizing sunset cruise, private helicopter tours, stargazing at Mauna Kea to the refreshing and relaxing oceanside couples massage, Hawaii is a paradise for honeymooners.
The only problem with honeymooning in Hawaii is all these activities come for a hefty price. If you are ready to stretch your budget significantly, then Hawaii hands down is the best place to be with your partner.
Bali just like Hawaii is filled with all the beauty that Hawaii has to offer but with some tinge of chaos added to your experience.
Bali has lots of things to offer – from the sunset dinner at Jimbaran beach, dinner inside a cave at Samabe resort, private helicopter rides to taking a romantic stroll at the marigold fields, Bali is much more exciting and thrilling compared to Hawaii.
One thing where Bali scores high is the impact of ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture in every aspect of the lives of people in Bali. There are eclectic temples and Buddhist monasteries spread throughout the island which makes it a more surreal experience.
You can experience all of this for just half the price of what you’d pay for a luxurious vacation in Hawaii.
Not that Bali doesn’t provide a tranquil experience, if you are ready to wander away from the touristy locations then many hidden places in Bali are perfect for couples.
Winner: Bali, although Hawaii is best when it comes to luxury Bali trumps with its culture and affordability.
Family vacation: Which is better, Bali or Hawaii?
There are plenty of adventure activities to enjoy with your family in Bali and Hawaii.
If you want to enjoy surfing, snorkelling, explore volcanic mountains and have a quiet time with your family with safety, then Hawaii is the place for you.
Bali also offers a bunch of adventure activities to choose from. Although it is not comparable to what you get in Hawaii it is still amongst the best in the world.
What Bali offers is affordability. You can rent an entire villa for your family for the price of a mid-range hotel room in Hawaii.
Bali offers everything for everyone, whether you are a big spender or on a budget family vacation, you will never leave dissatisfied.
Winner: Bali
Conclusion
No matter what you end up going for, Bali or Hawaii, you are going to have the best time of your life.
Both these places are unique and similar in their own way and offer an amazing travel experience.
In the end, it all boils down to your preference and your budget.
If you want to enjoy the best of tropical world and experience the beauty of ancient Hindu and Buddhist culture then Bali is your cloud nine or if you just want to spend your time in complete tranquility and peace then Hawaii is the place to go to.
