Which is better for you – Bali or Sri Lanka?

Ok, so you’re planning an island-and-temples escape and it's between Bali and Sri Lanka. But which is better for you? 

Both bring golden beaches, a soulful spirit, flavour-packed food and jungled interiors to the table – but the vibe couldn't be more different. Bali is laid-back and worldly, where surfboard shops and vegan cafés share the same road as sidewalk shrines and sacred temples. Sri Lanka is lived-in and authentic, with culture at the core of everything. So, should you pick Sri Lanka or Bali? Which has the best beaches and spa offerings? And when it comes to food, which one comes out on top? If you’re feeling torn, don’t worry, we've done the legwork for you.

Bali overview

Bali is Indonesia’s number one wellness and resort destination. For couples, there are romantic villas with private pools and floating breakfasts. Yogis can perfect their poses at a blissed-out retreat, while digital nomads can work from a thatched-roof office with epic volcano views. Families will be wowed by the kid-friendly beaches and monkey forest strolls. And if you’re looking to party? Simply shimmy your way to Kuta or Seminyak.

Sri Lanka overview

Sri Lanka’s tranquil, sandy beaches are lined with dreamy full-service resorts, ideal for families, couples and honeymooners. Venture inland for a journey through time amidst crumbling temples, fortresses and ruins. Feel the thrill of spotting elephants, leopards, sloths and crocodiles on a wildlife trek.

Getting there & getting around

Bali flights mostly land in Denpasar. You’ll likely fly via Singapore, Arabia, Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur. Once you’re there, getting around is easy with private drivers and local guides at hand. Sri Lanka flights to Colombo travel directly from London or via a Middle East hub like Dubai. A private car with a driver, or a swift transfer, takes you straight to your hotel.

Both places are easy enough to navigate. We love Sri Lanka’s circuit-style itineraries, where one trip takes you from sacred cities to tea-cloaked hills and beyond to the rugged coast.

In Bali, a two-centre stay lets you experience different chapters of the same dream. Start with a beach base, then take your ‘ohm’ to Ubud for sunrise salutations and fresh papaya by the pool.

Vibe & pace

Bali’s vibe matches whatever mood you’re in. Kuta, Legian and pockets of Seminyak feel decidedly Western, with laid-back surf shops, buzzy beach clubs and neon-fuelled nightlife. Looking to zone out as soon as you check in? Feel restored with sunrise yoga at Sankara Suites & Villas or rice terrace treks from Wapa di Ume Sidemen. Finish the day floating in your infinity pool. In Bali, calm is the inevitable conclusion.

Tradition runs in Sri Lanka’s veins, from the ancient daily rituals to the heartfelt welcomes. There’s a hint of bustle in Kandy and Colombo, but beyond that, it feels wonderfully untouched. Watch the waves roll in or try surfing in Arugam Bay.

Culture & spirituality

In Bali, spirituality is the fabric of daily life. You’ll find fragrant flower offerings placed outside homes and plumes of perfumed incense wafting on the breeze. Local rituals are expressed through dance, shadow puppetry and temple ceremonies. Feel your spirit soar with a sunset at Uluwatu or Tanah Lot temples.

Sri Lanka’s Buddhist heritage is as much a part of the island as the morning mists rolling over the tea plantations. In cities of the past like Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, the stupas and ruins give off a quiet magnetism. You can’t walk into the painted cave temples full of Buddha statues at Dambulla without itching to get your phone out and snap a pic. Colonial echoes remain too in the Dutch-built Galle Fort and hill towns like Nuwara Eliya.

Beaches

In Bali, surf the breaks, then stay to watch the sunset at Seminyak or Uluwatu. Great energy for your inner hippy, but not ideal for swimming. Mermaids and mermen can glide through calmer waters at Nusa Dua, Sanur and Jimbaran Bay, which are perfect for families and honeymooners too.

Sri Lanka feels wilder, with soft sand beaches, rustling palm fronds and fishing boats chugging towards the horizon. Unawatuna is the spot for easy dips, while Mirissa offers seasonal swimming and Bentota has an elegant resort vibe. 

Snorkelling, diving & marine life

Go east for Bali’s best diving at Nusa Penida and Tulamben. Whether you get your kicks by spotting the big stuff or are captivated by macro life, these waters always deliver. Try Candi Dasa for snorkelling or Tanjung Benoa for watersports. Bank some shared memories on a dolphin cruise in Lovina, or ramp up the thrills with world-famous diving in the Gili Islands.

Sri Lanka’s top snorkelling is off the east coast at Pigeon Island Marine Park near Nilaveli, where turtles and reef sharks glide through the shallows. On the south coast, Hikkaduwa and Mirissa offer lighter snorkelling, but the real magic lies above water – keep your eyes peeled for whales, spinner dolphins and nesting turtles, depending on the season.

Nature & wildlife

It's easy to immerse yourself in Bali’s dense tropical jungle. The emerald rice terraces, tumbling waterfalls and striking volcanoes make for electrifying hiking spots. You won’t find big wildlife here – unless you count monkeys and the occasional snake – but the landscapes more than make up for that with their heady wildness.

Sri Lanka amps up the excitement levels with safaris and rainforest hikes. Take your pick of unforgettable nature encounters – elephants roaming the plains, leopards sipping at a watering hole or crocodiles popping up for air. Push the boat out and set off on a cruise to see a blue whale colony.

Wellness & retreats

Bali is where wellness meets indulgence. Sunrise yoga, healing rituals, flower baths, spa retreats – you name it, they’ve got it. Sri Lanka follows a slower, more soulful path. Picture Ayurvedic treatments in the hills, scented herbal oils and nature-based healing.

Food

Health-conscious eaters, Bali’s got you covered: think acai smoothie bowls and zingy veg-packed dishes at plant-based cafés. Or get a hit of Balinese flavour at traditional warungs.

In Sri Lanka, fill your plate with aromatic rice and creamy coconut curries, crisp-edged hoppers and seafood dishes laced with fiery chillies. 

Bali: top island stays

For honeymooners, The Royal Santrian and Viceroy Bali has private pools, spa rituals, six acres of tropical gardens and a gleaming white sandy beach.

For families, the Merusaka Nusa Dua is home to a superb kids’ club, leaving the grown-ups to say ‘yes’ to that extra cocktail by the pool.

Rejuvenate your spirit at The Ubud Village Resort & Spa, where elegant villas with private pools overlook verdant rice fields and every moment feels like a gentle exhale.

Sri Lanka top itineraries

Honeymooners can see it all on a chauffeur-driven Sri Lankan honeymoon adventure. Visit buzzing cities, sample rich coffee and cinnamon and track wild animals.

Even the fussiest teen will stop scrolling to experience the Sri Lanka: Safari, adventure and Beach with Teens trip. Learn about cultural world heritage and dial the excitement up a notch with a wildlife safari.

If you have two weeks or more, we’ve packed everything into our Sri Lanka in-depth itinerary. Quench your thirst for knowledge with historical and religious site visits. Trail wildlife on safari. Then flop onto a sunbed at a beach resort.

Best time to visit

Bali is best to visit from April to September, during the dry season.

Sri Lanka offers year-round options depending on which coast you go for. The south and west are best from November to April, while the east coast is best between May and September.

So, which will it be?

Choose Bali to soothe your spirit and boost your wellbeing. Beach clubs and boutique resorts will leave you more refreshed than a thousand deep breaths.

Opt for Sri Lanka if you’re after slower-paced travel, deeper cultural layers and more diverse, untamed nature.

This feature was created on 27th May 2025. The information within this feature is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication.