Chiang Mai vs Bali with Kids: Why We Chose Chiang Mai (and When Bali Wins)

Why We Chose Chiang Mai, For Now

When we planned our time in Southeast Asia, Bali and Chiang Mai were both on the list. They’re the two names that come up again and again in the family groups we’re in.

We looked seriously at Bali, and one thing stood out straight away: the accommodation. We found beautiful places at great prices. In the end, though, two things tipped it.

First, Leo. With a two-year-old still in a pram, I wanted to walk everywhere. From everything we read, Bali looked hard for that, with narrow footpaths or none at all, and most families getting around by scooter or driver.

Second, the long game. One day we may live in Australia again, and from there Bali is an easy flight away. It felt like a place to save for a later chapter of family life, rather than squeeze in now.

So this Christmas, we’re heading to Chiang Mai with Louie and Leo. We haven’t lived in either place yet, so this guide is our research and the reasoning behind our choice. We’ll update the Chiang Mai side after our stay. 🌿

The short answer:

• Choose Chiang Mai for lower costs, strong private healthcare, easier getting around with little kids, and a big worldschooling community.
• Choose Bali for beach life, villas with pools, and one of Asia’s most established alternative education scenes.
• Timing matters. Chiang Mai’s burning season (roughly February to April) and Bali’s wet season (roughly November to March) should shape when you go.

Cost of Living

Both are affordable by Western standards, but Chiang Mai is usually cheaper, and the gap adds up over a longer stay. The figures below are rough estimates for a family of four, reviewed 24-09-2026, so check current prices before you plan around them.

Chiang Mai

We estimate a family of four can live comfortably in Chiang Mai for around €1,700 to €2,200 a month, without international school fees. That covers a good apartment, groceries, eating out, transport and activities.

Rent is the biggest variable. A modern condo in Nimman with a pool and gym, or a house with a garden in Hang Dong, often costs €400 to €1,000 a month. Food is very affordable, and a bowl of khao soi, the city’s famous curry noodle soup, costs a couple of euros.

International schools add roughly €5,000 to €12,000 a year per child, and that’s the cost that changes a Chiang Mai budget the most.

Bali

Bali usually costs more, and rent is the biggest gap. A three-bedroom villa with a private pool in Ubud or Canggu can cost €700 to €1,400 a month, with Canggu generally pricier. Local warungs are cheap, but the cafés and restaurants popular with nomads cost more than their Chiang Mai equivalents.

That said, when we looked at Bali ourselves, the accommodation was the standout: beautiful places at great prices for what you get.

For more family budgets, see our cost of living comparison for 50+ destinations.

Hidden costs to watch for

In Chiang Mai, burning season (roughly February to April) pushes many families to buy air purifiers and masks, or to leave the city for a while. Budget for it.

In Bali, tourist pricing applies to many services, and a daily driver or scooter adds up. In both places, international schools often charge one-off registration fees on top of tuition.

The verdict: Chiang Mai is the more affordable choice, especially for tighter budgets or longer stays. Bali costs more, but the villa lifestyle is what many families are paying for.

👉 See our full guide: Budgeting and financial planning for nomad families

Visas: Both Now Have a Remote Work Option, With Very Different Rules

Chiang Mai (Thailand), checked 24-09-2026

• Visa-free: 30 days for tourism for Australian, EU, UK and US passports, plus one 30-day extension at immigration (1,900 baht).
• Tourist Visa: 60 days, plus one possible 30-day extension. This is what we’re using for our 2.5-month stay.
• Destination Thailand Visa (DTV): up to 180 days per entry over 5 years, for remote workers, with spouses and children under 20 included. You’ll need 500,000 baht in savings and a police check. Since 31 August 2026, you apply through the embassy covering your citizenship or residence.

Bali (Indonesia)

• Remote Worker Visa (E33G): introduced in 2024. It gives one year for people with an employment contract with a company outside Indonesia and an income of at least US$60,000 a year. Family members can be added as dependants. Whether freelancers qualify is unclear, so check before applying.
• Tourist visits: most Western passport holders can get a short tourist visa on arrival or online. These don’t allow remote work, and enforcement has reportedly tightened.
• Check current details on the official Indonesian e-visa site, because visa codes and rules have changed several times.

Every child needs their own passport, valid for at least six months. Carry birth certificates to prove family relationships, even though they’re rarely checked.

The verdict: Thailand’s DTV has a lower income bar and suits freelancers. Indonesia’s E33G suits families with a salaried job for an overseas employer. For short stays, both are simple. Full Thailand details are in our Thailand visa guide.

Internet and Remote Work

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s internet is fast and reliable for a city its size. Fibre from AIS and True is widely available in apartments and coworking spaces, but always ask for a speed test before you commit.

Chiang Mai has one of Asia’s longest-running coworking scenes. Punspace now has two locations, at Wiang Kaew and Tha Phae Gate, and Alt_ChiangMai is known for its call rooms. Cafés around Nimman are laptop-friendly too. Check current prices directly.

Bali

Bali’s internet is good in the main areas but less consistent than Chiang Mai. Coworking in Canggu is well established, with spaces like Outpost and a busy events scene. Keep mobile data as a backup for important calls, especially in Ubud during heavy rain.

Time zones

Chiang Mai is on UTC+7 and Bali on UTC+8, so Bali is one hour ahead. Both work well for Australian and European clients. US calls mean early mornings or late nights in either place.

Power cuts

Power cuts are rare in Chiang Mai’s city areas. Bali has more outages, particularly in the wet season. A charged laptop and mobile data cover most situations.

The verdict: Chiang Mai has the edge on speed and reliability. Bali wins for coworking buzz and community events.

Best internet options for nomad families →

Accommodation

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s rental market is well established. Modern condos with pools, gyms and fast Wi-Fi are common in Nimman, and Hang Dong has houses with gardens. Most include a kitchen, washing machine and air conditioning. Local Facebook groups are useful for finding places other families recommend.

We’ve chosen a house in Hang Dong for part of our stay, because we wanted outdoor space for Leo.

Bali

Bali’s villas are one of its biggest draws. Private villas with pools and tropical gardens are available across Ubud, Canggu and Sanur, and when we looked, the prices were very good for what you get.

The important caveat is pool safety. With toddlers or young children, check that the pool is fenced or gated before you book.

Check before you book, in either place

• Wi-Fi speed: ask for a speed test screenshot, ideally above 50 Mbps for video calls
• Pool fencing or gates if you have young children
• Air conditioning in the bedrooms, not just the living area
• A proper desk and chair for work
• A washing machine or laundry service nearby
• A kitchen with a stove and cooking basics
• Distance to a supermarket, school and green space

👉 See our full guide: Accommodation for nomad families

Getting Around with Kids

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is the easier place to get around with young children. Nimman and parts of the old city are walkable, and Grab works reliably across the city. Songthaews, the shared red trucks, are fun for older kids on short trips. Families living further out, like in Hang Dong, often rely on Grab or a rental car.

Car seats aren’t standard in taxis, so bring a travel car seat if that matters to you. Prams work on the flatter streets but struggle on uneven footpaths elsewhere.

Bali

Bali’s traffic is heavy, especially in Canggu and on the roads between areas. Scooters are the most common transport but aren’t a safe choice with young children. Most families hire a local driver instead. Trips between Ubud and Canggu can take an hour or more.

This is the main reason we didn’t choose Bali this time. With Leo in a pram, we wanted to walk to markets, parks and cafés, and Bali’s roads made that look hard. Families with walking-age kids, or who are happy with a carrier and a driver, will find it much less of an issue.

Tap water isn’t safe to drink in either place, so a filtered water bottle is worth packing.

The verdict: Chiang Mai is easier day to day with young children. Bali needs more planning around transport.

Climate

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai has three seasons. The cool season, roughly November to February, has clear skies, cool mornings and warm days, and it’s the most comfortable time for families.

The hot season, March to May, can reach 38 to 40°C. Burning season, roughly February to April, overlaps it, and agricultural fires can push air quality to unhealthy or hazardous levels. It’s a real consideration for young children and anyone with breathing problems. The wet season, June to October, brings afternoon rain and greener surroundings.

Bali

Bali is warm and humid all year, usually around 27 to 32°C. The dry season, roughly April to October, is the most popular time for families. The wet season, roughly November to March, brings heavy but usually short afternoon downpours, and it’s greener and quieter.

Bali doesn’t have a burning season like northern Thailand, although traffic and waste-burning smoke can affect air quality in busy areas.

The verdict: Chiang Mai’s cool season is excellent for families, but plan around burning season. Bali’s warmth is more consistent through the year.

Education and Schools

International schools in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s international school market is smaller than Bangkok’s but solid. Well-known options include Chiang Mai International School, Lanna International School and Prem Tinsulanonda International School, with American, British and IB curricula between them. Fees are roughly €5,000 to €12,000 a year, but ask each school for its current fee schedule.

International schools in Bali

Bali has a wide range, from mainstream international schools to alternative options. Green School near Ubud is known for its bamboo campus and hands-on learning. Other options include Canggu Community School, Wood School Bali and Sunrise School in Kerobokan. Fees vary a lot, so check current details with each school.

Worldschooling and alternative education

Bali’s worldschooling community is one of the biggest in Asia, centred on Ubud, with learning pods, forest schools and nature-based programmes. Kul Kul Farm, a separate permaculture farm near Green School, has run workshops for families, so check what’s currently on. Read more in our guide to worldschooling in Bali.

Chiang Mai’s worldschooling community is also large and well established. Beaver Club in Hang Dong, which we hope Louie can join, and Prem’s Forest School in Mae Rim are popular nature-based options, alongside learning co-ops and homeschooling families.

The verdict: Bali wins for alternative education and variety. Chiang Mai wins for more affordable international schooling.

👉 See our full guide: Education and childcare for nomad families

Childcare

Chiang Mai

Local nannies and daycare centres are affordable in Chiang Mai, and many nannies speak enough English for nomad families. Rates vary, so ask other families for current prices. Local Facebook groups and the worldschooling community are the best places to find recommendations.

Bali

Bali is well known among nomad families for affordable, caring local childcare, with daycares across Canggu, Ubud and Sanur. The worldschooling community in Ubud is a good source of trusted recommendations. Visit in person and check current rates before you commit.

Lifestyle and Family Culture

Life in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is easy to live in. It has good hospitals, international supermarkets and plenty of cafés and restaurants, with the pace of a smaller city. Families usually settle in quickly, and the mountains and national parks make weekends feel like an adventure.

Northern Thai culture adds depth to a longer stay, with temples, festivals, cooking classes and ethical elephant sanctuaries close by.

Life in Bali

Bali’s culture is woven into daily life, with offerings, ceremonies and temple festivals everywhere you look. Balinese people are known for their warmth towards children.

The flip side is that Bali can be busy and frustrating. Traffic is heavy, infrastructure is patchy and tourism dominates the main nomad areas. Many families find Ubud or Sanur a calmer balance than Canggu.

The verdict: Chiang Mai is easier to settle into day to day. Bali is more intense, in both the good and the challenging ways.

Safety and Healthcare

Safety

Both are generally safe for families. Petty theft happens in tourist areas, and road safety is the main everyday risk in both, especially scooters in Bali.

Healthcare

This is one of the biggest practical differences. Chiang Mai has good private hospitals, including Chiang Mai Ram Hospital and Bangkok Hospital Chiang Mai, with English-speaking staff and affordable care by Western standards.

Bali’s healthcare is improving, and hospitals such as BIMC and Siloam handle most routine needs. For serious medical issues, though, some expats and nomads fly to Singapore or Bangkok. Good health insurance with evacuation cover is essential, especially in Bali.

The verdict: Chiang Mai has clearly better healthcare, which matters with young children.

Food for Families

Chiang Mai

Northern Thai food is delicious, and khao soi is a favourite with most families. Sticky rice, mango and plenty of mild dishes work well for kids. As a vegetarian family, we’re looking forward to Chiang Mai’s big vegetarian and vegan scene. Western food is easy to find around Nimman, and GrabFood delivery works well.

Supermarkets such as Rimping and Tops stock imported products alongside local produce.

Bali

Balinese food is fresh and fragrant. Nasi goreng, mie goreng, satay and tropical fruit are everyday staples that most kids take to quickly. Warungs, small family-run restaurants, serve simple food at low prices. Ubud has one of Asia’s strongest plant-based food scenes, and Canggu has plenty of international options.

Tap water isn’t safe to drink in either place.

The verdict: Chiang Mai is easier for fussy eaters. Bali is outstanding for vegetarian and plant-based families.

Beaches

This is the clearest difference between the two, and often the deciding factor for beach-loving families.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai is inland, surrounded by mountains and forest, so there are no beaches within day-trip reach. Thailand’s islands are a flight away.

Instead, families swim in rivers and waterfalls. Mae Sa Waterfall, Bua Thong (Sticky) Waterfalls and the rivers around Chiang Dao are all popular, just not beaches.

Bali

Bali has beaches for every type of family. Sanur’s calmer, reef-sheltered water suits young children and non-swimmers, and its long beachfront path is easy for walks and bikes. Nusa Dua has flat, resort-style beaches. Seminyak and Kuta have bigger surf, better suited to older kids.

From Ubud, the beach is roughly an hour’s drive. From Canggu or Sanur, it’s close by.

The surf at many Bali beaches is too strong for young children, so always check conditions and flags.

The verdict: Bali wins clearly for beach access. Chiang Mai makes up for it with mountains, rivers and waterfalls.

Wildlife

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s wildlife highlight is its ethical elephant sanctuaries, where you watch and help care for rescued elephants instead of riding them. Elephant Nature Park is one of the best known. We’re planning a sanctuary visit with the boys, and choosing one with no riding or shows. Book ahead, as the popular ones fill quickly.

The mountains around the city have gibbons, hornbills and great birdlife, and Doi Inthanon, Thailand’s highest peak, has waterfalls and forest trails. Skip any attraction involving tigers, riding or handling animals.

Bali

Bali’s wildlife highlight is its marine life. Snorkelling around Sanur, Amed, Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan can bring sea turtles, reef fish and, on the right trips, manta rays. The Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud is fun but chaotic, and the macaques can be pushy with food, so keep little ones close.

The verdict: Chiang Mai offers the more memorable land-based wildlife experience through ethical elephant sanctuaries. Bali wins for marine life and snorkelling.

Finding Community

The fear of arriving somewhere and feeling isolated is common for nomad families. Both places have big, active communities, but they feel different.

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s nomad family community is well established and easy to join. Beaver Club in Hang Dong runs family events, and local expat and worldschooling Facebook groups are active. Many families stay six months or longer, so the community feels settled.

Bali

Bali’s worldschooling and nomad family community is one of the biggest in Asia. Ubud has the deepest worldschooling roots, Canggu has a younger, more social scene, and Sanur is quieter and more family-focused. Choose your area based on the community that suits you.

In both places, posting in local Facebook groups before you arrive usually brings welcome messages and recommendations.

The verdict: both have strong communities. Bali’s is bigger and more varied, while Chiang Mai’s feels more settled.

Things to Do with Kids

Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai’s weekend walking street markets, on Saturday along Wualai Road and on Sunday through the old city, are full of food, crafts and music. Warorot Market (Kad Luang) is a busy daily market loved by locals. Doi Inthanon National Park makes a full family day out, and cooking classes are great fun for older kids. We’ve got one booked, a gift from friends who did it years ago.

For a weekend away, Chiang Rai has the White Temple and the Golden Triangle, and it’s on our list for this trip. The mountain villages around the city offer trekking and hill tribe communities that older kids find eye-opening.

Bali

Near Ubud, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces work for kids of all ages, and Tirta Empul water temple is a meaningful cultural visit. Families with older children can try the sunrise trek up Mount Batur. Cooking classes using fresh market ingredients are popular too.

On the coast, snorkelling trips to Nusa Penida suit families with older, confident swimmers. Cycling through rice paddies and watching a Kecak fire dance at sunset are simple highlights.

Which Destination Is Right for Your Family?

Choose Chiang Mai if:

• Budget is a big consideration
• You want a remote work visa without a high income bar
• Fast, reliable internet is essential for your work
• Healthcare access matters to you
• You have a pram or toddler and want to walk more
• Beach access isn’t important for daily life
• You like the idea of a cooler season for part of the year

Choose Bali if:

• Beach life and tropical island living are high on your list
• You’re drawn to alternative or nature-based education
• You want one of Asia’s biggest nomad family communities
• You’d love a private villa with a pool
• You have an overseas employer and meet the E33G income requirement
• Your kids are past the pram stage, or you’re happy with a carrier and a driver

The honest answer: many families do both. For us, it’s Chiang Mai now and Bali in a later chapter, possibly from Australia, where it’s an easy flight away. You can also compare Thailand with its neighbour in our Thailand vs Vietnam guide.

Recommended Bases

Chiang Mai

Nimman is the café and coworking hub, walkable and convenient. It suits shorter stays and families who want city life on the doorstep.

Hang Dong suits families who want more space, with houses, gardens and nature-based learning like Beaver Club nearby. It’s where we’ll spend part of our stay.

The old city is atmospheric, with temples, markets and the moat. It’s busier on weekends but great for families who want to be in the historic heart.

Bali

Ubud is Bali’s worldschooling centre, surrounded by rice paddies, jungle and temples. It suits families drawn to alternative education and a slower pace, although the beach is a drive away.

Canggu is the island’s busiest nomad hub, with coworking, cafés and beach access. It suits families who want a social scene and don’t mind the traffic.

Sanur is Bali’s calmest family area, with gentler water and a long beachfront path. It suits families with babies and toddlers. For us, though, Louie’s schooling would pull us towards Ubud, near the Wood School.

More on the island in our Bali guide for families.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chiang Mai or Bali better for families?

It depends on what matters most to you. Chiang Mai is cheaper, easier to get around and has better hospitals. Bali has beaches, villas and a huge alternative education scene.

Which is cheaper?

Chiang Mai, in most categories. Rent is the biggest difference.

Is Bali good with a toddler or pram?

It’s harder than Chiang Mai. Footpaths are often narrow or missing, so a carrier and a driver help a lot.

Does Bali have a digital nomad visa?

Yes. The E33G Remote Worker Visa, introduced in 2024, is for people employed by a company outside Indonesia and earning at least US$60,000 a year. Check current details before applying.

Does Chiang Mai have beaches?

No. It’s inland, so the nearest beaches are a flight away. Rivers and waterfalls fill the gap.

When should we avoid Chiang Mai?

Roughly February to April, during burning season, when air quality can be hazardous.

When is Bali’s wet season?

Roughly November to March. The rain usually comes in short, heavy bursts.

Can we do both?

Yes. Many families spend time in both. For Australian families especially, Bali is an easy trip to save for later, which is exactly our plan.

Our Takeaways

Choosing between Chiang Mai and Bali wasn’t about which place is better. It was about which one fits our family right now, with a toddler in a pram and a nine-year-old ready for forest camps and cooking classes.

Chiang Mai won this round. Bali isn’t off the list. It’s just waiting for a later chapter, maybe when we’re back in Australia and it’s a short hop away.

We’ll update this page after our Chiang Mai stay with what we actually found. 🌏

Last updated 24-09-2026. Visa rules and costs change, so always check current details before you book.

Read more:

• Living in Thailand with kids
• 18 affordable countries for nomad families