Is Burma much like Angkor
 

I know this is a subjective questions, but we are trying to decide our final splurge vacation in December. We have 10 days and are deciding between Burma and Bali. We like a combination of culture and relaxation.

We only have a chance for one, and odds that we will going back any time soon are slim.

We have been to Angkor, and liked it, but found that three days of Wats was plenty. At the same time, we visited Phuket and really did not like it.

So if you had to choose one, which would it be?

Angkor, or Angkor Wat, is just one location in Cambodia while Burma (Myanmar) is a whole country! Myanmar has cities, seaside resorts as well as ancient Wats.

For December, as well as a "final" splurge, definitely recommend Myanmar!

We have been to both - very different- but enjoyed both immensely. Bali is magical- but more R&R - not tons to see. Aman resorts are fabulous there. Check the weather...we went to Bali in April I believe. Has originally booked trip in Feb - only to discover it was rainy season.

Burma is great if you move around- Bagan, Inle Lake, Mandalay. Lots to see - did not do beaches there. I loved it and would return.

Check the weather first - that may answer your question.

PS currently in Sri Lanka...have you considered? There is def a combo of culture plus relaxation...

I've not been to Bali, but have done a lot of travelling, and Myanmar is one of my favorite trips. There is a lot to see-cities, temples, lakes, and a nice beach area. Burma is changing quickly, so if you think you might want to go there, do it sooner rather than later. Check out some of the Myanmar/Burma TRs on this site to get an idea of what one can do there. I spent 3 weeks there several years ago and loved every minute of it.

Going in the first week of December, Nov 27-Dec 6 exactly. Does it make a difference?

Yes jannan the difference is that the weather will be pleasant!

I visited Myanmar in 2004. From what I've read there have been a lot of changes since, and I expect still more in the future. I would go now rather than later.

Bali has been a tourist destination for much longer, so a trip there is likely to be "smoother". Both destinations have plenty to keep you occupied, but if you are after "relaxation" Bali is a better choice.

Hanuman, 555! Let us not forget how dangerous flying in Burma is. Airplanes are raining down from the skies on a daily basis. Well, that's what maree told us.

That is a perfect time for visiting Burma. With a mere 10 days, Choose time at Inle, Bagan and Yangon. If you want to go to Burma, you need to learn a bit about the country, is is not "ready made" for tourism. Burma is Theraveda Buddhist.

It will be rainy season in Bali, though I wouldn't let that stop you. I've visited that area during rainy season a number of times and it never interfered with my enjoyment. Bali is very tourist-friendly, and the culture is very accessible. Bali is Hindu.

Angkor is owned, of course, by the Cambodian people. While people and corporations from many countries have set up businesses to profit from the flow of tourists to Angkor, none of them own Angkor. I am sorry to hear that maree and her husband are now laundering money for the Chinese and the Russians.

Interesting choices - we have been to both Bali and Myanmar. Both are in our "top 5".

Your time frame is at the beginning of the rainy season for Bali. I don't think that would be much of a problem, though. As for Myanmar, it could actually be a bit chilly, especially in the mornings on Inle Lake.

Bali would provide a good mix of culture and relaxation. You might want to split your time between Ubud for culture and a beach location for relaxation. We spent 12 days in Bali and had plenty to do, by the way. The beaches are not world class but the mountain scenery and the rice fields around Ubud are gorgeous. The Balinese life is influenced by their unique version of the Hindu religion. There are several temples worth visiting but its nothing like Angkor. In Bali, there's always a festival going on somewhere and if you have a good guide you may be invited to a show or performance where you are the only Westerners in attendance.

Myanmar on the other hand, is rapidly changing, as noted above. When we were there the problems with beggars etc. did not exist. We did not care for Yangon that much, but Bagan and Inle Lake were amazing. I think in 10 days you can experience the culture of the country as well as giving yourself time to relax. You do not need to spend all of your time in Bagan visiting temples. Just find a good resort with a pool and spend some time just enjoying the unique setting. A balloon ride will bring a lifetime of memories. The setting is just as beautiful at Inle Lake, albeit in a very different way. There are some temples you can visit (or not). The activity on and around the lake is what you go for.

I too LOVED Myanmar, of course it's changing I went 4 years ago and I know it's changed hugely since then. I was at a party just 2 weeks ago and I spoke to a guy there who is a big player in Coca Cola and they have in the last 6 months started supplying Myanmar....
My travel partner who I went with 4 years ago went again last year and she said she can't believe the diff. This is why I am thinking of going with my BF this winter ...
I like Craig Loved Bagan, Yangon ( Schwedagon aside which ranks in my top 5 things I have ever seen) is/ was not my bag at all....
That said I love Bali and Siem Reap too!

Thank you all for the most helpful replies.

We spent 10 days in Bangkok and Siem Reap a few years ago. Maybe Bali would be something different.

10 days and boredom is what worries me most about Bali. Only so much beach we can take...usually 2 days!

We did not spend any time on the beach in Bali, although we had 3 nights at Hotel Tugu in Canggu, which is technically "on the beach". If you enjoy shopping and eating, Bali wins over Myanmar. We went white water rafting one afternoon and had a blast - we are not experienced rafters. On another day, we went for a guided walk in the rice fields, which included a visit to our guide's Balinese home. The culture is just so totally different than anywhere else you've ever been. But you do have to get out there - it doesn't necessary come to you, especially if you spend all of your time at your resort(s). A driver really helps - we used Putu who has been recommended time and time again on this forum. You should note though that there are many capable drivers that can be booked through your hotel on the spot. On the northwest side of the island there is good snorkeling.

Unfortunately I posted my trip report on a Bali forum and since my e-mail address has changed, it is permanently lost.

I should mention that we are returning to Bali for 5 nights next September on a "side trip" from Sydney to spend time with friends from this forum...

As Craig says, you don't have to spend time at the beach on Bali. Many people prefer to stay inland, near Ubud. Others like a combination of beach and inland. If you opt for some beach time, avoid Nusa Dua - a purpose-built tourist enclave and Kuta - full of partying Aussies. We like Sanur, others like Semiyak.

I have two reports on Burma here - just click on my name to find my trip reports. My Bali report is an antique and not searchable here any more. Also, photos often help: www.marlandc.com There are photos from two Burma trips (2009, 2011) as well as old photos of a Bali/Lombok trip.

There are significant differences in the day to day focus a between vacation in Burma and a vacation in Bali.

I haven't been to Burma for some time, but up until 3 years ago, it was much the same as it had been for decades. Now that the country has begun to open up to tourism and trade, it is undergoing cataclysmic changes -- some for the better, some not.

Undeniably, the cultural and natural attractions are compelling, but a visit requires quite a bit of planning and tolerance for the unexpected. To me, this is a plus. To others, it may be more effort than they've signed on for. The tourism infrastructure is still pretty raw, and you also have to consider the internal logistics of getting from place to place.

Bali is a small island. Once you're there, you're there. It's fairly easy to travel around the island and to experience the various Balis that appeal to different types of travelers. In my opinion, it's this diversity that draws people to Bali.

Is it a sophisticated beach resort with upscale villas, restaurants, shops, clubs, spas? Is it a nature-driven destination with volcanic mountains, lush river valleys, verdant rice paddies where you can hike, climb, raft, dive, bike, explore? Is it a magical mystical spiritual center full of temple festivals, ceremonies, wellness, yoga, introspection? Is it party-hearty- drink-and-dance-a-thon? Is it a quiet walk on the beach at sunset?

The answer to all is yes.

(PS, late November early December is just the cusp of the rainy season in Indonesia. You may get some showers, but you're likely to experience more sun than rain. It's low tourist season too.)

I spent 9 days on Bali last August 2013, with Putu as our driver/guide as Craig did. I have also visited Angkor/Siem Reap for 5 days in 2010, and will visit Myanmar this coming November for 11 days. I hope Myanmar is like Cambodia. I enjoyed it there far more than Bali.

To me, Bali was like going to Hawaii only it took 32 hours to get there. Even though we did get away from the touristy areas by having our own driver, it was just too overdeveloped for me.
If you do decide to go there I second the recommendation for Putu's services.

I made all the arrangements and bookings for our Bali and Cambodia trips myself. For Myanmar I'm using Myanmar Shalom to put together a tour for us to the big 4 places. So far, they have been amazingly responsive to changing the itinerary to suit my preferences. And they haven't even asked for the deposit yet.

If price is a factor, Bali is cheaper than Myanmar. Even though we haven't gone yet, I'm shocked at hotel prices there. I understand they have doubled and tripled in the last 2-3 years. All the more reason to go now before they price themselves out of the competition for tourism dollars.

Why not combine Borobadur and Bali? Borobadur is every bit as lovely as Angkor, even lovelier IMHO, but on a smaller scale, and much better cared for by Indonesian authorities, and sensitively so.

Angkor Wat is being badly exploited. Crowds are horrendous. Burma is heading the same way, crowd-wise and expense-wise. Bagan? the same.

I know this sounds cranky, but that's how it is at popular places.

Can I make some suggestions for people travelling to Asia and not wishing to be over-run by crowds?

Malaysian Sarawak. Kuching is the city of cats, and has a most interesting mix of cultures, plus excellent food.

Malaysia itself. Sabah. Brunei. Kalimantan. Penang.

Singapore is possibly the most civilised place on earth.

Some islands of Indonesia (Java is nicer than you would expect, and so is Bali if you're not a young drunken backpacker).

susiesan is correct about prices in Burma. They will shock your socks off, the rate at which they are escalating. Burglars and thieves abound in business, but the local people are lovely. Vietnam has never ripped off visitors like this.