In a nutshell
- Bali is seriously stunning. The waterfalls, sandy beaches, rice terraces, and jungle make it an incredibly diverse destination — and almost every building looks like a temple and carries deep cultural meaning. We haven’t experienced anything quite like it.
- The best way to explore Bali is on a two- to three-week road trip between April and October. April, May, September, and October are our favorite months to go.
- In this Bali travel guide, we share all of our tips and firsthand experiences — so you can plan your trip with confidence.
Bali Travel Tips at a Glance
- Best time to visit: April to May and September to October
- Dry season: April to October
- Visa: around 30 euros for 30 days, extendable once by 30 days (Visa on Arrival or apply online in advance)
- Getting around: Taxis (Grab and Gojek) and scooters
- Costs: depending on your budget and preferences, 30–90 euros per day; flights start at 800–900 euros
- Safety: Safe destination, including for solo female travelers
- Highlights: Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, Gembleng Waterfall, Mount Batur, Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, Diamond Beach, Aling Aling Waterfall, Sekumpul Waterfall, and much more.
Here you'll find our tips and info on Bali's sights:
Best Time to Visit Bali
For us, Bali is a great destination to visit in May, April, September, and October.
The dry season in Bali falls between April and October. That means you’ll have consistently high temperatures between 25 and 30 degrees Celsius and almost uninterrupted sunshine.
During peak season (June through August), however, the island can get very crowded. Even though there are still some lesser-known spots in Bali, we’d still recommend the first and last months of the dry season instead.
During the rainy season, Bali is still consistently hot. However, on many days it rains for a few hours, and the humidity makes the weather feel very muggy.
The transition months of March and November are also solid times to visit. You just have to expect a little more rain than during the dry season — but the island will be noticeably less crowded in return.
Here you'll find more info on the best time to visit:
Getting to Bali and Entry Requirements
Bali has only one airport, in Denpasar. You’ll always land here.
There are no direct flights to Bali from most Western countries, but you can easily turn your layover into a mini city trip. We especially recommend a stopover in Singapore.
Flights are available from around 800–900 euros. You can easily compare prices on Skyscanner.
To enter Bali, you’ll need a valid passport and a visa.
The visa is available as a Visa on Arrival, which you pay for directly at the airport. You can also apply in advance as an eVisa. Both options cost 30 euros for 30 days. After those 30 days, you can extend it by another 30 days.
Since February 2024, there is also a tourism fee of around 9 euros. You can pay it in advance through the Love Bali website or their app. You’ll then receive a QR code to show at the airport. Alternatively, you can pay the fee on arrival at the airport.
You also need to fill out a customs declaration before entering Bali. This can be done directly at the airport or online in advance. A QR code will be generated for you.
Heads up: Since August 2024, you are required to fill out a health form to enter Indonesia. It’s intended to prevent the further spread of the mpox virus. It’s best to fill out the form before your departure — a QR code will be generated at the end.
Also read our travel tips for Indonesia
Where to Stay in Bali
There are a huge number of accommodation options in Bali, especially in the most popular areas. That’s why we’ve put together our best hotel tips for Bali organized by category. A selection of our absolute favorite places to stay in Bali can be found here.
Hotel tips by accommodation type:
Beach hotels in Bali
Rent a villa in Bali
Hotel tips by region:
Ubud hotel tips
Getting Around Bali
On a road trip around the island, the easiest way to get between stops is by taxi. You can book them conveniently through the Grab or Gojek app. Just enter your starting point and destination and you’ll see exactly what the ride will cost before you confirm — then your driver comes straight to you.
Our tip: Download both apps. That way, especially for longer distances with higher fares, you can compare prices between the two and grab the better deal.
Overall, taxis are really affordable. For an hour-long ride, you’ll typically pay between 6 and 10 euros.
At your various destinations, you can rent a scooter in Bali to explore the surrounding area. This works especially well around Ubud, Lovina, and on Nusa Penida. If you’re not staying right in the towns, you won’t have to battle through chaotic traffic either — out in the countryside, it’s usually totally relaxed.
Our tip: Rent your scooter from your hosts. They usually offer the best prices, the scooters are in good condition, and as your hosts, they have every reason to make sure you’re well taken care of.
Note: To ride a scooter, you’ll need an international driver’s license. Also, Bali has left-hand traffic. You’ll get used to it quickly, though.
If you’d rather not drive yourself, you can hire a private driver for your excursions and plan a fully customized route with them.
How Much Does a Bali Trip Cost?
Bali is still a relatively affordable destination — you can roughly compare it to Thailand in terms of day-to-day costs.
The biggest expense is the flight. You’re looking at 800 to 900 euros at a minimum.
Accommodation for backpackers starts at around 20 euros per night. But Bali also has seriously upscale luxury hotels for over 200 euros per night — often these are beachfront hotels in Bali. Good mid-range options are generally available from 40–60 euros.
Meals usually cost just a few euros. A good price for a scooter rental is 5–6 euros per day. Activities and tours are usually available from 20 to 30 euros, and entry to temples or waterfalls is typically around one euro.
All in, plan on spending around 30 to 90 euros per day depending on your travel style.
All the details on travel costs can be found here:
Currency in Bali
The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). One euro is roughly 18,000 IDR.
One of the most important pointers for any Bali trip: always carry cash. While you can pay by card in many places, market stalls and waterfalls usually won’t accept it.
ATMs are available in larger villages and towns, but they usually have maximum withdrawal limits of 1,000,000 IDR — about 60 euros. If you have a travel credit card that lets you withdraw cash for free, you won’t pay any fees.
Check out our article on the best travel credit card
Note: On Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, there are very few ATMs, and they sometimes run out of cash. Withdraw enough money for the islands before you head over.
One more thing: Balinese people aren’t accustomed to tipping. That said, you’re always welcome to leave something extra.
Safety in Bali
Bali is a safe destination. Crime is very low, and the Balinese are genuinely friendly toward visitors. Solo female travelers can feel comfortable here too.
That said, Bali can experience earthquakes and tsunamis. Indonesia sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, where seismic activity is common. The last major earthquake was in 2018. There are, however, early warning systems in place that give you time to reach safety.
Another thing to be aware of is Balinese traffic. Especially in the cities, the roads are busy and scooter riders can be pretty chaotic. Your best bet is to simply avoid the cities when riding a scooter yourself. Out in the countryside, conditions are much more relaxed.
There are no mandatory vaccinations for Bali. Hepatitis A is the main one recommended. For longer stays, Hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, Japanese encephalitis, and dengue fever vaccinations are additionally worth considering — check with your doctor.
Also read our tips on safety in Indonesia
Communication in Bali
Most Balinese people speak Indonesian. The Balinese also have their own distinct language — Balinese — which is separate from Indonesian.
That said, you don’t need to learn either language for your trip. You’ll get along just fine with English. The Balinese are very well set up to communicate with tourists.
Fun fact: In Bali, people greet each other with “Halo.” So that one’s easy to remember.
How to Behave Respectfully in Bali
- When visiting a temple, you must always wear a sarong. These are wrap-around skirts made from cloth. You can bring your own piece of fabric or rent a sarong at the temple entrance.
- Never offer a Balinese person your left hand. It is considered unclean.
- Take your shoes off when entering a Balinese home.
- Bargaining is completely normal in Bali. Be prepared — the opening price is often three or four times the actual value.
- Balinese people will often offer you a ride or try to sell you something. If you’re not interested, a polite “No, thank you” is all you need.
- Always wear a helmet when riding a scooter.
Food and Drink in Bali
In Bali, rice dishes are a staple of the diet — no surprise given all those stunning rice terraces. The most well-known dish is Nasi Goreng: fried rice with vegetables, egg, and sauce, often served with chicken.
All rice dishes are usually also available with noodles. In that case, the menu will say Mie instead of Nasi.
Satay skewers are also super common in Bali — grilled skewers, usually made with chicken, though you can also order them with fish, lamb, or tofu. They typically come with a peanut sauce.
The famous smoothie bowls are of course available in almost every café on the island.
Throughout Bali, you’ll find warungs on every street corner — small Indonesian restaurants where you can get genuinely good local food and a few Western snacks for very little money.
Beyond that, there’s no shortage of larger restaurants serving Western food. Italian, Greek, Mexican — you can find food from all over the world in Bali.
One more thing worth mentioning: Bali Belly. This is a stomach upset that can happen as your body adjusts to new dishes and slightly lower hygiene standards. It usually causes diarrhea or stomach cramps, but typically clears up within a few days — and not everyone gets it.
Internet, SIM Cards, and Power Outlets
Network coverage is good across almost all of Bali. SIM cards can either be purchased as an eSIM online before you leave home, or directly at the airport from several providers. The most well-known is Telkomsel, which also has the widest network coverage.
We had SIM cards from XL Axiata and were completely happy with the coverage. We paid 350,000 IDR (about 20 euros) for 25 GB — more than enough for a three-week Bali road trip, including regular use of Google Maps and similar apps.
When purchasing a SIM card, you’ll need to show your passport, as your phone needs to be registered first.
Stay connected on the go: With an eSIM from Saily
Make sure to travel to Bali with an eSIM from Saily. You buy the eSIM comfortably from home and install it easily through the app. After landing in Bali, the eSIM activates automatically.
Saily is affordable, super easy to use, and perfect for a Bali trip.
- Fixed data packages and unlimited data available
- 200 destinations
- Top security features
Use the code 22places to save 10 percent on your eSIM from Saily.
As for power outlets — you don’t need to worry. Standard European plugs fit into Balinese outlets, so a travel adapter isn’t always necessary.
Ceremonies in Bali
Bali is a deeply spiritual island. Faith is woven into everyday life through daily offerings, home temples, and a remarkable number of ceremonies.
The ceremonies always take place at Hindu temples, and there’s essentially one happening somewhere nearby every single day. Balinese people love sharing their faith and traditions with visitors. If your hosts invite you to a ceremony, definitely say yes — for those few hours, you’ll feel like a genuine part of the culture.
At the ceremonies, participants wear traditional clothing, dances are performed, and music is played. At the end, a ritual takes place. Here’s a quick summary of what to do:
- Place a bowl with flowers and an incense stick in front of you. We didn’t have one, but our neighbors were kind enough to lend us theirs.
- Fold your hands into a lotus blossom and close your eyes. To form the lotus blossom, press both thumbs and your right index finger together, and wrap your left hand around your right.
- After this first prayer, there will be five more prayers in total.
- For each one, fold your hands into the lotus blossom again and hold them to your forehead. During the second, third, and fourth prayers, tuck a flower between your thumb and index finger. After each prayer, place the flower in your hair.
- At the end, a priest walks around with holy water and rice.
- Hold your palms facing upward until he sprinkles you with the water.
- Then place your left hand under your right hand. You’ll receive six drops of water. For the first three, take a small sip; for the last ones, spread the water over your head.
- Finally, take rice from the priest’s bowl and press it onto your forehead.
- If you’re unsure about anything, just watch your neighbors — they’ll show you what to do.
One thing to keep in mind: the ceremonies listed on GetYourGuide are unfortunately often very touristy. For comparison — at the ceremony we were invited to by our hosts, we were among just two other tourists in total.
