Travel to Bali

Bali is Indonesia’s most visited island and one of Southeast Asia’s most rewarding travel destinations. It draws visitors with a rare combination: dramatic volcanic landscapes, ancient Hindu temple culture, world-class surf breaks, and some of the most affordable luxury travel in the region. Whether you’re after spiritual retreats in Ubud, beach clubs in Seminyak, or rice terraces in the highlands, Bali has a version of itself for every kind of traveller.

The island is small enough to explore in a week but complex enough to keep you coming back. Most visitors fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, which has direct connections from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, and increasingly from European hubs.

Best Areas to Stay

Bali’s regions each have a distinct character. Choosing where to base yourself shapes the entire trip.

• Seminyak and Canggu — beach, nightlife, restaurants, surf. Best for first-timers who want convenience and energy.
• Ubud — rice terraces, yoga retreats, traditional arts and crafts. Best for culture-seekers and those who want quiet mornings.
• Uluwatu and Bukit Peninsula — clifftop hotels, world-class surf, fewer crowds. Best for surfers and couples.
• Sanur — calm beach, older crowd, good for families. Gateway to Nusa Penida and Lombok ferries.
• Nusa Dua — resort enclave, calm seas, all-inclusive hotels. Best for pure beach relaxation.

When to Go

Bali has two seasons. The dry season runs from April to October — this is peak travel time with clear skies, low humidity, and ideal beach conditions. July and August are the busiest and most expensive months. The wet season runs from November to March, bringing daily afternoon rain, but also lush green landscapes, fewer tourists, and lower prices. Surf is best on the west coast (Canggu, Seminyak) during the dry season and on the east coast (Nusa Dua, Sanur) during the wet season.

Budget Guide

Bali suits almost every budget. The gap between a backpacker trip and a luxury villa holiday is wide, but even mid-range travellers get exceptional value compared to most of Southeast Asia.

• Budget (under USD 50/day) — guesthouse or hostel, warung meals, scooter rental, free beaches. Entirely achievable outside of peak season.
• Mid-range (USD 50–150/day) — boutique hotel or private villa with pool, restaurant dinners, private driver for day trips, paid attractions. The sweet spot for most first-time visitors.
• Luxury (USD 150+/day) — resort villa, spa treatments, fine dining, private tours. Bali’s luxury offering rivals anywhere in Asia at a fraction of the price.

The biggest variable is accommodation — a private pool villa that costs USD 300/night in Seminyak can be found for USD 80–120/night in Ubud or Canggu. Eating and transport remain cheap across all areas.

Money and Paying in Bali

The Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) goes a long way in Bali, and exchange rates work strongly in most visitors’ favour. ATMs are plentiful across all tourist areas — BCA and Mandiri machines accept major international cards and are easy to find. Paying in IDR gives the best rate at markets, restaurants, and hotels. Official money changers in tourist areas offer competitive rates; PT Central Kuta is one of the most well-known. Visa and Mastercard are accepted at larger restaurants, hotels, and shops in Seminyak, Canggu, and Ubud. Local businesses, markets, and street vendors increasingly use QRIS (Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard) — a QR-based payment system that works with most Indonesian banking apps. Smaller warungs and rural areas still prefer cash, so keep some IDR on hand.

Getting Around

Renting a scooter is the most flexible way to explore Bali, and at IDR 60,000–100,000 per day it is one of the best-value options on the island. Most guesthouses can arrange rental on the spot — an international driver’s licence covers you and is straightforward to arrange before you travel. For full-day trips across the island, a private driver at IDR 400,000–600,000 per day is excellent value and comes with local knowledge of the best routes and stops. Grab and Gojek both operate island-wide for on-demand rides, food delivery, and motorbike taxis. Bluebird metered taxis are the reliable on-the-ground option if you prefer not to use an app.

Staying Connected

Getting a local SIM card in Bali is easy and affordable. Telkomsel — sold as Simpati — is the most widely available network with strong coverage across the island, including the highlands around Ubud and more rural areas. SIM cards are available at the airport arrivals hall from IDR 50,000–100,000 for a data package covering a week or more. XL Axiata is a solid alternative with competitive data rates.

A few apps make navigating Bali noticeably easier — worth downloading before you leave:

• Grab and Gojek — rides, food delivery, and motorbike taxis. Both work across the island and are easy to set up with an international number.
• Google Maps — download the Bali map for offline use before arrival. Works reliably for navigation across the island.
• XE Currency — useful at markets and smaller shops where prices are quoted in IDR.

Food and Eating Out

Balinese food is distinct from the rest of Indonesian cuisine — heavily spiced, often ceremonial in origin, and built around rice, pork, and fresh coconut. Eating well in Bali does not require a big budget.

• Warungs — small family-run restaurants serving nasi campur (mixed rice), mie goreng (fried noodles), and satay for IDR 20,000–50,000 a plate. The best meals in Bali are often here.
• Babi guling — Balinese spit-roasted suckling pig, a must-try. Ibu Oka in Ubud is the most famous spot; go before noon as it sells out.
• Bebek betutu — slow-cooked duck wrapped in banana leaf, seasoned with a paste of local spices. Takes hours to prepare — order in advance at most places.
• Canggu and Seminyak café scene — strong specialty coffee, açaí bowls, and Western brunch food. Prices are higher but still affordable by international standards.
• Night markets (pasar malam) — Gianyar Night Market is one of the best, with grilled seafood, local sweets, and fresh juice at street prices.

Must-See Experiences

No trip to Bali is complete without at least a few of the following. Most can be booked in advance to skip queues and secure the best time slots.

• Tegallalang Rice Terraces (Ubud area) — best visited before 9am to beat the crowds
• Tanah Lot Temple — sea temple at sunset, one of Bali’s most iconic views
• Mount Batur sunrise trek — 2-hour hike to the crater rim, departs at 2am
• Uluwatu Temple and Kecak fire dance — clifftop temple with a nightly dance performance
• Cooking class in Ubud — hands-on Balinese cooking with a morning market visit

Local Etiquette and Customs

Bali is a deeply Hindu island within a majority-Muslim country. Its religious culture is visible everywhere — in daily offerings, temple ceremonies, and the rhythm of village life. Visitors are welcome to observe and even enter most temples, but a few rules apply.

• Temple dress — a sarong and sash are required to enter any temple. Many temples lend them at the entrance for free or a small donation.
• Canang sari offerings — small woven baskets of flowers and incense placed on the ground as daily offerings. Never step on or over them.
• Entering during menstruation — women are asked not to enter temples during menstruation; signs at temple entrances will note this.
• Cremation ceremonies — if you encounter a procession or ceremony, watch respectfully from a distance and follow the lead of locals.
• Right hand — use your right hand when giving or receiving anything; the left hand is considered unclean.
• Bargaining — expected at markets and art shops, not at warungs or fixed-price restaurants. A friendly tone always works better than aggressive haggling.