You've heard this before: Bali is the Island of Gods. But have you ever wondered where it got its name? The island got this magical aura, thanks to the centuries of deep-rooted Hinduism. The ancient temples found all over the archipelago, lush greenery, and mystical beaches definitely explains why it got it's godly reputation.
But wait, there’s more to Bali. It’s one of the most visited holiday destinations for tourists around the world! There is so much to explore and experience. You can have a laid-back luxurious resort experience or even backpack in a hostel, but the rich hospitality, food and beauty are available to all.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Bali, follow this Bali travel guide and plan the best holiday:
5 reasons you should visit Bali
How to prepare for your trip to Bali?
Visa requirements
Before you decide to book your tickets to Bali, it’s important to understand the visa requirements before entering Indonesia. For more information, please visit the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism’s official website.
Travel insurance
While travel insurance is not mandatory to visit Bali, getting one is highly recommended. In the event of unforeseen circumstances – travel insurance is your best bet to stay covered and protected. In case of an emergency hospitalization or accident, you can claim well because hospitalization in Indonesia is expensive! While most travel insurances tend to cover only medical expenses, we suggest getting comprehensive travel insurance that covers other aspects like trip cancellation, loss of luggage, loss of passport and documents, etc.
Best time to visit
Bali is known for having a tropical and humid climate throughout the year. But, it does have its off-season despite the showers of rain! The best time to visit is between April and September, where April, May, and September are the best dry months. Less wind, fewer showers of rain, cheap air tickets, and reduced rates in general make it the ideal time to visit! Most of all, it would be a bummer to travel to Bali and not experience the beauty in all its glory if it’s constantly pouring down rain like cats & dogs, right?
LanguageBalinese, Indonesian & English
GMT+2
Country Code+62
Socket Type C, F
CurrencyRupiah (Rp)
Top things to do in Bali
Narrowing down the top activities to do will make sure you get to experience Bali in the best way possible! While there is much to explore, make sure to curate your trip with a dash of everything! From the cultural dances and fire shows in Ubud to the turquoise blue waters of the beach, Bali is stunning and mesmerising in every way. To hop on to the wildlife and adventure side, Bali’s zoo and Mount Batur sunrise tour are bucket-list activities! Can’t quite miss the opportunity to click Instagram-worthy photos, so head to the famous Bali Swing and Gate of Heaven.
Unmissable experiences in Bali
Unmissable live Experiences in Bali
Unmissable zoo & aquatic experiences in Bali
Fun Fact: Bali has a reputation for having beautiful white sand beaches, but did you know it also has black sand beaches? This is because of the active volcano Mount Agung.
Transportation in Bali
- Rental Scooters/Bikes: Renting a scooter or bike in Bali is highly cost-effective! It’s easy to get anywhere on a two-wheeler, especially navigating through traffic in Bali. Yes, you read that right. There’s traffic on the Island of the Gods too! But to rent a scooter or bike, you need an international driver’s permit that’s valid. So make sure you have that in place. And most importantly, consider renting from a reputed rental company and not a shady one. You need the scooter or bike to be in good condition.
- Hire a Private Car with a Driver: You can hire a car with a driver for half a day or a full day to commute to different locations.
- Taxi: Uber doesn’t operate in the region anymore, but you can try out apps like GoJek and Grab. Alternatively, you can contact the help desk of the hotel you’re staying in to help you get a taxi too. Additionally, there are plenty of taxis near popular places.
- Rent a Bicycle: If you’d like to explore Bali in an environment-friendly way, you can opt for renting a bicycle. The downside is that it’s recommended only for short distances. The roads in Bali aren’t great and it can become dangerous when it’s raining.
- Public Bus/Shuttles: Though public buses operate daily from early morning to late night from popular resort destinations and public places, it’s not used much by tourists and locals.
Day trips from Bali
The biggest island of the 3 Nusa’s - Nusa Penida is known for its stunning natural beauty, crystal-clear waters and landscape. Visit the iconic Kelingking Beach commonly known as T-Rex Bay due to its unique rock formation! There’s also the Angel's Billabong, a natural infinity pool, and Broken Beach – a coastal formation. And if you’re interested in snorkeling, the vibrant underwater marine life at Crystal Bay is perfect.
Nusa Lembongan is ideal for a day trip from Bali. Visit the impressive Devil's Tear, take a relaxed walk through the Mangrove Forest or try fun water activities like snorkeling and diving in the crystal-clear waters around the island. And finally, wrap up your day with a visit to Dream Beach, where you can just wind down for the day.
Known as the little sister of Nusa Lembongan, this tiny island is linked to Lembongan by a yellow bridge. Despite being tiny, there are ideal activities for a day that you should tick off your bucket list. Head to the hidden beaches or watch the surfers at Mahana Point. Nusa Ceningan also mesmerizing for sunset watching right by the stunning blue lagoon. And most importantly, just soak in the beauty around you!
Best neighborhoods to stay in Bali
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For Beach Lovers
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For Families
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For Nightlife
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First-timers
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For Shopping
Canngu
A trip to Bali in general, is quite easy on the pockets compared to countries like Singapore and UAE. But, if you’re still looking to budget travel, Canngu is the best area to stay. It’s just walking distance from the beach, it’s great for bar-hopping or in this case, beach shack-hopping.
Hotels in Bali
What to eat in Bali:
1. Nasi Goreng:
Nasi Goreng is one of the most popular and drool-worthy dishes in Indonesian cuisine! It consists of fried rice, topped with an egg, meat, some vegetables and a hot sauce to pack a flavorful punch.
(Vegetarian and vegan version available)
2. Satay:
Satay is a popular street food that you must try. It is skewered meat accompanied by some hot and spicy peanut sauce. The meat can vary from chicken, pork, and beef.
(Vegetarian and vegan version available)
3. Mie Goreng:
Mie Goreng is the Indonesian version of fried noodles. Always accompanied by a fried egg, meat or seafood and some vegetables, this savory dish is a burst of flavors. For it is equally spicy, tangy and sweet!
(Vegetarian and vegan version available)
4. Nasi Campur:
The main highlight is the rice, served with a little bit of everything. It consists of small portions of vegetables, meat, eggs, shallots, fish, peanuts, and other condiments.
Vegetarian and vegan version available)
5. Sambal Matah:
It is a popular condiment used as a side for a variety of dishes. Made up of raw shallots, chillies, lime, lemongrass, garlic, paste and oil – Sambal Matah is a fresh and lip-smacking raw slaw!
6. Ayam Betutu:
This chicken dish is marinated in spices, wrapped in a banana leaf and slow-cooked in steam.
(Vegetarian and vegan version available)
7. Bebek Betutu:
Similar to Ayam Betutu, it is replaced by the meat of a duck, placed in a banana leaf and slow-cooked until ready!
(Vegetarian and vegan version available)
8. Pepes Ikan:
Another dish similar to Ayam and Bebek Betutu, this one is made of marinated fish wrapped in a banana leaf and slow-cooked in steam.
Tips to avoid Bali Belly
- Consume food when it’s hot. Leaving it to be eaten at room temperature can invite bacteria. This includes food at buffets as well!
- Always drink out of bottled water. Even while brushing your teeth, it’s best to avoid running tap water. You can depend on bottled water alternatively.
- Avoid street food and food stalls! Instead, find top-rated restaurants that are crowded. If the restaurant is crowded, it means they have to churn out freshly cooked food. You wouldn’t need to worry about being served old and stale food.
- Stay away from undercooked raw meat dishes. It’s difficult to pinpoint the kind of bacterial infestation the undercooked meat might have!
- Fresh fruits can be problematic too! However, that’s only if they are already peeled and cut open. If you’re in the mood to snack on a fruit, make sure to wash the fruit using bottled water, wipe it clean and proceed!
- Unpasteurized dairy products like milk and cheese can contain bacteria. While you may not have control over the products being used, it’s recommended to eat at a highly-rated restaurant for good quality.
- Leafy vegetables and salads? Skip! They will be washed using tap water.
- For seafood lovers, sorry to disappoint you but you must skip sushi since it’s raw and undercooked.
- When you’re ordering a drink, ensure it doesn’t contain ice cubes because the cubes are mostly made out of tap water.
- Wash your hands well and make sure to sanitize too! Ensure overall personal hygiene is top-notch.
BONUS: How to save money in Bali
1. Accommodation:
If you’re aiming for a budget trip to Bali, one of the best ways to save money is by ditching the fancy resorts and high-end hotels. Instead, opt for a budget hotel, guest house or even a hostel if you’re comfortable with that.
2. Cook your own meal:
A minimum of 3 meals a day will cost you extra bucks. You can save money by shopping from convenience stores and cooking your meals if you can. But don’t make the mistake of eating at street-side stalls. You will be at a high risk of catching ‘Bali Belly’.
3. Avoid giving into scams:
It’s easy to get scammed into paying more, especially by taxi drivers who don’t go by the meter. Try your best to travel by metered taxis to save money.
4. Sightseeing on a budget:
You can enjoy sightseeing for free or by paying just for few admissions. Some free options include public beaches and temples which don’t charge admission tickets.
5. Prioritize the requirements for your trip:
You may be willing to compromise on stay but not food, or vice versa. So decide accordingly where you’re willing to splurge more money and where you’d like to cut down!
6. Bargain but reasonably:
There will be many instances where you will be lured into paying more. Try bargaining to a level that is reasonable and acceptable.
