Bali is everyone’s dream destination. With the perfect blend of lush nature, exquisite beaches, and rich cultures, Bali show us what a tropical paradise looks like. This beautiful island is located in Southeast Asia, often mistaken as its own country, Bali is actually part of Indonesia – the largest archipelago in the world, consisting of over 17,508 islands. Planning to visit Bali? We have this handcrafted Bali Travel Guide for you to get the best out of Islands of Gods!
The Essential Bali Travel Guide – Summary
1. Things to Know about Bali
- Basic Information
- Travel Restrictions
- Visa Information
- Smoking and Drinking
- Climate
- People and Culture
2. Must Visit Destinations in Bali
- Ubud
- Seminyak
- Canggu
- Uluwatu
3. Best Time to Travel to Bali
4. Where to Stay in Bali
- Ubud
- Seminyak
- Canggu
- Uluwatu
5. How to Get Around Bali
- Bus
- Bike
- Car
6. Bali Insider’s Tips
1. Things to Know about Bali
In this Bali Travel Guide, we will give you the essential information you need to know before traveling to Bali.
Basic Information
| Currency | Official Language | Plug Type |
| Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) 1 IDR = 0,00006 EUR | Indonesian | Type C and F |
Travel Restrictions
The government has allowed travelers from around the world to travel to Bali. The travel restrictions in Indonesia has also been lifted, but there are a few requirements you have to follow. You have to be fully-vaccinated and secure a proof of vaccination from EU or WHO to enter Indonesia. COVID-19 tests, either PCR or antigen-rapid test, are not compulsory.
Additionally, you have to download an Indonesian COVID-19 regulatory application, PeduliLindungi, to record your arrival and enter public spaces.
Visa Information
If you want to enter Bali, Visa on Arrival (VoA) is required and is valid for a maximum of 30 days. Visa on Arrival costs IDR 500,000 (€31) and can be applied 14 days prior to your departure. Also, make sure that your passport is valid for a minimum of six months.
For more information regarding travel restrictions and visa, you can check the official website here.
Smoking and Drinking
The legal smoking age in Indonesia is 18 years old. Cigarettes and tobaccos are sold publicly in markets, small shops, and restaurants all over Bali.
The legal drinking age in Indonesia is 21 years old. In Bali, you can find alcohols in convenience stores, restaurants, supermarkets, and even warung (small local Indonesian restaurant). However, in other parts of Indonesia, it is prohibited to sell alcohols in public places.
Climate
Bali has an all-year sunshine and tropical climate, like other parts of Indonesia. There are two seasons in Indonesia, which are the dry season and wet season.
People and Culture
The majority of Balinese follow a form of Hinduism which is known as Hindu Dharma, you will notice a huge influence of it on the architecture in the islands, starting hotels, museums, and sacred temples. Like other parts of Indonesia, Bali has their own traditional dances. One of them being ‘Tari Kecak’, a beautiful performance that has the symbolism of the epic Hindu tale of Ramayana.
One of the special things about Bali is how the people preserve culture and tradition. The stunning Hindu culture and heritage becomes the breath of Bali. It is not influenced by the rapid globalization. Instead, the Hindu culture in Bali collaborates nicely with the modern life around it.
2. Must-Visit Destinations in Bali
1. Uluwatu Temple
Nestled on the edge of a cliff, Uluwatu Temple attracts people from all over the world with its charming beauty. Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali’s major temples and is known for its stunning sunset view. Thus, Uluwatu Temple is a must-visit tourist attraction in Bali.
One of the highlights of Uluwatu Temple is the Kecak Fire Dance. You will be spoiled by an enchanting traditional dance performance and a thrilling fire attraction with the backdrop of the setting sun. Therefore, they will give you a hint of how magnificent Balinese culture is.
2. Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple stands between the roaring waves of the western Bali sea. It is one of the most unique temples in Bali as it nestled in the middle of the sea. People in Bali usually go to the temple to pray, held ceremonies, and do a cleansing ritual. You can get a glance of the fascinating ceremonies as you visit the temple. Moreover, this tourist attraction in Bali boasts an outstanding sunset scene. It is one of the best places to see sunset in Bali.
3. Nusa Penida
4. Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest
5. Mount Batur
3. Best Time to Travel to Bali
The best time to visit Bali would be around April, May, September, and October. June, July, and August is usually packed with tourists and people from other parts of Indonesia since the school holidays start around those months.
Even though the island has a dry season, it should not stop you from traveling there since it is usually sunny all year round, even during the so-called ‘rainy season’. However, you can expect heavy rains in November and December.
Where to Stay in Bali
If you’ve done your research about Bali, you’ve probably heard these areas by now: Canggu, Ubud, and Kuta. In this Bali travel guide, we will break it down for you based on what these areas have to offer. Then, you can choose which one fits you the best!
Ubud
If you prefer a more quiet and serene area, stay in Ubud. The area is dotted with verdant vegetation, lush rice terraces, breathtaking jungles, and tranquil resorts. Ubud is also home to the Monkey Forest and Tegalalang Rice Field, which are the most popular tourist spots in Bali. Moreover, the main deal about Ubud is its healthy and zen lifestyle.
There are many types of accommodation in Ubud. Luxurious or budget, everything is available in Ubud! A single room in a homestay costs from €6.5 per night. If you want a fancier homestay with AC, TV, and water heater, it will cost you around €18.5 per night. Thus, villas in Ubud costs around €60-€600.
Things to Do in Ubud: See Tegalalang Rice Fields, walk around Campuhan Ridge Walk, chill and sip some cocktails in Cretya Ubud, wander around Ubud Art Market, visit the Monkey Forest, book a yoga class, go for a traditional massage, see waterfalls, and go cafe-hopping
Seminyak
Into the party life and prioritizing a slightly luxurious area where you can shop and relax? Then, head down to Seminyak. This upscale area is brimming with delicious restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars, beautiful villas, and numerous beach clubs. The most popular beach clubs would be Potato Head and Ku De Ta.
There are lot of accommodation options to stay in Seminyak. A standard two-star or three-star hotel room in Seminyak costs around €18.5–60 per night. If you are traveling on a budget, you can stay in a hostel in Seminyak. A hostel bed in Seminyak starts from €6.5 per night. Moreover, if you are looking for something fancy, you stay in beach resorts or luxury villas that costs around €180-450.
Things to Do in Seminyak: Watch sunset from Seminyak Beach and La Plancha, party in Potato Head and Ku De Ta Beach Club, see art galleries, try out different restaurants and cafes, and go for a spa session
Canggu
Bali is one of the best digital nomad destinations in the world. Nomads and remote workers from all over the globe are usually centered in Canggu, the digital nomad hub of the island. There are multiple co-working spaces and cafes that allow you to sit and do your work peacefully for a period of time. Canggu also offers to lovely beaches, awesome beach clubs, and fantastic bars for you to end your work hours.
Accommodations in Canggu are relatively more expensive than other places in Bali. However, you can also find cheap options like guest houses and hostels in Canggu. A standard guest house room with AC costs around €12-30 per night. A whole villa costs around €60. Furthermore, you can get cheaper prices if you are staying for a long time.
Things to Do in Seminyak: Work from a coworking space, go cafe-hopping, surf at Batu Bolong or Pererenan Beach, watch sunset at Berawa Beach, party at Finns Beach Club or Atlas Beach Club, and work out at a gym or yoga studio
Uluwatu
If you’re in Bali for the waves, definitely head down to Uluwatu. Known as the surfer’s paradise, you can find plenty of beautiful beaches that have amazing waves, perfect for pro surfers! The access down to these beaches might be steep, depending on which beach you’re going to but the view is worth every drop of sweat. Moreover, there are lots of surf schools and surf coach if you want to learn surfing in Uluwatu.
Things to Do in Uluwatu: Go beach hopping, see the Uluwatu Temple, watch Kecak Fire Dance performance, chill at the cliffside Single Fin Beach Bar, learn surfing, and see the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue
How to Get Around Bali
In this Bali travel guide, we will show you the best transportation modes you can use to go around when traveling to Bali.
Bus
There is a bus line in Bali that operates around the center and southern parts of Bali. The bus is called ‘Teman Bus’ and has a distinct red color. The bus connects different routes, such as Kuta to Nusa Dua and Ngurah Rai Airport to Kuta. However, there are only four lines in the bus operator so make sure to see the route thoroughly.
A single bus ride costs you IDR 4.400 (€0.27). It covers around 20 km in a single trip.
Bike
You can rent a bike for around €4 for a whole day or around €50-65 for a month. It is a great option since there are roads that are only accessible by bikes and other smaller routes. Using a bike will save you a lot of time as there are many traffic jams in Bali, especially in Canggu.
Therefore, be mindful to follow the etiquette of renting your motorbike. Make sure to always use a helmet, follow the rules that are set to avoid fines, and have your motorbike driving license ready.
Car
If you are traveling to Bali in a group or wanting to go somewhere far, you can rent a car. It costs around Rp200,000-Rp500.000,00 (€12-31) for a car with the capacity of 4-6 people.
Gojek/Grab
You can also use a local transportation application called ‘Gojek’ or ‘Grab’. It is the equivalent of Uber, which is an online transportation app. Moreover, Gojek and Grab have a bike taxi. It is a great transportation alternative if you want to save more time and commute effectively. Gojek and Grab are also safe as the drivers are verified and monitored by the application. Thus, a single Gojek or Grab bike ride starts from Rp13.000 (€0.79).
Gojek and Grab also have a car service, just like Uber. A single Gojek or Grab car ride start from around Rp18.000 (€1.1). The fare is calculated based on your distance.
Bali Insider’s Tips
Most locals and other residents are very relaxed and friendly, they would often help you in any way that they can, but of course, it is not something to be taken for granted, here are a few do’s and don’t when you’re visiting Bali
- Do wear appropriate clothing when visiting temples. Your legs must be covered or you can rent out a “sarong” that is usually available at the entrance of the temples.
- There will be a “Canang Sari” on the road, it is a square-shaped box made from palm leaves adorned with flowers, and incense, it is a form of daily offering offered by the Balinese Hindus. Do avoid stepping on it or riding over it.
- Don’t drink tap water, it is highly not recommended.
- Don’t wear shoes when you’re entering people’s homes.
- Prepare travel insurance before going to smoothen the process if anything were to happen.
Bali is a tropical paradise that have a little bit of everything for everyone. Traveling to Bali will lead you to a memory you find hard to forget. Moreover, Bali is an affordable destination and place to stay. You can spend less than €1,500 for a month in Bali. Then, have we helped you to design your perfect Bali trip with this holy grail Bali travel guide?
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