Heading to Bali? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!
QUICK FACTS
- The island of Bali has an area of 2,232 sq. miles, with a population of ~4.2 million.
- The most popular tourist destination in Indonesia, Bali enjoys tropical weather year round.
- The island is well known for its vibrant combination of exotic tradition, astonishingly beautiful temples and green spaces, fantastic dive sites, varied and magnificent food (the city is full of food stalls and great restaurants), and its friendly and hospitable people.
- One of the 17,000 islands that makes up the Indonesian archipelago.
- Nickname: Island of the Gods.
BEFORE YOU GO
- Recommended vaccinations: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, and Tetanus advised.
- Bring mosquito repellent to protect against dengue fever.
- Complete the SATUSEHAT Health Pass (SSHP) form pre-departure for a mandatory MPOX declaration. Complete during airline check-in. The QR code must be accessible offline (screenshot recommended).
- Note: all visitors must possess a passport valid for at least six months after the arrival date. Water-damaged passports risk denial.
- e-Visa on Arrival: the eVOA (IDR 500,000/~$35) now permits autogate immigration clearance, reducing arrival queues. Apply at least 7 days pre-travel via Indonesia’s official portal
– Can be extended for another 30 days via immigration offices in Denpasar or Singaraja.
– Note: Overstaying visas incurs IDR 1M/day (~$65 USD) fines. Departure bans apply after 60 days. - Update: All international visitors must pay IDR 150,000 (~$10 USD) via Love Bali Tourist Levy before arrival. Exemptions apply for diplomatic/KITAS holders.
- e-CD Form: Submit the electronic Customs Declaration 72 hours pre-arrival. Fines up to IDR 50M ($3,200 USD) for undeclared cash >IDR 100M ($6,400).
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). 100,000 IDR is around 6.5 USD.
- Spoken languages: Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia). English is also widely spoken.
- Best times to visit:
– Dry Season (Apr–Oct): optimal for diving (Amed, Nusa Penida) and festivals (July’s Bali Kite Festival).
– Rainy Season (Nov–Mar): fewer crowds; surf the Bukit Peninsula’s reef breaks. - Arriving via airport: Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) offers fixed-fare taxis and public Blue Bird taxis that run on meter.
– Blue Bird taxis (IDR 12,000/km) remain reliable. Use their app to lock fares; airport counters offer fixed rates to major zones (e.g., IDR 250,000 to Seminyak).
– Alternatively, pre book via Grab (or arrange transport with your accommodation). - Alternately, major international car rental companies operate at the airport, drivers need an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- eSIMs: Airalo’s 10GB/30-day plan costs $18; Balicard’s free 1GB eSIM requires pass purchase (IDR 350,000/~$22).
- Withdraw IDR from bank ATMs (BCA, Mandiri) to avoid 3–5% third-party fees. Notify your bank of travel dates.
– Tip: Rural areas (e.g., Munduk, Sidemen) operate cash-only. Carry IDR 200,000–500,000 daily.
– Tip: Refuse unsolicited currency help at ATMs. Ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek) prevent taxi overcharging.
WHERE TO STAY
Best hostels for solo travelers in Bali (book ahead, as spots fill up fast – prices in popular areas have gone up recently):
- Ubud: The Wayan House
– Traditional Balinese construction, with beautiful spacious rooms, delicious daily breakfast, and a swimming pool for relaxing.
– Great location. - Canggu: Nyaman Hostel.
– Best hostel on Bali? Definitely a contender.
– Very welcoming staff, delicious food cooked on-site, clean rooms and beds, modern facilities, swimming pool, and super value for money.
– Not a party hostel – but a very social, family atmosphere.
Great areas to stay in:
- Some of the best hotel rates are available in areas like Kuta (in the South) or Ubud (situated in the center of Bali), the island’s cultural capital. There are numerous traditional homestay bed & breakfast establishments and small local hotels. Many places have pools and beautiful exotic gardens.
- Bukit Peninsula is recognized as having the best beaches on mainland Bali, which is a tall order when the island itself regularly tops the best list.
- Surfers, backpackers and high-end travelers alike can be found fighting over lounge chairs in Dreamland, but for rice paddies, traditional warung and a dose of culture… Ubud can’t be beaten. The town has long been recognized as the epicenter of fine arts, dance and music and its central location makes it the ideal base for day trips.
- Seminyak (next to Kuta) also offers good value accommodation.
- Sanur if you’re not new to Bali – and looking for something quieter, away from the crowds and expats.
GETTING AROUND
- Public transport in the island is relatively cheap, and distances are usually short. There are a wide range of options, including buses, public ferries, boats, buses, trams, and taxis.
- Shuttle buses are the preferred option for tourists, as they are quicker than other transport options. In addition, their rates are very reasonable.
- KURA-KURA Tourist Shuttle Buses connect Kuta, Sanur, and Ubud with flat fares (100,000 IDR one-way to Ubud, 160,000 IDR round-trip) and free WiFi.
– Tip: these are more reliable than the Perama buses. - Renting a car or a motorcycle is also an option, and gives you the chance to explore the island with much more freedom. Bike rentals are available in many parts of the city, such as Canggu.
- Scooter rentals: cost 75,000–150,000 IDR/day ($5–$10), with strict police checkpoints fining riders 500,000 IDR ($32) for missing an International Driving Permit (IDP).
- Private drivers remain affordable at $30–$50/day for 8–10 hours, ideal for day trips to Sidemen or Munduk.
- Use Grab/Gojek’s “GoBlueBird” feature to book certified Bluebird taxis.
BALI NIGHTLIFE
- Drinking age is 18 (not enforced), no official last call.
- The nightlife scene is concentrated in the areas of Kuta (Legian Street) and Seminyak Beach.
- Great bars to meet travelers in Kuta: Alleycats Bar & Restaurant (must visit), LXXY Bali.
- Great bars in Seminyak:
– La Favela (go before 10 PM or it gets crowded)
– ShiShi Nightclub
– Potato Head Beach Club ($$$) offers zero-waste cocktails and live performances. - Great spots in Canggu:
– Old Man’s and Sand Bar.
– Atlas Beach Club: Free sunset DJ sets (5–8 PM) with Balinese dance performances. Arrive by 3:30 PM for waterfront seating.
– FINNS Beach Club ($$$) is the new hotspot for Sunday Sessions with infinity pools and international DJs - Looking for the ultimate beach club experience? Find your way to Savaya Bali ($$$$).
- Note: refrain from partaking in the consumption of any drug as the penalty ranges from hefty fines to life imprisonment, if not the death penalty.
- Safety tip for Kuta: avoid walking alone after dark.
UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT
- Visit the Uluwatu Temple (south of Kuta) to watch the exotic and amazing Kacak dance. Enjoy the dance, shadow puppetry, traditional rites, and gamelan music. The island celebrities many festivals and events every year.
- Besakih Temple may be one out of the thousands around the island, but it’s also one of the oldest and most important as it was spared by volcanic lava during the 1963 Mount Agung eruption.
- Denpasar:
– Bajra Sandhi in front of the Governor’s Office is a monument in testament to the people’s struggle throughout the ages.
– Le Mayeur Museum is the former residence of Belgian artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur and now a memorial collection of his artworks. - Tirta Gangga and the water palace rise over rice paddies sloping over hills overlooking the sea.
- Ubud:
– Tukad Cepung Waterfall: entry IDR 25,000. Pre-book 7 AM slots for the best photography.
– Kemenu Coffee Plantation (free tours) for civet coffee tastings
– Mandala Wisata Wenara Wana, also known as Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, is home to nearly 500 macaque monkeys. - Munduk: Twin Lake canoeing (IDR 175,000), Melanting Waterfall hikes, and spice farm workshops.
- Rent a scooter to explore Sidemen’s rice terraces or Amed’s black-sand beaches.
INTERESTING WALKS
- Go for a walk through Laplapan, a traditional village near Ubud. Some tours offer the chance to visit local families, during which you can witness Balinese family life and customs (for a truly local experience). Make sure you check out the rice fields.
- Walk through Ubud to observe the island’s natural beauty. See if you can spot the exotic indigenous bird species, including the Kingfisher. Note: beware of the prices of art and souvenirs in Ubud.
– If you would like to buy a gift to take back home, a much better alternative would be Badung Market in Denpasar. - Jalan Sulawesi in Denpasar is a road of fabric workshops selling their wares- traditional batik being the most sought after.
- Balinese history comes alive at Renon Square. Perfect for an afternoon walk or a picnic.
- Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud takes the scenic route along irrigation channels and unending fields.
- La Lucciola Beach is perfect from sunrise to sunset. Bring a towel and a basket or dine at any of the popular restaurants.
- Bali Bird Park is not just for ornithologists. Discover large garden areas, aviaries, treks through jungle areas and even a cosy café.
- Sidemen Rice Terraces: Quiet trails with fewer tourists than Tegalalang. Hire a local guide (IDR 100,000) for hidden viewpoints.
- Canggu Shortcut: A 2.5-km coastal walk from Batu Bolong to Echo Beach, passing surf breaks and warungs.
- Denpasar’s Fabric District: Jalan Sulawesi’s batik workshops offer 30-minute dyeing classes (IDR 50,000)2.
WHERE TO EAT
- Great restaurants in Ubud: Warung Kayana, Warung Mek Juwel, and Naughty Nuri’s Warung, and Nusantara by Locavore (fancy but worth it!)
- Where to find good cheap food: Ubud and Seminyak have the best warung for traditional Nasi Jinggo (Jinggo rice with meat and egg served wrapped in banana leaf) Babi Gulling (suckling pig) and Sate Kelinci (skewers of rabbit meat in peanut sauce). You don’t need to find any specific restaurants – street food all the way!
- The world’s most expensive coffee is produced here, from the palm civet droppings called Kopi Luwak. Visit the Luwak coffee plantation to learn more.
– Budget tip: Skip overpriced Kopi Luwak tastings; Seniman Coffee Studio (Ubud) offers ethical Balinese blends for IDR 30,000. - Canggu: Motion Cafe ($$) is a digital nomad staple for açai bowls and cold brew.
LOCAL WISDOM
- The people of Bali are well known all over Indonesia for their friendliness, politeness, and hospitality. They are gentle and love to smile! They are also very devout people, and their 10,000 temples are but a hint of their religiousness. Please be respectful of their practices.
- Backpacker budget: Dorm beds ($10), meals ($8–$15), transport ($5–$20) total ~$35–$50/day.
- Remember to use the right hand for giving and receiving items as the left hand is considered impolite in Bali.
- Temple visits: Sarongs (rentable onsite) required. Pura Tirta Empul water blessings start at 7 AM to avoid crowds.
- During Nyepi (March 29), all outdoor activities are prohibited. Reserve a villa with AC/generator for the 24-hour lockdown.
- Arguably the best surfing spot on the island is West Bukit. Features stunning scenery; it’s also a very quiet place where visitors are can ride some waves or simply relax.
– Tip: the best time to surf in this area is during the dry season. While you can surf in Bali year round, the quality of different spots will depend on the season. - Warning: be very careful about what you bring into the country. Those caught bringing drugs could face the death penalty.
- Dangerous areas: avoid Denpasar (kidnapping/gang violence) and Nusa Dua (pollution). Increased police presence in Legian/Sanur to curb drug-related crime.
- Beware of aggressive hawkers on the beaches. Legian and Sanur are notorious for drugs and prostitution. Other parts of the island are generally safe.
Recommended trip duration: 1 week+ (you could spend a month and not get bored on Bali!)