Bali Ultimate Travel Guide (2024). Beaches, Culture, Food and Adventures

Temperature

Water temperature

Rainy days

If you stay less than 30 days in Bali, you don’t need visa.

If you plan to stay more (up to 60 days), you will need a visa on arrival (VOA). It’s valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days (60 days in total max). The cost is IDR 500,000 / 35 USD. It can be paid either on arrival at the airport/port or online in advance. Can also be paid in EUR or AUD. After 60 days you must leave Indonesia. Note: Check if your nationality can apply for it.

If you plan to stay for up to 6 months in Bali, you will need to apply for a Social or Business Visa (B211) through an agent. It costs around $300 for the first 60 days, and then you can extend it two more times for 60 days each, which costs around $200 each time. So, you will spend about $700 for 180 days. Note: if you leave the country, this visa will expire, and you will have to apply for a new one.

Other requirements:

• The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of the visit.
• Passport holder from one of the 80 countries
• Proof of full vaccination

If you want to work and live in Bali, you can apply for KITAS

If you need help with Business Visa or KITAS, get in touch, and I will connect you with a reliable agency that can help you with that.

Note: the penalty for overstaying is IDR 1 000 000 per day (around 70 USD).

Updated 27.10.2022

Type F plug

Exchange Rate Converter

Exchange only in certified exchanges, as there are many cases when people get scammed.

There are multiple banks and ATMs in Bali. Some of them charge commission fees.

So, if you want to skip the ATM commission (you bank/card might still have one), I suggest using one of the following bank ATM:

Mandiri, BNI, BCA and BRI

Better use ATMs located in the Banks or shopping centers (be aware of skimmers). Don’t forget to take your card, otherwise, it will be swollen.

Also, I would recommend using online banks like Wise, which allows you to take money from ATM abroad without commission (2 times per month), and has one of the best conversion rates.

*Note, if ATM is asking for a conversion rate, use the local currency, as your bank probably would provide a better conversion rate, than ATM.

Overpaying is not something we like to do, so to help you avoiding it, I through this Ultimate Travel Guide tried to display prices for the most common things visiting/living in Bali in the table below.

Note, prices might differ depending on the brand of the product. This is a rough estimate so you can better orient yourself when shopping.

Note: most of the prices in the cafes and restaurants are shown without tax and service fees.

Taxi:

Maxim

Food & Taxi:

Gojek

Food & Taxi:

Grab

*note that some places are not allowing taxi apps to protect local taxi drivers from the competition. There are usually signs.

Marketplaces:

Tokopedia

Marketplaces:

Shopee

There are 5 main operators in Bali:

Telkomsel, XK Axiata, Indosat Ooredoo IM3, Tri and Smartfen

I personally prefer Telkomsel & XL for the best coverage and pricing package. You can buy their SIM card straight at the airport. 18GB of data for 250 000 IDR (tourist price) and later add more credit if needed in kiosks around Bali. Or you can buy it later in one of the kiosks 5 times cheaper.

Another option is to use eSim like Airalo.

The main and only airport in Bali is Ngurah Rai International Airport or Denpasar International Airport located in South Kuta and is just 13 kilometers from Denpasar (the capital of Bali). It receives both international and domestic flights. There is no proper public transport in Bali. So, you need to take a motorbike taxi, taxi (can be ordered from app) or hire a private driver. Make sure you check and negotiate the price first.

Here is the list with prices and drive duration for a taxi.

Is Bali safe? I would say yes. But you still need to be careful with your belongings (as in any other place).

Be mindful of your belongings. Watch out for your phone. Don’t drive with google navigation and holding/carrying your phone (use headphones & voice navigation). There were multiple cases when people on the bikes grab and steal them. Also heard several times that villas (especially the remote ones) are being robbed as well. So, store your valuable belongings in a safe place.

If you are traveling (especially in Asia), I would say insurance is a must. I saw so many times people getting injured or with health problems, needing their relatives/friends to organize fundraising campaigns for the treatments.

The health system here is very expensive. So, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Hopefully, you won’t need to use it.

I personally buy for $45/month (can have a daily option) SafetyWing travel insurance. That gives me a peace of mind. It has $250 deductible, with $250 000 max limit. I had 2 claims, and both of them got covered.

*This is an affiliate link. Meaning I will get a commission if you use it. But as I mentioned before I am using this insurance myself.

Canggu

Tropical Nomad Coworking (Coworking)

Genesis Creative Centre (Coworking)

Outpost Canggu (Coworking & Coliving)

Dojo Bali (Coworking)

G88 Coworking

Mesto.in (Coliving)

Seminyak

Biliq Coworking Space (Coworking & Coliving)

KE{M}BALI Innovation Hub (Coworking)

Kuta

GoWork (Coworking)

Hub Bali, Legian (Coworking & Coliving)

Bali Bustle (Coworking & Coliving)

Ubud

Parq (Coworking & Coliving)

Outpost Ubud (Coworking & Coliving)

BeLuna (Coworking)

Uluwatu

Uluwatu Hub (Coworking)

Coop (Coworking)

FB Groups

Bali Travel Forum

Digital Nomads Bali

Bali expats

Вместе на Бали (Rus)

Girls in Bali

Bali 24/7

Telegram groups

БалиЧат (Rus)

Here I displayed a Symbolic map for Bali Travel Guide (2024) with more description below.

😎 Canggu – is the most popular neighborhood among expats, tourists, bloggers, and influencers. A lot of restaurants, events and things going on. On the downside, less nature, a lot of traffic and the highest prices.

😎 Seminyak – a more chic and fancy area with sunset beach bars, luxury restaurants, and more high-end accommodations. Popular area among expats. Besides the ocean, lacks nature and has more traffic.

🍺 Kuta – is full of souvenir shops, bars, hotels, and massage places. Good place to learn surfing (sandy beach, small waves, and various surf schools). Too loud and touristy, wouldn’t recommend staying here. Unless you go for a surf camp or look for a place to get wasted.

🧘 Ubud – the spiritual center of Bali (maybe even in the world). Lush green nature, rice terraces, jungles. Located in the middle of the island, further from the ocean but closer to volcanos, waterfalls and temples. A lot of yoga schools, vegetarian restaurants, and spiritual places. Traditional artists.

🏄‍♂️ Uluwatu – surfing mekka. Beautiful cliffs, one of the best beaches in Bali, spectacular sunsets, and year round surfing spots. Less traffic. Clifftop resorts and beach clubs. Further distance from East and North of Bali.

😌 Jimbaran – close to the airport. With a long sandy bay for spectacular sunset walks and seafood restaurants. Recommended for couples and families.

👴 Sanur – Quiet, coastal neighborhood for the older travelers and families. 5km long sand beach promenade.

👪 Nusa Dua – Five-start resorts & family residential area. Famous big-name hotels. For those who prefer high comfort and a quiet beach and promenade to walk. Comes with a price. Fewer things happening around.

Here is the list of things you can do in Bali:

I put up an itinerary to help plan your trip:

Day 1. I would suggest going straight from the airport to Ubud. Lush green, full of nature, culture, and traditions. Have a traditional Balinese massage to relax after a long flight. If you are flying from Europe or US, expect to have jetlag for a few days.

Day 2. Ubud. Visit the monkey forest, the local market, rice terraces and explore the best waterfalls of Bali.

Day 3. Do a stunning sunrise hike to Batur (2h hike each way) and explore Kintamani Area.

Day 4. Stay 1 day in Sideman. A less touristy place with beautiful rice terraces and a view of mount Agung.

Day 5. Visit Bali temples. Tirta Gangga, Besakih, as well as Lempuyang

Day 6. Go to Nusa Penida & Lembongan for 2 days/1 night (from Sanur).

Day 7. Explore the best beaches in Nusa Penida.

Day 8. Go to Uluwatu. Try surfing and watch the Kecak fire dance show during sunset in Uluwatu temple.

Day 9. Chill in one of the best beaches around Uluwatu (would give some examples). Finish the day at The Istana for a beautiful sunset and spa.

Day 10. (What to do during the day? Good to give ideas) Enjoy dinner and sunset on Jimbaran beach.

Day 11. Visit Tanah Lot and explore cafes and party places in Canggu.

Day 12. Go to Jatiluwih rice terraces, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, and explore the waterfalls around.

Day 13. Go to Lovina for sunrise dolphin watching. Return back to your preferred place around a 1h drive from the airport.

Day 14. Buy souvenirs, enjoy a massage, review photos from the trip and get ready for your flight.

Lush tropical Bali forests hide one of the most beautiful waterfalls. There are hundreds of them in Bali. It might be tricky to get to some of them, but definitely worth it!

Waterfalls in the video:

Leke Leke Waterfall

Banyumala Twin Waterfall

Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall

Hidden Waterfall

Fiji Waterfall

Sekumpul Waterfall

Gitgit Waterfall

Nungnung Waterfall

Melanting Waterfalls

Some other waterfalls not shown in this video:

Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall

Tukad Cepung Waterfall

Aling-Aling Waterfall

Pengempu Waterfall

Bali has a variety of beaches. Some of the best ones are collected here:

Melasti Beach

Padang Padang Beach

Suluban Beach

Dreamland Beach

Bingin Beach

Balangan Beach

Seminyak Beach

Diamond Beach

Nusa Penida Kelingking Beach

There are way more options, but not all of them are safe for swimming.

• Updated 6 April 2022: 
• International travelers to Indonesia who are fully vaccinated (at least 14 days before departure), DO NOT need to quarantine and can enter Indonesia now without a PCR tests.
• THERE ARE NO requirements to show e-HAC on arrival. International travelers are only required to download PeduliLindungi App and complete their user profile in the app.
• UNVACCINATED travelers can’t enter Indonesia, unless you have a medical exemption letter.
• Those that have received only the first dose must show the negative PCR 72 hours prior to departure OR Rapid antigen 24 hours prior to departure, with Proof of vaccination.

VACCINE REQUIREMENTS BALI

• Double dose (fully) vaccinated = no quarantine.
• Fully vaccinated + booster = no quarantine.

• Johnson&Johnson 1 doze is considered a full vaccine
• Vaccination is not compulsory under the age of 18

Source: https://bali.com/bali/corona-virus-bali-indonesia/

• There is no proper public transport. Hence, you will either need to move around on the motorbike/car or take a taxi/motor taxi/ or private driver.
• Not all Bali beaches are great for swimming because of the riffs and strong waves.
• Sun here is stronger than in Europe or US. Hence, make sure to put on enough sunscreen.
• Traffic. It’s quite bad. With an average of 6.3 million tourists a year, it gets busy. The roads are very thin and there are hundreds of motorbikes and cars.
• There are no proper places to walk/cycle in Bali. This is the island made for motorbikes and cars. There are only a few beaches and places to walk.
• Cash is the king. Even though most restaurants and cafes will accept your card, it’s always good to have cash.
• Don’t drink tap water.
• If people in touristy places/shops offer something for free (it’s probably not).
• Do not do any drugs! Besides drugs being devastating to your health and destroying your life, there are very strict rules and punishments in Indonesia.
• Having an international driving license (A category) is mandatory if you want to drive a motorbike and avoid getting a fine.
• Wear a helmet when driving a motorbike!
• Most of the prices in bars and restaurants don’t include service and government tax (usually shown as ++). It’s around 5% for services and 10% for government tax. Some of the warungs don’t charge this tax.

• Good Morning – Selamat Pagi
• Good Afternoon – Selamat Sore
• Good Night – Selamat Malam
• Thank You – Terima Kasih (or Suksema)
• You’re welcome – Sama sama
• How are you doing? – Engken Kabare?
• I an good – Becik-Becik Manten (or Bagus)
• I don’t understand – Saya tidak mengerti
• Do yo speak English? – Bisa bicara bahasa Inggris?
• Excuse me – Permisi

Gili islands are one of the popular destinations for tourists visiting Bali.

The group of gili islands consist of 3 main islands. Gili Trawangan (or Gili T), Gili Meno and Gili Air.

Gili T – is the biggest and most developed. It’s also considered to be a “party island”

Gili Meno – less developed and very quite island.

Gili Air – for those who prefer more quiet time. Good for families and couples.

To get there, you either need to get the boat from Sanur often takes 2-2.5 hours, Padang Bai departures take around 1.5 hours, and from Amed to Gili Trawangan, it is around 1 hour.

My suggestion would be to get from Padang Bai, since it takes less time on boat, than from Sanur, and you can get a more comfortable boat.

As I said previously, the boat choice matters. It’s better to have a bigger boat with aircon, than a small one without it. In addition to that, it’s also more stable!

I would recommend taking Eka Jaya Fastboat. It leaves 2 a day. Better to buy the tickets few days in advance.

In Padang Bai, you would need to pay additional tax of 10 000 IDR ($1.5). And coming back from Gili through Lomok would require you to pay another 20 000 ($2.5) fee per person.