Ultimate Bali Travel Guide

Are you visiting Bali for the first time? My ultimate travel guide for Bali features the top places to visit, what to see there, how to get around, safety, scams to avoid, logistics, and more to help plan your trip.

Bali, often mistaken for a country, is actually one of the 17,000 plus islands in the Republic of Indonesia. Also called the Island of the Gods, this is Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination. This unforgettable island offers stunning landscapes with mountains and volcanic peaks, lush, terraced, green rice fields, many lovely waterfalls, and incredible sandy beaches with crystal clear blue water, as well as outstanding surfing and yoga, and amazing food. There are also around 20,000 mostly Hindu temples dotting the island to explore, a fascinating culture, and wonderful Balinese hospitality. It will captivate you and leave you wanting more.

Note: All the information in this ultimate travel guide and posts on Bali are updated as of March 2023.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Top Locations

Ubud

Ubud is renowned as a place for healing and has been a place for spiritual pilgrimages as far back as the 8th century. This fascinating town is a center of arts and spirituality, with millions visiting each year to see its sacred temples, practice yoga, walk in its serene rice fields, rejuvenate in spas, explore art museums, galleries and more.

Temples

Although it receives many, many visitors, and can sometimes be a bit chaotic, its ancient Hindu temples, like Puri Saren Agung (Ubud Palace) or Pura Taman Saraswati (The Water Palace) offer peace and serenity and a glimpse into its past.

In the evenings, these temples become backdrops for traditional Balinese dance performances, like Legong, Barong, and Kecak, the fire dance.

Spirituality And Health

Once a spiritual destination for pilgrims, there are now many yoga studios, where yogis can come to learn or practice. ThenYoga Barn is one of its most famous, made popular by the movie Eat, Pray, Love. Yet there are many more options, offering a variety of types of yoga as well as teacher training. And to go with this, there are many spas, and variety of incredible, healthy, food options.

Monkey Forest Sanctuary

There’s also the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a sanctuary for the many Balinese long-tailed macaque that roam this forest. They may be cute (OK, at least the young ones), but they are wild animals and can also be unpredictable. If you visit, make sure to read more about them on their website, as well as my post on Ubud.

Rice Fields Walks

And although the city can get really chaotic with all the travelers and motorbikes, it’s easy to find refuge a short distance away in the rice paddies. There are several Rice Fields Walks here that are really beautiful.

The irrigation system of Bali is called subak. The system dates back to the 9th century, when the Balinese mastered channeling the mineral rich water from the volcanoes down to the foothills to be shared by many farmers. Farmers still use this same UNESCO listed irrigation system today. A very rich cultural heritage.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces

If you want to see more instagram worthy, terraced rice fields, take a day trip to Tegallalang or Jatiluwih.

Tegallalang, about 30-minutes north of Ubud, is relatively easy to access, making it a very popular day trip. The terraces here are very beautiful, but unfortunately, these rice fields have become very over-commercialized. A visit is still worthwhile, just be prepared so you’re not disappointed.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

If you you want to see more natural, non-commercialized rice terraces, visit the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.

These UNESCO listed rice fields are located about 1.5 hours northwest of Ubud, so fewer people visit, making it less touristic. It’s also the biggest rice field in Bali, encompassing about 600 hectares.

Kuta

Kuta, a former sleepy fishing village, became popular with surfers in the 1970’s. This area offers long stretches of sandy beaches and gentle waves, which are great for beginner surfers. Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, and other locations offer more challenging waves as well as more beautiful beaches.

Honestly, I was not very impressed by the beaches in Kuta. Moats areas had thin, dark sand, lots of wood branches piled along the beach, and trash washed in by the tide. The photo I took above was one of the few “cleaner” spots on the beach.

I was also continuously harassed. As I walked, people wanted to know if wanted to rent a chair, have a drink, buy a souvenir, buy jewelry, have a snack, and a variety of other things. If you want to relax, Kuta is not the place you you. I actually had to leave the beach for a bit, take a deep breath and come back.

What Kuta is best known for, is being a party destination, but not necessarily in the best way. It’s known for crazy, young backpackers that drink too much with many bars staying open all night for them. And although I didn’t see this firsthand, I could see this being true. In town, and on the beach, however, I saw people of a variety of people from all age groups, young and old, fit and not so fit.

Legian Beach

There really is no boundary between Kuta and Legian (or Seminyak for that matter), but Legian starts at the northern end of Kuta. These beaches are connected, so there’s not much difference between the two. Ge really, however, you’ll find that the beaches get cleaner and nicer as you move north towards Legian and into Seminyak (below).

Legian is also good for beginning surfers, as well as swimming. And there are also many vendors here as well. It’s just a little bit cleaner.

Seminyak

Seminyak beach starts at the northern end of Legian beach. The beach in Seminyak is cleaner, with nicer resorts and restaurants lining the beach. Near the Double Six resort, there’s a stretch of beach in Seminyak called Double Six. This beach gets its name from Bar 66, which used to be here.

I still wouldn’t call this beach spectacular, but it’s very nice, and was my favorite in the area.

Here, you’ll find restaurants/bars along the beach that place colorful beanbag chairs on the beach area. It’s a perfect place to order a beer (or cocktail) and dinner and watch the sunset. There’s also live music between the beanbag chairs and the beach, so you can watch the sunset behind them. This area has a very nice laid laid back vibe.

Seminyak is also known for higher end resorts, restaurants, and shops.

Canggu

Canggu, pronounced “changoo”, just north of Seminyak, is one of the newest hotspots in Bali. I have not visited Canggu yet, but it’s has a reputation to be a little hipper, although more laid-back, and a lot more crowded than Seminyak. It’s a destination for surfers, foodies, digital nomads, and expats. And it’s also becoming known as a new place to party.

The surfing here is good for a variety of levels of surfers, as well as many places offer ing lessons. And, as in other top destination in Bali, there are many yoga studios. Canggu is also known for its healthy food options and there are rice fields walks here too.

The Bukit Peninsula

There are two main areas that make ideal visits in the Bukit Peninsula, which is the southern part of Bali, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua, which are both very different from each other.

Uluwatu

Uluwatu is on the southwestern coast of the Peninsula. This area is full of lush, tropical clifftops and exotic, beautiful beaches. Many of these beaches have 100 to 200 steep steps to get to them, so this area is ideal for very fit people. And as they’re difficult to access, some feel like hidden gems.

Although some of these beaches are good for swimming, they’re mostly known for their surfing and their rustic beauty. There are spots here for all levels of surfing for beginner to expert, with a lot of left-hand waves.

In addition to surfing, there are several places that offer great yoga overlooking the sea and/or lush tropical forest.

As it attracts fit surfers, yogis, and a younger crowd, you’ll also find many great healthy cafes and restaurants in Uluwatu too.

Uluwatu is also known for its clifftop temple, Uluwatu Temple. This temple is stunning by day, perched 230’ (70 m) above the incredible crashing waves, and a cultural experience at night with its famous Kecak fire dance performances. A dramatic performance designed to repel evils spirits.

The temple is notorious for its many wild, macaques monkeys. Hang on to your belongings while you’re here though, as they’ll steal your stuff to negotiate for food.

Uluwatu, which is on Bali’s west coast, is known for its spectacular clifftop sunsets. There are many great spots to explore and find the one you like best. It’s also known for its nightlife, with many bars and clubs that take advantage of the sunsets and the amazing views.

Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua, on the eastern coast of the Bukit, has some of the most beautiful traditional beaches of Bali. This area is renowned for its 5-star resorts and thick, plush, golden sand. The turquoise waves here are gentle enough for swimming and known for their surfing. Nusa Dua also has outstanding surfing. Especially when the right-hand waves are at their peak in the wet season.

Nusa Dua does have beautiful beaches, but it’s so manicured, and so devoted to tourists, that there’s really not much of a cultural experience here. If you want to visit Bali for its beautiful culture, and it’s amazingly friendly people, Nusa Dua is best visited as a day trip.

Nusa Dua, on the east coast of the Bukit, is known for its sunrises.

Northern Bali

Northern Bali is very different from its southern scene. Much less touristic, it’s more scenic, with mountains, volcanic peaks, serene lakes dotted with temples, and captivating waterfalls you can trek to in the jungle.

Munduk

Munduk, a small hillside village in northern Bali, makes a great stop to experience some local culture. The air is rich with the smell of the cloves and vanilla that are farmed here, as well as the incense that seems to be always burning in the temples.

Here you can trek to several waterfalls, with 4 nestled in the jungle not far from town, try the local food at warungs with amazing hilltop views, and get to know the welcoming and kind locals.

A little further away is Lake Tamblingan, with mysterious Hindu temples, as well as Lake Baratan and Lake Buyan with even more. Explore the area to visit both popular and less visited ones.

Lovina And Nearby Waterfalls

On the central northern end of Bali is Lovina, about 3 miles (5 km) west of Singaraja, the former colonial capital. There are 5 villages here that stretch for miles along the coast, rimmed with black sand beaches. Best known for its dolphin watching, this quiet seaside town is also has some resorts and spas. Admittedly though, I found the black sand to give the beaches a dirty feel, which is why these beaches are quieter and less visited.

Mount Batur

Sunrise hiking on Mount Batur, the volcano southeast of Lovina, is a popular day trip from several places on the island. Depending on your starting point, you are picked up in the wee hours of the morning to drive and take the 2 hour hike up to catch the sunrise. Breakfast often consists of eggs cooked over the volcano (if you join a tour).

Besakih Great Temple

This large complex sits at the base of Mount Agung, the tallest peak and the second of three volcanos on Bali. This site has been an important holy site since prehistoric times. It’s composed of 23 separate temples on multiple levels along the slope and is the holiest and largest Hindu Temple in Bali.

This temple complex is very large and beautiful, but it gets very, very negative reviews about locals trying to harass and scam tourists (which is a shame). If someone tries to sell you a sarong outside the temple here, don’t feel obligated to buy it. A sarong (to borrow) is included in the ticket price.

Pura Lempuyang Temple

This popular spot is one of the most instagrammed places in Bali, so make sure to get here early, or visit late, to avoid the crowds. Best viewing is at sunrise.

Islands to Visit Off Bali

Nusa Panida

For some serious, rugged beauty, take a ferry or speedboat from Sanur harbor to Nusa Panida, the largest of three Nusa Islands off Bali’s southeastern coast. Some of its highlights include Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, snorkeling at Crystal Bay, the view over Kelingking Beach, and scuba diving.

One of these can generally be done as a day trip, but if you have time, it’s best to stay a night or two and explore a few of these locations. To get around, you can rent a scooter, but the roads are not the best (some are just dirt), so hiring a driver is really ideal to explore this beauty. Grab and Gojek do not operate here.

Gili Islands

The Gili islands, another popular island diversion, actually belong to neighboring Lombock. The beaches here are known to be nicer than those of Bali. They have a very laid back vibe with lots of beachside bars and cafes. Some things to do here include snorkeling and scuba diving, bike riding around the islands (they’re that small), yoga, and chilling on the beach.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Best Time To Visit

Bali’s dry season is between April and October. June, July and August are the driest, but also the busiest, and likely the most expensive. It is still very muggy and humid in the dry season. May is usually the hottest month.

The rainy season starts sometime in October, running through March. This is low season, when you will find the best deals, but chance of rainy, cloudy days are very high. Don’t rule out rainy season though. I visited here in February and had some sun every day, and some days were sunny all day. When it rained, it rained hard, but usually only for a few hours. After the rain, the sun came out again.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Languages

Bahasa Indonesia, or Indonesian, is the national language taught in schools, the language of government offices, and the language you hear most often on the streets. Most citizens and bilingual, also speaking Balinese, while with the popularity of tourism in Bali, many are also trilingual, also speaking English.

Although most Balinese speak English, especially in touristy areas, they really appreciate when you know a few words or phrases.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Money Matters

Currency In Bali

The Indonesian rupiah (IDR) is the official currency. You may also see it abbreviated as Rp.

Bargaining is common in markets and on the street. Sometimes discounts of up to 50% will be given, but remember to bargain lightheartedly.

Conversion rates as of January 1, 2024 are as follows.

• USD (1) = 15,482 IDR
• Euro (1) = 17,064 IDR
• CNY (1) = 2,172 IDR

The rates are so different, it feels like you are spending a fortune on small items. If you use your debit card in Bali, look at your balance on the receipt. You will think you’ve become a millionaire!

Credit Card Use In Bali

Credit and Debit Cards are widely accepted at larger establishments, especially MasterCard and Visa. There will often be a 3-5% surcharge for their use, however. Cash is king here for smaller purchases, so make sure to always carry some on hand. This is often true for smaller guesthouses and home stays too.

ATM’s In Bali

ATM’s are widely available in major tourist areas, but may not be in more secluded locations. Try to use an ATM connected to a bank, rather than a standalone one for safety reasons. Even better if it is inside the foyer as it is less likely to be tampered with.

ATMs at airports, hotels, and near tourist areas may charge higher fees (for convenience). Especially if they are not associated with a bank. Choose the transaction in the local currency (not home) as the latter will trigger higher fees. Do the math on your phone if you must.

Many suggest stocking up on cash before major holidays, as locals will be withdrawing more then. I’ve also read to avoid Commonwealth Banks in Bali, as they are not owned by Balinese banks. They are reputed to run out of cash and sometimes keep your card. If you bank with Commonwealth, talk to them before you leave for your trip.

Tipping In Bali

Tipping is not mandatory, but greatly appreciated as wages can be very low for servers. You may see a 10% service charge on your bill, but this usually goes to the owners, not the servers. 5-10% given directly to the server is appreciated.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Safety

Bali is relatively safe, but pick-pocketing and petty theft do occur. Especially in touristy areas and on public buses. Keep your luggage on your lap or beytween your feet if you can.

Take normal precautions, always being vigilant and aware of your surroundings. Don’t carry too much cash, or flaunt flashy clothes or items, and keep a close eye on your purse or wallet. Purse snatchings are known to occur and I heard about a guy having a gold chain ripped off him while he was driving a motorbike.

Bali can be subject to terrorism with bombings that targeted tourists in 2002 and 2005. The best you can do here is try to be vigilant for unusual activity.

Some areas of Bali are also known for their monkeys. In Ubud, they’re in the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, but I’m other areas, like Uluwatu and some remote villages, will have monkeys. They can become unpredictable very quickly, especially if they think you have food or are a threat in any way. Don’t look them I’m the eye, feed them, or make gestures towards them. If they do become aggressive, stop what you’re doing a walk away. Don’t run or scream. If you get bit or scratched, seek the nearest care clinic. A pharmacy, or “apotek”, can help you get to the right clinic for care. It can be serious, so don’t shrug it off.

Always check the latest situation on your government website. It’s also a good idea to sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), or similar with your country.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Scams

Generally Bali is safe, but there are always a few people trying to take advantage of tourists. Especially in more tourist hot spots like Kuta. Common scams to watch out for include:

Spiked Drinks

Always watch your drink to make sure it is not spiked as this is known to happen here. Never accept drinks from strangers.

Parking and Entrance Fee Scams

Only pay entrance fees at official booths and look in advance to see what the fee is. If a stranger approaches you and demands a fee for parking or entrance, it may be a scam. This includes locals sitting near remote beach entrances.

Taxi Scams

Beware of rogue taxi drivers. Before getting into a taxi, make sure the meter is running. And better yet, know the approximate cost of your fare, by asking your homestay or a local in advance.

Free Guide Scam

If someone offers to be a free guide, be leery. They will generally demand a tip at the end and take you to high priced souvenir places.

Rental Scams

When you rent motorbikes or surfboards, make sure to inspect them for damage, taking photos of any issues, so you will not be charged for them upon return. Rent from reputable shops and avoid deeply discounted scooters.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: What Not To Do

With all the beauty and fun this tropical paradise, it’s easy to forget that many customs here are more conservative than they are in western countries. Here are the top things to not do in Bali.

• Drugs are a serious criminal offense here, one of the strictest in the world, even for just possession. Trafficking is even more serious and can result in life imprisonment or the death penalty (which tourists are not exempt from).
• Drinking and driving can land you in jail. Don’t do it.
• Don’t drink any homemade spirits here, as some may contain methanol or other poisons.
• Dress disrespectfully. In temples make sure to cover legs and upper arms. Many will lend you a sarong, but it’s best to buy an inexpensive one to use on your trip.
• Avoid Bali belly by not drinking tap water. Even to brush your teeth. Use bottled or boiled water. Use a refillable bottle to reduce pollution.
• Don’t overstay your visa. This can actually land you in jail as well as being blacklisted.
• You will see “ ceremonial offerings” everywhere in Bali, including on sidewalks and in the street. Avoid steeping on them or driving over them if you can as these offerings are very important to the Balinese.

Note: Bali is adopting a policy to ban sex outside of marriage, but has stated this does not impact tourists. This was just announced at the end of 2022, so I’m sure there will be more to follow. For now it’s being dubbed the “Bali bonking ban”.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Getting Around

Flying Into Bali

Flights arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), which is about 8 miles (13 km) south of the capital, Denpassar, in southern Bali.

Private Transfer

Private transfer is the easiest way to get to your accommodation, as they will be waiting for you. Plus you won’t need to lug your luggage. This can be arranged through your hotel or homestay.

Rent a Car or Scooter

If you’re OK with driving on the left side of the road and want complete freedom with transportation, rent a car or scooter at the airport. You will need an International Driving Permit (IDP) in addition to your regular drivers license. It’s not worth the fine you may get to try to getting away without it.

Disadvantages of driving include extremely congested roads. As an example, the distance between Denpasar and Ubud is about 15 miles (24 km), yet it can easily take 2 hours or more due to the traffic. A scooter is a much better option than a car as they can go around cars, and make better time. You also don’t want to drink and drive here as it’s a serious offense.

Taxi

Taxis can be taken to anywhere on the island from the airport. Kuta is just a few miles away, so a short taxi ride. There will be hundreds of taxi guys inside the airport trying to get you to hire them. Walk past them as most (or at least a many) will overcharge you.

You can use the Grab app to hail a taxi at the airport. This is one of the best ride hailing apps in Bali. Of course it’s best to download the app before you leave, but you can also do this in the airport lounge after buying a SIM card or using airport wifi (if it’s working). You do not need an Indonesian number, but you do need to be able to receive a text message to use it. At the very least, find the estimated price and use this to negotiate with the many, many taxi drivers at the airport. I prefer to use a ride hailing app to know if I’m getting a decent price. I also think they are safer. There is a Grab Lounge at the airport. Google “Grab Lounge Denpasar Airport” for location.

There is also a counter for BlueBird outside the arrivals exit. This is a well known taxi service in Bali. The BlueBird counter should have a list of set prices for various locations, so you know you are not getting scammed.

As I knew I was arriving late, I book an Airbnb near the airport for the night. It was only a 10-minute walk. It was tough walking by all the taxis guys yelling at me, one even followed me down the street at 2 AM asking me over and over where I was going. I kept explaining that I didn’t share my hotel information with strangers, but he didn’t get it. He was set on having me hire him. He finally stopped following me when I walked outside airport property.

Bus

I have not done this, but have read there is a bus from the airport to Ubud. It is not the best choice as it is not direct. The buses also do not run on set schedules, so there can be long delays. You must first take a bus to Batu Bulan, about midway to Ubud, then change to a shuttle van to Ubud.

Look for the signs in the airport for Trans Sarbagita, which is the public bus for Batu Bulan.

Transport Between Cities

Taxi

Taxi is a convenient way to get around, but it helps to understand how the system works in Bali. Uber used to be here, but was bought by Grab, one of the more popular ride sharing apps here. Gojek is another. You do not need to have an Indonesian number, but you will need to be able to accept a text. Grab and Gojek are very easy to use, and I found them very safe.

I will be writing a post on this soon with more details, but I loved Grab and Gojek. There is a translate button on the apps if your driver texts you in Indonesian. You can also send photos to each other if there is an issue over pick up location (which can happen if you’re not by a clearly identifiable location on the map).

Bluebird taxi is a very recognizable standard taxi service here, with blue taxis, that has an honorable reputation. Although beware as there are knock off Bluebird taxis. Learn to recognize the correct logo.

Bus

There are two main bus companies: Kura Kura and Perama. Check the links to see routes, timetables, and pricing.

Private Driver

This is a nice option if you have a small group to distribute the cost over. It can easily be arranged through your hotel or homestay.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Visa Info

Most countries can enter visa free for 30 days, including the USA, EU, and much of Asia. See the Visa Policy of Indonesia for details. All visitors must hold a visa valid for 6 months and a return flight, or onward travel ticket.

Tips On Immigration And Arrival In Bali

Immigration

Immigration is a very lengthy process here. I landed around midnight thinking that maybe it would not be over-crowded, but it still took me two hours to get through immigration.

Most of the bottleneck was due to the large number of arrivals. The declarations line was the most frustrating as by this point you’ve already been in line for an hour or more and you need to fill out your declaration form electronically. These used to be given to you on the plane to fill out with a pen before your arrive. Not in Bali.

There are computers here for this, but if you get behind someone that is slow, or not knowledgeable about computers, it takes forever. Look for the QR codes on signs by the computers and download the form to fill out on your phone. The wifi is weak, but there is just enough to get through this. When done, you will get a code that you scan at the next line to get out of immigration.

Arrival

As soon as you’re out of immigration, you will be surrounded by hordes of taxi drivers trying to get you to use their services. Just ignore them and order a Grab when you have a chance. See Taxis under Flying Into Bali above.

If you need cash, there are several ATM options. And if you need a SIM card (an eSIM before arrival is best), there are several stands here. Teksomel is supposed to be the better provider. I used this and Axiata and thought they both were fine. Both were cash only. Note that the most commonly used data cards can sell out quickly (which is why I didn’t start out with Teksomel). A if you can wait, it’s better to buy a SIM at a small shop away from the airport. ATM fees will be higher at the airport too.

Ultimate Bali Travel Guide: Top Destination Blogs & Stories

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Safe Travels!

Julie

To read more about me and my travel style, see my about me page.