Bali Travel Guide: You need to know these before visiting

Here’s a complete Bali travel guide if you’re visiting for the first time.

I’ve lived in Bali for 2 years and then frequently visit every year. Finally, my husband and I decided to move there permanently in 2023—the best decision ever!

I’m not saying that Bali is perfect. But it is the best place to live for us (right now).

So, if you’re coming for the first time…

Here’s a complete Bali travel guide that will help you plan your trip and make the most of your time on this beautiful island!

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission (so I can buy vanilla sundae on hot days!) at no extra cost to you if you make a purchase through a link. Please see my full disclosure for further information.

What you should know

Bali is a small island located in Indonesia. Although it looks tiny on the map, Bali is actually BIGGER than you think.

It’s the most popular and touristy island in Indonesia- a country of 17.000 islands, and the 4th most populated country in the world. Most people in Bali are Hindus, although Indonesia itself is a country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

Indonesian is the official language in Indonesia, although you will see that most regions in Indonesia have their own local language or dialect.

In Bali, they speak Balinese.

Because of the booming of tourism, people in Bali mostly can speak and understand English. Knowing a few basic Indonesian phrases would definitely be useful for your Bali travel.

The Indonesian language is written using the Latin alphabet, so it’s also easy to read or learn.

Best time to visit Bali

Bali has a tropical climate, and it’s warm and humid all year round. The best time to travel to Bali is from April to October, which is the dry season.

You’ll get plenty of sunshine and less rainfall during these months, making it perfect for outdoor activities like beach hopping, trekking, and sightseeing.

If you want to escape the winter in Europe and fly to Bali between November and January, you should expect some rain since this is the rainy season. But don’t worry. The rain would come only a few hours during the day (or at night).

I wouldn’t go trekking during these times, though.

Here are a few tips to consider when planning your Bali travel:

• It’s raining more often in Ubud than in other parts of Bali.
• If you plan to celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Bali, ALWAYS prepare a Plan B in case it’s raining hard and you can’t go out.
• February to April is the shoulder season in Bali, so it’s the cheaper time to visit!
• However October to mid-December is the low season, and hotel prices are mostly lower at this time.

How to get to Bali

You can reach Bali by air, and Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar is the main gateway to the island. Many airlines fly to Bali from major cities around the world, such as Istanbul, Singapore, Bangkok, and Sydney.

I use Skyscanner to find and compare flight tickets.

For more flight options: try flying to Jakarta first and then Bali. Since Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, it has more connections. Jakarta to Bali is less than 2 hours by plane. If you’re flying from Europe, you would have at least 1x transit.

Once you’re in Bali, you can rent a scooter to go around or download the Gojek app to order a motorbike or car taxi. You can also order food with this app.

Where to stay in Bali

Bali offers a range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxurious resorts. Honestly, where you stay in Bali totally depends on you.

Do you like long crowded beaches but easy to reach, or secluded beaches but not easy to reach? Do you like crowded areas or somewhere quiet? Or do you prefer high-end resorts or more affordable accommodations?

My advice for first-time travelers to Bali: stay in Jimbaran, Seminyak, or Sanur area. From there, you can decide to go anywhere else on the island. If you prefer 5-star hotels and laid-back beaches, try Nusa Dua.

Fun fact: There are no single rooms in Bali (as far as I know), and you’ll be paying for a room and not per person. So the cost of a hotel room if you’re traveling solo or with your partner would almost be the same.

For digital nomads or remote workers: you might have heard of Canggu. Lots of Youtubers and Influencers are talking about this area, but if you want my advice: don’t stay in Canggu!

Here’s why:

It’s so overpriced! Everything in Canggu is more expensive than in other areas of Bali. Besides, it’s becoming too modern, you won’t really experience much of the local Balinese culture here. Lastly, the traffic is insane. Even with a motorbike, we almost couldn’t get through, since the roads are small. It was too depressing. I don’t know why people are still staying there.

Booking a hotel in Bali is easy cheesy. I use booking.com, Agoda, or Airbnb to book accommodations in Bali, which works perfectly.

Things to do in Bali

Bali has something to offer for every kind of traveler. From beautiful beaches to stunning temples, here are some of the top things to do that you can put on your Bali travel plan:

Visit the Temples

Bali is known for its beautiful temples, and you should definitely visit a few during your stay. Some must-visit temples in Bali include the Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga, Tirta Empul, and Besakih Temple.

Beach Hopping

The best beaches I found (I’m talking about clear water beaches) are in Uluwatu area. The downside is that you have to hike down to reach them.

Kuta beach is the worst. I wouldn’t recommend this beach. Although it was the first famous beach in Bali.

Jimbaran and Sanur beach is suitable for family with kids.

If you’re willing to go the extra mile-I highly recommend Nusa Lembongan. It’s a smaller island on the outskirt of Bali (you can see it from Sanur beach) and the beaches there are amazing! I think it’s the best beach in Bali.

You can also try some water sports like surfing, snorkeling, or scuba diving.

For cheaper Scuba Diving: go to Amed.

Trekking and Hiking

Bali’s volcanic mountains offer some excellent trekking and hiking opportunities. You can trek to the summit of Mount Batur for a stunning sunrise view or explore the rice terraces in Jatiluwih. You can book a tour online for Mount Batur which includes: transportation to and from your hotel, a guide, and a small breakfast.

Last time we didn’t book a tour. We stayed in Ubud, rent a motorbike and drive up to Kintamani ourselves. We were stopped at the entrance and told that we must take a guide or we wouldn’t be allowed to hike up. After arguing and bargaining, we finally took a guide and paid 500k rupiah for 2 people. We decided to take a guide for our own safety.

Although we should’ve probably booked online to get a cheaper price, and it would include transport and water. Oh well, lesson learned!

Cultural Activities

Bali has a rich culture, and you can experience it through various cultural activities like attending a traditional dance performance in Uluwatu, learning how to make Balinese cuisine, or visiting local art galleries.

Ubud is the center of culture and arts in Bali.

Where to Eat in Bali

Bali is a food lover’s paradise, and you can find a range of cuisines here. Some of the must-try dishes in Bali include Nasi Goreng (fried rice), Satay (grilled meat skewers), and Babi Guling (suckling pig). You can try these dishes at local warungs (small eateries) or high-end restaurants.

Tips for First-Time Travelers to Bali

If you’re traveling to Bali for the first time, you might want to know some do’s and don’ts.

Bali is a place like no other. Some people think it’s the same as Thailand, or some may think Bali could be similar like India (because they are Hindus). Well, it’s not. It’s totally different. Different people, different cultures, and different language too.

So here are some tips for first-time travelers to Bali:

Respect Local Culture

Bali is a Hindu-majority island and the people are religious. You should always respect the local culture and customs. Dress modestly when visiting temples, and avoid public displays of affection.

Don’t drink the tap water

Bali’s tap water is NOT safe to drink, and you should avoid it. Indonesian people don’t drink tap water. They buy a gallon of drinking water from supermarkets. You can buy bottled water almost anywhere in Bali. Some hotels and restaurants also offer water bottle refill.

Disclosure: you’ll see a lot of plastic water bottles in Bali. I drink a lot of water but I tried to avoid buying plastic bottles. So when I’m at a local warung or small restaurant, I just order hot or iced tea. Normally it costs around $1 only.

Don’t flush toilet paper

The plumbing system in Bali isn’t built for it. Seriously. Don’t do this.

Bargain at Markets

If you’re shopping at local markets, it’s common to bargain for a lower price. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, but be respectful and avoid haggling too aggressively.

Stay Safe

Bali is a safe destination, but you should still take precautions to stay safe. Avoid walking alone late at night, and be mindful of your surroundings. Keep your valuables secure, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.

What’s Next?

Now, with this Bali travel guide, you can start planning your first visit to Bali. But before you book that flight, there are some more important things to know about entering Bali.

Do you need a visa?

How to get the visa?

What else to prepare before arrival?

etc.

Check out my article about Bali entry requirements to know what you should prepare!

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