Bali — Travel Guide for Planning Your Trip
Bali is Indonesia's most-loved island — clifftop temples, emerald rice terraces and world-class surf — and with a Bali eSIM installed before departure you are online the moment your plane touches down at Ngurah Rai. The island packs wildly different worlds into a small space: bohemian Canggu, spiritual Ubud, polished Seminyak and the raw limestone cliffs of Uluwatu. Add warung meals for a couple of dollars, a scooter-first way of life and one of the warmest cultures in Asia, and it is easy to see why so many travellers and digital nomads never quite manage to leave. If Bangkok is also on your route, see our Bangkok travel guide.
Good to know
Discover Bali
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Skip roaming fees — get a local eSIM and connect the moment you land.
On the map
Where to stay in Bali
Canggu
Bali's digital-nomad capital: black-sand surf beaches, coworking spaces, smoothie-bowl cafés and nightlife that runs on flip-flops. Traffic is chaotic and it is definitely not 'quiet Bali', but for remote workers and surfers this is the centre of the universe.
Ubud
The island's cultural and spiritual heart, wrapped in rice terraces and jungle ravines. Choose it for yoga, temples, art and slow mornings — the beach is over an hour away, but many visitors say Ubud is where the real Bali begins.
Seminyak
Polished beach-resort living: designer boutiques, sunset beach clubs and the island's densest restaurant scene. A great fit for couples and first-timers who want comfort within walking distance of the sand.
Uluwatu & the Bukit
Clifftop villas, turquoise surf breaks and Bali's most dramatic coastline on the southern peninsula. Quieter and more spread out — you will need a scooter or a driver for almost everything, but the sunsets here are unbeatable.
Sanur
A calm, flat beachfront town on the east coast with a long seaside promenade, gentle water and a more relaxed, family crowd. It is also the main jumping-off point for fast boats to Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands.
Top attractions in Bali
Tanah Lot Temple
Bali's most photographed temple sits on a wave-battered rock just off the west coast, cut off from land at high tide. Come an hour before sunset, wander the cliff paths and watch the silhouette turn black against an orange sky. It gets crowded — that is part of the ritual.
Uluwatu Temple & Kecak dance
Perched on a 70-metre cliff above the Indian Ocean, Pura Luhur Uluwatu pairs sea views with a nightly Kecak fire-dance performance at sunset. Watch your sunglasses — the resident macaques are professional thieves. Book the dance seats early in high season.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Twenty minutes north of Ubud, these sculpted green terraces are the classic Bali postcard, complete with jungle swings and coconut stands. Arrive before 9 a.m. to beat the tour buses and the midday heat, and leave a small donation on the farmers' paths.
Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud
A mossy temple sanctuary in the middle of Ubud where more than a thousand long-tailed macaques roam ancient banyan trees and stone shrines. It is genuinely atmospheric — just secure loose items, skip the eye contact and let the monkeys come to you, not the reverse.
Mount Batur sunrise trek
An active volcano with a two-hour pre-dawn hike that rewards you with sunrise above a sea of clouds and views across Lake Batur to Mount Agung. Guides, headlamps and hot tea at the crater rim are part of the standard package. Bring a warm layer — it is cold at 1,717 metres.
Tirta Empul water temple
Balinese Hindus have performed purification rituals in the holy spring pools here for over a thousand years, and respectful visitors may join with a sarong and a local guide. The queue of worshippers moving between the fountain spouts is one of the island's most moving sights.
Besakih, the Mother Temple
Bali's largest and holiest temple complex climbs the slopes of Mount Agung in more than 80 shrines and courtyards. It is a working religious site first and an attraction second, so dress properly and consider a licensed guide to understand what you are seeing.
Nusa Penida day trip
A 45-minute fast boat from Sanur delivers you to Kelingking Beach's T-rex-shaped cliff, the natural pool at Angel's Billabong and snorkelling with manta rays. Roads on the island are rough, so most visitors book a driver or a tour rather than a scooter.
Where to eat
Warungs & Balinese classics
- Warung Babi Guling Ibu OkaUbud's famous spit-roast suckling pig (babi guling) — go before the lunch rush
- Made's WarungA Seminyak institution since 1969, from nasi campur to classic satay
- Bebek Bengil (Dirty Duck Diner)Crispy fried duck overlooking Ubud rice paddies
- Naughty Nuri's WarungLegendary BBQ ribs and strong martinis in Ubud
- Warung Nasi Ayam Kedewatan Ibu MangkuThe benchmark Balinese chicken rice (nasi ayam) near Ubud
Nomad cafés & brunch
- Crate CafeCanggu's post-surf breakfast hub — big plates, laptop-friendly mornings
- Milk & MaduFamily-friendly brunch and good coffee in Canggu and Ubud
- RevolverSeminyak's cult specialty-coffee bar
- SisterfieldsAustralian-style brunch plates that started Seminyak's café boom
- Zest UbudPlant-based jungle café with one of Ubud's best terraces
Beach clubs & sunset dining
- Potato Head Beach ClubSeminyak's architectural icon — book a daybed for sunset
- La BrisaDriftwood beach club on Echo Beach, Canggu's prettiest sunset spot
- Single FinClifftop bar above the Uluwatu surf break; Sunday sessions are legendary
- Jimbaran Bay seafood warungsGrilled fish with your feet in the sand as planes descend into DPS
Shopping
Shopping in Bali splits into two worlds: air-conditioned malls around Kuta and craft markets everywhere else. The joy is in the markets and artisan villages — silver in Celuk, woodcarving in Mas, batik and homeware around Ubud — where friendly bargaining is part of the fun.
Malls
What to buy
Silver jewellery from Celuk, carved wood from Mas, Balinese coffee, batik sarongs, natural soaps and essential oils, and the round rattan 'Bali bag' that has become the island's unofficial souvenir.
Browse the boutiques along Jalan Kayu Aya ('Eat Street') in Seminyak, the surf and vintage shops on Jalan Batu Bolong in Canggu, and the artisan studios lining the road from Ubud up to Tegallalang.
Best time to visit
Bali works year-round, but the dry season from April to October is the sweet spot — sunny days, lower humidity and clean surf on the west coast. July-August and the Christmas weeks bring peak crowds and prices; May, June and September deliver the same weather with more breathing room. The rainy season (November-March) means hot, humid days with heavy afternoon downpours — the island turns lush and green and hotels get cheaper. One unique date to check: Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence in March, when the entire island — airport included — shuts down for 24 hours.
Parks & nature
Campuhan Ridge Walk
A free, gently rolling ridge path through tall grass and palm valleys starting right in Ubud. Go at sunrise before the heat; the whole out-and-back takes about an hour, ending at coffee shops with valley views.
Sekumpul Waterfall & Munduk
In the cool northern highlands, Sekumpul is widely called Bali's most beautiful waterfall — a cluster of falls dropping through jungle cliffs. Pair it with the misty village of Munduk for clove plantations, mountain lakes and a very different, quieter Bali.
West Bali National Park
The island's wild corner: dry savannah, mangroves and the coral gardens of Menjangan Island, Bali's best snorkelling and diving. It is a three-to-four-hour drive from the south, so most visitors stay a night around Pemuteran.
Sanur beach promenade
A flat, palm-lined seaside path running several kilometres along Sanur's calm lagoon — ideal for a sunrise cycle or barefoot morning run past fishing boats and beach cafés.
Getting there
Bali's gateway is I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, just south of Kuta, with direct flights from across Asia, Australia and the Gulf. There is no rail network, so onward travel is by road: official airport taxis from the arrivals counters cost roughly Rp 150,000-250,000 to Kuta or Seminyak (30-45 minutes), around Rp 250,000-350,000 to Canggu (about an hour) and from ~Rp 400,000 to Ubud (roughly 1.5 hours). Ride-hailing apps Gojek and Grab are usually somewhat cheaper and collect passengers from a designated pickup zone. Traffic in the southern triangle is heavy, so plan generously — especially for late-afternoon arrivals.
Getting around Bali
Scooter rental
The default way locals and long-stayers move around the island — nothing beats a scooter for slipping past Canggu traffic. You legally need an international driving permit with a motorcycle category, and police checks are common in the tourist south. Always wear the helmet; rental shops deliver to your villa.
- Scooter, per day
- ~Rp 80,000
- Scooter, per week
- ~Rp 450,000
- Scooter, per month
- from Rp 900,000
- Petrol, 1 litre
- ~Rp 12,000
Gojek & Grab (ride-hailing)
Indonesia's super-apps handle motorbike taxis (GoRide/GrabBike), cars, and even food and pharmacy delivery. A short motorbike hop costs around Rp 15,000-30,000. Note that a few villages and beach areas restrict app pickups in favour of local drivers — walk a street back or use the local taxi stand.
Private driver
For temple loops, waterfall days and airport runs, a car with an English-speaking driver costs roughly Rp 600,000-900,000 for a full 8-10 hour day including fuel. It is the most comfortable way to cover Bali's distances, and drivers double as informal guides.
Shuttle & public buses
The Kura-Kura tourist shuttle links Kuta, Seminyak, Sanur and Ubud on fixed routes, while the Trans Metro Dewata public buses cover the Denpasar area for a symbolic flat fare. Both are slow but stress-free options if you are not ready for two wheels.
- Trans Metro Dewata, single ride
- ~Rp 4,400
- Kura-Kura shuttle, single trip
- from Rp 20,000
Internet & eSIM in Bali
Bali's mobile coverage runs on three networks: Telkomsel, XL Axiata and Indosat. Telkomsel has the widest reach and stays usable well beyond the tourist south — up in the Munduk highlands, around Amed and out on Nusa Penida — while XL Axiata and Indosat perform well across the Canggu-Seminyak-Ubud belt. 4G is the norm island-wide, with 5G appearing in parts of Denpasar and the southern resorts. Expect the signal to dip in jungle valleys around Ubud, on cliff-shadowed beaches below Uluwatu and inside thick-walled villas — one more reason villa Wi-Fi should never be your only lifeline.
At I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS), the arrivals routine after a long-haul flight is visa-on-arrival, immigration, baggage — and then a row of SIM-card kiosks charging tourist prices. Indonesian SIM cards must be registered to your passport at purchase, and the paperwork can also involve your phone's IMEI, so the kiosk line crawls at exactly the moment you least want it to. Skipping that queue means walking straight out to the Gojek or Grab pickup zone with maps, WhatsApp and your driver's chat already working.
The simplest fix is a travel eSIM installed before you fly: buy an AviaeSIM Indonesia plan at home, scan the QR code over hotel or airport Wi-Fi, and data switches on automatically when you land in Bali. No paperwork, no kiosk queue, no roaming bill — and your home number stays in place for banking codes and WhatsApp. For digital nomads it doubles as insurance: when the café Wi-Fi in Canggu buckles under fifty laptops, you tether from your pocket and the call goes on. Browse current data packs on the Indonesia eSIM plans page before you fly.
Practical tips
- Rent a scooter only if you can genuinely ride: police checks are routine in Canggu and Kuta, and you need an international driving permit plus a helmet.
- Carry small rupiah notes — warungs, parking attendants and beach stalls are cash-first; withdraw from ATMs attached to bank branches.
- Never drink tap water; bottled water and refill stations are everywhere, including most cafés.
- Dress respectfully at temples: a sarong and sash are required and are usually lent free or for a small fee at the entrance.
- Step around the little canang sari flower offerings on the pavement — never on or over them.
- Do the traffic maths: 20 km in the south can take 90 minutes, so plan one area per day rather than criss-crossing the island.
- Booking a March trip? Check the Nyepi date first — on the Day of Silence the whole island, airport included, stops for 24 hours.
- Nomads: most Canggu and Ubud cafés are laptop-friendly — order something every hour or so and free the table at the lunch rush.
FAQ
Which eSIM works best in Bali?
A travel eSIM with an Indonesia data plan is the easiest option: AviaeSIM connects to Bali's local networks such as Telkomsel, XL Axiata and Indosat, so you get the same 4G coverage tourists buy at the airport — without the kiosk queue or passport registration. Install it before departure, land at Ngurah Rai, and data switches on automatically. Plans are sized for a week's holiday or a long nomad stay.
Does an eSIM work outside the tourist south — in Ubud, Amed or on Nusa Penida?
Yes. An eSIM uses the same radio networks as a physical SIM, so wherever locals have signal, you do too — Ubud, the Munduk highlands, the Amed dive coast and Nusa Penida included. Coverage briefly dips in deep jungle valleys and below Uluwatu's cliffs, and on boat crossings you may lose data mid-strait, but it reconnects automatically on the other side.
How do I get from Ngurah Rai Airport to Canggu or Ubud?
Official taxi counters in arrivals charge fixed rates: roughly Rp 250,000-350,000 to Canggu (about an hour) and from ~Rp 400,000 to Ubud (around 1.5 hours). Gojek and Grab are usually cheaper and pick up from a marked zone by the parking area. Many hotels and villas also arrange transfers for a similar price — worth it after a red-eye. Avoid unmetered touts inside the terminal.
Do I need a visa for Bali?
Most nationalities can use Indonesia's visa on arrival: it costs around Rp 500,000, is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another 30. You can pay at the airport or, faster, buy the e-VOA online before flying and walk straight to the e-gates. Check the current rules for your passport before booking, as visa policy does change.
Is Bali safe for solo travellers and digital nomads?
Bali is one of Asia's easier solo destinations: violent crime is rare and the expat infrastructure is huge. The real risks are mundane — scooter accidents, bag-snatching from moving bikes, strong surf currents and the occasional dodgy drink. Ride carefully with a helmet, keep your phone off the road-side hand, swim between the flags, and you will very likely have zero problems.
Can I pay by card in Bali, or do I need cash?
Cards and contactless work fine in malls, hotels, beach clubs and most Western-style cafés. Warungs, markets, parking, temple donations and small drivers are cash territory, and local QRIS payment codes generally require an Indonesian bank app. A practical split: pay big bills by card, keep Rp 300,000-500,000 in small notes for daily life, and withdraw from bank-attached ATMs to avoid skimmers.
Should I rent a scooter in Bali?
Only if you already ride confidently — Bali traffic is a bad place to learn. Legally you need an international driving permit with a motorcycle category; without it, police fines are common and travel insurance may refuse accident claims. If that is not you, Gojek motorbike taxis cost pocket change and a private driver covers day trips comfortably. If you do rent: helmet always, rain poncho under the seat.