Bali is straightforward to visit and easy to get wrong in small, avoidable ways. Most nationalities can buy a visa on arrival, every foreign visitor pays a separate tourist levy, and everyone completes an online arrival declaration before landing. Beyond the paperwork, two things shape a trip most: how far apart your plans are, because driving times are longer than they look, and whether you know the rules before renting a scooter.

Bali Travel Tips at a Glance

Travel question	Quick answer
Currency	Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
Main languages	Indonesian, with Balinese widely spoken and English common in tourist areas
Electricity	230V, 50Hz
Plug type	Type C and Type F, two round pins
Time zone	Central Indonesian Time (WITA), UTC+8
Visa	Depends on nationality. Many can buy a visa on arrival
Tourist levy	IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, separate from the visa
Arrival declaration	Required within 72 hours of arrival
Best time to visit	April to October is the dry season
Main airport	Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar (DPS)
Internet	Widely available. Local SIM or eSIM recommended
Getting around	Private driver, ride-hailing apps, or scooter if properly licensed
Tipping	Not obligatory, appreciated for good service

Before You Go: The Short Checklist

• Passport valid at least six months beyond your arrival date, with blank pages
• Visa arranged or confirmed as available on arrival for your nationality
• Return or onward ticket booked, since immigration can ask to see it
• Bali tourist levy paid, or ready to pay on arrival
• All Indonesia arrival declaration completed
• Travel insurance, checked to confirm it covers the activities you plan
• Accommodation booked, at least for the first nights
• Airport transfer arranged, or a plan for getting to your hotel
• Cards told you are travelling, and a backup card packed separately
• A local SIM or eSIM chosen
• Plug adapter for Type C sockets
• Any prescription medicines, in original packaging with a copy of the prescription
• Clothing that covers shoulders and knees for temple visits
• Photographs or copies of your passport, visa and insurance stored separately

Entry Requirements: Visa, Declaration and Levy

Three separate things get confused with each other. You deal with each one differently.

Visa on Arrival

Around ninety-seven nationalities can buy a Visa on Arrival, currently IDR 500,000, valid 30 days and extendable once for another 30. That 60-day total is a firm ceiling and cannot be extended again or converted from inside Indonesia.

Buy it online before you fly or at the counter on arrival. Buying ahead is faster and opens the automated gates if your passport is biometric.
A smaller group holds visa exemption and needs no visa for 30 days. Others must arrange a visit visa before departure. Check your nationality against the Directorate General of Immigration lists, since these change.

Overstaying carries a daily fine, so extend before your permit expires rather than after.

The All Indonesia Declaration

Every arriving traveller completes an online customs and health declaration within 72 hours of arrival. Save the QR code offline, because airport wifi is not worth relying on when you are tired and queuing.

The Bali Tourist Levy

Every foreign visitor pays a levy of IDR 150,000. It is a provincial charge, separate from your visa and from the arrival declaration. Pay online through the official Love Bali system before you travel and keep the QR code. Paying on arrival means another queue. Only use the official government portal. Third-party sites charging a markup for this exist.

When to Visit Bali

The dry season runs roughly from April to October. The wet season runs November to March. Neither is a reason to cancel a trip. July, August and New Year are busiest and most expensive, with heavier traffic and higher room rates. May, June and September usually give similar weather with far fewer people.

The wet season does not mean constant rain. Expect heavy afternoon downpours, high humidity, greener scenery and lower prices. It does affect some plans: boat crossings to the Nusa Islands can be cancelled in rough conditions, mountain treks are less reliable, and diving visibility varies.

One date to know: Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, falls in March and closes the whole island for 24 hours, including the airport. Nobody goes outside and hotels ask guests to stay on the property. Remarkable if you plan for it, a serious problem if you do not.

Choosing Where to Stay

This matters more in Bali than most places, because drives take longer than maps suggest. Thirty-six kilometres from Seminyak to Ubud can take two hours in late afternoon traffic. Two or three bases beats trying to see everything from one hotel.

Area	Best for	Main advantage	Consider
Seminyak	Couples, dining, beach clubs	Restaurants and shopping in walking distance	Busy, and prices reflect it
Canggu	Younger travellers, surfers, remote workers	Cafés, surf and a social scene	Traffic on narrow lanes, best on two wheels
Ubud	Culture, walking, rice terraces, wellness	Inland scenery and temples	No beach, and the centre gets crowded by day
Kuta	Budget trips, first-time surfers, short stays	Closest to the airport, cheapest	Loud and heavily commercial
Sanur	Families, older travellers, quieter stays	Flat, walkable, calm water, fast boats to the Nusas	Sunrise not sunset, and quieter evenings
Nusa Dua	Resort holidays, families, golf	Calm swimming beaches and large resorts	Self-contained, less local character
Jimbaran	Seafood, sunsets, proximity to the airport	Beachfront grills and easy transfers	Limited beyond eating and the beach
Uluwatu	Surfers, clifftop views, honeymooners	Dramatic coastline and sunsets	Spread out, driving needed for everything

There is no best area, only the one that fits your trip. Families often do well in Sanur or Nusa Dua, culture-first trips from Ubud, surf trips from Canggu or Uluwatu.

Getting Around Bali

There is no tourist rail network and public transport is not built around visitors. In practice there are four options.

• A private driver with a car, hired by the day. Usually the best value for a group or family, since the price covers the car, fuel, parking and driver rather than each seat.
• Ride-hailing apps. Grab and Gojek both operate in Bali and are cheap for short trips. Some areas restrict pickups where local taxi cooperatives operate, so you may be asked to walk to a meeting point.
• Metered taxis. Blue Bird is the most widely recognised operator. Insist on the meter.
• Scooters. Common, and covered in the next section, because the rules are not what most visitors assume.

Whichever you choose, allow more time than mapping apps suggest, particularly between four and seven in the evening. Underestimating this is the most common planning mistake visitors make. Arranging an airport transfer in advance also avoids the arrivals hall scrum, where being tired and newly landed is a poor negotiating position.

Scooters: What the Law Actually Requires

Scooters are how much of Bali moves, and plenty of visitors ride without incident. The requirements are still worth stating plainly, because they are widely misunderstood and rental shops often do not check.

Indonesian law requires a valid licence from your home country plus an International Driving Permit that covers the vehicle class you are riding. A permit endorsed only for cars does not cover a motorcycle or scooter. Carry the physical permit, not a photo of one.

Two consequences follow. Police checks in tourist areas are common, and enforcement in Bali has tightened. More importantly, travel insurance will typically decline a claim if you were riding without the correct licence, which turns a minor accident into a serious financial problem.

If you do ride: wear a helmet, stay within your experience, remember traffic moves on the left and behave differently from home, and take the first days slowly. Scooter accidents are the most common cause of injury among visitors here. If you have never ridden before, Bali is not the place to learn. Confirm the current requirements before you travel, since enforcement and rules change.

Money, Cards and ATMs

The currency is the Indonesian rupiah. Transactions in Indonesia are settled in rupiah, so a business quoting you a firm price in dollars or euros is unusual and worth questioning.

Card acceptance varies by business, not by area. Hotels, larger restaurants, established operators and supermarkets generally take Visa and Mastercard. Warungs, market stalls, temple entry booths, parking attendants and many family-run businesses are cash only. Carry both.

Practical points that save trouble:

• Use ATMs attached to banks rather than freestanding street machines
• Rupiah notes carry a lot of zeros. Check what you hand over, especially 10,000 versus 100,000
• Keep small notes for parking, drivers and warungs, since change is often unavailable
• Use authorised money changers with a shopfront and posted rates, and count before leaving
• Tell your bank you are travelling, and carry a second card stored separately
• Airport exchange rates are usually poor, so change a small amount there and the rest in town

On tipping: not obligatory, and not built into wages the way it is elsewhere. Rounding up a fare, leaving small change at a warung, or giving a driver something at the end of a good day is normal and appreciated. Some restaurants add a service charge, so check before adding more.

Staying Connected

A local SIM or eSIM is worth arranging. Data is cheap and coverage across the south, Ubud and the main coastal areas is good, thinning in the mountains and parts of the north coast.

An eSIM can be activated before you land, which avoids queuing after a long flight. A physical SIM bought in Indonesia now requires registration against identity documents, so buy from an official operator outlet rather than a street kiosk, and expect to show your passport.

Wifi is widespread in accommodation and cafés. If you work remotely, test it before relying on it for calls and keep mobile data as backup.

Power and Charging

Bali uses Type C and Type F sockets, the two-round-pin European standard, running at 230V and 50Hz. If your plugs are a different shape you need a plug adapter. Whether you need a voltage converter depends on the individual device, and for phones, laptops and cameras it almost never does. Our guide to Bali power plugs and adapters covers this properly, including which countries need what.

Food and Drinking Water

Do not drink the tap water. Use bottled or properly filtered water, including for brushing teeth if your stomach is sensitive. Many hotels and cafés offer refill stations, which is cheaper and produces far less plastic.

Ice in established restaurants and cafés is generally produced commercially and is not the risk it once was. If a place looks like it makes its own from tap water, skip it.

Street food and warungs are part of what makes eating here good, and avoiding them entirely is a shame. Eat where there is turnover and a queue, prefer food cooked to order and served hot, and be cautious with anything left at room temperature.

Stomach upsets are common enough to have a nickname. Most are mild and pass in a day or two. Bring rehydration salts, and see a doctor if symptoms are severe or persistent.

Vegetarian food is easy to find, particularly in Ubud and Canggu. Bali is majority Hindu rather than Muslim, so halal food is available but less ubiquitous than elsewhere in Indonesia. Ask rather than assume.

Temple Etiquette and Everyday Manners

Bali’s temples are working places of worship, not old buildings that happen to be open. The rules exist for that reason.

• Cover shoulders and knees. A sarong and sash are required at most temples and are usually available to borrow or rent at the entrance
• Remove footwear where indicated
• Do not climb on shrines, statues or temple walls for photographs
• Do not walk in front of someone praying, and stay behind worshippers rather than between them and the shrine
• Small offerings, called canang sari, sit on pavements, steps and shopfronts every day. Do not step on them, move them or photograph them intrusively
• Ask before photographing people, particularly during ceremonies
• Menstruating women are traditionally asked not to enter temple grounds. The rule is generally posted at the entrance and is taken seriously

Rules differ between temples and some inner areas are closed to visitors entirely. Read the signage at each one rather than assuming what applied at the last temple applies here.

More generally: use your right hand to give and receive, avoid touching people on the head, keep swimwear to the beach and pool, and keep your temper in public. Losing composure openly is regarded poorly and rarely achieves anything.

Staying Safe in Bali

Bali is broadly safe for visitors, including solo women, and violent crime against tourists is uncommon. The realistic risks are ordinary ones.

• Road traffic is the main hazard, and scooter accidents are the most common cause of serious injury among visitors
• Sea conditions vary sharply by beach. Some south and west coast beaches have strong currents and rip tides. Swim between flags where lifeguards are posted, and take local warnings seriously rather than judging by how the water looks
• Petty theft happens, mostly opportunistic. Use hotel safes, do not leave bags visible on scooters, and keep phones secure in traffic
• Heat and dehydration catch people out on the first days
• Have travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, and check that it covers scooters, diving or trekking if you plan those. Many policies exclude riding without the correct licence

Save your accommodation’s address in Indonesian, keep an offline map, and note your embassy’s contact details before you travel.

Scams Worth Knowing About

None are unique to Bali and none should worry you much, but knowing them removes most of the risk.

• Taxi meters not being used, or a fare negotiated upward halfway there. Agree the fare first or insist on the meter
• Money changers offer rates noticeably better than everyone else, then short-counting during the handover. Use proper shopfronts and count before you leave
• Rental vehicle damage disputes on return. Photograph the vehicle from every angle before you ride away, with the timestamp on
• Unclear tour pricing, where the quoted price turns out to exclude entry fees, equipment or the driver’s waiting time. Ask what is included in writing
• Bill confusion in busy restaurants, usually items added or a service charge applied twice. Check the total
• ATM card issues. Prefer machines inside bank branches and cover the keypad

If something feels rushed or pressured, slow down. Very little in Bali actually needs deciding on the spot.

Sun, Mosquitoes and Staying Well

Bali sits close to the equator and the sun is stronger than most visitors expect, including on overcast days. Use high-factor sunscreen, reapply after swimming and take shade at midday. Choose reef-safe formulations if you will be snorkelling.

Mosquitoes are present, more so around dawn and dusk and in the wet season. Use repellent, and consider long sleeves in the evening. Dengue occurs in Indonesia, so bite prevention is the sensible precaution rather than something to worry about disproportionately.

Speak to your doctor or a travel clinic well before departure about vaccinations and health precautions for your circumstances. That conversation is theirs to have with you, not ours.

Bring any prescription medicines in original packaging with a copy of the prescription, and check that what you carry is legal to bring into Indonesia, since rules on some common medications are stricter than travellers expect.

What to Pack for Bali

Pack light. Laundry is cheap and fast, and most things are easy to buy here.

• Lightweight, breathable clothing, and more of it than you think, because humidity means changing often
• One outfit that covers shoulders and knees for temples
• A sarong, though these are inexpensive to buy on arrival
• Comfortable walking shoes and sandals
• Swimwear, at least two sets
• A light rain jacket or compact umbrella, November to March especially
• High-factor sunscreen and insect repellent
• A reusable water bottle
• Plug adapter and a power bank
• A dry bag for boat trips, waterfalls and scooters
• A small day bag that closes properly
• Prescription medicines and a basic first aid kit

Leave behind: heavier clothing, a hairdryer if your accommodation provides one, and anything you would hate to lose on a beach.

Travelling Responsibly

Bali absorbs a very large number of visitors: 6,948,754 international arrivals in 2025, according to BPS Statistics Indonesia figures reported by ANTARA News. Small choices matter at that scale.

• Refill a water bottle rather than buying single-use plastic daily
• Do not touch or move offerings, and do not disturb ceremonies for a photograph
• Do not feed monkeys or wildlife, and keep bags closed and sunglasses off around the monkey forests
• Do not touch or stand on coral, and choose reef-safe sunscreen
• Choose wildlife experiences carefully, avoiding anything involving handling, riding or posing with captive animals
• Take rubbish with you, particularly on beaches and treks
• Buy from local businesses, eat at warungs, and use local guides and drivers
• Dress and behave at temples as you would in any place of worship at home

Mistakes First-Time Visitors Make

These come up repeatedly and every one is avoidable.

• Basing yourself in one place and day-tripping everywhere. Bali punishes this. Two or three bases makes a far better trip
• Underestimating driving times, then building itineraries that only work in theory
• Booking something every single day. The heat and traffic make this exhausting by day four
• Arriving with cards only, and finding warungs, parking and small drivers take cash
• Renting a scooter without the correct licence and permit, and finding out about the insurance problem afterwards
• Forgetting the tourist levy and the arrival declaration, then queuing for both at the airport
• Turning up at a temple in beachwear
• Not allowing enough time at the airport for departure, which is slower than most visitors expect
• Booking a boat to the Nusa Islands without checking sea conditions
• Treating Bali as one destination. The south, Ubud and the north and east are entirely different trips
• Packing for a beach holiday and nothing else, then having no temple-appropriate clothing

Bali Travel FAQs

1. How many days do I need in Bali?
   Five days covers the south and Ubud without rushing. Seven to ten lets you add the Nusa Islands or the east coast. With four days or fewer, stay in one area rather than touring.
2. What is the best month to visit Bali?
   May, June and September usually offer dry season weather with fewer crowds than July and August. April and October are also good.
3. Do I need a visa for Bali?
   It depends on nationality. Many travellers can buy a Visa on Arrival at IDR 500,000 for 30 days, extendable once. Some nationalities are exempt, and others must arrange a visit visa in advance. Check the immigration lists for your passport.
4. What is the Bali tourist tax?
   A levy of IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor, separate from your visa. Pay it through the official Love Bali portal before you travel and keep the QR code.
5. Is Bali expensive?
   It scales widely. Modest trips run on a small daily budget, mid-range trips cost more, and luxury is available at any price you like. Food, transport and massages are inexpensive by Western standards. Imported alcohol is not.
6. Should I carry cash in Bali?
   Yes, alongside cards. Many small businesses, parking attendants and warungs take cash only, and small notes are genuinely useful.
7. Can I use credit cards in Bali?
   Visa and Mastercard are accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and established operators. Acceptance drops sharply at smaller businesses. Do not rely on cards alone.
8. Do I need a SIM card in Bali?
   Not strictly, since wifi is widespread, but a local SIM or eSIM makes ride-hailing, maps and messaging far easier. eSIMs can be activated before you land.
9. Is Bali safe for tourists?
   Broadly yes, including for solo travellers. The realistic risks are road accidents, sea currents on some beaches and petty theft rather than violent crime.
10. Do I need an international driving permit in Bali?
    To ride legally you need your home licence plus an International Driving Permit covering the vehicle class, and a car-only permit does not cover a scooter. Riding without it also puts travel insurance at risk.
11. What should I wear to Bali temples?
    Clothing covering shoulders and knees, plus a sarong and sash, which most temples provide or rent at the entrance.
12. Can I drink tap water in Bali?
    No. Use bottled or properly filtered water. Refill stations are widely available and reduce plastic waste.
13. Should I tip in Bali?
    It is not obligatory. Rounding up or leaving small change for good service is normal. Check whether a service charge has already been added.
14. What should I avoid doing in Bali?
    Stepping on offerings, climbing on temple structures, wearing swimwear away from the beach, riding a scooter without the correct licence, and losing your temper in public.
15. Is Bali worth visiting during the rainy season?
    Yes, with flexible plans. Expect heavy afternoon rain rather than all-day drizzle, along with lower prices and fewer people. Boat trips and mountain treks are ldithe activities most likely to be affected.