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Why Visit Bali
Bali is much more than a tropical island. The "Island of the Gods" combines ancient Hindu temples, emerald rice terraces, world-class surf beaches, unique spirituality and surprisingly good food — all at prices that let you travel for weeks without breaking the bank.
Best Time to Visit
- Dry season (April–October): The best time. Sunny days, 27–30°C, ideal for beaches and excursions. July–August is peak season.
- Wet season (November–March): Tropical rain (1–2 hours per day, usually afternoon). Lower prices, fewer tourists, lush green landscapes.
Tip
Flights from London with one stop average £450–650 return. The best deals are often with Gulf airlines (Qatar, Emirates) or Asian carriers (Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific).
Areas of Bali
Ubud (Cultural Centre)
The cultural heart of Bali, surrounded by rice terraces, temples and forests:
- Tegallalang Rice Terrace: The most photographed rice terraces in Bali. Entry: 25,000 IDR (£1). Go early (7–8am) to avoid crowds.
- Monkey Forest: Sanctuary with over 700 macaques in a banyan forest. Entry: 80,000 IDR (£3.20). Don't carry visible food.
- Ubud Art Market: Crafts, paintings, textiles. Haggling is essential.
- Balinese cooking classes: From 250,000 IDR (£10). Includes market visit and meal.
Seminyak & Canggu (Surf & Nightlife)
- Seminyak: Beach, beach clubs (Potato Head, Ku De Ta), international restaurants, fashion shops. More upscale and expensive.
- Canggu: The surfer and digital nomad hub. Speciality coffee, coworking spaces, relaxed nightlife. Echo Beach for surfing.
Uluwatu (South, Cliffs)
The southern peninsula with spectacular cliffs, temples on the ocean and Bali's best waves. The Uluwatu Temple at sunset with the Kecak dance is unmissable (entry: 50,000 IDR / £2, dance: 150,000 IDR / £6).
Nusa Dua & Sanur (Families)
Calm white-sand beaches, luxury resorts and sheltered waters. Perfect for families. Sanur has a lovely promenade and is the departure point for Nusa Lembongan.
Amed & Lovina (North, Tranquility)
- Amed: Fishing village with exceptional snorkelling and diving. A Japanese WWII shipwreck accessible from shore.
- Lovina: Black sand beaches, sunrise dolphin-watching excursion (150,000 IDR / £6).
Temples
Bali has over 20,000 temples. The most impressive:
- Tanah Lot: Temple on a rock in the sea. Iconic at sunset. Entry: 60,000 IDR (£2.40).
- Uluwatu: Perched on a 70-metre cliff. Kecak dance at sunset.
- Besakih: The "mother temple" of Bali, on the slopes of Mount Agung. The most sacred. Entry: 60,000 IDR (£2.40). Decline unofficial guides.
- Tirta Empul: Sacred water temple where Balinese purify themselves. You can participate in the ritual. Entry: 50,000 IDR (£2). Bring a sarong.
- Lempuyang (Gates of Heaven): The famous "gates" with Mount Agung in the background. 1–3 hour queue for the photo. Entry: 50,000 IDR (£2).
Warning
All Bali temples require a sarong and sash. Many temples rent them at the entrance, but it's cheaper to buy one at the market (30,000–50,000 IDR / £1.20–£2).
Beaches & Surf
For Surfing
- Uluwatu/Padang Padang: Powerful waves for experienced surfers.
- Canggu (Echo Beach, Batu Bolong): Ideal for beginners and intermediates. Surf lessons from 350,000 IDR (£14) for 2 hours.
- Kuta Beach: Gentle waves for absolute beginners. Very crowded.
For Relaxing
- Nusa Dua: White sand, turquoise calm waters.
- Sanur: Family-friendly beach with protective reef.
- Nusa Penida: Island 30 min by boat from Sanur. Kelingking Beach and Angel's Billabong are postcard-perfect. Day trip: 400,000–600,000 IDR (£16–£24).
Info
The Gili Islands (Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, Gili Meno) are 2–3 hours by fast boat from Bali. Paradise beaches, snorkelling with turtles and zero motorised vehicles.
Balinese Food
Typical Dishes
- Nasi Goreng: Fried rice with egg, vegetables and satay. The national dish. 25,000–50,000 IDR (£1–£2).
- Mie Goreng: Fried noodles. Similar to nasi goreng but with noodles. 25,000–45,000 IDR (£1–£1.80).
- Babi Guling: Balinese roast suckling pig. The island speciality. Ibu Oka in Ubud is the most famous. 50,000–80,000 IDR (£2–£3.20).
- Sate Lilit: Skewers of minced fish with spices and coconut. 30,000–50,000 IDR (£1.20–£2).
- Smoothie bowls: Bali is the world capital of the smoothie bowl. From 45,000 IDR (£1.80) at cafes in Canggu and Ubud.
Cheap Eats
Warungs (local eateries) serve home-cooked meals for 20,000–40,000 IDR (£0.80–£1.60). Look for ones full of locals.
Hotels in Bali
Find the best deals
Getting Around
Bali has no efficient public transport. Your options:
- Scooter/motorbike: The most common and cheapest way. Rental: 60,000–80,000 IDR/day (£2.40–£3.20). International driving permit required. Helmet mandatory.
- Grab (app): Southeast Asia's Uber. Cheaper than taxis. A 30-minute ride: 50,000–80,000 IDR (£2–£3.20).
- Private driver: For full-day excursions. 500,000–700,000 IDR (£20–£28) for 8–10 hours with car and driver.
- Blue Bird Taxi: The only reliable metered taxis.
From the Airport
- Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS): Official airport taxis with fixed fares by destination. To Kuta: 80,000 IDR (£3.20). To Ubud: 350,000 IDR (£14). To Canggu: 200,000 IDR (£8).
Warning
Riding a scooter in Bali is dangerous if you're inexperienced. Traffic is chaotic, roads are narrow and travel insurance often doesn't cover motorbike accidents without an international driving permit.
Practical Tips
- Visa: UK citizens get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for 30 days at 500,000 IDR (£20), extendable for another 30 days. An e-VOA can be arranged online before arrival.
- Tourist levy: Since 2024, all international visitors pay a 150,000 IDR (£6) tourist levy upon arrival. It can be paid online in advance at lovebali.baliprov.go.id.
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). £1 ≈ 25,000 IDR. Carry cash for warungs and markets. ATMs available in all tourist areas.
- Travel insurance: Essential. Healthcare in Bali is expensive for foreigners. Ensure you have at least £80,000 coverage.
- Water: Don't drink tap water. Buy bottled (3,000–5,000 IDR) or bring a filter bottle.
- Temple etiquette: Wear a sarong, don't point with your finger, don't turn your back to altars, don't climb sacred structures.
- Haggling: Expected at markets and with taxi drivers. Not in restaurants or fixed-price shops.
- Offerings: You'll see small flower baskets (canang sari) on the ground. These are religious offerings. Don't step on them.
Recommended 7-Day Itinerary
- Days 1–2: Ubud. Tegallalang, Monkey Forest, Tirta Empul temple, cooking class.
- Day 3: Northern excursion: Lake Bratan (Pura Ulun Danu), Sekumpul waterfalls, Jatiluwih rice terraces.
- Day 4: Transfer to Canggu/Seminyak. Afternoon beach and surf.
- Day 5: Day trip to Nusa Penida (Kelingking Beach, Angel's Billabong, Crystal Bay).
- Day 6: Uluwatu. Surf or beach at Padang Padang, Uluwatu Temple with Kecak dance at sunset.
- Day 7: Tanah Lot at sunrise, last-minute shopping, departure.
