In this blog, I am sharing everything you need to know before booking a trip to this Paradise Island. This time I travel with one of my friend. I will covering everything from entry requirements to stay, daily budgets, how to get around, what to do, and what not to do. Again, if you find any of the information in this blog helpful, we would really appreciate it if you could comment below and subscribe. Then, you will get every budget information on your trip anywhere in the world directly to your mail.
Direct Flight to Bali
Let’s start this blog off with how to book a flight to Engary International Airport. Big airlines are adding direct routes to Bali now, so you’ll no longer need to fly through your cart at first like we did. Use Google Flights to see what flights are available. As of April 7th, there are 97 countries eligible for Visa on Arrival, with more countries being added every day.
Visa
If you plan to stay for more than 30 days, you will need to apply for a tourist visa, which is extendable up to 60 days. The price is currently 500k IDR or around $35. If you would like to spend more than 60 days in Bali, then you can apply offshore for the B211 Business Authorities Visa. There are various agencies you can contact that provide this service and will usually get your visa approved within a week. The cost is always changing, but as of right now, it is around 3.5 million IDR. The nice thing is that this visa is renewable on the island, so you will not need to do a visa run and leave the country.
Requirements
So I advise you to check with your visa agent to get the updated ones, but as of right now, these are the requirements:
- After arrival, you will be checked at the airport, and there will be multiple checkpoints, including checking for: Return or onward flight ticket within 30 or 60 days
- You will have your visa on arrival.
- You can pay for your visa on arrival with a credit card or the equivalent in a few foreign currencies.
- Step back, collect your bags, pass the checkpoints, and proceed to your transportation.
Best time to Visit
The best time to visit Bali is between April and October. It’s not as hot, and it does not rain as much. The weather is usually between 28 and 32°C pretty much every single day during this time.
What you need to know about the weather in Bali is that there are basically only two seasons: the wet season and the dry season. You don’t want to be there during the wet season because most of your beach days will be ruined by the frequent storms and heavy rain. If you’re going to visit between November and March, it is the rainy season. The benefit, though, is that prices for hotels and things are a little bit cheaper during this time. The busiest time in Bali is normally between June and July, so if you’re planning a visit during European holidays, the prices will be extremely high, and the island will be very busy with heavy traffic.
Currency
The currency here is the Indonesian rupiah and is usually around 15,900 IDR to one USD. Once you get through customs, there are numerous money exchange services in the airport itself. Although we’ve never used any of these, we don’t recommend it because the fees are always super high for airports. If you do want to use the money exchange service, you can find them all over the island, so just head outside towards Seminyak, Kuta, or Canggu, and you will find one. Alternatively, what we do is we withdraw from an ATM with our credit cards, and every time we withdraw, there’s usually a fee of around $8. There are ATMs all over the island, and there is a limit on how much you can withdraw from an ATM at one time, so you might have to use the ATM multiple times in a day. But it’s the most convenient. Actually, most places accept credit cards, so that’s a good thing. You don’t always need cash. Now, we got away with spending most of our money through credit cards. It’s with direct points of sales, and then we just withdraw about 3 million IDR for a week or two, and that’s just to pay for full meals at the warungs and just petty cash for a bike and small stuff.
Back Packing
Let’s talk about what you need to pack for your body. As not a lot of people talk about this, and there are quite a few things you actually need to know about traveling to Bali and Southeast Asia in general.
So, basically, you’re packing for hot and humid weather, as pretty much the whole of your trip will look like that, unless you head up into the mountains like Munduk in northern Bali, where the temperatures drop quite a bit, and in the evenings, it might be a little chilly, so you’ll need a thin sweater. It’s nothing dramatic or anything.
Definitely, because of the humidity and the amount you’re going to be sweating every day, you want to bring things that are comfortable and breezy and avoid white clothing. I’m telling you now, avoid white clothing. So, you’re looking at shorts, t-shirts, sandals, and one pair of good walking shoes. If you’re going to be heading up into the mountains and climbing volcanoes, it also gets muddy up there, so do pack some clothes for that.
Some other really important items that you need to pack include a raincoat, hat, sandals, aloe vera for when you get sunburnt, reef-safe sunscreen because it’s actually very expensive in Bali and hard to find, diarrhea medication if you plan on eating the local foods because Bali belly is real.
Another one for the ladies, bring your sanitary products and thrush medication if you’re prone to that. And if you’re going to have a little bit of a fancy night out on the town, do pack a nice-looking outfit and some good shoes because clubs and bars in Bali are quite busy and they do have dress codes.
But Bali is not a very desolated island, and you can find most of these things. It’s got H&M’s, Zara’s, beautiful boutique shops, also shops that sell pharmacy items, markets, thrift shops. It’s a very developed island, and you will be surprised how much you can find, so don’t worry if you do forget anything.
Transportation:
When you arrive at the airport, you’ll most likely be approached by taxi drivers. We usually ignore these guys because they often are very pushy and will charge an arm and a leg. If you do take a taxi, you’re good to go with Blue Bird Taxi. We’ve used them a couple of times and have never had a bad experience. They use a meter and never try to scam us.
Alternatively, I can recommend you contact the place you are staying at and ask them to organize a shuttle service for you or if they know a driver that can pick you up. A ride from the airport to places like Seminyak or Canggu would usually cost between 200 and 400k IDR.
Once settled in, you can head out looking for a bike to hire so that you have your own wheels around. Also read my Indonesia blog to know more budget friendly transportation.
Scooter
It would usually cost between 200k and 400k IDR. Once settled in, you can head out looking for a bike to hire so that you have your own wheels on the island. Bike hire prices fluctuate all the time with supply and demand like anything else, but the usual going rate is around one million IDR per month. If you want to rent daily, then you can pay anywhere from 100k per day to 250k depending on the duration. Be sure to negotiate. You will need to provide your passport information, so take your passport with you. You don’t have to make a copy, but legally speaking, you do need an international license to be able to ride a motorbike on the island. However, if you’re not experienced with a motorbike, don’t rent one. There are many accidents on the island at the moment, as the traffic is crazy due to inexperienced riders. Don’t put somebody else’s life in your hands. Rather, just use Grab or Gojek. It’s cheap and easy to use. But if you are experienced and know how to ride a motorbike, then definitely go ahead and rent one, but remember to wear your helmet. If you do get into an accident on the island, your travel insurance will require you to have a license. We’ll share our favorite travel insurance with you guys. Bear in mind, traffic on the island is quite bad. It can take 40 minutes to travel from the airport to Ubud or Canggu. The roads are very narrow, and there are tons of bikes and cars trying to get around. We recommend using Grab or Gojek to help curb the traffic congestion.
Accommodation:
The island offers a wide variety of places to stay, from world-class 5-star hotels to backpacker homesteads and hostels. In between, the affordable and comfortable options are abundant. We booked 90% of our short-term stays using Airbnb, and the rest of our bookings were made using Agoda. We can also recommend using Booking.com. You’ll be able to find anything from small intimate couple getaways to massive 8-bedroom villas to share with friends. The variety of places to stay on the island is truly remarkable. Spend some time seeking out the perfect place to suit your needs. We generally go for guesthouses where you have a private room and a shared kitchen, and certain amenities like a pool, though it’s not always guaranteed.
Foods
Now, let’s talk about what to eat when you’re there. Dive in and try the amazing food the island has to offer, from the famous nasi goreng (fried rice) to the incredible and our favorite, chicken curry or rendang. Oh, and don’t forget about mie goreng (fried noodles)! And if you’re craving a taste of home, there are Western options all over the island, so don’t even stress about that.
Drinks
Next, let’s talk about water and ice. Do not drink the tap water. So, on the island, you will have to drink bottled water at all times. You can buy a big 20-liter one for about 20k IDR, really cheap, or you can just get them at any supermarket. The tap water is okay to use for brushing your teeth, but definitely not for consumption. Oh my god, do not even use the water to brush your teeth, use bottled water. Trust the locals on this one. If you’re on the island for a short period of time, be very careful of this because you don’t want to ruin your time with “Bali belly.”
Alcohol
Alcohol on the island can be kind of expensive. If you’re going out to drink at bars, you can expect to pay anywhere between 90k for a Corona to like 120k for one Corona at a club. But if you just want to get some beers and go to a villa, you can do that too. Beers at supermarkets are usually around 20,000 IDR.
The island of Bali has a local liquor called Arak, and that stuff is potent. A lot of the cocktails at cheap cocktail bars are mixed with that stuff, and it will get you lit. In fact, it might make you sick, so just in case, probably stick to bottled beers and mojitos at reputable cocktail bars. Once again, if you’re on the island for a short period of time, you do not want to spend days and days in bed, okay? Stay safe!
What to do & Not to do
Two things I do recommend you do in Bali:
- Join a Balinese cooking class: Immerse yourself in the local culture by learning how to cook traditional Balinese dishes. It’s a fantastic way to experience the flavors and ingredients of Balinese cuisine firsthand.
- Take a bicycle trip through the local community or up the mountains: Explore the beauty of Bali’s countryside, interact with locals, and witness stunning landscapes. Whether it’s a leisurely ride through the rice fields or a challenging ascent to catch a sunrise, biking in Bali offers unforgettable experiences.
In my opinion, there are a few things you might consider skipping on the island of Bali:
- Dolphin viewing in Lovina: While we haven’t personally done it, we’ve heard from many travelers that it can be an uncomfortable experience. There are concerns about the impact on the dolphins and whether it’s an eco-friendly activity. If you’re worried about that, it might be best to skip this experience entirely.
- Day trips to Nusa Penida: The island is jam-packed with traffic, and the roads are often in poor condition. You’ll likely spend most of your day stuck in a car, especially if you’re just doing a day trip. Consider staying overnight to truly enjoy the experience. We did a day trip and didn’t have a great time at all. Hopefully, next time we go, we will stay longer.
- Pura Tanah Lot: While it’s an Instagram-worthy location with its beautiful temple against the backdrop of the sea, be aware that the stunning reflection you see in many photos is often enhanced with a mirror. The actual experience may not live up to the hype, especially if you’re standing in long lines just for a photo. If you’re not into waiting in lines and potentially being disappointed, you might want to skip this attraction.
Language and Culture:
The language on the island is Bahasa Bali or Bahasa Indonesia. Most people you’ll come into contact with speak English fluently, though some may speak broken English. However, you’ll generally have no trouble communicating as many hotels and restaurants have staff fluent in English and other languages. We do suggest learning a few basic phrases out of common decency when visiting a foreign country. They’ll appreciate that you took the time to learn their language. If you want to learn a bit, I suggest going on Babbel and trying the free Indonesian lessons to help you learn a little about numbers and basic greetings.
As for culture, the Balinese are a very culturally rich group of people who have many celebrations, sometimes even every 100 days. It’s important to always be respectful of their temples and be mindful of the offerings that you will see placed on the road and at entrances to hotels and restaurants. Please don’t kick these offerings. You will need to be covered appropriately when at a temple, and men will also need to cover their legs. This is also a requirement at government buildings such as when you go to renew your visa. It’s also very respectful to give and take with your right hand and not your left. Indonesian subscribers, can you let us know in the comments what the reasoning is for that? I’ve always wondered.
Do you need Vaccination?
Talking about vaccinations is a bit tricky because before we traveled to Southeast Asia, our doctor recommended that we get a couple of shots, including HPV shots, rabies shots, and yellow fever shots. However, these are not required for you to visit the island, especially if you’re going to stay away from remote areas. You’ll be fine without them.
One thing I would take note of is that dengue fever is quite a big thing on the island, so protect yourself, strengthen your immune system, and just avoid mosquitoes. Use lots of bug spray. There’s no malaria on the island, so you don’t need to take any medication for that either. At the end of the day, bug spray will be your best vaccination.
Safety:
I get asked quite often about how safe Bali is, and the truth is, I feel 100% safe on the island of Bali. We were there during a very desperate time during the pandemic, and it was still one of the safest places on earth. So, definitely not something that you should worry about at all. However, like everywhere in the world, there is petty crime and some theft, so just be cautious. Don’t be too flashy with your items, and if you have a safety box in your hotel room, definitely utilize it. One tip I can give you all, especially for those using motorbikes, is don’t text with your phone facing the road; turn your back to the road if you need to text someone. Some people do drive-by thefts and grab your phone from your hands. That’s one thing that can happen, so just be aware of it. And I’ll say, if you’re on a motorbike, doing texts at traffic lights, be cautious as well; thieves can come past you and grab a bag.
In terms of scams, while they can happen in Southeast Asia, fortunately for us, it has not happened at all in Bali. 99% of the people that you meet on the island will be super helpful and super friendly. We haven’t really had anything happen to us, no need to worry. We haven’t even heard of it happening to anyone else, even locals. So, enjoy your time in Bali without any stress!
