Bali is a beautiful island. It is also crowded and busy at times. You will find many surprises when you visit. Some are good. Some are not. If you want to have a great trip, you need to know what to expect. This guide will tell you the facts you need.

Where Is Bali?

Bali is an island in Indonesia. It sits between two other islands called Java and Lombok. Bali is small, but it has many beaches, rice fields, temples, and busy streets. You can find surf spots, quiet villages, yoga centers, and nightclubs. They are all close to each other.

When Should You Visit?

Bali has two main seasons. They are dry and wet.

• The dry season lasts from April to October. The weather is hot and the sky is clear. Many people visit then.
• The wet season runs from November to March. It rains almost every day. Roads may flood. Mosquitoes are common. But the prices go down and there are fewer tourists.

If you want sun and do not mind crowds, visit between May and September. If you want a cheaper trip and do not mind some rain, go in January or February.

How Long Should You Stay?

If you want to relax on the beach and visit a few temples, one week is enough. Two weeks lets you see more places like Ubud and the north coast. If you stay for a month, you can take your time and enjoy many activities.

Do You Need a Visa?

People from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and Canada can enter Bali without a visa for 30 days. You cannot extend this stay. If you want to stay longer, you can get a visa when you arrive. This visa lasts 30 days and can be extended once.

Make sure your passport is valid for six months and has one blank page.

Getting Around

Bali has heavy traffic. Roads are narrow. Drivers often ignore traffic rules. Scooters drive between cars. Many accidents happen.

Your Options:

Scooter: It is cheap and fast. But it is risky. If you have never ridden a scooter before, do not learn here. Police stop tourists often and ask for bribes.

Car with Driver: This is the best way to travel if you want to avoid stress. You can book a driver using apps like Grab or Gojek.

Taxis: They are available but many charge too much or do not use the meter.

Apps: Grab and Gojek are good for short rides and food delivery. But some local drivers do not like these apps in places like Ubud and Canggu.

Where to Stay

Each area in Bali has its own style. Pick your place to stay based on what you want.

Canggu

• Good for surfing, cafes, young travelers, and parties.
• Best if you are under 35 and like scooters and beach clubs.

Ubud

• Known for rice fields, yoga, healthy food, and monkeys.
• Great for wellness, culture, and quiet life away from the beach.

Seminyak

• Has trendy shops, good restaurants, and nice sunsets.
• More polished and busy than Canggu.

Uluwatu

• Famous for cliffs, surf spots, and luxury hotels.
• Less crowded but harder to get around.

Nusa Dua

• Made for families with resorts and clean beaches.
• Not much local culture here.

Sidemen or Amed

• Quiet and traditional places.
• Good if you want peace, hiking, and fewer tourists.

What to Do in Bali

Bali has much more than just beaches. You can visit temples, waterfalls, rice terraces, or simply relax.

Beaches

Not all Bali beaches have white sand and calm water. Some are rocky or dirty. But a few stand out.

• Padang Padang: Small and pretty but crowded.
• Balangan: Good for surfing and sunsets.
• Nusa Dua: Clean and safe for families.
• Lovina: Black sand and dolphin tours.

Temples

Bali temples are beautiful and sacred. Dress properly when you visit.

• Uluwatu Temple: On a cliff with great views.
• Tanah Lot: A sea temple. Best to see at sunset.
• Besakih Temple: The largest temple in Bali. It is touristy but worth a visit.

Rice Terraces

Visit Tegallalang for famous photo spots. Go to Sidemen for peaceful walks without crowds.

Waterfalls

Most waterfalls need a hike. Wear good shoes.

• Sekumpul: Hard to reach but very beautiful.
• Tukad Cepung: A waterfall inside a cave.
• Gitgit: Easy to get to but busy.

Mount Batur

You can hike to watch the sunrise. The hike starts around 2 AM. It is cold at the top, so bring warm clothes.

Other Activities

• Surf lessons in Kuta or Canggu
• Yoga classes in Ubud
• Cooking classes
• Snorkeling in Nusa Lembongan
• Diving in Amed or Tulamben

What to Eat

You will find many types of food in Bali. From local dishes to pizza and smoothies.

Try these local favorites:

• Nasi Goreng: Fried rice with egg.
• Mie Goreng: Fried noodles.
• Satay: Meat on sticks with peanut sauce.
• Babi Guling: Roasted pork (not halal).
• Tempeh: Fried fermented soybeans.

Do not drink tap water. Use bottled water or filtered water stations.

What to Watch Out For

Tourist Scams

You will meet friendly people and some who try to trick you.

• Some taxis charge too much or skip the meter.
• Some tour guides overpromise.
• Beach sellers may sell fake goods.

Street Dogs and Monkeys

Monkeys can steal phones, sunglasses, or food. Do not carry snacks near them. Avoid eye contact.

Street dogs roam freely. Most are safe but some have diseases.

Drugs

Do not use drugs in Bali. Laws are strict. People get long jail terms for small amounts.

Trash

Bali has a trash problem. Beaches can be clean one day and dirty the next. Rain washes garbage into the sea.

Avoid single-use plastic. Bring your own water bottle and bags.

How Much Does Bali Cost?

You can travel cheap or spend a lot.

Budget daily cost: $30 to $50
Stay in hostels, eat local food, rent scooters.

Mid-range daily cost: $75 to $150
Stay in hotels, hire drivers, eat a mix of local and Western food.

Luxury daily cost: $200 or more
Stay in villas, hire private chefs, enjoy spa treatments and tours.

Is Bali Safe?

Mostly yes. But be careful of petty theft, traffic accidents, and natural events.

• Lock your scooter and room.
• Avoid walking alone at night when drunk.
• Watch for scams and fake alcohol.
• Know your emergency exits in case of earthquakes or volcanoes.

FAQs

Is Bali expensive to visit?
Bali is cheap compared to many places. You can spend under $50 a day if you eat local food, stay in budget places, and rent scooters. Luxury travel costs more than $200 a day.

Do people speak English in Bali?
Yes, many people speak English in tourist areas. Hotel staff, guides, and shop owners usually understand enough to help you.

What should I wear in Bali?
Beach clothes work in most places. But cover your shoulders and knees when visiting temples. You can use a sarong for this.

Is Bali good for families?
Yes. Choose family-friendly areas like Sanur or Nusa Dua. Many hotels have kids’ clubs and safe pools.

Can you drink alcohol in Bali?
Yes, but only buy bottled drinks from known brands. Avoid homemade liquor called arak. Some tourists have been sick from bad alcohol.

How do I stay connected in Bali?
Buy a local SIM card at the airport or convenience stores. Data is cheap and fast. Many cafes and hotels offer free Wi-Fi.

What vaccines do I need for Bali?
Talk to your doctor. Common vaccines are Hepatitis A, Typhoid, and Tetanus. If you plan to be near animals, consider rabies shots.

Final Thoughts

Bali is full of contrast. You’ll find peace and chaos, beauty and mess, charm and crowds—all in the same day. If you know what to expect, you’ll enjoy it more.

Pick the right place to stay. Travel with care. Eat local food. Respect the culture. Stay alert, but also stay open.

Bali isn’t perfect. But it’s real. And if you slow down and look past the surface, it’s worth your time.