Bali Travel Guide

The most effective way of travelling in Bali is to rent a scooter. It is not only cheap but is one of the most preferred mediums of transport in Bali. For pillion riders, who either have no license or are just too scared to drive in an unknown land can make use of an app called ‘GO-JEK’ which is in all ways similar to a rental taxi service but on a scooter. 

Kuta, Uluwatu, Seminyak, Denpasar and Canggu are few of the major cities where you can rent your scooter at a much convenient price. The approximate price for scooter will start from  Rp20, 000 to Rp50, 000.

Every land has its own dirty game and such is case with Uber in Bali. Due to monopoly of the local taxi service Uber is somewhat banned or uncommon to be specific in Bali. You can use it, however, avoid using Uber in populated areas. 

Also for similar kind of service you can use an app called ‘Blue Bird’ for car rental service. Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Kintamani and Denpasar are few of the cities in Bali where you can rent a taxi at an affordable price. The approximate price starts from Rp35, 000 to Rp85, 000.

It is always good to have your own research done about the place before travelling. The crowd might won’t bother you but usually peak seasons implies expensive itinerary which you certainly wish to avoid, unless, and until you have a big paycheck in the bank.

July- August period in Bali, generally witnesses family crowd as people want to make the most out of their kids school vacations. Also, Christmas and New Year are voted as most popular seasons no matter where you are travelling – everybody is in the festive mood during this time of the year!

Bali, maintains a very cordial relationship with the Sun and is pleasantly sunny throughout the year. If you are looking for some ‘Pocketful of sunshine’, then, avoid rainy season and consider travelling during May, June and July which are considered as the best months to travel to Bali.

On the other hand adventure junkies, who are really looking forward to surfing must opt to travel during dry season, May to October as during this time the western side of the Peninsula is known for creating some of the best waves ideal for surfing.

Bali, does not suffer rainy season as compared to the rest of the Southeast Asian countries. It’s usually sunny with short showers that does not seem to bother much to the travellers. Also, mostly it rains in Bali during the night time, however, sometimes the odds might work and you might encounter non-stop rain throughout the day.

If you are not much of a rain lover, then, avoid coming during the months of January and February as it rains heavily during this time as compared to the rest of the time of the year. One might assume that the weather during this period might become cold due to continuous rainfall, however, it’s not true. The weather is pleasant and cool during this time - perfect weather for shorts and T-shirt. In case of unbearable rain, you can always make a quick escape to the neighbouring Gili Islands which are drier as compared to Bali.

Dry season begins in Bali around April as humidity level drop and it is tropically hot during this point of the year. Considering the cool evenings, there might be a need to carry a jacket or sweatshirt especially if you are commuting on a bike.

July and August are the peak months of the dry season, it is during these two months that Bali becomes overloaded with tourists from all over the world.

Surfing is possible all throughout the year, however, one needs to be knowledgeable about best spots during different seasons. Usually, all the southwest spots of Bali do not permit surfing during the rainy season. Thus, is you are visiting Bali anytime between November - April for some surfing adventure, you might want to avoid Berawa Beach, Pererenan, Balian, Medewi.

Places like Nusa Dua, Grinbowl in the eastern side and Serangan, Keramas , Padang Galak , Lembeng in the north of Bali offer best waves making these places an ideal spot for surfing during the wet season. If your sole objective of visiting Bali is surfing, then, the best time for you to plan the trip is during the dry season i.e. anytime between March - November. Bukit peninsula is a haven for surfing during the dry season -  Jimbaran, Balangan, Dreamland , Padang-Padang, and Uluwatu are just to name a few.

While some visit Bali for either relaxation or surfing there is an other section of travellers too who wish to witness the rich Balinese culture from close. Bali might be small but is well-known for its vibrant and colorful events and festivals. The entire place is enveloped in the festive spirit - fireworks, music, dance and food everything is perfect.

Negara Bull Races, is one such event where locals compete their decorated bulls and chariots against each other. This energetic event is organised between July and October.

Part of the attraction when visiting Bali are some of the vibrant events and festivals that are held and New Year's Eve is one of the biggest. A highly celebrated event by the locals, Bali comes alive with fireworks, music, dancing, food and a festive spirit shared by locals and tourists alike. One of Bali's more surprising events are the Negara Bull Races, where highly decorated bulls and chariots compete against each other between July and October.

While you are travelling to Bali, you definitely need not worry about the visa as recently Bali has announced Free Visa Entry for most of the  countries. Your visa will be valid for the next 30 days and is not extendable. With that visa you will be able to move freely through 29 airports, 88 harbours and 7 land crossings.

If you are travelling from Libya then you Visa on Arrival in Bali will cost $35 for 30 days and is extendable for another 30 days.

In case, you are extending your Visa

Extending visa might appear as an easy business but is actually tricky. You need to provide 2 copies of your departure tickets, however, you do not need a sponsor in extension of visa. Also, make sure that you passport is valid for another 6 months before jumping into any impulsive decision of extending your visa.

Procedure while leaving Bali on VOA

Travellers while exiting Bali are need to pay a departure tax in IDR. While this amount may vary from airport to airport, however, make sure you have approx. 200,000 IDR  ready in cash especially if your flight is from Ngurah Rai International airport.

If, in case, you entering Bali with the intention of staying more than 30 days or have something more long at the top of the priority list like beginning a business or seeing family, you should apply for a visa ahead of time – as in before you leave for Bali. For this, you should apply through an Indonesian Embassy and/or Consulate in your nation of origin.

There is no second opinion that you can apply for the visa on your own, however, the process becomes more smoother and less demanding with an assistance of an expert travel/visa specialist who knows precisely what to do and how to streamline the entire procedure a bit. Following list are different categories of vis that can be availed as per the criteria you fit in :

Tourist Visa

A Tourist Visa endures up to 60 days and perfectly fine as long you intend to visit this beauty place with the sole intention of touring it. If you are looking forward to apply for Tourist Visa for Bali, then, make sure your passport is valid for next six months of the year with at least three pages blank in your passport.

Social/Cultural Visa

If, in case you are visiting Bali not with the purpose of travelling but say studying, visiting family or if you are a part and student exchange program, then, you might be needed to apply for Social/Cultural Visa. For this visa, a valid passport as well as passport photograph is must.

You will need to acquire an application structure from Indonesian embassy or consulate and an introduction letter or guarantee of sponsorship from a reliable individual or school in Indonesia. The visa is substantial for 60 days, however, it can be extended for maximum of about six months considering you extend it for one month at a time. You will be required to pay for the application and visa extension charges in case of extension.

Business Visa

People wishing to extend their business to Bali can avail 60-day Single Entry Business Visa. This visa is also applicable if you are visiting for a conference or seminar. In case, there is a need for extending the visa, you will be required to pay a visit to the local immigration authorities or a visa agent. Bali also provides an option of a Multiple Entry Business Visa which is valid for as long as 12 months.

However, Business Visa comes with certain terms and conditions i.e. you are visiting the country for business motives of meeting overseas business partners, however, it does not mean that you are taking up employment (of any sort ) in Indonesia. In order to apply for a Business Visa, you are required to have a passport with at least six months validity, a passport photograph, a completed visa application form and an evidence that supports that you have enough funds to cover your accommodation in Indonesia (usually accepted in the form of a bank statement).

In addition to the above mentioned, you also need to submit two supporting letters that outline the exact summary of your visit, one from your workplace and the other from your guarantor in Indonesia.

Employment Visa/KITAS

For those who are looking for an employment in Thailand need to avail Employment Visa or referred as Temporary Stay Permit or KITAS. However, in order to apply for this visa, you need to show a letter that proves you are sponsored by a company or organization active in Thailand. This is best suited for foreigners who are looking for work and play kind of an atmosphere.

Retirement Visa

Bali is an ideal destination for retiring – picture perfect landscapes, spa, laid back atmosphere. What else can you desire for? For people above, 55 years of age who are looking for settling in this beautiful place can avail themselves with a renewable five-year visa. In order to apply for this visa, your passport should be valid for at least 18 months and you will also be required to prove certain insurance standards such as financial capability for your stay.

60 Day Tourist Visa ‘ 211’

‘The 211’ or ‘B -211 Tourist Visit Visa’ is another 60 – day tourist visa that is not known by majority of travelers to Indonesia. One of the most impressive thing about 211 Visa is that just like any other tourist visa, this too can be extended for a 6 months duration, costing for about 550k for each month over a period of 60 days. The 211 Visa can be availed from embassies and consulates, and is also extendable for up to 6 months (costing about 550k for each month over the 60 days). Thus, in all you can stay in Bali up to 180 days (6 months).

In order to apply for 211 Visa, all foreign nationals are required to submit a sponsor letter, copy of your sponsor ID, filled Application to be submitted to the Thailand Embassy, return tickets, bank statement that states you own a minimum amount of 2000 USD and lastly your passport should be valid for the next 6 months.

You might need to get familiar with the term ‘Visa Run’ especially if you are a first time traveller to an international destination. While in Indonesia, this run is usually exercised by expats either on the day or couple of days before their visa is about to expire. In order, to extend your Visa, you will be needed to visit Indonesian embassy in Singapore as this is one of the quick and efficient government organizations.

Generally, it takes three days for the process, however, if you realised it just now and your visa is going to expire in next few days, you can always opt for ‘Express Service’ which provides you with a new visa in just one day.

One things to keep in mind before visiting the Indonesian Embassy is that it is a highly sophisticated organization that follows its own dress code. Please avoid wearing shorts, sandals, flip-flops - this is not a sightseeing trip in Bali. Make sure you present yourself in formal clothes or descent a T-shirt and jeans.

It is quite understood to forget time when in Bali, however, we strongly advise you to keep in mind that your VOA is only valid for 30 days. Incase you extend your stay without official an approval you will be penalised to US$20 per day.

This penalty can even turn for worse and you might face jail term too.

Immigration Offices in Bali

Ngurah Rai International Airport
Jl. Ngurah Rai, Kuta
Tel: (0361) 751038

Denpasar Immigration Office
Jl. Surapati 7, (in the Renon Complex), Niti Mandala, Denpasar.
Phone: (0361) 227828.

Option 1: USA - Tokyo - Bali

If you are travelling to Bali from USA and have everything planned in your travel itinerary, then, you might need to leave two days prior to your arrival date in Bali.The reason partly being International Date Line and partly due to the transit time. Continental Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and ANA provide direct flight carriers to and from Denpasar in Bali.

Usually these flights have a short layover in Chicago followed by a non-stop flight to Narita Airport in Tokyo that calculates to a total of 13 hours of journey till now. You will then board a direct flight from Narita to Denpasar which will take 7 hours to reach.

Option 2: USA - Tokyo -Singapore - Bali

As compared to the above mentioned journey, most of the travellers prefer travelling through Singapore as this rote is preferably cheap as well as less time consuming. This route is best suited for travelers flying from Eastern half of the USA. The journey will remain same till Hong Kong, however, from Hong Kong instead of taking a direct flight to Denpasar, you can pot for flight to Singapore which will take you around 4 hours.

You can either stay in Singapore or can take a direct flight from Singapore to Denpasar. This route is loaded with various options, however, the most preferable carrier is Air Asia. you can book an Air Asia flight from Singapore to Denpasar in under 200$ that is inclusive of all the taxes as well.

There is absolutely no direct flight from any of the European countries to Bali. However, to ease out the process of searching the best prefered routes, following listed are some of the best options.

 - If travelling with KLM royal Dutch airline, you can either make a short stop in Singapore or in Kuala Lumpur and then proceed with other cheap connecting flights to Denpasar

 - If travelling with China Airlines, you can travel to bangkok followed by boarding a connecting Thai Airways flight to Denpasar

 - You can also opt for a transit to Hong kong, continue your journey from here either by taking a flight to Singapore or Denpasar

 - You can opt for a transit  to Dubai, continue your journey from here either by taking a flight to Singapore or Denpasar

There is no direct flight, thus, you will be required to make at least one transit before reaching Bali. All the major airports in India, Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport in Mumbai, Indira Gandhi International in New Delhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore and Chennai International Airport in Chennai provide flights to Bali, however, no matter which airport you choose you will be required to make one stop atleast.

Various renowned flights operate to and fro from India to Bali. You can book tickets in any of the flight as per your preference and budget - Etihad Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas Airways, Thai Airways and Singapore Air.

If you want to fly cheap, the best route and flight is as listed below:

 - Air Asia, a budget airline is our favourite pick if you are looking for budgeted options of flying. Book your tickets either from Trichy or Kochi to Kuala Lumpur, if booked well in advance you can avail tickets at a price Rs5000 (approx.)

 - From Kuala Lumpur there are multiple flights that fly to and fro Denpasar. You can book these connecting flights for 50 Euros that comes to approx. Rs4000

 - You might won’t believe but there is another cheap route too - you can opt for a Singapore flight from Trichy which will come to almost same price as Kuala Lumpur. The flights operating from Singapore to Denpasar can be booked for as less as Rs3500.

 - You will be required to book individual flights for each destination separately, make sure you leave enough buffer time between the connecting flights.

Australia has one country that has a strong connection with Bali, a lot of expat population have now permanently settled in Bali. Not only the flights from Australia to Bali are cheap but one also has the privilege of booking a direct flight.

 - Jetstar, a budget airline, operate directly from as many as 11 airports in Australia. While you might be required to pay more for Virgin Australia, but considering this flight has been voted as the best domestic airline (2012), the price is worth it. Also, this airlines partake direct flights to Bali from 9 airports in Australia. Garuda on the other hand is Indonesia’s national airline, this carrier too operates directly from 4 airports across Australia.

 - Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas are some other carrier options that do not offer direct flights to Bali, however, are cheaper and one needs to make a stopover before reaching Denpasar.

 - On an average, flights from Australia to Bali cost between $300 - $1200. It further depends upon which airport you pick to begin your journey. Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin, Adelaide, Gold Coast airports provide direct flight facility to Bali.

Your flight booking will again be dependent on various factors such as peak season, date of travel, budget and various other factors. It is tiresome job, we understand. However, to ease out this process we bring you some quick hacks that will save some extra bucks.

Book during the right time of the week: It has been observed that Tuesday and Thursday are considered as most economical days as compared to the remaining days while booking an international flight.

Your Credit Card can let you travel for free: If you are paying through credit card, then, you might want to opt for the one that offers best deals in terms of miles. If you are frequent flyer or just want to earn few extra miles to plan your next trip, you can always opt for airline credit cards such as Gold Delta Skymiles credit card from American Express. There are various other cards that offer you some of the best lucrative deals when it comes to travelling. A little research before hand might save few extra dollars.

Pick the best-of-best booking sites: If you have ample time to travel, the, keep a check on airfare on numerous sites. There are an array of booking sites that not only provides you with cheap fares but also provide you thorough information about price change.

Signing –up for the newsletter for various booking sites is another added advantage as you get an immediate notification about any price change.

Most of the travellers prefer renting a personal driver for sightseeing in Bali as cabs are expensive. However, since most of these drivers are local, thus, they very-well know in and outs of the entire region. They might fool you to with their own recommendation when it comes to cafes, restaurants and other tourist spots as by alluring you they can earn their commission from these places.

What you should do instead?

Make sure you have done your own homework about the place that you are visiting. It is always good to plan your own itinerary than be dependant on somebody else. Be very open about your choices - just remember at the end of the day, you are paying your driver. Be straightforward about your choices as well as pit stops in between your journey

If you are planning to rent a cab for sightseeing in Bali, then be aware of the surcharge policy that the local drivers follow here. Most of the travellers have fallen victim to this trend especially when travelling from Kuta to Ubud, as the driver states that since the taxi is Kuat based they will have to pay surcharge once they reach the other destined destination.

What should you do instead?

As mentioned earlier, Uber is rare in Bali due to the monopoly of local drivers. However, you can rely on Bluebird Taxi as they run on meter.

Recently, there is a new scam that has been on increase in the local streets of Bali. While exchanging money , these phoney money changers will first show you a stack of $10,000 rupiah. However, once you are convinced they remove few notes from the stack behind the counter.

What you should do instead?

We have been stressing on the importance of carrying cash while in Bali. Also, in case you forgot to exchange currency, make sure that you get it done only through authorised money change units.

There are hoards of people acclaiming themselves as guides outside all famous temples such as Goa Gajah (Elephant cave), Besakih Temple and various other tourist sites. In the beginning they will make you believe that the service is free, however, at the end of the tour they will ask you for donation and you are left in a situation with no other option than paying them.

What you should do instead?

Be very straightforward once you enter the premises. If you are intentionally are looking for a guided tour then make sure that you talk about money prior to the tour. Also, in latter case they will actually provide you with an insightful tour as they know they will be earning at the end of the tour.