Knowledge base
Bali FAQ
Quick answers to everything travellers ask before a Bali trip: visas and money, seasons and weather, renting, transport, beaches, food and travelling with kids. 48 questions — search or open any one in full.
🧳Before you go· 10
Do I need a visa for Bali?
Most nationalities get a Visa on Arrival for 500,000 IDR (~$35), valid 30 days and extendable once for another 30. You can also apply online in advance as an e-VOA — same price, less queueing. Visa guide.
Open this question →How long can I stay in Bali?
The VOA/e-VOA gives 30 days plus one 30-day extension — up to 60 days in total. Longer stays need a B211A visa or a KITAS arranged through an agent. Details.
Open this question →How long must my passport be valid for Indonesia?
At least six months from your date of entry. Airlines often check this at boarding, so verify it before you fly.
Open this question →Do I need an onward ticket for Bali?
Formally yes — the Visa on Arrival requires proof of onward travel within your permitted stay, and airlines may ask at check-in. A ticket to any neighbouring country works.
Open this question →What is the Bali tourist levy?
Since 2024 Bali charges foreign visitors a one-off levy of 150,000 IDR (~$10) per trip, paid online via the official Love Bali system. Keep the QR receipt — it can be checked.
Open this question →Do I need travel insurance for Bali?
Not required to enter, but going without is reckless: private healthcare is expensive and scooters are the top cause of tourist injuries. Make sure motorbike riding is covered by your policy.
Open this question →What money and cards work in Bali?
The Indonesian rupiah (IDR), roughly 16,500 to the dollar. Cards work in supermarkets and restaurants; warungs, markets and small shops are cash only. Exchange only at licensed money changers (look for 'PVA Berizin'). Money guide.
Open this question →Which SIM card should I buy in Bali?
Telkomsel has the best coverage, XL is cheaper; data packages cost far less outside the airport. An eSIM bought online before you fly is the easiest option. SIM & internet.
Open this question →Is the internet in Bali good enough to work remotely?
Yes — Bali is one of the world's remote-work capitals: fibre in most villas, solid 4G/5G elsewhere and coworking spaces in Canggu and Ubud. Details.
Open this question →Do I need a power adapter for Bali?
Sockets are the European two-pin type (C/F) at 230V. European plugs fit directly; UK and US devices need a cheap universal adapter.
Open this question →📅When to visit· 6
When is the best time to visit Bali?
April to October — the dry season: sunny, lower humidity, calmer seas. Peak prices hit July–August and the Christmas–New Year weeks. Weather by month.
Open this question →When is the rainy season in Bali?
November to March. Rain comes as tropical downpours of an hour or two — usually late afternoon or overnight — with sunshine in between; temperatures stay at 26–32°C. Month by month.
Open this question →Is Bali worth visiting in the rainy season?
Yes if price matters: cheaper stays, fewer crowds, waterfalls at full power and a lush green island. Just build some slack into your day plans.
Open this question →When is Bali cheapest?
The rainy months outside the holidays, especially February–March. April–June and September–October offer near-peak weather at gentler prices.
Open this question →What is Nyepi and how does it affect my trip?
The Balinese New Year 'Day of Silence', usually in March: for 24 hours the airport closes and everyone — tourists included — stays inside with lights low and noise down. Plan flights around the date.
Open this question →When is surf season in Bali?
Year-round: the dry season (Apr–Oct) fires the west coast — Uluwatu, Canggu, Kuta — while the wet season favours east-coast spots like Keramas and Nusa Dua.
Open this question →🏠Housing & rentals· 6
How do I rent in Bali without getting scammed?
Deal with someone who has a real website and a contract; video-call from the actual villa before paying; film meter readings and defects at check-in. We handle all of this — browse rentals.
Open this question →Villa, apartment or guesthouse in Bali — which is better?
A private pool villa is the classic Bali choice for couples, families and groups; apartments trade privacy for services and price; guesthouses are the budget option. Compare options.
Open this question →What is a normal deposit for renting in Bali?
Short stays take a small refundable deposit or none; monthly rentals usually one month's rate. More than two months is a reason to negotiate.
Open this question →What's included in the rent in Bali?
Cleaning and internet are usually included; electricity is almost always billed separately via a meter or prepaid tokens, and air-con is the main cost. Confirm everything in the contract.
Open this question →Which area is best to stay in Bali?
Canggu for surf, cafes and remote work; Seminyak for restaurants and beach clubs; Ubud for jungle and yoga; Uluwatu and Bingin for cliffs and surf; Sanur and Nusa Dua for calm water and families. Compare all areas.
Open this question →Is monthly rent cheaper in Bali?
Much cheaper than the nightly rate — monthly stays in our catalog start around $340. Yearly contracts (paid upfront, as is local custom) are cheaper still. See monthly options.
Open this question →🛵Getting around· 6
How do I get from Bali airport to my stay?
Ngurah Rai (DPS) sits in the south: Kuta is 15–20 minutes away, Seminyak 30–40, Canggu and Ubud 1–1.5 hours. Use the airport taxi counters, Grab/Gojek or a pre-booked transfer. Getting around.
Open this question →Do I need a licence to rent a scooter in Bali?
Yes — an International Driving Permit with a motorcycle category. Police fine tourists without one, and insurance won't pay after an accident. Always wear a helmet. Details.
Open this question →Do Gojek and Grab work in Bali?
Yes — they're the main way around: bike taxis, cars, food delivery and couriers. Some tourist zones restrict pick-ups, so a driver may ask you to walk to the edge of the area.
Open this question →Should I rent a car in Bali?
Traffic is dense, driving is on the left and parking is scarce — most visitors hire a car with a driver for day trips (roughly 700k–1M IDR per day with fuel) instead of self-driving.
Open this question →How do I get to Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands?
Fast boats: from Sanur for Nusa Penida (~30–45 minutes), from Padang Bai for the Gilis and Lombok. Book ahead in high season.
Open this question →Is there public transport in Bali?
Effectively no. Your real options are a scooter, Gojek/Grab or a car with a driver — and factor the traffic into any airport run.
Open this question →🏖Beaches & ocean· 6
What is the best beach in Bali?
Depends on the goal: white sand and turquoise water on the Bukit (Melasti, Padang Padang, Bingin), sunsets and surf in Canggu and Seminyak, calm swimming in Sanur and Nusa Dua. Beach guide.
Open this question →Can you swim in the ocean in Bali?
Yes, with respect: west-coast beaches have waves and rip currents — swim between the flags. For calm water pick Sanur, Nusa Dua or the Bukit lagoons on still days.
Open this question →Why is the sand black on some Bali beaches?
It's volcanic — beaches in the north and east (Amed, Lovina) are built from Agung and Batur material. A feature of the island, not dirt.
Open this question →Where should I learn to surf in Bali?
Beginner-friendly sandy-bottom breaks at Kuta, Legian and Canggu, with schools and board rental everywhere. The reef breaks of Uluwatu and Bingin are for experienced surfers.
Open this question →Where is the best snorkelling in Bali?
Amed in the east, Lovina and Menjangan Island in the north, and boat trips to Nusa Penida — mantas year-round and a chance of mola-mola from July to October.
Open this question →How do tides affect swimming in Bali?
Tides swing a couple of metres: at low tide the Bukit's reef beaches lose their water and Sanur's lagoon empties far out. Check a tide chart — locals plan their day by it.
Open this question →🍜Food & daily life· 5
Can you drink tap water in Bali?
No — bottled or gallon-refill water only. Brushing your teeth with tap water is fine, and cafe ice is factory-made and safe.
Open this question →What is a warung?
A family-run local eatery: nasi goreng or mie goreng for 25–40k IDR, cooked fresh in front of you. The best-value food on the island. Where to eat.
Open this question →How much does food cost in Bali?
A warung meal is 25–50k IDR, a tourist-cafe dish 80–150k, and Seminyak's restaurants charge Western prices. Food guide by area.
Open this question →Why is alcohol expensive in Bali?
Heavy import duties: wine and spirits cost several times more than at home. Local Bintang beer is affordable; only buy factory-made arak from shops — home-brewed arak is dangerous.
Open this question →What is 'Bali belly' and how do I avoid it?
A traveller's stomach upset from unfamiliar food or unsafe water. Prevention: bottled water, busy eateries where food is cooked fresh, easy on the sambal; pharmacies (apotek) stock everything you need.
Open this question →👨👩👧With kids· 3
Is Bali good for a family with kids?
Yes: pool villas, the Waterbom water park, zoos and safari parks, calm lagoons in Sanur and Nusa Dua. Choosing the right area matters most. Pick an area.
Open this question →Which Bali beaches are best for kids?
Sanur and Nusa Dua — shallow, reef-protected calm water with shade and cafes nearby. On the surf beaches keep small kids right at the water's edge. Beach guide.
Open this question →Where can I buy nappies and baby formula in Bali?
Nappies in any Indomaret or Alfamart minimart; formula and baby food in the bigger supermarkets and pharmacies (apotek). Familiar brands exist but cost more than at home.
Open this question →🛡️Safety & misc· 6
Is Bali safe?
Yes — serious crime against tourists is rare. The real risks are scooters, rip currents, sunburn and petty theft in crowds. Insurance and common sense cover most of it.
Open this question →Are the monkeys in Bali dangerous?
The macaques at Ubud's Monkey Forest and the Uluwatu temple snatch glasses, phones and food. Don't hand-feed them and keep items zipped away; any bite or scratch means a doctor visit (rabies risk).
Open this question →What are the common tourist scams in Bali?
Money changers palming notes (a Kuta classic), 'sudden damage' on rented scooters, and phone-snatching from passing bikes. Use licensed changers, film the bike at pickup and keep phones away from the road.
Open this question →What should tourists never do in Bali?
Drugs — Indonesia imposes extreme penalties, up to capital punishment. Also: don't step on the canang sari offerings on pavements, and dress and behave respectfully at temples (a sarong is required).
Open this question →Should I tip in Bali?
Not obligatory: many restaurants already add tax and service ('++' on the menu). Rounding up or leaving 10–20k IDR for good service is appreciated.
Open this question →Where are the hospitals in Bali if I get ill?
International clinics BIMC and Siloam (Kuta, Nusa Dua, Denpasar) have English-speaking staff. In an insured case, call your assistance line first — they direct you to a partner clinic.
Open this question →Didn't find your answer?
Message us on Telegram — an English-speaking manager answers any question about staying in Bali.
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