Bali Tourism and Travel Guide

Bali is an island and province of Indonesia. The province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller neighbouring islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. It is located at the westernmost end of the Lesser Sunda Islands, between Java to the west and Lombok to the east. Its capital of Denpasar is located at the southern part of the island.With a population of 3,890,757 in the 2010 census, and 4,225,000 as of January 2014, the island is home to most of Indonesia's Hindu minority. According to the 2010 Census, 83.5% of Bali's population adhered to Balinese Hinduism, followed by 13.4% Muslim, Christianity at 2.5%, and Buddhism 0.5%. Bali is a popular tourist destination and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. The Indonesian International Film Festival is held every year in Bali. Since the late 20th century, the province has had a rise in tourism.Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species. In this area alone over 500 reef building coral species can be found. For comparison, this is about 7 times as many as in the entire Caribbean. There is a wide range of dive sites with high quality reefs, all with their own specific attractions. Many sites can have strong currents and swell, so diving without a knowledgeable guide is inadvisable. Most recently, Bali was the host of the 2011 ASEAN Summit, 2013 APEC and Miss World 2013.
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Best Time to Visit Bali

Best time to visit Bali: April to October when Bali temperature is approximately between 25°C to 31°C

Peak Season is from April to July. Bali is a sunny paradise during these months and sees a lot of tourists.

Shoulder Season: August to November sees less humidity and heat, making it an ideal time for sightseeing and other outdoor activities.

Off-season: December to March are the months when tourists start thinning out due to the rainy season and Bali tourism is the least active. Henceforth, the accommodation and travel costs reduce making it the ideal time for a budget backpacker to explore Bali tour packages.



Visa Information for Bali

Visa-free entry is offered to nationals of 169 countries, for up to 30 days. This visa is free and cannot be extended. Indian nationals and citizens of 60 other countries can get a 30-day visa on arrival for $35. This can be extended by upto 30 days for an additional fee.

Budget for Bali

For Budget Travellers: INR 800 - 1000 a day

  • Accommodation in hostels and lodges: INR 500-600
  • Food in local cafes and street eateries: INR 100-200
  • Public Transport in bemos and buses: INR 15-50
  • Sightseeing (Entry-tickets & shows): INR 50 - 200

 

For Mid-range Travellers: INR 1000 to INR 3000 a day

  • Accommodation in mid-range hotels and homestays: INR 700 - 1000
  • Food in mid-range cafes and restaurants: INR 500 - 800
  • Local transport local taxis: INR 100 - 600
  • Sightseeing & Tours: INR 100 - 1000

 

For Luxury Travellers: INR 9000 and upwards

  • Accommodation in 4* or 5* hotels: INR 5000 and upwards
  • Food in upscale restaurants and bars: INR 1500 and upwards
  • Local transport in cabs: INR 400 and upwards
  • Sightseeing and Activities: INR 1000 and upwards

Main Cities in Bali

Ubud: There are many glorious places to see in Bali which make Bali tourism such a delight to explore. You can’t miss out on Ubud while planning a Bali trip. Ubud is known as the cultural heart of Bali and serves as a flourishing crafts centre - one that has sincerely been promoted by Bali tourism. Ubud in Bali is famous for all that artwork done by the people residing there. Ubud provides you with local Bali tourist places as there are many shops selling antiques, woodcarvings, crafts, jewellery and textiles. The places that surround Ubud specialise in crafts and woodcarving. Ubud has huge ancient temples, great shopping places, rice fields in higher rural areas, waterfalls, the largest freshwater lake in Bali, the Sacred Monkey Forest, entertaining dance shows, and much more. Bali travel guide comes with top Bali attractions, majorly in Ubud. Some of the main things to see in Ubud are Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Goa Gajah Elephant Cave and Ubud Art Market.

 

Nusa Dua: Nusa Dua is a clean and beautiful city in Bali, Indonesia and Bali tourism has made efforts to maintain the city’s pristine beauty. The best beaches in Bali are in Nusa Dua as these are very clean, hassle free and peaceful. If you are an adventure enthusiast, you can go to Nusa Dua to indulge in activities like swimming and snorkelling. You must ensure that you only pick Bali tourism approved operators for your tryst with water sports. There are some good hotels in Nusa Dua as well and this place is perfect for a family Bali trip and also a romantic trip. Major Bali tourist places in Nusa Dua are Pandawa Beach, Water Blow, Pantai Mengiat Beach, Bali Camel Safaris, and Geger Temple.

 

Kuta: A Bali trip is unfinished without visiting Bali beaches. Kuta has the most happening beaches in Bali and the modern era of tourism started from Kuta. Kuta makes up for most of Bali Tourism as people don’t miss on Kuta during their Bali holidays. People from all over the world visit Kuta, so, it has the most crowded beaches and you can experience a great nightlife here. Owing to the growing popularity of Bali tourism, the streets are filled with many small shops and local vendors. The best of Bali tourist places include the beaches of Kuta as these are absolutely vibrant and fun beaches. You don't have to worry about music, beach lounges, fun clubs and bars when you visit Kuta as there are enough of such things in Kuta. However, if you want to avoid crowds, you should not book a stay in Kuta. A place that tops the list when it comes to beaches is Kuta. Once a village, Kuta in Bali now immensely contributes to Bali tourism and has all that you need for a beach vacation be it water sports, beach restaurants, good food and great night parties. Most of the youngsters plan their Bali trip in and around Kuta as it is a reasonable party place. Kuta has some of the best places to visit in Bali.Kuta is the hub of central Bali. A huge contributor to Bali tourism, the nightlife of Kuta is famous across the world. As the sun sets Kuta in Bali gets even more exciting as it is the hub of night clubs and beach parties.

 

Seminyak: Seminyak became a separate village just 10 years ago. Seminyak is grabbing advantage from Bali tourism recently because the place has developed really fast and is becoming better with time. Bali travel guides now comprise of many spots of Seminyak city that make up for Bali attractions and Bali sightseeing places. Some of the best things to do in Seminyak include spending a day by the pool at Potato Head Beach Club, having coffee at Revolver, Scuba Diving, visiting Nyaman Gallery, Horse Riding by the beach and spending an evening at beachfront. A lot of Bali tourism is also directed towards Seminyak. If you don't want a cliche party and don't restrict yourself in monetary terms then definitely try Seminyak's nightlife. Things to do in Seminyak in Bali for nightlife include a party at Ku De Ta Bali, Potato Head Beach Club, Red Ruby Club and OPIVM NightClub. Out of all Bali attractions which are a part of Bali tourism, Seminyak is more upmarket. It is a high-end area with expensive restaurants and clubs. Though Seminyak in Bali has a very good nightlife, it becomes a bit expensive when compared with Kuta, and may not be suitable for people on a budget Bali trip. Seminyak is also famous for spa and boutique shopping which are a huge part of Bali tourism, especially for shopping buffs. Seminyak has some of the best places to see in Bali and this place, if visited during your Bali trip, will give an amazing experience altogether.



Temples and People of Bali

Temples & People of Bali

Bali is very often called the ‘Island of Gods’. As the name says it all, Bali is a glorious creation of God infused with beautiful hillsides, terraces, vegetation, beaches, along with humble people who follow their culture with all sincerity. Among the most important parts of Bali tourism are its beautiful temples. There are numerous temples in Bali and the people of Bali are authentically spiritual. They follow various rules, especially in temples like the dress code. Since Bali tourism is also directed towards the temples in Bali, all tourists visiting these temples have to follow local traditions.

Bali temples: A blend of Balinese and Hinduism, Balinese culture is known for its musical performances, masterpieces of art and traditional dance shows. Bali is no less than a dream place, hence, known as 'The Islands of Gods'. From vegetation to mountains, from waterfalls to beaches, from temples to beautiful culture, from art to food, Bali tourism has it all. The spirituality that the place has is hard to find in any other part of the world. Some of the must-see Bali temples are Tanah Lot, Uluwatu Temple, Goa Gajah and Tirta Empul Temple. Make sure that you know something about the culture of the place before visiting as the locals follow a particular pattern and they might feel offended if things are not done their way.

People of Bali: The population of Bali is more 4,220,000 out of which most of the people follow Balinese Hinduism, Islam, Christianity and Buddhism. Bali tourism is the major source of income of residents of Bali. Other than this, people are mainly engaged in agriculture of rice and coffee and a variety of fruits and vegetables.



Things to do in Bali

Bali suitable for: Friends, Family, Couples, and Children

 

The Island of Gods has something for everyone. From 1000-year-old temples to active volcanoes, from postcard-perfect beaches to world-class diving. Bali is an ideal getaway for backpacking, family trips and honeymoons. Bali is known and loved as a beach destination and it is appropriate to do so as it is an attractive island set in the middle of Indonesia. Bali tourism is not popular only because of the beaches but Bali offers much more. Hence, you can choose to go surfing in Kuta, visit Ulun Danu Temple, have fun at Bali Treetop Adventure Park, go muck diving in Padang Bai, Jetpacking in Tanjung Benoa, spend time at sidemen, buy silver in Celuk, go snorkelling in Amed, watch Kecak dance performance, and much more. Also contributing to Bali tourism are tourist places such as Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Sekumpul Waterfalls, exploring Paradise Gili air, admiring the sunrise at Munduk and staying with a local family.

As mentioned Bali has something for everyone, be it the young backpackers or the easy-going adults. Below are some activities that you can do in Bali.  

 

Water sports in Bali: Bali beaches are equipped with facilities for water sports as mentioned in this Bali tourism guide. Your Bali trip can be even better if you add on a twist to your list. Some of the famous thrilling activities in Bali include Jet Skiing, Bali Rolling Donut, Snorkelling, Fly Fishing, Banana Boat Ride, Parasailing and Scuba Diving. 

 

Hiking in Bali: Anyone who has ever been to Bali will be able to tell you about the most common things to do in Bali like visiting beaches, temples, parting. But Bali tourism has a lot more in store. First of all, experiencing beaches and mountains altogether is not so common, moreover if Bali beaches let you set yourself free and sit back then mountains in Bali won't disappoint you either, rather will make your Bali trip even memorable. For all the adventure lovers out there, hiking is another interesting thing that you should definitely look forward to while you indulge in Bali sightseeing. A significant contributor to Bali tourism, hiking here is becoming a popular activity. Some of Bali’s attractions for hiking are Mount Batur, Candidasa and Mount Agung.

 

Volcano tour in Bali: Not many people must have heard about it but yes, Bali lets you experience the amazing volcano tours as well. In a Volcano tour, you can see the lava and ashes coming out of a volcano from a safe distance. Safety of people is made sure to keep Bali tourism growing. Make the most of your Bali trip by visiting Kintamani village for volcano tour. Don't forget to carry your warm clothes as the temperature is lower here.



Stay in Bali

Places to stay in Bali: Though there are many places in Bali, Indonesia where you can stay and if you’re looking for an authentic Balinese experience, there is no better place than Ubud for your Bali trip. Most of Bali tourism is absorbed by Ubud when it comes to staying. Almost all the best hotels and resorts in Bali are located in Ubud - Royal Pita Maha, Viceroy Bali and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan are among the best places to stay in Bali. You can choose hotels, resorts or homestays as per your budget as there are many stay options available for different budget ranges.

 

Luxury: Looking for the best hotels in Bali? Bali tourism has given rise to a number of luxury hotels in Bali. Enjoy relaxing spas, azure pools, massages, beach views, delicious dishes and the best of Balinese hospitality at these handpicked luxury hotels in Bali. Almost all the luxury hotels mentioned in this Bali travel guides provide you with a royal stay and exclusive services like cabs, shuttles, sightseeing, meals, wifi, hotel view, swimming pool, spa, bars. Also, most of the Bali resorts are built in a unique manner depicting the culture and tradition of the place. 

 

Mid-range: Looking for a good and affordable stay in Bali? Constructed in the stunning areas of Bali with an appealing view, these hotels will provide you with a comfortable stay. Some of the best mid-range hotels in Bali are Byasa Ubud, Villa Costa Plenty and Inang Ubud Villa. Comfortable stays, good food and ocean vistas, Tripoto's list of the best mid-range hotels will let you witness the charm of Bali tourism without having to spend a fortune.

 

Budget: Bali has a plethora of budget options with incredible facilities that will make you say, "How can this be so cheap?" If you are just looking forward to having fun in Bali by living in an affordable hotel, Bali has it too. Some of the beautiful hotels in Bali, Indonesia are affordable and comfortable at the same time. These hotels provide basic facilities to people and also, some extra facilities on demand. Some of the budget hotels in Bali that cater most of Bali tourism are Green Garden hotel, Dekuta Hotel, and Bali Agung Village. 

 

Homestays: Homestays are the perfect way to gain insight into the unique Balinese culture, Bali tourism and lifestyle. Or, you can stay at these happening hostels with happening crowds. Bali has a lot of hostels and homestays options at cheaper prices. Homestays come with a comfortable and relaxing experience as you get a place just like your home. If you choose a homestay, you have a whole apartment or flat to yourself, as chosen by you. 

 

Best places to stay in Bali: Alam Kulkul Boutique Resort in Kuta, Padma Resort in Legian, Viceroy Bali in Ubud, and Grand Hyatt Bali in Nusa Dua

 

Best resorts in Bali: The Mulia Bali in Nusa Dua, The Royal Purnama art suites & villas in Sukawati, and W Bali in Seminyak

 

Best hotels in Bali: The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah in Ubud, Kayumanis Jimbaran in Jimbaran, The Legian Bali in Seminyak, and Katamama in Seminyak

 

Best homestays in Bali: Umahode in Nusa Dua, Prabha Guest House in Kuta, CR Tris Rooms in Seminyak, and Utu Homestay in Ubud



Explore Bali

According to Bali tourism board, Bali in Indonesia has been always related to the spiritual relationship between human and God and their environment. We at Tripoto have put together a Bali tourism travel guide, which will help you in planning an amazing Bali trip.

 

Places to see in Bali: The main Bali attractions include Mount Batur, Uluwatu Temple, Ubud Monkey Forest, Kuta Beach and the Nusa Islands. With Tripotp’s Bali travel guide you can have your Bali holidays filled with art, nature, culture, spirituality, adventure and sightseeing. We keep on hearing about the gorgeous beaches in Bali, but there are a number of temples, historical sites, cultural depiction, museums, art galleries and bountiful vegetation which make Bali tourism. West coast of Bali is blessed with beautiful mountains whereas if you want to avoid the crowd and spend your vacation in peace with your loved ones then choose to focus on the north-eastern coast of Bali. Most of the Bali tourism is directed towards Ubud Monkey Forest, Uluwatu Temple, Seminyak, Tanah Lot Temple, Tegalalang Rice Terraces, Ubud Art Market, Mirror Lounge & Club in Seminyak, Pyramid in Legian, Hard Rock Cafe in Kuta, Seminyak Beach, Nusa Dua Beach, Echo Beach, Mount Batur and Ubud Monkey Forest.

 

Food in Bali: Bali tourism is a blend of beautiful landscapes, interesting culture, humble people and yummy food. All these things have made Bali tourism grow with each passing day. If you’re planning a trip to Bali, you can check out our list of hand-picked packages from various tour package provider. Do make sure that you read the details about the place before planning a vacation to Bali. Bali travel packages cover all the major Bali attractions so that you don't miss out on the good things of the place.

 

Our Bali travel guide offers itineraries by real travellers. Explore several itineraries for a Bali trip of your choice. Have a look at the Bali trips published by some travellers that will give a greater idea about Bali tourism including Bali temples, Bali beaches, Bali nightlife, Bali attractions, things to see in Bali, and places to see in Bali. Bali travel packages cover all the major Bali attractions so that you don't miss out on the good things of the place. Also, check out the video that show the gorgeous places of Bali that have been mentioned in this Bali travel guide. Also, the video will help you get the idea about the best of Bali tourism, the places in Bali,and a lot more about Bali, Indonesia. Another option is to read the articles that are supported with Bali reviews and Bali pictures. Though everything is available in this Bali travel guide but knowing about actual experiences is different and exciting.

Getting to Bali

Airport: One of the reasons for the increase in Bali tourism in the connectivity from all over the world. Ngurah Rai International Airport is the only airport in Bali, Indonesia. There are flights to Bali from almost all over the world

Visa: For Bali holidays, Indians get a tourist visa on arrival for 30 days and an extension of visa for another 30 days can be applied if the trip has to be extended. Prior visa is not required



Written by Ishita Ralhan, an in-house Tripoto writer. Not one to say no to road trips, Ishita enjoys coffee, shoes and good company. When she’s not writing, you can find her dancing or swimming. Follow her to ignite your wanderlust.

Frequently Asked Questions

The national currency of Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Bali currency consists of IDR 500 to IDR 100,00 denominations in banknotes and IDR 20 to IDR 1,000 in coins. Many Bali tourist places have money exchange services for travellers operated by authentic Bali tourism operators. During your Bali travel, try to carry small denominations for easy transactions. 

Getting around Bali is not as easy as other tourist destinations. Yet, to promote Bali tourism, there are some tourist-friendly options available for visiting Bali tourist places

You can get around Bali on a rented bike or motorbike, or catch a ride on Bemo (bus). Get a transfer through a public bemo (bus) or private bemo, or rent a self-drive car. Bali's traffic and roads are chaotic and dangerous and the place has only right-hand drive vehicles available.

Thus, it is better to opt for a taxi or driver rental car package. You can also rent a bicycle to visit places near your hotel in Bali.

Being one of the most popular tourist islands in Indonesia, Bali tourism is filled with art, culture, natural beauty and beaches.

Best places to visit in Bali are

  • Lovina
  • Mount and Lake Batur
  • Pura Luhur Uluwatu
  • Tanah Lot
  • Pura Besakih and more.

Visit popular beaches

  • Nusa Dua
  • Seminyak
  • Sanur
  • Kuta

Explore the culture of Bali at Ubud and Lombok. Do not miss out on visiting some other famous Bali attractions like Mount Agung and Nungnung Waterfall.

Three basic amenities included in the Bali tourism packages are sightseeing, hotel and internal transfers. Most of Bali tour packages also include meals. Flight transfers may or may not be included in the package. You can also customise your Bali tour package and add flights or change the category of the hotel as per your requirements. Check out some of the best Bali tourism packages on Tripoto.

Bali has only one airport. Bali Denpasar International Airport is located in southern Bali between Kuta and Jimbaran. Bali Denpasar Airport has both international and domestic terminals. Bali airport is near to most of the tourist attractions in Bali.

Some of the best luxury resorts to explore in Bali tourism are The Villas Tejakula in Tejakula, Hibiscus House Pemuteran Bali in Pemuteran, The Edge Bali in Uluwatu, Lovina Life in Lovina, and The Dusun in Seminyak. Ubud is one of the most favoured tourist stay destinations in Bali. 

No, Indian identification proof or driving licence is not valid for driving a vehicle in Bali. If you wish to drive a vehicle while in Bali, you will have to apply for an international driving license in your home country.

Remember to carry both, international driving licence along with your native driving license for a safer journey. You can also get a temporary tourist driving licence from Bali tourism operators at Denpasar police station. This process will take 24 hours and may cost you a few bucks. 

The price of a cheap Bali package for 5 days ranges from Rs. 8000/- to Rs.10,000/- including internal transfers, sightseeing and hotels. Usually, cheap Bali packages do not include flights, but you can customise your Bali tour packages as per your requirements. Check out some budgeted and cheap Bali tourism packages on Tripoto.

Yes, tourists can visit all Bali temples. If you wish to witness Bali culture and Bali tourism, then visiting Bali temples is the best choice. But, before going to any Bali temples, tourists are expected to adhere to certain rules and follow a code of conduct. Dressing up modestly before visiting any Bali temple is a must. Tourists visiting temples are expected to wear 3/4th sleeved shirts that cover the shoulders and upper arms. The waist should be covered by temple scarf, locally known as Selendang and legs should be covered by a Sarong, locally known as Kain Kamben

Bali is one of the major tourist attractions for all types of travellers. Some of the cities like Seminyak, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, Kuta, Lovina, Denpasar, Canggu, Tabanan, and Gianyar attract most of the tourists throughout the year and contributes to the popularity of Bali tourism.

Ubud Art Market, locally known as Pasar Seni Ubud is a beautiful market reflecting the culture of Bali tourism. When in Ubud Art Maret, check out the classic silk scarves, lightweight Balinese shirts, handmade bags, woven baskets and decorative hats. The elegantly polished statues and handcrafted kites along with attractive souvenirs are what depicts the Bali culture through the stalls and artistic lanes of the market of Ubud.  

Bali climate is usually warm and humid throughout the major part of the year. Bali climate is categorised into two seasons - the dry season and rainy season. Best time to visit Bali is from April to September when the days are sunny and Bali temperature is pleasant and favourable for travellers to explore Bali tourism. These months are the busiest and counted amongst the peak season for Bali tourism.

Some popular Bali tourism activities include white-water rafting at Ayung River, Bali Safari and Marine Park tour, trekking to Mount Batur, surfing around the Bukit Peninsula, kite surfing at eastern coast, and Sea walk at Sanur and Tanjung Benoa. You can also enjoy day cruises to nearby islands and paintball games along with Canyon Tubing.

If you're planning your bali trip for less than 30 days, then you don't need a visa for travelling to Bali, Indonesia. On your arrival in Bali, you will receive a visa extension stamp for tracking the duration of your trip to Bali. The visa extension stamp is free of cost and acts like a normal visa. Bali tourism visa cannot be extended beyond 30 days.

Please note: Visa information may change without prior notice. Therefore, we request you to get updated information before planning your Bali trip.