Travel guide · Indonesia
Bali travel guide
Hindu temples, rice terraces, surf beaches and volcano sunrises
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Paskuu, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Bali is a Hindu island in mostly Muslim Indonesia, about 140 km across, where daily offerings sit on doorsteps and temple ceremonies close roads. The south — Seminyak, Canggu, Kuta, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua — has the beaches, surf breaks and beach clubs, while Ubud in the hills is the centre for dance, crafts, yoga and rice-terrace walks. Traffic is heavy and distances take longer than the map suggests, so most visitors split their stay between two bases. Plan 10 days for a first visit; the best months are April–June and September–October.
Key facts
- Country
- Indonesia
- Best time to visit
- April–June and September–October
- Ideal stay
- 10 days
- Main airports
- DPS
- Mid-range daily budget
- $80–$180 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Hindu temples, Rice terraces, Surfing and Ubud
Why visit Bali
- Sea temples at Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, the mother temple at Besakih and the water temple of Tirta Empul are part of a living Balinese Hindu culture.
- Rice terraces at Tegallalang and the UNESCO-listed Jatiluwih show the island's centuries-old subak irrigation system.
- Surf breaks from Kuta's beginner waves to Uluwatu's reef breaks, plus calm lagoons at Sanur and Nusa Dua.
- Villas with private pools, spa treatments and warung meals cost far less than in most beach destinations.
- Mount Batur's sunrise trek, Nusa Penida's cliffs and diving at the USAT Liberty wreck in Tulamben add adventure.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 19 things to do.
Religious site · Uluwatu
Uluwatu Temple and Kecak dance
Pura Luhur Uluwatu, one of Bali's six key directional temples, stands on a cliff about 70 metres above the Indian Ocean at the island's south-western tip.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Tabanan
Tanah Lot
This 16th-century sea temple sits on a rocky outcrop that becomes an island at high tide, on the coast north of Canggu.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
Nature · Ubud
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
About 20 minutes north of Ubud, Tegallalang's terraces step down a palm-fringed valley.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Nature · Ubud
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
On the edge of central Ubud, this forest of giant banyan trees and moss-covered temples is home to several hundred long-tailed macaques.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Iconic
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Tampaksiring
Tirta Empul
Founded in the 10th century around a sacred spring, Tirta Empul is where Balinese Hindus bathe in purifying stone pools under rows of carved spouts.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Religious site · Bedugul
Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
Built in 1633 on the shore of Lake Beratan in the cool highlands, this temple dedicated to the lake goddess appears to float on the water when the lake is high.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Photo spot
- Architecture
- Kids
Where to stay
Seminyak is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 8 areas.
$$$ · Best for couples, luxury, shopping, food lovers and nightlife
Seminyak
Boutique villas, beach clubs, designer shops and sunset bars
$$ · Best for solo travellers, nightlife, food lovers and budget
Canggu
Surf breaks, cafés, coworking spaces and rice-field views
$ · Best for budget, families, nightlife and beach
Kuta and Legian
Long surf beach, inexpensive hotels, malls and party streets
$$ · Best for culture, couples, food lovers, solo travellers and quiet stays
Ubud
Hill town of dance, crafts, yoga and rice terraces
What to eat
- Babi guling — Spit-roasted suckling pig rubbed with a turmeric, chilli and lemongrass spice paste, served with crackling, lawar, sausage and rice — Bali's ceremonial feast dish.
- Bebek betutu — Duck (or chicken, ayam betutu) stuffed with spice paste, wrapped in banana leaves and slow-cooked for hours until tender.
- Nasi campur Bali — Rice with small portions of several dishes — shredded chicken, sate lilit, vegetables, peanuts, egg and sambal — that change by warung and by day.
- Sate lilit — Minced fish, chicken or pork mixed with coconut and spices, wrapped around lemongrass stalks and grilled over coconut husks.
- Lawar — A Balinese mix of finely chopped vegetables, grated coconut and minced meat with rich spices; some versions include raw blood, so ask before ordering.
- Nasi goreng and mie goreng — Indonesia's fried rice and fried noodles with sweet soy, shallots and chilli, often topped with a fried egg and crackers — on every menu from beach shacks to hotels.
When to go
The best time to visit Bali is the dry season from April to October, with May, June and September offering sunny weather without the peak crowds and prices of July, August and Christmas. The wet season from November to March brings heavy afternoon rain but greener landscapes and lower prices. Check Nyepi's date, usually in March, when the whole island including the airport shuts for a day.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Dry season | April–October | Sunny days, lower humidity and cooler nights, with the best conditions for trekking, diving and the west-coast surf; July and August are the busiest. |
| Peak holidays | July–August and late December | European, Australian and domestic holidays fill hotels and roads; book villas, drivers and popular restaurants early. |
| Wet season | November–March | Hot and humid with heavy afternoon or overnight downpours, rough seas on the west coast and rubbish on some beaches, but lush scenery and lower prices. |
| Nyepi and ceremonies | Varies (Nyepi usually March) | Galungan and Kuningan follow a 210-day calendar and bring decorated penjor poles to every street; Nyepi closes the island for 24 hours. |
Getting there and around
Ngurah Rai International Airport (Denpasar) is in Tuban, just south of Kuta. Taxis from the official counter and pre-booked drivers take about 20–30 minutes to Kuta, 30–60 minutes to Seminyak, 30–45 minutes to Nusa Dua via the toll road and 1.5–2 hours to Ubud, depending on traffic.
Bali has no rail and limited public transport, so visitors rely on private drivers, ride-hailing apps, taxis and scooters. Traffic in the south and around Ubud is heavy, and a 30 km journey can take 90 minutes, so group sights by area.
Plan your days
Five days allows three nights in Ubud for temples, rice terraces and Mount Batur and two in the south for beaches and Uluwatu. Ten days adds Nusa Penida or Lembongan, a stay in the quieter east around Amed or Sidemen, and the waterfalls of the north.
Practical information
- Currency
- IDR
- Language
- Indonesian and Balinese
- Plugs
- Type C and F, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Do not drink tap water; use bottled or filtered water, and refill stations in cafés and hotels.
- Emergency number
- 112 (general emergency), 110 (police), 118 or 119 (ambulance)
- Tipping
- Tipping is not obligatory, but appreciated: rounding up for drivers and leaving small tips for spa therapists and guides is common.
The main risks are road accidents, especially on scooters, and strong rip currents on the west and south coasts — swim between the red-and-yellow flags. Monkeys at temples can bite, and illicit arak has caused methanol poisoning.
Flights to Bali
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Bali?
Five days allows three nights in Ubud for temples, rice terraces and Mount Batur and two in the south for beaches and Uluwatu. Ten days adds Nusa Penida or Lembongan, a stay in the quieter east around Amed or Sidemen, and the waterfalls of the north. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Bali?
The best time to visit Bali is the dry season from April to October, with May, June and September offering sunny weather without the peak crowds and prices of July, August and Christmas. The wet season from November to March brings heavy afternoon rain but greener landscapes and lower prices. Check Nyepi's date, usually in March, when the whole island including the airport shuts for a day.
+What is Bali known for?
Hindu temples, Rice terraces, Surfing, Ubud, Beach clubs, Villas and spas and Balinese dance. Sea temples at Uluwatu and Tanah Lot, the mother temple at Besakih and the water temple of Tirta Empul are part of a living Balinese Hindu culture.
+Is Bali expensive?
Bali is affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $80–$180 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Bali?
A self-drive car is not recommended because of traffic and narrow roads, but a car with a driver is the easiest way to explore beyond your base.