Bali travel questions, answered

Most visitors need a visa for Bali. Passport holders from the nine ASEAN countries get 30 days visa-free. About 97 other nationalities, including the UK, EU, US and Australia, can buy a visa on arrival or e-VOA for IDR 500,000. Everyone else needs a C1 tourist visa issued before travel.

The Indonesian visa on arrival costs IDR 500,000 (about USD 30) and allows 30 days. You can extend it once for another 30 days, for a maximum of 60 days, by applying online and paying a further IDR 500,000 before your first 30 days end.

Bali charges international tourists a one-time levy of IDR 150,000 (about USD 9) per person, per visit. It is separate from your visa. The easiest way to pay is online through the official Love Bali website or app before you travel. You then receive a QR voucher by email.

Before landing, complete the free All Indonesia Arrival Card on allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or the All Indonesia app, within 3 days of arrival. Since October 2025 it combines immigration, customs, health and quarantine declarations in one form. Also have your e-VOA or visa and the Bali tourist levy voucher ready.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in Indonesia, with at least 2 blank pages. Airlines check this at check-in and can refuse boarding. Emergency or temporary passports need 12 months of validity to get a visa on arrival.

Yes. A C1 tourist visa allows 60 days and can be extended twice by 60 days each, up to 180 days in total. Remote workers earning at least USD 60,000 a year from abroad can apply for the E33G remote worker visa, valid for one year. A visa on arrival stops at 60 days.

Report the loss or theft to the police and get a written report, then contact the French consulate. France issues either a laissez-passer for a single trip home (EUR 50) or a one-year temporary passport (EUR 90). Before flying, go to Indonesian immigration to transfer your visa or get an exit permit for the new document.

Use both. Cards (Visa and Mastercard) work at most hotels, larger restaurants, supermarkets and shops in tourist areas, while cash in rupiah is still needed for warungs, markets, small shops, taxis, temple donations and tips. Carry around IDR 500,000 to 1,000,000 in small notes each day.

Use ATMs inside or attached to bank branches, shopping malls or the airport, run by major Indonesian banks such as BCA, Mandiri, BNI or BRI. Card skimming is a known problem at isolated machines. Most ATMs dispense about IDR 2,000,000 to 3,000,000 per withdrawal, and your home bank may add fees.

Tipping in Bali is not required but is welcome, since local wages are low. Many restaurants and hotels already add a service charge, often 5 to 10% or more on top of tax, so check the bill first. Where none is added, leaving about 5 to 10% or rounding up is appreciated.

Excluding flights, a day in Bali costs roughly USD 25 to 40 on a backpacker budget, USD 70 to 150 mid-range, and USD 300 or more for luxury travel. Local warung meals cost USD 2 to 5, and a scooter is about USD 5 to 7 a day. Add the one-time visa and tourist levy.

Change money only at banks or Bank Indonesia licensed money changers. Authorised outlets display an "Authorized Money Changer" sign and a Bank Indonesia logo or certificate with a QR code. Avoid small kiosks offering unusually high rates, which are a common scam in tourist areas such as Kuta and Seminyak.

Yes, but legally you need your national motorbike licence plus an International Driving Permit that covers motorcycles (category A). You also need the bike's registration papers (STNK) and a helmet. Police run regular checks in Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta and Uluwatu, and riding without the right licence can void your travel insurance.

Your main options are a pre-booked private transfer, the official fixed-price taxi counter, or Grab or Gojek from their airport pickup points. Recent guides give rough fares of IDR 200,000 to 300,000 to Seminyak, 350,000 to 500,000 to Canggu and 450,000 to 650,000 to Ubud. Traffic makes journey times vary a lot.

Yes. Grab and Gojek work across most of south Bali and Ubud, offering car and motorbike rides plus food delivery. Some spots ban pickups by app drivers, including parts of Canggu, Sanur and Padang Bai harbours, and Pandawa Beach. Coverage is patchy in remote areas such as Amed, Pemuteran and the Nusa islands.

A private driver with a car usually costs about IDR 600,000 to 1,000,000 per day (roughly US$37 to 62). The price is per car, not per person, and normally covers 10 to 12 hours, fuel and the driver. Entrance fees, meals and small parking charges are extra.

Most visitors take a fast boat from Sanur Harbour, which takes about 30 to 50 minutes. Boats run roughly from 06:30 to 17:00. Recent guides give one-way fares of about IDR 150,000 to 250,000, and booking online is often cheaper. Visitors also pay a small island entry levy, card only.

Bali belly is travellers' diarrhoea, usually caused by contaminated water, ice or food. To lower your risk, drink only sealed or properly filtered water, avoid tap water and homemade ice, eat freshly cooked hot food, and wash or sanitise your hands before eating. Most cases are mild and clear within a few days.

No, you should not drink Bali's tap water. Mains water from the PDAM utility and the wells many villas use are not reliably safe to drink, and they are a common cause of stomach upsets. Drink sealed bottled water, water from large refill jugs, or properly filtered water instead.

Indonesia does not require any vaccine for most visitors. The exception is yellow fever: you need a certificate if you arrive from a country where yellow fever is a risk. Health agencies advise most travellers to have hepatitis A, typhoid and an up-to-date tetanus jab. Book a travel-health appointment about eight weeks before you go.

Yes. Dengue is spread by mosquitoes in Bali all year, and cases usually rise in the wet season, roughly November to April. Local reports counted 10,391 cases in 2025. Cases fell about 83% in January to July 2026 compared with the same months of 2025. Avoiding mosquito bites is the main protection.

Indonesia does not require travel insurance for entry, but government travel advice strongly recommends it. Private hospitals in Bali often ask for proof of insurance or a deposit before treating you. Medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Choose a policy that covers medical treatment, evacuation and the activities you plan.

In Bali, call 112 (general emergencies) or 110 for police, 118 for an ambulance, and 113 for fire. Some sources also list 119 for medical emergencies. The Bali Tourist Police can be reached on +62 361 759 687. Operators may not speak much English, so a private hospital's own emergency line can be quicker.

Yes, Bali is generally safe for French travellers, and France Diplomatie does not list it among the areas it advises against. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The real risks are scooter accidents, bag and phone snatching, card skimming, methanol in home-made alcohol, strong currents at unguarded beaches and rabies from dogs and monkeys.

France has a consular agency in Denpasar, reachable on +62 811 3960 1401, run by an honorary consul. It helps in emergencies and points you to the right service, but most formalities are handled by the consular section of the French Embassy in Jakarta (Jl. M.H. Thamrin 20, +62 21 2355 8000). The embassy's 24-hour emergency line is +62 811 1954 3123.

Report the theft or loss at the nearest police station or to the Bali Tourist Police (+62 361 759 687) and ask for a written police report, which your insurer will require. Block stolen bank cards and phones straight away, then notify your travel insurer within the deadline in your policy. If your passport is involved, also contact the French consulate.

Staying safe in Bali comes down to a few habits: wear a helmet and avoid riding at night, use ride-hailing apps or official taxis, withdraw cash from ATMs inside banks or malls, drink only sealed branded alcohol, and keep your bag away from the road. Swim on guarded beaches and stay away from dogs and monkeys.

Bali sits just south of the equator, so the sun is strong all year, even when it is cloudy. Use high-SPF sunscreen, a hat and shade between about 11 am and 3 pm. Against mosquitoes, which carry dengue and Japanese encephalitis, apply a repellent containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535 and cover up, especially at dawn and dusk.

The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season, from April to October, when skies are clearer and humidity is lower. April, May and September are often the sweet spot: dry weather, fewer crowds and better prices than the July and August peak.

Bali's rainy season runs roughly November to March, with the heaviest rain usually from December to February. Rain tends to come in strong afternoon or evening downpours rather than all day, so mornings are often usable, and prices and crowds are lower outside the Christmas holidays.

On Nyepi, the Balinese Hindu New Year, the whole island shuts down for 24 hours, from 6am to 6am the next day. The airport closes, roads are empty, and everyone, including tourists, must stay inside. Nyepi 2027 falls on Monday 8 March, per Indonesia's official 2027 holiday decree.

To visit a Balinese temple, cover your shoulders and knees and wear a sarong tied at the waist, usually with a sash. Men and women follow the same rule. Most major temples lend or rent sarongs at the entrance, but bring your own for smaller village temples.

The small palm-leaf trays you see on pavements, shrines and doorsteps are Balinese Hindu offerings, the most common being canang sari. They hold flowers, a little food and incense, and are made daily. Those placed on the ground are meant to appease negative forces, while higher ones honour the gods.

Bali's official tourist guidelines, set out in Governor Circular No. 7 of 2025, ask visitors to respect temples and customs, dress modestly, pay the IDR 150,000 tourist levy, use licensed services and follow traffic laws. Prohibited acts include entering sacred areas without reason, littering, disrespectful behaviour, drugs and working without a permit.

In Bali, a few words of Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesia) go a long way: terima kasih (thank you), sama-sama (you're welcome), permisi (excuse me), maaf (sorry), berapa harganya? (how much is it?) and tidak, terima kasih (no, thank you). Balinese people also appreciate suksma, thank you in Balinese, and the greeting Om Swastiastu.

The two classic choices are the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu Temple at sunset, around 6 pm, for about IDR 150,000 plus temple entry, and the nightly performances at Ubud Palace at 7.30 pm for about IDR 100,000. Ubud also has Legong, Barong and Kecak shows in other temples and village stages every evening.

Start with the idea behind it all: Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese philosophy of harmony between people, nature and the spiritual, recognised by UNESCO through Bali's subak rice terraces in 2012. In practice that means a small daily gesture of gratitude, like the canang sari offerings, cooking with base genep spice paste, drinking jamu and learning some gamelan, dance or Indonesian.

The surest way to make Balinese friends is to step outside the expat bubbles of Canggu and Seminyak, stay somewhere longer, learn some Bahasa Indonesia and take part in shared activities: a homestay with a family, surf or football with locals, gamelan or dance classes, or helping with a village event when invited. Balinese people are welcoming, but friendship builds through regular contact and respect for ceremonies.

The 'Bali effect' lasts longer when you bring back habits rather than souvenirs: a short morning ritual inspired by offerings and Tri Hita Karana, a regular yoga or meditation practice started in Ubud, Balinese cooking with base genep, homemade jamu, and a few words of Indonesian. Keeping in touch with the people you met and planning your next stay also helps.

For most visitors, a Telkomsel tourist SIM or eSIM is the safest choice in Bali because it has the widest coverage, including rural areas. A 30-day tourist pack costs around IDR 150,000. Travel eSIM apps are a convenient alternative you can set up before landing.

Bali is one of Asia's most popular remote-work bases, with many coworking spaces in Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu and decent 4G and fibre in the south. Legally, though, a tourist visa does not authorise remote work. The E33G Remote Worker visa is the route designed for it.

Choose Canggu for surf, cafés and a young social scene, Ubud for rice fields, culture and wellness, Uluwatu for cliff-top views and surf beaches, and Seminyak for shopping, dining and beach clubs. Many visitors split their stay between a beach base and Ubud.

Plan at least 7 days for a first trip to Bali, and 10 to 14 days if you want to combine beaches, Ubud and an island or volcano trip without rushing. With only 3 to 5 days, stick to one or two bases to limit time lost in traffic.

Yes, Bali is a popular family destination, with warm weather, kid-friendly resorts, gentle beaches and welcoming locals. Sanur and Nusa Dua are the easiest bases for young children thanks to calm water and walkable promenades. Plan for heat, traffic and a few health precautions.

Bali runs on Central Indonesian Time (WITA, UTC+8) all year, with no daylight saving. It is 6 hours ahead of France during French summer time (late March to late October) and 7 hours ahead in winter. Flights from Paris take around 16 to 20 hours with a stop, so plan a gentle first day.

Pack light, breathable clothes for 27 to 32°C heat, a light rain jacket for the rainy season from November to March, and one outfit covering shoulders and knees for temples. Add sunscreen, mosquito repellent, a basic first-aid kit and your prescriptions. Sockets are type C and F at 230 V, so French plugs work without an adapter.

The Bali Reply events page lists what is on in Bali and is updated automatically: festivals, concerts, markets, ceremonies and sports events. For the big annual dates, the Bali Tourism Office publishes an official calendar, including the Bali Arts Festival (June to July) and the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival (October).

The long-haul flight is by far the biggest part of a Bali trip's footprint: a Paris to Bali return trip adds up to several tonnes of CO2e per passenger, more than most people emit in months at home. The most effective levers are flying less often but staying longer, choosing economy and the shortest routing, then limiting internal travel by staying in one or two bases and choosing accommodation that manages energy and water.

On the ground, the biggest daily impact in Bali is plastic and water. Bali has banned single-use plastic bags, styrofoam and straws since 2019, and a 2025 governor circular targets bottled water under one litre. Carry a refillable bottle and fill it at refill stations, refuse plastic, save water in your villa and choose activities that do not harm reefs or wildlife.

Yes. You can support community-run villages recognised by UN Tourism, such as Jatiluwih for its subak rice terraces, villages like Pemuteran, known for its Biorock reef restoration, as well as Penglipuran, a village managed by its residents. Sungai Watch runs river barriers and public cleanups. Paying the IDR 150,000 tourist levy also funds culture and environmental protection.

Ubud and its surroundings are Bali's wellness hub, with established retreat resorts such as COMO Shambhala Estate and Fivelements along the Ayung River. Canggu and Uluwatu offer yoga and surf retreats by the sea, while the Tabanan highlands host quieter programmes such as Bali Silent Retreat near Penebel. Most retreats run from 3 to 7 nights.

Ubud is the main place for yoga and meditation in Bali, with large studios such as The Yoga Barn and Radiantly Alive offering several drop-in classes a day, sound healing and teacher trainings. Canggu and Uluwatu have many beach-side studios, and the Bali Spirit Festival in Ubud brings yoga, music and workshops together each year.

West Bali National Park is the best place for wildlife: around 190 km² of forest, mangroves and reefs that shelter the endangered Bali starling, rusa deer, monkeys and over 160 bird species. Add the Bali Botanic Garden in Bedugul for plants, the Ubud Monkey Forest for macaques, and Nusa Penida for manta rays.

For calm swimming, choose Nusa Dua, Sanur, Jimbaran or Lovina in the north. For white sand and cliffs, head to the Bukit Peninsula: Melasti, Padang Padang, Bingin and Thomas Beach. Seminyak and Canggu suit sunsets and surf more than swimming, and East Bali has quiet coves such as Pasir Putih and Blue Lagoon near Padang Bai.

The most striking views are inland: sunrise over Lake Batur from the summit of Mount Batur or the Kintamani crater rim, the Jatiluwih and Tegallalang rice terraces, the Sidemen valley facing Mount Agung, and the twin lakes Buyan and Tamblingan from Wanagiri. On the coast, the Uluwatu cliffs at sunset and Kelingking on Nusa Penida stand out.

Yes. The classic hike is the Mount Batur sunrise trek (1,717 m), about 2 hours up from a 3 to 4 am start, always with a local guide. Mount Agung (3,142 m) is far harder, needs a licensed guide by law, and closes during major ceremonies. Easier walks include Jatiluwih's rice terraces, Campuhan Ridge in Ubud and the Munduk waterfalls.

Yes. The best-known rice terraces are Jatiluwih in Tabanan, a UNESCO-listed subak landscape with walking trails, and Tegallalang north of Ubud, smaller and busier, with swings and cafés. For coffee, the Kintamani highlands grow Bali's protected arabica, and many agro-tourism stops between Ubud and Kintamani offer free tastings. Avoid farms that keep civets in cages.

Bali offers surfing (Kuta and Canggu for beginners, Uluwatu for experienced surfers), snorkelling and diving at Amed, Tulamben, Menjangan and Nusa Penida, where manta rays live all year. Tanjung Benoa near Nusa Dua is the centre for parasailing, jet skis and banana boats, and the Ayung River near Ubud is the main spot for white-water rafting.

The most photographed spots are the Lempuyang "Gates of Heaven" facing Mount Agung, Ulun Danu Beratan temple on Lake Beratan, Tanah Lot at sunset, the Tegallalang and Jatiluwih rice terraces, and Kelingking on Nusa Penida. Go at sunrise: at Lempuyang, waits of 2 to 4 hours for the gate photo are common later in the day.

Yes, mostly in the cool highlands. Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan in the north and Bukit Sari Songan near Lake Batur have organised campsites run by locals or operators, and Kintamani has many glamping domes and tents facing Mount Batur. In the east, Bukit Asah and Bukit Cemara in Karangasem are popular hilltop camping spots. Wild camping is not common practice.

Yes. Sungai Watch, the main Bali-based organisation, runs community cleanups open to volunteers and publishes them on its website calendar. The busiest period is the rainy season, roughly December to March, when monsoon winds wash plastic onto Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Kedonganan and Jimbaran. On 24 January 2026, about 450 volunteers removed more than 7.5 tonnes of waste at Kedonganan in under two hours.

Bali offers a wide range of hands-on classes: Balinese cooking, silver jewellery making in Celuk, wood carving around Mas and Ubud, batik, offering (canang) making, Balinese dance and gamelan, pottery, yoga, surfing and diving. Ubud is the main hub for cultural workshops. Expect from around IDR 350,000 for a cooking class and about USD 40 for a three-hour silver class.

Bargaining is expected in Bali's markets and souvenir stalls, such as Ubud Art Market, Sukawati Art Market and Kuta Art Market, but not in supermarkets, restaurants, fixed-price shops or ride-hailing apps. Decide your budget, ask the price, make a lower counter-offer and settle somewhere in between, always with a smile.

For authentic souvenirs, head to the craft villages between Denpasar and Ubud: Celuk for silver, Mas for wood carving and masks, Batubulan for stone carving. Sukawati art market and Ubud market gather many crafts under one roof, and Tenganan in East Bali is the home of gringsing double ikat cloth. Buying in the villages lets you see the work being made.

Jimbaran Bay, just south of the airport, is Bali's seafood reference. At sunset, dozens of beach restaurants grill fish, prawns and lobster over coconut husks, sold by weight. For a cheaper, more local meal, buy your catch at Kedonganan fish market at the north end of the bay and have a nearby warung grill it for around IDR 15,000 to 30,000 per kilo.

Yes, Bali is one of the easiest places in Asia to eat vegetarian or vegan. Ubud and Canggu are full of plant-based cafes, and almost every local warung serves tempeh, tofu and vegetable dishes such as gado-gado. The main trap is hidden animal products: shrimp paste (terasi) in sambal, fish sauce, egg and prawn crackers.

Yes. Bali's signature crafts are silverwork, wood and stone carving, batik and ikat textiles such as endek and gringsing, and paintings. Two are protected geographical indications: Celuk silver (2018) and Tenganan's gringsing cloth (2016). Much market stock is mass-produced or imported, so check stamps, finish and price before paying for "handmade".

The must-try Balinese dishes are babi guling (spit-roasted suckling pig), bebek or ayam betutu (duck or chicken slow-cooked in spices), sate lilit (minced fish or meat satay on lemongrass), lawar (spiced minced salad with coconut) and nasi campur. Add sambal matah, the raw shallot and lemongrass relish, plus Indonesian classics like nasi goreng and mie goreng.

Good food souvenirs from Bali are Kintamani arabica coffee, Amed or Kusamba sea salt, palm sugar, dried spices and Balinese spice mixes, vanilla, Kubu cashews and local chocolate. If you fly back to France or the EU, meat and dairy products from outside the EU are banned, and fresh fruit generally needs a phytosanitary certificate. Skip kopi luwak, usually produced with caged civets.

Yes, Bali has lively traditional markets. Pasar Badung in Denpasar is the island's largest produce market, Ubud market sells fruit and offerings in the early morning and crafts later, and the night markets of Gianyar and Sindhu in Sanur are the best places for cheap local food. Kedonganan fish market in Jimbaran and Sukawati art market complete the list.

For a birthday in Bali, Seminyak and Canggu suit a lively dinner followed by a night out, while Uluwatu and Jimbaran suit a sunset celebration with an ocean view. Book a villa that explicitly allows events, check its music cut-off, often 11 pm in residential areas, and bring in a private chef or caterer for the dinner.

For a coaching stay, look at quiet villas on the outskirts of Ubud, in the Tabanan and Mengwi countryside or in Sidemen in East Bali, rather than busy Canggu. The villa needs a private, shaded space for sessions, reliable wifi and few close neighbours. Foreign coaches paid to run sessions in Bali should check their visa first.

For a bachelor party, most groups stay in Canggu or Seminyak, close to beach clubs and nightlife, or in Uluwatu for surf and cliff-top bars. Choose a villa whose house rules accept groups and late evenings, and keep the party legal: Indonesian drug penalties include the death penalty, and Bali has strict rules on tourist behaviour.

For a hen party, Seminyak is the easiest base, with boutiques, spas, restaurants and sunset beach clubs nearby, while Canggu suits a brunch-and-café crowd. Pick a villa with a bathroom for each bedroom, beds that can be split into twins, and space for in-villa massages, decorations and a private chef dinner.

For a group, Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud have the widest choice of multi-bedroom villas, with more space for the money in Uluwatu and the countryside. Check the real number of beds and bathrooms, make sure the villa is licensed, and book group transport: a 12 to 14-seat minibus with driver is the simplest option.

For a wedding villa, Uluwatu and Ungasan offer cliff-top ocean views, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua stay close to the airport, and Ubud suits a jungle or rice-field setting. Many foreign couples hold a symbolic ceremony in Bali and marry legally at home, because a legal Indonesian marriage requires a shared recognised religion and civil registry paperwork.

For a mastermind, Canggu, Pererenan and Berawa suit groups that want Bali's entrepreneur scene and cafés nearby, while Uluwatu and the hills around Ubud suit a more focused, secluded format. The villa needs one room or pavilion where the whole group can sit in a circle, fast wifi with backup power, and ideally a private ensuite room for each participant.

For a company seminar, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua are the practical choice: both sit close to Bali's airport, and Nusa Dua has the Bali Nusa Dua Convention Center about 10 km away and large resort meeting rooms. A villa suits a smaller team if it has a closed meeting room, a projector, reliable wifi and a generator.

For team building, base the group near Ubud for rafting on the Ayung River, cycling and cooking classes, or in Sanur and Nusa Dua for calm-water beach activities and short airport transfers. Pick a villa with a lawn and pool for group games and a covered pavilion for debriefs, and plan transport: an 18-seat Isuzu Elf with driver suits most teams.

For a training course, Ubud and Sanur are the easiest bases: Ubud has a long tradition of yoga and wellness trainings, while Sanur is flat, calm and well supplied with shops and clinics. The villa should have a closed, ventilated or air-conditioned room with tables, a screen and reliable power, plus meals cooked on site. Trainers paid to teach must check their visa.

For a yoga or wellness retreat, the classic bases are Ubud and its hills, the Tabanan countryside near the Jatiluwih rice terraces, Sidemen in East Bali and Munduk in the cooler north. Look for a licensed villa with a covered shala that fits your whole group and a kitchen able to cook plant-based meals. Foreign retreat leaders also need the right visa.

For a family reunion, Sanur, Nusa Dua and Jimbaran are the easiest areas: flat streets, calm beaches and short drives to the airport and the main hospitals in the south. Choose a villa with ground-floor bedrooms and few steps for older relatives, a fenced or gated pool for young children, and a dining table that seats everyone together.

For a legal problem in Bali, contact a licensed Indonesian lawyer (advokat). The French Embassy in Jakarta publishes a list of lawyers and translators, and the Denpasar consular agency (+62 811 3960 1401) can point you to it. The consulate cannot defend you, pay legal costs or intervene in a case. If you are arrested, ask for the consulate to be informed.

Expat life in Bali mixes a warm climate, a lower cost of living than Western Europe and strong communities in Canggu, Ubud, Sanur and the Bukit. The trade-offs are traffic, rainy-season flooding, waste problems and strict visa rules: you need a long-stay permit such as the E33G remote worker visa or a retirement KITAS, and you cannot work locally without a work permit.

To work in Bali legally, a foreigner needs an Indonesian employer that obtains an approved RPTKA (foreign worker plan) from the Ministry of Manpower and sponsors a work KITAS, with a USD 100 monthly levy. Tourist visas and the visa on arrival do not allow any work, even unpaid. Volunteering needs a suitable visa, usually a social visit visa sponsored by the host organisation; check the current visa code with a visa agent.