15 Things You Need to Know

Traveling in Bali is fantastic. The island is rich in culture, and the diversity of nature is immense. Stroll through the green rice fields, swim in waterfalls in the jungle, sip cocktails at cozy beach clubs, or wander through an authentic market. You can do it all in Bali! The island isn’t very large, so you never have to travel far to your next destination. It’s a very easy travel destination, but there are a few things to keep in mind before you hop on the plane. So read these 15 practical tips and handy facts for your trip to Bali!

Staying in Bali for less than 30 days? You’ll receive a visa on arrival when you arrive at the airport. Want to stay longer in Indonesia? Then you are required to apply for a visa in advance. However, it’s worth applying for your visa on arrival ahead of time as well. There is usually a very long line at the counter where you can arrange your visa on arrival. It’s best to take care of this before you leave via the official website. Here, you can apply for different visas, including for when you want to stay in Indonesia for more than 30 days. For a 30-day visa on arrival, choose B1. You can then skip the long line at the airport and quickly proceed to the baggage claim. After you’ve collected your luggage, you’ll need to fill out a Customs Declaration Form. It’s also handy to fill out this form in advance so you can go through it quickly. You can do this three days before departure via this website. You will receive a QR code that you need to have scanned, so make sure to keep it safe.

Since 2024, everyone entering Bali must pay a tourist tax. This applies whether you’re arriving by flight or boat from another Indonesian island. The tourist tax is used to improve infrastructure in Bali and to preserve its culture and nature. Although you can pay the tax on-site, just like with your visa, it’s also recommended to arrange this in advance through the official website of the Balinese government. After payment, you will receive a confirmation email with a QR code. Keep this safe, as you’ll need to show it, allowing you to proceed without delay. The QR code is valid for 30 days or until you leave Indonesia. You don’t need to pay a new tourist tax if you take a trip to another Indonesian island.

When you check in for your flight to Bali, they will almost always ask for an exit ticket for Indonesia at the airport. You’ll also need to upload this when you apply for your visa in advance. This should be a return flight to the another country with a departure date within 30 days of your arrival. An exit ticket is required to prove that you will leave Indonesia within 30 days. You can only stay in Indonesia for a maximum of 30 days with a visa on arrival. So make sure you have this; otherwise, you’ll have to book an exit flight ticket while checking in.

Public transportation in Bali is very limited, so private transport is the easiest way to travel between destinations. You don’t need to arrange this before your trip to Bali, as you can easily order a taxi on-site through the Grab app. Grab is the Asian version of Uber and works especially well in the southern part of Bali. There are also many motorcycle taxis around, which you can order through the Gojek app. These motorcycle taxis are cheaper, ideal for solo travelers, and can maneuver more easily through traffic. If you find yourself in a location where Grab or Gojek is not available, you can easily arrange a driver through your accommodation or 12Go.com.
At the destinations, you can rent a scooter for shorter distances. Some experience with riding a scooter is helpful because the busy traffic in Bali can be quite chaotic. Be aware that scooters in Bali are officially considered motorcycles. These scooters have much more power than the scooters we’re familiar with. You technically need a motorcycle license for this, but you can still rent one with your Class B driver’s license. However, there is a risk involved, as you won’t be insured. If you damage the scooter or have an accident, the costs will be yours. Nonetheless, many travelers ride scooters, but you should consider whether you want to take that risk.

Tip: You can purchase an eSim for Indonesia before your trip to Bali. This digital SIM card is activated online, allowing you to use mobile internet in Indonesia without needing to arrange anything locally. It makes ordering a taxi much easier.

In Bali, you’ll find an incredible number of picture-perfect accommodations where you can enjoy luxury for relatively little money. Some accommodations are located right in the rice fields, others offer stunning views of a volcano, or are nestled in the jungle. During our travels, we’ve always searched for the most beautiful and unique accommodations in Bali. In our overview of the most beautiful hotels in Bali, we share all our tips for the best spots!

As in many places in Southeast Asia, animals are also used for the entertainment of tourists in Bali. What many tourists still don’t know is that there is a lot of suffering behind this. Animals are harshly trained to pose for photos, perform tricks, or allow people to sit on their backs. Animals like orangutans should be swinging through the trees in the jungle, but instead, they spend all day posing for photos taken by humans. Dolphins should be swimming freely in the ocean with their families, but instead, they are confined in a small pool and only brought out to perform tricks for the audience. Even washing elephants is not as innocent as it seems. Elephants are abused, for example, by having a nail driven hard into their skin. They must remain calm so that people can wash them. This is done secretly, without tourists seeing it.
Always avoid attractions with wild animals where you come into direct contact with them. If you can cuddle, ride, wash, touch, or otherwise get close to a wild animal, there is suffering behind it.

There are a few things you need to know before withdrawing cash from an ATM. The machine will first give you your cash and then return your card. Since in the most countries you usually get your card back before the money, it’s easy to forget this and walk away before the machine returns your card. Always shield your PIN well. We have heard of people getting skimmed in Bali. Since the skimmers hang a small camera above the keypad, they have no chance if you shield your PIN properly.

Balinese people really appreciate it when you take an interest in their culture and language. They will be very grateful if you greet or thank them in Indonesian. Here are some basic phrases to practice:

Good morning (6 AM to 10 AM): Selamat pagi
Good day (10 AM to 3 PM): Selamat siang
Good afternoon (3 PM to 6 PM): Selamat sore
Good evening (6 PM to 6 AM): Selamat malam
Thank you: Terima kasih
Likewise: Sama sama (response to thank you)

The flight to Bali is a long journey. When you finally arrive in Bali, there are dozens of taxi drivers eager to take you to your hotel. These taxi drivers often charge outrageous prices, and after your flight, you probably won’t want to jump into a negotiation right away. Therefore, arrange an airport pick-up in advance to start your Bali trip off stress-free. This will save you money and hassle. Someone will be waiting for you with a sign, and you can get in right away to head to your hotel. You can book your pick-up here.

We have visited quite a few countries, but we find Balinese people to be the friendliest and most respectful individuals we have encountered so far. Almost everything here is done with a smile and in a friendly manner. Balinese people are unlikely to say no, refuse something, or get angry. It’s a very gentle and polite culture, and it’s important to keep this in mind during your vacation in Bali. Always remain friendly and polite, even if you disagree with something. Negotiating a price is also best done with a smile; it’s often the most effective way.

Indonesian cuisine is one of the most delicious in the world. The food is incredibly diverse and made with generous amounts of spices. “Warung” is a collective term for local restaurants. Here, you can often enjoy delicious Indonesian food at very low prices. Be sure to try the following dishes:

• Nasi goreng – You probably know this world-famous dish. Nasi goreng, which means fried rice, is often seen as Indonesia’s national dish. There are many variations, but it’s usually served with chicken, crackers, and a fried egg.
• Gado-gado – Gado literally means mix. This traditional Javanese dish is a mix of vegetables, tempeh or tofu, steamed potatoes, boiled eggs, lontong rice, and peanut sauce.
• Rendang – Rendang is often made from beef that is slowly stewed in coconut milk and spices.
• Soto – Soto means soup and is one of the most well-known dishes in Indonesia. There are many different types of soto, but soto ayam (with chicken) is the most beloved.

Tip: If you truly want to get to know Indonesian cuisine, join the Food Tour in Old Denpasar. Old Denpasar is the old part of the capital where you can best experience the authentic flavors of Bali. Treat your taste buds to snacks from the best stalls and small warungs in the local market. Make sure you’re hungry, as the food tour includes more than 15 different snacks and drinks while learning all about the ingredients and culinary culture of Bali. It’s a fun and surprising tour that you should schedule at the beginning of your trip. Not suitable for vegetarians.

Bali is an incredibly popular vacation destination, attracting millions of tourists to the island each year. Especially in southern Bali, you should expect it to be busy. The traffic can sometimes be dramatic. The roads are far too narrow for the number of cars and scooters on them, often resulting in traffic jams. Nevertheless, Bali has managed to retain its charm, and there are still many beautiful places to discover. Ubud is a good example of this. The center is busy and hectic, but just outside, you’ll find yourself among green rice fields. A bit further away is Sidemen, a small village nestled among rice fields where you can still experience authentic Balinese life. You can also seek tranquility in Munduk. This tiny village in the north is surrounded by mountains, rice fields, and coffee plantations. In the area, you can find some of the most beautiful waterfalls and temples in Bali.

Now that you’ve read that you’re not alone in Bali, you can imagine that some attractions can be crowded during the day. To avoid this crowding, it’s best to wake up early and head out during or just after sunrise. This way, you’ll have the most beautiful places in Bali to yourself, beat the heat, and can relax on the beach, at a beach club, or by the pool in the afternoon. Another reason to rise early is that everything looks more beautiful during sunrise due to the warm morning light.

Bali combines well with other exciting destinations in Southeast Asia. A great option is Singapore. This ultra-modern city offers a totally different experience than Bali, making it fun to combine the two. When flying to Bali with KLM, you can make a free stopover. Here you’ll find our ideal 3-day itinerary for Singapore.

Bali has an incredible number of beautiful destinations, but also some less desirable spots. For example, we think it’s a shame to stay in Kuta or Seminyak. These are very crowded beach resorts with overstuffed beaches and little charm. We have been to Bali multiple times and have visited many destinations one or more times. Based on these experiences, we’ve created the ultimate itinerary for Bali and surrounding islands. We’ve written a separate article about each destination on the itinerary, detailing what to do, tips for good restaurants, and nice places to stay. This way, you can easily plan your trip to Bali!