Travel guide
Bali travel guide
Planning a trip to Bali
Bali is a small Indonesian island with very different moods: rice terraces and temples around Ubud, surf and beach clubs around Canggu and Uluwatu, and quieter coast towns in the north and east. Costs swing mostly with where you sleep and how often you hire a driver, not with food, which stays cheap at local warungs.
Best time to go
The dry season runs roughly April to October and is the most comfortable time. July, August and the Christmas–New Year stretch are the busiest and most expensive. The wet season (about November to March) brings heavy afternoon rain but lower hotel prices and far fewer crowds, and mornings are often clear.
Where to stay
Ubud suits culture and slow days, Canggu and Seminyak suit cafes and beaches, Uluwatu suits surfers and cliff views, and Sanur is calm and good for families. Villas with a private pool are common and often cost about the same per person as a mid-range hotel when two or more people share.
Getting around
There is no real public transport. Most visitors hire a driver for the day, use ride apps such as Grab or Gojek where allowed, or rent a scooter. If you ride, you need a valid license with motorbike entitlement, a helmet, and insurance that actually covers riding. Traffic between the south and Ubud can be slow, so plan fewer stops per day.
How to spend less
- Eat at local warungs instead of tourist cafes. A rice or noodle meal there costs a fraction of beach-club prices.
- Book a driver for a full day and split it between travelers rather than paying per trip.
- Visit popular temples and waterfalls early to avoid queues and midday heat.
- Withdraw cash from ATMs inside banks and use cards only where the amount is clear to avoid skimming problems.
Common mistakes
Cramming too much into a day is the usual one, because island traffic is slower than the map suggests. Also budget for the one-off foreign tourist levy and any entry fees at temples and attractions, which are separate from your hotel bill.