Bali, one of the many islands of Indonesia, is a tropical paradise that beckons travellers with its pristine beaches, green landscapes, and vibrant culture. The best part about Bali is its people – the hospitality and the warmth that you are welcomed with is unparalleled.
Planning a visit to Bali soon? Be sure to check out our Bali itinerary and while you are there, read up on the related posts.
Bali, 2023
Capital
Denpasar (Bali) · Jakarta (Indonesia)
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (Rp / IDR)
Time zone
WITA - UTC +8h
Language
Bahasa Indonesia & Balinese
When to Visit Bali
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Wet
Dry
Best time to go
✦ Our pick
May - June & September
The “best” time really depends on what you want. We went in September and the weather was perfect but the rice paddies were not that green.
See the season-by-season breakdown
Bali has just two seasons – dry (April to October) and wet (November to March).
May, June and September are the sweet spot – dry weather, blue skies, but without the July-August crowds and price spikes.
If you don’t mind afternoon downpours, the wet season is gorgeous: greener rice paddies, fewer people, and noticeably cheaper accommodation.
From India: best fares typically open 3–4 months ahead. Avoid the December-early January and Diwali windows as Indian school holidays push prices up sharply.
Visa for Indian passport holders
Last verified — May 2026
Good news is Bali offers Visa on Arrival (VOA) for Indian passport holders. You can either get it stamped at Ngurah Rai (Denpasar) airport, or apply for an e-VOA online before you fly, which I'd recommend purely to skip the immigration queue.
Visa type
Visa on Arrival (VOA) or e-VOA — single entry, tourism only
Validity
30 days, extendable once for another 30 days
Fee
IDR 500,000 (≈ ₹2,800 / USD 35)
Tourist Levy (separate)
IDR 150,000 (≈ ₹820 / USD 10) per person, one-time
Apply at
molina.imigrasi.go.id (official e-VOA) or on arrival at DPS
Flying in from India
Bali (Denpasar / DPS) is 5.5 to 9 hours of flying time from major Indian metros. Indigo runs direct flights from Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai at around 6 hours. If you want a full-service carrier, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Thai Airways all connect via SIN, KUL and BKK respectively.
We flew Bengaluru → Denpasar with a layover in Bangkok. The journey could have been better – flight delays and long layovers made us realise we need to take comfort into consideration in our budgeting.
Currency and Budget for Bali
Exchange rate
₹100 ≈ Rp 18,300
As of 1 May 2026
Check xe.com for live rates
Note on numbers: Bali is famously cheap if you live like locals do, and easy to spend a fortune in if you stay in Seminyak villas. The mid-range column is what most Indian couples actually spend.
- The fastest, cheapest and most fun way to see Bali. Standard scooters cost Rp 60,000–100,000/day (≈ ₹350–550) for weekly rentals.
- You technically need an International Driving Permit (IDP) to ride legally - get it from your RTO before you fly (₹1,000, takes a week).
- Never hand over your actual passport as deposit — offer a photocopy + cash deposit (Rp 500,000 is normal).
- We did all of Bali on a scooter, including the long haul to Lempuyang and the Munduk waterfall loop.
Grab & Gojek
- Both apps work everywhere except a few “taxi mafia” zones in Ubud and Canggu where local drivers chase ride-hailing cars away. In those zones you’ll have to walk a block to your pickup.
- GoCar / GrabCar is the cheapest legitimate way to get around without a scooter. A 30-minute ride is around Rp 80,000–120,000 (≈ ₹450–650).
Private driver
- The default for groups, families with kids, or anyone who doesn't want to ride. Expect Rp 600,000–800,000/day (≈ ₹3,300–4,400) for a car + driver + petrol covering 8–10 hours. Tip if they're good.
- For metered taxis in town, only use Bluebird (light blue, "Bluebird Group" logo). Other "blue" taxis are knockoffs that won't run the meter.
Boats / fast boats to Nusa Penida & the Gilis
- Fast boats from Sanur to Nusa Penida cost Rp 200,000–300,000 return (≈ ₹1,100–1,650), 30 minutes each way. Book the morning boat - afternoons get rough.
- For Nusa Penida specifically, stay overnight (we did 2 days) instead of doing it as a day trip from Bali. The day-trip itineraries are exhausting and most of the West Penida spots (Kelingking, Angel's Billabong) are an hour-plus drive each from the harbour.
Safety in Bali
Safety rating
7
/10
Bali felt safe, but you have to stay alert in a way you don't have to in, say, Korea or Japan. Most "safety issues" here are scams and scooter accidents, not violent crime.
Solo Female Travel
Generally safe. Ubud, Sanur and the Gilis especially. Late-night Kuta and Legian get rowdy with drunk tourists; basic city sense applies.
Pickpocketing/Scams
Low pickpocketing risk; high scam risk. The big ones: pre-existing scratches on rented scooters used to charge you on return, money-changer sleight-of-hand at non-authorised booths, and ATM skimmers in tourist zones.
Health & Medical
Tap water is not safe - drink bottled or refilled at filtered stations. Bali belly (traveller's diarrhoea) hits roughly half of all visitors at some point so carry medicines. BIMC Hospital in Kuta and Nusa Dua handles tourists well; carry travel insurance.
Areas to Know
Avoid empty stretches of Kuta beach late at night. Mount Agung is an active volcano - check status before any trek.
Language & Greetings in Bali
Bali speaks two languages: Bahasa Indonesia (the national language, used everywhere) and Balinese (used at home and in temple). English is widely spoken in tourist areas like Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, Sanur, Nusa Dua.
English
Local
Pronunciation
Hello
Halo
Ha-lo
Thank you
Terima kasih
Te-ree-ma ka-see
Yes / No
Ya / Tidak
Ya / Tee-dak
How much?
Berapa harganya?
Be-ra-pa har-ga-nya?
Excuse me / Sorry
Permisi / Maaf
Per-mee-see / Ma-af
Places to See in Bali
FAQs about Bali
What are the top attractions in Bali?
Ubud Monkey Forest, Uluwatu Temple, Tegallalang Rice Terraces and the island of Nusa Penida. You can check out the blog posts for more info.
What is the best time to visit Bali?
May, June and September are the best months with fewer crowds and low chances of rain.
What are the must-try dishes in Balinese cuisine?
There are a lot of must-try dishes like Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Mie Goreng (noodles). Check out our blog post to get to know about all the vegetarian/vegan options.
Which are the most beautiful beaches in Bali?
Diamond Beach and Kelingking Beach in Nusa Penida are the arguably the best beaches in Bali.
How do I get around Bali efficiently?
One can easily hire a cab through Grab or Gojek but if you know how to ride a scooter, renting a two-wheeler would be the fastest and cheapest option.
What are the cultural dos and don'ts in Bali?
Dress modestly at temples, respect local customs, and traditions and don’t try to litter. Be respectful of their places of worship which include places like Mt Batur.
Bali · Guides
