My first trip to Bali was almost entirely based on things I’d seen on Instagram. A specific temple with a specific light at a specific time of year. A rice terrace that looked good from a particular angle. A pool that appeared to float above the jungle. Most of it was real. Some of it required a 4 am alarm. And several things I hadn’t planned for at all turned out to be the best parts of the trip.
Bali rewards visitors who go in with a certain amount of information and a certain amount of flexibility. The information is about practical things: how visas work, what not to do at a temple, and which part of the island to base yourself in. The flexibility is about accepting that Bali is a living place, not a theme park, and that some of the best experiences here are the ones you didn’t book.
This guide is written for the person who has never been but is seriously planning to go. I’ve tried to include the things I genuinely wish someone had explained before I arrived.
The Best Time to Go (and What “Best” Actually Means)
Bali’s dry season runs from April to October. The wet season is from November to March. By this logic, any time in the dry season is “good” — but that’s an oversimplification.
July and August are peak season. Prices for accommodation and flights are highest, the roads are busier, and popular spots require booking days in advance. For a first visit, April to June or September is a better sweet spot: still dry season, with reliable sunshine and beach weather, but without the school holiday crowds. Prices are more reasonable, and you’re more likely to have moments of genuine quiet at popular places.
The wet season isn’t the disaster it’s sometimes described as. Rain usually comes in sharp afternoon showers rather than week-long grey. Mornings are often clear and beautiful. Prices are low, and the island is greener. Beach and water sports holidays are more affected, so the wet season suits cultural, inland experiences better than beach-focused ones.
Visa: Simpler Than You Think
For most Western passports — UK, US, Australian, Canadian, and most EU nationals — visiting Bali for up to 30 days requires no advance visa paperwork. You land, pass through immigration, and receive your entry stamp. The 30-day visa exemption is the starting point for most tourists.
If you want to stay longer, you can extend to 60 days with a Visa on Arrival (VoA) obtained at the airport before immigration. The fee is IDR 500,000 (around £25 or $30 USD). Pay at the designated counter before joining the immigration queue.
Indonesian immigration has become more thorough in recent years. You may be asked to show evidence of sufficient funds — roughly $2,000 USD equivalent in bank statements — and a return or onward flight. Having these on your phone is sensible even if you’re not asked.
One absolute: Indonesia enforces zero tolerance for drugs. Possession of even small amounts can result in life imprisonment. This is not an exaggeration.
The Cultural Rules That Actually Matter
Bali is predominantly Hindu, and religious practice is embedded in daily life. Visitors who respect this have a fundamentally different and better experience than those who treat the temples as photo opportunities.
At temples
Every temple has the same basic requirements: a sarong covering the lower body and covered shoulders. Sarongs are usually available to hire or borrow at the gate. Menstruating women are traditionally asked not to enter certain inner temple areas — this is usually signposted.
Behave as you would in a church or mosque: voices low, no running, no aggressive photography of people in prayer. If a ceremony is in progress, hang back and observe quietly or come back another time.
Day-to-day respect
Canang sari — the small palm-leaf offerings filled with flowers and incense that appear on pavements, in doorways, and at the base of trees — are placed daily as spiritual offerings. Stepping on them is genuinely offensive. Step over or around them.
Use your right hand when giving or receiving items, money, or food. The left hand is traditionally considered unclean. And a few words of Indonesian — “Selamat pagi” (good morning), “Terima kasih” (thank you) — go a very long way with Balinese people.
Health Basics: Bali Belly, Water, and Stray Animals
Bali Belly is real and comes from the water. The simple rule: never drink tap water in Bali. Use bottled or filtered water exclusively, including for brushing your teeth. Most good restaurants use filtered water; street food and some warungs are more variable. Don’t eat ice from places where you’re not confident it’s from purified water.
Stray dogs and macaque monkeys at tourist sites carry rabies. Don’t feed or attempt to pet them, regardless of how friendly they appear. If bitten or scratched, seek medical attention immediately.
One more thing: be cautious about locally-made spirits at unlicensed bars. Arak that hasn’t been properly produced can contain methanol. Stick to sealed commercial spirits at reputable places.
Getting Around Without Losing Your Mind
Bali is not walkable in the way European cities are. Distances look short on maps and aren’t, once you factor in traffic — particularly in southern Bali. Grab and Gojek ride-hailing apps work well in most areas. Hiring a private driver for the day (IDR 500,000–700,000 for 8–10 hours) is excellent value for temple circuits or cross-island trips. Scooter rental is popular but requires actual riding experience before attempting Bali’s traffic.
Money, Prices, and the 21% Tax Nobody Mentions
Bali uses the Rupiah (IDR). Carry cash — warungs, small restaurants, and temple entry booths often don’t take cards. ATMs are widely available in tourist areas. Many mid-range and upmarket restaurants add 11% government tax and 10% service charge to bills — totalling 21% on top of menu prices. Look for “++ included” or “++ not included” on the menu. This can be a surprise at beach clubs where drinks are already expensive.
The Mistakes First-Timers Consistently Make
Staying only in one area. Bali’s regions are genuinely different: Seminyak is beachy and social, Ubud is cultural and green, the east coast is quiet and traditional. Even a day trip to Ubud from south Bali changes your understanding of the island.
Over-planning every hour. Leave space for things to happen. A morning walk that leads to a temple ceremony you weren’t expecting is more memorable than the fourth carefully researched Instagram spot.
Not eating at warungs. Local food — nasi campur, gado gado, babi guling — at local warungs costs IDR 20,000–50,000 a plate and is often better than what you’ll pay ten times as much for at a tourist restaurant. Most first-timers skip this out of caution and it’s one of the things they most regret.
Ignoring the cultural context. Bali is not a beach resort with temples attached. The offerings, ceremonies, and relationship between the natural and spiritual world are living practices. Engaging with Bali as a culture — not just a destination — is what makes it memorable.
Bali is genuinely one of the best places I’ve spent time. It has a density of good things in a compact geography that’s unusual anywhere: extraordinary nature, a deep and alive culture, excellent food, warm people, and enough infrastructure to be comfortable without losing the sense that you’re somewhere genuinely different from home.
Go with some preparation and a lot of openness. Eat at the warung on the corner. Step carefully around the offerings. Let yourself get a bit lost. The things that feel slightly awkward on the first day become the things you miss most when you’re home.
FAQs
1. Do I need a visa for Bali?
Most Western passport holders qualify for a 30-day visa exemption — no advance paperwork. For stays up to 60 days, a Visa on Arrival (VoA) is available at Bali’s airport for IDR 500,000. Bring evidence of return flights and sufficient funds.
2. When is the best time to visit Bali for a first trip?
April to June or September offers the sweet spot: dry season weather with fewer crowds than peak July–August. The wet season (November–March) is manageable for cultural trips but affects beach activities.
3. Is it safe to eat street food in Bali?
Yes, with care. Local warungs serving freshly cooked dishes are generally safe and excellent. Bali Belly comes mostly from water contamination, not the food itself. Avoid ice from unclear sources.
4. Can I drink the tap water in Bali?
No. Use bottled or filtered water exclusively, including for brushing your teeth.
5. What do I need to wear at Balinese temples?
A sarong covering the lower body and covering the shoulders are required. Sarongs are available to hire at most temple gates.
6. How do I get around Bali?
Grab and Gojek apps work well for short trips. A private driver (IDR 500,000–700,000/day) is excellent for longer days. Scooter rental requires genuine riding experience before attempting Bali traffic.
7. What currency does Bali use?
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Carry cash — warungs and temples often don’t take cards. Many restaurants add 21% tax and service charge to bills.
8. Are stray animals dangerous in Bali?
Rabies is present in parts of Bali. Avoid contact with stray dogs and monkeys. If bitten or scratched, seek medical attention immediately.
9. Is Bali safe for solo female travellers?
Generally, yes — one of the safer destinations in Southeast Asia for solo female travellers. Standard precautions apply.
10. Should I stay in Seminyak or Ubud for a first visit?
Both, ideally. Splitting a 10–14 day trip between south Bali (beaches, social life) and Ubud (culture, rice fields) gives a much more complete picture of the island.