- Ideal trip length
- 7 to 10 nights
- Best time to go
- May to September
- Time zone
- GMT+8 (Central Indonesia Time)
- Currency
- Indonesian rupiah (IDR)
Entry update
Complete the All Indonesia arrival card before you land. Bali also charges a tourist levy, paid online or on arrival.
About Bali
Bali is far more than a beach island. Hindu culture shapes daily life, from the offerings placed on every doorstep to the temple ceremonies that fill the calendar. Inland, Ubud sits among rice terraces and river gorges, with resorts that open onto the jungle. The south has the beaches, the clifftop sunsets of Uluwatu and the relaxed seafood dinners of Jimbaran Bay.
I usually split a stay between the hills and the coast, giving each at least three nights. Traffic in the south can be slow, so the right location matters as much as the hotel itself. Villas with private pools are a Bali speciality, and the spa culture is among the best anywhere. East Bali and Sidemen add a quieter, more traditional chapter. Service is gentle, personal and unhurried.
When to go
The dry season, from May to September, brings sunny days and lower humidity, though July and August are busy. March, April and October to December are good, with some showers. January and February are the wettest months.
Places to go
Ubud
Rice terraces, river valleys and jungle resorts, at the heart of Balinese arts and culture.
See hotelsJimbaran
A calm, curving bay known for sunset seafood dinners, and close to the airport.
See hotelsUluwatu
Clifftop resorts, surf breaks and ocean sunsets, with the sea temple of Pura Luhur Uluwatu nearby.
See hotelsNusa Dua
A gated resort enclave with calm beaches, ideal for families and easy, low-effort stays.
Ask me about hotels hereEast Bali
Sidemen's rice valleys and the quiet coast near Candidasa, for a slower, more remote retreat.
Ask me about hotels hereMy picks in Bali
The hotels I'd start with, and who each one suits.
1 MICHELIN KeyForbes Five-Star
Four Seasons Preferred Partner
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
Ubud, Indonesia
2 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Four Seasons Preferred Partner
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran, Indonesia
2 MICHELIN KeysForbes Four-Star
Virtuoso
Capella Ubud, Bali
Ubud, Indonesia
3 MICHELIN KeysForbes Five-Star
Marriott STARS
Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Ubud, Indonesia
Benefits on request
Six Senses Uluwatu
Uluwatu, Indonesia
2 MICHELIN Keys
Virtuoso
Raffles Bali
Jimbaran, IndonesiaBefore you go
Arriving
Getting there
Ngurah Rai International Airport has direct flights across Asia, Australia and the Middle East. Every traveller completes the free All Indonesia arrival card online in the three days before landing.
Getting around
A private car and driver is the best way to travel, as traffic can be slow. Allow at least 90 minutes between Ubud and Uluwatu.
Visa and entry
Singapore and other ASEAN passports get 30 days visa-free; UK, US and Australian passports use a visa on arrival or online e-VOA. Check the official source before you travel.
Checked November 2026
Money and culture
Money
Cards work in resorts and good restaurants; carry rupiah for small shops and temple donations. Foreign visitors pay a one-off Bali tourism levy, ideally online via the official Love Bali site.
Tipping
Not obligatory, though many hotels add a service charge. Small tips for drivers, guides and spa therapists are welcome.
Local customs
Cover shoulders and knees at temples, where a sarong and sash are required. On Nyepi, the Day of Silence usually in March, the whole island, including the airport, closes for 24 hours.
On the ground
Language
Indonesian and Balinese. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and tourist areas.
Plugs and power
Types C and F, the round two-pin European style.
Safety
Bali is generally safe. Respect strong currents at some beaches, ride only with licensed drivers, and drink bottled or filtered water.
Bali: quick answers
When is the best time to visit Bali?
May to September. The dry season, from May to September, brings sunny days and lower humidity, though July and August are busy. March, April and October to December are good, with some showers. January and February are the wettest months.
How long should I spend in Bali?
7 to 10 nights is a good length for a first visit. Tell me what you enjoy and I'll shape the route around it.
Which luxury hotels do you recommend in Bali?
My picks are Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan (Ubud), Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay, Capella Ubud, Bali, Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve (Ubud), Six Senses Uluwatu and Raffles Bali (Jimbaran). Each hotel page has my write-up, what guests say and the benefits I can add.
Do I need a visa for Bali?
Singapore and other ASEAN passports get 30 days visa-free; UK, US and Australian passports use a visa on arrival or online e-VOA. Check the official source before you travel.
Updated November 2026
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ExploreI split Bali between the hills and the coast, choose locations that keep driving short, and check ceremony and Nyepi dates against the trip.
- Benefits arranged before you arrive.
- One point of contact from start to finish.
- Hotels matched to how you travel.