Southeast Asia · Indonesia
Bali travel guide
Updated August 2026 · 7-day itinerary included
Split 7 days in Bali between Ubud's rice terraces and waterfalls (3 nights) and the Uluwatu/Seminyak coast for surf and sunsets (4 nights). Budget $40–80/day. Rent a scooter ($6/day) or hire a driver (~$50/day); start temple visits before 9am to beat tour buses.
Right now in Bali
Live data · updated 2026-08-251 EUR ≈ 20692.72 IDR · local currency
Golden hour: last hour before sunset
PM2.5: 9.5 µg/m³
Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). Areas where FCDO advises against all travel FCDO advises against all travel to a number of volcanoes in Indonesia: Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki, on Fl…
Sources: Open-Meteo · open.er-api.com · Nager.Date · GOV.UK Foreign Travel Advice · Open-Meteo Air Quality · Open-Meteo Marine · Open-Meteo · Passport Index (open dataset, MIT). Checked at build time — verify critical details before booking.
Do you need a visa for Indonesia?
By passport — checked 2026-08-25 against the Passport Index open dataset (199 passports). Always confirm with the official embassy before booking.
| Passport | Requirement | Stay allowed |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| United Kingdom | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Germany | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| France | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Italy | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Spain | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| India | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| China | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Japan | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| South Korea | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Australia | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Canada | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Brazil | Visa-free | Up to 30 days |
| UAE | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
| Singapore | Visa-free | Up to 30 days |
| South Africa | Visa on arrival | Up to 30 days |
Requirement data: Passport Index (open dataset, MIT) · Get a visa checklist in your AI plan →
Know before you go
US passports: Visa on Arrival (~$32, 30 days, extendable once). No nonstop US flights — connect via Singapore, Seoul, Tokyo, or Doha.
Top things to do in Bali
Tegallalang Rice Terraces (Ubud)
Stepped emerald terraces 20 minutes north of Ubud — the postcard Bali. Walk the ridge paths between palm-lined paddies.
Uluwatu Temple & Kecak dance
Clifftop temple 70m above the surf, hosting the nightly Kecak fire dance — chanting men, fire circles, Indian Ocean backdrop.
Tirta Empul water temple
Purification ritual in spring-fed pools — locals and visitors wade gate to gate under stone spouts with a canang offering and a guide's blessing.
Nusa Penida day trip
Raw island off Bali's coast: Kelingking's T-Rex cliff, Angel's Billabong, Crystal Bay snorkeling with manta rays (seasonal).
Campuhan Ridge Walk (Ubud)
2km grass-spine ridge between two river valleys — the best free walk in Ubud, especially at 6:30am or 5pm.
Seminyak/Uluwatu beaches
Seminyak's sunset beach clubs (Potato Head, Ku De Ta) and Uluwatu's white-sand coves (Padang Padang, Bingin) with world-class surf breaks.
What to eat
- Babi guling — Balinese roast suckling pig with turmeric-lemongrass paste. Warung Ibu Oka (Ubud) is the famous one. IDR 60–80k.
- Nasi campur — 'Mixed rice' — a plate of small dishes (sate lilit, sambal, lawar). The best way to taste everything. IDR 30–50k.
- Sate lilit — Minced fish wrapped around lemongrass skewers, grilled over coconut husk. Street-stall find, ~IDR 10k/stick.
- Smoothie bowls & vegan cafés — Ubud and Canggu are the global capital of the genre — dragonfruit bowls, cashew lattes. $5–8.
Where to stay
- Ubud — Jungle, rice fields, yoga, galleries, monkey forest Best for: Culture, wellness, couples, first 3 nights
- Uluwatu / Bingin — Clifftop villas, surf breaks, laid-back beach bars Best for: Surfers, sunset lovers, quieter luxury
- Seminyak — Beach clubs, boutiques, polished dining Best for: Comfort, nightlife, families
- Canggu — Digital nomad hub, surf, cafés, scooter traffic Best for: Remote workers, social travelers
7-day Bali itinerary (the realistic kind)
Day 1 — Arrive, Ubud settle-in
Land DPS → 90min to Ubud → Campuhan Ridge sunset walk → dinner on Jalan Raya Ubud.
Day 2 — Ubud culture
Tegallalang terraces at 7am → Tirta Empul → lunch overlooking paddies → Ubud Palace + market → Legong dance show (7:30pm, IDR 100k).
Day 3 — Waterfalls & north
Tibumana or Tegenungan waterfall morning → coffee plantation stop → Balinese cooking class afternoon or spa afternoon (2hr massage ~$25).
Day 4 — Transfer to the coast via Uluwatu
Check out → driver to Uluwatu (2.5hr, ~$35) → Padang Padang beach afternoon → Kecak dance at sunset.
Day 5 — Nusa Penida day trip
Fast boat from Sanur → Kelingking viewpoint → snorkeling Crystal Bay (mantas Apr–Nov) → back for beach-club dinner.
Day 6 — Surf & slow day
Morning surf lesson (Batu Bolong) or pool day → massage → Seminyak sunset at Potato Head → seafood dinner at Jimbaran.
Day 7 — Departure
Beach morning → souvenir run (Krisna or Ubud market) → airport. Tip: leave 3+ hours — DPS departures get busy.
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Bali FAQ
How many days do you need in Bali?
Seven days is the sweet spot: 3 in Ubud (culture/jungle) + 4 on the coast (Uluwatu or Seminyak). Ten days adds Nusa Penida overnight or the Gili Islands.
Do I need a visa for Bali?
Most nationalities: Visa on Arrival, IDR 500,000 (~$32), 30 days, extendable once. Check your country on the official evisa.imigrasi.go.id before flying.
Is Bali cheap?
Yes by Western standards: $40–80/day mid-range (villa with pool $40–70/night, meals $3–8, scooter $6/day). Luxury is also world-class at 1/2–1/3 of Western prices.
Should I rent a scooter in Bali?
It's the standard way to get around ($6/day, license technically required, international permit recommended). If you're not confident, hire a driver instead — $40–55/day for a full day.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
May–September dry season (28–30°C, low humidity). October–April is wetter but quieter; rain usually comes in short afternoon bursts. Kuta gets closed by surf swells Nov–Mar.