So you're finally going to Bali
Good call. It deserves the hype, mostly. But a first Bali trip also catches a lot of people off guard — the traffic, the cash-only warungs, the temple dress codes, and a little entry paperwork that's grown over the last couple of years. None of it's hard once you know it's coming. This is the stuff I'd tell a friend before their first trip, minus the influencer gloss.
When to actually go
Bali has two seasons: dry (roughly April to October) and wet (November to March). Dry season is the postcard version — sunny, lower humidity, better for the islands and the south coast. It's also when everyone else comes, so July, August and the Christmas–New Year stretch are busy and pricier.
Wet season isn't a write-off, though. The rain usually arrives as a heavy afternoon downpour rather than all-day gloom, mornings are often clear, and the island is greener and cheaper. If you don't mind dodging the odd storm, the shoulder months of April–May and September–October are the sweet spot: good weather, fewer crowds.
One thing worth checking before you lock dates: Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, usually in March. The whole island shuts down for 24 hours — no flights, no going outside, lights low. It's a remarkable thing to witness, but you'll be confined to your hotel, so plan around it deliberately rather than by accident.
Where to base yourself
Bali isn't one place, and picking the wrong area for your trip is the most common first-timer mistake. A quick, honest rundown of the main bases:
- Seminyak — polished, walkable-ish, good restaurants and beach clubs. Safe first choice if you want comfort.
- Canggu — the surf-and-cafe crowd, digital nomads, a bit chaotic and scooter-heavy. Fun, younger energy, terrible traffic.
- Ubud — inland, the rice-terrace-and-temples Bali, yoga and culture. Cooler, greener, no beach. Don't expect a sleepy village; central Ubud is busy.
- Uluwatu (Bukit peninsula) — dramatic clifftop beaches and the best surf, more spread out, you'll want a scooter or driver.
- Sanur / Nusa Dua — calmer, family-friendly, older crowd. Sanur is also the launch point for the Nusa islands.
If it's a short first trip, plenty of people split it: a few nights in Ubud for the culture, a few in the south for the beaches. Just don't underestimate transfer times.
Getting around (and the traffic truth)
Here's the thing nobody puts on Instagram: Bali traffic is genuinely rough. A 20-kilometre hop can eat 90 minutes. Factor it in or you'll spend your holiday in a car.
Your options:
- Scooter — the local way, cheap and liberating, and how a lot of the island moves. Also genuinely risky if you've never ridden one, and a leading cause of tourist injuries. Only do it if you can actually ride, wear the helmet, and have travel insurance that covers it (many don't unless you hold a motorcycle licence).
- Grab / Gojek — the ride-hailing apps, cheap and a lifesaver for short hops and food delivery. Some areas restrict pickups due to local taxi tensions, so occasionally you'll walk a block to get collected.
- Private driver for the day — the underrated option. A driver for 8–10 hours is surprisingly affordable, and for temple-and-waterfall day trips it's far less stressful than self-driving.
Money: cash is still king
Bali runs on cash more than first-timers expect. Big hotels, nicer restaurants and beach clubs take cards, but warungs, markets, small drivers and most day-to-day spending want Indonesian Rupiah in hand.
A few money notes that'll save you grief:
- Use ATMs attached to actual banks (BCA, Mandiri, BNI) rather than freestanding machines — card skimming happens. Cover the keypad.
- Tell your bank you're travelling so your card doesn't get frozen on the first withdrawal.
- You'll deal in big numbers — IDR 100,000 is roughly $6 — so count zeros carefully when paying.
- Keep small notes for parking, offerings and tips.
Staying connected
Grab an eSIM before you fly (Airalo, Holafly and similar) and you'll have data the moment you land — far easier than queuing for a physical SIM at the airport. A local Telkomsel SIM is an option too if you want the cheapest data and don't mind the kiosk. Either way, having maps and Grab working from minute one makes everything smoother.
Temple etiquette and basic respect
Bali is deeply Hindu, and the culture isn't a backdrop — it's the whole point. A little respect goes a long way:
- Cover up at temples. Shoulders and knees, and you'll usually need a sarong, which most temples lend or rent at the entrance.
- Don't step on the canang sari — those little palm-leaf offering trays on the ground everywhere. Walk around them.
- Menstruating women are traditionally asked not to enter temples — an old custom that's still observed at many sites.
- Ask before photographing ceremonies or people, and keep your behaviour modest around sacred spaces.
You'll also see ceremonies spill onto roads constantly. Be patient — you're a guest at a living culture, not a theme park.
The 2026 entry paperwork (the part that's new)
This is where Bali has changed, and it catches first-timers out. Heading in for 2026, most visitors are juggling three separate things:
- A visa. Many nationalities (Australians, Indians, and lots of others) get a Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, around $35. A handful of countries are visa-free for short stays. Check yours.
- The Bali Tourist Levy — IDR 150,000 (about $10) per person, a provincial charge that's separate from your visa. Everyone pays it, including kids, once for the trip.
- The All Indonesia Arrival Card — a free online customs declaration that's been mandatory for every arrival since October 2025. Do it within three days of flying.
The levy is the one people most often miss, because it's run by Bali's provincial government rather than national immigration, so it's billed and paid separately. It isn't checked at the immigration gate, but tourism officers do spot-check QR codes at the big attractions — and getting pulled aside mid-trip, or queuing at the airport counter after a long flight, is far more hassle than having it done from home before you go. With checks tightening through 2026, it's a few minutes well spent.
If you'd rather not wrestle the official portal in Indonesian, you can pay the levy in English and get the QR code emailed for your whole group at once.
For the full detail there's a dedicated Bali tourist levy guide, plus breakdowns for Australian travellers and travellers from India.
Health and staying out of trouble
- Bali belly is real. Drink bottled or filtered water only, including for brushing teeth, be sensible with ice and raw veg early on, and pack rehydration salts. Most people are fine; some aren't.
- Traffic is the genuine danger, far more than anything exotic. Scooter accidents are the number-one way tourists end up in a Bali clinic.
- Get travel insurance that actually covers what you'll do — especially if there's any chance you'll touch a scooter.
- Respect the ocean. Some of the famous beaches have strong rips. Swim where it's patrolled and heed the flags.
A first-timer's pre-departure checklist
- Passport valid 6+ months with a blank page
- Visa / e-VOA sorted (if your nationality needs one)
- Bali Tourist Levy paid, QR saved in two places
- All Indonesia Arrival Card submitted (within 3 days of arrival)
- eSIM bought, travel insurance bought
- A wad of Rupiah from a bank ATM on arrival
- A sarong or light layer for temples
Frequently Asked Questions
What do I need to enter Bali in 2026?
Most visitors need three things: a visa or e-VOA (around $35 for many nationalities), the Bali Tourist Levy (IDR 150,000 / about $10 per person), and the free All Indonesia Arrival Card submitted within three days of arrival. They're three separate systems.
How many days do you need in Bali for a first trip?
Seven to ten days is a comfortable first trip — enough to split time between a cultural base like Ubud and the southern beaches without living in a car. Five days works if you stay in one area; less than that and the transfers eat your holiday.
Is Bali cheap?
Day to day, yes — food, drivers, and local stays are very affordable, and you can eat brilliantly for a few dollars. Beach clubs, villas and imported alcohol push costs up fast, so your budget depends entirely on how you travel.
Do I need cash in Bali or can I use cards?
Bring cash. Hotels and upmarket restaurants take cards, but warungs, markets, drivers and most everyday spending are cash-only in Rupiah. Withdraw from bank ATMs and keep small notes handy.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
The dry season (April–October) has the best weather but the biggest crowds in July–August and over Christmas. The shoulder months — April–May and September–October — give you good weather with fewer people, which is the ideal first-timer window.
Is the Bali tourist levy the same as the visa?
No. The visa (or e-VOA) is a national immigration fee. The tourist levy is a separate ~$10 provincial charge collected by the Bali government. Most visitors pay both, plus the free arrival card.
Last word
Bali rewards a little preparation more than almost anywhere. Sort the paperwork before you fly, pick your base to match the trip you actually want, respect the culture, and treat the traffic with caution. Do that and you're left with the good part — which is most of it.