Guide to Visiting Bali - RedLotus Bali Property
Quick Answer: Guide to Visiting Bali
Visiting Bali is easier when travellers prepare the essentials before arrival. The main things to check are a passport with at least 6 months of validity, the right visa or e-VOA if required, an outbound ticket from Indonesia, the All Indonesia Arrival Card, and the Bali Tourist Levy. Beyond entry requirements, visitors should also choose the right area to stay based on their travel style, understand that Bali traffic can be dense, use transport options carefully, respect local temple etiquette, and plan the trip around the dry season or shoulder months for better weather and fewer crowds.
Bali Entry Requirements Checklist
Before flying to Bali, travellers should prepare the main entry documents in advance to avoid delays at check-in, boarding, or arrival immigration. The basic requirements usually include a valid passport, the correct visa or e-VOA if needed, an onward or return ticket, a completed All Indonesia Arrival Card, and payment of the Bali Tourist Levy for international visitors. The official Indonesian eVisa site lists passport validity and onward/return ticket requirements for e-VOA applicants, while the official All Indonesia platform states that the arrival card is required for passengers entering Indonesia.
Valid passport: Make sure the passport is undamaged and valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date.
Visa or e-VOA: Check whether your nationality is eligible for Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, and apply before travelling if needed.
Onward or return ticket: Prepare proof of a flight leaving Indonesia, as this may be checked before boarding.
All Indonesia Arrival Card: Complete the digital arrival form before travelling to Indonesia; it is required for incoming passengers.
Bali Tourist Levy: International tourists visiting Bali are subject to a Rp150,000 per person levy through the official Love Bali system.
Passport, Visa, Arrival Forms, and Bali Entry Costs
1. Passport Requirements for Bali
Travellers entering Bali should make sure their passport is valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date in Indonesia, is not damaged, and has enough blank space for immigration stamps. This is one of the most important checks before departure because airlines may refuse boarding if the passport does not meet Indonesia’s entry requirements.
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2. Visa or e-VOA for Bali
Many international travellers can enter Bali using a Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, depending on their nationality and travel purpose. Indonesia’s official eVisa information states that the Visitor Visa / e-VOA stay period is generally 30 days from arrival, with an option to extend for another 30 days, while travellers must also prepare a passport valid for at least 6 months and an outbound ticket from Indonesia.
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3. All Indonesia Arrival Card
Travellers entering Indonesia are required to submit the All Indonesia Arrival Card before arrival. This digital arrival form is designed to combine key arrival information, and Indonesia’s official eVisa website states that travellers must submit the arrival card within 3 days before arrival in Indonesia.
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4. Bali Tourist Levy
International tourists visiting Bali are required to pay the Bali Tourist Levy, which is set at Rp150,000 per person through the official Love Bali system. It is best to complete the payment before arrival when possible, so travellers can avoid extra delays and keep their arrival process smoother.
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5. Other Arrival Costs to Prepare
Besides visa fees and the Bali Tourist Levy, travellers should prepare extra arrival costs such as airport transfer, local SIM card or eSIM, first-day meals, and small cash in Indonesian rupiah for local payments. The official eVisa page lists the Visitor Visa fee at IDR 500,000, so visitors should budget for both official entry fees and practical arrival expenses before travelling.
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Area to Stay While Visiting Bali
Area | Main Atmosphere | Best For | What to Consider |
|---|---|---|---|
Ubud | Culture, art, rice fields, jungle scenery, yoga, wellness, and nature. | Travellers looking for Balinese culture, retreats, yoga, spa, nature, and a calmer inland stay. | Ubud is not a beach area, and travel times to the airport or South Bali beaches can be long depending on traffic. |
Canggu | Surf culture, cafés, beach clubs, gyms, coworking spaces, and digital nomad lifestyle. | Surfers, remote workers, younger travellers, café lovers, and visitors who want an active social scene. | Canggu is popular but can be crowded, traffic-heavy, and less ideal for travellers who want a quiet or very traditional Bali atmosphere. |
Seminyak | Luxury villas, upscale dining, shopping, beach clubs, nightlife, and easy access to South Bali. | Couples, groups, luxury travellers, dining-focused visitors, and those who want convenience near restaurants and nightlife. | Seminyak is more commercial and busier than quieter beach areas, especially around main roads, restaurants, and beach club zones. |
Uluwatu | Cliffs, surf beaches, white-sand beaches, sunset views, temples, and a more scenic coastal atmosphere. | Surfers, couples, honeymooners, beach lovers, and travellers looking for dramatic landscapes and sunset spots. | The area is more spread out, so private transport or scooter access is important; some beaches require stairs or cliff access. |
Sanur | Calm beach, promenade, traditional feel, family-friendly resorts, and a slower pace. | Families, older travellers, couples, and visitors who want a relaxed beach stay without strong nightlife. | Sanur is easier and calmer for many travellers, but nightlife and trendy café scenes are more limited than in Canggu or Seminyak. |
Getting Around Bali
Getting around Bali depends on where you stay, how far you want to travel, and how comfortable you are with local traffic. For short trips, ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Gojek are commonly used, including for airport-related transport, although travellers should follow the designated pickup points at Ngurah Rai International Airport. For full-day trips, hiring a private driver is often more practical because Bali’s attractions are spread across different areas and travel times can be longer than expected. Scooter rental can be convenient for experienced riders, but it is not the safest choice for everyone, especially for visitors who are not used to Bali’s road conditions. Families, first-time visitors, late-night arrivals, or travellers with luggage may find hotel transfers, villa transfers, or airport taxis easier for the first day.
Ride-hailing apps are useful for simple point-to-point trips, especially around popular areas.
Private drivers are better for day trips, temple visits, waterfalls, and multi-stop itineraries.
Scooter rentals are best only for confident and experienced riders with proper licence, helmet, and insurance coverage.
Airport or villa transfers are the easiest option for first arrival, especially after a long flight.
Walking works only in certain areas, such as beachfront paths, shopping streets, or compact town centres.
Where to Go in Bali Based on Your Travel Style
If You Love Nature and Scenic Views
If you love nature and scenic views, Ubud, Tegallalang, Kintamani, Munduk, and Jatiluwih are some of the best places to include in your Bali itinerary. Ubud and Tegallalang are ideal for rice fields, jungle scenery, and cultural landscapes, while Kintamani is better for Mount Batur views and cooler highland air. Munduk is known for waterfalls and mountain scenery, while Jatiluwih is especially important because Bali’s Subak cultural landscape is recognised by UNESCO as part of the island’s traditional water-management system.
If You Want Beaches and Surfing
If you want beaches and surfing, focus on Bali’s south and west-coast beach areas such as Uluwatu, Canggu, Balangan, Padang Padang, and Sanur. Uluwatu and Padang Padang are better suited to surf-focused travellers and dramatic cliff scenery, Canggu is popular for surf culture, cafés, and a social beach lifestyle, Balangan is a good choice for sunset and surf views, while Sanur is calmer and more suitable for relaxed beach walks or family-friendly seaside time.
If You Are Interested in Balinese Culture
If you are interested in Balinese culture, Ubud is one of the best starting points because it offers access to art, traditional performances, temples, markets, and nearby villages. Travellers can also visit Uluwatu Temple for a cliffside temple and Kecak performance, Tirta Empul for its sacred spring and purification tradition, Tanah Lot for one of Bali’s most iconic sea temple settings, and traditional villages for a closer look at Balinese crafts and daily life.
If You Travel for Wellness and Relaxation
If you travel for wellness and relaxation, Ubud, Sanur, Sidemen, and Seminyak can all work well depending on the type of stay you want. Ubud is the strongest choice for yoga, retreat centres, spa treatments, jungle settings, and slow travel, Sanur offers a calmer beach atmosphere, Sidemen is better for quiet rice-field scenery, and Seminyak is suitable for travellers who want spa, dining, and villa comfort without being too far from Bali’s main southern tourism areas.
If You Visit Bali with Family
If you visit Bali with family, Sanur, Nusa Dua, Ubud, and selected family attractions are usually easier choices than very busy nightlife areas. Sanur is calm and walkable along the beachfront, Nusa Dua is known for resort-style stays and more organised beach areas, Ubud gives families access to culture, rice fields, and nature-based activities, while attractions such as Taman Safari Bali can work for families who want a structured wildlife and educational experience.
If You Want Dining, Shopping, and Nightlife
If you want dining, shopping, and nightlife, Seminyak, Canggu, Berawa, and Petitenget are some of the most practical areas to consider. Seminyak is well known for restaurants, beach clubs, shopping, and a more upscale holiday atmosphere, while Canggu and Berawa are better for cafés, casual nightlife, gyms, beach clubs, and digital-nomad-style social scenes. Petitenget is a strong option for travellers who want to stay close to Seminyak’s dining and beach club area without being too far from Canggu.
If You Prefer Quiet and Less Crowded Places
If you prefer quiet and less crowded places, consider Sidemen, Munduk, Amed, East Bali, North Bali, or Pemuteran instead of staying only in Canggu, Seminyak, or central Ubud. Sidemen is better for rice fields and village scenery, Munduk works well for waterfalls and cooler mountain weather, Amed is suitable for a slower coastal stay and snorkelling or diving access, while North and East Bali generally offer a more peaceful pace for travellers who want to see a different side of the island.
FAQ: Guide to Visiting Bali
No. | FAQ Question | Short Answer |
|---|---|---|
1 | Do I need a visa to visit Bali? | Many travellers can enter Bali with a Visa on Arrival or e-VOA, depending on nationality and travel purpose. Travellers should check the official Indonesian eVisa system before departure because visa eligibility can change. |
2 | How long should my passport be valid to enter Bali? | Travellers entering Indonesia must have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the arrival date. Airlines and immigration officers may refuse entry if the passport does not meet this requirement. |
3 | Do I need an onward or return ticket for Bali? | Yes, travellers should prepare proof of a flight leaving Indonesia. This may be checked before boarding or during the immigration process. |
4 | What is the Bali Tourist Levy? | The Bali Tourist Levy is a mandatory levy for international tourists visiting Bali. The levy is Rp150,000 per person and can be paid through the official Love Bali system. |
5 | What costs should I prepare before arriving in Bali? | Travellers should prepare for visa fees if applicable, Bali Tourist Levy, airport transfer, SIM card or eSIM, first-day meals, and small cash in Indonesian rupiah for local payments. |
6 | Where is the best area to stay in Bali for first-time visitors? | It depends on travel style. Ubud is better for culture and wellness, Canggu for cafés and surf lifestyle, Seminyak for dining and nightlife, Uluwatu for beaches and cliffs, and Sanur for a calmer family-friendly stay. |
7 | Is Ubud a good place to stay in Bali? | Yes, Ubud is a good choice for travellers who want culture, rice fields, jungle scenery, yoga, spa, and a calmer inland atmosphere, but it is not a beach area. |
8 | Is Canggu good for first-time travellers? | Canggu can be good for surfers, remote workers, café lovers, and younger travellers, but it may feel crowded and traffic-heavy for visitors looking for a quieter Bali experience. |
9 | What is the best way to get around Bali? | For short trips, ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Gojek are practical. For full-day sightseeing, a private driver is usually more comfortable because Bali’s attractions are spread out and traffic can make travel times longer. |
10 | Should tourists rent a scooter in Bali? | Scooter rental is convenient only for confident and experienced riders with the correct licence, helmet, and insurance coverage. It is not the safest option for visitors who are not used to Bali’s road conditions. |
11 | Where should I go in Bali if I love nature? | Ubud, Tegallalang, Kintamani, Munduk, and Jatiluwih are strong choices for rice fields, jungle scenery, waterfalls, mountain views, and cultural landscapes. |
12 | Where should I go in Bali for beaches and surfing? | Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Balangan, and Canggu are popular choices for surf and beach scenery, while Sanur is better for a calmer seaside experience. |
13 | Where should I go in Bali for culture? | Ubud is a strong starting point for Balinese art, performances, markets, temples, and nearby villages. Travellers can also visit Uluwatu Temple, Tirta Empul, Tanah Lot, and traditional villages. |
14 | Where should families stay or go in Bali? | Sanur and Nusa Dua are generally easier for families because they offer calmer beach areas and resort-style stays, while Ubud works well for culture, rice fields, and nature-based activities. |
15 | Where should I go in Bali for nightlife and dining? | Seminyak, Canggu, Berawa, and Petitenget are practical choices for restaurants, cafés, shopping, beach clubs, and casual nightlife. |
16 | Where can I find quieter places in Bali? | Sidemen, Munduk, Amed, East Bali, North Bali, and Pemuteran are better for travellers who prefer quieter scenery, slower travel, and fewer crowds than Canggu, Seminyak, or central Ubud. |
17 | Is Bali easy to walk around? | Bali is not always pedestrian-friendly, so walking works best in certain areas such as beachfront paths, shopping streets, and compact town centres. For longer distances, transport is usually needed. |
18 | What should first-time visitors know before visiting Bali? | First-time visitors should prepare entry documents, pay attention to traffic, choose the right area to stay, respect temple etiquette, avoid drinking tap water, carry some cash, and plan routes realistically. |
Final Thoughts & About Author
This article was developed by Red Lotus Bali Property in collaboration with an external writer with experience in Bali travel, accommodation, and destination content. Visiting Bali becomes easier when travellers prepare the right entry documents, choose an area that matches their travel style, understand local transport options, and plan their itinerary realistically. From Ubud’s culture and nature to Seminyak’s dining scene, Uluwatu’s beaches, Sanur’s calm atmosphere, and quieter areas such as Sidemen or Amed, Bali offers different experiences for different types of travellers.
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