The Non-Influencer Guide to Bali

Free-spirited tourists started flocking to Bali in the 1960s but Instagram put Bali on the map in the 21st century. From aesthetic photos of swings over rice terraces to drone footage of infinity pools, Bali populates social media feeds with travel inspiration. On social media, we see an idealized version of Bali, but what is it really like to travel to the island? Is it as magical as the videos of influencers swinging from the treetops make it seem?

Bali is magical, but the magic comes from the people, the culture, and the natural beauty of the island. It’s a great destination for people who love to be outdoors, whether your version of the outdoors looks like lying horizontally on the beach or hiking up a volcano.

This guide aims to tell you everything you need to know to visit Bali for the culture, vistas, and time spent in nature…not for the sake of getting more likes on your posts. You won’t find the most Instagrammable locations in this guide, but you will learn what to expect when going on a trip to the Island of the Gods.

Exploring the Island of the Gods

Bali is small compared to bigger islands in Indonesia like Java or Sumatra. (It’s about the size of Delaware.) The island has four major areas that most tourists explore, plus smaller islands off its coast. The cities you may have heard about are Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and Uluwatu. Let’s take a look at each region.

The Cultural Heart of Bali

Ubud is the geographical and spiritual heart of Bali. Without Ubud, you might mistake Bali for a beach resort destination in Mexico. Ubud is home to some of Bali’s most important temples and the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. The village of Ubud is the closest you’ll get to a city on the island. It’s walkable with great eateries and art markets.

The Wild Natured North

The North of Bali attracts adventure seekers. In the north, you’ll find volcanos, waterfalls, rice terraces, and revered temples. Hike Mount Batur, an active volcano, and go into geothermal pools heated by the magma below. The largest rice fields in Bali, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces, are also in the north. These rice fields dwarf the popular Tegalalang Rice Terraces near Ubud that most influencers post about.

The North of Bali is less touristed than the South, mostly because it’s harder to reach but it’s well worth the trip. You can reach the north on day trips from Ubud with the help of a local driver.

Any driver can take you north but I recommend Kardika, an amazing driver who took me all around northern Bali from Ubud. Kardia knows Bali like the back of his hand and is passionate about sharing his culture with foreigners. Contact him via WhatsApp to schedule a tour: +62 811-397-749.

The Instagrammable Beach Towns

The aesthetic photos of beach clubs and trendy cafes come from the southwest part of the island. This tourist hub started with the party town of Kuta but has expanded north to Seminyak and Canggu. Most people skip Kuta in favor of Seminyak and Canggu because Kuta is oversaturated with tourism.

Seminyak and Canggu are next to each other along the same black sand beach but they can be difficult to travel between because of traffic. Seminyak has more luxury party vibes with bumping beach clubs and high-end boutiques while Canggu is more laid back with yoga studios and rice fields.

These two beach towns are a magnet for influencer and aesthetic-obsessed tourists. They’re nice but this area was my least favorite in Bali.

That Planner Friend Tip: The beaches of Seminyak and Canggu are not for swimming. Spend the day at a beach club to relax close to the ocean while still being able to take a dip in a pool.

For a cultural excursion from Seminyak or Canggu, visit Tanah Lot Temple for sunset. The temple is on a rock that is accessible from the beach at low tide. Many locals make the pilgrimage from all over Bali to visit this sacred temple.

The Surfer South

The best beaches in Bali for swimming and surfing are in Uluwatu, a village on the Bukit Peninsula. Uluwatu is a short 30-minute drive from the international airport, making it easy to reach the beach.

Uluwatu has a mix of beautiful beaches, good eats, and cultural sites. The Uluwatu Temple hosts a Kecak fire dance show every night at sunset. If you’re looking to stay at a beach in Bali, go to Uluwatu.

The Islands

There are three islands off the coast of Bali: Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan. Nusa Penida is the most popular of the three. You can stay on Nusa Penida or go for a day trip from the port of Sanur.

Nusa Penida looks like a picturesque island, which it is, but it looks better on Instagram than in reality. The infrastructure isn’t there yet to support the over-tourism on the island. I enjoyed swimming in Nusa Penida’s Crystal Bay, but you can skip the island entirely if you’re short on time. There are similar and just as beautiful vistas in Uluwatu.

The Gili Islands are a popular chain of islands off the coast of Lombok, Bali’s neighboring island. These islands are known for hosting backpackers looking to party and crash at hostels.

How many days do you need in Bali?

If you’re flying halfway around the world to visit a tiny island, you might as well stay a week. Seven days is the minimum amount of time you should spend in Bali, but 10 days (or more) would be ideal.

Many people boast about luxurious three-week-long vacations to Bali. While that sounds lovely, you don’t need that much time to explore the island.

Where to stay

Ideally, you’ll hop around the island from village to village during your stay in Bali. But, if you want to stay in one location, I recommend staying in Ubud, the center of Bali, and taking day trips from there.

From villas to hostels, there are many types of accommodation to choose from in Bali. Where you stay depends on the level of privacy and comfort you’re looking for. I recommend a villa within walking distance of the village. Luxury hotels and resorts are nice but they are usually a drive away from restaurants and other points of interest.

Weather + when to visit

Bali has a hot and humid tropical climate with a wet and dry season. The wet season is from October to March and the dry season is from May to September. The best time to visit is during the dry season, specifically May or September. June, July, and August are too busy and overcrowded because school is out of session for both tourists and Balinese.

Balinese culture

The weather in Bali isn’t the only thing that’s always warm. Its people are some of the most kindhearted humans you’ll meet. Bali is predominately a Hindu island, so everyone believes in karma (what goes around comes around).

The Balinese are deeply religious and spiritual, giving offerings of flowers and rice to the gods on their doorsteps. While you explore Bali and visit its many temples be respectful of their traditions. You can often borrow a sarong to enter sacred areas of temples.

Arriving in Bali

To reach Bali, you’ll need to fly into Denpasar International Airport. There are no direct flights to Bali from the United States, so you’ll need to connect in a city like Singapore.

Upon your arrival, you will need to get a “visa on arrival” to stay in Bali for 30 days or less. You can renew this visa for an extra 30 days if you want to extend your stay.

The visa costs around $30 and is cheaper if you pay in USD, so bring cash with you on your trip.

You should arrange your transport from the airport to your hotel with the place you’re staying at in advance. Most villas and hotels will gladly book this for you, just send them a message ahead of time.

Currency + Budgeting

Indonesia’s currency is the rupiah. 10 US dollars equates to about 162,000 rupiahs. The currency itself is typically in high numbers with bills starting at 1,000 rupiah.

That Planner Friend Tip: Most banks won’t exchange USD for rupiah in the US. Bring cash in USD with you to exchange for rupiah once you land at the airport. You’ll need rupiah to tip your driver.

For Westerners, Bali is an affordable country. When it comes to budgeting in Bali, you choose your own adventure. You can spend thousands of dollars at the luxury Four Seasons hotel or less than $100 at a simple family-run villa. You can even find accommodation for less than $5 a day at a hostel.

Entrances to cultural sites and activities are very cheap. For example, the water palace in Ubud only costs about $3 per person and the Sacred Monkey Forest is less than $1 per person.

As for food, a trendy cafe breakfast for two will cost you under $15 for two people with dinners being a little more expensive, depending on the type of place you go. I had a 19-course five-star dining experience at Locavore NXT for only $125, which would be a steal in New York City for a high-end restaurant.

Language

The official language of Bali is Bahasa Indonesia. The word bahasa just means language in Indonesian. In school, kids learn Indonesian and Balinese. Balinese is the pretty script-like language you’ll see on signs.

Because tourism is integral to Bali’s economy, most people you encounter will speak fluent English, making it easy to communicate with others.

Getting around

Many people rent scooters to get around Bali’s villages but the best and safest way to travel is through a car hire. A private driver is around 60 USD for an 8- to 10-hour day. You can get affordable rides on the app Gojek or Grab but locals prefer you text or call a driver on WhatsApp. In some villages (including Ubud), ride-share apps like Gojek are prohibited in order to protect the local economy.

You can get in touch with a driver on WhatsApp before you even touch down in Bali. Drivers can help you plan day trips and excursions. I know it sounds weird to talk to a stranger halfway around the world via text but it’s how business gets done.

I can’t recommend my driver, Kardika, enough. Contact him via WhatsApp to schedule a tour: +62 811-397-749.

Beware of traffic in Bali, especially in Canggu and Seminyak. During high season or rush hour, the same drive can take double the time because of congestion. When you return to the airport for your flight home, be sure to give yourself plenty of time to account for traffic.

You can also walk from beach to beach in villages but look out for motorists. Although a place like Canggu is relatively small, it lacks sidewalks that make walking around safe and easy.

Avoiding Bali Belly

The less glamorous side of traveling to Bali that influencers will never post about is getting sick to your stomach. Bali Belly is the cute term used to describe the awful traveler’s diarrhea and vomiting you can get on your trip to Bali. Foreigners contract Bali Belly because their bodies aren’t accustomed to the bacteria found in the water and food. It doesn’t necessarily mean you ate something rotten or not up to food standards.

To avoid Bali Belly, don’t drink tap water (don’t even brush your teeth with it), wash and sanitize your hands often, and opt for fully cooked food and fruits with a natural shell or skin like bananas and mangosteen.

When you arrive in Bali, go to a pharmacy to buy Imodium and activated charcoal in case you do get sick so you can take medicine immediately. Imodium helps with diarrhea and activated charcoal helps with nausea. Hopefully, you don’t have to use it but if you do get sick, you’ll be prepared.

Do not let the potential for Bali Belly deter you from visiting this beautiful island. If you have any questions about planning your trip to Bali please comment below. I’m happy to help!