Bali has famously been described as the “morning of the world” and it’s a place that certainly lives up to that accolade. This is a beginner’s guide to Bali, to tempt you to visit and to help you get the most out of your trip there.
Why should you visit Bali? After reading this you’ll be keen to visit the Island of the Gods, as Bali is nicknamed.
Beginner’s Guide to Bali
The reasons to visit Bali are numerous: friendly people, delicious food, incredible sunsets and unique landscapes including the world famous rice fields. Bali represents great value for money yet offers a wide range of luxurious hotels, boutiques and shopping.
There are also some fantastic spas in Bali. Have we persuaded you yet? Well read on and by the end of this we hope to have piqued your curiosity.
Flights to Bali
Bali has one international airport, Ngurah Rai, more commonly known as Denpasar International Airport, located in Southern Bali. There are direct flights with many countries including Australia, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Qatar, Singapore and the United States. If visiting Java or Lombok as well as Bali, there are regular connecting ferries.
Best Time to Visit Bali
The best time to visit is between April to end of September which is the dry season when humidity is lower. Accommodation is priced considerably higher in July and August, as well as during Easter holidays, Christmas and New Year.
What to Pack for Bali
When choosing what to pack for Bali, make sure to take plenty of loose clothing in natural fabrics as it can get quite humid. It’s a good idea to pack a sarong as you will need one to visit the temples – however if you forget, you can hire one at all the big temples for a very small fee.
The roads in Bali can be quite uneven so it’s best to stick to flat shoes if going anywhere on foot. Anti-mosquito spray is a good thing to pack, as is a bite relief device if you do get caught out!
Getting Around Bali
Hiring a private driver for excursions is very reasonably priced and makes sense considering the state of the roads in some areas. In Kuta, Legian and Seminyak it can get very busy with cars and motorcycles.
When walking along the narrow streets, expect constant horn beeping from taxis as they tout for your custom. If you do take a cab, insist that the meter is turned on or negotiate the price first.
Balinese Culture
A trip to Bali will give you a fascinating insight to Balinese culture. Art permeates every aspect of life here, from the intricate dances with their elaborate costumes to the carved wood masks and furniture.
The main religion is Hinduism and the Balinese are particularly devout with over 10,000 temples. Most families have a temple in their house, and we didn’t originally realize that they were houses not temples as they were so impressive.
The Balinese believe that demons and giants live in the sea, whereas gods live in the mountains. Daily offerings are made at the temples, and include areca nut, betel leaf and lime.
Bali First Timers Helpful Hints
The official currency is the Indonesian rupiah and with the exchange rate, you can easily feel like a millionaire as 1 million rupiah equals around 72 US dollars. In terms of etiquette, it is considered impolite to point with your index finger and you should also take off your shoes before entering a home or temple.
It is fine to haggle the price of items in markets but not the done thing in shops. Bali is a very safe place on the whole, whether you are travelling solo, as a couple or a group.
Best Things to Do in Bali
There are so many wonderful places to visit in Bali. If you’re looking for unspoilt beaches then Jimbaran and Nusa Dua are excellent choices.
Canggu is known for its surfing beaches and street art.
- Batu Bolong Beach
- Tanah Lot Temple
- Berawa Beach for sunset
- Old Man’s beach bar
Nusa Dua is an upmarket resort town in southern Bali. It has some great white sand beaches like Pantai Geger.
- Pura Geger Temple
- Geger Beach
- Serangan island turtle conservation center
- Puja Mandala worship complex
- Bali Collection open-air shopping mall
- Koral Aquarium Restaurant at The Apurva Kempinski Bali
Seminyak is perfect for a spot of shopping and some of the coolest restaurants on the island.
- Potato Head Beach Club
- Seminyak Beach
- Ku De Ta bar and club
- Pura Masceti Temple
- Shopping on Jalan Laksmana
Ubud is a must-see for everyone – the inspiration for Eat Pray Love and home to Ubud Monkey Forest. Tegalalang Rice Terrace is a picturesque UNESCO World Heritage site north of Ubud.
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Pura Gunung Kawi Temple
- Tegenungan Waterfall
- Empul Water Temple
Uluwatu is a favorite with surfers and has a relaxed vibe.
- Uluwatu temple and Kecak dance
- Balangan Beach viewpoint
- Cliffhouse restaurant and day beds.
- Pantai Tegal Wangi Caves
- Dreamland Beach
What to Eat in Bali
It’s easy to find international cuisine in Bali as Australian, French, Italian and Greek cuisines are all well represented. However, the real highlight is the delicious Balinese cuisine.
It’s worth visiting a local warung or café, going to the counter and ordering rice accompanied with meat, fish or vegetables. Nasi Goreng is an Indonesian dish of fried rice with chicken or prawns that you’ll find everywhere in Bali.
Coconut milk makes for a refreshing drink whilst alcohol is readily available but expensive due to high import duties. Check out our guide of where to eat in Bali for dining ideas.
Best Souvenirs From Bali
If you’re wondering what to bring back from Bali then you’ll be spoilt for choice. Balinese wood carvings make a great souvenir.
You can find many wood carving artisans in the village of Mas near Ubud. Coffee fans may the droppings of the luwat or civet cat – the most expensive brew in the world.
Textiles are very reasonable and there are lots of modern boutiques, particularly around Seminyak where a new shopping gallery is being built.
Where to Stay in Bali
There’s a great range of places to stay in Bali, from private villas like the inimitable Kayumanis to luxurious hotels such as the Alila Ubud. Kuta is quite rowdy so we recommend staying in Nusa Dua or Jimbaran instead.
Books About Bali
We picked up Snowing in Bali by Kathryn Bonella at the airport bookstore, it gives a fascinating insight into the darker side of the paradise island. And don’t forget the iconic memoir Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert for a feel-good holiday read.
In Conclusion: Beginner’s Guide to Bali
Bali is a beautiful place with something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re looking for stunning beaches, delicious food, or amazing temples, Bali has it all.
We hope this beginner’s guide to Bali has helped inspire your next trip. For more travel tips and destination ideas, be sure to check out our other articles.
Read all our Bali travel guides here.
You might also enjoy:
- Family Holidays of a Lifetime
- Fun Things to Do in Manila, Philippines
- Luxury Gulet Charter in Turkey
- What to See in Tel Aviv, Israel
Like this beginner’s guide to Bali? Pin for later or share with friends.
Looking for more travel hacks and tips? From hidden gems to unique experiences, we’ve got you covered.
Join us on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter.
Great guide lovely 🙂 I love the food in Bali and the accommodation is just of this world!
Lots of love,
Angie
SilverSpoon London
Thanks Angie, I agree that the accommodation is spectacular
Wow that sunset looks incredible!
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
And no filter, it genuinely is that gorgeous
Glad you liked it Catherine, and whilst those monkeys may look cute, one of them gave me a bit of a fright when it started hissing at me 😉
I’m planning to go next year! I need this. Thanks! 🙂
You’ll really enjoy it Lux, such an amazing country
Beautiful! 😉
www.stylentonic.com
Thanks Constantinos
It looks amazing, I would love to visit
I hope that you get the opportunity Ali
I’m so looking forward to visiting Bali next year Suze, especially after reading your post. Everything about the island fascinates me, I especially want to see the monkeys.
The monkeys are so mischevious, especially around the monkey sancturary!
Amazing post. I would love to travel here. Thanks for sharing this guide.
Jenn | jenniferjayne.blogspot.co.uk
My pleasure Jenn, and I really recommend Bali – stuning place!
It’s definitely a sign Jasiminne, you’ll love it!
I’m glad that it’s a good starting point Elle, there’s so much to be said about the place!
I would love to visit this island! The sunset there is really beautiful (great photo)! Thanks for this entertaining and informative guide. Have a nice weekend!
Danielle
www.spring2spring.com
The sunsets were incredible and the local people really make the most of the beach at that time of day – have a great weekend too Danielle
Love your pics. I haven’t been back to Bali in many years. Loved the craft villages on the road up to Ubud. Time for another visit next time I head back to Asia.
Thanks very much May, we didn’t buy anything in the craft villages but it was interesting to see the work that goes into the art
A good friend of mine recently visited and I’ve been considering going too at some point. It would be a dream come true.
www.LUXESSED.com
It’s really worth a visit, Anouk, I’m sure you would love it
Thank you for sharing this very helpful and interesting tips. Honestly I didn’t think that it is that humid in Bali – but apart from that obviously like in paradise!
xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
www.dressedwithsoul.com
It’s pretty humid and we weren’t even there in the wet season! If you’re equipped against the mosquitoes then it really is like paradise
I like the look of the Balinese cuisine it looks so tasty! Was it very spicy? Great photographs. Bali is on the hit list without a shadow of a doubt! Laura www.shehearts.net x
Yes the food was a bit spicy, fine for a while but I had to switch back to less spicy food for one or two days to give my stomach a rest!
The culture is the highlight in Bali, aside from the stunning beach and landscape, not forget to mention the food!
You’re right Velysia, the culture is so unique and I’ve rarely met such kind people
Gorgeous! Definitely on my bucket list! I heard the people and food are amazing!!
Have a great weekend, beautiful!
Much love,
Vanessa
www.WhatWouldVWear.net
They certainly are Vanessa – love your new gravatar by the way!
Beautiful! I would love to visit Bali!
http://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com
There’s so much to see there Valerie, it’s really worth the trip!
What a wonderful guide! Would love to visit Bali someday, thanks for your tips 🙂
http://www.mintnotion.com
You’re very welcome, it was fun putting it together!
When I went to Bali back in 2003, it was part of a much larger trip around Indonesia, and so I was quite put off by the touristy feel of Bali compared to all the other places I had been in the country. I would like to go back and experience it again from a different point of view. I’ve heard the vegan food there is amazing!
There are some parts that are very touristy, luckily we avoided Kuta and I really enjoyed Ubud and North Bali as well as Jimbaran, the food was amazing in both
OMG BAli it’s so beautifull!!! it’s so magical!!!
http://www.francescagori.com/en_US/are-u-ready-for-the-show/
There is something very magical about the place when you find a quiet spot!
Bali is absolutely amazing! I felt in love with this island once me and Cez visited in back in 2014!! What I love the most was definitely the food – fresh and so fruity!
The food was brilliant wasn’t it, just the right amount of spice!
Oh my! Bali looks absolutely beautiful. I would love to visit some day!
madame-ostrich.com
I hope that you get the opportunity and thanks for stopping by
Ahhh, look at that sunset! Thanks for the guide, I’d def come back to it if I was going to visit Bali!
Corinne x
www.skinnedcartree.com
The sunsets were amazing, I’d love to go back to see the sunset at Uluwatu
Thank you for this guide to Bali! I’d love to go. It looks like a glorious place to visit. Now I have to wait until April through September! :]
// â–² itsCarmen.com â–²
That’s the best time to go if you can wait until then!
I loved eating in the warungs in Ubud. We absolutely loved how fresh and tasty the food was in such humble places with immensely reasonable prices! Also found it fascinating the way each family compound has its own temple within – a lovely tradition.
It’s impressive how each family has their own temple and we were lucky to be able to visit one such compound
Pingback: Kayumanis Jimbaran - Your Luxurious Private Villa in Bali - Luxury Columnist
Pingback: Seven Stars Luxury Hospitality & Lifestyle Award Winners - Bali
Thank you for this excellent guide to Bali, Suze. I’d love to visit. I heard it’s very beautiful and the people are so friendly. If only I could find the time and money for all the beautiful places I read about … The two of you look so cute in those outfits! I love it!
I was worried that the sarong would fall off, there’s definitely a knack to tying it!
Great Guide, thanks for sharing! Also, the pictures are beautiful! 🙂
x Arwa
http://cremerose.blogspot.com
What a lovely guide! Bali is definitely a place I wouldn’t mind spending time on, at all. You’ve also shared some very unique photos, loved it!
N- Naomi in Wonderland
There were so many photogenic places and i’d love to go back and get to know the people more, they were really lovely
Hey Suze it looks like you had the most incredible time in Bali! I’ve always wanted to visit there and this guide makes me want to go even more 🙂 The Temples are architecture look so stunning. I love how cheap all of these countries are too! It’s such a quick flight from Australia too and I should just book it haha
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
It was so cheap for food and clothes were a bargain too, you should just book it Rachel!
So jealous!! Bali seems dreamy! I will come back when I visit to put to use those helpful tips!!!
Dora Bangs Bang | Bloglovin
It’s really dreamy, Dora! Hope the tips do come in handy if you visit
Fantastic choice for a honeymoon, there’s so much to see or you can choose just to relax
We took a driver twice, we were debating going to Tegalalang but I’m so glad that we did!
Bali is a fantastic destination I still think of my trip there 15 years on! 🙂
I can see why Becky, so much to see and do there
What a great tour! I am dying to go to Bali!
lifeisashoe
Hope that you get the chance, it’s so fantastic
My goodness this is incredible!!! Bali has been on my list since I read Eat Pray Love years ago:-)
I need to re-read it having visited!
Wonderful tips, I happened to visit whilst a 5.6 earthquake took place quite the experience. You can find some wonderful wooden treasures that are so beautifully created. I would love to go again Lucy x
Pingback: Alila Ubud - From Here to Infinity - Luxury Columnist
Pingback: My Luxury September Moments
Pingback: My Luxury August Moments - Luxury Columnist
Pingback: Where to Eat and Drink in Bali
Pingback: An Epic Year of Luxury – My 2015 Highlights - Luxury Columnist