Hola, amigos! Welcome to my ultimate Bali travel guide for first-timers!

If you have decided to visit this beautiful island and it’s your first time then this Bali travel guide is for you. The island itself is huge and it’s hard to pick for the best place to stay and eat. That is why I’ve put together all the information you may need for your first trip around Bali inside this guide. I will cover topics ranging from “what to pack”, “things to do in Bali”, “backpacking Bali on a budget”, “tipping in Bali”, the incredible food and culture, and the perfect Bali itinerary for first-timers!

The Indonesian island of Bali has a plethora of treats. This little piece of paradise has year-round pleasant weather, stunning green landscape, pristine beaches, and a truly unique culture. Its highest point, Mount Agung is an amazing smoldering volcano that has the potential to erupt at any point in time – the last occasion being a relatively minor eruption in 2017.

Sometimes it seems that Bali is on everyone’s list. Every backpacker seems to dream of visiting Bali, and everyone is considering Bali as a surf trip destination. As such, Bali has its frustrations. The International airport at Denpasar is often working at capacity, and hotels in the popular areas can be expensive. The golden sanded beach resorts of Kuta and Sanur for example can get very crowded. Keep in mind, if you only visit the touristy areas, you will miss a lot of what is on offer in Bali.

Bali Travel Guide For First-Timers

Bali is the most prosperous and easily one of the best islands to visit in Indonesia. Eighty percent of its economy is derived from tourism so it’s no wonder that so many people are traveling to Bali for the first time.

Unlike the majority of Indonesians, most of the inhabitants of the island follow Balinese Hinduism as opposed to Islam. Their customs are well established and the Balinese culture has been well preserved. You will find temples all over the island and offerings to the various gods along the side of the road. Few drivers will set out without their garland of lucky flowers strung around their interior mirror – unfailingly changed daily.

The cultural capital of Bali is without doubt Ubud, near the center of the island. I think you will be entranced if you take in a Kecak dance (form of Balinese hindu dance). Here athletic male dancers, bare-chested and clad in black and white checked sarongs, will entertain you with dances that have changed little in centuries. The dance reaches such a crescendo that the dancers almost enter a trance-like state.

You May Also Like: El Nido Travel Guide

Conversely, the women‘s dances are slow and elegant with elaborate and beautiful hand movements. The dancers are accompanied by the exotic sounds made by gamelan musicians with their gongs and bamboo xylophones. You will hear this haunting music all over the island.

On the outskirts of Ubud, you will find verdant and picturesque terraced rice paddies, still tilled by water buffaloes. Here you are also likely to meet friendly locals who are not trying to sell you anything.

I found the North of the island to be less visually stunning. If you have the inclination, you can get up before dawn and hire a local long boat. Then go dolphin watching from one of the black sand beaches there.

Things to Know Before Your First Trip to Bali:

What Do You Need to Travel to Bali

Those traveling to Bali for the first time have several means of reaching the island by air or sea. If you’re arriving in Bali from abroad, you will have to pass through customs in either Ngurah Rai International Airport or another Indonesian airport. Upon arriving, travelers will have to acquire an Indonesian visa if they haven’t already done so. Visas on arrival are available to more than 100 nationalities and have certain requirements. Check here for the most up-to-date Indonesia visa requirements.

How To Get to Bali

Travelers arriving by sea will have slightly more flexibility because island hopping in Indonesia does imply you already have a visa. Ferries run between Java, Lombok, and Bali frequently via individual ports.

Ngurah Rai airport does get very busy and is often stretched to capacity and queues for security and immigration are often slow. Taxis are regulated from the airport and the fares to various resorts are clearly shown. You pay the attendant at the taxi counter and take the receipt to the driver. Denpasar itself is an unremarkable, bustling and multi-cultural city.

Bali Travel Guide to Getting Around

There are so many things to do in Bali and even more locations to visit. Although, the traffic on the island is chaotic and can be shocking for first-time visitors to Bali, there are several fast and effective ways to get around.

Public transportation is non-existent in most cities – you have scooters, taxis, and car-sharing as options for getting around. When I’m not in the mood to drive a scooter, I usually get around by organizing a local driver for going longer distances. For shorter distances, I either walk, use the GoJek app or reputable Bluebird taxis.

If you decide to go with an ordinary taxi, these are quite plentiful, and their fares are generally reasonable. It is wise to double-check that the driver turns on the meter for you, though. Otherwise, the taxi driver can charge you any fair they might like. You may experience some resistance at first. But typically if you tell the driver you won’t ride without the meter, they will agree.

Read Next: Penang Travel Guide

Minibusses and full-size buses also travel along popular routes. There are no trains on the island but it is possible to hire a car or motorcycle. In all parts of Indonesia, vehicles travel on the left. To the west of the island is a vehicle and passenger ferry which shuttles to and from the larger island of Java.

Renting a scooter in Bali is cheap. Although I wouldn’t recommend renting it (as well as hiring a car) for longer distances especially if you’ve never ridden a scooter before. Take my advice, you will end up paying less if you think about organizing a local driver in advance. If you still want to join in the hordes of scooters riders be sure to wear a helmet and practice on a non-busy street before you venture out into heavy traffic areas.

What Languages are Spoken in Bali

Bahasa Indonesian is spoken throughout the island. It uses the Roman alphabet so it is possible for the visitor to learn a few phrases. There is a local Balinese dialect that is used in rural areas. English is widely spoken in tourist destinations. It’s generally very easy to communicate with the locals, especially because they are so welcoming and helpful.

Currency in Bali

A travel guide for the first time in Bali won’t be complete without mentioning local currency. The rupiah (IDR) is the unit of currency in Indonesia and it’s best to always have cash with you because, for years, many small businesses have refused credit card payments. However, you can use your credit (or debit) card in some restaurants. In this case, most travelers should expect to pay a 3% fee.

There are loads of ATMs in Bali so you can easily get money via your credit card. Be sure to check if your card will be working before you arrive. It is wise to know that banknotes come in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000. At the time of writing 100,000 IDR is worth US$7.10. Coins exist but are relatively worthless.

Best Time to Visit Bali

Bali lies very close to the equator and has two seasons – dry and rainy. The dry season generally begins in April and finishes in October while the rainy season normally runs from November through March. Due to the humid tropical climate, the average temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius and stays fairly constant throughout the year.

For me, the best time to visit Bali is May through July. On my last trip, however, I traveled to Bali in the middle of February and the weather was really spectacular.

It did rain almost every day, but usually for a couple of hours, after which everything looked even more green. Once a quick burst of heavy rain came and went, the skies opened up beautifully for the remainder of the day. I experienced the most rain when visiting the northern part of the island. When it rained, it poured. But, again, it only lasted for an hour or so.

Bali Food Guide

Bali is an international tourist destination and as such you are able to eat food from around the world. However, as the proverb says when in Rome, eat like the Romans. Balinese food is tasty, inexpensive and very nutritious. On your first time in Bali, you must try popular dishes that include Satay (skewers) served with spicy sauce, Babi Guling (roast pork) and my personal favorite, Nasi Goreng – which is a rice dish on most menus but varies depending upon the chef’s personal slant.

Bali is a destination like no other. It still retains much of its charm and I’m becoming increasingly concerned about over commercialism in parts of the island. Keep in mind, the cost of food in Bali can vary depending on your specific style of travel. There are plenty of eating establishments that will offer dishes for just a few U.S. dollars. Pair it with a popular local lager-like Bintang or Bali Hai or freshly squeezed fruit juice.

Read More: Africa Travel Advice

This said there are places that will make you want to return. My advice for your first time in Bali is to visit Warung. These small family-run restaurants serve fresh food for locals. They actually know the good ones, therefore such Warungs are often very busy. Find the Warung, eat for as little as $3 and take your own conclusions. The thing I love the most about Warungs is that they don’t add tax and a service charge to the bill. Eating at a busy local Warung is a smart way to save money on your first trip to Bali.

Street vendors and hawkers base most of their dishes around rice and will serve them in paper cones. You’ll easily recognize the food carts trolling around the beaches and streets by their appearance. Referred to as kaki lima, or “five legs,” the food carts will have 3 legs/wheels in addition to the owner’s own 2 legs.

Tipping In Bali

In general, tipping in Bali isn’t expected. However, tipping roughly 10% of the bill is a good tip, and rounding up or down just like you would do at home. If eating at an upscale restaurant where the bill is higher, you can ignore the 10% rule and tip based on your satisfaction and service quality. If you want to tip a waiter at a restaurant in Bali, be sure to give your tip (usually 2% to 5%) to the waiter directly and in cash, to ensure they receive it.

When tipping in a fine restaurant it isn’t a straight percentage of the check. Also, look at the cost of the meal and the service. Just like you would at home. If you had a mediocre service at home would you tip? You probably would tip but you’d just tip a little less. If you had an amazing waiter you’d tip a little extra. And if the service was down right horrible you probably wouldn’t tip. The same goes when tipping in Bali at restaurants.

That said, there is no set standard for other services in Bali. It entirely depends on the caliber of service provided by local drivers, tour guides, villa staff and housekeepers in your accommodation, or by a porter who takes care of your luggage. In Bali, it is common to round up your taxi fare to the nearest 10,000 IDR, which is considered a tip for the taxi driver or the porter for each piece of luggage.

Top Things to Do in Bali

Bali is a major tourist destination in Southeast Asia and there is a wealth of activities for all tastes. Both Sanur and Kuta have a number of vibrant night clubs, but there are many family activities too. The Bali Safari and Marine Park covers nearly 100 acres and has a large selection of animals, including endangered Indonesian orangutans.

There are many old Hindu shrines and temples including the famous Tanah Lot where the temple rests on a small unusual island structure – a favorite for sunset photographers. Water sports opportunities are abundant on the island and they include scuba diving, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and jet skiing. Surfing is popular around the Bukit peninsula.

I found it very much worth the effort to drive or take a taxi to the lower reaches of the volcano at Mount Agung. For obvious reasons, you will not be able to get too close but you can trek to the outer crater and marvel at the barrenness of the landscape, which is in stark contrast to the lush green of most of the Balinese interior.

Best Temples in Bali:

Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Saraswati (Ubud), Besakih Temple, Ulun Danu Bratan, Tirta Empul Temple

Most Beautiful Rice Fields in Bali:

Tegalalang Rice Fields in Ubud, panoramic views from Mahagiri Restaurant, Jatiluwih, Belimbing

Top Waterfalls in Bali:

Tegenungan (Ubud), Secret Waterfall (Tukad Cepung), Aling-Aling, Gitgit, Sekumpul

Top beaches in Bali:

Kuta, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Benoa Beach (for water sports)

Best beach clubs in Bali:

Potato Head Beach Club, Finn’s Beach Club, Sundays Beach Club, Kudeta, The Lawn Canggu

First Time in Bali: Where to Stay?

Bali accommodation ranges from the very basic to some of the most amazing five-star hotels you’ll find anywhere in the world.

Hotels, resorts, and backpacker hostels abound across the island. Bali is one of the prettiest places in the world where you’ll be able to rent an entire villa pretty no matter what your budget is. Once you have set up your budget you can easily find private villa options on AirBnB. A few choices for the budget traveler not listed on AirBnb are Amnaya Resort in Kuta and Padang-Padang Inn in Uluwatu, Kosta Hostel in Seminyak, Hotel Puriartha and Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel in Ubud.

Now that you already know what places to visit and things to do on your first time in Bali, let’s talk about accommodation, another challenge on your Bali itinerary. The island is huge and offers a wide range of hotels, hostels, and apartments for rent. How you gonna choose the best place to stay in Bali for the first time? Don’t panic, I’m here to help and to point out the best areas to stay in Bali:

Kuta

Kuta’s proximity to the airport with long stretches of beaches and perfect waves year-round makes it a popular first stop for surfers and party-goers. Here you’ll find plenty of nightlife, lots of bars, and budget accommodation for any kind of trip.

If you’re looking for a party or an active city, it’s a good place to start, but there’s plenty to see beyond it. The disadvantages of staying – the entire area may seem too touristy with lots of construction around.

Seminyak

Just beyond Kuta, Seminyak is a great area in Bali. It’s very central and little quieter than Kuta featuring some of the best restaurants in the island, beautiful sunset beach bars, and loads of accommodation options ranging from budget to luxury.

Seminyak also has an amazing shopping area with very hip boutiques selling everything from typical souvenirs to trendy clothing, accessories, and beachwear. The only downside is that the area caters primarily and predominantly to tourists.

Canggu

The island’s trendiest neighborhood is especially popular among digital nomads, expatriates, and travelers which is visible by the many gorgeous villas popping up just about twenty minutes from Seminyak. The entire neighborhood is home to beach-inspired restaurants, yoga and pilates studios, gyms and healthy cafes alongside its sand beaches.

This is one of my favorite places to stay in Bali that has managed to keep the balance between being a famous tourist destination and staying a semi-rural coastal town with humble buildings.

Ubud

Ubud is the cultural hub of Bali, situated about an hour’s north of Denpasar, up the in mountains. This beautiful place is surrounded by rice paddies and wonderful jungle landscapes, making it a breath of fresh air.

It’s high on most tourists’ lists to go for cultural experiences while a lot of people come here to recharge, meditate and take part in yoga classes. The calming atmosphere, endless rice fields, amazing temples, workshops, galleries, and friendliest locals make Ubud a must-stay destination!

Uluwatu

The hilly limestone region is famous for the Uluwatu clifftop temple, awesome beaches and scenic luxury resorts with beach clubs. It is much calmer than other areas and is perfect for spending a night or two. You’ll find the famous Uluwatu Temple, Suluban Beach, and Padang Padang Beach in this neighborhood, each contributing to its reputation as one of Bali’s coolest areas to stay in for first-time visitors. The Uluwatu neighborhood is a mecca for surfers and best-known for the sun, sea and hidden beaches that you can enjoy at the beaches along its playground coastline.

Nusa Dua

The neighborhood is one of the best areas for water sports and activities, such as diving, snorkeling, and parasailing. Many luxury all-inclusive resorts share the grounds of Nusa Dua, adding to its lavish buildings with a bit of a tropical touch. Even non-staying travelers visit Nusa Dua to have fun, try some water sports, or enjoy the resorts on a day pass. I have never stayed in the neighborhood – the accommodations are quite expensive here. However, with the glorious beach of Nusa Dua, the neighborhood has an incredibly calming atmosphere!

The Bottom Line

It doesn’t matter if you’ve never been to Bali, or you’re a veteran visitor looking for adventure and unusual activities to do, I’ve got you covered. With this Bali travel guide for first-timers in hand, you’ll have everything that you could possibly need to craft the perfect trip. Have a great time, amigos!

If you still have any questions or doubts about how to organize your first trip to Bali, don’t be shy, leave a comment below or email me! And don’t forget to book your hotels and tour through my links, doing that you help me to keep writing great travel guides like this one!

PIN IT FOR LATER!

YOU WILL ALSO LIKE

Tips for Planning a Trip to Shenzhen

How to Get a Decent Haircut in a Foreign Country

Macau Travel Guide