Best Bali Tours & Trips

How Much Does a Trip to Bali Cost?

Bali is generally an affordable destination where you can enjoy a comfortable vacation experience even on a tight budget.

Budget: $40–60 per day, which requires staying in homestays or guesthouses and dining at local eateries.

Mid-range: $70–150 per day, featuring boutique hotels or resorts, dining at fine restaurants, and booking private drivers for transportation.

Bali Vacation Packages: Priced between $400 and $700 depending on duration, these include accommodations, driver transfers, and guided tours to attractions.

The Best Time to Visit Bali

The dry season from April to October is the best time to visit Bali, and the bright sunshine is ideal for beach activities and sightseeing. However, this is also Bali's peak tourist season. For off-peak travel, consider visiting in April or May or September.

Avoid traveling during the rainy season, which runs from November to March. This period is typically marked by heavy rains and strong waves, which will impact outdoor activities.

Getting Around Bali

Chartered Vehicle: Ideal for families or groups, available for half-day or full-day hire. The driver doubles as a part-time guide to arrange itineraries or allows for flexible scheduling.

Ride-Hailing: Grab is highly convenient for hailing rides, or you can opt for motorcycles to bypass traffic jams.

Motorcycle Rental: Requires an international driver's license and prioritizes safety, offering excellent exploration of Bali.

Speedboat: Required for traveling to nearby islands; tickets can be purchased at the pier.

Popular Attractions and Day Trips from Bali

Ubud: Bali's cultural hub, dotted with rice fields and temples. The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is one of its top attractions, home to numerous macaques. Other highlights include the local Ubud Palace and the Tegalalang Rice Terrace.

Tanah Lot: The most famous sunset viewing spot locally, featuring an ancient temple built atop rocks in the sea.

Uluwatu Temple: Perched on the edge of a cliff, this temple overlooks the Indian Ocean. At dusk, visitors can also witness the Kecak Fire Dance.

Mount Batur: One of the active volcanoes. It's a great spot for watching the sunrise. Lake Batur at its base is also a popular attraction.

Pura Tirta Empul: A Hindu temple where visitors can experience traditional purification rituals.

Day Trip Destinations

Nusa Lembongan: A 30-minute speedboat ride from Bali, renowned for Dream Beach and Devil's Tears. Visitors can snorkel or cycle around the island.

Nusa Penida: Bali's hottest day trip destination, featuring dramatic cliff views and emerald coastlines. Kelingking Beach and Broken Beach are must-see attractions.

Nusa Ceningan: Close to Nusa Lembongan, connected by a yellow suspension bridge. Features a beautiful blue lagoon and cliff diving spots.

Lovina Beach: Located in northern Bali, you can take a boat out to sea at dawn to watch wild dolphins.

Classic Bali Travel Itinerary

Day 1: Head to Nusa Dua Beach to soak up the beach atmosphere and unwind. Enjoy dinner at Jimbaran Beach in the evening and watch the sunset.

Day 2: Start the day at Tanah Lot, then head to Uluwatu Temple perched on a cliff edge. Afterward, choose a seaside restaurant to enjoy a meal. Return to the temple in the afternoon to watch the Kecak Fire Dance. In the evening, head back to the Seminyak area for some shopping.

Day 3: Visit the Ubud Palace, with the Ubud Street Market right across the street, a great spot to pick up souvenirs. Alternatively, head to the Sacred Monkey Forest to observe temples hidden within the jungle. The Tegalalang Rice Terrace is an ideal place to spend the afternoon.

Day 4: Join a day trip island-hopping to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan. Enjoy water activities and relax on the beach.

Day 5: Head to Mount Batur to watch the sunrise, then return to Tirta Empul Temple in the afternoon. Afterward, proceed to the airport to conclude the journey.

Where to Stay in Bali

For first-time visitors to Bali, Kuta is the ideal place to stay. It offers comprehensive amenities, numerous shops and bars, and shopping centers. Next are Seminyak and Nusa Dua, where upscale resorts and fine dining restaurants cater to families or honeymooners.

Travel Tips for Bali

Cash: Bring some cash, as local markets and restaurants require it.

Attire: When visiting temples, wear modest clothing with shoulders and knees covered.

Water Activities: Pay attention to beach flags; red flags indicate danger. Avoid entering the water during the rainy season or when waves are high.

Drinking Water: Drink bottled water whenever possible and avoid tap water.