Bali travel blog — The fullest Bali travel guide for first-timers

Bali is the most famous tourist paradise of Indonesia in particular and Southeast Asia in general. Whether you are looking for the white sand beaches, magnificent scenes or in search of recreational sports, Bali is a great destination for that stuff. What can be more relaxing than taking a stroll on the white sandy beach, explore the ocean or surf on boarding, … All will guarantee you the ultimate holiday once in your lifetime.

So, is Bali worth visiting, how to visit Bali, what to do in Bali and how to plan a budget trip to Bali for the first-time perfectly? Let’s check out our Bali travel blog (Bali blog) with the fullest Bali travel guide (guide to Bali, Bali tourist guide, Bali city guide, Bali guide) from how to get to Bali, best places to visit, best time to come, what to eat as well as top things to do in Bali to help you maximize your trip as follows!

Besides, there is a variety of cultural attractions, natural sights and many other activities you can choose when visiting Bali. Living Nomads give you the most proper Bali travel experience to make your trip more perfect.

Bali blog — When is the best time to visit Bali?

The weather in Bali around the year is sunny and warm. The temperature is not too high and usually ranges from 23 degrees Celsius to 30 degrees Celsius. So, visiting Bali you will not have to worry that it is too hot or too cold.

However, Bali climate has two seasons: rainy season (heavy rain) starting from November to April next year. This season has a lot of rain, but the rain does not last long. Very few heavy rains lasted more than two hours. So even in the rainy season, there are times of the day you can go out and enjoy the scenery. Dry season is Bali’s travel season: This season is less rainy, lasts from May to October and is a peak travel season in Bali. The weather is very pleasant, and also the time when activities of swimming, surfing, diving and watching coral takes place very exciting.

With Bali, an extremely beautiful island for couples, where love, emotion are fully integrated with nature, sea and islands, plants and clouds. The best time to go to Bali is in May to October every year, most crowded in July, August and September, the number of tourists to Bali is very crowded, so can run out of hotel rooms, traffic jam, the costs of living, eating, drinking, tour are much higher. It is also at the beginning of autumn in Bali, the weather is cool, dry, no thunderstorm lasting. It is best to avoid these 3 months, instead you may go in May, June or October.

Bali travel cost: How much should you spend?

Cost for accommodation

You will easily find a nice hotel in Bali as it has been long a popular tourist city for years. Price ranges varied from about 35 usd/night to about 66 usd/night. Room quality is also quite good compared to other crowded tourist destinations.

There are two main areas that you can choose from when booking a hotel in Bali, one is in Ubud town. This place is suitable for those who want to experience local life, the service is more local as well. Hotel rates in Ubud are also relatively cheap compared to beach resorts.

The second area is the beach areas of Bali. From Nusa Dua to the smaller beaches to the west, north, and south of Ubud. Spending a night in this area is relatively more expensive but you can choose the romantic room and can have a private space for yourself. It perfectly works with couples. If you are planning a honeymoon in Bali, then it is truly worth your money.

We had a very detailed article review of the best places to stay in Bali. Let’s check it our at here: Top places to stay in Bali — Top 10 best areas to stay in Bali Indonesia for the first-timers.

Below are some best cheap, budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa (Address: Jl. Kayu Aya, Pantai Seminyak, Kuta, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 730814), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $170/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Sankara Resort Ubud (Address: Jl.Banjar Kumbuh, Desa Mas, Kec.Ubud, MAS, Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 8493515), a 4-star hotel with room rates from $110/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Hotel Terrace At Kuta (Address: Jl. Benesari No.2, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 3012888), a 3-star hotel with room rates from $21/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Visesa Ubud Resort (Address: Desa Visesa, Jl. Suweta, Bentuyung Sakti, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 2091788), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $94/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Mason Elephant Lodge (Address: Jalan Elephant Safari Park Banjar Desa Taro Tegallalang, Taro, Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 8988888), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $86/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Puri Santrian (Address: Jl. Cemara No.35, Sanur, Denpasar Sel., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 288009), a 4-star hotel with room rates from $76/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

INAYA Putri Bali Resort (Address: Kawasan Wisata Nusa Dua Lot S-3, Benoa, Kuta Selatan, Benoa, Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80363, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 2002900), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $126/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Sapodilla Ubud (Address: Jl. Raya Pengosekan Ubud, MAS, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 981596), a 4-star hotel with room rates from $53/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

The Kayon Jungle Resort (Address: Banjar, Desa, Bresela, Payangan, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80572, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 978098), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $219/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Hard Rock Hotel Bali (Address: Jalan Pantai Kuta, Banjar Pande Mas, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 761869), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $134/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

Dash Hotel Seminyak Bali (Address: Jl. Petitenget No.148, Kerobokan Kelod, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 3004666), a 4-star hotel with room rates from $51/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

U Paasha Seminyak (Address: Jalan Laksmana No.77, Seminyak, Kuta, Seminyak, Kuta, Seminyak, Bali 80361, Indonesia / Phone: +62 361 8465977), a 5-star hotel with room rates from $103/night. (Check rates and reviews on Agoda.com or Booking.com).

You can find, check rates, reviews & availability for Bali hotels, hostels, resorts on Agoda.com or Booking.com or Airbnb.com.

Food spending

Dining in Bali is not so expensive unless you want to set up restaurants or even the beach area for parties. Otherwise, the usual cost for a meal will be about 50 usd/ person, you can search for buffet options for more choices. One thing to note is that Bali is an island, so it’s almost always seafood, you should definitely try this fresh seafood.

Transport cost

The fastest way to get to Bali is by plane. However, it will take you about 5 – 6 hours to get to Singapore or Jakarta depending on the airline. The cost for fight ticket depends on seat and season.

Most luxury hotels and resorts in Bali have airport pick-up services. If you are new to the area and are not familiar with the roads from the airport to the hotel, this option will save you a lot of time and money.

Bali travel blog: How to get around Bali?

If you go to Bali at the first time, you should take a taxi. Taxis here do not have a clock, but you can pay a price to follow the route. If in Ubud you can refer to Ubudtaxi, for about 8 – 11 usd / trip depending on your destination. In case you go with a group of 3-4 people, it is advised to rent a car by day.

The second option is to rent a scooter. Renting a scooter is not difficult, but you should check it carefully, take pictures before hiring and always comply with traffic laws. Bear in mind that the right rule in Bali, and Thailand as well, is to drive on the left side, so you must definitely pay attention when driving.

Another option if you already have an itinerary is to buy a fixed-line bus ticket. Why you have to know your itinerary first? Because you have to book and pay online for the bus ticket. The advantage is that you will not have to queue for tickets and also be sure you will have transportation when you arrive in Bali. The drawback is that you have to make sure you arrive in time.

Bali travel blog — Some tips for a budget trip to Bali: How to save money when traveling to Bali?

Hunting cheap flight tickets

You should hunt for flight tickets and promotions and book it about 4 to 6 months in advance. If you’re lucky, you can hunt for half the price.

Transport by bus

As mentioned above, the bus is an economical and safe option when moving. Firstly, you will not get lost as the bus is driven by a fixed route. The price is fixed and booked in advance so you will not have to worry about extra expenses for transport.

Book cheap hotels in Ubud / Kuta

Ubud is the center of the city, if you choose the hotel where you can be offered many services as well as visit the indigenous cultural relics. In addition, the place has quite crowed with backpackers, room rate is reasonable. While Kuta is close to the airport, which is convenient if you want to reduce the cost of transportation from the airport to the center.

Eat at casual restaurants

There are always plenty of places to eat that you can choose from. You can ask the waiter about the dishes first, then google it. Another tip is not to eat in high-end restaurants. Some small vendors are more local and the price is good too.

Book in advance tickets, sightseeing tours

Bali is the capital of resort, there is obviously a large number of visitors coming here every year. And so, there are a number of destinations that are almost crowded with tourists as everyone wants to come once. For example, Tanah Lot, or games at Nusa Dua beach. Therefore, instead of waiting and queuing in line, you should book through the internet. Just a few clicks, you already have a ticket to the Bali games.

Bali blog: Bali points of interest, best places to visit, top things to do and some experiences while traveling to Bali

Nusa Dua

It is impossible not to mention the beach of Nusa Dua, the beautiful peninsula of southern Bali. This is not only a place for outstanding diving spots but also places to enjoy underwater adventure games extremely interesting. Visiting Nusa Dua Bali, you will be spoiled for activities such as swimming, hiking, tasting seafood dishes.

What is more, there are countless recreational activities for those who are searching for some thrills. Flutter in the wind with paragliding, umbrellas, or exploring the brilliant sea floor of Bali. What matter you choose, the sea of Nusa Dua guarantees you a more than wonderful trip.

Sanur Sea

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