Bali travel guide hero
Independent Bali travel guide - written by locals

Bali Travel Guide Plus — The Honest Guide for Foreign Tourists

Plan a trip you will actually enjoy: the best areas to stay, what is worth your time, real daily budgets, sample itineraries, and free WhatsApp help when Google is not enough.

19+ detailed guides
|
Written by locals in Bali
|
Replies in about 10 minutes
Real
Local writers, no AI filler
Honest
We say what to skip too
Current
Updated 2026
Free
No account, no paywall
Geography

Explore Bali’s Regions

Bali has 9 official regencies, each with a completely different character. Hover any region on the map to learn what is there, then click a pin to read the area guide.

BadungBangliBulelengDenpasarGianyarJembranaKarangasemKlungkungTabananCangguSeminyakKutaJimbaranUluwatuNusa DuaSanurUbudAmedSidemenLovinaMundukPemuteranNusa PenidaTourist area — click to exploreRegency boundary — hover for infoN
Badung
Kuta · Seminyak · Canggu · Uluwatu
Bangli
Kintamani · Mount Batur · highland lakes
Buleleng
Lovina · Singaraja · north coast reefs
Denpasar
Bali's capital city · airport hub
Gianyar
Ubud · Tegalalang · artisan villages
Jembrana
Negara · black-sand west coast
Karangasem
Amed · Tirta Gangga · Mount Agung
Klungkung
Nusa Penida · Semarapura · Nusa Lembongan
Tabanan
Tanah Lot · Jatiluwih UNESCO · Munduk
Sample itineraries

Day-by-day plans that actually work

Tested routes we send to friends. Copy them exactly or WhatsApp us to tailor the plan to your dates.

7-Day Bali Itinerary (First Trip)

7-Day Bali Itinerary (First Trip)

A balanced week: 2 nights Canggu, 2 nights Ubud, 2 nights Uluwatu + Nusa Penida day trip. Day-by-day with WhatsApp help.

See the plan
14-Day Bali Itinerary (Full Experience)

14-Day Bali Itinerary (Full Experience)

Two weeks properly: Canggu, Ubud, Sidemen, Amed, Uluwatu + Gili Islands. Deeper routes, fewer taxis, more local food.

See the plan
Bali in 3 Days: Quick Highlights

Bali in 3 Days: Quick Highlights

Only 3 days? This tight itinerary covers Ubud rice terraces at sunrise, the Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu and a final beach morning — zero wasted time.

See the plan
Bali 5-Day Itinerary: Best First Trip

Bali 5-Day Itinerary: Best First Trip

Five days covers the Canggu–Ubud–Uluwatu triangle with room to breathe. The ideal first Bali trip for visitors from Australia, Singapore or the Gulf.

See the plan
Bali 10-Day Itinerary: Relaxed Explorer

Bali 10-Day Itinerary: Relaxed Explorer

Ten days: the full arc from Canggu to Ubud to Sidemen to Amed to Uluwatu, with Nusa Penida on day 5. Real pace, real east Bali.

See the plan
Bali 21-Day Slow Travel Itinerary

Bali 21-Day Slow Travel Itinerary

Three weeks covering north Bali, Munduk waterfalls, Lovina dolphins, Amed diving, Sidemen village and Gili Islands. For slow travellers and digital nomads.

See the plan
7-Day Family-Friendly Bali Itinerary

7-Day Family-Friendly Bali Itinerary

A practical family week based in Sanur (calm swimming beach) and Ubud: Nusa Lembongan day trip, Bali Bird Park, cooking class and Monkey Forest.

See the plan
7-Day Romantic Couples Bali Itinerary

7-Day Romantic Couples Bali Itinerary

Honeymoon and anniversary route: private pool villas in Ubud, clifftop Kecak at Uluwatu, couples spa and a candlelit Jimbaran seafood dinner.

See the plan
10-Day Budget Backpacker Bali Route

10-Day Budget Backpacker Bali Route

Ten days under $350 per person: scooter transport, warung meals, cheap guesthouses, Nusa Penida DIY and the Liberty wreck snorkel in Amed.

See the plan
10-Day Surf-Focused Bali Itinerary

10-Day Surf-Focused Bali Itinerary

A dedicated surf trip: Uluwatu, Padang Padang, Medewi, Keramas and Nusa Lembongan. Break-by-break guide for intermediate to advanced surfers.

See the plan
Practical stuff

Transport, visa, SIM and money

Scooter vs Private Driver in Bali: Which is Right for You?

Scooter vs Private Driver in Bali: Which is Right for You?

Honest cost breakdown, safety, insurance, license reality, and when each option makes the most sense.

Bali Visa on Arrival + SIM Card: The Simple Guide

Bali Visa on Arrival + SIM Card: The Simple Guide

VoA vs e-VoA vs B211, costs, extensions, what to show immigration, and the best SIM cards (Telkomsel vs XL) at the airport.

Bali on a Budget: Real Daily Costs (2026)

Bali on a Budget: Real Daily Costs (2026)

What Bali actually costs per day: backpacker ($30), mid-range ($80), comfort ($150). Warungs, Grab, rooms and scooter fuel.

Bali Visa on Arrival (VOA) Complete Guide

Bali Visa on Arrival (VOA) Complete Guide

IDR 500,000 (~$35), 30 days, extendable once. Eligible countries, payment methods, queue tips and overstay fines.

Bali e-VOA Online Application Walkthrough

Bali e-VOA Online Application Walkthrough

Apply online at evisa.imigrasi.go.id before you fly, skip the airport queue. 7-step walkthrough from document prep to airport arrival.

Best SIM Card & eSIM for Bali (2026)

Best SIM Card & eSIM for Bali (2026)

Telkomsel vs XL Axiata vs Indosat vs Smartfren — coverage, data prices, eSIM options (Airalo, Holafly) and SIM registration.

Bali Currency: IDR Explained for Travelers

Bali Currency: IDR Explained for Travelers

1 USD = ~Rp 16,000. Exchange tips, safe ATMs, card payments and how to avoid bad-rate booths.

ATMs & Cash in Bali: Fees, Safety, Best Banks

ATMs & Cash in Bali: Fees, Safety, Best Banks

BCA, Mandiri, BNI ATM comparison — limits, fees and locations. Skimming prevention and what to do when machines run dry.

Tipping in Bali: Who, When, How Much

Tipping in Bali: Who, When, How Much

Restaurant service charges explained, massage tip amounts (Rp 20,000–50,000), driver tipping and when not to tip.

Is Bali Safe? Real Safety Guide 2026

Is Bali Safe? Real Safety Guide 2026

Traffic is the main risk, not crime. Ocean rips, petty theft, drug laws and solo female travel — honest assessment of each.

Common Scams in Bali & How to Avoid Them

Common Scams in Bali & How to Avoid Them

Money changer short-change, transport inflation, fake police, closed-attraction redirect — how each works and how to stop it.

Essential Bahasa Indonesia for Tourists

Essential Bahasa Indonesia for Tourists

Greetings, numbers, bargaining phrases, food ordering and emergency words. Pronunciation guide included.

Bali Etiquette & Cultural Do's and Don'ts

Bali Etiquette & Cultural Do's and Don'ts

Offerings, temple dress, head/hand/feet rules, ceremony etiquette and modest dress — what actually matters.

Bali Weather Month by Month

Bali Weather Month by Month

Monthly temperature, rainfall, crowds and surf conditions. Dry season May–Oct vs wet season Nov–Apr, regional differences.

Best Time to Visit Bali (by Activity)

Best Time to Visit Bali (by Activity)

Best months for surfing, diving (mola-mola Aug–Oct), budget travel, photography and avoiding peak crowds.

Bali Packing List: What to Bring & Skip

Bali Packing List: What to Bring & Skip

Clothing, health, electronics and activity gear. What to bring vs buy in Bali. Dry and wet season variations.

Health, Vaccines & Clinics in Bali

Health, Vaccines & Clinics in Bali

Vaccines (Hep A, typhoid, rabies), dengue prevention, Bali Belly treatment, best hospitals (BIMC, SOS Medika) and insurance.

Bali Customs: What You Can & Can't Bring

Bali Customs: What You Can & Can't Bring

Duty-free limits (200 cigarettes, 1L alcohol, $500 goods), prohibited items, drone rules and currency declaration.

How the free trip help works

No forms, no fees, no sales pitch. We help because it is fun and sometimes we recommend partners we trust.

1

Send us a message

Ping us on WhatsApp with your dates, group size, and what matters most (surf, chill, temples, kids).

2

Get an honest plan

We send a short proposed route (areas + days), rough budget and things to skip for your style.

3

Tweak it together

Change anything. We keep suggesting until you are happy. Still free.

4

Book what you want

Book hotels/activities yourself or ask us for a trusted driver, surf school or villa.

Reviews

Be our first reviewer

We are a brand-new independent guide and we have not collected public reviews yet. If we help you plan a trip you love, we would really appreciate an honest Google review — it is the single best way to support a small local team like ours.

Plan your trip with us
FAQ

Common questions

Is Bali Travel Guide Plus free to use?+

Yes. Browsing the guides, itineraries and area breakdowns is free, and asking follow-up questions via WhatsApp is free too. We only monetise when we help you book a driver, activity or accommodation with trusted local partners, and only if you ask us to.

When is the best time to visit Bali?+

The dry season (May to October) is the easiest for first-timers: sunny, less rain, best for surfing on the west coast. July-August is peak and busier. The wet season (November to April) is cheaper and still has plenty of sunny days, with rain usually coming in short afternoon bursts.

How many days do I need in Bali?+

We recommend at least 7 days for a first trip, and 10-14 days to include Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands properly. Anything under 5 days means a lot of transport and not much downtime, especially if you also want Ubud.

Which area is best to stay in Bali?+

There is no single best area. Canggu is great for surf, cafes and nightlife; Ubud for culture, jungle and yoga; Uluwatu for cliffs and serious surf; Seminyak for beach clubs and shopping; Sanur for calm beaches and Nusa Penida access. Most first-timers split their trip across 2-3 areas.

Do I need a visa to visit Bali?+

Most nationalities can get a Visa on Arrival (VoA) for 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days. You can also apply online (e-VoA) before you fly. For stays longer than 60 days, consider a B211A visit visa. See our visa + SIM guide for details.

Is it safe to rent a scooter in Bali?+

Scooters are the fastest way around, but Bali traffic is intense and accidents are common for inexperienced riders. We recommend a private driver for first-timers or longer trips, scooters only if you already know how to ride. Check insurance and always wear a helmet.

Not sure where to start?

Send us your dates and what you are into. We will reply with a real plan in about 10 minutes.

Message us on WhatsApp

Free. No account. No spam.