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Bali

Bali travel guide

Province in Lesser Sunda Islands, Indonesia

Flights from$908 round trip
Things to do223 experiences
Best time to visitAll year round
Nearest airportDPS · 21 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+8
Population4,362,700

About Bali

Bali is an Indonesian island and province and the westernmost of the Lesser Sunda Islands. East of Java and west of Lombok, the province includes the island of Bali and a few smaller offshore islands, notably Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan to the southeast. The provincial capital, Denpasar, is the most populous city in the Lesser Sunda Islands and the second-largest, after Makassar, in Eastern Indonesia. The Denpasar metropolitan area is the extended metropolitan area around Denpasar. The upland town of Ubud in Greater Denpasar is considered as Bali's cultural centre. The province is Indonesia's main tourist destination, with a significant rise in tourism since the 1980s, and has become the country's area of overtourism. Tourism-related business makes up 80% of the Bali economy.

Cheap flights to Bali

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $908 from New York, travelling 24 Nov – 1 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

Search flights to Bali

Places to visit in Bali

  1. Tanah Lot

    Tanah Lot

    Religious · 10 mi from centre

    A sea temple perched on a rock formation off Bali's west coast. Visit at low tide to walk closer, and stay for sunset, though crowds are heavy.

  2. Uluwatu Temple

    Uluwatu Temple

    Religious · 23 mi from centre

    A clifftop temple on the Bukit Peninsula, famous for its sunset kecak fire dance. Keep sunglasses, hats and phones secure, as resident monkeys often grab belongings.

  3. Ubud Monkey Forest

    Ubud Monkey Forest

    Nature · 18 mi from centre

    A forest sanctuary with temples and hundreds of long-tailed macaques. Do not bring food or plastic bags, and avoid direct eye contact or touching the monkeys.

  4. Mount Batur

    Mount Batur

    Nature · 32 mi from centre

    An active volcano popular for sunrise hikes, with views over a crater lake. Start the hike before dawn with a local guide, and bring warm clothes.

  5. Besakih Temple

    Besakih Temple

    Religious · 32 mi from centre

    Bali's largest and holiest temple complex, on the slopes of Mount Agung. Hire an official guide at the entrance to avoid touts, and wear a sarong over your legs.

  6. Ulun Danu Bratan

    Ulun Danu Bratan

    Religious · 19 mi from centre

    A picturesque temple on the shore of Lake Bratan in the cool highlands. Visit in the morning, when the lake is calm and mist often hangs over the water.

  7. Tirta Empul

    Tirta Empul

    Religious · 22 mi from centre

    A water temple where Balinese Hindus bathe in holy spring pools for purification. Visitors may join the ritual, but should wear a sarong and follow local guidance.

  8. Nusa Penida

    Nusa Penida

    Nature · 40 mi from centre

    An island southeast of Bali with dramatic cliffs, beaches and manta ray snorkeling. Roads are rough, so hire a driver rather than renting a scooter.

Things to do in Bali by type

223 tours, tickets and experiences across 14 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • Over 6 hours 42
  • 3-6 hours 12
  • 1-3 hours 4
  • Flexible 2
Good for
  • Couples 10
  • Youth 9
  • Senior 9
  • Families 8
  • Adult only 2
  • Families with kids 1
Ways to go
  • Private 64
  • Small group 41
  • Skip the line 3
Browse all things to do in Bali

Top experiences in Bali

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 223 available.

Marvellous Ubud: Tegenungan Waterfall, Traditional Villages and Ubud Palace - Full-Day Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

Marvellous Ubud: Tegenungan Waterfall, Traditional Villages and Ubud Palace - Full-Day Tour

  • 4.3 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $21 per adult

Fantastic Northern Bali Tour: Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, Bali Handara Gate and Ulun Danu Temple
Day Trips & Excursions

Fantastic Northern Bali Tour: Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, Bali Handara Gate and Ulun Danu Temple

  • 10 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $31 per adult

East Bali Instagram Tour: Gate of Heaven, Tirta Gangga and Tukad Cepung Waterfall - Full-Day Tour
Day Trips & Excursions

East Bali Instagram Tour: Gate of Heaven, Tirta Gangga and Tukad Cepung Waterfall - Full-Day Tour

  • 10 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $36 per adult

Wonders of Bali - Full-Day Private Tour
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature

Wonders of Bali - Full-Day Private Tour

  • 11.5 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $61 per adult

Early Access to Nusa Penida - Private Full Day Tour
Cruise & Water Tours

Early Access to Nusa Penida - Private Full Day Tour

  • 1 day
  • Free cancellation

From $40 per adult

Visit to Bali Zoo and Breakfast with the Orangutans
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature

Visit to Bali Zoo and Breakfast with the Orangutans

  • 5 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $57 per adult

Instagram Tour: Lempuyang Temple, Goa Raja Waterfall and More - Full-Day
Day Trips & Excursions

Instagram Tour: Lempuyang Temple, Goa Raja Waterfall and More - Full-Day

  • 10 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $36 per adult

Ubud Nature and Culture: Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terraces and more – Full-Day Tour
Art & culture

Ubud Nature and Culture: Monkey Forest, Tegalalang Rice Terraces and more – Full-Day Tour

  • 10 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $44 per adult

Balinese Cooking Class
Classes

Balinese Cooking Class

  • 4 hours
  • Free cancellation

From $27 per adult

Eat Pray Love Bali - Full-Day Private Tour
Outdoor activities & Adventure

Eat Pray Love Bali - Full-Day Private Tour

  • 1 day
  • Free cancellation

From $108 per adult

West Nusa Penida and Snorkeling - Private Full-Day Tour
Outdoor activities & Adventure

West Nusa Penida and Snorkeling - Private Full-Day Tour

  • 1 day
  • Free cancellation

From $75 per adult

Tanah Lot and UNESCO Heritage - Full-Day Private Tour
Outdoor activities & Adventure

Tanah Lot and UNESCO Heritage - Full-Day Private Tour

  • 1 day
  • Free cancellation

From $51 per adult

See all things to do in Bali

Where to stay in Bali

Popular hotels in Bali, out of 3,727 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Bali

Best time to visit Bali

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bali is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 81–85°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 74° – 83° 29
Feb 74° – 84° 26
Mar 75° – 85° 25
Apr 74° – 84° 20
May 74° – 83° 27
Jun 74° – 82° 17
Jul 72° – 81° 17
Aug 71° – 81° 14
Sep 73° – 82° 22
Oct 74° – 83° 25
Nov 74° – 84° 25
Dec 74° – 83° 29

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Bali weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 82° 73° 47%
  • Thu 22 Oct 82° 71° 41%
  • Fri 23 Oct 82° 71° 88%
  • Sat 24 Oct 82° 72° 86%
  • Sun 25 Oct 82° 72° 100%
  • Mon 26 Oct 82° 74° 100%

Know before you go

Currency
Indonesian rupiah (IDR)1 US dollar ≈ Rp18,055
Language
Indonesian
Calling code
+62
Driving
On the left
Time zone
Asia/MakassarUTC+8
Capital
Jakarta

Upcoming public holidays in Indonesia

  • Christmas DayHari Raya Natal
  • New Year's DayTahun Baru Masehi
  • Good FridayWafat Isa Almasih
  • Easter SundayPaskah
  • Labour DayHari Buruh Internasional
  • Ascension DayKenaikan Isa Almasih

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Bali

These are the airports closest to central Bali. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • DPS I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport21 mi (33 km) from the city centre
  • BWX Banyuwangi International Airport47 mi (76 km) from the city centre
  • AMI Selaparang Airport75 mi (121 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Bali

Bali is a large island and you will need a way to get around if you plan on exploring more than the hotel pool. Rapid, seemingly uncontrolled development and aging infrastructure mean that the roads struggle to cope. In major tourist areas the traffic is chaotic, and there are daily traffic jams. Particular blackspots are Ubud, Kuta, Seminyak and Denpasar.

By bus

The Perama bus company serves the budget traveller well in Bali and beyond, and they have offices in several major tourist destinations on the island. There are other scheduled shuttle buses between many of Bali's most popular destinations too.

By taxi

Due to competition between taxi companies, scams abound with transport in Bali. Tourists could end up paying about 10 times the normal price. The drivers use a taxi with a broken meter and threaten to call the police if passengers don't pay the visible fare. Use BlueBird taxis only, or better yet, book fixed-price rides with the Grab or Gojek apps.

By bemo

Bemos are minivans which serve as a flexible bus service and are Bali's "traditional" form of transportation. However they have largely given way to metered taxis in the south. Fares on shared bemos can be very cheap, but drivers will often insist that foreign tourists charter the entire vehicle, in which case they will usually ask for a price equivalent to a taxi or even more.

Bali travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Bali?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bali is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 81–85°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.

What is the weather like in Bali?

March is usually the warmest month in Bali, with average highs of 85°F (29°C). August is the coolest, with average lows of 71°F (22°C). The wettest month is typically December, with about 340 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Bali?

I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is the closest airport, about 21 miles (33 km) from the centre of Bali. Other nearby airports include Banyuwangi International Airport (BWX, 47 mi) and Selaparang Airport (AMI, 75 mi).

How much are flights to Bali?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Bali in the last 30 days was $908 from New York, travelling 24 Nov – 1 Dec.

What currency is used in Bali?

Bali uses the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ Rp18,055.

What time zone is Bali in?

Bali uses the Asia/Makassar time zone (currently UTC+8). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Bali?

Bali is a large island and you will need a way to get around if you plan on exploring more than the hotel pool. Rapid, seemingly uncontrolled development and aging infrastructure mean that the roads struggle to cope. In major tourist areas the traffic is chaotic, and there are daily traffic jams.

What are the best places to visit in Bali?

Top sights in Bali include Tanah Lot, Uluwatu Temple, Ubud Monkey Forest and Mount Batur. A sea temple perched on a rock formation off Bali's west coast. Visit at low tide to walk closer, and stay for sunset, though crowds are heavy.

What are the top things to do in Bali?

Popular experiences you can book in Bali include Marvellous Ubud: Tegenungan Waterfall, Traditional Villages and Ubud Palace - Full-Day Tour, Fantastic Northern Bali Tour: Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest, Bali Handara Gate and Ulun Danu Temple and East Bali Instagram Tour: Gate of Heaven, Tirta Gangga and Tukad Cepung Waterfall - Full-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 223 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Bali?

The most popular types of experiences in Bali are art & culture (64), day trips & excursions (63), outdoor activities & adventure (57) and zoo, aquarium & nature (30). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Bali?

Popular areas for hotels in Bali include Seminyak, Nusa Dua-Tanjung Benoa and Kuta/ Legian. Well-reviewed options include Amadea Resort and Villas Seminyak Bali and Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa Handwritten Collection.

How many hotels can I book in Bali?

Destina Holidays currently lists 3,727 properties in and around Bali, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.