Practical: what you want to know before you go to Bali
Answers to the questions we get most often: about temples, scooters, money, the visa and the best time to visit. Short where possible, detailed where needed.
Best time to visit Bali, by month
Rain, temperature, crowds and holidays month by month, with Nyepi and Galungan in 2027: when to go to Bali, including the east and the mountains.
Is Bali safe? Traffic, the sea, rabies and more
Bali is safe, but watch out for the traffic, the currents and the monkeys. What you need to know before you go.
Health in Bali: vaccinations, Bali belly, dengue and rabies
Which jabs you need, what helps with Bali belly, how to avoid mosquito bites and rabies, and where to go if you fall ill in Bali.
Travelling solo in Bali as a woman: safety, transport and where to stay
Is Bali safe for women travelling alone? Yes, with a few habits. On getting around, drinks, evenings, clothing, homestays and the quiet east and north.
Visiting temples in Bali and what to wear
In a Balinese temple you wear a sarong and a sash, men and women alike. Cover your shoulders and knees, and don't step on the offerings on the pavement.
Money and payments in Bali
In Bali you pay in rupiah: €1 is about IDR 20,000. About cards and cash machines, cash, bargaining, tips and the costs you should budget for.
Internet and eSIM in Bali: SIM cards, IMEI, coverage and wifi
eSIM or local SIM, the IMEI rule for foreign phones, mobile coverage in the east, north and mountains, and what wifi is like in homestays.
Getting around Bali
There is no train in Bali and public transport is limited. About Grab and Gojek, the boat to the islands and why your own driver is the easiest way to travel.
Nusa Penida, Lembongan, the Gilis or Lombok? Which island suits your trip
What each island offers, how long the boat takes from Sanur and Padang Bai, what it costs, how safe it is, and whether to go for a day or stay the night.
Food and drink in Bali
Don't drink the tap water, and eat where the Balinese eat. What to try in Bali, how to avoid Bali belly and why you should be careful with arak.
Language and etiquette in Bali
The Balinese speak Balinese and Indonesian, and English in tourism. A few words of Indonesian, how Balinese names work and the manners that matter.
Visa and tourist levy for Bali (2027)
Visa on arrival or e-VOA, the IDR 150,000 tourist levy and the arrival declaration. Step by step.
Packing list for Bali
What to pack for Bali: a sarong and sash, light clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, a jumper for the mountains, reef-safe sunscreen, ORS and more.
Travelling respectfully in Bali
Choose local stays, warungs and guides, so your money reaches the people who live there. How to travel respectfully in Bali, with less plastic and more calm.
Mount Batur at sunrise: is it worth it?
How the Mount Batur sunrise trek works, what it costs in 2026, the downsides you rarely read about, and quieter options such as the sunrise jeep.
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Ask it in the chat. We answer practical questions even if you do not book anything.
You chat with Michèle (Dutch or English) or with Dek Leonk (English). Real people, not a chatbot. During the day in Europe you usually get an answer within a few hours.