In this list of tips, you will find the answers to the questions most frequently asked by travelers before their departure for Bali. If you have any further questions, you can email us through the “Contact Us” section at the bottom of the page. We will do our best to answer you as soon as possible and answer all your questions. Also, if we think your question is interesting and may be useful to other travelers, we’ll post it in this section as a tip.
WHEN TO TRAVEL TO BALI?
Bali is divided into two seasons, the rainy season, which runs from late October to April, and the dry season, which begins in mid-April and lasts until September. It is true that the best travel deals are during the monsoon season, but we recommend that you travel during the dry season, especially in April, May and the end of September, because you can avoid the rains and there will be much less humidity. Here you will find more information and advice on when travel to bali, its climate and weather forecasts.
WHEN TO TRAVEL TO BALI
Do you want to know when is the best time to travel to Bali? What climate and what temperatures will you find when you arrive? To start, you should know that Bali experiences eternal summer, with an average temperature of 30ºC all year round. Next, we will give you more information about the rainy season (monsoon) and the dry season, as well as a detailed explanation of the climate of Bali month by month with temperatures and precipitation. At the end you will find the weather forecast. What will you take with you for your holiday in Bali: umbrella or parasol?
General weather information
The island of Bali has a tropical monsoon climate, as it is located very close to the equator. Bali’s climate is generally hot all year round, with high temperatures at noon and lows at night, especially in the mountainous areas. In the Kintamani region, for example, temperatures can drop to 16 degrees Celsius.
To make the most of the day in Bali, it is best to get up early, as the sun rises at 6 a.m. and sets at 6 p.m. Unlike Europe, the weather and sunshine hours do not vary much in Bali, except for humidity (rainfall), which varies depending on the season. This small Indonesian island seems to live in an eternal summer, because the average temperature there is 30°C all year round and the seasons are only divided into two periods: the wet season and the dry season.
THE MONSOON
The wet or monsoon season begins at the end of October and ends in April. Usually there is no heavy rainfall, in fact Bali has a very mild monsoon. As it is a very hot and humid time of year, many tourists avoid Bali during these months. On the other hand, some people see the tropical rains as a positive thing because it’s much calmer, prices drop considerably, and you can enjoy the beaches without the crowds of people in the water.
Climate and rainfall in Bali, monsoon
During the rainy season, tropical storms and high temperatures are the order of the day. Always wear light, breathable clothing, which will keep you cool and dry faster if you get wet. Always wear sunscreen and don’t worry about mackintoshes and umbrellas, as stores are full of these useful items when a downpour comes out of nowhere. Wearing flip flops in the rain is also a good option, although ceremonies and temples do not allow you to wear them. On the other hand, it should be mentioned that the island’s sewage system is practically non-existent. You are therefore likely to encounter more than one flooded street, as well as some southern beaches where standing water forms.
The dry season
When the dry season begins in Bali, tourism begins to flow and prices soar. The dry season begins in April and ends in September. During this period, precipitation is almost non-existent, the days are always sunny and there is much less humidity. July and August are the most touristic months of the year, as they coincide with European and Australian holidays. We recommend you wear a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from strong sunlight during this time. It is also advisable to bring a jacket, as temperatures can drop considerably at night, especially in mountainous areas.
WHAT TO EAT IN BALI? GASTRONOMY
Balinese cuisine
Thanks to its huge commercial activity, Balinese cuisine is characterized by a blend of culinary techniques and influences from around the world, including Malaysia, China, South India and Europe. Balinese dishes are always served with exquisite presentation. Typically, meals come with a few strong flavors and spices, such as fresh ginger, sambal, tamarind, turmeric, and the spiciness of raw chili peppers. Other typical seasonings are garlic, coconut milk, shrimp paste and palm sugar.
Balinese typical food
Balinese food is based on rice, pasta, seafood, vegetables and pork, duck or chicken. The Indian Ocean also offers a great wealth of food to the Balinese, such as the highly prized seafood at the Jimbaran fish market, a fishing port where hundreds of boats unload tons of these crustaceans every day. There are also plenty of fish to eat in Bali, including snapper, ray, mahi mahi and red snapper. You should also try the native fruits of the island at any food market. It doesn’t matter if you don’t know many fruits, just buy some and discover a new and delicious taste for your palate. Many cafes and restaurants in Bali serve freshly squeezed juices. Ask for the mangosteen, it’s one of the best!
Where to eat traditional dishes?
In Bali, you can eat well for a good price, even in the most luxurious restaurants. The best places to eat in Bali are the warungs, small family businesses where you can enjoy typical Balinese cuisine with a selection of dishes to choose from and mix and match – the seafood warungs in Jimbaran are famous! The restaurants in Padang are also incredibly good. To give you an idea, they are like an open buffet in western culture. However, as we mentioned above, you can order any other style of food if you prefer, because in Bali you will also find Italian pizzerias and even McDonald’s menu bars.
NASI CAMPUR
Nasi Campur is a very typical Balinese dish consisting of rice with vegetables, chicken and pork, vegetables, eggs and tempeh (fermented soybeans). The food is not spicy, but if you decide to add the hot sauce on the side, you will smell it in seconds.
NASI GORENG
Nasi Goreng is one of Bali’s signature dishes. It consists of fried rice with soy sauce, a fried egg, fried chicken and satay. You will find them everywhere.
MIE GORENG
This dish is also part of the most typical gastronomy of Bali. This is a delicious grilled noodle dish. It is a very tasty dish and easy to find in any restaurant on the island.
GADO GADO
Gado is a traditional dish made with different typical vegetables from the region that are seasoned with the unique peanut sauce, combined with different spices, soy and fish sauces and lime juice.
SATAY
Saté or satay is a delicious dish consisting of skewers of different meats cooked over hot coals. Turmeric, pineapple and peanuts are added condiments.
RIJSTTAFEL
The Rijsttafel consists of more than 20 small dishes filled with meat, rice, vegetables and spices. Rijstaffel is believed to have its origins in Holland, as it is a traditional food of the Netherlands.
DABU DABU
Dabu dabu is a condiment generally used to accompany fish and seafood. Dabu dabu is a mixture of red peppers, chilli, shallots, red and green tomatoes, salt and sugar. Sometimes lemon juice is also added.
BABI GULING
This dish is well known and appreciated in Bali. Babi Guling is a roast suckling pig accompanied and stuffed with chilli, turmeric, coriander seeds, black pepper, garlic and ginger.
OTAK OTAK
It is a traditional dish made from different types of fish formed into a pancake with flour and then grilled. Often served wrapped in a banana leaf.
LAWAR
You can find the typical Lawar dish in any warung on the island of Bali. It is a mixture of minced meat, coconut and vegetables accompanied by all kinds of Balinese herbs and spices.
PEMPEK
A very popular dish in restaurants in Palembang. Pempek is a mixture of fried and battered fish served with cucumber, noodles and black sauce.
BALI DRINKS
As mentioned above, the typical Balinese drinks are undoubtedly the delicious fruit juices. Indonesian tea and coffee are also very good. If you like beer, we recommend you to try Bintang Bir and Bali Hai Bir, which taste very good. Wine in Bali is sold at a high price due to the astronomical taxes Bali pays on imported liquor. Therefore, if you want to drink good wine, we recommend that you bring the bottle on the plane. Balinese law allows the introduction of one liter of alcohol per person on the island.
- Bajigur : it is a hot and sweet drink, ideal for cold weather. It contains coconut milk, Aren sugar, ginger and a pinch of salt.
- Is Teler : a fruit cocktail combined with different types of milk and leaves. It contains avocado, cincau, jackfruit and coconut. It is really delicious.
Typical Balinese drinks
- Jahe Telor : perfect to help fight colds, Jahe Telor is a sweet drink made with ginger and raw egg.
- Teh Talua : is a unique type of tea because it is combined with duck or chicken egg yolk, plus sugar and calamondin.
- Teh Botol : is a sweet jasmine tea. It is a very famous bottled drink in Indonesia and it is served cold. Bali Brem: This is a type of rice wine that isn’t very popular at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll end up ordering a daily Bali Brem.
- As for the water, we advise you to always drink bottled water, even in hotels, to avoid stomach upset and diarrhea.
WHAT KIND OF CLOTHES TO WEAR?
bali is an island with high humidity all year round. We therefore advise you to plan the type of clothing you will put in your suitcase before setting sail. Above all, it is important to bring sunscreen and a hat, as the sun’s rays are intense all year round. We also recommend that you bring a small first aid kit and mosquito repellent, as the island is full of these little critters. On the other hand, we advise you to wear very light and breathable clothing. You don’t need to wear formal clothes because people usually dress casually in any kind of place. Take a jacket just in case, as temperatures can drop quite low in some areas in the evening. If you’re traveling to Bali during the rainy season, it’s best to pack flip flops, but don’t worry about umbrellas: you’ll find hundreds of them everywhere. The Balinese are very religious, so no temple or ceremony will allow you to enter with sandals or very bare body parts. We have prepared a list of all things to bring to Bali in order to facilitate the preparation of your trip. You can also print the list if you wish.
The island of Bali is ready to welcome tourists from all over the world to any of its regions. You will find accommodation of all kinds here. Today, the impressive “villa-hotels” are fashionable on the island. Mainly concentrated in Kerobokan and Canggu, these villas are rented houses of varying sizes. Most have a private garden, swimming pool, air conditioning, kitchen, living room and bedrooms. Also, the possibility of having service personnel is often included in the price. There are villas in all price ranges, although many families choose to share home rental so they can opt for a villa with all sorts of luxuries. If you want to manage your booking, we recommend booking with booking.com.
If you don’t want to travel in Bali in style, we recommend that you look for accommodation in the most touristy areas, places that offer all kinds of services and, above all, security. For the average tourist, it is advisable to stay in 3 star hotels or above. Some of the best places to stay in Bali include Kuta, Jimbaran, Seminyak and Ubud. Here you will find a complete article on the best places where to stay in Bali, where you can also make your reservation.
HOW TO GET AROUND THE ISLAND?
The best way to get around the island of Bali is by taxi, as there are plenty of them and they are very cheap. This is also the preferred option for tourists. Just make sure the driver has a meter and uses it, otherwise don’t ride. One of the most reliable taxi companies is Bluebird Taxi. You can also rent a car with driver. This is a very common practice and hotels often offer this service, although as you can imagine this way of getting around is more expensive.
If you like adventure, you can rent a car or motorbike by yourself. A motorbike will save you a lot of traffic, but be aware that accidents are common here. To visit the neighboring islands, you will need to take the boat or the ferry, but be sure to travel with reputable companies. Finally, if you really want to save money, you’ll have to take the bus, but we wouldn’t recommend it at all, as hardly anyone uses it and the stops are anything but convenient.
HOW IS BALINESE FOOD?
Balinese cuisine is a fusion of flavors from across Asia, including southern India, China and Malaysia. This is due to the commercial nature of the Balinese. We recommend eating at a traditional warung, where you can choose and combine several dishes. Balinese food is strong in taste and quite cheap, even in the most luxurious restaurants. Dishes are usually spiced with raw chili peppers and sambal, as well as fresh ginger and tamarind. However, you can order any type of western food if you prefer. We suggest you visit a Balinese food market and buy something unfamiliar to experience a new flavor. Check out the most interesting Balinese dishes here.
To avoid stomach aches, it is important to drink only bottled water, even brushing your teeth with it, to avoid diarrhea and annoying stomach aches.
IS IT A GOOD OPTION FOR TRAVELING WITH CHILDREN?
The option of traveling with children in Bali is a great idea, as it is a very safe place and there are endless activities for the whole family to do. Once there, we recommend going to the Waterbom Bali water park, as the waters are always crystal clear and the enclosure is very well organized. Another place that will leave the whole family in awe is the Monkey Temple in Ubuden. This beautiful place is filled with these little animals who have become the lords and masters of the temples. However, it is very important to be careful not to feed the monkeys, as they can become violent. It is best not to bring anything edible.
CAN YOU GO SHOPPING? FLEA MARKETS
If you feel like shopping in Bali, we can assure you that it will be an unforgettable experience, as the island is all about art and culture, which means it does not couldn’t be more filled with workshops, markets and boutiques selling all manner of food, jewelry, handmade textiles, carvings, designer clothes and everything else you can imagine. We recommend visiting Ubud Traditional Art Market and Pasar Badung Market in Denpasar. On the other hand, if you like surf clothes, you will find on the island all the known brands at very interesting prices. A word of advice: haggle!
MONEY TIPS
Bali’s official currency is the rupiah (IDR), and the most widely convertible currency is the US dollar. However, always try to carry small notes with you, as it is difficult to find change for notes of 50,000 rupiahs or more. We recommend you to change some money before you go to Bali, because it is easy to do there, but it is always more expensive. In any case, a reliable chain is Kuta Money Exchange. We tell you all about currency and money in Bali here. You will find ATMs all over the island, except in Nusa Lembongan. Most ATMs are concentrated in tourist areas, South Bali and Ubud. It’s good to know that credit cards are accepted in mid to high level hotels and restaurants, but not in many other places. However, it is advisable to have cash on hand in case there is a problem with your card. Tipping is usually 10% if the service has been good.
When traveling to a country, it is very important to know what the official language is and if your language is understood. Likewise, it is very important to know the information about the national currency, banks and ATMs. To cut to the chase: if you need to find out all these facts about the island of Bali, you’ve come to the right place.
LANGUAGE WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN IN BALI?
Bahasa Indonesia
The official language of Bali is Indonesian or Bahasa Indonesia, although Balinese, a language of Malay and Polynesian origin, is also spoken. However, most people in the cities of Bali understand English, and even in the main tourist attractions in Bali there are people who know other languages, such as German, Spanish and French.
If you are not fluent in English, it is useful to carry a dictionary, either Bahasa-Spanish or Spanish-English.
BALINESE CURRENCY
The Balinese Rupee
The national currency is the rupiah (IDR). There are IDR 50, 100, 500 and 1000. Banknotes are 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000 and 100000 IDR. It is important to always have about 90 euros in cash on hand, in case there is a problem with your card or the network. It’s also best to pay in small notes, as vendors often don’t have change for notes of IDR 50,000 or more.
It is important to know that prizes below 50Rp are very rare, which is why traders give change in candy or similar substitutes instead of giving it back.
Changing money in Bali
The best place in Bali to change money without hassle are the banks, especially the Central Kuta Money Exchange. The main banking institutions are located in all the tourist places of the country. Their opening hours are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. However, you can also exchange currencies in certain hotels and authorized exchange offices. At first glance, it may seem that some advertised establishments are more reliable than banks, but there is always a risk of scams, especially in Kuta.
ATMs are easy to find in Bali, especially in major cities where there are shopping malls and banks, with the exception of Nusa Lembongan. Many Balinese banks are affiliated with banking networks in other European or American countries. Payment by credit card is quite common in large companies and hotels, especially in South Bali, Ubud and tourist areas. Credit cards are still accepted in mid to high end hotels. Visa, MasterCard and American Express cards are accepted at all major retailers. However, always make sure that your bank has not applied an abusive rate. Finally, it is important to know that the US dollar is the most convertible currency.
Tip
Tipping is not compulsory in Bali, however, if the customer is satisfied, it is customary to tip 10%. Mid- to high-priced hotels and restaurants always add a 21% service charge, which is then split between the staff. We recommend that you tip whoever you want and who deserves it. For example, for beer vendors on the beach, guides, taxi drivers or masseurs, a tip of IDR 5,000-10,000 is more than enough.
IS THERE INTERNET IN BALI? WHERE CAN I FIND WIFI?
The vast majority of Balinese hotels offer wifi internet to all their customers, just ask for a password. If you have Spanish data service, be sure to turn it off before your trip and only use wifi while on vacation or you risk getting an astronomical bill. Upper middle class bars, cafes and restaurants also have wifi. If you plan to stay on the island of the gods for a long time, there is no need to hunt for wifi everywhere you go, because you can buy a sim card in Bali.
