What is the best time to fly to Bali?

April-June and September offer the best balance of dry weather and manageable crowds. July-August is peak season with the highest prices. The dry season runs April-October; November-March brings the wet season, with short heavy downpours but genuinely lower prices.

Do UK citizens need a visa for Bali?

Yes. Unlike many destinations, UK citizens need a paid Visa on Arrival or e-Visa on Arrival for Indonesia, costing around 500,000 IDR (roughly 25-35 GBP), valid for 30 days and extendable once. A passport valid 6 months beyond arrival and an onward ticket are also required.

What are some hidden gems in Bali away from the typical tourist spots?

Beyond Tegalalang and Uluwatu, Bali hidden gems include Goa Gajah's Elephant Cave temple complex, the free farmer-led walk through Mupu Rice Terrace, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, the Kusamba salt mining village, and the quieter northern stretches of Ubud's rice terraces.

Bali, Beyond the Rice Terrace Selfie

01 — Before You Land

Pre-travel pro tips

The groundwork that separates a smooth week from a jet-lagged scramble spent haggling at the airport money-changer. Handle this from your couch.

TIMING

Chase the dry season

April–June and September give the best balance of dry weather and manageable crowds. July–August is peak season with the highest prices. November–March is wet season — short, heavy downpours most days, but genuinely lower prices and still plenty of sun between showers.

ENTRY

Unlike most of this site, you need a paid visa

UK citizens need a Visa on Arrival or e-VOA for Indonesia — around 500,000 IDR (roughly £25–35), valid 30 days, extendable once. Apply online in advance at the official immigration portal to skip the airport queue. Passport valid 6 months beyond arrival, plus an onward ticket, required.

UK Gov travel advice ↗

TOURIST LEVY

A separate one-off entry fee applies

Bali charges a 150,000 IDR (~£8) tourist levy on top of the visa fee. Pay online via the official "Love Bali" portal before you fly to skip the airport queue.

CONNECTIVITY

Line up an eSIM

Coverage is generally good in Ubud, Seminyak, and Canggu, patchier further out. An eSIM installed before departure means you land already connected.

MONEY

Cash matters outside resorts

Small warungs, local markets, and temple donations are largely cash-only (Indonesian rupiah). Cards work at hotels and larger restaurants — carry both.

TRANSPORT

An international driving permit is required for scooters

Renting a scooter without one is common but technically illegal and voids most travel insurance if you're stopped or have an accident — worth sorting before you go.

NYEPI

Check for the Day of Silence

Bali's New Year (Nyepi) shuts the entire island down for 24 hours — no flights, no lights, no leaving your hotel. Genuinely unique to experience once, but plan around it if you need to travel that day.

WARDROBE

Pack a sarong

Temple visits require covered shoulders and knees — a sarong (often lent or rented at the gate, but cheaper to bring your own) is essential kit for this trip specifically.

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02 — On The Ground

During-travel etiquette & local know-how

Transport

Use Gojek or Grab, not street taxis

Ride-hailing apps cover cars and scooter taxis at fair, metered prices — flagging a street taxi often means haggling and inflated fares.

Etiquette

Never touch someone's head, including children's

The head is considered sacred in Balinese Hindu culture — even a friendly pat is genuinely offensive, however well-meant.

Money

Service charges are often already included

Many restaurants add a 5-10% service charge and tax automatically — check the bill before tipping on top, though rounding up is always appreciated.

Offerings

Watch your step around canang sari

Small woven-leaf offerings placed on the ground outside homes and shops are everyday devotional practice — stepping on one, while not catastrophic, is genuinely disrespectful if avoidable.

Water

Stick to bottled or filtered water

Tap water isn't safe to drink — bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere, so this is a minor adjustment.

Temples

Menstruating women are traditionally asked not to enter

This is a genuine, still-observed custom at many temples — not enforced aggressively, but worth knowing rather than being caught off guard by a sign or a request.

Scooters

Bali's roads are genuinely more dangerous than they look

Narrow, chaotic, and often poorly lit at night — wear a helmet properly, avoid riding after dark if inexperienced, and don't assume rental insurance covers you without an IDP.

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03 — Golden Hour

Hidden gems worth the detour

The Bali that doesn't trend — an 11th-century cave temple blending Hindu and Buddhist elements, a free farmer-led walk through working rice terraces, and a coastal salt-mining village still using centuries-old methods.

Bedulu, near Ubud

Goa Gajah, the Elephant Cave

Despite the name, no elephants — a demonic-faced cave entrance dating to the 11th century, blending Hindu and Buddhist elements, with bathing pools and temple grounds most visitors rush past.