Bali is the main island of the Little Sunda Group. It lies between Java and Lombok. It covers more than 5,633 km². Among foreign tourists, Bali is a very popular destination. As with other Asian countries, life in Bali is very affordable. It offers everything a tourist desires, from monuments to breathtaking nature.

## Basic information about Bali

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## Why Bali

The island of Bali is the most visited all over Indonesia. There are several reasons to visit Bali.

Bali or the island of the gods is suitable for visiting with children as well as without children and only with a backpack. In addition to typical holiday requirements, which include beautiful beaches and supernature, it also offers a unique underwater world, rich historical culture, active volcanoes and an endless number of hours that we can spend in the waves when surfing. Bali is one of the best surfing destinations in the world.

As in the whole of Asia, very nice and smiling people live here. It's a joy to just walk down the streets and smile with everyone around you. You can diversify the experience by relaxing and strengthening in a local restaurant. Indonesian food is very tasty and the menu is varied.

## The capital of Bali

The capital, Indonesian province of Bali, is Denpasar. Bali is one of 34 provinces. It is also the most visited island in the country. Denpasar has a population of approximately 800,000 and is the main tourist center that connects most of the islands. It has not been the capital in the beginning, but it was from 1958, when it replaced the original Singaraja in the north of the island. Prior to that year, Denpasar was the capital of the kingdom of Badung until 1906 before it was occupied by the Dutch. After the takeover by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, there was a mass suicide of the royal dynasty and nobility. In memory of this event, a statue of Puputan is exhibited in the square.

Although Denpasar is the capital, it still retains a characteristic of the countryside. It is very quiet, composed of many small tangled villages, Hindu temples and family communities. On the other hand, it is also very modern, there are many new buildings and departments and stores. We can get to know Balinese culture right from Denpasar, just visit the Bali Museum. Other sights and attractions not to be missed include Bali Arts Center, Puputan Monument, Pura Jagatnatha Hindu Temple and Ngurah Rai, the largest mangrove forest in Bali.

## Flag of Bali

Bali, as one of the provinces of Indonesia, has its own flag. It is very simple. The base is an orange rectangle and a pentagon in the middle, which is the emblem of the province. No further explanation of the meaning of the flag is available.

The flag of Indonesia has two stripes, top red and bottom white. It was founded in the 13th century and since 1945 has been used as the official flag of the country.

## Population

The island of Bali has more than 4 million inhabitants. The capital Denpasar has about 800,000 inhabitants. The main ethnic group are Indonesians. The majority of the population is of Hindu religion, followed by Christianity and Islam.

## Holidays in Bali

The best opportunity to get to know Balinese life is to attend a national holiday or celebration. Some holidays have a fixed date, others have a changeable date according to the Balinese calendar. The Balinese calendar is called Pawukon and has only 210 days. The calendar is very specific and very different from our Gregorian. Prices are rising very high during the celebrations.

- 1st January - New Year
- 23rd January - Chinese New Year
- 1st February Galungan Day - a celebration of the victory of goodness over evil
- 4th February Birth of the Prophet Muhammad - this is a Muslim holiday
- 23rd March Nyepi - a festival of silence, or a celebration of the Hindu New Year
- 6th April - Good Friday
- 5th May - Hari Raya Waisak - a holiday to celebrate the Buddha, the day of enlightenment
- 17th May - Assumption of Jesus Christ
- 16th June - Isra ‘Mi’raj Nabi Muhammad - Assumption of the Prophet Muhammad
- 20th July - 18th August - Lent month of Ramadan
- 17th August - Indonesia Independence Day - a national holiday
- 18th August - 20th August Hari Idul Fitri - End of Ramadan
- 26th October - Day of Sacrifice Idul Adha
- 15 th November - Muslim New Year
- 25th December - The birth of Jesus Christ

## Time in Bali

New York is in the UTC - 5 and Bali UTC + 8 time zones, so the difference is 13 hours.
If we are at 12:00am, it is 13 hours behind Bali, ie 11:00pm.

## Currency of Bali

The only currency in Bali is the Indonesian rupiah. The world brand is IDR. It is best to exchange euros or dollars in Bali. Banknotes have a value of 1,000 - 100,000 and coins are 25 - 1,000 rupees. Rupees are further divided into paisa, which is not used much.

[In conversion, 1,000 IDR is approximately
0.071
USD](https://transferwise.com/gb/currency-converter/idr-to-usd-rate?amount=1000).

Money can be exchanged at the airport, but the rate is worse here. It is best to change money in the bank. Local exchange offices are also not recommended to use much. Tourist areas are richly equipped with ATMs, but there is a charge for them. Card payment is not as common here as in Europe or the USA. In tourist resorts, the price is a bit exaggerated. The advantage is that you can bargain in almost every store.

## Prices in Bali

In tourist resorts, prices are very inflated. As elsewhere in Asia, Bali can be well-negotiated in local markets.

- Accommodation in a double room for less demanding from 13 - 26 USD
- Accommodation for the more demanding from 53 USD
- Food in a cheaper restaurant about 1 - 5 USD
- Food in a more expensive restaurant about 5 - 11 USD
- Beer 2 - 3 USD
- Bottled water approx. 0.2 - 0.6 USD
- Massage 4 USD
- Taxi 1km 0.4 - 1 USD

## Visa in Bali

To enter Bali, European citizens are allowed to enter without a visa or "free visa" for up to 30 days of stay.

If we are planning a longer trip, choose from two other types of visas - Visa on arrival and Visit visa. Visit visa needs to be arranged at the Indonesian Embassy, it is a long-term visa. Visa on arrival at the airport, unlike Free visa, can be extended to additional 30 days. The price of a visa is 35 USD.

## Vaccination in Bali

Bali is a very popular destination for travelers. There is a large population here and hygiene habits are not like in other countries. No vaccination is mandatory, but a few are recommended for prevention.

These are jaundice A + B, typhoid fever, tetanus and rabies. Vaccination against jaundice type A + B is usually three-phase and its advantage is that you are then immune to jaundice for life. Vaccination against typhoid fever is for about 3 years and its price is from 36 to 54 USD. Every traveler should have been vaccinated against tetanus. Its protection lasts from approximately 10 to 15 years. Then revaccination is needed. At your district doctor, revaccination against tetanus is free, paid for by the insurance company.

Vaccination effective depends on the schedule of the trip and the areas visited. Contact your general practitioner or travel medicine institute for more information.

## Interesting facts about Bali

Bali is the most visited province of Indonesia. A plethora of interests can be found here.

We have selected few of them for you:

- Hinduism - many would think it is a religion, but it's not. It's a way of life. Well, it depends on a defintion of religion ...
- Names start with "I" - most names in Bali start with the letter I.
- More temples than houses - in Bali, each family has its own temple.
- 18 letters of the alphabet - The alphabet in Bali has only 18 letters and vowels are writen as one letter
- Bali is not a country - Bali is not a country, but one of the provinces of Indonesia
- Many tourists - you will feel almost like in Europe. There are really many tourists here. You will meet the original Indonesian life here more marginally, it is located on the eastern islands.

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Many tourists - you will feel almost like in Europe. There are really many foreign tourists. You will find the original Indonesian life here rather marginally, it is located on the eastern islands.

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## Important contacts

**Where to call in case of an emergency in Bali?**

- Firefighters 113
- Police 110
- Rescue Service 118, 119

**The area code for Bali as well as throughout Indonesia is +62.**

**Contacts at the U.S. Embassy Jakarta:**

**Address:**
Jl. Medan Merdeka Selatan No. 3 - 5 Jakarta 10110, Indonesia
Phone: +62-21-5083-1000
Email: <indonesia@ustraveldocs.com>

**Contacts at the British Consulate Bali:**

**Address:**
Jalan Tantular No 32 Renon, Denpasar, Bali, 80234, Indonesia
Phone: (+62) (21) 2356 5200
Website: <www.gov.uk/contact-consulate-bali>

**Contacts at the Australian Consulate-General Bali:**

**Address:**
Jalan Tantular, No. 32, Renon, Denpasar - Bali 80234
Phone: +62 3 612 000 100
Email: <bali.congen@dfat.gov.au>
Website:<https://bali.indonesia.embassy.gov.au>

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Visa is not required within 30 days of stay

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The best time for a holiday in this country is April - October

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The rate is around 14 thousand IDR for 1 USD

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## Typical national dishes of Bali

Bali is unlike Muslim Indonesia, favoring Hinduism, in many dishes can get pork, which Islam forbids. Balinese food is based on quick preparation, variety and palatability. It is also characterized by a combination of different spices, such as turmeric, ginger, nutmeg or coriander. Most meals are supplemented with rice or noodles, either cooked or fried. The only thing you don't expect in Bali is beef, which is forbidden by Hinduism.

### Fried rice

Nasi Goreng is simply fried rice with a fried egg. Typically Indonesian food is served at every restaurant or snack bar. Rice tends to be brown, as caramelized soy sauce is added to it. It is usually mixed with chicken or shrimp and a pile of vegetables. It is usually flavored with chili or garlic.

### Barbed pig Babi guling

Balinese specialty, pork butcher, or Babi guling. Among the locals, this is a very important meal, which is most often prepared during some festivities or celebrations. Tourists can also have it at some restaurants, where it is usually cooked behind a glass shop window, either on a grill or already sliced. Meat with a crispy skin, which is achieved by pouring coconut milk, is served with rice.

### Mixed rice

Nasi Campur is prepared differently in each part of Indonesia. In Bali, it is a mix of rice with grilled tuna, pieces of beef, fried tofu, spinach, corn, cucumber, and the whole thing is spiced with a mixture of Balinese spices and served on a banana leaf.

### Betutu

Betutu is a dish well known throughout Indonesia, but it is most popular in Bali and Lombok. It is roasted or stewed poultry marinated in a rich mixture of spices, in which we see, for example, garlic, turmeric, ginger, shallots or shrimp paste. It is sometimes prepared for spicy lovers by mixing onion rings with chili peppers and coconut oil. This food is very popular among tourists.

### Pepes

Pepes is not a pure dish, but it is a method of cooking. The base is a banana leaf, which is stuffed with food, rolled and then grilled or stewed. The banana leaf is discarded after cooking, it is not edible. The pepes method is used mainly for meat, fish, seafood or, for example, mushrooms or tofu.

### Lawar

The Indonesian dish Lawar comes directly from Bali. It is a mixture of vegetables, minced meat and coconut, the whole is flavored with herbs and various spices. The vegetable base consists of green beans, fried shallots, lime leaves and grated coconut, all fried in coconut oil. In some corners of Bali, pig or chicken blood is added to the food to give it the special taste.

## Food prices in Bali

As Bali is a popular destination, local businesses have become accustomed to tourists being willing to pay for good food. In restaurants, prices are comparable or often higher than in other countries such as the US, the UK. But if we live like a local and eat in street stalls, local small restaurants or warungs (local buffets), you will save a lot, but you will also enjoy it very much. If you are not demanding much, you will pay around 1.34 USD. In mid-range restaurants you may pay around 5 USD for food, and at high-end restaurants you may pay even more than 9 USD.

## Where you can best find yourself in Bali

In Bali you can eat well almost everywhere. It depends on the choice of food and business. You can try more expensive restaurants, but also so-called warungy or fast food buffets, where mostly locals eat. If you chooses what suits your tastes, we guarantee that you will not be disappointed.

Food

## List of airports

List of international airports in Indonesia:

- Soekarno Hatta (CGK) - Jakarta
- Ngurah Rai (DPS) - Bali
- Kualanamu (KNO) - Medan
- Juanda (SUB) - Surabaya
- Hang Nadim (BTH) - Batam

Airports

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The island of Bali is just one beautiful island among others in the ocean. There is much more to see. You should definitely not miss the group of Nusa islands (Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan), the Gili archipelago or perhaps the largest Lombok. {{</ guide-perex>}}

## Gili Islands

Gili is an archipelago of three small islands, Gili Meno, Gili Air and Gili Trawangan. Each of these islands is completely different. All are located a short distance from the coast of Lombok. It is strictly forbidden to use motor vehicles on all the islands of Gili. Commuting is possible only by bike or horse-drawn carriage. The archipelago was formed during the eruption of Gunung Rinjani volcano in 1,492, when the volume of soil created by the Gili Islands was ejected from the volcano. Gili Meno has the most beautiful beaches and is a frequent target of newlyweds. The island is only 2 km long and 1 km wide. Only about 500 local residents live here, whose main income is from tourism and fishing. There is also a salt lake, which produces salt during the dry season. It is the quietest island of the Gili group. there is no nightlife here. Gili Air is the second largest island of the Gili group. It is located closest to the mainland and we can find something from everything here. Beautiful beaches, but also a bit of nightlife. There are about 1,800 local residents here. Gili Air has the best conditions for snorkeling and diving. There are a number of coral reefs and turtles can be seen here. When walking around the island, do not miss a tour of the coconut plantations. The last of the Gili group is Trawangan. It is the main and largest island of this archipelago, although it is only less than 3 km long and 2 km wide. Approximately 1,500 people live here. Trawangan is the most visited of the three islands, as in addition to beautiful beaches and nature, it offers exuberant parties and a great nightlife.

### Lombok

Lombok is one of the islands of the Little Sunda, just like Bali. With an area of less than 5,000 km2, it is one of the larger islands. Approximately 3 million people live here and it is very densely populated. Lombok is very popular with tourists, but still maintains the reputation of a quiet place. It offers very beautiful nature as it is a mountainous island. It is the second highest volcano in Indonesia, Gunung Rinjani. If you are adventurous, the island is tempting to take several days of jungle hikes to the top of Rinjani volcano. Along the way you will pass many beautiful waterfalls, plantations for growing chili peppers, cinnamon and soybeans. The trek to the volcano can officially be undertaken only with guides, who often offer you equipment such as - 2 hot meals a day, porters and guides. It sounds a bit bloated, but for the locals it is one of the main sources of income, so you will contribute to a good purpose. Beaches and snorkeling are very popular here. The conditions for diving are excellent here. There are many lagoons, coral reefs, shipwrecks. In addition to diving and snorkeling, there are excellent surfing conditions. There are a lot of schools here and both advanced and complete beginners can ride the waves here.

### Komodo Islands

The Komodo Islands belong to the group of Little Sundays and are the most interesting archipelago in Indonesia, which you should definitely not miss. These are the three main islands, Komodo, Rinca and Padara, and several small islets. The whole archipelago is Komodo National Park. It is the natural home to the Komodo dragon, which is the largest lizard in the world. It is estimated that approximately 5,000 individuals live here, most of them in the wild. Komodo National Park was established in the 1980s to protect this majestic animal. Diving and snorkelling are also famous for their large number of undamaged coral reefs. It's as if you're not here yet. You can usually dive with manta rays here. The whole complex of the Komodo National Park has an area of more than 1,110,000 ha and in 1977 it was registered in the UNESCO biosphere reserves.

Islands

The seasons here can be divided into droughts and rainy seasons. The dry season is from April to October. During this period, there is a minimum of precipitation and temperatures average around 30 - 35°C. The rainy season lasts from about November to March. During these months, the weather is affected by the monsoons. Temperatures are still very high, on average from 27 - 32°C. The year-round humidity in Bali is very high, ranging from 80%, in the rainy season to 97%. The ideal time to visit Bali is April - May. These are the months after the rainy season, so everything is beautifully green and flowery, and the new season is just beginning, so there are not so many tourists. However, even in the rainy season, it is not bad to go here. There are fewer tourists and if you are not stopped by a couple of bursts of clouds, there is nothing to think about. Prices in this period are up to half one after the main season.

## Weather in Ubud

Weather in Ubud is very similar to weather in Bali. The best months to visit are May - October. These are the warmest, and least rainy months. December and January are the rainiest months, when the humidity often reaches more than 90%. Temperatures here are very high all year round, averaging around 30°C.

## Weather in Denpasar

Denpasar is the capital of Bali and the weather has two types, it is affected by the dry season and the rainy season. The main season here is from April to October and the rainy season starts in November. December is usually the rainiest. The temperature here is very high all year round, around 30°C.

## When to fly to Bali

The main season in Bali lasts from about May to October, when there is a dry season. The most touristy ones are July, August and September, so we recommend avoiding these months. Even the prices here are doubled at this time. The temperature is around 30°C all year round, so there is no need to worry about winter. During the rainy season, it rains mostly every day, but it is only fast showers. In our opinion, the most ideal is April and May, when the new season is just starting and after the rainy season, everything is beautifully green and blooming.

### Cheapest flights to Denpasar in the context of the weather

The graph describes the minimum prices of tickets found to Denpasar and their increase by weeks. Additional data on the graph show average day and night temperatures and total precipitation, if data are available. Click on the individual columns in the graph to get more detailed [current data from the search engine](/).

{{% FutureFlightPriceChart
  destination="DPS"
%}}

So you can see which date is the best for departure to Denpasar given the weather development in the destination and the current ticket price.

### Cheapest flights to Denpasar

The following chart shows the lowest prices of airline tickets from Vienna to Denpasar in the context of the weather. Click on the individual columns in the graph to get a more detailed current [data from the search engine](/).

{{% FutureFlightPriceChart
  destination="DPS"
%}}

Weather

## Ubud

Ubud is located on the island of Bali near the capital Denpasar. It is located in the Mediterranean and is surrounded by rice terraces and ravines. It is a purely traditional place, where there is peace and a beautiful natural atmosphere. Every year, the city is more and more in search of tourists and in 2018 it was visited by more people than Denpasar. More than 100,000 people live here and it is a cultural center, as in the past it was a popular destination for street artists and feudal lords who were fans of the art scene. Culture and art evolve with the city growing until now. We can go, for example, to the royal palace of Puri Saren, where many performances and artistic performances take place every day. Additional attractions include Gunung Kawi Temple Complex and Batuan Village.

In addition to culture, Ubud is famous for its surrounding landscape. It is nestled between paddy fields, pastures and rainforests. When visiting Ubud, be sure not to miss the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terrace, Elephant Cave or Tegenungan Waterfall.

## Sopka Gunung Agung

Indonesia has a large number of volcanoes, of which about 150 are still active. The most famous and highest volcano in Bali is Gunung Agung. Its height is 3,142 m and the trek on it is very demanding. The ascent takes about 4-5 hours and the descent 2-3 hours. For Hindus, it is the holiest mountain peek on the island and a spiritual center. The volcano is said to be a resting place for their ancestors. Based on this, several temples were exhibited here.

The last eruption of the volcano took place in 1963, and the inhabitants interpret it as angriness from God. The eruption was so strong that it erupted about a hundred meters worse, part of the volcano. About 2,000 people died then. Since 2017, the volcano has been sounding again and tourists have unfortunately been banned from accessing it ever since.

## Rýžová pole Jatiluwih

Rice terraces are a very common place to visit on the way to Bali. Jatiluwih are the classic most visited Balinese rice fields. Jatiluwih in translation means special beauty, and these terraces of paddy fields definitely are. It lies at an altitude of more than 700 meters above sea level in the western part of the island and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. They are adapted to tourism, there are a lot of stalls and restaurants, which can spoil the experience of the place.

## Land lots

Tanah Lot is a popular tourist destination. It is a rock formation located near the capital city. The Hindu temple Pura Tanah Lot, which is the most photographed in the whole of Bali, is built on the rock. For Balinese, it is the most revered and most important sea temple. It was exhibited in the 16th century by the famous Dang Hyang Nirarthou, who considered the place holy because it was worshiped by sea gods.

Tanah Lot lies in the sea and can only be accessed by dry feet when it is low tide. At high tide, you need to roll up your pants. The basic entrance fee to this attraction is IDR 60,000.

## Kuta beach

Kuta Beach is definitely the most famous all over Bali. Formerly a quiet place, now famous, very popular with tourists, especially among young people. The beach has excellent conditions for surfing and a lively nightlife. There are plenty of bars and restaurants right on the beach, with music playing until late in the following morning. Along the entire length of the beach we find many surf schools and instructors who offer courses and lessons for both beginners and advanced surfers.

## Gitgit and Sekumpul Falls

There is a large number of waterfalls on the island of Bali. Gitgit and Sekumpul are just some of them worth mentioning. They are located a short distance from the former capital Singaraja and about 90 km north of Denpasar.

Gitgit waterfall can be found not far from the main road, so it is more touristic and perhaps therefore the most popular in all of Bali. It is 35 meters high and has gained its popularity thanks to the environment in which it is surrounded. A high rocky trail, deciduous trees, noisy animals and naturally created swimming pools, all this awaits you if you decide to visit the waterfall.

Sekumpul Waterfall is located in the middle of the tropical forests of northern Bali. It is a cascading wall 80 meters high. The approximately half-hour trek will take you both to the elevated views of the waterfall and at it leads to the natural swimming pools, where you can swim. Sekumpul is called the best waterfall on the island of Bali.

## The most beautiful beaches of Bali

The island of Bali is literally teeming with beautiful beaches and seaside resorts. In the south of the island there are some of the most beautiful beaches with big waves and in the north there is a remarkable underwater life. We will not only find long beaches with white sand, but since there are a lot of volcanoes, the beaches are volcanic, ie black. In combination with all the tones playing with green nature, it is a treat for the eyes.

### Kuta

Kuta is the most famous and most visited resort in Bali. Formerly a fishing village and now a major tourist center. Kuta Beach is famous especially among young people, as it is very busy and the nightlife is bustling here.

There are plenty of bars and restaurants right on the beach, with music playing until late in the morning. Along the entire length of the beach we find many surf schools and instructors who offer courses and lessons for both beginners and advanced surfers.

### Jimbaran

Jimbaran is a fishing village located in the south of Denpasar. It is a very popular tourist resort with the beach of the same name. Jimbaran Beach is 4 km long, sandy and full of sun loungers and parasols. It is suitable for families with children and for those who want to enjoy a quiet holiday. Despite the large number of tourists, the beach is very clean and the sea is crystal clear.

Due to the fact that it is a fishing village, fishing boats are scattered all over the beach, which are decorated in all sorts of ways. In the surrounding restaurants we can taste the best fish in Bali.

### Canggu

Canggu is a seaside village located a few kilometers to north of Kuta. It is especially famous for Canggu Beach, which has become popular with surfers. Various surfing competitions are held here every year. Unlike most beaches, it has no white but dark sand. The beach has beautiful views of coconut plantations and paddy fields.

### Lovina Beach

Lovina Beach is, unlike others, located to the north of Bali, about 10 km from Singaraji. The beach is 8 km long with dark volcanic sand and is very quiet. Unlike the resorts in the south the island, which are busy and lively. If you want to relax, Lovina is the right choice, you will not come across large crowds of tourists. But you will definitely not be bored here. Lovina beach has a great location in terms of coral reefs and underwater life. Dolphins, which can be seen near the shores every morning, have become famous here.

Bali guide

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