My Bali Recommendations
Note: I created this page because I’m frequently asked for my recommendations on planning a visit to Bali. These notes are catered towards a US first-time visitor planning a trip to Ubud.If you have any questions or find any errors please send me a message! Thanks :)
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia. (Pronounced Oo bood; Say “OO” as in “food” and “Bood,” which is pronounced like “boo” with a “d” at the end.) While not on the beach, it's a charming town known for its rich cultural heritage, lush landscapes, and peaceful ambiance. With a vibrant arts scene, spiritual retreats, and a variety of delicious cuisine, it's the perfect destination for travelers seeking a blend of cultural immersion and relaxation in the heart of Bali.
We recommend flying into DPS (Ngurah Rai International Airport).
Ubud is a 90+/- minute drive north of the airport.
Don't underestimate jet lag- It's best arriving at least a few days early if possible to acclimate to the time zone. (Do some yoga, get a massage, and maybe relax on the beach). It's a long way to get to Bali for those coming from the Americas, so if you can, we recommend to plan to spend 10+ days in Asia during your trip. 1 week tends to feel way too short (especially with jet lag and travel times).
It's best to book flights in advance. Round trip economy airfare from the domestic US to Bali typically ranges from $1200 to $2000 USD per person.
We love flying with airlines like Qatar, Emirates, Singapore, and Korean (Delta Partner). While we don't have a specific favorite, we also don't recommend avoiding any particular airlines. Use Google Flights or SkyScanner to check prices from your area. Coming from North America, common connections include: Taipei, Seoul, Singapore, Manila, Istanbul, Qatar, and Dubai.
Common routes we've taken include:
(NYC, BOS, MIA) > Qatar > Bali
(SEA, SFO) > Seoul > Bali
(NYC) > Singapore > Bali
(We typically try to get 2 legs from the US to Bali, with a travel duration < 24 to 30 hours duration).
Notes about Arrival:
Once your plane lands expect it to take 1-2 hours to get to your driver. (Visa purchase, immigration check, baggage, and customs each can have a prolonged wait depending on what time of day you arrive and how many other flights arrived at the same time- somewhere around 18,000 people arrive to bali every day from around the world). It's best to get to the immigration queue as quickly as possible. The arrivals hall at Bali Airport is fairly large, so expect a long walk from your gate to the immigration queues.
The most common entry permit is the VOA which is applied for at the Visa Desk after arrival at Bali Airport. (You don't need to do anything to apply in advance of your trip). The visa is valid for 30 days and can be renewed once for a total possible stay of 60 days. This can be paid for with a credit card.
Bali Airport sometimes has slow baggage handling, so the best option is to get through immigration as quickly as possible and take a bathroom break afterward in the baggage and customs hall. There IS free wifi in the airport, so once you arrive open your phone and look for the available network. Checked luggage may take a while to come out, so be patient (common to wait 20+ minutes). While you are waiting for your luggage, go ahead and fill out your E-Customs form. You'll see a banner with a QR code that you can scan that will take you to your customs form. Check all the boxes that you have nothing to declare, and show the QR code that certifies form completion to the customs agent upon exit from the airport, and then go meet your driver!
Upon arrival to your accommodation, we do recommend locking up your passport (along with cash and valuables) in the room safe. (We had a friend with a stolen passport a few years ago- trust us, it’s not worth the risk!)
You will definitely need...
Travel Insurance
Trust us, you DO NOT want to be in an emergency situation in Indonesia without travel insurance. We recommend World Nomads.
A Valid Passport
**Check your passport's expiration date!** To enter Indonesia, your passport must have at least two blank pages and be valid for at least || six months || beyond the date of your arrival in Indonesia. If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will be denied entry into Indonesia.
Indonesia Rupiah
Don't worry about changing money in advance, you can exchange USD for IDR ($1 USD = 15,000 IDR) at an authorized money changer. You can also withdraw money from an ATM. There's additional info on this in the FAQ.
(NO) Cannabis
Indonesia has a very strict policy of absolutely no Cannabis or CBD products (and penalties to match). Don't bring it. More info in the FAQ.
(If you have visited Bali before, feel free to skip to the next paragraph.) However, navigating Bali can sometimes pose challenges due to narrow roads and less developed infrastructure and urban planning. Traveling between locations, such as Uluwatu to Canggu, Canggu to Ubud, or the airport to Ubud, may take longer than anticipated. If you plan to explore multiple areas in and around Bali, we recommend factoring in additional travel time. Your trip will be most enjoyable if you resist the urge to over-schedule. For instance, a 5-day visit might not provide sufficient time to fully experience Canggu, Nusa Penida, Uluwatu, and Ubud. We advise against overdoing your itinerary and suggest embracing the true "magic" of Bali, which lies in slowing down, relaxing, and immersing yourself in the abundant art, culture, and history the island offers.
Bali caters to all budgets, offering accommodations from budget-friendly to luxurious. Whether you're on a shoestring budget or seeking the highest degree of luxury, Bali has something for everyone.
Beyond that, feel free to explore to your heart's content! Below, you will find our recommendations for activities to do in and around Ubud. As we spend approximately six months a year in Tampaksiring, which is about 40 minutes north of Ubud, we are most familiar with this area. However, we can also provide guidance and suggestions for excursions to other parts of Bali and the surrounding islands.
How to Get Around
To ensure a smooth arrival, we recommend pre-arranging a driver to pick you up from the airport and take you to your accommodation. Most accommodations offer airport shuttles for guests. Alternatively, there are always plenty of drivers available at the airport to transport tourists to their hotels. The estimated fare for a one-way trip to Ubud is approximately $30-40.
Renting a car in Bali is not a common choice for most visitors due to various reasons such as traffic, driving on the left-hand side of the road, poor road signage, busy traffic conditions, and limited parking in town. Therefore, for transportation in Bali, you have three options:
Hiring a driver whenever you need to travel is a convenient choice. The cost typically ranges from $40 to $60 per day, depending on your destination and the duration of the trip. Below, I will provide some driver/guide recommendations for your reference.
GoJek, Grab, street taxis, and motorbike taxis are excellent alternatives. You can use GoJek to request a car or a motorbike ride. In towns like Ubud, you will find numerous individuals offering rides, both on motorbikes and in cars.
**Before you depart, we recommend downloading 'Grab' or 'Gojek' from the app store and setting up an account if you plan to use them to get around.
If you desire the freedom to explore Bali at your own pace and feel confident riding a 150cc scooter in various traffic and road conditions, renting a motorbike is a viable option. Motorbike rentals typically cost around $10-20 per day, and discounts may be available for longer rental periods. Common models include Vespa, Scoopy, N-Max, and Vario. You can easily find rental places around town, and many accommodations also offer motorbike rentals. It is advisable to arrange this before your arrival. However, if you are not accustomed to riding a motorbike, please note that it can be dangerous, especially considering unfamiliar roads, jet lag, and cultural differences. Exercise caution. When riding a motorbike, wearing a helmet is mandatory, and it is recommended to use a full-face helmet if possible. Additionally, closed-toe shoes are essential for safety. It is strongly advised not to wear flip-flops while riding a motorbike.
Recommended Drivers & Guides
Recommended Accommodations
Ananda Ubud Resort (Across the street from Venue ~$100/night)
Stonehouse Bali (15 minutes from venue, $290+/night)
Como Ubud (1 minute from venue, $250+/night)
Pita Maha Resort (Next door to venue, 2 minute walk, $280+/night)
Kaamala Resort Ubud (10 min. to venue, $200+/night_
Komaneka at Bisma (10 min. to venue, $250+/night)
Sebatu Sanctuary Eco Resort (40+ minutes from venue, $160~/night)
Kaamala Resort (10 min from venue, $280+/night)
Luxury Hotels Nearby ($500+)
Amandari (6 minutes from venue, $800+/night)
Mandapa, Ritz Carlton Reserve (5 minutes from venue, $1,000+/night)
Four Seasons Bali at Sayan (7 minutes from venue)
Chapung Sebali (12 min. from venue, $700+/night)
Bambu Indah (10+ minutes from venue, $500+/night)
Activities in Ubud
Watch a Dance Performance at Ubud Palace
Chez Monique- Silver Jewelry Making Class
Visit Threads of Life and learn about Indonesian Textiles (They also have wonderful classes!)
Visit Penglipuran or Tenganan Traditional Villages
Visit Art Museums (Neka, Blanco, Agung Rai)
Shop! Ubud Art Market & Andong Road to Tegallalang
Experience 'Sound Healing' at the Pyramids of Chi
Tour the John Hardy Jewelry Factory (Pre-register for their daily lunch)
Take a Printmaking class at Black Hand Gang
Take a Printmaking class at Defto
Our Favorite Dinner Restaurants (Best to make reservations ahead)
Nusantara by Locavore (Indonesian)
La Cantine (French eatery & wine bar)
Kebun Bistro (old-world European decor serving Mediterranean cuisine)
Batubara Wood Fire (Steakhouse, wood fired cuisine with a Mediterranean influence)
The Grill at LUXE (Modern Indonesian / Steak)
Sayan House (Japanese / South American Fusion) *Beautiful Sunset views
Mozaic ($$$$ Michelin-Style Experience, contemporary Indonesian cuisine)
Pesona Lounge (Modern Indian Fusion)
La Baracca Bali (Casual, authentic Italian comfort cuisine)
Donna (Mediterranean / Latin American cuisine)
Honey & Smoke (Wood fire bistro with a speakeasy feel providing a modern Australian menu)
Best Health Food in Ubud (Vegan/Vegetarian+ options)
Favorite Breakfast/Brunch Spots (And Coffee)
Suka Espresso Ubud **Great Coffee
Locavore to Go (Favorite for Lunch)
Yoga in Ubud
Best "Night Life" in Ubud
Co-working Space in Ubud | Outpost
With two locations in Ubud, Outpost is the place to go if you need co-working while in Ubud. They also have co-living, which is basically a private hotel that they own and operate with blazing-fast wifi speeds. A great place to stay if you need to take late-night Zoom calls.
destinationoutpost.co/location/ubud/
Massage & Spa Recommendations
Fresh Spa (Great for nails & waxing)
Maria Curau (Non-toxic Nail Salon)
Ideas to Extend Your Trip beyond Ubud
Visit Uluwatu, Bali: Incredible Surf, Cliffside views, Beach Clubs
Visit Canggu, Bali: Surf Lessons, Beach Clubs, Cafes, and Night life
Visit Amed, Bali: Black sand beaches, Scuba Diving
Visit Sanur, Bali: Relax by the beach
Visit Nusa Penida & Lembongan Islands off the coast of Bali
The Gili Islands: Relaxation, Snorkeling & Diving, Night life
Komodo Island: Scuba Diving, Hiking, See Komodo dragons
River trip to visit the Orangutans in Borneo
Our Favorite Shops in the Ubud Area
Silver Jewelry in Celuk
Teak Wood Bowls & Spoons
Handmade Baskets
Biasa (Seasonal resort wear for women and men)
Andong and Tegallalang Village north of Ubud are fabulous wholesale shops named "The Wholesale Rd" is kilometres of shops for woodcarvings, furniture, Xmas decorations, lighting, decorated pots, mirrors, jewellery, flowers and much more in roadside shops. Only 15 minutes from Monkey Forest road and great fun, though you can get a severe case of whiplash as you go along...looking from one side to the other, so much to see.
Bali Buda- Healthfood Store & Cafe
Alcohol- you are to bring a single 1-liter bottle of alcohol purchased from Duty Free at the airport while you're on your way to Indonesia.
Cell SIM Cards
(US) AT&T has a program where you can pay $10/day to get an "International Day Pass" that allows you to use your phone just like you were in the US. This is easy and seamless. Verizon has a package you can call in advance to activate that charges roughly $100/mo to extend international coverage.
Getting a local SIM Card: It's simple and affordable to get a local SIM card upon arrival to Bali (roughly $20 for a 50GB data plan, you will likely have 15+ Mbps, enough to work from if tethering to a computer. They sell them at the airport (at a premium) or you can simply ask your driver to take you to a local Cell phone shop that sells SIM Cards on your way to your accommodation from the airport. Be prepared, if registering a local SIM card, they will need to make a copy of your passport and register it with the Indonesian government system.
Before going to Bali, do remember to UNLOCK your phone if it’s locked in from AT&T, Verizon, etc. It’s simple to do- just go to your carrier’s website and enter your IMEI and within 24 hours it should be unlocked.
If you have a newer phone such as the iPhone 14 that doesn't have a physical SIM card slot, but rather an E-SIM, you can use an app such as "Airalo" or "Nomad" to get an E-SIM for Indonesia.
(According to Apple, any iPhone 10s or Newer can work with e-SIM apps)
Medical Emergencies
The general consensus is in the case of an emergency here in Ubud, it's best to:
1. Go to Ubud Care Clinic 24 Hours or BIMC, which have a decent triage and ambulance service. If the patient is stable, consider going straight to a major hospital down south.
bimcbali.com/bimc-ubud-medical-centre
ubudcare.com
2. From there, try to find the best specialist on the island for your issue, and see what hospital they are working out of. Siloam, Bali Royal, and Sanglah, BIMC, Kasi Ibu are the main ones. The best specialists often work out of multiple places.
3. Have health insurance, and significant cash (or Credit Card) for the deposit. My understanding is they will stabilize you but will not treat you without this.
4. Understand your health insurance. Do you have Medivac etc. if the situation warrants it? Carry your policy name and number on you at all times.
4. Take a friend (or three) who can advocate on your behalf.
5. As treatment is taking place, start googling and researching tests and protocols. Don't assume everything is taken care of, remain involved in what's going on. If the hospital/clinic does not have the equipment and specialists needed, consider moving if the situation is stable enough to do so.
6. Pre-program key numbers into your phone, and attach to relevant WhatsApp accounts, so you have all communication lines ready to go.
7. If you have an existing condition, pre-research the best specialist for you and have this contact ready to go. Know what hospital they work out of.
DENTAL
Bali has great options for dental care- we go to Sunset Dental Ubud
Books to get you excited for the trip
Bali Sustainable Visions (Great Coffee Table Book)
Bali: The Ultimate Guide: To the World's Most Spectacular Tropical Island
What is Bali's policy on drugs like Cannabis?
Do not bring any drugs with you to Indonesia. Cannabis is VERY illegal in Indonesia- do not bring it, and double check your pockets and luggage- even medical marijuana is banned. CBD is also disallowed in Indonesia- please be very careful not to pack any Cannabis-derived products in your bags- Indonesia is very strict and we do not want anyone to get into trouble.
Read more here:
www.balispirit.com/community/blog/drug-laws-in-indonesia
Do you have a recommended packing list?
Items we suggest bringing include:
Mini First Aid Kit (Advil, Bandaids, Neosporin, Benadryl, Z-Pack) > You can find many items at local pharmacies, but it's helpful to have basics like these on hand.
Electrolyte Tablets (We like Nuun)
Airtags (Put one in each piece of your luggage)
Your favorite sunscreen (Options in Bali can be more limited)
Bug Spray
Travel Power adapter
Hat & Sunglasses
Day Backpack
Sleep Mask, Ear Plugs, Neck pillow for the flight
Digital Luggage Scale, Bluetooth Speaker, Compact day packpack (Matador is our fav brand)
Portable USB charger for your phone (you don't want to run out of battery while touring around!)
If you're planning to Scuba dive or snorkel and you have your own mask that fits you well, bring it with you! It likely will be more comfortable than a rental.
Check out this link for more recommendations:
www.torntackies.com/bali-packing-list/
Do I need to carry cash in Bali? Do credit cards work?
Getting around and experiencing Bali will mean you need local currency (Rupiah / IDR) as your tour driver, most small local businesses, and markets don't take credit cards.
Currently, 1 USD = 15,000 IDR.
Most hotels, restaurants, and established retail shops will take Visa & Mastercard, however Amex is not generally accepted in Bali.
We recommend carrying cash (in fresh $100 bills to get the best exchange rate) equal to your budget for the trip for food, drivers, buying handicrafts, etc. You can change the money directly at an authorized money changer. (Always count your cash & beware of small, side-of-the-road money changers to avoid getting scammed.)
Additionally there are ATM's that will dispense IDR using your bank Debit Card (ie. Visa, Mastercard) but typically they have a limit of 3,000,000 IDR (USD $200) per withdrawal, so the ATM fees may add up. We recommend only going to ATM's directly attached to a bank (ie. MAYBANK, PERMATA, CIMB NIAGA) for safety reasons.
Do you have any recommendations for Credit Card promotions with travel benefits?
NerdWallet and ThePointsGuy websites both have recommendations on up-to-date credit card offerings and details about the benefits. If you have good credit, why not take advantage of one of these offers to save a lot on your flight?
We are both fans of the Amex Business Platinum card- while it has a $700 annual fee, you end up getting that back in the value of the points from the sign-up promotion, as well as benefits including a 30% refund on points used with your preferred airline (I use Delta), access to Airport Lounges, a $400 annual Dell Credit, $100 annual Saks credit, and reimbursement for Clear, TSA Pre-Check / Global Entry, and reimbursement for baggage charges.
Another great option American Express Green Card offers an impressive array of benefits for beginner travelers. Its annual fee is only $150/year. You’ll earn 3x across assorted travel, dining, and transit purchases, plus annual credits for LoungeBuddy passes and CLEAR Plus membership purchases.
Are vaccines required to enter Bali?
Proof of Vaccination is no longer required.
The latest government announcement issued June 9th states that showing a certificate of the COVID-19 vaccine is no longer required. Previously, it was mandatory for both foreigners and domestic travelers to present a certificate showing their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. With the latest circular, this requirement is no longer necessary.