What popular Bali cocktail could kill you? Where is the best place to stay? Do you need a visa for Bali? Plus: what to pack, when to go, what to see, what shots to have and the Bali jungle best kept secret you should know to get the best of your Bali holiday now
Getting the best of your Bali holiday means asking the right questions to get the answers that are key to the experience of a lifetime.
PLUS: Get your holiday for FREE – click to see how to win a trip to Bali.
WHERE TO STAY IN BALI
1. Which Part Of Bali Is Most Beautiful?
All of Bali is beautiful, but we love the Bali jungle and we also happen to know about a hidden gem: 10 private jungle villas with a pool off the beaten tourist track in the real Bali. This is Bali Palms and because Bali is really not that big, beaches, rain forests, towns and cities are mostly accessible within an hour or two, so you get to have the best of your Bali holiday.
The best and most beautiful part of the island? Discover where to go in Bali.
Have a look at this Bali map with nearby attractions.
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR BALI HOLIDAY
2. Do You Need A Visa For Bali?
Under normal circumstances (non Covid) you don’t need a visa if you’re only staying 30 days. If you want to stay longer you can purchase a visa upon arrival in Bali at Ngurah Rai International Airport. The cost is 35 USD and after 30 days you can apply for an additional 30 days. The Visa on Arrival or VOA is available to 68 nationalities, so getting the best of your Bali holiday means checking whether or not your nationality needs a visa to enter Indonesia.
3. What’s The Penalty For Overstaying A Visa In Bali?
$70 USD per day.
MORE IMPORTANT INFO TO ENSURE YOU GET THE BEST OF YOUR BALI HOLIDAY
- Check that your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entering Bali.
- You must have a return air ticket.
- Carry cash to pay for your Visa On Arrival.
- Ensure you have sufficient funds to cover your stay .
HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR BALI HOLIDAY
4. What Shots Do I Need For My Bali Holiday?
No guide to getting the best of your Bali holiday would be complete without the pre vacation immunisation list. So, here’s a list of possible shots you may be required to have when travelling to Bali:
MMR, TDP, Polio, flu vaccine, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Typhoid, Rabies, Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis, Dengue Fever.
IMPORTANT TIP: Plan to visit your local travel clinic 6 to 8 weeks before departing for Bali just in case you need to have multiple shots.
Get more Bali holiday info on immunisation before travelling
5. What To Pack For Your Bali Holiday
- Swimwear
- Hiking and walking shoes,
- sunscreen
- Mosquito repellant
- A wind breaker or hoodie for early morning hikes up Mt Batur, because it can get chilly higher up
- Raincoat
- Flip flops
- A sarong or wrap and a short sleeved shirt (you’ll need these for visiting temples).
- Active wear
- Yoga gear
- Loose fitting breathable fabrics
Anti diarrhea pills so nothing stops you from making the best of your Bali holiday.
Best Bali holiday info packing tip: Leave Space in your luggage for Bali shopping!
WHEN TO GO TO BALI
6. Which Months Are The Best For A Bali Holiday?
Less humidity, fewer mosquitos, lots of events and various festivals – sound about right? Then May to October is when you’ll get the best of your Bali holiday. The dry season is also ideal for surfing and snorkeling because the water is clearer. Bali’s “coolest” and driest month is August, with temperatures ranging from 23-29° C.
But, yes, there’s a but, there’ll be loads of other tourists. So, if you want to get the best of the Bali weather and avoid the tourists, and make the best of your Bali holiday: stay at Bali Palms, in a private jungle villa, with a pool and pay half the price of the hotels which charge peak price in season (July- August).
7. What About Visiting Bali During The Wet Season?
Expect fewer tourists and shorter queues at all the attractions. Plus, this is the ideal time to visit the temples and relish huge waterfalls at their most impressive after the rain. November to April are the rainy months with a peak in January. It’s not always raining though, you can still get the best of your Bali holiday since there’s lots of sunshine in between and temperatures range from 23-33° C.
So what’s the challenge? Well, the humidity can make things really uncomfortable, and the mosquitoes just love this weather, so it’s harder to avoid being bitten. In spite of the rain, December and March are among the popular months for Bali family holidays.
TOP TIP: Make the best of your Bali holiday by avoiding the crowds during September, October and November, plus in January and February.
GETTING AROUND
8. Should You Ride A Scooter Bali?
Scooters are a popular way of getting around and can be an excellent option for getting the best of your Bali holiday. They’re fun and you have independence. Stay at Bali Palms and they will arrange scooter hire for you, or arrange a car and driver for your comfort. Get an airport shuttle, one way for 6 people at $38. Or go on a day trip: a 12-hour excursion for a 6-passenger car costs $55.
Prices may vary according to the current petrol price.
WHAT SHOULD I AVOID IN BALI?
9. Why Is There A Problem With Bali Dogs?
This Bali holiday info could save your life: Don’t touch the dogs in Bali, they are generally bred as guard dogs and although they may look friendly, they often bite and rabies is a danger.
10. Is It Safe To Touch The Monkeys In Bali?
To get the best of your Bali holiday, you’ll want to hang out with monkeys. But don’t try to fight off the thieving long-tailed macaques when they steal your sunglasses or jewelry, you may land up with a nasty bite. Offer them food and they’ll usually drop your possessions. Even though you may find it all amusing, don’t smile at the monkeys, they view the showing of teeth as an act of aggression.
MORE: Healthy tips to get the best of your Bali holiday:
11. Is It Safe To Drink Tap Water In Bali?
No. Avoid drinking the tap water in Bali, insist on bottled water. Also, try to find out from your hotel where you should and shouldn’t eat. And pack anti-diarrhea pills just in case.
12. Is The Locally Distilled Arak Safe To Drink?
Ooh, watch out here. Those cheap cocktails may seem like a great way to get the best of your Bali holiday, but if they contain Arak, it’s best to say no. This rice spirit, brewed locally, can contain toxins from a bad brewing process and make you seriously ill. It could even kill you.
SERIOUSLY IMPORTANT BALI HOLIDAY INFO ALERT: If you think making the best of your Bali holiday includes drugs, you should know that buying or carrying drugs in Bali can get you life imprisonment. If someone offers to sell you some, walk away fast. It could be a sting operation. And the authorities don’t mess around there.
BALI HOLIDAY INFO ON COVID
Can You Visit Bali During Covid?
If international borders are open, you can visit Bali during Covid, but only on a ‘social and business’ visa. You must also have a negative COVID-19 PCR or antigen test result, having been tested within a 2-day window of flying. If you don’t, you’ll have to take an antigen test upon arrival in Indonesia and also sign a letter agreeing to be quarantined if you test positive.
In Bali, during Covid, mask wearing is mandatory. Some venues are closed due to Covid, including tourist attractions so call ahead to get updated Bali holiday info.
REMEMBER: Covid rules change all the time, so check before you book your trip.
Get the best of your Bali holiday in a private villa at Bali Palms, with stringent Covid safety regulations in place.
What’s else is there to do, see and explore in the Bali jungle?
Oh, wow, the list is endless. For starters, you can bath an elephant. Then, get pick-pocketed by a monkey and fry an egg in an active volcano. You have to try them all at least once: See the most unique “pics-or-it-didn’t-happen” Bali jungle experiences.
OR: Canoe in a volcanic crater lake, make your own silver rings, and even learn to cook with one of Bali’s top chefs. Also, get amazing clothes, bags and art at craft markets for rock-bottom prices. Plus the secret beaches and waterfalls you could have all to yourself. Discover 10 Bali holiday to do musts.
WHAT ABOUT: Yoga overlooking the jungle? Or a game of golf on a cliff above the Indian Ocean or in a volcanic crater? Discover Bali yoga and golf holiday
Or discover 17 of the most unique and crazy Bali jungle activities that cost less than you think.
AND: Stay in a Bali holiday house with chef and enjoy unbelievable food made from the freshest ingredients.
ALSO: The Bali Holiday Deals You Absolutely Shouldn’t Miss
PLUS: 54 WaysTo Have An Amazing Bali Holiday
ALSO: discover Unique Animals Of The Bali Jungle You Don’t Want To Miss
