Bali
Bali survives its own popularity because there are several Balis: surf-and-smoothie Canggu, temple-studded Ubud among the rice terraces, and the quiet east around Amed where the diving is superb.
- Best forCouples · Wellness & slow travel · Surfers
- In August27°C · 18 rainy days · sea 28°C
- Ideal stay10–14 days
- Approx. flying time~17h 05m from Los Angeles
- CurrencyIDRIndonesian rupiah
- LanguageIndonesian
- Local time16:287h ahead of the UK
- PlugsType C / FBring an adapter
- Drive on theLeftSame as the UK
- Dialling code+62
Why go
One island holds several distinct holidays. The south-west coast is surf, cafes and traffic; the central hills around Ubud are terraced rice, river gorges and temple ceremonies; the east and north are volcanic, quieter and better underwater. Hindu ritual runs through all of it, so offerings on pavements and gamelan drifting from a compound at dusk are simply part of the day.
Ten days to a fortnight works, split between two bases rather than four, because transfers are slow and the roads are worse than the distances suggest. Dry season runs May to October; the wet months still deliver sun in bursts. Nusa Penida, Lombok and the Gili islands sit within a fast boat ride. Those hoping for empty beaches in the south should plan around it.
- Ideal stay
- 10–14 days
- The vibe
- Green, ceremonial, endlessly varied
From our guides
The trick is to pick two bases and resist the urge to see everything. Dry season runs May to October; ceremonies with incense and gamelan happen year-round, everywhere, wonderfully.
Featured in Ten tropical islands that live up to the postcard
Things to do
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Tegalalang rice terraces
Steep, hand-carved paddies north of Ubud, worked by a shared irrigation system recognised by UNESCO. Go at first light before the coach parties and the heat.
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Mount Batur at sunrise
A two-hour pre-dawn walk up an active volcano to a crater rim above the cloud, with Agung silhouetted opposite. Guides are compulsory and the ash underfoot is loose.
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Pura Luhur Uluwatu
A sea temple on a 70-metre limestone cliff at the southern tip, with a kecak fire dance performed at sunset. Watch the monkeys, who take glasses seriously.
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Tirta Empul
A spring-fed temple near Tampaksiring where Balinese Hindus purify themselves under a row of stone spouts. Visitors may take part with a sarong and the right etiquette.
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Amed and Tulamben
Black-sand villages on the quiet east coast with excellent shore diving, including a wartime wreck lying in shallow water a short swim from the beach.
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Sidemen valley
Green terraces, weaving villages and views to Agung, an hour east of Ubud and a fraction as busy. The Bali most people picture before they arrive.
Getting there
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Fly to
Kuta, Badung (DPS)
Nearest airport to Bali, about 58km away as the crow flies.
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Then
To Seminyak
Denpasar (DPS) is twenty minutes from Seminyak, an hour to Canggu in traffic and around ninety minutes to Ubud. Pre-booked drivers and ride-hailing both work from the terminal.
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On the ground
Getting around
Distances look small and take far longer than they should. Scooters are the local answer, hired drivers the comfortable one, and picking two bases beats daily commuting.
Public transport: Minimal. A limited tourist bus network exists, but drivers, scooters and ride-hailing apps do almost all the moving.
Flights
Los Angeles Bali, Indonesia
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Roughly 17h 05m in the air from Los Angeles (LAX), estimated from the distance — check for a direct route. Pick a month to see every available flight with live prices.
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Flight times are estimates; prices open on Google Flights.
When to go
Daytime highs run from about 27°C in July to 29°C in November. Driest June to October; wettest in January, with rain on about 27 days. The sea is warmest in December at around 30°C, coolest at 28°C.
The year at a glance — pick a month for detail
August27° · rain 18 days · sea 28°Warm and often wet.
Monthly figures averaged from daily records for 2015–2024 at Seminyak (ERA5 reanalysis). Live conditions from MET Norway, CC BY 4.0.
Where to stay
Everything from family homestays to villas with private pools and international resorts. Villas are the classic Bali booking, and prices sit well below Europe.
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Best base overall
Seminyak
Central for the south, with the widest choice of restaurants, spas and beach clubs, and a real beach. Traffic is dreadful and it is nobody's idea of authentic.
Find stays in Seminyak -
Best for couples
Ubud
Inland among the rice terraces, with temples, walks and the best hotels on the island. The centre is congested, and it rains more than the coast.
Find stays in Ubud -
Best with children
Sanur
East coast, with a calm reef-protected lagoon, a flat beachfront path and the fast boats to the islands. Sedate, and older in feel than the west coast.
Find stays in Sanur -
Best value
Amed and the east
Quiet fishing villages with cheap homestays and superb diving. Three hours from the airport, and you need a scooter to get about.
Find stays in Amed and the east
Worth knowing before you book: Add a tourist levy paid on arrival, and budget for airport transfers, which take far longer than the map suggests. Pick two bases rather than moving every few nights.
Search everything else in Seminyak by budget. These are indicative budget bands in GBP per night for two people, not live quotes or guarantees of hotel type. Check your dates, guests, taxes and final price on Booking.com.
Good to know
- Temple etiquette
- A sarong and sash are required at temples and usually available at the gate. Women are asked not to enter while menstruating, and shoulders stay covered.
- Traffic
- Distances mislead badly. Canggu to Ubud can take two hours in the wrong window, so build travel days in rather than day-tripping across the island.
- Nyepi
- The Balinese day of silence in March shuts the airport, roads, shops and lights for 24 hours. Beautiful if you plan for it, ruinous if you do not.
- Water
- Drink bottled or filtered water only, and skip ice from roadside stalls. Refill stations are widespread and reduce the plastic considerably.
- Scooters
- Renting one is easy and enforcement is real: you need a valid international permit, and most travel insurance voids without it. Helmets are mandatory.
Similar places
Nearby destinations
Sunrise trek up Mount Batur
Bali · 21km away →
Ubud
Bali, Indonesia · 33km away →
Batu Bolong
Canggu, Bali, Indonesia · 49km away →
Amed
Bali, Indonesia · 51km away →
Uluwatu
Bali, Indonesia · 64km away →
Nusa Penida
Indonesia · 69km away →Elsewhere in Indonesia
Related articles
Quick answers
When is the best time to visit Bali?
Daytime highs run from about 27°C in July to 29°C in November. Driest June to October; wettest in January, with rain on about 27 days. The sea is warmest in December at around 30°C, coolest at 28°C.
How long should I spend in Bali?
Our suggestion: 10–14 days.
How do I get to Bali?
Denpasar (DPS) is twenty minutes from Seminyak, an hour to Canggu in traffic and around ninety minutes to Ubud. Pre-booked drivers and ride-hailing both work from the terminal.
Do I need a car in Bali?
No. A limited tourist bus network exists, but drivers, scooters and ride-hailing apps do almost all the moving.
What currency and language are used in Bali?
Currency: Indonesian rupiah (IDR). Language: Indonesian. Plugs: type C and F.
Who is Bali best for?
Best for couples, wellness & slow travel and surfers. In a phrase: green, ceremonial, endlessly varied.