Bali Itinerary + Travel Budget Guide for first-timers

I skipped Bali on my first trip to Indonesia expecting it would be too touristic for my taste.

Fast forward many years, after visiting all ASEAN countries, I arrived in Bali to finally check it off my travel bucketlist in Southeast Asia. Yes, tourism in Bali is very developed. Fortunately, the island is big enough (the World’s 108th biggest island by land area, in fact) to easily get away from the crowds.

Bali is a destination everyone can enjoy. It has gorgeous 5-star resorts, rich distinctive culture, sacred temples & architecture, sandy beaches, surf-worthy waves, lively nightlife, mountain views, volcano trekking, exciting shopping etc. Not to mention, it’s also the gateway to the vast far east islands of Indonesia.

Traveling to Bali for the first time? This detailed travel guide will make it easy for you to plan a trip, save money, and maximize your time.

Scroll down to read must-know travel tips before you go, followed by a sample itinerary + budget breakdown , recommended hotels/places to stay , things to do/places to visit and lots of extra travel tips.

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How to get to Bali — Touchdown at Bali-Ngurah Rai International Airport, Indonesia’s 3rd busiest airport. The airport is located beside the main tourist areas: Kuta, Jimbaran, Legian & Seminyak. By air, Bali is also popularly reached via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur & Jakarta.

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Best time to visit Bali — Go during the dry season from April and September. July & August are the peak tourist months. A visit during the shoulder months of April, May, June, and September offers a high chance of sunny skies and warm weather, but with fewer crowds.

Book your hotel early — The top places to stay in Bali for short trips & first-timers are Kuta, Ubud, Seminyak & Legian. Grab rock-bottom rates and avoid fully-booked rooms by booking online as soon as you know you’re going. Click below to compare discounts and read reviews by other travelers.

Cheapest ratesBest hotel reviews

Check prices online and pre-book discounts — Save money by checking discounts on tours, airport/city transfers & sim card/WiFi hotspots. Booking before you leave also saves you time by avoiding the hassles of bringing large amounts of cash & exchanging currency/money during your actual trip.

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How many days in Bali? — For sightseeing trips, I recommend at least 3 full days to visit the main temples & cultural attractions. Bali is a big island with a wealth of interesting spots. It’s easy to fill up a week-long itinerary with exciting things to do, so plan a longer trip if you want to explore different parts of the island.

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Bali Itinerary

What to do in Bali in 4 days? Here’s a 4 days & 3 nights (4D3N) itinerary for your do-it-yourself (DIY) trip.

It’s suited for first-time visitors who want to see the top cultural attractions of Bali. This itinerary includes two full days sightseeing in South & Central Bali, plus one full day trip to stunning Nusa Penida Island.

Feel free to tweak the activities & timings below based on your traveling style, schedule & attractions that interest you the most.

Day 1: West Central Bali

Day 2: Nusa Penida Island

Day 3: Ubud & Uluwatu

Day 4: Return or Onward Flight

The return flight above is scheduled early morning of the 4th day, suited for travelers flying with Cebu Pacific from Manila to Bali.

If you want to maximize your trip, I suggest you book an evening flight (with another airline) instead so that you can enjoy your last day relaxing at the beach/hotel or doing more sightseeing.

Bali Budget

Your travel expenses will largely depend on your traveling style and how much you plan to spend on activities, accommodations & food. To help you set your own budget, here are budget estimates if you follow the 4 days and 3 nights (4D3N) itinerary posted above. Make sure to review all discounts & online booking prices.

Prices below are ‘per person’, calculated based on a group of 2 people sharing the travel expenses.

Where to Stay in Bali

Stay in Kuta, Legian or Seminyak if you’re looking for a beachfront hotel near the airport & a convenient location for touring around Bali’s top attractions. Kuta is the prime nightlife, shopping & tourist area. Seminyak offers a more relaxed & upscale vibe. Meanwhile, Legian sits in the middle.

Ubud in Central Bali is another area to consider if you want to get away from the beach/party scene & focus more on the cultural or natural sights of the island.

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Click below to compare rates and Bali hotel reviews within your budget.

Top-rated places to stay in Bali

Where to book

Book your room through these trusted booking sites. I use them frequently to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy convenient bookings. Click below to confirm the lowest prices:

Booking.comAirbnbAgoda

Book sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms and hotels with high reviews tend to get fully booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

Bali Travel Tips Before You Go

How to get to Bali

Do I need a visa to visit Bali, Indonesia?

Indonesia tourist visa for Filipinos

Philippines-Manila to Bali

How to get around Bali?

Getting from the airport to Bali center

What currency to carry when traveling to Indonesia?

Exchanging Philippine Peso to Indonesian Rupiah

How to book cheap flights to Bali?

Useful travel apps & websites for Bali

How to get mobile internet in Bali?

Should I book my Bali hotel online?

Pre-book your Bali tours & attraction tickets online

How to get to Bali

Bali is easily reached by flying to Bali-Ngurah Rai International Airport, Indonesia’s 3rd busiest airport. You can fly direct from major cities in Southeast Asia, East Asia & Australia, as well as select cities in the Middle East & Europe.

Ferries connect Bali to the islands of Lombok and Java, making it possible to travel to Bali from Jakarta, Yogyakarta & Surabaya etc. on land and sea connections.

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Do I need a visa to visit Bali, Indonesia?

Citizens of 168 countries and territories may enter Indonesia without a visa for tourism/transit purposes. Tourists can stay for a maximum of 30 days.

Countries that enjoy visa-free entry to Indonesia include The Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, EU Member States… Visit this Wikipedia page for a comprehensive list of countries with visa-free access.

For a hassle-free trip, make sure that you are able to provide the following typical requirements at the immigration checkpoint:

Remember to always check for changes in the visa policy of any country that you want to visit. You can find official visa information at the Imigrasi Indonesia website.

Indonesia tourist visa for Filipinos

Filipinos/Pinoy tourists do not need a visa to enter Indonesia granting the purpose is tourism or transit. Philippine passport holders get a maximum stay of 30 days.

Simply show up at the immigration checkpoint and get your passport stamped.

Keep in mind that all countries have the right to refuse entry to any person even if they are eligible for the free tourist visa or have a valid visa on hand at the border.

At the very least, have these on hand at the immigration checkpoint: Return/onward ticket, hotel reservations & tours/attraction tickets that you have pre-booked online.

These documents will help to convince immigration officers that you are really are visiting as a tourist, NOT for work, and you are able to fund the entire duration of your trip.

Philippines-Manila to Bali

From Manila, direct flights to Bali are operated by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines & AirAsia. Travel time from Manila to Bali by flight is around 4 hours.

For more options, try searching flight connections via Jakarta, Singapore, or Kuala Lumpur.

There is no time zone difference between The Philippines and Bali.

How to get around Bali?

The entire island of Bali does not have a convenient public transport system. The best way to get around the main sights is by arranging your own transport or joining a group tour.

To travel between the main tourist/urban areas in Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Ubud, Sanur, Nusa Dua etc., you can go by taxi, Grab/GO-JEK, tourist shuttle, or by local transport, which includes ojek (motorcycle taxi) or bemo (shared minivan).

Private car charter

This is the best way to get around the island. Full-day charters are very affordable costing only IDR 448,000 / PHP 1,655 / USD 32. The price includes up to 10 hours full day private car rental, fuel & driver fees. Each car can seat 5 people (or more depending on your choice of vehicle).

Pre-book here

Grab and GO-JEK

Grab and GO-JEK are the most popular ride-hailing apps in Bali. Use the app to enjoy affordable and convenient rides around the main tourist areas.

Get Grab for iOSAndroid

How to get Grab fare estimates in Bali

This is very useful if you want to make a pre-trip budget plan.

STEP 1: Open the Grab app on your phone (use the links above to download).

STEP 2: Tap on the “Enter pick-up point” searchbox. Then, “Select location from map”.

STEP 3: Manually locate Kuta/Legian/Seminyak/Ubud/Sanur/Nusa Dua on the map. It’s a bit of an effort but don’t worry, you only have to do this once.

STEP 4: Choose the pick-up and drop-off points.

Tourist Shuttle

For transport between the different tourist areas in Bali. Getting from Kuta to Ubud, for example, an excellent way to go is by booking transfers with Perama Tour & Travel, which serves a wide range of destinations in Bali. Their service is affordable and quite reliable.

Go to website

For transfers between Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Sanur & Ubus, check out the Kura-Kura Bus. The one-way fare starts at IDR 20,000 per person. They also sell 1-Day, 3-Day and 7-Day passes (unlimited rides) for IDR 100,000 / IDR 150,000 / IDR 250,000 respectively.

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Getting from the airport to Bali center

Located on the west coast of South Bali, the airport sits between Kuta and Jimbaran. Despite the short 5-7 km drive to most hotels in Kuta, travel time usually takes 15 minutes or up to 30 minutes because of heavy traffic. To Legian or Seminyak, travel time is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour. To Ubud, travel time is around 1 hour and 30 minutes.

The most convenient transport from the airport to the main hotel areas/tourist centers is by taxi, private car transfer or Grab/GO-JEK (ride-hailing apps). If you are traveling light, you can also get an OJEK (motorcycle taxi with driver).

By private car charter — Enjoy hassle-free transfers with hotel drop-off/pick-up, refreshing towel and mineral water included. The one-way price to Kuta starts at IDR 90,000 per car (seats up to 4 people). To Legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan or Sanur, the price is IDR 146,000. To Ubud or Tanah Lot, the price is IDR 224,000.

Pre-book here

By taxi — Fixed fares are posted on the ticket counter found at the domestic and international terminals. The taxi fare to Kuta costs IDR 80,000 per way.

By public transport — The public bus service, Trans Sarbagita, is the only bus company allowed to enter the airport. There are 3 routes that operate at the airport. Unforutnately, none of them are convenient because they stop at major road and intersections, away from the main hotel areas. Here are the bus routes: Airport-Tabanan (Fare: IDR 7,000 per person); Airport-Nusa Dua (Fare: IDR 3,500 per person); Airport-Batubulan (Fare: IDR 3,500 per person).

What currency to carry when traveling to Indonesia?

Indonesian Rupiah (abbreviated as IDR or Rp) is the official currency of Indonesia. Thus, you’ll need Indonesian Rupiah for your expenses in Bali. You should be able to change your USD, GBP, EUR, AUD, CAD, SGD, MYR & other major currencies easily at most banks/money exchange stalls. Try to avoid changing huge sums at the airport because branches found in the city usually offer more favorable rates.

Better yet, withdraw IDR bills at an ATM when you arrive in Indonesia. I use my ATM card a lot when I travel because it’s way more convenient than to worry about what currency to bring and exchange. Because banks charge a fee (usually USD 5 or more) per withdrawal, I make sure to withdraw large amounts instead of doing multiple smaller transactions.

A great way to minimize bringing/exchanging cash is by using a credit card and pre-booking hotels, tours, transport etc. online. I opt to pay in my home currency, if available. That way, I know exactly how much is charged to my account.

Exchanging Philippine Peso to Indonesian Rupiah

You can get the best rates by withdrawing from ATMs or finding a way to exchange your pesos to Indonesian Rupiah before leaving the Philippines. Try to avoid carrying large sums of Philippine Pesos when traveling abroad. According to BSP rules, a person may only bring out a maximum of PHP 10,000.

Another option is to bring USD or any major currency instead.

Remember to check if your bank requires you to activate your card for international withdrawals. Your card might be useless otherwise. For example, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) requires me to call their 24-hour hotline to activate my Cirrus ATM card before I travel abroad. On the other hand, My Unionbank debit cards (Visa and Mastercard) does not need activation to withdraw money abroad.

How to book cheap flights to Bali?

If you are flying to Bali within the next 2-3 months, the general rule to spend less on flights is by booking sooner rather than later. In case you are booking well ahead of your trip, keep a lookout for airline promo fares & seat sales.

The easy way to find cheap flights that you can book right now is to use flight search engines. These sites compare prices on different airlines to show you the cheapest prices. Check multiple flight search engines listed below:

MomondoSkyscannerWegoTripAdvisor

Always check promo fares before booking. Visit the airlines’ official website, mobile app, Facebook, Twitter & other social media accounts for updates.

You can also check the latest promo alerts posted here on Detourista. Click below to start:

Subscribe to the email alerts to save time from checking many websites frequently.

To learn more, visit the guide on how to book cheap flights.

Useful travel apps & websites for Bali

Google Maps — Remember to download the offline maps before you go to access the map even if you don’t have mobile data.

Use the directions feature if you plan to get around Bali on your own. I love this feature because I often like to wander around places that I visit & see the sights on foot. It only works online, so you will need internet access.

Maps.me — Excellent Google Maps alternative that automatically saves offline maps.

Grab & GO-JEK — I use these reliable ride-hailing apps frequently as an alternative to taking the taxi. To see the fare estimates, click below to install the apps on your phone & manually set the location to in Bali. Take note of the prices displayed for your pre-trip budget plan.

Get Grab for iOSAndroid

12go.asia — Handy for checking fares on buses, trains, ferries & other transport in Asia. Purchase tickets online to avoid fully-booked seats.

Go to website

For more routes/operators, check fares on Easybook as well.

XE Currency — Free & easy currency converter.

Google Translate — Very useful when communicating with locals who do not understand/speak English.

Agoda & Booking.com — My go-to for convenient hotel bookings & cheap rates. For home/apartment rentals, check listings on Airbnb.

Skyscanner & Momondo — These top flight search apps make it super easy to compare airfares from multiple airlines. Download the app & sign-up to the price alerts for updates on cheap flights.

Get Skyscanner for iOSAndroid

TripAdvisor — Great for restaurant reviews & recommendations. One of the features that I use often is the “cheap eats” filter & the map view.

Go to website

How to get mobile internet in Bali?

Stay connected online by purchasing a local prepaid SIM card, renting a pocket WiFi hotspot or getting a roaming data plan from your current telcom provider.

Having mobile internet not only makes it possible to share your travel moments instantly, you can also travel better by having access to all your favorite travel apps.

Book SIM card here

Book WiFi hotspot here

Should I book my Bali hotel online?

Book your stay sooner rather than later if you already have your dates set. Cheaper-priced rooms tend to get fully-booked faster, especially during busy days like weekends, holidays & peak tourist seasons.

I frequently book my stay with the sites below to grab rock-bottom prices & enjoy hassle-free trips. Click below to see today’s lowest prices.

AgodaBooking.com

Having hotel reservations is very important when traveling abroad because immigration officers often require tourists to provide the address of their accommodation. Here top reasons why I prefer to book online & why you should too:

Pre-book your Bali tours & attraction tickets online

I often book online to enjoy discounts and cashless convenience during my actual trip. Always check prices of tours and attraction tickets on these booking sites:

KlookGetYourGuide

If you’re booking tours and you’ve already finalized your travel dates, book early, especially if you are traveling with family/friends to lock-in those open slots for everyone in your group.

Places to Visit in Bali + Things To Do

Check out these top tourist spots, best places to visit & things to do in Bali.

1. Uluwatu Temple

2. Tanah Lot Temple

3. Nusa Penida Island

4. Kuta Beach

5. Seminyak Beach

6. Legian Beach

7. Sanur Beach

9. Pura Tirta Empul Temple

10. Gunung Kawi temple

11. Tegalalang Rice Terraces

12. Ubud Monkey Forest

13. Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

14. Ubud Town Center

15. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

16. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

17. Taman Ayun Temple

18. Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest

19. Tirta Gangga Water Palace

20. Taman Ujung Water Palace

1. Uluwatu Temple

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 40,000

Opening hours: 9 am to 6 pm
Address: Jalan Raya Uluwatu, Pecatu, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali

See tours & prices online

2. Tanah Lot Temple

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 60,000

Opening hours: 7 am to 7 pm
Address: Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency, Bali 8217, Indonesia

See tours & prices onlineSee more

3. Nusa Penida Island

Address: Klungkung Regency, Bali, Indonesia. Located off the southeast coast of Bali mainland.

See tours & prices onilne

4. Kuta Beach

Admission/Entrance fee: Free (public beach)

Address: Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali

5. Seminyak Beach

Admission/Entrance fee: Free (public beach)

Address: Address: Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali

6. Legian Beach

Admission/Entrance fee: Free (public beach)

Address: Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali

7. Sanur Beach

Admission/Entrance fee: Free (public beach)

Address: East coast of Denpasar, Bali.

9. Pura Tirta Empul Temple

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 15,000

Opening hours: 7 am to 5 pm
Address: Jalan Tirta, Manukaya, Tampaksiring, Manukaya, Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552

10. Gunung Kawi temple

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 15,000

Opening hours: 8 am to 6 pm
Address: Banjar Penaka, Manukaya, Tampaksiring, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80552

11. Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 20,000

Opening hours: 7 am to 7 pm
Address: Jalan Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561

12. Ubud Monkey Forest

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 40,000

Opening hours: 8:30 am to 6 pm
Address: Jalan Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571

13. Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 15,000

Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Address: Ubud, Bali

14. Ubud Town Center

Saraswati Temple admission/Entrance fee: Free

15. Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 50,000

Opening hours: 5 am to 7 pm
Address: Danau Beratan, Candikuning, Baturiti, Tabanan Regency, Bali 82191

16. Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 40,000

Opening hours: 8:30 am to 6 pm
Address: Jalan Jatiluwih No.Desa, Jatiluwih, Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82152

17. Taman Ayun Temple

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 20,000

Opening hours: 9 am to 4 pm
Address: Jalan Ayodya No.10, Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351

18. Alas Kedaton Monkey Forest

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 40,000

Opening hours: 8 am to 7 pm
Address: Jalan Raya Alas Kedaton, Kukuh, Kec. Tabanan, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82121

19. Tirta Gangga Water Palace

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 20,000

Opening hours: 6 am to 6 pm
Address: Jalan Abang – Amlapura, Ababi, Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852

20. Taman Ujung Water Palace

Admission/Entrance fee: IDR 35,000

Opening hours: 8 am to 5 pm
Address: Taman Ujung, Tumbu, Kec. Karangasem, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80811

Where to go near Bali

1. Gili Islands

2. Lombok

3. Mount Rinjani

4. Mount Ijen

5. Komodo Islands

1. Gili Islands

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2. Lombok

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3. Mount Rinjani

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4. Mount Ijen

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5. Komodo Islands

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Don’t Stop Here

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