Travel Tips Bali:
What you need to know before visiting Bali
You finally decided to book your trip to Bali?! Good decision! Because besides the stunning nature and the best surf spots for every level, there are many other reasons to visit Bali. Let’s get stoked! Now it’s time to plan and prepare for your trip. To avoid unpleasant surprises that will await you in the end, you should know a few things before booking your trip and keep them in mind before visiting Bali.
1. Rainy Season vs. Dry Season: When is the best time to visit Bali?
Bali’s temperatures are actually pleasant all year round. However, there are 2 seasons: rainy and dry season. Low and high seasons. While the months of November to March are considered the rainy season, the dry season starts in April and ends around October. Even though it is raining more often during the rainy season, it is definitely not a deal-breaker. The average temperature doesn’t fluctuate much throughout the year and the east coast still offers a lot of surf spots that work especially well during the off-season. At Kima, we even have two boats on Bali’s east coast that’ll bring you to the outer reefs, so the surf is guaranteed all the time. If you are planning to travel to Bali between November to March just make sure to be a bit more flexible and adjust your plans accordingly to the weather. Visit one of the numerous temples of the island or relax in a spa on a rainy day. Hike Mount Batur, go surfing or to the beach on a sunny day. One big advantage the rainy season brings: fewer tourists on the island and cheaper hotel prices.
Tip: Book in advance during the dry season! Especially between June and September, it can be difficult to find accommodation due to the high season. Hotel prices peaking and the best places are fully booked. Book at least the first nights in advance and don’t end up in an overpriced hotel room.
BOOK NOW2. Passport & Visa
Your flights are booked and you know where you’ll stay? Great! Let’s head over to one of the most important things for every journey: the visa. To enter Bali you need a visa, of course. For the purpose of tourism, it’s quite easy to get a visa. For IDR 500.000 per person, which is about 32 Euro, Bali offers the Visa on Arrival (VOA). You can easily apply for and pay at the airport with cash (IDR, Euro or USD) or credit card upon entry. The only thing you need is an international passport, valid for minimum 6 more months - that’s it!
Tip: In order to avoid waiting in line for 1-2 hours at the airport’s immigration counters, you can also apply for an eVOA B213 before arrival and you’ll be able to pass a dedicated immigration line.
With the VOA you are allowed to stay 30 days. If you are planning to stay longer, you can extend the visa once for 30 more days. Local visa agents can help you with the extensions since you need to go to the immigration office in Jimbaran for fingerprints at a specific time.
Attention: Visa regulations are always subject to change. Always check your country’s foreign office website to double-check the regulations that apply to your country.
During your stay in one of our Kima surf camps you can always ask our Front Office team to help you with all visa-related questions or to extend your vias.
3. Stay healthy: Vaccinations you need for Bali
At the moment there are no vaccinations required to enter Bali. Even proof of Covid-19 vaccination is no longer needed. However, there are some routine vaccinations you may be advised to receive. Visit your doctor a minimum of 6-8 weeks before you travel to Bali, so he or she can check your vaccination certificate and advise on necessary vaccinations. The most important routine vaccinations you might need to refresh are:
Measles-Mumps-Rubella
Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis
Polio
Influenza
In 2008 and 2010 there have been Rabies outbreaks in Bali mainly due to bites from dogs. Since the number of street dogs in Bali is extremely high, most doctors also recommend receiving the Rabies vaccination. Other additional vaccinations that are usually recommended are:
Hepatitis A + Hepatitis B
Yellow Fever
Typhoid
Japanese Encephalitis
Don’t forget to take out Travel Health Insurance! At first glance, it may seem to be an unnecessary cost, but it allows you to travel light-heartedly and, in the worst case, can save you a lot of additional costs.
4. Tap water and the all-known Bali Belly
Compared to many other Southeast Asian countries, Indonesia is quite developed and with the growing popularity of Bali as a tourist destination, a lot has happened here in recent years. However, it is still far away from Western standards, which also applies to the water quality. Normally you can brush your teeth using tap water without any doubts but always avoid drinking it or consuming food rinsed in tap water. Contrary to statements by many, you usually don’t have to worry to have drinks with ice. Most places have ice cubes delivered and it’s safe to have a drink with ice. Consuming tap water can be one of the reasons for getting sick from the so-called “Bali Belly”, a traveller’s diarrhoea that affects many people. The Bali Belly caught you? Oh, Sh**! And now?! In our blog post about how to get over a Bali Belly, we tell you how to prevent the Bali Belly before your travel and what to do if the Bali Belly hits you.
5. “Yeeesss!! Transpoort!!”: How to get around Bali
Bali does not currently have any public mass transportation. Most people take a motor scooter to get around the island. It is the cheapest and mostly also the fastest way to get around the island. If you are interested in renting a scooter, just reach out to our Kima Front Office team and they will be pleased to help you. To rent and ride a scooter in Bali you need an international driver's license. Make sure you apply for or extend it 1-2 months before departure. But beware: driving in Bali can be crazy and can’t be compared with driving in Europe. Always be careful, wear a helmet and for sure NEVER DRINK AND DRIVE!
Since the regulations for renting a scooter can always change, we’d recommend you double-check the current requirements beforehand.
If you don’t feel comfortable riding a scooter yourself, we offer you bicycles free to use in our surf camps. Just ask our team at the front office. Another option is Grab or Gojek. These are the names of two apps through which you can either book a ride on a scooter or drive in a car. Grab or Gojek drivers are available almost all over the island and will take you wherever you want to go. Just download the apps on your smartphone so you can order a driver anytime. You’ll also see them standing and waiting on the sides of the roads, shouting "Yeeesss!! Transport!!" or "Bike?! Bike?!", but usually they charge you more.
6. Explore the island!
Don’t spend your whole holiday in one place. Bali has too many stunning places to see. You could spend 4 weeks itinerary in Bali for example like this:
Day 1-5: Seminyak or Canggu
From the airport you’ll reach both our camps in Seminyak and Canggu after a comparable short drive of 50-90min. So after a usually long journey to Bali, you don't have to sit in the car for hours to arrive at your hotel. Use the first days of your Bali holidays to get used to the climate and learn to surf without having to worry or care about anything - the Kima package takes care! In Seminyak and Canggu you’ll find the most tourists and both offer good places to get to know other travellers with whom you can start your further Bali adventure.
Day 6-10: Ubud
Arrived in Bali and ready for some culture, nature and the best jungle vibes in Bali? After around a 1,5h to drive from Seminyak or Canggu, you’ll reach Ubud, which shouldn’t be missed when visiting the island of Gods. Explore the monkey forest, beautiful rice terraces and Bali’s yoga spirit.
Day 11-13: Munduk
Get ready for Bali’s best waterfalls. Munduk is located in North Bali and is a beautiful area with fewer tourists. From Ubud to Munduk it will take you around 2,5h drive with the scooter. Must-sees in and around Munduk:
Leke Leke Waterfall
Nung Nung Waterfall
Handara Gate
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Day 14-18: Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan
After you explored the northern part of Bali it’s time to leave the island: the Nusa Islands are calling! Take the speed boat from the harbour in Sanur on Bali’s east coast.
Day 19-23: The Gili Islands
From the Nusa Islands, you can directly take the ferry to the Gili Island: the ultimate tropical Island getaway. White sandy beaches and crystal clear water as far as the eye can see. The three most famous islands are:
Gili Trawangan: The party island among the Gilis with many young people
Gili Meno: Honeymoon vibes, the smallest and most quiet island
Gili Air: Chilled vibes with lots of cafes
In general, all islands are way more chilled than Bali with fewer tourists and no traffic at all. The only way to get around the Gilis is by bike or walking.
Day 24-27: Uluwatu
Enjoy your last days back in Bali on the Bukit Peninsula in Uluwatu. The south of Bali offers the best beaches for relaxing but also for intermediate surfers. Explore many nice cafés, restaurants and beach bars over here and slowly get ready to say goodbye to an unforgettable month in Bali.
Of course, not everyone can afford the luxury of spending 4 weeks in Bali, so if you just have less time available and therefore prefer to stay in one place, we recommend booking a few day trips to still see as much of the island as possible. At Kima, we offer you a range of cultural trips to all the stunning places in Bali.
BOOK YOUR STAY NOW AND ADD SOME CULTURAL TRIPS