Bali travel guide

In Bali, choosing between the southern beaches and Ubud for your stay decides day one, and Ubud is over an hour from the airport by car.

The airport to Ubud is about 36 km, listed at 60 to 90 minutes.

The tourist levy for foreign visitors is IDR 150,000 per person. For eligible nationalities, the visa on arrival or electronic visa on arrival (e-VOA) costs IDR 500,000 for 30 days, according to Indonesian Immigration.

Uluwatu Temple costs IDR 60,000 for foreign adults, the Kecak dance is a separate IDR 150,000 for adults, and the Ubud Monkey Forest is IDR 130,000 for adults.

Ubud and Kuta are about 14 km apart, 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic, so pick one direction per day. Recheck entry documents and fees on Indonesian Immigration's official site before you travel.

Visa and entry requirements for Indonesia

Whether you need a visa, how long you can stay and which pre-arrival forms apply all depend on your nationality and the purpose of your trip. Check the official source below, and your own government's travel advice, before you book.

• Official eVisa website for Indonesia (including e-VOA) (Directorate General of Immigration, Republic of Indonesia)
• Visa on Arrival / e-VOA information (Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia)

Uluwatu Temple admission is IDR 60,000 for foreign adults, with the Kecak dance charged separately at IDR 150,000 for adults. The gates open at 16:00 and the performance runs daily 18:00 to 19:00. The Ubud Monkey Forest costs IDR 130,000 for adults and IDR 100,000 for children, open 9:00 to 18:00 with last entry at 17:00.

Ubud and Kuta are about 14 km apart, 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic. Linking the Ubud forest and an Uluwatu sunset on the same day means long drives, so pick one direction per day. Admission prices on information sites date from different times, so the ticket office on site is the reference.

Based on each site's information. Prices may change.

With 2 nights: on day one, go from the airport to a southern beach hotel and rest; on day two, head up to Ubud to walk the forest and village. Ubud is about 36 km and 60 to 90 minutes from the airport.

With 4 nights: keep the first two days in the same order, and make day three the sunset and Kecak day at Uluwatu Temple. On day four, allow plenty of time for the airport.

Plan meals in Bali around babi guling, nasi goreng and mie goreng: something light like nasi goreng or mie goreng for lunch, and a plate such as babi guling for dinner. We don't pick specific shops or prices here.

Bali's tourist levy for foreign visitors is IDR 150,000 per person, paid once per trip, either in advance on the official Love Bali portal or at airport and port counters. For eligible nationalities, the visa on arrival or e-VOA costs IDR 500,000 for 30 days and can be extended once by 30 days. Check eligibility for your nationality with Indonesian Immigration before you travel.

Check passport validity and onward-ticket requirements on the official sources. Temples have dress codes, and the Kecak starts at 18:00, so decide your entry time first.

Before you leave for Bali

• Pay the tourist levy on the official portal
• Check visa on arrival or e-VOA eligibility
• Check passport validity against the official requirements
• Check Uluwatu Temple entry and Kecak times
• Check entry requirements on the official sources

• First time in Bali: stay at a southern beach and give Ubud one day.
• Worried about the airport transfer: Ubud is about 36 km and 60 to 90 minutes away, so allow plenty of time.
• For the sunset and performance: Uluwatu Temple opens at 16:00 and the Kecak starts at 18:00.