- Best time
- April to October
- Ideal trip
- 6 days / 5 nights
- Fly or arrive at
- Ngurah Rai International, Denpasar (DPS)
Bali is two holidays in one island: the green, slow interior around Ubud and the beach side in the south. Most good Bali trips split the stay between them instead of driving back and forth every day, because traffic is the one thing Bali does badly.
Ubud: temples, terraces and jungle villas
Ubud is where to see the Bali most people imagine. The Tegallalang rice terraces are best early, before tour buses. The Sacred Monkey Forest sits at the edge of town, and the Campuhan ridge walk is an easy, free morning out. Tirta Empul, the water temple, lets visitors join the purification ritual in a sarong.
Many couples choose a private pool villa in Ubud for two or three nights. If you are fit and want one big experience, the sunrise trek on Mount Batur starts around 2 a.m. and ends with breakfast above the clouds.
The south: beaches and sunsets
Seminyak and Canggu are for cafes, beach clubs and sunsets. Nusa Dua is calmer, with large resorts and safe swimming, which suits families. Uluwatu sits on cliffs in the far south; the temple there hosts a Kecak fire dance at sunset that is worth the drive.
Nusa Penida is a boat ride from Sanur. Kelingking beach, Broken Beach and Crystal Bay make a long but memorable day trip. Roads on the island are rough, so it is not ideal for small children or anyone with back trouble.
Visa, levy and flights
Indian passport holders can usually get a visa on arrival or an e-visa on arrival for a fee, and Bali also collects a tourist levy from international visitors. Flights from India often connect through Singapore, Kuala Lumpur or Bangkok, with direct flights from some cities. We confirm the current visa rules and the best routing for your city when we quote.
What to eat in Bali
Try nasi goreng and mie goreng, satay lilit, and a Balinese rice plate called nasi campur. Ubud is one of the easiest places in Asia to eat vegetarian or vegan, and Indian restaurants are found in Seminyak, Kuta and Ubud.
Best time to visit Bali
April to October is the dry season, with July and August the busiest. November to March is the wet season: short, heavy showers, greener landscapes and lower prices. On Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence in March, the whole island including the airport shuts for a day, so plan around it.
Sample itinerary (6 days / 5 nights)
Day 1
Arrive, transfer to Ubud
Check in to a villa, evening in Ubud town.
Day 2
Ubud highlights
Rice terraces, Tirta Empul, Monkey Forest.
Day 3
Free day or Mount Batur
Sunrise trek, or spa and cafe day.
Day 4
Move south
Seminyak or Nusa Dua, Uluwatu Kecak dance at sunset.
Day 5
Nusa Penida
Boat day trip to Kelingking and Crystal Bay.
Day 6
Departure
Beach morning, transfer to the airport.
Good to know before you go
- Carry a sarong or rent one at temples; shoulders and knees must be covered.
- Book drivers by the day rather than hiring scooters if you are not an experienced rider.
- Drink bottled or filtered water only.
Bali trip questions
Is Bali good for a honeymoon?
It is one of the most popular honeymoon choices: private pool villas in Ubud, beach sunsets in the south and good value for money.
How many days do I need in Bali?
Five or six nights lets you split Ubud and the beach and add one day trip. Four nights feels rushed.
Is Nusa Penida worth it?
For views, yes. It is a long day with a boat ride and bumpy roads, so skip it if you are travelling with small children.
