Bali is one of Indonesia’s thousand islands, but almost everyone travelling from Azerbaijan flies precisely there. The reason is simple. On one island there is the ocean, the rice terraces and the temples, and on top of that villa prices are half of what they are in Europe. The visa question is easy too, as the 35-dollar e-VOA is bought online. Below I have written about choosing a district and the distances within the island.
Which district to stay in on Bali
This is the decision that determines the whole trip, because the island is large and the roads are slow. Canggu means surf, cafés and a young crowd. Seminyak is more expensive and tidier, while Nusa Dua is a quiet hotel zone and is comfortable for those travelling with family.
Uluwatu is on top of the cliffs, the view is magnificent, but getting down to the beach means steps. Ubud, on the other hand, is away from the ocean, inland. The best option is to split the trip in two: a few days in Ubud and the remaining days on the coast.
Ubud, the rice terraces and the temples
Ubud is the cultural centre of the island. The Tegallalang rice terraces are empty early in the morning and turn into a photo queue by midday. The monkey forest is inside the town and you are advised to keep your glasses in your pocket, because the monkeys really do take them.
Among the temples, Tanah Lot is on a rock in the sea and people go there for sunset. At the Uluwatu temple the kecak dance is performed in the evening. A sash around the waist is required when entering a temple; they give it to you at the entrance, but shoulders and knees must be covered.
Nusa Penida and the neighbouring islands
Nusa Penida is to the south-east of Bali and takes forty minutes by fast boat. The Kelingking cliff is the island’s best-known view, while climbing down is a serious physical effort. It can be fitted into one day, but staying one night makes the route considerably more comfortable.
Nusa Lembongan is smaller and quieter and suits snorkelling. The boats leave early in the morning and the crossings are cancelled when the ocean is rough. Because the internet is weak on the island, buying an eSIM before the trip settles the question of maps and boat tickets.
Read more: An Indonesia travel guide: Bali, Lombok, Java and Komodo — which island for what?
Transport and budget on Bali
There is practically no public transport on the island. The Grab and Gojek apps work, but in some districts local drivers do not allow them. The most comfortable option is a car with a driver by the day, at around thirty to forty dollars for eight hours. A scooter is cheap, but riding one without an international licence is both illegal and invalidates your insurance.
| Guest house with a pool | 25–45 dollars a night |
| Villa, Ubud and Seminyak | 80–180 dollars |
| Visa, e-VOA | 35 dollars, 30 days |
| Bali tourist levy | 150,000 rupiah, paid separately |
When choosing a hotel, look at the district and the travel time at the same time, because ten kilometres on the map means an hour here, so compare hotels by district. There is no direct flight; you go via Doha, Dubai and Istanbul, so check ticket prices in the Denpasar direction together with the transit options. Official tourism information is on Indonesia’s official tourism portal.
Season on Bali
April–October is the dry season and the best time for the island, with the weather at 28–31 degrees. July–August are the most crowded and most expensive months. November–March is rainy, but the rain usually lasts an hour or two in the afternoon and after that the sun comes out, while prices come down considerably. April, May and September are the most balanced choice in terms of both weather and budget.
In short
Bali offers several entirely different holidays on one island, on the condition that you choose the district correctly. Split the trip in two as Ubud and the coast, give one night to Nusa Penida, get an international licence for a scooter, and buy the visa online before the flight. If you want to combine Asia with several countries, you can look at the ready-made tour options. For a route and a visa, fill in the application form.
Note: the visa fee and the tourist levy may change, so check on the official portal before travelling.
