Bali: A Guide for Those Going It Alone

1. Tanah Lot Temple

15th-century temple on a sea rock. Accessible only at low tide. Best time: sunset, 17:00 to 18:30. Entry 60,000 IDR ($4). Parking 5,000 IDR. Address: Beraban, Kediri, Tabanan Regency. 30 minutes from Canggu by scooter.

2. Tegallalang Rice Terraces

Stepped fields north of Ubud, subak irrigation system (UNESCO). Come before 9:00 — tour buses arrive after. Entry 25,000 IDR ($1.70). Swings over the terraces — 150,000 IDR ($10) for a photo. Coordinates: -8.4312, 115.2792. 15 minutes from central Ubud.

3. Uluwatu Temple

70-meter cliff over the ocean. Every evening at 18:00, the Kecak dance — 100 men chanting in a chorus without instruments, telling the Ramayana against the sunset. Temple entry: 50,000 IDR ($3.50), Kecak ticket 150,000 IDR ($10). Warning: monkeys steal glasses, hats, phones.

4. Ubud Monkey Forest

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — 700 long-tailed macaques across 12.5 hectares of tropical forest. Inside are three 14th-century Hindu temples. Entry 80,000 IDR ($5.50). Rules: don't show teeth to monkeys (they read it as aggression), don't carry food openly, keep bags closed. Address: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud. Open 8:30-18:00.

5. Mount Batur

Active volcano, 1,717 m tall. Sunrise trek: start at 3:30-4:00 a.m., 2-hour climb on a moderate trail. Guide required — from 350,000 IDR ($24) per person. At the summit, breakfast on eggs cooked in volcanic steam. At the base: Toya Devasya hot springs, entry 150,000 IDR ($10).

6. Besakih Temple (Pura Besakih)

The "Mother of Temples" — Bali's main temple. A complex of 23 separate temples on the slope of Mount Agung (3,031 m). Founded in the 10th century. Entry 60,000 IDR ($4) plus mandatory sarong (provided at entrance). Don't hire a "guide" at the gate — they push for 300,000 IDR. 1.5 hours from Ubud.

7. Tegenungan Waterfall

25 meters tall, 20 minutes from Ubud. You can swim in the pool at the base. Entry 20,000 IDR ($1.40). The stairs down — 150 steps, wet and slippery. Better in the morning (8:00-9:00) — fewer crowds and beautiful light. Cafe nearby with waterfall view.

8. Nusa Penida: Kelingking Beach

A T-Rex-shaped cliff with turquoise water. On Nusa Penida island, 30-45 minutes by speedboat from Sanur Port. Boat 150,000-200,000 IDR ($10-14) round trip. The descent to the beach is steep and dangerous (40 minutes). Most photograph from above without descending. Also on Nusa Penida: Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong, Kelingking T-Rex.

9. Tirta Ganga Water Palace

Royal palace from 1946 on the island's east. Fountains, pools, gardens. You can swim in the sacred koi pond — 10,000 IDR ($0.70) on top of the 50,000 IDR ($3.50) entry. On the way to the Amed dive site. Uncrowded even in season.

10. Nusa Dua Beach

Clean white sand, calm water without waves (reef-protected). 5-star hotels line the shore, but public beach sections are free. Nearby Water Blow — a cliff where waves shoot up in fountains. The best beach in Bali for families with kids. Sun lounger 50,000 IDR ($3.50)/day.

Via Singapore (Singapore Airlines, AirAsia) — well-connected from many hubs. Singapore to Denpasar 2.5 hours.

Via Doha (Qatar Airways) — top comfort. From European hubs to Doha 5-6 hours + Doha-Denpasar 9 hours. Layover 2-4 hours in one of the world's best airports.

Via Kuala Lumpur — most budget-friendly. KL-Bali on AirAsia is cheap; consider a stopover day in KL.

Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) in the south of the island, 15 minutes from Kuta. Airport taxis: to Seminyak 150,000 IDR ($10, 30 min), to Ubud 350,000 IDR ($24, 1.5 hours), to Canggu 200,000 IDR ($14, 45 min). Only use official taxi counters in arrivals — fixed prices.

Scooter — 90% of travelers move on one. Rental: 70,000-100,000 IDR ($5-7) per day, from 1,500,000 IDR ($100) per month. Fuel: 10,000 IDR ($0.70) per liter, a tank lasts 2-3 days. International A-class license required. Police set up checkpoints regularly — fine without a license is 500,000 IDR ($34). Helmet required.

Grab (Uber equivalent) — works everywhere except the airport and Nusa Dua zone. 5 km ride: 15,000-25,000 IDR ($1-1.70) by scooter, 30,000-50,000 IDR ($2-3.40) by car. Convenient, cheap, but slow in traffic.

Car with driver — best for excursions. 600,000-800,000 IDR ($40-55) for a full day (10 hours). Driver waits while you sightsee. Book through your hotel or Klook.

Blue Bird taxi — blue cars with meters. Pickup 7,500 IDR ($0.50), 1 km — 6,500 IDR ($0.45). Call via the My Blue Bird app.

Public transport — almost nonexistent. The only option is the tourist Kura-Kura Bus between Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, and Ubud. Runs hourly, fare 20,000-80,000 IDR ($1.40-5.50).

Warungs (local food)

A warung is a small family cafe, often just roadside tables under a canopy. Nasi goreng (fried rice with egg and vegetables) — 25,000-35,000 IDR ($1.70-2.40). Mie goreng (fried noodles) — same. Nasi campur (rice with a 4-5-item selection) — 30,000-45,000 IDR ($2-3). Satay (mini skewers with peanut sauce) — 25,000 IDR ($1.70) for 10 pieces.

Tourist cafes

Acai smoothie bowl — 65,000-85,000 IDR ($4.50-6). Cappuccino — 35,000-50,000 IDR ($2.40-3.40). Burger — 75,000-120,000 IDR ($5-8). Pizza — 80,000-130,000 IDR ($5.50-9).

Restaurants

Seafood on Jimbaran Beach — dinner for two with fish, prawns, rice, and beer: 300,000-500,000 IDR ($20-34). Fine dining in Seminyak (Merah Putih, Sardine) — from 500,000 IDR ($34) per person.

Must-tries

Babi guling (roast suckling pig) — Bali's signature. Best spot: Ibu Oka in Ubud (since the 1980s), portion 65,000 IDR ($4.50). Address: Jl. Tegal Sari No.2, Ubud.

Bebek betutu (duck stewed in banana leaves) — 12-hour preparation. Bebek Bengil ("Dirty Duck") in Ubud, portion from 95,000 IDR ($6.50). Address: Jl. Hanoman, Ubud.

Luwak coffee — from 50,000 IDR ($3.50) per cup. If you visit a plantation, check the animals' living conditions. Wild luwak is more expensive but ethical.

VOA (Visa on Arrival) — issued right at Denpasar airport. Cost $35, payable by card or in US dollars cash. Process: fill the form at the desk, submit your passport (minimum 6 months until expiry), get the sticker — 15-30 minutes.

Extension — another 30 days for $35. Issued at the immigration office (Kantor Imigrasi) in Denpasar or via an agent (+ 300,000 IDR / $20 service fee). Apply 7 days before visa expires.

e-VOA — can be issued in advance online at molina.imigrasi.go.id. Same $35, but skip the airport queue. Recommended for high season (July-August).

Insurance — not legally required, but critically necessary. BIMC Hospital in Kuta charges $100+ for a consultation. Fracture + evacuation — $5,000-15,000. Buy a policy with coverage from $50,000.

Monkeys — a real problem at Monkey Forest and Uluwatu. Take off glasses, hide your phone, don't eat in front of them. If a monkey grabs your item, don't tug — it'll drop it when bored.

Currents — strong rip currents at Kuta, Canggu, and Seminyak beaches. Swim only between the red flags. If caught, swim sideways along the shore, not against the current. 10-20 tourists drown every year.

Traffic — chaotic, especially for first-time scooter riders. Locals ride without rules, dogs sleep on the road, kids dart out. Don't rent a scooter without experience. Kuta and Seminyak traffic — up to 2 hours for 5 km.

Water — bottled only. A 1.5 L bottle at a shop: 5,000 IDR ($0.35). Restaurant ice is usually from purified water (long cylindrical cubes = factory-made, safe).

Money — BCA, Mandiri, BNI ATMs everywhere. Withdraw at bank branches (less skimming). Street currency exchanges scam — use BMC Exchange or Dirgahayu Money Changer. Rate: 1 USD = ~16,000 IDR (April 2026).

SIM card — Telkomsel (best coverage, including mountains). At the airport: 100,000 IDR ($7) for 15 GB. Or XL: 50,000 IDR ($3.50) for 8 GB. Passport registration required.

Temples — sarong required (cloth around the hips). Provided free or with deposit at the entrance. No entry with open wounds or during menstruation — a religious rule, respected.

Nyepi (Balinese New Year) — in March (date varies by Balinese lunar calendar). The whole island goes silent for 24 hours: no leaving the house, no lights, no driving. Airport closed. If you're caught, stay in your hotel and stock up on food in advance.