Bali travel guide for first-time travellers

Are you planning a trip to Bali? Unsure where to go and what to do? Solo trip to Bali and feeling overwhelmed? I’ll keep it simple while giving you all the best places to visit in Bali

When to visit Bali?
Bali is convenient in that you can visit most times of the year and have a great experience. Monsoon season is Nov-Feb but even then it tends to rain in bursts and be lovely for the rest of the day. It is a tropical island so it does get hot pretty much all year around, but isn’t that part of the draw? The only time I would avoid is Nyepi in March - this is a 1 day religious holiday where pretty much everything shuts down - not what you want when you have limited time to explore.

Where to stay in Bali?
For first-time travellers I recommend sticking to the more popular, built up areas - although some of these I wouldn’t recommend to anyone (Kuta in particular)! I would suggest the best area to stay in Bali for first timers would be either Canggu, Ubud or Sanur. Both hotels and AirBnBs are pretty affordable in this part of the world. We loved our last AirBnB in Canggu here or I recommend Booking.com if you would rather the perks and ease of a hotel.

Nearby the airport are the 3 main beachside tourists hubs. The closest is Kuta, then Seminyak, then Canggu. The closer the more built up and touristy. I went on my fourth visit to Bali recently and have found even Canggu is now falling victim to overdevelopment but I’d still chose it over the others - less tacky souvenir shops and badly behaved tourists getting smashed in western style pubs on watered down vodka drinks! Canggu has a wide variety of accom at all budget ranges, diverse bars and eateries from cheap to upscale plus a heap of beach clubs. It’s also close enough if there is somewhere particular in Seminyak or Kuta you want to visit.

Ubud is inland and covered by lush and beautiful forest. It’s also fairly populated but has more of cultural heart and is great for people interested in nature, yoga, healthy smoothie bowls and the like. The main part of town is busy but it only takes 5mins to get some peace - the best of both worlds.

Sanur is popular destination for families and anyone who wants convenience but in a much more relaxed environment. It’s not as built-up but still close to the airport, has beaches and enough food options to keep you happy. For a more local experience but still with the infrastructure to feel comfortable, it’s a solid option.

Photos above from Ubud

How to get around Bali (including from the airport)
Getting around Bali is super easy and affordable with multiple options. The most common and best way to get around Bali is to use Grab or Gojek (which are basically like Uber) to hire a driver with either a car or a scooter where you sit on the back. If you’re on your own, I’d go for scooters - they’re cheaper, more fun and can skip past more of the traffic that plagues Bali. They will have helmets for you - wear them! For 2 or more people, you may want to consider the car option, especially for long distances or if you’re expecting rain. Short trips are usually a matter of $1 or $2AUD dollars, longer $10-$20AUD depending on how far.

You can still hire scooters very cheaply and ride yourself around but Bali traffic really isn’t for the faint of heart. Don’t do it if you feel you’ll pose a risk to yourselves or others. If you really want to do this, maybe just do it for one day when you’re somewhere more quiet/not going far. I haven’t done this myself for a few years but it was under $10AUD a day when I did. Depending on how dodgy the place is, they may want an international drivers licence, a copy of your passport etc.

The other options is to hire a driver. Again, especially with more than person, this can be pretty cost effective and convenient as you can book for a fixed day rate and they will wait around for you as you go from location to location and you can leave shopping, jackets etc there as well. I’ve seen prices from around $50-$100AUD per day (usually around $50-70). For car or scooter hire, you can also ask your accommodation for recommendations - they will usually know someone or tell you how much you should expect to pay.

Now, most people will arrive in Bali to the main airport near Denpasar - I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport. This place can be HECTIC. It’s hot, can have massive lines and when you finally get out, there’s a crowd of people jostling with signs and offers to drive you - it can be intimidating for first-timers. Requirements are different by country so do your homework on entry requirements and processes. Australians - check Smart Traveller and only use trusted links from there for info on visas etc. I strongly advise booking a an airport transfer via your accommodation or a trusted website like Viator. This way you can whatsapp or call the person and they will have your name on a sign. This makes thing go much more smoothly.

What to do in Bali
I’ll write seperate post with my top picks, but here are some best activities in Bali that you should incorporate into your trip:

Cafe culture. For Australians this is second nature but Bali is full of great aesthetic cafes offering classic brunch fair us Aussies love - avocado toast, pancakes, eggs, boujee lattes or smoothie bowls. Insta worthy for sure and definitely cheaper than Melbourne or Sydney.

Photos above from Canggu

Balinese culture + nature. Catch a dance show or, at minimum, eat at a “Warung” to experience local food. Visit a waterfall or rice paddy.

Relax with a spa experience. For around $5 you can get a good massage in a nice clean shop or for $40-$60 you can get a whole pamper package in a nice resort. Flower baths are a Balinese speciality!

Live it up at a beach club. There are clubs catering for families or ones that are more night clubs - something for everyone. Most charge a set amount as a minimum spend on food and drinks. Pick a spot, swim at the pool, get served without having to move, watch a sunset. Hot tip: La Brisa is my number one for all folks. Amazing.

Get off the island. If you have a week or more, definitely consider a day or overnight trip off the island of Bali itself. This is where you will actually find the truly beautiful beaches and water. Nusa Penida is the most famous option - touristy for sure but still jaw dropping - but there’s a bunch of “nusas” AKA islands to pick from.

What not to do in Bali
Be respectful. Balinese people have to deal with a lot of badly behaved tourists. I like a night out and a laugh myself but not at the expense of people who live there. Don’t get too messy on the drinks, don’t be super noisy or annoy locals, and be mindful of traffic and your surroundings.

Be wary of animal activities. I mean this from an ethical perspective (zoos, sanctuaries, places where you can pet animals) but also in terms of your safety. Those monkeys are as intense as you’ve seen online. Hold onto your belongings tightly. I saw one monkey basically maul a toddler!

Haggle but don’t be a tight-ass. Where prices aren’t listed, like at a market, you’re expected to haggle and they will start way too high when negotiating. But also know where to draw the line. Maybe you can get a magnet for $1 instead of $2, but is that so important to you when this is how they support their families? Same with tipping. Some drivers and guides may ask for a tip. You don’t have to do it at all, but if you did like their service, then what’s a few more dollars? There are scammers in Bali, like everywhere in the world, but on the whole, I would say Balinese people and very friendly and trustworthy. I once accidentally gave a $10 note instead of a $1 note and the lady chased me to fix it up.

There you have it. I hope this has made things clearer for you? Not quite, ask a question below!
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