It’s a rite of passage for every Aussie to visit Bali at least once in their lifetime—and for most travellers, one Bali experience is enough to get them hooked for life!
Before you embark on your Bali escape, it’s always good to find out a little about what you can expect so you know how to prepare for your trip and get the most out of the experience. That’s why we’ve pulled together this handy travel guide, filled with everything you need to know before you visit Bali.
Best ways to experience Bali
There’s so much to love about Bali. Without having to travel too far from Australian shores, Bali serves up a rich cultural experience with something for everyone.
With so much on offer, it can be hard to know where to start when choosing what activities to include on your itinerary—but don’t worry, here are some top ideas of things to do in Bali that will make for an unforgettable experience.
Practice yoga in Ubud
Having been practised in Bali for more than 1,000 years, many people travel to Bali every year with the sole purpose of practising yoga—and Ubud is the place to do it. The spectacular scenery alone can work wonders helping you to feel rested and restored
Sip cocktails at sunset
There are plenty of great places to relax with a cocktail while taking in the beauty of a Bali sunset, but if you’re looking for one of the best and most iconic places to do it, Rock Bar in Jimbaran is seriously impressive
Explore some of Bali’s ancient temples
Bali is home to many Pura (Hindu temples), some of which date back thousands of years. If you can, include a visit to temples like Tanah Lot, Pura Tirta Empul or Uluwatu Temple on your itinerary to experience some of Bali’s rich cultural heritage.
Visiting Bali
Climate
Bali can be beautiful to visit at most times of the year, but it is good to plan your trip around what you would most like to do while you’re there.
Bali is generally warm no matter what time you visit, with temperatures typically ranging between 28°C – 32°C year round. The climate in Bali is however separated into the wet and dry seasons, which could influence the type of activities you’ll be able to enjoy.
The dry season runs from April through to October, making it an ideal time to travel if your idea of a Bali escape involves plenty of time spent outside. If you plan to visit during the wet season (from November to March), expect to encounter frequent downpours.
Culture and Climate
Bali’s culture is richly steeped in a form of Hinduism called Agama Hindu Dharma which influences almost every aspect of the way the Balinese people live, with significant focus placed on achieving a harmonious balance between people, nature and religion.
Balinese people are generally very warm and welcoming toward tourists. While the official languages in Bali include Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian) and Basa Bali (Balinese), many Bali locals also speak some English which makes it relatively easy for Australian tourists to get by in most areas of the island. You shouldn’t have any issues communicating in English in hotels or restaurants.
It is important to research and respect the local laws in Bali, as some things that might be acceptable in Australia are seriously frowned upon in Indonesia. Some activities (such as drug offenses) can attract very severe penalties, including the death penalty.
Accommodation
Bali offers a variety of accommodation options including everything from luxury hotels and private villas through to budget backpacker hostels. You may even choose to stay in a Losmen, which are basic guest houses run by local Balinese families.
You’ll generally find that most of the accommodation in Bali is relatively affordable compared to what you might expect to pay in Australia when you consider the quality of the rooms and facilities and the level of service provided.
Entry Requirements
If you are travelling on an Australian passport, you can apply for an e-Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) no later than 48 hours prior to travelling to Indonesia. Alternatively, you can also pay for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Ngurah Rai airport in Denpasar (Bali’s international airport).
It’s always a good idea to visit the Australian government’s Smartraveller website before your trip for the latest information and updates about travelling to Indonesia.
You’ll generally find that most of the accommodation in Bali is relatively affordable compared to what you might expect to pay in Australia when you consider the quality of the rooms and facilities and the level of service provided.
Why might you need travel insurance in Bali?
We want you to have the best possible time while visiting Bali—that’s where travel insurance can be so valuable.
Having travel insurance is like just having someone wise and responsible looking out for you round-the-clock, just in case things don’t go to plan.
Here are some of the ways our travel insurance could come in handy while you’re away…
Please note:
All benefits and covers are subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions listed in the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and on other policy documentation, including the schedule.
Choosing the right cover for your trip to Bali
We understand that everyone is different, and one single type of cover won’t suit every traveller—but we also know that travel insurance can seem confusing.
That’s why we’ve made it easy by giving you the choice between basic and comprehensive cover, with the option to add extra cover if you’ll be doing certain types of activities like rock climbing, quad bike riding, deep sea fishing or paragliding.
Add extra protection if you'll be doing certain activities while away
Please refer to the relevant PDS before purchasing our travel insurance to understand what is, and is not, covered by the policy to ensure it is the right cover for you.
Instant payouts on approved claims with PassportCard
When you choose PassportCard, you’ll enjoy the extra peace of mind of knowing you’ll be able to cover most expenses there and then if something goes wrong.
When you purchase one of our travel insurance policies, we’ll ask you if you’d like a PassportCard to take with you on your trip. If something happens while you’re away (like your luggage is delayed, your cash is stolen or you experience a medical issue), our team can handle your claim quickly over the phone and transfer funds to your PassportCard on-the-spot*.
If approved, you’ll be able to withdraw cash to cover expenses that can arise from things like delayed luggage or stolen cash, or if it’s a medical issue, we can instantly add funds to your PassportCard so you can immediately pay for expenses when you need to.
You won’t need to fill out any paperwork and instant access to funds means you won’t be left out of pocket.
Find out more about how instant claims work for your upcoming trip.
* All benefits and covers are subject to the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions listed in the Combined Financial Services Guide and Product Disclosure Statement and on other policy documentation, including the schedule. Terms and conditions of the PassportCard also apply.
PassportCard Australia Pty Ltd (PassportCard) ABN 76 621 476 220 (AFSL 551 057) is an Underwriting Agency acting under Binder from Guild Insurance Limited (Guild) ABN 55 004 538 863 (AFSL 233 791).
NOTE: This article is from PassportCard Australia (www.passportcard.com.au)
