Bali Travel Guide 2026: Itinerary, Hotels, Costs & FAQ
Last verified: August 2026
Bali: Temples, Rice Terraces, and Endless Coastline
Bali built its reputation on postcard images, but the island earns them — emerald rice terraces, sea temples on volcanic rock, and a wellness and surf culture that draws travelers back year after year. This guide includes the exact Bali Tourist Levy process for 2026, since a surprising number of visitors still find out about it for the first time in the airport queue.
6-Day Bali Itinerary
Day 1: Seminyak
- Morning: Arrive and settle into Seminyak
- Afternoon: Beach time and boutique shopping
- Evening: Sunset dinner at a beach club
Day 2: Uluwatu
- Morning: Explore Uluwatu's clifftop coastline
- Afternoon: Uluwatu Temple perched on the cliff edge
- Evening: Traditional Kecak fire dance at sunset
Day 3: Ubud – Rice Terraces
- Morning: Travel to Ubud, visit the Tegallalang Rice Terraces
- Afternoon: Ubud Monkey Forest and the town's art markets
- Evening: Dinner with rice paddy views
Day 4: Ubud – Temples & Wellness
- Morning: Tirta Empul, a sacred water temple for a purification ritual
- Afternoon: Yoga class or a spa treatment
- Evening: Balinese cooking class
Day 5: Mount Batur or East Bali
- Morning: Sunrise trek up Mount Batur volcano (start pre-dawn)
- Afternoon: Hot springs at the base of the volcano, or explore Tirta Gangga's water palace
- Evening: Return to your hotel for a restful evening
Day 6: Beach Day & Departure
- Morning: Relax at Nusa Dua or Sanur beach
- Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in Seminyak or Canggu
- Evening: Departure
Where to Eat in Bali
- Locavore (Ubud) – An award-winning fine dining restaurant using entirely local Indonesian ingredients.
- Warungs – Small local eateries found everywhere, ideal for authentic, affordable nasi goreng and satay.
- Bebek Bengil (Ubud) – Famous for its crispy duck, set in a lush rice paddy garden.
- Beach clubs (Seminyak/Uluwatu) – Great for a scenic lunch or sunset drinks, though pricier than local warungs.
- Babi Guling stalls – Bali's iconic roast suckling pig, found at local stalls across the island.
- Night market food stalls – Found in most towns, offering an affordable and authentic evening meal.
Best Hotels in Bali
- Budget: Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel (Ubud), The Island Ubud, Genggong Ubud Bisma
- Mid-range: Alaya Resort Ubud, Katamama (Seminyak), Padma Resort Legian
- Luxury: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan, COMO Shambhala Estate, Bulgari Resort Bali
Splitting time between Ubud (culture and rice terraces) and a coastal town like Seminyak or Uluwatu (beaches and nightlife) gives the fullest picture of the island.
How Much Does a Trip to Bali Cost?
Costs vary by travel style, but here's a grounded daily budget per person:
- Budget traveler: $35–55/day (guesthouse, scooter rental, warung meals, free/cheap temples)
- Mid-range traveler: $80–140/day (boutique hotel or villa, drivers for day trips, sit-down restaurants)
- Luxury traveler: $250+/day (private villa with pool, fine dining, spa treatments)
The Bali Tourist Levy: what it actually is and how to pay it
Since February 2024, every foreign visitor to Bali must pay the Tourism Tax for Foreign Visitors (Pungutan Wisatawan Asing): IDR 150,000 (about $10) per person, once per trip — not per night, and not the same as your hotel's separate accommodation tax. It applies to everyone, including infants and children, with no age exemption. The cleanest way to handle it is to pay online through the official Love Bali app or website (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) 48–72 hours before your flight — you'll get a QR code to show on arrival. If you skip this, there's a payment kiosk between the arrivals gate and baggage claim at Ngurah Rai Airport, but expect a queue. As of mid-2026 there's no confirmed date for a rumored increase to IDR 300,000, so budget for the current 150,000 rate. Be cautious of third-party websites that charge extra fees to "process" this payment — only the official Love Bali channel is needed.
Other things to budget for: temple entry donations (around $2–5 each), a private driver for day trips (around $35–50/day, very common and worthwhile), and a Mount Batur sunrise trek with guide (around $30–40). Most nationalities can obtain a Bali visa on arrival or e-visa for short tourist stays, separate from the tourist levy.
Practical Tips for Visiting Bali
- Best time to visit: April–October (dry season) for the most reliable weather.
- Pay the IDR 150,000 Tourist Levy online via the Love Bali app before you fly — it avoids the arrival queue entirely.
- Hiring a private driver for day trips is affordable and far easier than navigating unfamiliar roads yourself.
- Dress modestly and wear a sarong (often provided) when visiting temples.
- Scooter rental is popular but requires an international driving permit and real caution on Bali's busy roads.
Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Bali
How many days do you need in Bali?
6 days lets you split time between Ubud's culture and rice terraces and a coastal area for beaches, without feeling rushed.
Do I have to pay a tourist tax to visit Bali?
Yes — every foreign visitor pays the IDR 150,000 (about $10) Bali Tourist Levy once per trip, including children and infants. Pay it online via the official Love Bali app before you fly to skip the airport queue.
Is Bali expensive to visit?
Bali remains one of the more affordable major destinations — budget travelers can manage on $35-55/day, plus the one-time $10 tourist levy.
What is the best time of year to visit Bali?
April through October is the dry season and the most popular time to visit. November through March is the wet season, with afternoon showers but fewer crowds and lower prices.
