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Indonesia
The complete guide

Indonesia

Everything you need to plan a great trip — Bali overwhelmingly, plus honest notes on the rest of Indonesia if you have extra days.

Flight time 17-24h depending on originFrom $650-1,400 round-tripVisa Visa on arrival, 30 days, extendable to 60*Time zone GMT+8 (Bali/WITA)

Indonesia is a vast archipelago, but for most travelers this trip means Bali specifically: 10 days minimum, 14 days ideal. Combine Ubud (rice terraces and culture, 3-4 days), the Canggu/Seminyak coast (surf and beach clubs, 4-6 days), and a Gili or Nusa Penida island stop (2-3 days) if time allows. Most nationalities use a Visa on Arrival (about $32-35, 30 days, extendable once to 60). Bali also charges a separate one-time tourist tax (about $10). Best months are June-September; budget from $30/day backpacking, $70-150/day mid-range.

Say you're planning a trip to 'Indonesia' and there's a very good chance you mean Bali specifically — and honestly, that's a completely reasonable place to start. It's a small island doing an enormous amount: rice terraces and temples inland, surf and beach clubs on the coast, and a genuinely excellent cafe scene tying it all together, all within an hour or two of each other.

This guide is built around that reality, with Bali making up most of what follows. But Indonesia is a genuinely massive archipelago, and if you have extra days, Java's Borobudur temple and Mount Bromo volcano, the Gili Islands' car-free calm, or Komodo National Park's dragons and diving are all real, worthwhile add-ons — covered honestly here too, including how much extra time each one actually needs.

Destinations

All Destinations ←
Ubud
Destinations

Ubud

Bali's cultural heart — rice terraces, temples, and a serious yoga scene.

Canggu and Seminyak
Destinations

Canggu and Seminyak

Bali's beach belt — surf breaks, beach clubs, and the island's best coffee.

Beaches and Islands

All Beaches and Islands ←
Nusa Penida
Beaches and Islands

Nusa Penida

Bali's wildest day trip — dramatic cliffs, Kelingking, and manta rays.

Gili Islands
Beaches and Islands

Gili Islands

Three tiny car-free islands off Lombok — pick your vibe: party, balance, or quiet.

Attractions

All Attractions ←
Bali's Best Attractions
Attractions

Bali's Best Attractions

Temples, swings, waterfalls, and the honest verdict on each.

Food

All Food ←
Bali Food: What to Eat and What It Costs
Food

Bali Food: What to Eat and What It Costs

Warungs, babi guling, and the island's next-level cafe scene.

Practical Info

All Practical Info ←
Indonesia and Bali Visa and Entry Requirements (2026)
Practical Info

Indonesia and Bali Visa and Entry Requirements (2026)

VOA, extensions, and the Bali tourist tax — the real process, not guesswork.

Money, Safety and eSIM in Bali
Practical Info

Money, Safety and eSIM in Bali

Cash, cards, real safety risks, and staying connected.

Articles and Comparisons

All Articles and Comparisons ←
Ubud or Canggu: Which Bali Base Is Right for You?
Articles and Comparisons

Ubud or Canggu: Which Bali Base Is Right for You?

An honest head-to-head — not just 'do both.'

Best Time to Visit Bali
Articles and Comparisons

Best Time to Visit Bali

Dry season, shoulder months, and when prices actually drop.

Questions people actually ask

How many days do I need for a Bali trip?
10 days is a reasonable minimum if you focus mainly on Bali itself (Ubud plus the coast). 14 days is a strong balance that adds a Gili Islands or Nusa Penida stop. 18-21 days works well if you also want to fit in Java or Komodo.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
June through September is Bali's dry season and the most reliable weather window, though also the most crowded and expensive. May and September offer a strong balance of good weather and better value. The wet season (November-March) brings short afternoon downpours rather than all-day rain and comes with noticeably lower prices.
How much does a trip to Bali cost?
Backpacker budget: from $30/day (guesthouses, warung meals, a scooter). Mid-range comfort: $70-150/day (a nice villa or 3-4 star hotel, restaurant meals, day tours). A two-week trip for two people, flights included, typically runs $2,500-4,000 mid-range, or considerably more at the villa-and-beach-club end.
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
Most nationalities (roughly 97 countries including the US, UK, EU, Australia and Canada) use the Visa on Arrival — about $32-35, valid 30 days, extendable once to 60 total. ASEAN nationals get a separate visa-free 30-day entry. See our full visa guide for the exact process.
What is the Bali tourist tax?
A separate one-time levy of 150,000 Indonesian rupiah (roughly $10) per visit, introduced in February 2024, paid via the Love Bali app or on arrival. It applies specifically to Bali, not the rest of Indonesia, and isn't part of the visa fee.
Is Bali safe to visit?
Yes, very much so overall — violent crime against tourists is rare. The genuinely common risks are scooter accidents and rip currents at surf beaches, not crime — a helmet and swimming at lifeguarded beaches go a long way.
Ubud or Canggu — which should I choose?
Depends on what you want: Ubud for rice terraces, temples, and yoga with no beach; Canggu or Seminyak for surf, beach clubs, and nightlife right on the coast. See our full Ubud-or-Canggu comparison for a direct breakdown.
Is it worth visiting beyond Bali — Java, Lombok, or Komodo?
If you have the days, yes — Java's Borobudur temple and Mount Bromo volcano, the car-free Gili Islands off Lombok, and Komodo National Park are all genuinely worthwhile, but each needs a short flight and several dedicated days, not a rushed add-on.