Bali: The Must Knows

When is the Best Time to Visit?

March and September are the best months of the year to visit if you want optimal weather (as in, won’t melt into the ground from the heat) and somewhat fewer crowds.

October to November gives you the best Bali prices for hotels and tours. BUT, be aware that this is also rainy season, so prepare for some potential downpour. Or, you might get lucky.

June to August is peak season – avoid. Unless you bask in blistering heat, inflated prices, and mosh pit-like crowds (as in – the wild Aussie ones), then there’s no problem there.

Visa Requirements

If you’re visiting Indonesia for less than 30 days and you belong to one of these 140 nationalities – you won’t need a visa. Otherwise, check your local Indonesian embassy for visa requirements.

Travel Insurance

I know living life on the edge is exhilarating and all, but don’t be that person (or family) who goes on holiday without travel insurance. I worked at a travel agency for 2 years and have heard enough horror stories to direct a sequel to the Final Destination movie franchise. So, make sure this is the first thing you do before booking anything else for your trip.

We use and recommend World Nomads, because, quite frankly – they’re the cheapest and cover a large variety of incidences. They’ve covered my derriére on numerous occasions from stolen iPhones to damaged suitcases.

Bali Prices: Our 2-Week Expenses

Our expenses in Bali are based on a family of 4 over a 2-week travel period outside of peak season. And.. We like to eat, a lot.

Just to make things clear – I’m trapped in a life with 3 perpetually hangry boys (hence the name of the blog), so in essence, our life savings go towards food. I mean, not gonna lie – I love to eat, too. So, most of our Bali expenses went towards accommodation and food.

We also had to make two trips to international doctors when our 3-year old came down with some kind of mosquito-borne virus which required blood tests and medication, hence the $152 that went towards healthcare.

All in all, Bali prices are still significantly lower than most western countries, which is what makes the island one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world.

Compare the best accommodation deals in Bali below:

How much does it cost to eat out?

While it might seem like a good idea to cook your own food, it’s actually much cheaper to eat out than to buy ingredients to whip up a meal. For the most part, supermarkets in Bali stock imported goods at inflated prices, making them even more expensive than products back at home.

Warung (local eateries)

Hit up a Warung in your local neighbourhood for authentic and crazy cheap food. Prices for a single dish will usually range between 70 cents to $5, easily feeding a family of 4 for less than $20.

If you’re unsure of which Warungs to visit, take a look at Mark Wiens’ Street Food Tour of Bali for some of the best and cheapest Indonesian food. Alternatively, if you’re based in Seminyak, make sure to check out these Western and Indonesian eateries that won’t break your budget.

Western & Seafood Restaurants

Although Balinese and Indonesian food is delicious – there’s not a whole lot of variety. Let’s be honest, there’s only so much Mee Goreng and Crispy Duck you can eat before you start craving more diversity.

Don’t hesitate to try that Italian joint or Japanese restaurant – they are really good and seem to be able to whip up some pretty authentic food (better than many in Australia even, go figure). Although prices are dearer, it’s usually worth it. Expect to pay between $6 to $27 a dish for pizza, pasta and seafood.

Breakfast & Cafés

I’m calling it – brunch is better in Bali than in Australia. Guys, that’s a huge call because coffee and brunch is, like, Australia’s pride and joy. The Balinese have everything down pat from artisan coffee to some of the prettiest smoothie bowls and breakfast dishes your eyes have ever seen. You’ll feel bad ruining the aesthetics of your dish by eating it.

Of course, if you do this on the daily – it could potentially hurt your budget. Artisan coffee will cost around $2 and breakfast anywhere between $5-12 per dish.

For ideas on where to eat with little ones, take a look at this list of kid-friendly restaurants and cafés in Bali.

Best Travel Guides for Bali & Indonesia:

Lonely Planet Bali Guide	Bali With Kids Guidebook	Lonely Planet Indonesia Guide

Cost of Activities & Leisure

A trip to Bali is an exhilarating blend of culture and touristy fun that truly is for all members of the family. There’s an endless number of things to do in Bali with kids, from animal parks to beach clubs – you won’t even find enough time to experience them all. That’s why most visitors keep making return trips to this happy island because you never run out of activities.

Some temples are free to enter, but the popular ones, such as Tanah Lot and Gunung Kawi charge a very small entry fee. The same goes for nature parks in which you’ll find some of Bali’s most breathtaking waterfalls.

The more popular tourist attractions in Bali come at a higher price, but they are so worth a visit. Most of the time, we found it cheaper to purchase tickets online than at the door, sometimes saving us up to 20% on entry. We pre-purchased all of our tickets from Klook who seemed to have the best deals for Bali Zoo, Waterbom and even Bali Safari and Marine Park.

For a rough idea of how to make the most of Bali’s best attractions, take a look at this comprehensive 10-day itinerary for inspiration.

Cost of Phone & Internet

If you’re planning to use apps like Grab and GoJek on the fly, it’s best to get a SIM card. Although WiFi can be found in most cafés, restaurants and even some shops, there were times we found ourselves stranded and needing to book a Grab but we couldn’t because we didn’t buy a SIM card. Derp.

The safest place to purchase a SIM is at the airport in the arrivals hall. A basic plan for calls, texting and 4gb of data to blow should cost between Rp 70k-150k ($5-10) valid for 30 days. Be wary of buying from independent shops as they tend to overcharge. Like, by a lot.

Some shop owners we encountered in Ubud claimed that the cheapest SIM only serviced a certain area and they’ll attempt to persuade you into buying a more expensive option covering all of Bali. Just.. don’t fall for those mind games.

Average Daily Cost of Travelling Bali as a Family

We suck at budgeting, which is why budget travel doesn’t usually work for us, as hard as we try. We just have zero self-control when it comes to, well, food. But, then again – who does? In all honestly, Bali can absolutely be done on a tight budget, but you can also ball out hard and live it up. It’s all possible in Bali.

Tips for Saving Money in Bali

• Plan your trip for low season to snap up airfare bargains and accommodation deals.
• Eat at Warungs in your local area for authentic and cheap Balinese food.
• Shop at fresh food markets for fruits and vegetables as opposed to supermarkets.
• Purchase tickets online on sites like Klook where you can save up to 20% on entry tickets.
• Haggle your pants off because there’s always room for a bargain. Pitch half the amount of what the vendor is offering.
• Stay in guesthouses or apartments – they are the most cost-effective accommodation options in Bali.
• Download the Grab or GoJek app to get around and avoid having to haggle over cab fares.