Accommodation Prices – Traveling on a Budget & Backpacking in Bali (Average USD 10-25 per night)

For as little as US$10-15 you may get a room at a guest house, homestay, Losmen, or tiny hotel with no stars. It is possible to find even cheaper lodgings with bunk beds. If you’d like a private room with a bathroom and air conditioning, though, you may locate a good hotel for less than US$20 a night. Young  backpackers and budget travelers still flock to Bali, and they tend to head to the southern areas (Kuta, Bukit, and Canggu) and in the east (Padangbai) because of the abundance of cheap hotels and eateries there.

In general, a backpacker should be able to get by for  USD$35 a day, which covers bare-bones lodging, three meals at US$3 each, and a few drinks. You may rent a scooter for around US$4 per day. However, the cost of alcoholic beverages and social gatherings would quickly deplete any such funds.

Don’t expect to be able to rent a villa for these prices. 

Rooms are usually priced per room and not per person, unless you choose a dorm or bunk-bed.

Food & Drinks Budget & Backpacking (Average USD 1-3 per meal)

All across Bali, you’ll find traditional warungs (small eateries), ocal restaurants, often displaying the food where you can choose a selection of different meat, fish and vegetable dishes. It’s good, and it’s also very fresh.

The street food carts (kaki lima) are serving amazing food. such as the famous Soto, meat ball soup, Nasi Goreng,, Martabak, Fried Fish, and of course Sate.

The sanitation standards might not be always “up to par”. But in general one can say, that food is fresh, particularly if you choose vendors that you see are busy. It’s simple to see whether the food, is up to your standards since they’re all out in the open.

This is also where the majority of the locals go to eat during their lunch periods and after work. All Indonesians, including the Balinese, have an insatiable appetite. They like spending time together eating at nice restaurants.

You can get a softdrink at these places for USD 0.6 to 1. Fresh coconot should be USD 1 to 1.5.

Mid-range Accommodation Prices – (Average USD 30-60 per night per room)

The vast majority of Bali’s hotels are moderately priced 3-star establishments. Traditionally, these hotels have been on the smaller side and run by families. Meanwhile, up to 100-room hotels from major chains like Swissbel and Accor and local brands like Grandmas and Aston are entering the market. As more domestic and Chinese visitors come, these businesses will thrive and expand.

These hotels have been thoroughly inspected for cleanliness and comfort, and they often provide a good breakfast at a low price. Most of them are located somewhat farther from the shore, making the use of a scooter or a lengthy walk to the beach necessary.

Depending on the location, you might get a small private villa for that price, particularly if you share a 2 or 3 bedroom villa with more people. The paying 40-60USD per room is enough to get a nice place already.

Mid-Range (Average USD 3-7 per meal)

In this category, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of eateries across Bali. The majority of visitors as well as an increasing number of middle class Balinese eat there. These locations might also even be locally run”warung” but a little bit more geared to serve also foreigners and cost a little bit more, than the warung, that are mostly frequented by the local population.

But there are plenty of restaurants that offer you a decent meal at that price level, 

Middle-range restaurants may be slightly more costly in tourist hot spots such as Canggu and Seminyak for example. Additionally, the costs in the hotel’s restaurants are generally 50–100% higher than stand-alone restaurants in the neighborhood. 

Accommodation Cost – Affordable Luxury (Average USD 70-150 per night)

Depending on the location and proximity to the beach, this category ranges from three up to even five stars. Since also these hotels often provide different room categories, you could get very different experiences and pay different prices in the same hotel. This segment is often booked by families and individual travelers (single, couples and groups) who have grown out of their backpacker phase.

Expect well-appointed rooms, at least one restaurant, pool, nice gardens, good location, excellent service, tasty breakfast, and spacious rooms.

At that price range, when you travel with 4 or more people, you can get already very nice serviced villas & vacation rentals with private pools.

Affordable Luxury in restaurants (Average USD 10–25 per meal)

Numerous restaurants in this category are found in 4 to even 5 star resorts and hotels. They mostly serve also cocktails and have a more extensive wine lists. 

Imported Alcohol is generally quite expensive because of import taxes. But a decent glass of French or Italian wine might cost you USD 6 – 10.

Accommodation Cost: Luxury & High-end (Average USD 150-350 per night – the sky is the limit in certain ultra luxury and villa resorts)

One of a kind, unmatched excellence. When compared to other popular tourist destinations, Bali’s luxury offerings are surprisingly affordable. It’s no exaggeration to say that Bali is home to some of the top hotels in Asia, if not the world. The island’s warm friendliness permeates every aspect of the service, and the island’s artistic and cultural traditions inform the design of the accommodations.

Bali is home to facilities from some of the most prestigious hotel groups in the world, and these establishments do not disappoint in terms of beauty or quality. Balinese and regional firms have built and overseen a number of world-class hotels and resorts.

Mid-Range (Average USD 3-7 per meal)

In this category, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of eateries across Bali. The majority of visitors as well as an increasing number of middle class Balinese eat there. These locations might also even be locally run”warung” but a little bit more geared to serve also foreigners and cost a little bit more, than the warung, that are mostly frequented by the local population.

But there are plenty of restaurants that offer you a decent meal at that price level, 

Middle-range restaurants may be slightly more costly in tourist hot spots such as Canggu and Seminyak for example. Additionally, the costs in the hotel’s restaurants are generally 50–100% higher than stand-alone restaurants in the neighborhood. 

Cost of Drinks & Alcohol in Bali

Water and soft drinks are inexpensive. Beer and juices are acceptable. Wine and liquor may be rather pricey (due to local taxes). Green juices and smoothies are becoming a little more pricey. Soft drink costs at regular restaurants aren’t all that much more than they are in convenience stores. However, many hotels with stars still mark up significantly. In a convenience store, a 1.5-liter bottle of water will run you about 50 cents.

Generally speaking, imported beers are always much more expensive than  domestic beers  like Corona or San Miguel beer versus Bintang beer.

Average price at a bar or restaurant, *excluding hotels:

• Soft Drinks such as coke, sprite (Average US75¢-$1 per bottle)
• Beer (Average US$2-4 per bottle)
• Local wine (Average US$3-5 per glass)
• Imported wine (Average US$5-10 per glass)
• Cocktails (Average US$5-10 per glass)
• Spirits (Average US$4-10 per glass)
• Expensive Imported Whiskeys, Tequilas, Vodkas, Cognacs etc can cost up to USD 30 per drink 

Transportation Cost in Bali

Depending on where you stay and how far you need to travel to get to the beach, shops or restaurants, the transportation costs per day can, of course, vary quite a bit. Choosing the location for your accommodation and therefore the method of transportation should be your main concern when planning your holiday since Bali is not very “pedestrian-friendly” due to lack of sidewalks, the heat and far distances.

Bicycle Rental (Average US$2-4 per day)

Not very common but a good way to get around in Ubud, Canggu and the more remote areas

Scooter/ Motorbikes Rental (Average US$ 5-7 per day)

Rent a scooter including helmet per day. Countless rental places all over Bali. Usually, without any insurance!

Premium and properly serviced Scooters/ Motorbikes (Average US$ 10-25 per day)

Special scooter with a bigger seat and large compartment to keep your belongings safe. Lexi, NMax, PCX, or Vespa with insurance, well maintained with drop and pick-up service to your hotel.

Best and most reliable Scooter Rental Service in Bali

Scooter Taxi/ Ojek (Average US$ 3-5/ trip) ( not via apps)

Managed by the local community, these guys hang around mostly during evenings and night near the pubs and clubs since many areas ban the app-driven transportation services like Go-Jek, Grab, Uber, etc. You can recognize them wearing a west with a number on it (some of them don’t). You would have to bargain with them, but they usually charge something between per trip if it’s not too far.

App driven scooter taxis (Average US$1-3 per trip) are significantly cheaper. Most visitors use those services twice a day

APPS: GOJEK & GRAB

Hiring a car with driver half and full day (Average US$20-60)

It is the most convenient way if you wish to explore the island and go for day trips. 8-10 hours rental, including gasoline and driver, will cost you anything between US$40-60, depending on the condition of the car. The driver is registered, pays insurance and taxes etc.

Rent your Car with Driver here online

Taxi cars (Average ca. US$5-10 per trip, 20-30 minutes)

The cars that are managed by the local communities (you can’t miss them, since they continuously say “transport, transport”) charge roughly twice what the standard taxi and app-driven services would charge. Bluebird, Grabcar, Go-car (from Go-Jek app) are not expensive. An average trip from Seminyak to Kuta would cost you roughly USD seven if you use those taxi services.

Good to know when renting a hotel room in Bali

Usually in Bali, you pay for the hotel room and not per person. Single rooms rarely exist. Therefore traveling as a couple costs almost as much as traveling solo, excluding the breakfast of course. Expect to pay during mid and low season 30%-50% less for rooms and villas than during high season (Easter Holidays, July until mid September, Christmas and New Years, Chinese New Years and end of Ramadan – Idul Fitri).

One of the most important determinants of hotel and resort prices is location. In Bali, it is common for businesses (particularly accommodation and restaurants) to add up to 22% (11% VAT and 5-11% service charge) to the bill. Because wages in Indonesia are relatively low, service charges are usually distributed equally among staff members. Make sue the hotel and villas quote you the price including all extra fees.

Costs for Private Villas in Bali

In Bali, the private villa market has expanded dramatically in the last five years. Hundreds of properties have appeared on the market; some are run professionally, while others are not. These properties come in all sizes and shapes, and the most important factor is location.

The main difference between staying in a hotel and staying in a villa is that you can get villas with up to 8 bedrooms, which is sometimes like renting your own small hotel with staff. If you are traveling in a group or with a family, renting a luxury villa is often less expensive per room per night than renting a few hotel rooms, making this segment appealing if you are traveling with friends or family.

Private villas are difficult to categorize, but you might be surprised at how affordable a luxurious holiday can be. Those properties are almost never near the beach or restaurants, requiring some form of transportation. However, there are many well-located villas in Seminyak, Kerobokan, and Canggu.

Some villas have a minimum stay, especially during peak season, and websites like Airbnb charge a cleaning or booking fee. Several villa management companies offer villas, but you can also find those properties on OTAs such as booking.com, airbnb.com, and so on.

Average Prices for Villas:

A private one-bedroom villa with a small pool starts at US$100-150. While true luxury is likely to start around US$200 per night – per room available.

These villas are fully serviced and equipped with all amenities. The more luxurious ones include a chef and a team to look after you during the day. The more rooms a villa has, the less it costs per night per room. We recommend that you look through the listings and get inspired.

The most luxurious, with 6-8 bedrooms, can cost up to USD3,000-4,000 per night. But then you get a gym, a game room, incredible pool, amazing food, and possibly even a private tennis court, as well as your own chauffeur and car.

Weddings:

As everywhere else in the world…this depends 😉

The bigger villas (four to seven bedrooms) are often rented out for weddings. Bali is a popular destination for weddings, and there are a number of organizers that can handle all the details so that the newlyweds and their guests may have the perfect ceremony and reception.

More about Weddings and Wedding Planners

Yes, most travelers need a Visa for Indonesia. The Visa regulations depend mainly on your nationality, your passport. It does not matter where you live (residency).

Click below to check wich type of Visa you need for your holiday in Indonesia

Visa exemption for Indonesia

Following nationalities do NOT to apply for a Visa before arrival (Visa exemption A1)

Tourist Visit Visa (30 days) known as Visa on Arrival (VoA, or eVoA) or B1

The Standard Tourist Visa was previously called “Visa on Arrival” but because travelers can now apply online before arrival, this name is not often used by the government anymore. 

This Visa is Valid for 30 days, and can be extended ONCE, for another 30 days (also online). You can still also get this Visa upon arrival in the arrival hall at the airport.

Click below for Prices, Online Application & Details

The C-Type Visit Visa is a Visa for Indonesia that is valid for 60 days.

• The C1 Visit Visa (Tourism Purpose)  is MANDATORY as a minimum visa requirement for nationalities that CANNOT get B1 Visa (Visa on Arrival)
• Even if you can get a B1 Visa, you can also freely choose  the C1 Visa if you intend to stay longer than 60 days (because it can be extended twice (max. stay 180days)
• iI’s your only option to get into the country, If you don’t have a passport but a Titre de Voyage, or Laissez-Passer, or Refugee Travel Document
• C-Type is also available for business and social visit purpose, volunteers, artists, speakers, internship… (C2, C6, C6, C7, C9, C10, C11, C22 )

Travelers need to apply for the  C-Tyoe Visit Visa BEFORE arriving in Indonesia. Click below for Prices, Details & Online Application Service

The C2 business visa is a special visit visa type that explicitly mentions that the travel is traveling with a business purpose. The visa does not allow the traveler to conduct business or work for money. 

Click below for Prices, Details & Online Application Service

Yes, foreigners can live in Bali permanently. There are a few visas and residencies available – E-Type KITAS – (KITAS & temporary resident permits.)
These permits allow foreigners to stay in Indonesia for up to 5 years.

Click below for prices, details and Online Application Service 

The retirement Visa for Bali is for foreigners who wish to live in Indonesia while in retirement. The Visa type is a KITAS, E33E and E33F.

Bali is very popular for retirees, and many foreigners have settled in Bali, Sanur and Ubud are the most popular areas for retirement.

Click below for prices, details and Online Application Service

Adult travelers may bring limited quantities of alcoholic beverages for personal use. The commonly stated allowance is up to 1 liter per passenger. Quantities above the allowance may be confiscated and destroyed by customs. Rules can be enforced strictly, so travelers should stay within the limit.

For personal use, travelers may bring limited amounts of tobacco products. Typical allowances include up to 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars, or 100 grams of cut tobacco. If you carry multiple types of tobacco products, the allowance applies proportionally. Excess quantities may be confiscated.

E-cigarettes and vaping products are subject to specific quantity limits and excise rules. Both devices and liquids may need to be declared. Travelers should be aware that quantities beyond the permitted limits may be confiscated, and enforcement can vary.

If you carry IDR 100,000,000 (one hundred million rupiah) or more, or the equivalent in foreign currency, you are required to declare it to customs. Carrying very large amounts of foreign currency may require additional permission. Always declare honestly to avoid penalties.

Personal items purchased abroad that exceed Indonesia’s duty-free allowance may need to be declared. This can include electronics, luxury goods, or gifts. Customs duties and taxes may apply if the value exceeds the exemption threshold.

Small personal gifts are generally allowed. However, items in commercial quantities or with a high total value may be treated as non-personal imports and subject to duties, taxes, or restrictions.

Prohibited items include narcotics, illegal drugs, weapons, explosives, and certain restricted publications or materials. Bringing prohibited goods can result in severe penalties under Indonesian law.

Mobile phones, tablets, and similar devices purchased abroad may need to be reported to customs if they are intended for use on Indonesian cellular networks. Foreign visitors staying for a short period (generally under 90 days) are usually exempt from IMEI registration, but travelers should follow the instructions given on arrival.

Failure to declare required items or providing false information can result in fines, confiscation of goods, or other penalties. Customs enforcement can be strict, and honesty is strongly recommended.

The All Indonesia Arrival Card is Indonesia’s online entry form for foreign visitors. After you submit it, you typically receive (or are shown) a QR code to present when requested on arrival.

The only link that is official is allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id

Don’t use any other link!

No, the Arrival Card is not related to the Bali Tourist Tax (Tourist Levy), that costs IDR 150,000 (ca. 10USD) per person.

The Bali Tourist tax is completely separate, because this is handled by the local Balinese government and not related to immigration.

All you need to know about the Bali Tourist Tax, price, payment and details

No, the All Indonesia Arrival Card is not a Visa. 

Therefore, you must still hold the correct visa for your visit to Bali, Indonesia (e.g., Visa on Arrival, e-VOA, there is a 30d visa-free entry for certain nationals, and other visa types are available, based on nationality and traveling purpose (nationality check).

• Visa Regulations for Bali, Indonesia
• Visa checker by Nationality 

Yes. The registration is free of charge. If a website asks you to pay, treat it as suspicious and use only the official government portal at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id.

Complete it within the 3 days before arrival (ideally within ~72 hours). Always follow the timing instructions shown on the official portal during submission.

No. You can complete the process directly in your browser using the official website.

Yes, you need to fill in the form for Family Members

You can add multiple family members in one session by entering each traveler’s details individually. Follow the portal prompts for children and dependants.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Indonesia. There are no exceptions. Airlines may deny boarding, and immigration officers will refuse entry if your passport doesn’t meet this requirement.

More on Passport Requirements — don’t risk being turned away at the border

Yes — travelers must hold a return or onward ticket when entering Indonesia, including Bali.

This requirement may apply when applying for your visa, depending on the visa type. You may also be asked to show proof of onward travel upon arrival.

What happens if I don’t have one?

Immigration officers may require you to purchase a return ticket on the spot. Without it, you may be denied entry into the country.

Yes, you can order an eSIM for Bali online.

Our partner provides eSIMs that allow you to connect to the internet the moment you arrive in Indonesia — or even before boarding, if you prefer. Having internet access right away can be very helpful upon arrival.

Order your Travel / Tourist eSIM Online

When you purchase our digital discount card — the BaliCard — you receive a FREE 1GB eSIM which you can top up if you’re happy with the service.

BALICARD & Free eSIM

Medical travel insurance is no longer mandatory for tourists entering Indonesia — but it’s strongly recommended.

Accidents can happen in Bali. Without proper insurance, hospitals may require immediate cash payment and can even deny treatment.

Don’t have a medical travel insurance yet?

Get your medical travel insurance for Bali / Indonesia and beyond online

Options include International Travel Insurance, Nomad Insurance, and long-stay Medical Travel Insurance.

Info, Prices & Signup

The airport code for Bali is DPS (Denpasar).

However, the airport is located south of Kuta — not in Denpasar city.

Full name: I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport

DPS is well-connected internationally, served by a range of full-service and budget airlines from across the globe.

Find more details about Bali Airport, flights, and arrivals below:

Do not bring more than the equivalent of IDR 100,000,000 (approximately AUD 10,000) in cash into Indonesia. Amounts above this limit must be declared and may be subject to tax.

Yes, you can. International flights to Jakarta are sometimes significantly cheaper than flying directly to Bali, especially during peak seasons. Travelers with flexible time — such as backpackers — often choose this route.

After arriving in Jakarta, you can catch a domestic flight to Bali on the same day using airlines such as Citilink, Super Air Jet, Batik Air, AirAsia, Lion Air, or Garuda Indonesia. One-way fares range from USD 50 to 150.

Important: Allow at least 4 hours between your international arrival in Jakarta and your connecting flight to Bali. You’ll need to clear immigration, collect your luggage, and transfer to the domestic terminal.

The Tourist Tax for international visitors to Bali is a tax charged by Bali's provincial government.

Note: Make sure you are only using the links mentioned (official website of the Bali government).

The Tourist Tax will have to be paid by INTERNATIONAL travelers coming to Bali

The tax applies to FOREIGNERS coming to Bali.

For arrivals to Bali from outside Indonesia and also if you arrive coming from another province to Bali. 

The Bali Tourist Tax costs IDR 150,000 per person (ca. USD 10 / AUD 15). Regardless of the age of the traveler.

It seems, that for the online payment there is also a surcharge of Rp 4,500

Most probably you will not be checked (yet). The reason is, that the immigration officers and airport personnel is not responsible to check if you paid. And the Balinese government has not yet installed check points to control the payment (which might happen at some point).

Still you have to pay the tax and checks can happen at popular tourist destinations or then also at the airport and harbours upon entry. 

You can pay the tax online on the official Bali Tourism Website (ONLY use that website, don't pay the tax anywhere else, there might be websites run by scammers).

Official Website to pay the Bali Tourist Tax
lovebali.baliprov.go.id/

You will also be able to pay the tax upon arrival (airports and harbours). We strongly suggest however you pay already online before you arrive.

At times the Official Bali Tax Website might be offline. 

lovebali.baliprov.go.id/

Don't pay the tax anywhere else! Keep trying and come back to the website. Worse case, you can arrive in Bali without paying for the tourist tax online in advance, and then pay at the lovebali-counters. The Balinese government is in the process of installing payment counters at the checkpoints at the airports and harbours.

We are not the government, so unfortunately we cannot help you with this issue. 

First we would check the Spam / Junk Folder, to be sure you did not receive it. Some tourists have a typo in the email or the system has an error.

Either way, if you don't get the confirmation QR Code, don't pay again.

It seems that the official site from the Bali government still has problems from time to time. Since we are not representing the government and are not charging any taxes or fees, we cannot assist you in this matter.

We suggest you keep trying opening the website. Worse case, you can pay the tourist tax upon arrival at the airport. Just before you reach the area where all the drivers line up to page for guests.

In any case: Only use the official Bali Tax Website:

lovebali.baliprov.go.id/

NO!

The tourist tax (levy) is a local tax that the Bali administration is implementing, it is only related to Bali and not to Indonesia

The Bali administration has issued following statement:

The levy is paid only 1 (one) time while traveling in Bali, before the person leaves the territory of the Republic of Indonesia.

How they will control this is not yet clear to us, but it seems that if you travel to Bali, pay the tax, then go to Lombok, return to Bali, you would not have to pay the tourist tax again.

The Bali administration has announced that they want to use the income of the tourist tax for the following initiatives (official statement from the Bali Administration):

Preserve Heritage

Protecting Balinese customs, traditions, arts and local wisdom, ensuring the sustainable culture of Bali island.

Nurture Nature

Contribute to the nobility and preservation of Bali's unique Culture and Natural Environment, making it an even more beautiful destination.

Elevate Your Experience

Improve the quality of service and Balinese
Cultural Tourism Management, promising you a safe and enjoyable travel adventure in Bali.

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Bali and the Indonesian tourism officials have discussed over the last few years how they can protect the environment better, handle mass tourism, improve infrastructure and handle the growing trash problem, increase income for the local population who do not yet benefit from the growing tourism sector. They wish to encourage travelers to respect and participate the local culture more and overall have a better experience when they visit the Island of Gods.

Because the Dengue mosquito bites during the day, your prevention needs to be active from morning to evening – not just at night:

• Use DEET repellent. Apply a repellent containing at least 30-50% DEET, Picaridin, or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus on all exposed skin. Apply it after sunscreen, not before.
• Cover up at dawn and dusk. These are the peak biting hours. Loose, light-coloured long sleeves and trousers make a real difference.
• Use air conditioning or nets. Mosquitoes prefer warm, humid air. AC reduces their activity. A mosquito net is useful for afternoon naps.
• Remove standing water. Aedes mosquitoes breed in small amounts of stagnant water – plant saucers, buckets, decorative bowls. Empty them around your accommodation.

If you develop a sudden high fever with severe body aches and headaches, go to a clinic or hospital for a blood test. Dengue is confirmed with a simple test. While you recover:

• Rest and drink a lot. Water, Oral Rehydration Salts (Oralit), and sports drinks like Pocari Sweat.
• Only take Paracetamol for the fever. This is important. Do not take Ibuprofen, Aspirin, or Naproxen. Dengue can lower your blood platelet count, and blood-thinning painkillers can increase the risk of internal bleeding. Paracetamol (Acetaminophen) only.
• Watch for warning signs. Severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums, blood in urine or stool, or sudden improvement followed by a rapid decline – these are signs of Severe Dengue and require immediate hospital attention.

No. You cannot catch Dengue directly from another person. It is only transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito. That said, if a mosquito bites someone who is currently sick with Dengue, that mosquito becomes infected and can pass the virus on to the next person it bites.

Yes. Unlike Malaria, which is mainly a concern in remote or rural areas, Dengue occurs throughout Bali – including in Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, and Kuta. The Aedes mosquito breeds in urban environments, not just jungle or farmland. Tourist areas are not lower risk.

Yes, if your departure is at least three months away, you can complete both doses before you arrive. Qdenga is available at travel clinics in many countries. Check availability with your local travel health clinic at least 6 to 8 weeks before your planned trip – or earlier if possible.

Most cases of Dengue in otherwise healthy adults are not fatal and resolve within one to two weeks with rest and hydration. However, Severe Dengue – also called Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever – can be life-threatening and requires immediate hospital treatment. The risk of Severe Dengue is higher in a second infection. Seek medical attention quickly if you develop a sudden high fever in Bali – early diagnosis and monitoring make a significant difference.