Essentials
See the links below for the essential information you'll need for planning your trip to Bali.
In this section
Bali's main (and only) airport is Ngurah Rai International, airport code 'DPS' for Denpasar, the island's capital city. The airport is rather low-rise compared to most international airports. This is because the design has arrivals and departure check-in on the same ground level, rather than stacked on top of each other as they are at most airports.
There are essentially two terminals, one for international and one for domestic flights, connected by a short walkway.
Each year, between mid-March and mid-April, the people of Bali celebrate their traditional new year, know as Nyepi. The day itself falls on the first new moon after mid-March. Preparations begin a month or so before the festival, with the construction of large bamboo and papier-mâché demonic effigies called ogoh-ogohs by each village. These representations of evil spirits are paraded through the village, accompanied by a cacophony of gongs and cymbals, on the eve of Nyepi, called Tawur Agung Kesanga.
The “high season” in Bali is in July and August. Temperatures are at their coolest around this time (see Bali weather charts) while hotel rates are naturally at their highest. It is also the driest time of year, although there is a slight chance of rain all year round. Bali can also be quite busy in December and January, for the Christmas and New Year holidays. However, this is also the middle of the rainy season, so it can be very wet, as well as hot.
Most people visit Bali for a sun and sand holiday, but there are many different beach areas to choose from. If you want to be where all the action is, the Kuta / Legian area has the biggest selection of shops, restaurants and entertainment venues. It's worth noting that most of the action in Kuta is away from the beach. The ocean here is popular for surfing, which makes it less than ideal for anything else.
As befits an island where tourism is the main -- practically the only -- business, Bali has hundreds of hotels, resorts and guesthouses of all descriptions to fit all budgets. Although accommodation (especially in the luxury class) can be found all over the island, the main concentration is in the South Bali districts of Kuta, Sanur and Seminyak.
Our picks for each destination lists only those hotels which we've had some personal experience with, or had feedback from other travelers about.
As it's an island, there are really only two ways to get to Bali: by air or by sea.
Note: Visitors should be aware of the Balinese New Year (Nyepi), which occurs sometime between mid-March and late April. Nyepi is a day of silence, when restaurants are closed, taxis are off the streets, and people are supposed to remain indoors. Note especially that the airport is closed on Nyepi. There are no scheduled arrivals or departures on the day.
Bali has the requisite tropical climate to match its location in the tropics. It's worth noting for those in North America and Europe that Bali is south of the equator, so the coolest months are June, July and August, while the hottest months are April and December.
The cool season is also the driest time of year, while December, January and February are the wettest. As in most tropical countries, the rainy season is not necessarily a bad time to visit.
Here's a list of all the hotels that we've personally stayed at and written up in Bali. You can use the search box at the bottom of the page to use Hotels Combined to find the best deals on all hotels on Bali.
Alam Asmara Dive Resort (Candidasa) All Seasons (Legian) Bali Garden Hotel (Kuta) Bali Dynasty Resort (Kuta) Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel (Sanur) Jayakarta Beach Resort Spa Bali (Kuta) Mercure Kuta Hotel (Kuta) Putu Bali Villa and Spa (Seminyak) Ramayana Resort & Spa (Kuta) Tjampuhan Hotel and Spa (Ubud) Tune Hotel – Legian, Bali (Kuta) Villa Sasoon (Candidasa)
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