Clicky

Bali Travel Guide - Complete Planning Tools & Itineraries
Bali Indonesia

Bali Travel Planning for Americans

Tools, guides, and itineraries for your Bali trip

Why Visit Bali?

Bali, Indonesia's most famous island, offers an incredible blend of stunning beaches, ancient temples, lush rice terraces, and vibrant culture. For American travelers, Bali provides an exotic yet accessible destination with world-class resorts, adventure activities, and spiritual experiences.

From the surf beaches of Canggu to the cultural heart of Ubud, from the clifftop temples of Uluwatu to the volcanic peaks of Mount Batur, Bali delivers diverse experiences in a compact island paradise.

Read Detailed Guide
Best Months
April - October
Dry season with perfect weather
Visa for Americans
30-day visa on arrival
$35 USD, extendable once
Currency
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
$1 USD ≈ 15,000 IDR
Flight Time
20-24 hours from US
Usually 1-2 stops

Best Time to Visit Bali

Plan your trip during the ideal season for your preferences

Dry Season

April - October

Weather
75-85°F, Sunny & Low Humidity
Crowds
High (Peak: July-August)
Prices
Higher

Pros

  • Perfect beach weather
  • Minimal rain
  • Best for outdoor activities
  • Clear skies for photos

Cons

  • More tourists
  • Higher prices
  • Crowded beaches

Wet Season

November - March

Weather
75-85°F, Afternoon Showers
Crowds
Low to Medium
Prices
Lower

Pros

  • Fewer tourists
  • Better prices
  • Lush green landscapes
  • Still warm

Cons

  • Afternoon rain
  • Higher humidity
  • Some beach activities limited

Month-by-Month Guide

January
Wet
Medium
Low
February
Wet
Medium
Low
March
Transitional
Medium
Medium
April
Dry
Medium
Medium
May
Dry
Medium
Medium
June
Dry
High
High
July
Dry
Very High
Very High
August
Dry
Very High
Very High
September
Dry
Medium
Medium
October
Dry
Medium
Medium
November
Transitional
Low
Low
December
Wet
Medium
Medium

Our Recommendation

Best Overall: April-May or September-October

Perfect weather, fewer crowds than peak summer, and reasonable prices

Bali Itineraries

Pre-planned itineraries with calculated distances, costs, and travel times

3-Day Bali Highlights
3 days

3-Day Bali Highlights

85 miles
$300-500
April-October
Easy
Day 1: Ubud - Rice terraces, Monkey Forest, temples
Day 2: Seminyak - Beach clubs, shopping, sunset
Day 3: Uluwatu - Clifftop temple, Kecak dance, beaches
Customize This Itinerary
7-Day Bali Comprehensive
7 days

7-Day Bali Comprehensive

180 miles
$700-1,200
May-September
Moderate
Days 1-2: Ubud - Culture, temples, rice terraces
Days 3-4: Canggu - Surf, beach clubs, cafes
Days 5-6: Uluwatu & Nusa Dua - Beaches, temples
Day 7: Mount Batur sunrise trek or relaxation
Customize This Itinerary
10-Day Bali + Islands
10 days

10-Day Bali + Islands

250 miles
$1,200-2,000
April-October
Moderate
Days 1-3: Ubud - Culture immersion
Days 4-5: Canggu - Surf and relax
Days 6-7: Nusa Penida - Island day trips
Days 8-9: Uluwatu - Beaches and temples
Day 10: Seminyak - Shopping and departure
Customize This Itinerary

Plan Your Bali Trip in 5 Steps

Follow this proven workflow used by thousands of travelers

0 of 5 steps completed

1

Check Flight Time

Calculate flight duration and plan your arrival time

Next Step
2

Set Your Budget

Estimate total trip costs including flights, hotels, and activities

Cost Calculator
3

Plan Your Route

Calculate distances between attractions and optimize your itinerary

Distance Calculator
4

Build Itinerary

Create a day-by-day schedule with activities and travel times

Itinerary Builder
5

Pack Smart

Get a customized packing list for your destination and activities

Packing List

Practical Information for Americans

Everything US travelers need to know before visiting Bali

Visa Requirements

In the US:

US passport required (6 months validity)

In Bali:

30-day visa on arrival ($35 USD)

Tip:

Extendable once for another 30 days

Vaccinations

In the US:

Routine vaccines up to date

In Bali:

Hepatitis A & Typhoid recommended

Tip:

Malaria pills if visiting rural areas

Electrical Outlets

In the US:

US uses Type A/B (110V)

In Bali:

Bali uses Type C/F (220V)

Tip:

Bring universal adapter + voltage converter

Tipping Customs

In the US:

US: 15-20% standard

In Bali:

Bali: Not expected but appreciated

Tip:

10% at restaurants, round up for drivers

Phone & Internet

In the US:

US plans expensive abroad

In Bali:

Buy local SIM card at airport

Tip:

$5-10 for 30GB data, works great

Water Safety

In the US:

US tap water safe to drink

In Bali:

Bali tap water NOT safe

Tip:

Drink bottled water only, avoid ice

Important Safety Tips for Americans

  • Register with STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) before departure
  • Keep copies of passport and important documents in cloud storage
  • Purchase comprehensive travel insurance covering medical evacuation
  • Respect local customs: dress modestly at temples, remove shoes when entering homes

Planning Tools for Bali

Use our interactive tools to plan every aspect of your Bali trip

Distance Calculator

Calculate distances between Bali locations

Ubud to Seminyak: 20 miles (45 min)
Canggu to Uluwatu: 15 miles (40 min)
Sanur to Nusa Dua: 8 miles (20 min)
Use This Tool

Budget Estimator

Estimate daily budget for Bali

Budget traveler: $50-70/day
Mid-range: $100-150/day
Luxury: $200+/day
Use This Tool

Flight Price Checker

Check flight prices from your US city

LAX to Bali: ~$800-1,200
NYC to Bali: ~$900-1,400
SFO to Bali: ~$850-1,300
Use This Tool

Interactive Bali Map

Explore Bali's regions and calculate distances between popular destinations. Plan your route efficiently to maximize your time on the island.

Open Interactive Map