- Visa on arrival available for most Western nationalities at major airports — IDR 500,000 (~€29) for 30 days, extendable once for 30 more days
- Outstanding value: one of Southeast Asia's cheapest destinations outside tourist-priced Bali hotspots
- Domestic flights on Lion Air, Batik Air, and Citilink connect major islands cheaply — book at least 2 weeks ahead
- Bali's dry season (May–September) is the most comfortable; the wet season (November–March) brings heavy rain but fewer tourists and lower prices
Indonesia is 17,500 islands and a population of 270 million people — a scale that makes generalisations meaningless. Bali is the entry point for most visitors: temples in rice terraces, surf, yoga, and a deeply embedded Hindu culture that makes it unlike anywhere else in Southeast Asia. But Indonesia rewards those who look further: Lombok's Mount Rinjani and Kuta beach without Bali's prices; the Komodo dragons of Komodo National Park; Yogyakarta's Borobudur and Prambanan temple complexes; the orangutans of Borneo's Tanjung Puting; and Raja Ampat's underwater world, considered by marine biologists the most biodiverse on earth.
Cost of Living
Indonesia is excellent value. In Bali, budget travellers using guesthouses and warungs (local restaurants) can manage €25–40/day. Mid-range Bali (villa with pool, restaurant meals) runs €80–150/day per couple. In Lombok, Flores, and Java outside Yogyakarta, prices drop further — comfortable guesthouses for €20–50/night, full restaurant meals for €5–12. Bali's Seminyak and Canggu upmarket restaurants cost €20–40 for two — cheap by Western standards but expensive relative to the rest of Indonesia. A Komodo National Park liveaboard (3 days) starts at €150–350/person.
Housing
Bali has the widest accommodation range. Kuta/Legian: budget hostels and guesthouses from €15–40/night. Seminyak and Canggu: boutique villas with private pools from €80–300/night. Ubud: jungle villas from €60–200/night. Lombok's Gili Islands: beach bungalows from €30–100/night (Gili T for nightlife, Gili Air for balance, Gili Meno for quiet). Yogyakarta near the kraton: mid-range hotels from €30–80/night. Komodo-area liveaboards: €150–500/person/night for full-service diving expeditions.
Visa & Entry
Most Western nationalities including EU, US, UK, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can obtain a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Ngurah Rai (Bali), Soekarno-Hatta (Jakarta), and other major international airports. The VOA costs IDR 500,000 (~€29) for 30 days and can be extended once at an immigration office for another 30 days. An e-Visa can also be applied online before travel at molina.imigrasi.go.id for convenience. Check current requirements at the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration — visa policy has changed multiple times in recent years.
Expat Life
Bali has one of Southeast Asia's largest digital nomad and long-stay expat communities, concentrated in Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud. The Second Home Visa (launched 2022) allows 5 or 10-year stays for qualified applicants. Jakarta has a large corporate expat community. Bali's community of creative, tech, and wellness professionals is well-established with coworking spaces, international schools, and expat networks.
Indonesia suits travellers who want maximum tropical variety — Bali for culture and surf, the Gili Islands or Lombok for beaches, Komodo for wildlife, Java for temples and history. It's ideal for divers and snorkellers (Raja Ampat and Komodo rank among the world's best dive sites), surfers (Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and G-Land are world-class breaks), and anyone building a longer Southeast Asia trip.
Bali has become heavily touristic in the Kuta–Legian–Seminyak–Canggu corridor — the spiritual, rice-terrace Bali that draws people exists further north (Munduk, Sidemen) and inland (central Ubud away from the main drag). The tourist infrastructure is excellent but the local experience can feel diluted in the main resort areas. Bali's roads and driving standards are a genuine risk — motorbike accidents are among the most common causes of injury for tourists.
Practical Tips
- Download Gojek and Grab immediately on arrival — they cover motorbike taxi (ojek), car rides, food delivery, and logistics. In Bali, Gojek is the dominant platform. Gojek ojek fares in Bali are IDR 5,000–20,000 (€0.30–1.20) for short trips — far cheaper and more reliable than metered taxis.
- Domestic flights are the only practical way to cover Indonesia's distances. Jakarta to Bali: 1h30. Bali to Lombok: 30 minutes. Bali to Flores (for Komodo): 1h15. Book at least 2 weeks ahead on Traveloka (Indonesia's main booking app) — last-minute prices spike significantly.
- Bali traffic, especially around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu, is severe — motorbike is much faster than a car in most areas. Rent a scooter (IDR 70,000–100,000/day, ~€4–6) if you're an experienced rider; otherwise use Gojek. International driving licence required for rental.
- Respect temple protocols at all times in Bali: wear a sarong (provided at temple entrances for a small donation), cover shoulders for important ceremonies, and never step over offerings (canang sari) placed on the ground — they're sacred and present everywhere.
- Tap water is not safe to drink anywhere in Indonesia — use bottled water or a filtered bottle (LifeStraw). Avoid ice in non-tourist establishments and be cautious with street food from vendors without visible hygiene practices.
- Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest is popular but be warned: the macaques steal bags, glasses, and food aggressively — don't carry bags on your back or anything that can be grabbed. Keep cameras close and don't make eye contact with monkeys.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa for Indonesia?
Most Western nationalities can obtain a Visa on Arrival at major Indonesian airports — IDR 500,000 (~€29) for 30 days, extendable once. An e-Visa can be applied online before travel. Verify current requirements at the Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration — policy has changed frequently since 2020.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
The dry season (May–September) offers the most reliable weather: low humidity, clear skies, and calm seas. July–August is peak season — crowded and slightly more expensive. The shoulder months of May–June and September are ideal. The wet season (November–March) brings heavy afternoon rain but lower prices and fewer tourists; Ubud and the highlands can feel lush and atmospheric.
Is Bali safe for tourists?
Bali is generally very safe. Violent crime against tourists is rare. The main risks are traffic accidents (motorbike rental), petty theft in busy tourist areas, and stomach illness from food or water. Bali's 2002 and 2005 bombings were historical events; current security risk is low. Standard tropical travel precautions apply.
How do I get from Bali to the Gili Islands?
Fast boat from Padangbai (east Bali) or Serangan harbour to Gili T, Gili Air, or Gili Meno — approximately 1h30–2h, from IDR 350,000–600,000 (~€21–35). Book through Gili Bookings or Perama. The crossing can be rough in the wet season — consider seasickness medication. Alternatively, fly Bali–Lombok (30 min) and take a short taxi + local boat from Lombok.
Official Resources
Updated 2026-04-12