Questions and answers

Comfortable closed shoes with good grip, a warm layer or windbreaker (it's cold and windy at the top before sunrise), water and a light snack, a head torch or flashlight for the climb in the dark, and a hat and sunscreen for the way back down. Keep your phone or camera in an inside pocket so the cold doesn't drain the battery. Anything else — water for the trail, breakfast at the summit — is usually already included in the programme, so check the details when you book.

Yes, but a day covers just one loop — usually the west, with the main sights: **Kelingking, Broken Beach, Angel's Billabong and Crystal Bay**. The island's roads are slow and rough, so adding the east-coast beaches and manta snorkeling doesn't fit into a single day. To see both sides without rushing, stay overnight for **2 days**.

The town itself takes about **1 day** — the centre with the palace, market, Monkey Forest and Campuhan ridge is walkable. To see the surrounding rice terraces, temples and waterfalls without rushing, allow **2–3 days**, or come on one or two day trips from the south.

**Manta rays** visit Manta Point **year-round**, and you can snorkel right alongside them near the surface. The oceanic sunfish (**mola mola**) is most often seen at Crystal Bay in the cold season, roughly **July to October**, and that's more of a diver's sighting. Currents around the island are strong and cold, so go only with a guide and stay in the group.

By law, only Indonesian citizens are allowed to work as guides in Bali. Our team consists of licensed local Balinese guides who are members of the Guides Association and speak Russian fluently.

Yes. Private tours are booked for any day exclusively for your group. Group tours run on a fixed schedule and require a minimum of 4 participants.

The price includes a private air-conditioned vehicle, fuel, services of a Russian-speaking guide, and all entrance tickets to temples and waterfalls.

Most sightseeing tours start from your hotel lobby between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM. The average duration is 8-10 hours, which can be adjusted to your pace.

You need an International Driving Permit (IDP) endorsed for motorcycles (category A), carried together with your home-country licence, your passport and a copy of your visa. A car-only licence is not legally accepted for a scooter. A helmet is mandatory for both rider and passenger — riding without one is an on-the-spot IDR 250,000 fine. Traffic police run regular document checks on tourists (especially around Canggu, Seminyak and Sunset Road) and have taken a zero-tolerance line since 2026. Without the right licence you risk not just a fine but also a refused payout if you have an accident.

By boat only — there is no bridge from Bali. A fast boat (speedboat) runs from **Sanur** to the island's piers in **30–45 minutes**; a few also leave from Padang Bai and Kusamba. In high season seats sell out, so book ahead rather than buying on the pier on the day. Note the overland drive to Sanur from Kuta or Ubud is a separate **40–90 minutes**, so plan an early start.

Ubud sits inland, about **60–90 minutes** by car from Denpasar airport and the southern resorts, with almost no public transport. From Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu take a taxi, a transfer or a car with a driver for the day; Grab and Gojek work in Ubud, though some spots have local-driver restrictions.

Stay calm and show your documents: International Driving Permit (IDP, category A), home licence, passport and the bike's registration (STNK). Riding without a licence or helmet is fined — on the spot from IDR 250,000, and up to IDR 1,000,000 by formal ticket. If you genuinely broke a rule, ask for the official blue ticket (Surat Tilang) stating the amount and pay it at a BRI bank within 14 days — this protects you from inflated cash 'fines'. Carrying a helmet and the right papers is the best way to avoid the issue entirely.

Rent from a reputable shop with reviews. Before you ride, inspect the bike and photograph and film every scratch and dent — otherwise they may be charged to you on return. Check the brakes, lights, horn and tyres, and ask for a sound helmet (ideally two). Confirm what's included and what to do if it breaks down on the road. Don't hand over your passport as a deposit — leave a copy or a cash deposit instead. And remember: legal rental and riding require a motorcycle-endorsed licence (IDP category A).

For most visitors a car with a driver is easier and less stressful: they know the roads, handle parking and navigate the chaotic, left-hand traffic while you enjoy the view — it's a popular, affordable choice for full-day sightseeing. Self-drive without a driver suits confident drivers who hold an International Driving Permit and are ready for local traffic. For trips around the island and transfers we arrange a car with an English- or Russian-speaking driver — just message us.

Yes. To book a transfer, please provide your flight number, arrival time, and hotel name. Our driver will meet you in the arrivals hall with a 'BALITOURUS' sign. Read more in [Transfer & Taxi](/en/transfer-i-taksi).

Tours are conducted in comfortable Japanese minivans such as Suzuki APV or Toyota Avanza (up to 5 passengers). For larger groups, we provide spacious Toyota HiAce minibuses.

Yes, but for most travellers it is issued on arrival. Around 87 nationalities — including the US, UK, EU countries, Australia and Canada — are eligible for Indonesia's Visa on Arrival (code B1): a fee of IDR 500,000 (~USD 35) for a stay of up to 30 days, extendable once by another 30 days (60 days total). A separate Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person is paid online through the official Love Bali portal. Always confirm your own passport against the official Imigrasi subject-country list before you fly, as eligibility, fees and rules can change.

Yes — for that you use the C1 tourist visa: it gives 60 days and extends twice by 60 days, so up to 180 days legally (a Visa on Arrival covers 60 at most). You apply for the C1 online in advance. Since 2025 each extension needs an in-person visit to an immigration office for biometrics, and must be filed before your current stay expires. Rules change — check the official Imigrasi/eVisa for your nationality.

A passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry, with blank pages for the stamp, plus a return or onward ticket. Most visitors get their visa at the airport (Visa on Arrival), while the Bali tourist levy and the electronic customs declaration are easiest to handle online before you fly. Requirements are updated from time to time, so check the official Imigrasi guidance for your nationality before travelling.

It's a mandatory electronic arrival card (All Indonesia Arrival Card) for everyone entering Indonesia, Bali included. Fill it online within 72 hours before arrival at the official allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or the app — submit it earlier than 3 days and the system won't accept it. From your passport details you get a QR code (by email) that officers scan at immigration, health and customs. The card is free — don't pay third-party services. It's separate from your visa and doesn't grant entry on its own.

Yes, proof of onward travel is required: Indonesia's rules ask for a return or onward ticket out of the country (airlines check this at check-in more often than immigration does). Holding an exit ticket doesn't stop you extending later — immigration only wants to see that, at the moment of entry, you have the means and intention to leave. So you can hold a ticket dated beyond the first 30 days, or a flexible/refundable one, and still extend your Visa on Arrival once for another 30 days on the island (since June 2025 extensions are done in person at an immigration office).

For the C1 tourist visa you'll need: a passport valid for at least 6 months, a bank statement showing at least USD 2,000 over the last 3 months, a colour photo, a return or onward ticket, and a tourism purpose of visit. You apply online on the official eVisa portal before you fly and pay the government fee there. The most common refusal reason is an insufficient or too-recent bank statement — prepare your documents early.

Duty-free per person you can bring roughly: 200 cigarettes (or 50 cigars / 100g tobacco), 1 litre of alcohol, and personal goods up to USD 500; you must declare cash over IDR 100 million (~USD 6,500). The declaration is filed electronically (e-CD, often part of the 'All Indonesia' card) — a QR code is scanned as you leave baggage reclaim. Customs are strict: limits are per person and can't be pooled, and over-limit alcohol is confiscated. Undeclared restricted goods can mean seizure and a fine.

Yes — holders of modern biometric passports can often use the automatic gates (autogate / smart gate) at Denpasar airport, which is faster (about 2–5 minutes) with no manned queue. Everyone else goes to an officer as usual. Autogate eligibility depends on your passport and visa type and changes from time to time. You still need your visa, tourist levy and arrival card sorted in advance — the autogate only speeds up the crossing itself.

The Bali tourist levy is IDR 150,000 per foreign tourist. It's easiest to pay online in advance at the official lovebali.baliprov.go.id portal or the Love Bali app (you'll need your passport, name, email and arrival date); you'll get a QR voucher by email that's scanned at a dedicated 'Levy' lane at Denpasar airport. If you haven't paid, BRI bank counters in the arrivals hall take cash or card. Accepted methods include cards, bank transfer, UnionPay and QRIS. KITAS/KITAP holders are exempt.

Your Visa and Mastercard work at bank-owned ATMs and in established hotels, restaurants and shops (UnionPay is also accepted at 90%+ of ATMs). Withdraw cash at ATMs attached to bank branches (Mandiri, BCA, BNI, BRI, Permata) for safety, and watch for foreign-transaction and ATM fees. Keep cash in rupiah for everyday spending — warungs, markets, small shops and transport are often cash-only — while cards and QR payments cover the bigger venues.

It depends on your style. Very roughly, per person per day: budget (warungs, a scooter, simple stays) around USD 30–50; mid-range (cafés, tours, a comfortable hotel) USD 75–120; comfort or luxury from USD 150–200. On top of that, budget for your visa, insurance and any big activities. You can rely on cards and bank-owned ATMs, plus some cash for small vendors and transport. Exact costs vary by area and season.

Use only licensed money changers: an official one displays a 'PVA Berizin' sticker and registration number (Bank Indonesia), and you can verify the licence on Bank Indonesia's portal. Reliable names are BMC and Central Kuta, or exchange inside a bank. Avoid booths offering rates well above the market (more than ~3% better) and the 'fast-fold' trick, where the cashier slips notes back out while counting — count the cash yourself and don't rush. Many travellers skip exchange entirely and simply withdraw rupiah from a bank-owned ATM.

Tipping in Bali is not obligatory, but it's appreciated for good service. Hotels and restaurants often already add a 10% service charge and 11% tax (shown as '++' or 'service charge') — then no extra is needed. Where there's no service charge (warungs, small cafés), leaving 5–10% in cash is a nice gesture. As a guide: a driver-guide for the day IDR 50,000–100,000, a spa therapist IDR 20,000–50,000, ride-hailing +IDR 5,000–10,000. Tip in cash, directly to the person so it actually reaches them.

Most ATMs dispense roughly IDR 1,250,000–3,000,000 per withdrawal (BCA and BNI are usually 1.25–2.5M). Fees: your home bank charges for an overseas withdrawal (often 2–8%), and from 2026 Mandiri adds an IDR 50,000 fee for foreign cards; BCA and BNI more often have no local fee. Always choose rupiah, not 'conversion' (DCC), for a better rate. Use ATMs attached to bank branches for safety and to reduce the risk of card skimming.

QRIS is Indonesia's single QR-payment standard (from Bank Indonesia), accepted almost everywhere in tourist areas. Travellers from partner countries (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Japan, Korea, China) pay by scanning a QRIS code with their own banking app. Others can use a local e-wallet (GoPay, OVO) — verify with your passport and a local SIM, then top up by linking an international card. If that's a hassle, ordinary cards and cash work fine everywhere tourists go.

For the best coverage (including rural areas and islands like Nusa Penida and the Gilis) choose Telkomsel; XL is a good budget option in towns, and Indosat suits short stays. Tourist starter packs with data are cheap and easily cover a couple of weeks. A SIM must be registered with your passport — done at an operator's office or an authorised retailer. Buy at Denpasar airport, phone shops or minimarkets. A convenient alternative is an eSIM, which you can set up online before you fly.

For a normal trip, no. But if you're staying long-term (roughly over 90 days) and using a local SIM, you may need to register your phone's IMEI with customs (a fee may apply), or the local network will eventually block it. On roaming or Wi-Fi only, no registration is needed. The rules change from time to time — check current requirements with customs (Bea Cukai).

No — don't drink tap water in Bali: it isn't reliably treated and can carry bacteria and parasites. Stick to bottled or boiled water, and use it for brushing your teeth too — this is the main way to avoid Bali belly, travellers' diarrhoea. Ice at hotels, beach clubs and busy restaurants is generally made from purified water and is fine; be more careful with ice and raw food from small street vendors. Carry water on day trips — on our tours drinking water is usually included.

Travel medical insurance is strongly recommended: treatment at private clinics is paid up front for foreigners and serious cases can need costly evacuation. Choose a policy with medical cover and emergency evacuation/repatriation. If you plan to rent a scooter, check that motorbike accidents are covered — many policies exclude them, and cover usually applies only if you hold the correct licence. Add adventure cover (volcano trekking, diving) if those are on your itinerary. We don't endorse specific products — compare and choose your own.

Yes, if you choose wisely. Eat where there's high turnover and food is cooked to order — hot, freshly cooked dishes are the safest. Be more careful with food that's been sitting out, with raw salads and pre-cut fruit (which may be washed in tap water), and with ice from small stalls. Drink bottled water and buy whole fruit you peel yourself. Done this way, warungs are delicious, authentic and cheap — Bali belly usually comes not from warungs themselves but from stale food and untreated water.

Not everywhere. At most of the famous beaches — **Kelingking, Atuh** — swimming is dangerous or banned because of strong currents, and often you can't even get down to the water. The safest spots are **Crystal Bay** and the guided snorkeling sites with a boat and life jacket. Even there the currents can be strong and cold, so stay with your group.

There are no compulsory vaccinations to enter Bali for most travellers (a yellow-fever certificate is only required if you arrive from a country where it's present). Doctors typically recommend being up to date on routine shots (MMR, tetanus-diphtheria, polio) plus hepatitis A and typhoid (both spread through food and water); and, depending on your trip, hepatitis B, Japanese encephalitis and rabies (for animal contact). The right list depends on your itinerary and health — see a travel doctor 4–8 weeks before you go and check official guidance.

Your shoulders and knees must be covered, and a sarong (a length of cloth) is tied around the waist over your clothes with a sash — this is required at every Balinese temple. The sarong and sash are usually handed out at the entrance or included in the tour, so you don't need to buy them separately. Light, breathable clothing works best: a short-sleeved top with long shorts or trousers. By local custom, women who are menstruating are asked not to enter the temple grounds.

These are canang sari — daily offerings to the gods: small palm-leaf baskets of flowers, rice and incense. You'll see them at temples, homes, shops and right on the pavements and steps. The key courtesy is to not step on or over them, kick them or pick them up for photos; stepping on one is seen as very disrespectful. If you'd like a photo, be discreet. Just walk around them, and locals will appreciate the respect for the tradition.

Nyepi is the Balinese New Year, a Day of Silence: 24 hours of complete quiet and stillness (next is 8 March 2027; the date shifts each year). On this day even Denpasar airport closes — no flights land or take off, and no one may go outside, tourists included. You must stay on your hotel grounds, keep noise down and lights dim; internet may be limited in places. Hotels stay open and usually run indoor programmes for guests, and local wardens (pecalang) enforce the rules. Plan your arrival and departure around this date.

Yes — local Bintang beer is sold everywhere and is cheap, while wine and imported spirits are available in licensed shops but pricey because of import duties. The key issue is safety: the real danger is methanol in home-distilled arak and counterfeit spirits and cocktails, which has caused serious poisonings among tourists — including blindness and deaths. Stick to beer and wine from reputable venues, and avoid suspiciously cheap spirits, dubious 'free-flow' deals and arak of unknown origin.

Beyond the sarong and sash, conduct matters too. Don't stand higher than the priest or the offerings, don't block people praying or walk straight in front of them. Use no flash and keep quiet during ceremonies; don't touch sacred objects or cross barriers into closed areas. By Balinese tradition, women are asked not to enter a temple during menstruation. In short — be quiet and respectful, as you would in any active place of worship.

Yes, if you want to see hundreds of long-tailed macaques among mossy temples in central Ubud — it's one of the town's main sights. Entry is ticketed. Keep food, sunglasses, phones and bags away: the monkeys are quick and can snatch things; don't feed them or stare directly into their eyes.

Yes — plenty; Bali is one of Asia's best destinations for plant-based eating. Ubud is considered the island's vegan capital and Canggu a close second: dozens of cafés with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free menus, smoothie bowls and health food. Even ordinary warungs have plant-based staples — gado-gado, tempeh and tahu (tofu), and meat-free nasi or mie goreng. It's easy to flag allergies or gluten intolerance in advance; tourist areas are well used to it.

A traveller's basics: your personal medicines (with spares, in original packaging), something for an upset stomach and rehydration salts (for Bali belly), antiseptic and plasters, pain and fever relief, motion-sickness tablets, mosquito repellent and sunscreen. Antihistamines and after-sun also help. You can buy a lot at local pharmacies, but bring any specific medication you rely on. If you have a chronic condition, carry a prescription or a doctor's note.

No. The much-hyped glass **elevator** on the Kelingking cliff was never finished and stays closed: construction was halted in **2025** over permit and safety violations, and the structure is still not operational. The only way down to the beach is a steep, near-vertical **staircase** — about **30–40 minutes** down and noticeably longer back up.

A few simple rules of respect: don't touch people's heads (even children's) — the head is the most sacred part of the body; don't point the soles of your feet at people, sacred objects or offerings — feet are considered 'unclean'. Give and receive things with your right hand (the left is considered unclean). Stay calm — raising your voice or showing anger in public is frowned upon. Locals really appreciate these small courtesies.

Temple architecture, courtyards, statues and scenery are fine to photograph freely. During prayers and ceremonies, though, use no flash, and don't photograph people mid-worship without permission; close-ups of those praying, and shots inside a temple's inner sanctuary or of private rituals, are best avoided. If you want a close portrait, ask politely first. And don't climb higher than the priest or the offerings for a better shot.

The best time is the dry season, April to October: sunny, 27–32°C, ideal for beaches and tours. The busiest and priciest months are July–August (plus the New Year period); the sweet spot for weather, prices and thinner crowds is May, June, September and early October. The wet season runs November to March — showers are short but frequent and it's humid, though prices drop and there are fewer tourists. December and January are the wettest.

It depends on your travel style: the island is large and getting around takes time. For a first trip it's handy to combine the south (beaches and infrastructure) with Ubud (nature and culture). Seminyak and Canggu are about beaches, cafés, surf and atmosphere; Nusa Dua and Sanur suit a calm or family stay; Uluwatu has cliffs, surf and views; Kuta is budget and busy. For nature and culture, head to Ubud (no sea there).

Ubud is a town and district in the Gianyar regency, known as Bali's cultural center: temples, art museums, craft villages, rice fields and routes into central Bali. It is not a beach resort but a place about culture, nature and a slower rhythm.

Start with the classics: nasi goreng (fried rice with an egg) and mie goreng (fried noodles) are everywhere; satay (sate) — grilled skewers with peanut sauce; gado-gado — a vegetable salad in the same sauce; and nasi campur — rice with an assortment of local sides, the perfect introduction. The signature Balinese dish is babi guling (roast suckling pig; it's pork). Everything comes with sambal, a fiery chilli paste. You'll find these from humble warungs to smart restaurants.

Yes — if you're after dramatic scenery, photography and snorkeling: you won't find these cliffs or this water colour on Bali itself. But it's a trip about adventure, not beach relaxation: the roads are bumpy, the beach descents are steep, and you can't swim everywhere. For a relaxed holiday by the water, neighbouring **Lembongan** or Bali itself are a better fit.

It depends: **Tegalalang** is famous and close to Ubud (**15–20 minutes**), good for a quick visit and photos; **Jatiluwih** is vast and quiet, UNESCO-listed, **1.5–2 hours** away, for space and walks.

Don't miss mangosteen (the 'queen of fruits' — sweet white segments under a thick purple rind), salak ('snake fruit', with scaly skin and crisp flesh), rambutan (a hairy lychee relative) and, if you dare, durian — the 'king of fruits', creamy but with a famously pungent smell (which is why it's often banned in hotels and transport). Many fruits are sweeter and cheaper in the wet season (roughly November–March). Buy at local markets and try a little at a time.

Tegalalang sometimes collects a small donation for walking the paths; the Jatiluwih area has an official entry fee. Exact amounts change, so check on site.

No — Ubud has no sea or beaches; it's in the centre of the island among rice fields and jungle. For a beach holiday head south (Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua); Ubud is chosen for nature, temples and culture, often paired with the coast.

Bali grows Arabica (in the Kintamani highlands on volcanic soil — clean and slightly citrusy) and bold Robusta. Coffee plantations near Kintamani and Ubud run tastings. The famous kopi luwak (coffee from beans digested by a civet) is best approached thoughtfully: most tourist farms keep civets caged and force-feed them, which is an animal-welfare problem and makes poorer coffee. If you want to try it, look for a farm with free-roaming civets or wild-sourcing certification — or simply enjoy the excellent local Arabica.

Mornings (**7:00–9:00**) in the dry season: soft light and fewer people. The fields are greenest about a month after the rice is planted.

Tegalalang takes about **1–1.5 hours**; allow **2–3 hours** plus travel for Jatiluwih with a walk.

The best time is the **dry season, April to October**: fewer showers on the trails and terraces. In the wet season (November–March) Ubud is especially green, but downpours tend to come after noon, so plan sightseeing for the morning.

They're different trips: **Ubud** is culture, rice terraces, temples, yoga and jungle with no sea; **Canggu** is beaches, surfing, beach clubs and nightlife in the south. Many do both — a few days in Ubud for nature and culture, then the coast. Canggu to Ubud is about an hour by car.

Yes, central Ubud is walkable, although sidewalks can be narrow and uneven. For the rice terraces, Tirta Empul and waterfalls outside town you will need transport — a car with driver or a scooter.

Indonesian (Bahasa) is simple and friendly, and locals love a few words. Handy ones: 'terima kasih' — thank you, 'sama-sama' — you're welcome, 'selamat pagi/siang/malam' — good morning/afternoon/evening, 'permisi' — excuse me (to get attention), 'maaf' — sorry, 'berapa?' — how much?, 'ya / tidak' — yes / no. English is understood in tourist areas, but even a simple 'terima kasih' goes a long way.