Bali travel FAQ: visas, costs, where to stay and safety

Yes: US, UK, Australian and most European passport holders need a visa for Bali, and the usual choice is Indonesia's Visa on Arrival (B1), which covers tourism for up to 30 days. As of September 2026 it costs IDR 500,000 and can be bought online as an e-VOA or on arrival at Ngurah Rai airport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months and you need an onward or return ticket.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Sources: Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia e-Visa, official portal, Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration

As of September 2026, Indonesia's Visa on Arrival (B1) costs IDR 500,000 and gives up to 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days, so 60 days in total. Extend before the first 30 days run out: the UK government warns that overstaying costs IDR 1 million a day. If you bought an e-VOA online, the extension can also be done on the official immigration website.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Sources: Indonesia e-Visa, official portal, UK government travel advice

Both are official. The Visa on Arrival can be paid at Bali's Ngurah Rai airport by cash or card, or bought beforehand as an e-VOA on evisa.imigrasi.go.id, Indonesia's official e-Visa portal. If you apply online, the UK government advises doing it at least a week before you leave and making sure the visa is approved before you arrive. It also warns about fake visa agents: use only the official immigration website.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Sources: UK government travel advice, Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration

No, not for a short tourist trip: as of September 2026 Colombia, Brazil and Peru are on Indonesia's visa-free list, which gives up to 30 days that cannot be extended. They can take the paid Visa on Arrival instead if they may want a 30-day extension. Other Latin American passports differ: Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Mexico use the Visa on Arrival, while Uruguay, Costa Rica and Panama are on neither list, so their citizens must obtain a visa such as the C1 online before travelling.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Sources: Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration, Indonesia e-Visa, official portal, Indonesian Directorate General of Immigration

Yes. The simplest route to 60 days is the Visa on Arrival plus its one 30-day extension. For longer trips, Indonesia's C1 tourist visa gives up to 60 days from the start and can be extended. As of September 2026 the C1 costs IDR 1,000,000, is applied for online before you fly, and asks for a personal bank statement showing at least USD 2,000 over the last three months.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Sources: Indonesia e-Visa, official portal, UK government travel advice

Overstaying in Bali is fined IDR 1 million per day as of September 2026, and the UK government says that using the wrong visa or overstaying can lead to prosecution, detention and deportation at your own cost. Extend before your permitted stay ends. If a hospital stay or detention will keep you past the date, contact Indonesian Immigration before the visa expires.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Source: UK government travel advice

Yes: as of September 2026 every traveller must submit Indonesia's All Indonesia arrival card within the three days before arrival. It carries the customs, health and quarantine declarations and is free on the official site allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or the All Indonesia app; the UK government warns against websites that ask for payment. The arrival card is not a visa, so you still need a Visa on Arrival or e-VOA if your passport requires one.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Sources: Indonesia e-Visa, official portal, UK government travel advice, All Indonesia arrival card, official

As of September 2026 the Bali tourist levy is IDR 150,000 per person, paid once per trip by foreign tourists. Pay it online on the provincial government's Love Bali site (lovebali.baliprov.go.id) before you fly, at the counters in Bali's airport and ports, or through registered hotels, travel agents and attractions. Payment is cashless, by card, bank transfer, virtual account, UnionPay or QRIS, and the voucher with a QR code arrives by email.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Sources: Love Bali, Bali Provincial Government, UK government travel advice

Yes for tourists: every international tourist visiting Bali must pay it. As of September 2026 exemptions cover KITAS and KITAP stay-permit holders, holders of diplomatic, official, family-unification, student and Golden visas, and transport crews. Most exempt travellers simply show their card to the officer, but Golden visa holders and holders of certain other visas must apply for the exemption through the Love Bali system.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Source: Love Bali, Bali Provincial Government

As of September 2026 Indonesian customs lets each arriving passenger bring personal goods worth up to USD 500 free of import duty, plus up to 1 litre of alcoholic drinks from age 21 and up to 200 cigarettes, 25 cigars or 100 grams of tobacco from age 18. Alcohol and tobacco above the allowance is destroyed by customs officers, and duty is charged on the value of personal goods above USD 500.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Source: Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai)

Yes, for large amounts: as of September 2026 Indonesian customs sends passengers carrying cash or other payment instruments worth IDR 100 million or more, or the equivalent in foreign currency, to the red channel for inspection. Declare it in the customs section of the All Indonesia arrival card or to a customs officer; goods that are declared correctly are also the ones that keep their duty-free allowance.

Read more: Banking and Money Transfers in Bali · Sources: Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai), Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai)

Most visitors pre-book a car transfer or use a registered taxi or ride app, and journey times depend heavily on traffic. Our area guides give these usual ranges by car: Seminyak 30 minutes to an hour, Uluwatu 45 minutes to 1 hour 15, Canggu 1 to 1.5 hours and Ubud 1.5 to 2 hours, longer in the late afternoon. The UK government advises using registered taxi firms and checking that an app driver matches the booking.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bali: Choosing Your Base · Source: UK government travel advice

Bring only enough Indonesian rupiah for the first few days and top up from bank ATMs as you go: cards and QR payments cover the essentials in tourist areas, while cash stays handy for warungs, small stalls and drivers. Our cost guide puts a local warung meal at 2 to 4 dollars. Avoid carrying large sums, and exchange money only at licensed changers showing a Bank Indonesia logo and a QR code.

Read more: Banking and Money Transfers in Bali · Source: UK government travel advice

Generally yes, with precautions. Prefer ATMs attached to a bank branch, shield your PIN, and never call a phone number stuck on a machine: the UK government reports criminals placing fake numbers on ATMs to obtain card details, and says card fraud is common. Exchange cash only at licensed money changers, identified by a Bank Indonesia logo and a QR code you can scan to check their licence; unlicensed ones may short-change you.

Read more: Banking and Money Transfers in Bali · Source: UK government travel advice

Choose rupiah. When an ATM or card terminal in Bali offers to charge you in your home currency, that is dynamic currency conversion, and the terminal's exchange rate is usually worse than the one your own bank or multi-currency card applies. Declining the conversion and paying in IDR is the simplest way to cut hidden costs on every withdrawal and card payment during your trip.

Read more: Banking and Money Transfers in Bali

It depends mostly on where you sleep, so price the trip line by line. Our 2026 guides give these benchmarks: guesthouses in quiet areas such as Amed or Sidemen from 25 dollars a night, Ubud villas from 40 dollars for charming to 400 for legendary, warung meals at 2 to 4 dollars, café brunch at 12 to 18, a car with driver at 40 to 60 dollars a day and a beginner surf lesson around 25. Add flights, insurance and the IDR 150,000 tourist levy.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bali: The Right Base for Your Trip · Source: Love Bali, Bali Provincial Government

Tipping in Bali is appreciated rather than required. Before adding anything at a restaurant, read the bill, since some places already list a service charge. For drivers, guides, spa therapists and villa staff who looked after you well, a tip in rupiah handed directly to the person is a common courtesy. There is no official rate, so give what reflects the service and your budget.

Read more: Banking and Money Transfers in Bali

For a first trip to Bali, split your stay between two bases, one on the coast and one inland. A common pattern is four or five nights in Canggu or Seminyak for beaches, cafés and sunsets, then three or four nights in Ubud for rice terraces, temples and a walkable town centre. Add Uluwatu if you surf, or Sanur or Nusa Dua if you want calm water for swimming.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bali: Choosing Your Base

Seminyak suits travellers who want restaurants, shops, spas and beach clubs within walking distance and a shorter airport run, usually 30 minutes to an hour. Canggu is younger, more surf- and café-oriented, more spread out, and usually 1 to 1.5 hours from the airport. In Canggu, Batu Bolong is the walkable pick for a first visit; in Seminyak, Oberoi and Petitenget put dinner and the beach on foot.

Read more: Where to Stay in Canggu: Which Area Suits You

Choose Canggu for cafés, coworking, nightlife and beginner-friendly beach breaks in a denser area that is easier without a vehicle. Choose Uluwatu for dramatic cliffs, sunsets and world-class reef surf, but plan on a scooter or driver, because the Bukit peninsula is spread out with no walkable centre. Beginner surfers are usually better served around Canggu, Kuta or Legian than on Uluwatu's reef breaks.

Read more: Where to Stay in Uluwatu: Which Area Suits You

Ubud and Canggu show two different sides of Bali, so many visitors split their stay rather than choose. Ubud is inland, green and quieter, with a walkable centre, rice terraces, temples and yoga, but no beach. Canggu is on the coast, younger and surf-oriented, with cafés and beach clubs. Three to four nights covers Ubud well, and the drive between the two usually takes around an hour and a half.

Read more: Where to Stay in Ubud: Which Area Suits You

Sanur and Nusa Dua are the usual choices for families with young children, because both sit behind a reef that keeps the water calm and both are a short drive from the airport. Sanur has a flat, car-free beachfront path for pushchairs and more independent restaurants; Nusa Dua is a gated resort enclave with child-friendly hotels. Jimbaran works for a first or last night near the airport, and Ubud for a few days inland.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bali with Children: Calm Water, Short Transfers

For a honeymoon in Bali, pick the setting first: the Uluwatu cliffs for sunsets over the sea, Sayan above Ubud for valley views and slow mornings, Petitenget in Seminyak for good restaurants and beach clubs within walking distance, or Nusa Dua if you would rather never leave the resort. Most couples split the trip, with three or four nights inland and three or four by the sea.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bali for Couples: Cliffs, Valley or Beach Club

Most digital nomads in Bali base themselves in Canggu, then Pererenan just north of it, then Ubud. Batu Bolong in Canggu puts coworking spaces, cafés and other remote workers within walking distance; Pererenan offers the same coast with quieter nights; Penestanan above Ubud suits people who prefer rice fields, yoga and lower costs. For a month-long stay, check the connection before booking: guesthouse wifi is not coworking wifi.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bali as a Digital Nomad: Canggu, Pererenan or Ubud

For calm swimming, stay on Bali's reef-protected east and south: Sanur, Nusa Dua and the sheltered bay at Jimbaran. The west coast from Seminyak to Canggu faces the open ocean with waves and currents, better for surfing and sunsets than for young swimmers. Amed, in the north-east, suits snorkelling straight from a black volcanic sand shore. On open beaches, swim between the flags where lifeguards are present.

Read more: Beachfront Stays in Bali: Which Coast, Which Area

From three people upwards, a whole villa with a private pool is usually cheaper than several hotel rooms in Bali, and the gap widens with group size. For one or two travellers a hotel room is often cheaper, unless you stay several weeks and can use monthly villa rates. Villas often include a daily cleaner, sometimes a cook or driver, so read what each listing covers, and book months ahead for July, August and year-end.

Read more: Renting a Villa in Bali: Which Area, and What It Really Costs

Jimbaran is the most pleasant base near Bali's Ngurah Rai airport, usually 10 to 20 minutes away by car, with a sheltered bay and seafood grilled on the sand. Kuta and Tuban are similarly close, usually 15 to 25 minutes, and cheaper but louder. Nusa Dua, usually 20 to 30 minutes away, suits families who want a resort for the first or last night. If you land at night, pre-book the car.

Read more: Where to Stay in Jimbaran: Which Area Suits You

Stay at least one night on Nusa Penida if you can. Day trips are common, but staying over lets you reach Kelingking and the eastern viewpoints at sunrise, before the day-trip boats arrive mid-morning and crowd the car parks and platforms. Toyapakeh, near the harbour, has the widest choice of stays and the easiest logistics; Crystal Bay suits snorkelling. Roads to the eastern viewpoints are steep and rough, so scooter experience matters.

Read more: Where to Stay in Nusa Penida: Which Area Suits You

Sidemen is the quieter choice: a rice-terrace valley east of Ubud with views of Mount Agung on clear mornings, few restaurants and little to do after dark. Ubud has far more restaurants, shops, temples and activities and suits a longer stay. One or two nights covers Sidemen for most people, and it is usually 45 minutes to an hour by car from Ubud, so it works well as an add-on to an Ubud stay.

Read more: Where to Stay in Sidemen: Which Area Suits You

You should not: ride only with a licence that covers motorcycles, and check that your travel insurance covers scooter riding. The UK government, for example, says a UK driving licence alone is not valid in Indonesia and a UK-issued International Driving Permit is needed, so check the equivalent rule for your nationality and make sure your permit includes the motorcycle category. Always wear a good helmet: motorbike accidents in Bali have increased sharply.

Read more: Health Insurance in Bali: What Expats Actually Need · Source: UK government travel advice

Ride-hailing apps such as Grab and Gojek are a cheap, common way to cover short distances in Bali. For safety, the UK government advises checking that the driver is the person shown in the app, sharing your journey with a friend through the app, and being wary of drivers on the street who claim to work for an app company. If you take a taxi instead, use registered firms such as Bluebird.

Read more: Cost of Living in Bali (2026): Monthly Expenses and Real Budgets · Source: UK government travel advice

For day trips, usually yes: a car with driver lets you reach Ubud, temples, waterfalls or the east coast without riding mountain roads yourself, and drivers are generally hired by the day rather than by distance. Our guides put a car with driver at around 40 to 60 dollars for about 10 hours as of 2026. The UK government also suggests considering a private driver rather than driving yourself in Indonesia.

Read more: Things to Do in Bali: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Source: UK government travel advice

Nusa Penida is reached by fast boat, most often from Sanur, with crossings usually taking 30 to 45 minutes; there is no bridge and no regular vehicle ferry for visitors. Safety varies: the UK government notes that sea conditions change rapidly and standards differ between operators, and advises checking for life jackets and lifeboats before boarding, bringing children's life jackets if needed, and avoiding crossings after dark on poorly equipped boats.

Read more: Where to Stay in Nusa Penida: Which Area Suits You · Source: UK government travel advice

Longer than the map suggests. Allow around an hour and a half by car between the west coast (Canggu, Seminyak) and Ubud, and about the same between Ubud and Uluwatu, more in the late afternoon. Amed and the north or east coast are a half-day drive from the south. That is why most itineraries use two bases for a week to ten days rather than long daily transfers.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bali: Choosing Your Base

Bali is generally a straightforward destination, but as of September 2026 the UK government's travel advice highlights specific risks: bag-snatching in tourist areas, drink spiking, counterfeit alcohol containing methanol, a large increase in motorbike accidents, rabies from dogs and monkeys, and a terrorism threat in Indonesia that includes beach resorts. Use registered taxis or checked app rides, wear a helmet, watch your drinks and save the emergency numbers: ambulance 118, police 110.

Read more: Hospitals and Clinics in Bali: Where to Go, and When · Sources: UK government travel advice, UK government travel advice, UK government travel advice

Women travelling alone in Bali should take specific precautions: the UK government reports high numbers of reported rape and sexual assault in Bali and Lombok, and drink spiking linked to sexual assault in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands. Watch your drinks being prepared, never accept drinks from strangers, avoid poorly lit areas at night, use registered taxis or verified app rides, and share your journey with a friend.

Source: UK government travel advice

Drink with care: as of September 2026 the UK government reports deaths and serious illness in Indonesia from alcoholic drinks containing methanol, including drinks bought in licensed bars, shops and hotels in tourist areas, where criminal gangs sell counterfeit copies of well-known brands. Methanol cannot be detected by taste or smell and even small amounts can kill. Seek urgent medical help if you or a companion feel unwell after drinking.

Read more: Hospitals and Clinics in Bali: Where to Go, and When · Source: UK government travel advice

No: the UK government states that tap water is not safe to drink in Indonesia, Bali included. Drink sealed bottled water or purified refills provided by your accommodation, be careful with ice and raw food of uncertain origin, and wash your hands before eating. The US CDC recommends hepatitis A vaccination for unvaccinated travellers to Indonesia and typhoid vaccination for most travellers, alongside safe food and water habits.

Read more: Hospitals and Clinics in Bali: Where to Go, and When · Sources: UK government travel advice, US CDC travel health

The only vaccination certificate Indonesia requires is for yellow fever, and only if you arrive from a country with yellow fever transmission risk. As of September 2026 the US CDC recommends routine vaccines, hepatitis A and B, and typhoid for most travellers, with rabies and Japanese encephalitis considered for long stays or rural travel. The CDC lists no malaria transmission in Bali's resort areas. See a travel health professional at least 8 weeks before departure.

Read more: Hospitals and Clinics in Bali: Where to Go, and When · Sources: UK government travel advice, US CDC travel health, UK government travel advice

Yes, both are mosquito-borne risks in Bali. As of September 2026 the US CDC has a Level 2 travel notice, dated 7 August 2026, for Zika in Indonesia after cases were reported in travellers returning from Bali, and it lists dengue among the diseases spread there by mosquito bites. Use repellent, cover up, and prefer rooms with screens or air conditioning. Pregnant travellers and couples planning a pregnancy should discuss the Zika notice with a doctor.

Read more: Hospitals and Clinics in Bali: Where to Go, and When · Source: US CDC travel health

Seek medical care immediately, the same day, and treat any bite or scratch as a possible rabies exposure. The UK government notes many street dogs in Bali and monkeys around temples and tourist areas, and the US CDC says dogs infected with rabies are commonly found in Indonesia. Keep food and loose items out of monkeys' reach at temples, and discuss pre-exposure rabies vaccination with a travel clinic before a long stay or a trip with children.

Read more: Hospitals and Clinics in Bali: Where to Go, and When · Sources: UK government travel advice, US CDC travel health

Travel insurance is not among the documents Indonesia lists for a Visa on Arrival, but it is strongly advisable: the UK government warns that good medical care in Indonesia can be expensive and that medical evacuation can cost tens of thousands of pounds. Check that any policy covers local treatment, evacuation and your planned activities, especially scooter riding and diving. Compare policies yourself; we do not give personal insurance advice.

Read more: Health Insurance in Bali: What Expats Actually Need · Sources: Indonesia e-Visa, official portal, UK government travel advice, UK government travel advice

The dry season, roughly April to October, is generally the best time to visit Bali for sunshine, calmer seas and clear diving, while the UK government notes that Indonesia's rainy season usually runs from October to March. July, August and the year-end holidays bring the biggest crowds and highest prices. The rainy season is greener and cheaper, often with clear mornings, but heavy rain can cause localised flooding and traffic jams in Bali.

Read more: Things to Do in Bali: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Source: UK government travel advice

September is one of the better months for Bali: it falls in the dry season and after the July and August peak, so beaches and villas are usually less crowded. October sits at the turn of the seasons, since the UK government notes that Indonesia's rainy season usually starts in October, so expect a higher chance of showers as the month goes on. Either way, book popular villas early.

Read more: Things to Do in Bali: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Source: UK government travel advice

Plan at least a week, ideally ten to fourteen days. A week covers one region properly; ten to fourteen days let you pair the south coast with Ubud and add one escape such as Nusa Penida, Amed or Munduk without living in a car. With fewer than five days, pick a single base and stay there, because Bali's traffic makes daily cross-island trips slow and tiring.

Read more: Things to Do in Bali: The Experiences Actually Worth It

Yes, occasionally. The UK government reports that the eruption of Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki on Flores on 17 June 2025 disrupted flights to and from Bali, and that Mount Agung's 2018 eruption closed Bali's airport for a period; Indonesian authorities say Agung still shows signs of volcanic activity. Check your airline's updates before travelling, and check whether your travel insurance covers disruption from natural events.

Source: UK government travel advice

Either works for most visitors: an eSIM can be installed before you fly so you have data on landing, while a physical SIM from an Indonesian operator such as Telkomsel gives you a local number. Buy from official operator outlets or established eSIM providers rather than street sellers. If you plan to use a phone brought from abroad on a local network long term, Indonesian customs IMEI registration rules can apply, so check them on arrival.

Read more: Where to Stay in Bali as a Digital Nomad: Canggu, Pererenan or Ubud · Source: Indonesian Customs (Bea Cukai)

In coworking spaces and most recent villas, yes, but check before committing to a long stay, since a guesthouse connection is not a coworking one. The main coworking clusters are in Canggu and Pererenan, with a quieter scene in Ubud. Our 2026 cost guide puts unlimited coworking desks at around 100 to 180 dollars a month in Canggu or Ubud, often with a pool.

Read more: Working Remotely from Bali: Legal Setup, Coworkings and Ground Truth

Wear a sarong over your legs with a sash tied at the waist and dress modestly: that is the standard for entering Balinese temples, and sarongs are usually lent on site at the main temples. Respect signs closing inner sanctums to visitors, keep your voice down and do not walk in front of people praying during ceremonies. At clifftop temples such as Uluwatu, keep sunglasses and phones secure from the monkeys.

Read more: Things to Do in Bali: The Experiences Actually Worth It

Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, falls on Monday 8 March 2027 according to Indonesia's official 2027 public holiday decree. On Nyepi, everyone in Bali is expected to stay indoors, keep lights off and make no noise, while emergency services and hospitals keep working. In 2026 Ngurah Rai International Airport closed for the entire day, so check with your airline before booking flights around 8 March 2027 and plan to stay at your accommodation.

Read more: Things to Do in Bali: The Experiences Actually Worth It · Sources: Indonesian Ministry of State Secretariat, UK government travel advice

Indonesia's drug laws are severe: possession, use, production or trafficking can bring long prison sentences or the death penalty under a zero-tolerance policy. CBD is not a loophole, since the UK government states that cannabis and cannabis-based products, including medicinal cannabis, CBD, THC, hemp products and edibles, are illegal in Indonesia. Police raid venues popular with foreigners in Bali and can require urine or blood tests.

Source: UK government travel advice

As of September 2026 the UK government highlights fake visa agents who take money and deliver the wrong visa or none, unlicensed money changers who short-change customers, fake phone numbers stuck on ATMs to obtain card details, and a rise in scams at tattoo parlours, nail salons and spas. Get visas only through the official immigration website, use licensed changers with a Bank Indonesia logo and QR code, and agree prices in advance.

Read more: Banking and Money Transfers in Bali · Sources: UK government travel advice, UK government travel advice

Yes: as of September 2026 the UK government says foreigners staying in private accommodation in Indonesia must register their presence at the nearest police station, and could be fined IDR 5 million if they do not, while hotel guests are registered automatically. For a villa or holiday rental, ask your host or the management company whether they handle the registration for you, and keep proof that it was done.

Read more: Renting a Villa in Bali: Which Area, and What It Really Costs · Source: UK government travel advice

Not clearly: Indonesia's tourist visas are not designed for work. As of September 2026 the official terms of the Visa on Arrival prohibit receiving wages from people or companies in Indonesia, the C1 tourist visa prohibits profit-making activities in any form, and the UK government says the VOA is not suitable for influencer work or commercial online content. Indonesia has a dedicated remote worker visa, the E33G; confirm your situation with immigration first.

Read more: Working Remotely from Bali: Legal Setup, Coworkings and Ground Truth · Sources: Indonesia e-Visa, official portal, UK government travel advice

Indonesia's remote worker visa is the E33G, a stay of up to one year for employees of companies abroad who work remotely from Indonesia. As of September 2026 the official e-Visa portal lists a fee of IDR 7,000,000, income of at least USD 60,000 a year, an employment contract with a company established outside Indonesia and a bank statement showing at least USD 2,000. It does not allow earning wages from Indonesian people or companies.

Read more: Working Remotely from Bali: Legal Setup, Coworkings and Ground Truth · Source: Indonesia e-Visa, official portal

Yes, through Indonesia's Retirement Visa (E33F), which as of September 2026 gives a stay of up to one year for IDR 7,000,000 and requires income or a pension of at least USD 3,000 a month plus a guarantor. For a longer horizon, the Second Home visa (E33) gives up to five years, extendable, for IDR 13,000,000, on condition of depositing USD 130,000 in a state-owned Indonesian bank or buying property worth USD 1,000,000.

Read more: Which Visa Do You Need for Bali? The Complete Guide · Source: Indonesia e-Visa, official portal

Our 2026 cost of living guide estimates 800 to 1,200 dollars a month for a solo expat living simply, 1,500 to 2,500 for a comfortable solo life with a villa and coworking, 2,200 to 3,500 for a comfortable couple, and 4,000 to 6,000 for a family with two children in international school. Rent decides most of the budget, and yearly contracts cost 30 to 50 percent less per month than monthly deals.

Read more: Cost of Living in Bali (2026): Monthly Expenses and Real Budgets

Not freehold: under Indonesia's 1960 Basic Agrarian Law only Indonesian citizens can hold hak milik, the full ownership title. Foreigners use other routes: a long registered lease (leasehold); hak pakai, a right of use the same law opens to foreigners domiciled in Indonesia and which is framed by minimum-price rules for foreigners' homes; or a foreign-owned PT PMA company for business use. Have title and contract checked by an independent notary and lawyer.

Read more: Leasehold vs Freehold in Bali: What Foreigners Can Actually Own · Sources: Indonesian Ministry of Agrarian Affairs (ATR/BPN), Indonesian Ministry of Agrarian Affairs (ATR/BPN)

Possibly: a long stay or a long-term stay permit can make you an Indonesian tax resident, and the outcome depends on your days of presence, your permit, where your income comes from and the tax treaty between Indonesia and your home country. This is a question for a qualified tax adviser and Indonesia's tax office, the Directorate General of Taxes. Our tax guide explains the concepts before you take advice.

Read more: Taxes in Bali: The 2026 Expat Guide

It depends on your life: Canggu and Pererenan for remote workers and social life, Ubud for calm, jungle and yoga, Uluwatu and the Bukit for surf, Sanur for families and a slower pace, and Amed for small budgets and diving. Rent drops quickly a few minutes from the hotspots, for example Pererenan instead of central Canggu or Umalas instead of Seminyak. Test an area for a month before signing a yearly lease.

Read more: Where to Live in Bali: Every Area Compared