Made by hand,one at a time.
Each morning Bali sets out small offerings of petals, placed by hand. These guides are made the same way, one at a time, with the rules checked against official sources, for travelers from the United States.
Start here, in this order
About 30 minutes of reading- The visaWhat a US passport needs to enterRead the guide
- The flightNo nonstop: hubs, tickets, the lost dayRead the guide
- The monthRain, crowds and the calendarRead the guide
- The mapWhich part of the island is whichRead the guide
- The baseWhere to sleep, and what it is far fromRead the guide
- The routeA realistic first weekRead the guide
The island on one map
Eight places the guides keep coming back to. Each pin opens the guide that covers it.
The year, by rainfall
From the climate record for south Bali: about 1 inch of rain in July, about 14 in January. Warm in every month.
Pick your month
Bali, in Its Own Time.
Ninety miles wide, measured in hours. One boat that answers to the sea. Where the nights go, and in what order.
Fresh off the desk
Bali to the Gili Islands: Fast Boat vs. Flying via Lombok
Bali to the Gili Islands by fast boat or by flying via Lombok: what each route involves, what travel guides warn about, and how to choose for your month and base.
When Bali's Fast Boats Cancel: Your Options and the Buffer You Need
Fast boats to the Nusa and Gili islands are cancelled when the sea is rough. Your options when it happens, what to ask about your ticket, and the buffer to keep before a flight.
Fast Boats to Nusa Penida and Lembongan: Ports, Operators and Sea Conditions
Fast boats to Nusa Penida and Lembongan leave from Sanur and cross open water. Ports, the wet landing, what the harbor authority says about weather, and how to choose a boat.
Indonesian Domestic Flights: Baggage Rules and Changes
Indonesian domestic flights include 20 kg, 15 kg or no checked baggage depending on the airline's service group. What to check, and why to keep them clear of your flight home.
Bali Beach Clubs: Minimum Spends, Daybeds and Booking
Bali beach clubs charge through minimum spends on daybeds, with tax and service on top. How the money works, what to ask before booking, and whether it is worth it.
Food Allergies and Dietary Needs in Bali: How to Ask
Shrimp paste, peanuts and pork hide in Balinese dishes. The Indonesian phrases to use, how to ask, what to carry, and what to do if a reaction happens.
Balinese Food: What to Order and What Is in It
Balinese food is pork, duck, spice paste and coconut. What babi guling, betutu, sate lilit, lawar and nasi campur are, what is in them, and how to order.
Bali Honeymoon: How to Split the Nights
How to split a Bali honeymoon: start quiet near Ubud, put the island or the east in the middle, and finish by the sea near the airport. Splits for 7, 10 and 14 nights.
How Many Days Do You Need in Bali, Coming from the US?
From the US, travel and jet lag take about four days off a Bali trip. What five, seven, ten and fourteen nights really give you, and how to decide.
Where the days go
Build a first route
Pick your days, your pace and what you came for. The planner lays out bases and nights from these guides, with road miles between stops and no drive times.