Travel Information

Languages: Indonesian, Balinese, Balinese Malay & English
Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
Local Time: GMT +8 hrs
Flight Time: 17.5 hrs

Home to gorgeous lush rainforests, beautiful temples and architecture, vibrant street food culture, as well as some of the very best beaches in the world, Bali could be the holiday destination of your dreams.

While it’s become something of a tourist hotspot, Bali retains a peaceful and spiritual vibe which makes it the perfect island paradise getaway, and alongside those world-famous golden beaches, you can explore incredible coral reefs, volcanic hillsides and local rice paddies.

The town of Ubud is known as the island’s artistic and creative hub, home to the local traditional craft and dance scenes, but it’s also where you’ll find some of the island’s best hotels, resorts and spas.

Perched on a cliff at the island’s southern tip, you’ll find the ancient Uluwatu Temple, which is the perfect place to catch the sun setting over the Indian Ocean.

Of course though, many visit Bali for its stunning beaches, which can be found right around the island.

The most popular of these is probably Kuta Beach, known as a surfing and parting mecca, but if you want something a bit more relaxed and laidback, head to the north of the island, specifically Lovina Beach, where you might even catch a glimpse of dolphins off the coast.

When to Go

Bali is generally warm and humid all year round but experiences a dry and a rainy season. It’s obviously best to try and visit during the dry season, but if you want to experience the very busiest times of year (July-August and Christmas-New Year), it’s best to aim April to September, or maybe just before the peak season, around June.

Around these months the weather should still be dry but not as humid and the island should be a bit quieter, which also means better deals on your accommodation.

Events for Your Diary

Nyepi: Few places in the world have such contrasting new year’s celebrations as Bali. While the evening before Nyepi is one of noise and celebration, with parades and giant effigies, the day itself is one of almost complete silence and seclusion, with no traffic on the roads and virtually no noise at all, making it quite a surreal experience for visitors.

Bali Arts Festival: The annual Bali Arts Festival lasts from the second Saturday in June to the second Saturday in July, with magnificent parades taking place at Puputan Square in Denpasar and other events taking place throughout the month.

Things to Know About

Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Capital City: Denpasar
Languages: Indonesian, Balinese, Balinese Malay & English
Key Phrase to Learn: Apakah Anda berbicara bahasa Inggris? (Do you speak English?)
Time Difference: Bali is 8 hours ahead of the UK
Average Flight Time: 17.5 hrs
International Phone Code: +62
Emergency Services Number: 112
Public Holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Chinese New Year (February 5), Hari Raya Nyepi (March 7), Isra Miraj (April 3), Good Friday (April 19), Labour Day (May 1), Waisak Day (May 19), Ascension Day (May 30), Pancasila Day (June 1), Cuti Bersama (June 3-7), Idul Adha (August 11), Independence Day (August 17), Muharram (September 1), Maulidur Rasul (November 9), Cuti Bersama (December 24), Christmas Day (December 25)
Link to FCO Travel Advice: www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/indonesia