Where Is Bali: A Guide That's Been Built from 30 Real Articles

Last updated: May 2026

At this point, Bali feels an awful lot like a permanent internet fixation. One minute you're sitting there watching someone enjoying a cold cup of coffee beside a jungle villa in Ubud, the next you're actually pricing up flights and trying to decide if all the hype is true - is Bali really as great as everyone makes it out to be on social media?

After writing more than 30 travel articles about Bali and studying the behaviour of thousands of customers who have booked trips to Indonesia, one thing became clear pretty quickly: most first-time visitors to Bali show up with the same handful of questions floating around in their heads.

Where is Bali, anyway? Is it expensive? Will my phone actually work? Where should I stay in the first place? Is Seminyak any better than Ubud? What's the weather actually like? And honestly, is Bali still worth visiting these days, now that everyone and their grandma seems to be going there?

The short answer is yes. But the longer answer is a bit more complicated than that.

This guide brings together all the things we've learned from real people's behaviour while travelling, from customer travel patterns to our own on-the-ground experience in Bali itself.

This article is written independently by Simify for informational purposes only and Simify isn't affiliated with any tourism boards or local operators that get a mention in this guide.

So where is Bali, anyway?

Bali is an Indonesian province and island in Southeast Asia and it's located between Java and Lombok, often referred to as the "Island of the Gods". It's roughly 2,232 square miles (5,780 square kilometres) in size and sits just south of the equator, which explains all the tropical climate and year-round warmth.

For travellers from the UK, Bali can feel a bit more distant than it really is because it's got this bucket-list, long-haul trip vibe. But once you actually get there, the island is pretty easy to get around and it's very well set up for international visitors.

One thing that often catches people out is that Bali is just one island in Indonesia's truly enormous archipelago of over 17,000 islands. And yet despite that, Bali has carved out its own really distinct tourism identity and recognition around the world - and tourism actually drives about 80% of the economy compared to the rest of the country.

How long is a Bali flight from the UK?

Unfortunately there are no direct commercial flights from the UK to Bali so most journeys involve stopping off somewhere like Dubai, Singapore, Doha or Kuala Lumpur.

Most international arrivals come through Ngurah Rai Airport near Jimbaran which is the island's main airport and entry point for tourists.

Route	Approx Total Travel Time
London to Bali	16–19 hrs
Manchester to Bali	17–20 hrs
Birmingham to Bali	17–20 hrs

Yes, it's a long journey. But what's interesting is that loads of travellers who visit Bali end up going back, despite the flight time. Which probably says something about the destination.

And because Bali trips often last a week or more, people generally approach it differently to a quick holiday in the Med. It feels more immersive from the word go.

What currency does Bali use?

Bali uses the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).

At first the big numbers can be a bit overwhelming - a coffee might cost 40,000 rupiah, dinner could be 120,000 rupiah, and suddenly everyone feels like a millionaire for about three days before the conversion maths gets too much to handle.

Thankfully most apps and card providers handle conversions automatically now.

One thing that kept coming up in traveller feedback is that it's still worth carrying some cash in Bali. Card payments are common in cafes, beach clubs and hotels, but smaller local businesses and drivers often still prefer cash. Just make sure to use banks, ATMs or licensed money changers when you change your cash, as unlicensed booths have a knack of scamming travellers and leaving them out of pocket.

Is Bali expensive?

It all depends on how you travel.

Bali can be pretty affordable by UK standards, but it can also get surprisingly pricey if you're after luxury villas, private drivers, beach clubs and fine dining every day, so it suits different kinds of tourists.

Looking at customer travel patterns and what people actually spend, we generally break Bali down into three broad categories:

Travel Style	Approx Daily Budget
Budget traveller	£25–£45
Mid-range traveller	£60–£120
Luxury traveller	£200+

One reason Bali stands out is that you can often get high-end experiences for a fraction of what you'd pay in Europe. Accommodation ranges from five-star resorts to budget-friendly hostels, private villas, spas, drivers and boutique hotels, and private villas with pools are especially popular for couples or groups.

That's one reason people often end up staying longer than they planned, especially if they're planning a longer stay or splashing out on more high-end spending.

Seminyak vs Ubud: which area's got the most beautiful beaches?

This is definitely the most common Bali question we've seen over the years across our articles and customer travel data.

And honestly, they feel like two completely different trips.

Seminyak

Seminyak is all about the beach clubs, restaurants, shopping, sunsets, cafes and nightlife, often compared to its busier next-door neighbour Kuta.

Its a pretty social scene, always busy and catered very much to tourists. If you're a first-timer to Bali and looking for convenience, easy beach access and plenty of great restaurants then Seminyak is a pretty easy place to start.

Double Six Beach is a popular spot for sunset viewing and some of the nearby venues even have live music.

Seminyak is pretty geared up for tourists, much smoother for anyone trying to get used to Bali for the first time, which is probably why it's often the preferred starting point. Meanwhile Nusa Dua is better suited to those looking for a more resort-focused experience.

Ubud

Ubud is a much more laid back place, surrounded by trees, temples, yoga studios and rice fields. You've got rice terraces, jungle scenery and a real sense of calm. You'll find a few hidden villas tucked away among the greenery and a nearby village, Tegalalang, which showcases the UNESCO-listed Subak irrigation system. Ubud is perfect as a base for day trips to places like the Tegenungan waterfall and other inland scenery.

Loads of people end up splitting their trip between the two places because they offer such different experiences. Ubud also gives you a great base for exploring the volcano areas - there's even the option to trek up Mount Batur for a sunrise view and take in the sight of Mount Agung in the distance.

And, as it happens, looking at our activation data, thats exactly what most of our travellers did: beach first, then jungle. Some people pair Ubud with a visit to Uluwatu temple and watch a Kecak performance at sunset for a real taste of Balinese culture.

When is the best time to visit Bali?

Bali only really has two seasons, you know? A dry season from roughly April to October and a wet one from November to March. But the majority of people tend to visit in the dry season, when the weather is better for outdoor activities.

• Dry season (April to October)
• Wet season (November to March)

But the reality's a bit more complicated than that.

We took a look at our customer activation data and the busiest travel periods turned out to be:

Month	Traveller Demand
July	Extremely high
August	Extremely high
September	Very high
May	High
October	High

So July and August are the real peak season - when demand is high, prices are at their highest and the crowds are biggest.

But interestingly, lots of people who have been to Bali a few times now prefer to visit during the shoulder season months like May, June or September. The weather's still great, there are fewer tourists and the prices drop a bit. Plus, despite the reputation for the "wet season", the rain in Bali is usually pretty short bursts - there's plenty of sunshine in between.

Will my phone work in Bali?

Yeah, it probably will - as long as your phone is unlocked and can support international bands.

Modern iPhones and most newer Android flagships work just fine in Bali and wider Indonesia.

The mobile coverage has got a lot better in recent years, too. In places like Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu, the speeds are usually strong enough for:

• Google Maps
• WhatsApp
• Social media uploads
• Video streaming
• Remote work
• Hotspot tethering

That's one of the reasons why digital nomads love Bali so much - it's got all the connectivity you need to get on with your work.

English is pretty common in tourist areas, but it's always a good idea to learn a bit of Bahasa Indonesia if you're going to be getting around.

For travellers heading there: Indonesia eSIM plans

We noticed that people tend to use loads more mobile data in Bali than they do in most European destinations, because they're using apps all the time.

What plug type does Bali use?

Bali uses the same style Type C and Type F plugs as much of Europe - the standard two-pin job. If you're from the UK, you'll only need a simple European travel adapter.

The voltage is 230V - which is fine for most modern electronics and chargers.

What surprised travellers most about Balinese culture in Bali?

We looked at loads of traveller feedback and there were a few common themes that showed up.

First: Bali is actually a lot bigger and busier than lots of people think it is. Yes, it's a pretty safe destination, but common sense still matters when it comes to avoiding scams and petty crime. People often underestimate how long it takes to get from one place to another because of the traffic - especially in places like Seminyak and Canggu - and because there are no trains, you have to get around on roads. Loads of people rent a scooter but you need to have both your national driving licence and an IDP, and even then, police checks are pretty common. Also, don't forget to wear a helmet and be careful until you get used to the traffic.

Second: Bali is way more diverse than that "Instagrammable" version online makes out. Some areas are really developed and tourism-heavy, while others are still pretty peaceful and local.And third: travellers consistently underestimate just how deeply reliant they become on mobile connectivity when travelling round Bali. Ride apps, food delivery services, maps, translation tools, and WhatsApp all become pretty much essential pretty quickly. The Go-Jek app and Grab can be really handy for getting around, though pickups are often restricted in some areas because of local transport rules. Trans Sarbagita and Trans Metro Dewata do exist, but most visitors still end up relying on road transport.

Why Bali's got a knack for bringing repeat visitors back for more

Some places you visit just once and tick the bucket list, but Bali's different.

People keep coming back because the island's got loads of completely different travel styles all within a relatively short distance of each other.

Think surf towns with the ocean right there. Luxury resorts. Jungle retreats that are just a product of the island's natural beauty. Wellness travel. Quirky cafes. Ancient temples. Diving. Remote work is a real thing here too. Beaches. Volcano hikes.

Bali's also a major surfing destination - it's located in the Coral Triangle and has loads of beautiful beaches, popular breaks along the southern coastline and around Nusa Lembongan and loads of marine life too - we're talking over 500 species of reef-building corals.

Most travellers end up feeling like they only scratched the surface of the island.

That's probably why Bali generates such an unusually high rate of repeat travel behaviour compared to loads of other long-haul destinations.

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