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Bali

Indonesia·Asia

Currency

IDR

Language

Indonesian

Timezone

Makassar

Continent

Asia

Our guide

Discover Bali

Bali is not a beach, it is an island with beaches. The interior — Ubud, its terraced rice fields and temples — has little in common with the southern resort strip of Seminyak or Kuta. Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, two temples set on rocks facing the ocean, are the images everyone knows, and they earn their reputation at sunset.

When to go

The dry season runs April to October, peaking in July and August. The wet season does not rule out a trip: the downpours are violent but short, and the island is markedly quieter.

Getting around

Distances mislead: 40 km can take two hours. Scooters are the local norm, but traffic is dense and they drive on the left — do not start here. A driver for the day or a ride-hailing app are the sensible options.

Where to eat

Warungs — small family restaurants — serve most of what is worth eating here, for a few euros. Warung Nia in Seminyak is one of the established addresses. The south coast concentrates more international dining, at prices that are no longer Balinese.

Good to know

A sarong is required in temples and usually lent at the entrance. Twenty beaches are listed across the island. Worth noting: twenty-three halal addresses, Indonesia being the country with the largest Muslim population in the world — even though Bali itself is mostly Hindu.

Smart Planning