Bali, often dubbed the ‘island of the gods’ and ‘surfer’s paradise,’ is one of Asia's most captivating vacation spots. With its ancient temples, stunning rice terraces, roaring waterfalls, adventurous jungle swings, and delicious food, it’s no wonder Bali is on everyone’s travel bucket list. But with an area of 2,230 square miles, it can feel overwhelming, especially for newcomers. To make the most of your 5-6 day getaway, it’s smart to plan an itinerary that helps you see more while minimizing travel time. Also check out the Bali travel guide for the best beaches, resorts, dining spots, religious sites, caves, volcanoes, and more.

If you opt for budget-friendly lodging and dine at warungs (local eateries), you can enjoy an unforgettable trip to Bali for under ₹1.30 lakh.

Don't miss these:

• Banyumala Twin Waterfall: This might just be one of the most photogenic places in Bali! The twin waterfalls cascade into the same pool from about 26 meters up. And don’t forget to check out Sekumpul Waterfall, which is the tallest waterfall on the island.
• Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, or Pura Ulun Danu Beratan, is located right on the shores of Lake Beratan. Constructed in 1633, this temple is a site for offerings and ceremonies honoring Dewi Danu, the Balinese goddess of water, lakes, and rivers.
• Handara Gate: It can get super busy, but if you manage to snag a quiet moment, it’s perfect for a stunning photo.
• Tegallalang Rice Terraces: This stunning UNESCO World Heritage site features a beautiful array of tiered rice fields, making it one of the most Instagram-worthy places on the island. The ideal times to visit are during sunrise and sunset for the best views.
• Pura Lempuyang: Known as the Gate of Heaven, this temple complex has several smaller temples within it. It's a popular spot for tourists, so be prepared for long waits for photos—sometimes up to 3 hours!
• Take a morning hike up Mount Batur to catch the sunrise.
• Enjoy breakfast with orangutans at the Bali zoo.
• Check out the Sacred Monkey Forest.
• Check out one of those famous jungle swings in Bali.
• Catch some waves in Nusa Lembongan, close to Nusa Penida.
• For diving, Menjangan Island is the place to be, with its awesome reef flats, shipwrecks, eel gardens, and caves just waiting to be explored.

Must eat:

• Vegan: Kynd Community
• All-day breakfast & brunches: Milk & Madu
• Italian: Cantina Classe
• Indonesia’ first natural wine bar: Mosto
• Traditional French: Bar Vera
• Burgers: Bossman
• Whole roasted suckling pig: Babi Guling Pak Malen
• Indian food: Red Gunpowder

Visa: You can get the E-VOA (Visa on Arrival) before you leave by visiting molina.imigrasi.go.id/. Indian citizens can stay for 14 to 30 days with this visa, and there's an option to extend it for another 30 days.

Flight: Vistara offers direct flights to Bali from both Delhi and Bengaluru. Return Economy fares start at about INR 42,000. The flight time from Delhi to Bali is around 7 hours, while from Bengaluru, it’s about 6 hours and 35 minutes. If you're looking to save some cash, one or two-stop flights are cheaper, but they’ll take over 10 hours to get you to Bali.

Accommodation: For budget-friendly stays, Air BnB is a solid choice, with rooms starting at INR 3,500 per night for two adults (no kids). In the third week of November, you can find Ramada Encore by Wyndham for under INR 3,000 a night, and Hilton Garden for INR 3,800 a night (taxes and fees not included; for 2 adults, no kids). Don’t forget to check out hostelworld.com for hostel options and consider homestays to cut down on accommodation expenses.

Currency: The currency used is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). 100 INR equals about 18,755 IDR.

Getting Around: Choose Bluebird taxis for a dependable and budget-friendly ride. If you're planning to rent a scooter, make sure you have an International Driving Permit to ride legally in Bali. Gojek and Grab offer a variety of transport options, so download their app before your flight since it needs SMS verification. Keep in mind that Bali lacks a strong shuttle or long-distance bus network. Also check out | Looking to avoid the holiday crowds? Here are 10 hidden gems in Bali for a serene escape.

• Skip the fancy restaurants and opt for warungs (local spots) instead; you'll save at least 50%. Check out the early morning and night markets for some great eats.
• When you're near tourist spots, you'll find plenty of folks ready to offer rides, but they can charge a lot. A better option is to rent a scooter for getting around.
• Planning a beach day? Bring your own towels from the hotel to save some cash, as renting beach chairs can really add up.
• Grab 5-liter water jugs from a supermarket and refill your bottles. Hotels typically only give you two small water bottles for the day, and most restaurants won’t serve water, so it’s smart to carry your own.
• Breakfast at hotels usually goes until 11 am, so if you have a late breakfast, you can skip lunch and save some money.
• Hotels usually serve breakfast up to 11 am. Have a late breakfast, that way you can save on lunch expense.
• Also, hotel taxis can be at least 20% pricier than using Uber or Bluebird. And don’t forget, haggling is totally expected—start your offers at about 70% less than what they ask for!

Things to Do and Things to Avoid:

• Avoid drinking tap water.
• It's a good idea to hire a local licensed guide when checking out temples, sacred sites, and other tourist spots.
• Make sure to stick with officially licensed money changers.
• Stay out of sacred areas. This means avoiding holy places, and for women, it's generally respectful not to visit these spots while on their period.
• Keep it respectful and avoid taking any nude or inappropriate photos at sacred sites in Bali.
• Avoid getting involved in illegal stuff, like using drugs or dealing with endangered species and cultural artifacts.
• It's best to stick to places that are licensed for your stay.
• Many tourist resorts offer money exchange services, but if you're heading to more off-the-beaten-path locations, it's a good idea to swap your cash beforehand.
• In Bali, just like the rest of Indonesia, you have to be 21 to legally drink. Make sure to stick to this rule!
• If you're going to be at the beach for a while, make sure to pack some sunscreen with SPF 50 or higher.
• Always have some bug spray nearby.

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