Bali – General information

Geography Bali is located 8 degrees south of the equator, is about 140 km long, 80 km wide and 5,590 km² in size. The island is the westernmost of the Indonesian Lesser Sunda Islands, separated from Java by the Bali Strait. The capital of the island or the province of the same name is Denpasar (around 725,000 inhabitants in the urban area, the metropolitan region of Sarbagita has almost 1.8 million people today).

Population: around 4.4 to 4.5 million people (as of 2026) – significantly more than the previously often mentioned 3 million, due to continued population growth and immigration from other parts of Indonesia. Bali is thus the only region outside India, Nepal and Mauritius with a Hindu majority; around 89% of the island’s population are ethnic Balinese.

The island is covered by a mountain range that stretches from west to east, including some still active volcanoes, such as the “mother mountain” Gunung Agung (3,142 m). The volcanic influence contributes to Bali’s exceptional fertility, as the high mountains form a reliable source of rain, which is important for irrigating the rice terraces.

Health Vaccinations recommended for polio, tetanus, typhoid, diphtheria, hepatitis A; depending on the form of travel and length of stay, travel medical advice on further vaccinations (including rabies, Japanese encephalitis) may be useful.

There is an increased risk of malaria in many areas of Indonesia, but Bali’s tourist centres are considered almost malaria-free. Nevertheless, travel medical advice on the issue of malaria prophylaxis is recommended, especially when travelling to rural areas.

Intestinal infections should be prevented by eating only boiled or peeled food if possible. Caution is advised with regard to salmonella, among other things, with dairy products and eggs. A usual basic equipment for the first-aid kit is recommended; Although there are numerous pharmacies in Bali, the quality and origin of some preparations cannot always be reliably assessed.

Means of transport In Indonesia and thus also in Bali, left-hand traffic prevails. For motorcyclists, helmets are required by law, and for some years now, this as well as the presentation of a valid (international) driver’s license has been increasingly controlled by the police – without a corresponding driver’s license, there is a risk of severe fines, and in the event of damage, insurance cover can be waived.

The driving style of the locals takes some getting used to; there are hardly any fixed speed limits in the European sense. At state-owned Pertamina petrol stations, you can refuel at moderate fixed prices; in the countryside, the petrol supply is often privately organised and only marked by a simple sign “Bensin”. Diesel means solar, super fuels Pertamax/Pertalite.

You should think carefully about whether you are driving a rental car or scooter in Bali: In the countryside, the roads are often narrow and confusing, and in the cities the traffic situation is often chaotic. In the event of an accident, the driver is usually liable, in case of doubt the foreign driver – fully comprehensive insurance when renting a vehicle is therefore strongly recommended. Before signing the rental agreement, the condition of the vehicle, especially the brakes, should be carefully checked.

A good alternative is to rent a car with a driver. For short distances within the tourist centres, driving service apps (e.g. Gojek, Grab) have also been established, which are a convenient and usually inexpensive alternative to independent driving – although their use may be locally restricted in some traditional taxi and Ojek stands. Classic minibuses (Bemo) on fixed routes are still a very inexpensive, domestic means of transport, but play a much smaller role for tourists today than in the past.

Time In Bali, Central Indonesian Time (WITA, UTC+8) applies. Travelers must put their clocks forward 7 hours to CET, and 6 hours during European summer time.

Banks – Exchange Offices Branches of many Indonesian banks can be found in the south of Bali. Usual opening hours: Mon–Fri 8 a.m.–3 p.m., Sat limited or closed (many branches are now closed on Saturdays). ATMs are widely used in all tourist centers and are usually the most practical way to get cash today; pay attention to the fees charged by the respective bank. In all tourist centers, there are also numerous exchange offices that are often open until late at night – it is worth comparing exchange rates and counting the money received exactly, as dubious exchange offices (such as in Kuta) still occur. Only use officially licensed exchange offices with a visible “KUPVA BB” license from the Indonesian Central Bank.

Bali – Entry and Visa

German, Austrian and Swiss nationals need a visa to enter Bali (as for the whole of Indonesia) – visa-free entry is not possible. The most common option is the Visa on Arrival (VoA) or its electronic variant e-VOA, valid for 30 days and extendable once for another 30 days (maximum 60 days total stay). The fee is the equivalent of around 25-30 euros (500,000 IDR) and can be paid in advance online or directly at the airport.

The prerequisites are a passport valid for at least 6 months upon entry and proof of onward travel. Since October 2025, a digital entry and customs declaration via the “All Indonesia” platform must also be completed before arrival.

Since February 2024, an additional tourist environmental and cultural tax of IDR 150,000 (around 9–10 euros) per person has been in force for Bali in particular, which is intended to benefit the preservation of Bali’s nature and culture. The fee can be conveniently paid online in advance via the official platform “Love Bali”; the QR code of the payment confirmation is checked upon entry at Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS).

Since entry requirements and fees change occasionally, travelers should check the current requirements shortly before departure via evisa.imigrasi.go.id and at the Federal Foreign Office.

Bali – Climate

Temperatures in Bali are quite even all year round, between 27 and 30 degrees Celsius, with humidity often 90 percent. In the mountains, it is often up to 10 degrees cooler.

The rainy season in Bali is from November to March, although it does not rain all day – the sun usually shows up again and again in between. The best time to travel is between April and September; however, this is also the time when most tourists are on the road in Bali.

Bali – History

The first immigrants to Bali were South Indians, who arrived on the island around 1500 BC. The system of the Banjar, the village community, dates back to this time. There is written evidence that the complicated irrigation system for wet rice cultivation was mastered in Bali as early as 900 BC.

Hinduism reached Java around the birth of Christ peacefully via trading Indians; individual Brahmins brought the religion further to Bali. The first Balinese royal dynasty is documented in 991. Through the marriage of the then Balinese king to a Javanese princess, Bali became more or less culturally and economically dependent on Java until the 13th century.

In the 12th century, Bali gained independence for a short time; the Pejeng dynasty was created, which lasted until 1343. In the 14th century, the Majapahit dynasty took over a territory from Java that roughly corresponded to the present-day borders of Indonesia. With the spread of Islam via Sumatra to Java in the 15th century, the once powerful Majapahit empire collapsed, and Bali became the last refuge of Hinduism in the region.

In 1478, the last Majapahit king took his own life; his son fled with the entire Javanese upper class to Bali and settled on the south coast in Gelgel, where he declared himself king of Bali – the Gelgel dynasty was born. The king called himself Dewa Agung and divided the island among relatives and generals; the seat later moved to Klungkung, where art and culture flourished. The individual provinces of Bali increasingly became independent kingdoms under rulers who called themselves Rajas. The Gelgel dynasty existed for a total of about 400 years until the Dutch put an end to it.

Since the 16th century, Indonesia has had contact with other European countries – first Portuguese and Spanish, then English and Dutch. Since the landing of the Dutch in 1597, they began to bring Indonesia under their control; Bali was initially excluded from this, as it had neither significant spices nor a suitable port to offer. It was not until 1846 that the Dutch also attacked Bali and took control of the port of Singaraja in the north of the island.

The actual submission began on September 20, 1906 with an attack on Denpasar. The rulers of Badung, Klungkung and Tabanan recognized their military inferiority, but instead of capitulation and exile, they opted for the ritual fight to the death, the Puputan: The Rajas burned down their own palaces and then, dressed in the most magnificent clothes, led their royal house and their priests into the hopeless fight against modern Dutch weapons. In a single day, it is estimated that around 1,000 to 4,000 Balinese were killed in front of the palaces of Denpasar and Pemecutan – the exact number of victims varies depending on the source. Only the rulers of Gianyar and Karangasem (Amlapura) cooperated with the Dutch, but lost their political power in the process.

The Dutch were primarily interested in economic exploitation, which is why they did not try to Christianize the population – unlike the Spaniards in other colonies, for example. The culture and religion of the Balinese have thus largely been preserved to this day.

However, Dutch control of Bali was short-lived, as all of Indonesia fell under Japanese occupation during World War II (1941–1945). After the Japanese surrender on August 17, 1945, Sukarno, leader of the Indonesian independence movement, declared his nation’s independence. The Dutch nevertheless tried to continue their colonial rule, which led to a renewed, almost symbolic, Puputan of Balinese resistance fighters in the Battle of Marga on November 20, 1946. The armed resistance lasted until 1949, when the Netherlands finally recognized Indonesia’s independence.

The devastating eruption of Gunung Agung in 1963 killed thousands of people and devastated large parts of the island. In 1965, an actual or alleged communist coup attempt was crushed in Indonesia; at that time, Bali had the largest following of the Communist Party (PKI) in the country in terms of population. In the ensuing nationwide massacres, it is estimated that around 80,000 to over 100,000 people were killed in Bali – a chapter of recent history that is still traumatic and has long been taboo in Indonesia.

In 1966, General Suharto effectively took power and was officially elected president in 1968. Due to his interest in Western economic power, he deliberately promoted the development of Bali for tourism; since the 1960s, the island has been increasingly characterized by international tourism.

The Asian economic crisis led to severe political and social unrest in 1998, as a result of which Suharto was forced to resign after 32 years of rule. He was followed in rapid succession by B. J. Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid (removed from office in 2001 by the People’s Consultative Assembly) and Megawati Sukarnoputri. This was followed by the presidencies of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono (2004–2014), Joko Widodo (“Jokowi”, 2014–2024) and, since October 2024, Prabowo Subianto, the current President of Indonesia.

Package tourism, with all its effects, is also changing the independence of Balinese culture, religion and ideology in the long term – a process that has accelerated rather than slowed down due to social media, international streaming services and the influx of digital nomads to Bali in recent years. The Balinese and Indonesian governments are increasingly responding to this with regulatory measures – such as the tourist tax introduced in 2024 and stricter rules on misconduct by tourists at holy sites.

Whether the “Island of the Gods” can retain its special character depends not least on the respectful behavior of the travelers themselves.

Bali – Sightseeing

Tanah Lot Temple Fantastic sunsets and dance events, especially impressive are Legong and Kecak performances.

Klungkung Old court hall with unique ceiling paintings.

Celuk The centre of silversmithing.

Besakih Temple The “Mother Temple” and most important sanctuary in Bali.

Ubud Artists’ village and monkey forest; today also known as the center of the international yoga, wellness and digital nomad scene.

Nusa Lembongan Island east of Bali with good snorkeling opportunities.

Festivals There are an incredible number of festivals in Bali, including the Balinese New Year Nyepi (a day of complete silence on which even the airport remains closed) as well as Galungan and Kuningan. It is best to inquire about the current festival calendar directly on site.

Seaside resorts

Sanur – Kilometre-long, fine sandy beach as well as a reef that keeps the surf out, but also means that at low tide the beach sections are “dry” (algae or seaweed wash-ups possible at times). Tourist infrastructure that leaves almost nothing to be desired – Sanur means holidays without the hustle and bustle of Kuta/Legian.

Tuban – The exact border with Kuta is difficult to define. Nightlife, bars and restaurants are within easy walking distance. The beach is narrower and darker here, an outgoing reef protects against the strong surf (limited swimming opportunities at low tide).

Kuta – Popular and lively main tourist resort of the island. Nightlife, bars and restaurants in great variety, the extensive beach is famous for sunsets and surfers. Due to sometimes strong surf and undercurrent (especially in the winter months), swimming here is not without danger – be sure to pay attention to warnings on the beach.

Legian – It is a bit quieter here than in neighboring Kuta. Here, too, you will find a large selection of restaurants, bars and shops.

Seminyak – Northern continuation of Legian (usually high waves and strong undercurrent), now one of Bali’s hippest neighborhoods with a wide selection of upscale restaurants and bars.

Tanjung Benoa – Manageable selection of restaurants and shops, but no nocturnal hustle and bustle. The kilometre-long, fine sandy beach is protected from strong surf by an offshore reef.

Jimbaran – Located south of the airport (rarely aircraft noise nuisance), a good 4 km long, fine sandy beach. The open-air fish restaurants on the beach are highly recommended. Nusa Dua or Kuta can be reached in just under 20 minutes by car.

Nusa Dua – Somewhat more noble atmosphere, international hotel chains favor this picturesque, park-like beach section. In the shopping district “Galleria” and the old town center “Bualu” there are shops and restaurants. The beaches are strongly dependent on the tide.

Bali – Country and People

Almost 4.4 to 4.5 million people live in Bali today, of whom only a small proportion belong to a religion other than the Hindu Dharma religion – predominantly Balinese of Chinese origin as well as smaller Muslim and Christian communities. There are only a few of the indigenous people, the Bali-Aga, left today; a few hundred live mostly in seclusion in a few villages, especially in the east of the island and on Lake Batur.

The whole life of the Balinese is characterized by deep religiosity, which is also reflected in the art, culture and politics of the island and is one of the most colorful forms of expression in the world.

Unlike many other island peoples, life is not directed towards the sea, but inland to the mountains and the interior. Height, mountains and sky are considered sacred, while the depth of the sea is considered the realm of demons.

The people usually seem balanced and friendly; patience, tolerance and hospitality are among the most important virtues. Several times a day, handmade sacrificial bowls with incense sticks are offered at the in-house family temples.

Handicrafts are of particular importance because the Balinese have always been artistically inclined – almost everything that is made is decorated, artistically processed, delicately carved and painted, not least for religious reasons to please the gods.

Two traditional organizations are of particular importance: the banjar as the people’s representative of a village whose influence has not been broken by any government for centuries, and the subak for the rice farmers, which collectively keeps the irrigation system functioning and provides each member with the required amount of water (the subak system was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2012). Every married man must belong to the banjar of his village and regularly attend its meetings.

Starting a family is one of the highest duties of a Balinese; a man can only become a member of a village community (banjar) when he is settled and married. Those who adhere to tradition live in larger communities with several generations on the family homestead. Those who live in a homestay as a tourist can often watch the hustle and bustle all day long, as much of life takes place in the courtyard of the property.

Older people are addressed as Ibu (mother) or Bapak (father), younger people and people of the same age as Adik (younger brother/sister). As a tourist, you are sometimes still addressed as Tuan (“Lord”), which dates back to the colonial era.

Almost all Indonesians like to laugh – this does not necessarily reveal anything about the true feelings, but one should smile back in a friendly way. Outbursts of anger and loud screaming are not accepted and create incomprehension and distance; only in small children is uncontrolled behavior tolerated. The main goal of education is harmony, accompanied by smiles and inner peace.

Embarrassment is avoided as much as possible – it’s better to give a (possibly wrong) answer than to admit that you don’t know any so as not to lose face. As a tourist, you should keep this in mind when you ask for directions and receive an uncertain answer.

The left hand is considered unclean because it is traditionally used for cleaning; the right hand is always used to greet, touch or pass on objects. The feet are considered the most unclean part of the body – soles of the feet should not be pointed at other people.

As a greeting, one extends one’s right hand with a light touch, vigorous shaking is unusual; then one often briefly brings one’s own hand to the heart. Shoes should be taken off when entering a house or shop.

Waving is done with the back of the hand upwards – to Western eyes, this looks more like a gesture of shooing away. Pointing your finger directly at someone, crossing your arms in front of your chest or putting your hands on your hips is considered arrogant or aggressive.

Regarding clothing: In public, men should not walk around with shorts or bare torsos, and women should not bathe “topless”. Increasing Westernization is gradually softening these customs, at least towards tourists, such behavior is tolerated in many places today – but respect for local customs remains recommended.

A temple should never be entered without a sarong or hip scarf; these are available cheaply in the numerous shops, many temples also rent them directly at the entrance. Temple walls and walls are considered sacred and may not be touched or climbed; blood on the temple floor is taboo, which is why women traditionally do not enter temples during menstruation. Bathing is not allowed in holy springs – if you are caught, it can be expensive. Processions always have priority in road traffic.

In the Balinese culture of politeness, the most common answer to the question of whether you are married and have children is traditionally affirmative, as starting a family is considered the highest goal in life – “not wanting to have children” is met with incomprehension by some interlocutors. Public caresses between couples, even holding hands, are traditionally considered improper, although this norm has increasingly relaxed in the heavily touristy centres.

Note: All information on population figures, political offices and entry requirements is subject to change and has been researched to the best of our knowledge as of August 2026. For up-to-date, binding information, it is advisable to take a look at evisa.imigrasi.go.id as well as the travel and security advice of the Federal Foreign Office before travelling.