You know when spring and summer are disappointingly cool and rainy? That’s when you’ll be glad you’ve got a trip to Bali booked!
If you’re looking for a beach holiday with a twist, or a jungle adventure with that little extra je ne sais quoi, the answer to both is Bali. It has a little bit of everything, and on such a small island!
While you should always keep up to date with travel advice from your travel provider, as it stands on December 20th 2021, UK citizens are still allowed to enter Indonesia. If you’re considering a trip to Bali this spring or summer, check out my travel advice and budget recommendations below, and ask me any other questions you have in the comments!
Bali is just one 17,508 islands that make up the country of Indonesia. Nonetheless, the locals insist theirs is the best! Despite not having visited the other 17,507, I’m inclined to agree with them.
Whether you want to tackle gruelling hikes up an active volcano, waterfall-hop in the jungle, tour rice fields and temples, or relax on one of the most beautiful cliff-lined beaches in the world, Bali’s got you covered. This small island will satisfy adrenaline junkies, 5-star sun-seekers, and wanderlusting backpackers alike.
While it’s not a winter-sun destination, people flock to the island all year round.
For the best experience though, visit in the dry and sunny season – spring through autumn in UK calendars.
Flights may cost a similar amount to other Southeast Asian destinations, but what makes Bali a cheap getaway is low accommodation prices.
Economy tickets from London in April and May 2022 start from £490 return.
For a reasonable flight that doesn’t have several connections and span two days however, return tickets this spring cost around £600 on airlines such as Qatar.
Whatever your travelling style, Bali will take care of you:
– For the super-budget-friendly option, cheap but well-rated hotels can charge just £10/night. Yes, you read that right!
– On the other end of the scale, 5-star beach and spa resorts in the jungley centre start from around £65/night.
Alternatively, consider a ‘Homestay’ with a Balinese family for an authentic local experience. This super-cheap option may not come with a pool and cocktail bar, but if you’re here to learn and immerse yourself in a new culture, it’s the best way.
Yes, English is widely spoken, especially by people working in hospitality. It’s polite to learn some phrases in the local language Balinese, but tourists can get by just fine with English.
This depends on why you’re visiting.
– To lie on the beach non-stop, a 7-day trip is adequate.
– For a beach holiday with a couple of excursions, allow at least 10 days.
– To tour the waterfalls and cultural hub in Ubud, 7 days allows you to explore thoroughly.
Since it’s such a long-haul journey though, you may want to stay longer to make the most of your trip.
To see the whole island as well as allowing time to unwind, a two-week holiday is best.
It’s very real. All tourists seem to get an upset stomach at some point. The good news is it usually passes within a day.
Some say traveller’s diarrhoea in Bali is caused by a sudden intake of unfamiliar foods. And it’s true that when I visited Bali after two months in Thailand, I didn’t get sick. More dangerous though is the water. Please do not drink tap water in Bali. It is not safe to drink. Don’t even brush your teeth with tap water – use bottled.
If you’re wondering:
– Where is the best place to stay in Bali?
– What’s the best way to get around Bali?
– What’s the Monkey Forest like?
– How much do long-stay visas cost?
– Where are the best beaches in Bali?
– Can digital nomads live in Bali?
Let me know in the comments and I’ll write about it! Follow for more.
Arnstadt Kristall says:
Great content! Keep up the good work!
megan says:
Thank you so much!
Bobby says:
It would be good to know how much low cost monthly accommodation can cost for people that want to live there, also visa issues for long term stays. A lot of people pay 300 pounds worth of rent for that back home if they live in a cheap area or share. What they want is to shave a lot off that so their accommodation costs are minimal. If they live simply, are alone, don’t need much space, are out most of the day, they don’t need much. Security and theft is the biggest worry for them as this is often marginal in low cost accommodation because usually the local people that live there don’t have anything to steal! What we really need is a place to lock up our computer and other electronics. A small safe would suffice. Sadly that is very rare in cheap places.
megan says:
Great questions Bobby! I’ll look into it.