Bali Travel Guide for First-Timers: Visas, Apps & a 7-Day Plan

This Bali travel guide is the short version of everything you need to sort out before your first trip to Bali.

I’m Maradona, a Bahamian travel creator, and I’ve been back to Bali every year since my first trip in 2023. This guide is for first-timers flying in from The Bahamas and the US. Rules and fees were checked in October 2026, so confirm them on the official sites before you fly.

Some links in this guide are affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Bali travel guide basics: 5 things to sort out before you fly

1. Passport. You need at least 6 months left on the day you land, no damage, and a return or onward ticket. You also need at least 3 empty pages in your passport.
2. Visa. It depends on your passport.
   • Bahamian passport: you are not eligible for the visa on arrival. A visa agency has to apply for your tourist e-visa before you travel, so apply a month ahead.
   • US passport: you’re eligible for the visa on arrival, but the lines are very long. I suggest using a visa agency.
   • Verify your country’s requirements on the official site, evisa.imigrasi.go.id. Only trust addresses ending in .go.id.
3. Arrival card. Fill in the free All Indonesia arrival card before you land at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id. I do mine on the plane and get the QR code instantly. Save it to show at immigration.
4. Bali tourist levy. I’ve only ever paid my visa agency and have never been asked for it, but Bali does charge foreign visitors a tourist levy. Sometimes they ask for it on arrival and sometimes they don’t, so I don’t pay ahead of time. If you’re asked, you can pay at the levy counter in the airport. Details are at lovebali.baliprov.go.id.
5. Travel insurance. Get a policy that covers medical care and evacuation. If you’re a Platinum Amex cardholder, confirm what you’re covered for if the entire trip is paid with your card.

Bali visa requirements: what I do as a Bahamian

Visas are the part of this Bali travel guide that first-timers ask me about most. Bali is part of Indonesia, so you need to meet Indonesia’s entry rules, and which visa you get depends on your passport. These are the main options for tourists:

• Visa on arrival (VoA) or e-VoA: many nationalities can get this at the airport or apply online before flying. It allows 30 days and can be extended once, to 60 days in total. Applying online lets you skip the visa line.
• Visit visa (C1): if your passport isn’t eligible for a visa on arrival, you apply for this before you travel. It allows a 60-day stay.
• Visa-free entry: a small number of nationalities, mostly from Southeast Asia, can enter without a visa for a short stay.

My experience applying with a Bahamian passport

Bahamian passports aren’t eligible for the visa on arrival, so I apply for the C1 visit visa before every trip. You know I’m always trying to save money, so for years I tried to apply on my own, but the website stressed me out. There’s only a certain window to apply and a limit on submissions each day. That’s why I now use a visa agency called Bali Zero for peace of mind.

• Easy communication on WhatsApp: professional but casual, and I handled everything from my phone.
• Online tracking: you get an account where you can see your visa progress and the fees you’ve paid.
• Fast approval: my visa was approved within two weeks.
• They trusted me: they let me pay in person when I arrived in Bali.

What I needed to apply

• Proof of at least $2,000 USD in my bank account
• The ID page of my passport
• A selfie or passport photo
• My flight details, sent to the agency before I landed

However, requirements can differ by visa type, so confirm yours before you apply.

What it cost me and how to pay

My C1 visa through Bali Zero usually costs $120 to $140 USD, depending on the exchange rate. On the other hand, a visa on arrival costs less, so check which one applies to you. How you pay makes a big difference to the fees:

• Wire transfer: this cost me almost $100 in fees, so avoid it if you can.
• Wise app: the best option I’ve found, since Bali Zero doesn’t take card payments over the phone.
• PayPal: it works, but it’s pricey too.
• Pay on arrival: ask whether this is an option for you. It was for me!

Apps to download before you land

Set these up at home while you can still get verification texts on your usual number.

App	What it’s for
Grab	Rides and food delivery (my fave)
Gojek	Rides and food delivery
WhatsApp	How drivers, hotels and spas message you
Telegram	Some clinics and medical facilities message patients here
Google Maps	Download the Bali offline map
Google Translate	Download Indonesian for offline use
An eSIM app	Data from the moment you land (here’s the app I use, and watch my TikTok on it)
GetYourGuide	Booking tours, classes and day trips

Where to stay in Bali

Split your week between two bases so you’re not stuck in traffic: Ubud first, then the coast.

Area	The feel	Best for
Ubud	Rice fields, temples, spas, art	Culture and wellness
Canggu	Surf, cafés, beach clubs	Solo travellers and friends
Seminyak	Shopping, dining, sunsets	Girls’ trips and couples
Uluwatu	Clifftop views and surf beaches	Couples and a splurge
Sanur	Calm beach, quiet nights	Families and an easy pace

Your 7-day Bali itinerary at a glance

Three nights in Ubud, three on the coast. Want to do the same experiences I did? Book them from my picks on GetYourGuide.

Day	Base	The plan
1	Ubud	Land, transfer, massage, early night
2	Ubud	Rice terraces, jungle swing, coffee tasting, spa
3	Ubud	Monkey Forest, market, water temple, Balinese dance
4	Ubud to coast	Rafting or a silver-making class, Tanah Lot at sunset
5	Canggu or Seminyak	Beach morning, day club afternoon
6	Coast	Uluwatu beaches, temple and Kecak fire dance
7	Coast	Shopping, last massage, fly home

Thinking about the jungle swing on day 2? Here’s my honest take on the Bali swing and flying dress.

Quick Bali travel tips

• Money. The currency is the Indonesian rupiah. IDR 100,000 is about $5.50. Carry cash for markets, small restaurants and drivers.
• Cards. Tell your bank you’re travelling and switch on international payments, especially on Bahamian cards.
• Getting around. Pre-book your airport pickup. Use Grab or Gojek for short trips and a private driver for sightseeing days.
• Traffic. Short distances can take a long time. Plan one area per day.
• Water. From my experience, I’ve never gotten sick, but I grew up in the bush. Stick to bottled water to be safe.
• Temples. Cover shoulders and knees, and wear the sarong they give you.
• Power. Bali uses round two-pin plugs at 230 volts. Pack an adapter, a power bank and a waterproof phone case (my picks).
• Time. Bali is 12 to 13 hours ahead of The Bahamas and the US East Coast.

Bali travel guide FAQ: visas and entry

Is Bali a country?

No. Bali is an island province of Indonesia, so you need to meet Indonesia’s entry requirements.

Do I need a visa for Bali?

Most travellers do. Many nationalities can get a visa on arrival, while others, including Bahamians, must apply before they travel. Check your passport on the official site, evisa.imigrasi.go.id.

What are the Bali visa requirements?

Usually a passport valid for six months, a return or onward ticket and, for visas you apply for in advance like the C1, proof of funds, your passport ID page and a photo.

How long can I stay in Bali on a tourist visa?

A visa on arrival allows 30 days and can be extended once to 60. The C1 visit visa allows 60 days.

How long does a Bali visa take?

My C1 visa was approved within two weeks, so apply about a month before your trip to be safe.

The complete Bali travel guide is coming soon

My Complete Bali Guide turns this page into a trip you can follow hour by hour. It adds:

• Every visa and arrival step in one printable checklist
• The full 7-day itinerary with timings, costs, booking tips and rainy-day swaps
• What a week costs at three budgets
• How to pick a hotel or villa in each area, and what each price gets you
• A countdown checklist from 8 weeks out to your carry-on
• A full chapter on doing Bali solo
• Health, safety, scams, local laws and temple etiquette
• A packing list made for Bali’s heat and humidity

Follow me on Instagram at @bahamamara to hear first when it launches.

Or just come to Bali with me

I’m hosting two small-group trips to Bali in 2027, in August and September. Each is 9 days with a maximum of 10 guests, and your stay, activities, welcome dinner and island transport are included.

Apply to join a Bali trip: cousinsabroadtravel.squadtrip.com

I also host small-group trips in The Bahamas and around the world. You can see all my upcoming trips on the same page.

Questions? Email hello@bahamamara.com or find me on Instagram at @bahamamara.