The best time to visit Bali is April, May, June & September. This is the shoulder season and weather is still dry and sunny. 

Avoid the high season (July, Aug, Easter, Christmas and New Year) of when it gets very crowded and prices are high. The rainy season typically runs from October to March. 

Bali has a tropical climate, with only 2 seasons in the year – wet (October to March) and dry (April to September). Average temperatures range from 26-27°C with a humidity level of about 85-90%.

You can still visit Bali during the rainy season, though I would advise against it if you are looking to climb the volcanoes, do water sports or dive. Diving is best from April to September. 

The most direct way to get from Singapore to Bali is by plane. Fly from Singapore Changi to Bali Denpasar International Airport. There are plenty of airlines to choose from – SIA, Garuda Indonesia, Scoot, Airasia or JetStar. There are many flights departing each day. 

The flight duration from Singapore to Bali is about 2 hours 45 minutes. 

Pre-book this private transfer to pick you up from Denpasar (Ngurah Rai Airport) and send you to your resort or hotel to avoid any hassle. 

Unknown to some, you can also take a series of ferries from Singapore to Bali. This is only if time is not of concern to you. From Singaopre World Trade Centre ferry terminal, get a ticket to Batam (45 minutes). From there, take the Sinaung ferry (company is PELNI) to Jakarta (26 hours). This ferry departs only once every 4 days. From Jakarta, you will then take the Dora Londa ferry to Surabaya, a port near Bali. Lastly, take a bus to Bali itself. 

Bali is doable for a short vacation (4 days), though it has much for you to discover. 

If it is your first time visiting Bali, I would recommend at least a week. This will allow you to have enough time to visit some key attractions at a comfortable pace.

But if you want to visit Bali fully, 10 – 14 days would be better, as some of the areas like Ubud is further. 

What I love most about Bali is that it is a place for everyone. It is a 5-star luxury paradise, but at the same time has many affordable options for cheaper budgets. On average, I would budget about $200- $300/day.

Flights

A flight from Singapore to Bali (Denpasar) will cost about $250 – $300 during low season (September is the cheapest month to fly). It can go up to $500 onwards during peak season or public holidays. 

Accommodation

There is a wide range of accommodation in Bali. 4-Star villas will range from $200 – $300 per night, and 5-star resorts will range from $300 upwards. Click here to see Bali resorts. 

The low season for cheaper accommodation is in Feb, March, May and September to November. I would recommend going in May and Sept as they are fall within the dry season. 

Food & Drink

When it comes to food, you can get cheap authentic food at warungs (local eateries). A good meal can range about $15-20 per couple. But with Bali being so touristy, do expect to pay “tourist” price for the more commercialised/popular places. Most of the beach clubs, bunch places, or restaurants will charge prices similar to Singapore rates. Depending on the place you go, a pizza will average $10 – $20, a beer $6 – 10, and a cocktail $10 – $15. Beachfront or sunset view places will definitely cost more. I’d budget ~$50 per couple for each meal if you want to go to slightly fancier places.

*Prices quoted above are in SGD. 

Flight duration from Singapore to Bali is about 2 hours 45 minutes. 

There are many areas in Bali where you can choose to stay at. 

Kuta

Kuta is the main touristy area of Bali. If you are looking to be in the hustle and bustle of it all, Kuta is the spot for you. There are countless restaurants, bars, and even the largest waterpark (Waterbom) is here. It is also close to the airport (10 minutes). See hotels in Kuta Beach and Downtown Kuta. 

Seminyak

Seminyak is also another popular area to stay, though it is more upmarket compared to Kuta. Most of the best restsaurants and nightlife are found in Seminyak. See hotels in Seminyak beach and Central Seminyak. 

Legian

Legian is sandwiched between Seminyak and Kuta. For those wanting to experience both areas, you can choose to stay here. It is less crowded compared to Kuta. See hotels in Legian Beach.  

Nusa Dua

If you prefer somewhere more exclusive, Nusa Dua is the 5-star luxury enclave in Bali. It is also a family friendly are. You get privacy, upscale living and fine-dining. See hotels in Nusa Dua. 

Jimbaran Bay

Jimbaran Bay used to be a fishing village. Here you will find many seafood restaurants and nice resorts, though not as many as Seminyak. If you want relaxing, nice beaches, you can stay here. See hotels in Jimbaran Bay. 

Sanur

Another alternative for seclusion is Sanur. Known to be laidback, slow-paced and suitable if you want to be away from it all (and is more affordable). See hotels in Sanur Beach. 

Ubud

Up in the central highlands is Ubud, the spiritual heart of Bali. Ubud is cultured, and offers an alternative to the beach scene. You will find dramatic landscapes like river valleys and rice terraces. A collection of 5-star retreats here offer great spa and wellness programs to suit (great for honeymooners). See hotels in Ubud. 

There are some very unique stays in Bali, where you can stay in an inflatable igloo, a sci-fi home, go glamping, live in the middle of padi fields, experience a jungle escape at the Hanging Gardens of Bali, or live in a safari among animals. There are many more unique experiences you can find on Airbnb (use our link for $62 off). 

Getting around Bali is relatively easy and transportation is cheap. Public transport is hard to come by, but you can easily get a taxi or Grab. A short 1 – 15 minute ride will cost about $5/6. Kuta to Seminyak (20 minutes) will cost about $8 – $10. If you are taking a taxi, make sure to take Bluebird Taxi, for they are metered taxis and are more dependable. 

Scooter rentals are available around the island for about $10 a day. You can also rent bicycles to tour areas for about $6. 

If your hotel does not include transfer, I suggest to pre-book this private transfer to pick you up from Denpasar (Ngurah Rai Airport) to avoid any hassle. 

Instead of joining tours, or the alternative to be figuring your route along the way, a hassle-free option is to book a private car charter to explore Bali at your own time. (We like using Klook because it’s reliable and has free cancellations). 

Bali is generally safe. It’s enjoyed by many tourists so you won’t feel out of place. Just make sure to keep an eye on your belongings when enjoying the beach. There will be many beach vendors touting souvenirs and drinks. 

Language: The main languages spoken in Bali are Indonesian, Balinese and English.

Temperature: Situated near the equator, Bali has a tropical climate with an average temperature of 86°F (30°C)

Currency: The currency of Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah 1 SGD is about 50 Rupees. 

Credit Cards and ATMs: There are plenty of ATMs in Bali’s main cities like Ubud and Canggu. Most restaurants, cafes and bars accept credit cards. But make sure to bring cash along if you are eating at warungs (local eateries), or shopping at local stores. 

Connectivity: Most of Bali’s hotels, cafes and restaurants have wifi, you won’t have trouble getting connected once you get to those places. For convenience, I would suggest buying a SIM card at the airport. 

Plugs: The standard plug used in Bali is different from Singapore. It requires a two-pin plug (round). The power socket is type C/F, voltage 230V, frequency 50Hz. I always bring along a universal travel adapter (make sure it has surge protection). 

The language spoken in Bali is Bahasa Indonesian. You will find it easy to get around as most understand basic English. That being said, one of my favourite things to do when visiting a foreign country, is to learn their language, especially the commonnly used phrases. Here are some basic Indonesian phrases:

• 1 – Satu ; 2 – Dua ; 3 – Tiga ; 4 – Empat ; 5 -Lima ; 6 -Enam ; 7 – Tujuh ; 8 – Delapan ; 9 – Sembilan ; 10 – Sepuluh
• Good morning: Selamat Pagi (Siang for afternoon, sore for evening, malam for night)
• How are you?: Apa kabar? – I’m good: Kabar baik
• Thank you: Terima kasih
• You are welcome: Sama Sama:
• Yes/No: Ia/ Tidak
• Excuse me: Permisi
• Sorry: Maaf
• Help!: Tolong
• Great!: Bagus!
• Where are you from?: Dari mana?” 
• I am from: Saya dari
• Where are you going?: Mau ke mana?
• What time is it?: Jam berapa?
• What is this?: Ini apa?
• How much does it cost?: Berapa harganya?
• Price is expensive: Harga nya mahal
• or Very expensive!: Mahal sakali
• Cheaper possible?: Lebih murah bisa?
•  I don’t have enough: Saya tidak ada cukup
• Have a safe journey: Selamat jala
• See you again: Sampai jumpa lagi