Is Bali Really Cheap for You to Visit?

SoumyoArnab
21 Min Read

Words like vacation and trips are enough to excite our hearts and minds. Nowadays, traveling is not limited to visiting and exploring places. It has become a business and an employment source and even contributes to the place’s economic growth. Traveling within one country and traveling to some foreign land are much different.

One needs to plan budget accommodations, cheap hotels, the cheapest flights, and many other things. We also come across many online travel sites that manage and inform us.

This article serves as a guide to a trip to Bali, Indonesia. Learn more about the exciting tourist spots there and estimate if they are affordable.

1. Visiting Bali

Before going to our main content, we would want our readers to know some basic information about this beautiful place – Bali. Bali is one of the prominent and known islands of Indonesia. Bali is located in the westernmost part of the islands belonging to Sunderland. Recently, more tourists have been coming to Bali than to visit the colder countries.

Is Bali cheap to visit?
Source: Unlimphotos

Generally speaking, it is less expensive or cheaper than the Western countries. The popular parts of Bali are central, South, and east Bali. One should tour Bali depending on factors like prime season, vacation time, festive vacation, and so on to avoid high travel expenses. So what are you waiting for? Get ready to explore Bali now.

Tourist in Bali often come to relax and engage themself with nature. Recently, there have been reasons to see an increasing number of tourists from all over the world in Bali. If one needs to experience nature from the best view or is into spirituality, then Bali is the best option.

The significant pagodas and many other institutions are proof of this. Later, Bali became a popular tourist destination for newly married couples, often known as honeymoon. Indonesia comprises beautiful beaches, and visiting Bali is worth it for its stunning beaches.

In this section, we shall discuss some famous tourist attractions in Bali.

2.1. Pura Lempuyang

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Source- Freepik

The first attraction of the list or good starting point is devoted to spirituality. Pura Lempuyang is a Balinese Hindu temple. Hindus built it in the sixth century. Once in six months, i.e., Thursday, a ceremony is held. The temple’s themes are Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. It is built on a mountaintop surrounded by a lush green garden.

2.2. Taman Ujung Water Palace

This tourist attraction is somewhat a place for entertainment and refreshing. The whole place resembles a ship layout. A large pool in the midst of it is connected to other ends through bridges. The tour of the place will take 1-2 hours.

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Source: Unlimphotos

2.3. Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah lot is a word in the Balinese language. It means “land in the sea.” This attraction is like a mountain or stone cliff. It is one of the seven sea temples and one of the most used names in Balinese mythology.

2.4. Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu temple is considered to be one of the seven important spiritual sites. It is an ancient Balinese Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Rudra. But visitors should remain careful and vigilant. The temple is often inhabited by monkeys who are notorious for being involved in snatching.

2.5. Tegalalang Rice Terrace

It is one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites. Tourists often enjoy the view of sunrise and sunset over here. The place caters to a series of rice fields in the form of terraces. March, August, and September are favorable months to visit.

2.6. Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

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Source- Freepik

It is one of the unique temples located in Bali. It is believed to have been built due to volcanic eruptions 30000 years ago. The idol over here is the Goddess of Lake. In Balinese, it is referred to as Dewi Danu. Spending 1-2 hours over here will be an ideal time.

2.7. Penida Island

This island demands a one-day stay to embrace its beauty. One can board a speed boat and enjoy the journey to this place. It hosts hotel rooms and resorts. Major attractions are cliffs, beaches, and Crystal Bay. One can enjoy the sunrise and sunset.

2.8. Lovina Black Sand Beach

The most unique thing about the beach is its black sand texture. It often attracts tourists, and governments have made many other arrangements for recreation. The beach is famous for dolphin watching. Water sports like Snorkeling and scuba diving are organized. One can engage in catching fish with locals.

2.9. Sidemen’s Valley

The Sidemen’s Valley allows visitors to experience the locals’ talent. Craftsmen hold a major attraction over here. One can find sloppy rice fields, too.

2.10. Gitgit Waterfall

This last tourist destination will cater to all nature lovers. It is one of the famous waterfalls of Bali. It is one of the hidden gems located near the capital city. It has natural swimming pools, and visitors often enjoy them.

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Source: Unlimphotos

3. Is Traveling in and to Bali Cheaper?

Bali is linked to different parts of the world well. Be it air or water networks. If we discuss air connectivity, Bali has Denpasar International Airport to cater flights to Bali. If one needs to save money, one should plan the trip well. Offers on different airlines should be checked thoroughly while booking to avail of discounts.

Regarding India, the cheapest flight for Bali is Rs 24000 one way and Rs. 20700 round trip. One can check for respective countries’ airlines.

Bali is also connected to sea routes. If one wishes, the flight should be destined for Java, Sumatra, or Singapore, and one should opt for a cruise or ships available for Bali. But this means transport costs a little more than using airways. So, if one asks for significantly cheaper transportation costs, Direct Airways will fit their Bali trip budget.

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Source: Unlimphotos

Now, let’s discuss the transportation facilities in and around Bali. It is observed that the facilities are much cheaper than in the other tourist spots. This is possible because local transport is available. It includes buses, taxis, and so on.

  • The bus rides cost around 1500-2000 rupiah.
  • Bluebird taxis and grab taxis are local options.
  • If a tourist wants to spend a little more, a private rental car can also be an option.

One can opt for a scooter and bicycle rental if one is good at driving. It comes with a fee of IDR 30000-50000 per day of the tour. Another option is to share the ride. One should discuss the fare prices with drivers only as negotiations are complex. It is noticeable that under a tight budget, one can also have a cheap travel budget under these options.

However, if one needs to visit other islands near Bali, one should opt for local boats and transport mediums offered by the government. These mediums are available at cheaper rates, which anyone can afford. It is cheaper than solo travelers. One should avoid ultra-luxury mediums to avoid transportation costs. Hence, this method will make the trip to Bali cheaper.

4. Accommodation in Bali

Accommodation prices are the primary expense of a budget backpacker. So, one should know about the types of accommodation in Bali and the fare range. One should be easily answerable for simple questions like this. Such as how much luxury one wants during the trip, how many members visit, etc.

The answers will help them to frame a budget for their accommodations. If one opts for luxury rooms with all facilities, a day stay will cost much more. But if one tries to explore every section, one can come to specific accommodations.

Luxurious 5 or 7-star hotels will provide better and more comfortable options. But if one goes for local stays or in government aid guest houses, one can save money for other requirements.

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Source: Unlimphotos

To have a secure and comfortable stay in Bali, spending $66 per night is advised. It has many other services like comfortable rooms, activity rooms, in-hotel restaurant services, or an on-site swimming pool. Following the budget, one can opt for a luxurious, semi-luxurious, or standard hotel room.

Solo travelers can find hotels that offer dormitory services. The price may go higher for private rooms for them. Often, hotels provide family discounts or discounts to those who have registered with some travel agencies.

You can rent private villas if your group is more significant or has more than 10-15 members. Many villa owners float it on rent for tourist attraction purposes. In this case, one can be completely independent and live according to their needs. One can even enjoy the sea view by booking sea resorts or beach resorts, but they are expensive compared to other accommodation options.

5. Street Food of Bali

No trip is complete without exploring the food and dishes. The budget is also set for local shopping and local food. Many stores are set over the corner of the streets, offering delicious local cuisines and travelers a lifetime experience. Under this heading, we shall look for famous and mouth-watering street food and food prices.

Firstly, we shall discuss Babi Guling. It is a non-veg dish of roasted pig mixed with spices and vegetables. It is often served as a meal during lunch and dinner. One can eat rice and peanuts along with it.

In our next item, one should try for Nasi Campur. It is an Indonesian word referring to mixed rice. It is often placed with meat, vegetables, and eggs over dinner or lunch. The Night Market in Bali is famous for it, so one should look around the streets of Night Market to have it.

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Source: Unlimphotos

If you are an enthusiast exploring different bakeries and snack items, this bulletin benefits you. Jaje Uli is a common name for pastries and cakes. It is made of sticky rice and flour. Coconut paste and palm sugar are added to make it taste awesome. One can find it easily at the street corners.

Are you a Coffeeholic? This is what you will be excited to know about. Bali coffee is a famous beverage in Bali. It is made of Balinese coffee beans. Its coffee beans are world-famous and exported. One should surely reach to have it during the peak hours.

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Source: Unlimphotos

The next one is a non-veg street food state. It is a barbeque chicken roasted on a bamboo stick. It is not limited to Bali; it is also famous worldwide. The ingredients include chicken, pig, pork, beef, or any other organism’s skin. It is one of the popular items for evening snacks. Sometimes, eating it with a bowl of rice adds to the taste.

6. Local Food in Bali

Under this heading, we shall look for famous meals and local restaurants. The first name is Nasi Goreng. It is one of the typical and wholesome meals. It is a South Asian dish. It is a bowl of fried rice with cooked pieces of veggies and meat served.

Bali also offers vegetarians some, so they do not feel left out. Rice cakes are taken and steamed with palm leaves, cabbage, and other veggies, and soy sauce is added. It tastes neither sweet nor salty. The spices of this dish are a secret recipe of the locals.

If we discuss local fruits, then durian is one of them. It is small in size, greenish-yellow in color, and has a spiky resemblance. It is often mixed with milkshakes and other drinks. It smells pungent, which is a characteristic feature of it.

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Source: Unlimphotos

Be Luding is one of the famous local dishes of Bali. It is a crisped and fried eel obtained from rivers and sea. It is mixed with coconut paste to better its taste. Often, it is a side item when one has rice and sambhar.

If one needs to taste alcoholic and soft drinks, these are some famous drinks – Brem, turak, arak, cider, Bintang beer, etc.

We already knew the dishes found locally and on the street. But we also need to look for some budget-friendly restaurants too. The names like “Chai of the Tiger“, “Village square wok wok”, “tablespoon used“, “herb library“, “beach by Cangu“, and “Desa Italia.

These are some pocket-friendly restaurants in Bali, and often, tourists have a great time with their hospitality. Now, whether eating and drinking in Bali is cheap arises.

6.1. Is Bali Cheap for Food and Drink Items?

Bali is not at all expensive if the food and drinks are concerned. Visiting Bali is incomplete in tasting its local cuisine, so travelers need to plan it along with accommodation costs. This is possible when one invests much in street foods.

In Bali, almost every local and famous cuisine is available at street corners. So, one can get an affordable rate there. If one opts to dine in restaurants, one can get a 10-20% hike in their bill owing to service charges.

We have already discussed some names of restaurants before; one can visit there to have good food at a cheaper rate. If one wishes to eat Western food, food costs may go high.

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Source: Unlimphotos
  • The average meal price for lunch and dinner ranges between $2-$25.
  • If one tries street food in Bali, it will cost less than a dollar or two.
  • Tourists, especially from India and America, can find it cheaper against their currency.
  • One needs to be specific when spending money.
  • One should try more street, beach, and local market food in Bali to lower their overall expenses.
  • On average, lunch costs $2.5 and dinner $23.6 per day.
  • The beer and alcoholic drinks cost around $3 per drink.

Here, we can conclude that food and drink are cheaper in Bali than in other foreign countries.

7. Tips to Save Money

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Source: Unlimphotos
  • Prefer to stay at local guest houses or Government-aided stays to reduce your burden of accommodation costs.
  • Try out at Warungs! They are the local eateries and shops where you can try local cuisine at affordable rates. Try out special drinks or alcoholic drinks at your hotels.
  • Not all tourist attractions are free. They often charge some dollars as their entry fees. Try to explore free tourist spots first.
  • One can save much on intra-country transportation. One should opt for public transport or sharing cabs and scooters. The rental scooter will be a good option in that case.
  • Central Bali is advised to the visitors for their accommodations as it has a good balance of money and comfort.
  • One must be ready to handle miscellaneous expenditures, i.e., buying local items, sim cards, and other living expenses.

FAQ

Is Bali cheap for middle-class tourists?

Bali can be a good option for middle-class tourists. One needs to ensure they are not spending much on food and accommodation. The article mentioned above has all the details to save money at crucial points and make it under budget.

Which months are favorable for visiting Bali?

One should avoid the rainy season if one needs to enjoy nature and other attractions. The months from April to October are preferred for touring. Bali remains almost dry during this period.

What are the different activities one can try in Bali?

Beaches are the primary attraction of Bali. One can try water sports like scuba diving, speed boating, etc. One can enjoy bird-watching and spot endangered bird species in various bird sanctuaries. One can go for a Balinese massage.

Does one can experience spirituality in Bali?

Bali hosts many temples, and they are among the top attractions. So one can visit them in less rush hour and enjoy the view. They are mainly located on hilltops and near oceans.

How can one cut down travel expenses in Bali?

As we have discussed before, one can go for public transport and rental services. One can also opt for shared cabs and other sharing options. Local boats can be tried for waterway transport.

In The End

By exploring the significant spots of Bali, we came to a close. We got to know some place’s name where we can add to our list of following trips. However, the motive behind the article is depicted. One can follow this advice and steps to save and enjoy maximum. One should be watchful while spending and should have control over their purse in Bali.

Apart from this, your next trip to Bali will be under budget and less expensive. And the outcome of the article is, “Definitely, Bali is cheaper to visit.

Last Updated on by Arnab

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By Soumyo
Hello readers!! Myself, Soumyo Dey, working as intern in Content Writing section. I have one year experience of content writer in other sites like SixSports and Crictv4u. Hope so you are able to connect well with my style of writing. The door of positive critics is always open.
By Arnab
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Meet Arnab Nandi, the meticulous wordsmith and editing virtuoso. With a keen eye for detail, he breathes life into written works, transforming ideas into polished masterpieces. Navigate the realms of language precision and dive into the world of seamless storytelling and articulate expression.

Education MCom Specialization in Accounting & Finance Certifications/Qualifications MCom in Accounting and Finance BCom in Accounting and Finance Business Analytics Capstone by Coursera Skills SEO Accounting and Finance Content Writing Marketing Attention To Detail
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