Don’t skip Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest, the beaches of Seminyak, or sunrise at Mount Batur. Waterbom Bali is a hit for families, and the cliffside Uluwatu Temple is magical at sunset.
Cheapest Time to Fly to Bali: Insider Tips for Big Savings
The cheapest time to fly to Bali is usually between mid-January and early March, and again from late October to early December. Most travelers find the lowest fares during these months, with round-trip prices from Los Angeles or New York regularly dipping below $700 on airlines like Singapore Airlines and EVA Air. If you want to score cheap flights to Bali, avoid the July-August and Christmas-New Year rush, and start your search early on Travorio for the best Bali flight deals.
On my last trip, I paid $624 round-trip from San Francisco in late February, flying with Cathay Pacific (one quick layover in Hong Kong). The weather was warm, the crowds were thin, and the rice terraces around Ubud looked unreal after the rains. The trick is to watch fare calendars, be flexible by a few days, and set alerts for your preferred airlines. Bali rewards those who plan ahead, especially if you pair your flight with a hotel deal and pay later using Sezzle or crypto. Here’s everything you need to know to time your trip and make the most of every rupiah.
Top Cities and Destinations in Bali
Ubud is the island’s creative and spiritual heart, famous for its lush rice paddies, art markets, and yoga studios. I loved wandering the Campuhan Ridge Walk at sunrise and grabbing a smoothie bowl at Clear Café (Jl. Hanoman). Don’t miss the Sacred Monkey Forest, where macaques rule the ancient temple ruins, and check out Tirta Empul temple nearby for a traditional water purification ritual.
Seminyak, just north of Kuta, is where beach clubs and boutique shopping collide. Potato Head Beach Club serves poolside cocktails, DJs, and sunset views all in one. The surf here is solid for beginners, and local warungs like Warung Eny serve up killer ayam betutu for under $4. The streets around Petitenget are packed with designer shops and day spas. Book early in peak season, as hotels like The Legian fill up fast.
Canggu is the digital nomad and surf hotspot, with trendy vegan cafés and rice field villas. I stayed at The Slow, a boutique hotel with epic design and a rooftop bar. Batu Bolong Beach draws surfers of all levels, and Deus Ex Machina is the go-to for live music and custom bikes. The café scene rivals Melbourne, and there are dozens of coworking spots if you need to squeeze in some emails.
Uluwatu, perched on Bali’s southern cliffs, has legendary waves and dramatic temple views. Uluwatu Temple itself is a must at sunset for the kecak fire dance. The warungs at Padang Padang Beach serve the freshest grilled fish, and surfers flock here for some of the best barrels in Indonesia. The edge-of-the-world infinity pool at Alila Villas Uluwatu is a splurge worth every dollar.
Sanur is quieter, with a long stretch of calm beach ideal for families and early risers. The beachfront path is perfect for cycling, and locals flock to the night market for nasi campur. I enjoyed the laid-back vibe at Maya Sanur Resort, and the gentle surf means you can actually swim or paddleboard without dodging big waves.
Nusa Dua is Bali’s luxury enclave, home to international resorts like The St. Regis Bali and the massive Bali Collection shopping complex. Water sports rule here, from parasailing to jet skiing. This is also where you’ll find the Bali National Golf Club. High-end, yes, but the beaches are spotless and the water is turquoise year-round.
Hidden Gems in Bali
Sidemen Valley feels like a Bali time capsule, just 75 minutes from Ubud but way off the typical tourist path. I biked past terraced rice fields and tiny villages where locals still make traditional ikat textiles. Wapa di Ume Sidemen has gorgeous valley views for less than $110/night, and sunrise over Mount Agung is unforgettable.
Munduk’s cool mountain air and coffee plantations are a welcome break from the beach heat. The Munduk Moding Plantation eco-lodge has an infinity pool floating above the clouds. Trekking here leads to secret waterfalls like Banyumala Twin Waterfalls (entry $1.50). It’s about 2.5 hours from Seminyak, but the roads wind through dense jungle and orange groves.
Amed’s quiet black sand beaches and world-class snorkeling are a world away from Kuta’s party scene. Japanese Shipwreck Point is a favorite spot to spot parrotfish and turtles, and dive shops offer PADI courses for under $300. Sunset over Mount Agung from Blue Earth Village’s bamboo restaurant was my best meal of the trip.
Nusa Penida, technically a separate island but an easy day trip from Sanur (fast boat tickets run around $25 round-trip), is famous for Kelingking Beach and its cliffside T-Rex viewpoint. Most tourists only visit the Instagram hotspots, but the east coast’s Atuh Beach is usually empty and has the clearest water I saw anywhere in Bali.
Best Time to Visit Bali
Bali’s weather divides into two main seasons: dry (April to October) and wet (November to March). Most guides say the best month to fly to Bali is May or September, when the rains are gone but the crowds haven’t peaked. I’ve visited in late February, and yes, you’ll see afternoon showers, but mornings are often sunny and prices for everything from hotels to activities drop by up to 30%.
January and February are the cheapest time to fly to Bali, with flights from Los Angeles, Vancouver, and New York often costing $600-$800 round-trip on airlines like Philippine Airlines (via Manila) or China Airlines (via Taipei). Don’t expect perfect beach days every day, but the rice terraces are at their greenest and most waterfalls are gushing. Hotel deals are everywhere. For example, Alaya Ubud offered rooms at $98/night last February.
June to August is high season, especially around Australian school holidays. Expect hotels to be at 90% occupancy, and round-trip flights from the US can spike to $1,400 or more. If you must come in summer, book at least 4-6 months ahead, and focus on less crowded areas like Sidemen, Lovina, or the mountains around Munduk.
October and November are under-the-radar sweet spots. You’ll find cheap flights to Bali (often $700-$900 from North America), the weather is still mostly dry, and the waves are excellent for surfing. By early December, prices start creeping up as Christmas and New Year’s approach. If you can be flexible, use Travorio’s fare calendar to spot dips in ticket prices.
How to Get Around Bali
Bali has no trains or subways, so most travelers rely on airport transfers, taxis, private drivers, or scooter rentals. Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) is 25 minutes to Seminyak by taxi (fixed fare about $12), or 40 minutes to Ubud ($22). Grab and Gojek (the Southeast Asian version of Uber) work well in most towns, though you might not be able to use them for airport pickup due to local taxi unions.
Scooters are everywhere and cost about $5-$7 a day to rent, but traffic in Kuta and Denpasar is legendary for all the wrong reasons. If you’re new to Bali or traveling with kids, hire a driver instead. Local guides like Nyoman Bali Driver offer 8-hour tours for $45-$50 total, including stops at temples, markets, and waterfalls. I used him for a day to see Tanah Lot, and he shared stories about Bali’s ceremonies along the way.
Longer-distance buses, like Perama Tour, connect Kuta, Ubud, Sanur, and Lovina. Tickets are usually under $8 for two-hour trips. Bemos (shared minivans) are the local way to get around, but they can be confusing for newcomers. Ferries to the Nusa Islands (Penida, Lembongan, Ceningan) leave from Sanur and Padangbai, with fast boats reaching Penida in just 40 minutes.
Car rentals are possible (around $30/day for a small sedan), but Indonesian driving can be chaotic and insurance coverage varies. I’d skip self-drive unless you’re really experienced. For short hops between towns, Blue Bird taxis are reliable and metered, with rides across Seminyak or Canggu starting at $2. Most hotels will happily arrange local transport, sometimes at better rates than you’ll find online.
How to Book Your Bali Trip
The easiest way to find cheap flights to Bali is by using Travorio’s flight search tool, which lets you compare routes from over 100 airlines and filter for pay-later options. If you’re booking during the cheapest time to fly to Bali (Jan-March or Oct-Nov), set email alerts and check fare calendars for sudden drops. I’ve seen Singapore Airlines drop round-trips from San Francisco to Denpasar to $597 when booking 5 months ahead.
Travorio lets you pay with Sezzle, which splits your hotel or flight bill into four zero-interest installments for US and Canadian travelers. I paid for my February trip this way, spreading the cost over two months. If you prefer using PayPal Pay Later, that’s also an option at checkout. The site even accepts over 100 cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and USDC, for those who want to spend crypto directly on travel.
For hotels, look for deals on Travorio’s pay later hotels page. Many Bali hotels, from the eco-chic Bisma Eight in Ubud ($178/night in February) to the beachfront Grand Hyatt Bali in Nusa Dua ($135/night in October), participate in pay-later and flexible cancellation programs. If you’re traveling with friends, villas can be surprisingly affordable, my group split a 3-bedroom pool villa in Canggu for $62 each per night, booked through Travorio.
The best strategy for Bali flight deals: book your flights and hotels together if possible, use a pay-later option to lock in low rates, and keep an eye out for Travorio’s limited-time promos. If you’re set on a specific airline, filter for that carrier and check their seasonal sales, especially in the off-season. A bit of flexibility goes a long way.
Top Destinations
Quick Facts
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions answered clearly and concisely
Ubud is often the top pick for first-timers thanks to its lush rice terraces, temples, markets, and culture. The Sacred Monkey Forest and Tegallalang Rice Terraces are must-sees. Ubud is about 90 minutes from the airport by car or taxi, and there’s a wide range of accommodation from $25 guesthouses to luxury resorts like Maya Ubud.
A good Bali trip is 7-10 days if you want to explore both the beaches and the mountains. With 7 days, you can split your time between Ubud, Seminyak, and a side trip to Nusa Penida. If you only have 4-5 days, focus on 2 areas to avoid wasting time on the road.
Flights to Bali are cheapest from mid-January to early March and again in late October through early December. In these months, round-trip flights from the US or Canada can drop to $600-$800. Prices are highest in July, August, and over the Christmas/New Year holidays.
Most travelers, including Americans, Canadians, Australians, and most Europeans, need a Visa on Arrival. It costs about $35 and covers a 30-day stay. The visa can be paid in cash or by card at Denpasar Airport, and you’ll need a passport valid for at least 6 months.
Bali is generally very safe, with low violent crime rates. Petty theft can happen in touristy areas, so keep valuables close. Be cautious when riding scooters, as road accidents are the biggest risk. Most visitors have no issues beyond minor scams or aggressive market vendors.
Bahasa Indonesia is the national language, but Balinese is also widely used, especially in villages. English is spoken in most hotels, restaurants, and tour companies, so you’ll get by fine as a visitor. Learning a few words like 'terima kasih' (thank you) goes a long way.
Daily budgets in Bali can range from $35 for backpackers (hostels, warung meals, scooter rental) to $100+ for mid-range comfort. Luxury travelers should expect $200-$400 per day for top hotels, private drivers, and fine dining. A typical meal at a local warung is $2-$4, while a beach club meal runs $10-$20.
Spend 3 nights in Ubud for temples, rice fields, and waterfalls, then 2-3 nights in Seminyak or Canggu for beaches and nightlife. Add a day trip or overnight to Nusa Penida for cliff views and snorkeling. End your trip in Sanur or Uluwatu for a more relaxed vibe before heading to the airport.
Bali is very family-friendly, with calm beaches in Sanur and Nusa Dua, loads of family resorts, and attractions like Waterbom Bali (Asia’s top waterpark). Many hotels offer kids clubs, and drivers can arrange car seats if you ask ahead. Local food is mild, and international options are everywhere.
Bali is one of the world’s best destinations for solo travelers. Hostels and guesthouses make it easy to meet people, and there are lots of group tours and yoga retreats. Ubud and Canggu are especially sociable. I met other solo travelers on a Mount Batur sunrise hike ($30 including breakfast and transport).
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