Bali packs stone temples perched on cliffs, stepped rice paddies, and beaches ranging from Uluwatu’s big waves to Nusa Dua’s calm sands into an area smaller than the state of Rio de Janeiro. This Indonesian island blends Hindu spirituality, local craftsmanship, and a vibrant beach scene without making you choose between them. Before you lock in your itinerary, it’s worth understanding where the most important temples are, how much time to set aside for each region, and how Balinese culture shows up in everyday details—from flower offerings on the sidewalks to ceremonies that close entire streets without warning.
Bali sits in southern Indonesia and is home to temples like Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, beaches in Kuta, Seminyak, and Nusa Dua, and the cultural hub of Ubud, with its rice terraces and craft markets. Brazilians don’t need a visa for stays of up to 30 days but do pay a tourist tax upon arrival. A 7 to 10-day itinerary covers the island’s main highlights well.
How to get to Bali
Access to the island is via Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar, which receives flights from Jakarta, Singapore, and other Asian hubs—there are no direct flights from Brazil, so the usual route goes through Doha, Dubai, or Istanbul with at least one connection somewhere in Asia. From the airport to Kuta or Seminyak is a 15 to 30-minute drive; to Ubud, about an hour, depending on traffic.
Since July 2025, Brazilians are exempt from visas to enter Indonesia for tourism trips of up to 30 days, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Still, bring a passport with at least six months of validity and your return ticket on hand, as local immigration often asks for both documents upon arrival.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
The dry season runs from April to October, with less rain and calmer seas for those wanting to surf or dive—July and August are the busiest months with the highest prices. From November to March, it rains almost daily, usually in quick bursts in the late afternoon, and hotels get cheaper.
To explore the island well, set aside at least 7 full days: 2 to 3 days in Ubud for temples and rice terraces, 2 to 3 days in the southern region (Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu) for beach and nightlife, and 1 to 2 free days for a neighboring island like Nusa Penida. With 10 to 14 days, you can also include the quieter eastern part of the island, with Besakih Temple and the Mount Batur trails.
What to see: temples, culture, and landscapes
The Hindu temples (pura, in Balinese) are Bali’s strongest symbol and appear on practically every corner of the island, from neighborhood shrines to the grand complexes that welcome visitors from around the world.
Tanah Lot Temple
Built on a rock surrounded by the sea, Tanah Lot is the island’s most photographed temple, especially at sunset, when the sky contrasts with the silhouette of the sanctuary. The visit to the rock formation itself is quick—high tide prevents climbing up—so the plan is to walk around, see the smaller temples nearby, and stay for the golden hour. It’s open from 7 am to 7 pm, with an entrance fee of approximately IDR 75,000 (about R$ 25 in July 2026) for foreigners, according to the temple’s official website.
Uluwatu Temple
Perched atop a 70-meter cliff on the Bukit Peninsula, Uluwatu combines a dramatic view over the Indian Ocean with the Kecak dance, an open-air performance with vocal percussion staged at dusk, usually at 6 pm. The entrance fee is around IDR 30,000, and the dance show is sold separately for about IDR 100,000. Keep an eye on the local monkeys: they’re known for snatching visitors’ glasses and hats.
Besakih Temple
Considered Bali’s mother temple, Besakih sits on the slopes of Mount Agung and brings together more than twenty shrines in a single complex, the largest and most sacred on the island. It’s the right destination for those wanting to understand the structure of Balinese Hinduism beyond the busier tourist circuit in the south.
Ubud: culture, crafts, and rice terraces
Ubud is the island’s cultural heart: the Royal Palace hosts traditional dance performances at night, the Ubud Market sells handicrafts and batik fabrics, and the Sacred Monkey Forest is home to hundreds of grey macaques amidst moss-covered temples. On the outskirts, the Tegallalang rice terraces form one of the island’s most recognizable landscapes, especially early in the morning before the tour groups arrive.
To explore Tanah Lot and the Bedugul region with transport and a guide included, consider a guided tour to Tanah Lot Temple, which avoids the hassle of renting a car with a driver for a single-day itinerary.
Beaches: from Kuta to Nusa Dua
Kuta has good waves for those learning to surf and the island’s liveliest nightlife. Seminyak, right next door, trades the hustle for designer beach clubs and sunset drinks in hand. Canggu attracts more experienced surfers and a young crowd of cafés and coworking spaces. Nusa Dua, at the southern tip, is home to luxury resorts and calmer seas, ideal for those traveling with kids.
What to combine: nearby islands and excursions
Nusa Penida, about 45 minutes by boat from Sanur, has some of the most shared viewpoints in Bali on social media — Kelingking Beach and Angel’s Billabong among them — and is worth a full day, with a fast round-trip boat. The Gili Islands, north of Lombok, are smaller, with no cars or motorbikes, and great for snorkeling with turtles. The island’s interior, near Kintamani, offers views of Mount Batur volcano and sunrise hiking trails for those who love to walk.
If you want to round out your cultural itinerary with Besakih Temple and still catch the Kecak dance in Uluwatu without arranging your own transport, consider a tour that includes the Kecak dance performance in Uluwatu.
Where to Eat in Bali
The dish most associated with the island is babi guling, spit-roasted pork seasoned with a spice paste called base genep, traditionally served at ceremonies and now available at popular restaurants like Ibu Oka in Ubud. For everyday meals, warungs — small family-run eateries — serve nasi campur (rice with assorted sides) at prices well below tourist restaurants. In Seminyak and Canggu, the food scene also includes cafés with vegetarian and vegan options catering to the international crowd that calls the island home temporarily.
Where to Stay in Bali
Seminyak and Canggu concentrate beachfront lodging with solid restaurant and nightlife infrastructure, from hostels to oceanfront resorts. Ubud is the right base for those prioritizing temples, rice terraces, and a slower pace, with guesthouses nestled in the greenery. Nusa Dua works well for those seeking all-inclusive resorts and calmer waters. A common approach is splitting your stay between two of these areas, since traffic between distant points on the island can take over an hour.
Practical Travel Tips
The local currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR); bring cash for the smaller warungs, since not all accept cards. Every international tourist pays the Bali Tourism Tax of IDR 150,000 (about USD 9), collected on arrival or paid in advance online. At temples, covering your shoulders and wearing a sarong around your waist is required — most places lend or rent one at the entrance. A yellow fever vaccine may be required for those arriving from endemic countries, so check with the embassy before you travel.
Bali sits in Asia, physically far from the more traditional Brazilian travel routes, but it shares similarities with other cultural destinations on the continent — anyone who’s been drawn to temples and tradition in Japan or the blend of history and modernity in Seoul tends to connect with Bali’s rhythm. If you want to add another Southeast Asian destination to your trip, Singapore is just a few hours’ flight away and makes a great connection. And if you’re after another archipelago with jaw-dropping beaches and reefs, you can compare Bali with Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Brazilians need a visa to visit Bali?
No. Since July 2025, Brazilians have visa exemption for stays of up to 30 days in Indonesia, including Bali, for tourism purposes. Still, bring a passport with at least six months of validity and a return ticket.
How many days do you need to see Bali?
Seven days cover the main temples, a beach base, and at least one neighboring island. With 10 to 14 days, you can include the eastern part of the island, Mount Batur, and more relaxed excursions without switching accommodations every day.
What’s the best time to visit Bali?
The dry season, from April to October, brings less rain and calmer seas. July and August are the busiest months with the highest prices; March, June, and September strike a good balance of great weather and fewer crowds.
How much is the Bali Tourism Tax?
The fee is IDR 150,000, about USD 9, charged to every international visitor upon arrival on the island or through advance online payment before the trip.
Do I need to dress a certain way to visit the temples?
Yes. Covered shoulders and knees are required at most temples, and a sarong tied around the waist is usually mandatory — typically borrowed or rented at the entrance for a symbolic fee.
Conclusion
Bali works best when your itinerary combines both sides of the island instead of picking just one: the temples and rice terraces of Ubud on one side, the southern beaches on the other, with a neighboring island like Nusa Penida to cap off the trip. Plan your stay in at least two regions, sort out your entry documentation in advance, and leave one day completely unplanned — on the Island of the Gods, the best moments tend to show up off the beaten path. For more destination guides like this one, keep exploring voyagevoyage.