🗺️ Bali resorts: where to stay and when to go

Bali works for surfers, families, and people traveling for culture. There are almost no compromises between these groups: the island is large, and each area has its own rhythm. If you're choosing between Kuta and Ubud, first decide whether you want the ocean outside your window or rice terraces. Below, we'll break down seasons, resort areas, hotels, and what's worth seeing on the island.

Ad: this article contains affiliate links, we earn a commission if you book through them, at no extra cost to you.

When to go to Bali

💡 In short:

The dry season runs from May to September, the rainy season from November to March.
The tourist levy is paid online before arrival, the visa is issued in advance on the official portal.
Entry and fees: 09/2026, verified on the official Bali province website.

The dry season in Bali runs from May to September. During these months there is almost no rain, the sea is calm, and the rice terraces are bright green. The rainy season starts in November and lasts until March. There's no need to be afraid of it: downpours are short and usually happen in the first half of the day. After lunch, the only reminder of them is the humid air.

Before your trip, budget for two mandatory payments per person. The Bali provincial tourist levy is 150,000 rupiah, paid online before arrival (as of 09/2026, official Love Bali website).

A 30-day visa on arrival costs 500,000 rupiah and is issued in advance on the official portal (as of 09/2026, immigration portal). Cards are accepted on both portals, so you won't need cash at the airport.

You make both payments yourself; the tour operator does not cover them. Save the QR codes on your phone: they are sometimes checked on entry.

Best resort areas in Bali

The island's five resort areas differ from each other more than the map suggests. Your choice of base determines what you'll do every day and how much time you'll spend on the road.

Kuta

Kuta has long had a reputation as a surfer and party district. Accommodation is cheaper here, it's easier to find a warung serving local food, and it's almost impossible to fall asleep before midnight. Bars, restaurants, and cafes stay open until morning. If you need quiet, stay in neighboring Legian: it has almost merged with Kuta and forms a single resort zone with it.

Who it's for: surfers, fans of water sports and nightlife.
The catch: noisy around the clock.
Hotel prices: Hotels in Kuta on Trip.com.

Jimbaran

Jimbaran grew out of a fishing village, and it's still noticeable in the mornings: half the beach is taken up by boats and fishing gear. The other half glows with the warm lights of seafood restaurants. Five-star hotels are also concentrated here, so the area suits those willing to pay for service. It's a weak spot for diving and snorkeling. Calm swimming is only possible in the south, where the beach is sheltered by a headland.

Who it's for: seafood lovers and those seeking a quiet stay in hotel complexes.
The catch: you can't swim everywhere, part of the shore is taken up by boats.
Hotel prices: Hotels in Jimbaran on Trip.com.

Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua is considered the most well-kept and most expensive resort area on the island. It has mango groves, manicured lawns, fountains, and bike paths. It has fitness centers, golf clubs, and hotel restaurants. If you're coming for local culture, this area won't suit you.

Who it's for: those who want a world-class beach and hotel service.
Not for: those who want to get close to Balinese culture.
Hotel prices: Hotels in Nusa Dua on Trip.com.

Ubud

Ubud sits in the center of the island, and there's no ocean here. Instead of a beach, you get museums, galleries, and street performances, and in the evening you watch ritual dances. Many hotels stand in ravines surrounded by jungle and terraced rice paddies. This landscape makes Ubud a base for yoga and meditation. It's just over an hour from here to the airport on the map.

Who it's for: culture lovers, yoga enthusiasts, and those who enjoy cooler mountain weather.
Not for: those who want to swim in the ocean every day.
Hotel prices: Hotels in Ubud on Trip.com.

Sanur

Sanur lies on the east coast and moves at a leisurely pace. The beach here stretches for almost seven kilometers, the water entry is gradual, and the waves are gentle. Tropical gardens are laid out nearby, and it's pleasant to walk through them in the shade. The area also works well for water sports: the waves are even and suit beginners. This resort is chosen more often than others by families with children.

Who it's for: families with children and those looking for calm seas.
Hotel prices: Hotels in Sanur on Trip.com.

The best hotels on Bali

The island's hotel stock covers every category. The five hotels below are in different areas, so choose not by the number of stars, but by what you want to see from your window.

The Lokha Ubud

Rice terraces and palm trees in Ubud, Bali

The hotel sits in a secluded corner of Ubud, and most rooms open onto views of the jungle or the river. A free shuttle takes you to the historic center, and a ten-minute walk away there's a safari park where elephants live. The room interiors combine Balinese style with modern design, and the furniture is made from natural materials. The hotel has a spa, a library, a fitness club, and several pools, and there's a staffed kids' club. The restaurant specializes in American cuisine.

Location: outskirts of Ubud, free shuttle to the center.
Who it's for: couples and families who want a quiet Ubud with green views.
Prices: prices at The Lokha Ubud on Trip.com.

Bhuwana Ubud Hotel

Jakarta skyline with skyscrapers from the Monas observation deck

The hotel is in the village of Pengosekan, away from the busy resort scene but right next to the rice terraces. Guests are offered afternoon tea on open terraces, Balinese dance lessons, and yoga classes. The kitchen's produce is grown in the hotel's own garden. Inside you'll find ethnic motifs and modern appliances, and the grounds include a spa and pools. You can rent a bike and ride to local sights.

Location: Pengosekan, Monkey Forest is a five-minute drive away.
Who it's for: those who want to live among rice fields rather than in a tourist center.
Prices: prices at Bhuwana Ubud Hotel on Trip.com.

Sadara Boutique Beach Resort

The hotel occupies the shore of Tanjung Benoa Beach in Nusa Dua, so almost every room has an ocean view. The rooms are decorated in a classic style with plenty of dark wood. Guests swim in the complex's pools, rent water sports equipment, and dine on the open terrace. The restaurants serve international cuisine.

Location: Nusa Dua, right on Tanjung Benoa Beach.
Who it's for: couples and families who want a beach right at the hotel.
Prices: prices at Sadara Boutique Nusa Dua on Trip.com.

Komaneka at Bisma Ubud

View of the pool and rice terraces at the resort

The hotel sits on the banks of the Oos River and offers free yoga classes and Balinese dance lessons. A free shuttle takes guests to Ubud's attractions. The rooms are spacious, with canopy beds and light curtains, and the decor has an elegant feel. After a swim in the pool, you can stop by the spa for a massage and unwind. The restaurant serves Indonesian and international dishes.

Location: Oos River bank, free shuttle to Ubud.
Who it's for: those who combine relaxation with yoga and sightseeing in Ubud.
Prices: prices at Komaneka at Bisma Ubud on Trip.com.

Melia Bali Indonesia

Large pool with palm trees and loungers at a tropical resort

The hotel is located in the tourist part of Nusa Dua, but the resort noise is barely noticeable: the grounds are enclosed by a tropical park and a large lagoon-style pool. For active recreation, there is a spa, sauna, fitness center, tennis courts, a golf course, and playgrounds. Several restaurants serve Japanese, Mediterranean, and international cuisine.

Location: Nusa Dua, grounds with a park and lagoon.
Who it's for: those who want a large hotel with infrastructure on site.
Prices: prices at Melia Nusa Dua on Trip.com.

Find hotels in Bali

Compare prices across booking sites and filter for rooms with free cancellation.

Compare prices on Trip.com

The widget loads once you give your consent.

What to see in Bali

Half of the strongest impressions in Bali come from architecture and nature. Pura Besakih is considered the island's main temple complex, uniting twenty separate temples. Tanah Lot stands on a rock in the sea and has long become Bali's calling card. Goa Gajah is called a cave temple after an elephant that never actually lived on the island. The stepped rice terraces deserve a full day of their own: their appearance changes as the rice ripens.

Near the terraces are craft villages, so stop by Batubulan to see the woodcarvers. The island's waterfalls, gorges, and volcanoes are explored on short jungle excursions, or in a more relaxed format at tropical and botanical gardens. Ready-made guided routes should be booked in advance: Bali tours on GetYourGuide.

Which meal plan to choose

The all-inclusive system seems like a good deal for a first trip, but on Bali the general rule doesn't work. Time and menu restrictions keep you from trying the local cuisine, and it's excellent here. Most people do fine with BB: breakfast at the hotel, and you choose the rest yourself. Warungs serving local food are everywhere, with restaurants offering European and Asian dishes nearby.

Menus are in English almost everywhere, and portions are inexpensive. You can eat well on Bali without spending much, and cafe owners often give discounts to regulars.

Vacationing on Bali with kids

Jakarta skyline from the top of the Monas monument

With kids, Bali offers more options than a typical beach resort. At safari parks, a child doesn't just look at animals: you can bathe an elephant, feed it, and even paint it. The Monkey Forest adds interaction with friendly but cheeky macaques. These programs keep a child engaged for a full day.

Water parks on Bali go beyond land. Some are built on floating pontoon clubs right in the ocean and consist of a system of slides and pools. Active programs on waves and through the jungle are organized for kids. In Nusa Dua there's a full-size pirate ship with children's activities on board. At Bali Treetop Adventure Park, kids tackle zipline courses.

Bali resorts on the map

Four out of five resorts lie in the south of the island, with Ubud in the center. Kuta and Jimbaran occupy the south, Nusa Dua sits in the southeast, Sanur in the east, and Ubud in the center. Kuta and Jimbaran are closest to the airport, while Ubud is about an hour and change away by map. Keep the map handy when choosing your base for the trip. Getting between areas is easiest on a scooter: scooter rental on BikesBooking.

Best resorts of Bali

Places on the map

Kuta Surfer and youth district with bars open until morning
Jimbaran Former fishing village, seafood restaurants and five-star hotels
Nusa Dua The island's most manicured and expensive resort
Ubud Center of the island: museums, jungle and rice terraces, no ocean
Sanur Seven kilometers of beach with a gentle entry, a choice for families with children

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is the dry season in Bali?

The dry season runs from May to September, the rainy season from November to March. Rains in the low season are short, so there's no reason to cancel a trip in November or February.

Which Bali resort should I choose for a family?

Sanur works best: a gentle entry into the water and soft waves. If you want a large hotel with infrastructure on site, look at Nusa Dua. Kuta, with its nightlife, isn't comfortable for a quiet vacation.

Where to stay if you're coming for culture?

Choose Ubud: it has museums, galleries, ritual dances, and hotels amid the jungle. There's no beach nearby, but Ubud is cooler than the coast.

Is it worth booking an all-inclusive tour to Bali?

On Bali this system is more of a limitation. Most travelers do fine with BB including hotel breakfast, and lunch is easy to have at warungs.

What can I see in Bali in three days?

Spend the first day on Ubud with its rice terraces and Batubulan. On the second day, see Pura Besakih and Goa Gajah. Leave the third day for beach and water: Nusa Dua or Sanur. Travel between areas eats up time, so allow an hour and change for the drive from Ubud to the coast.

In short: what to book

Bali suits any scenario if you choose the right base.

Surfing and nightlife: Kuta.
Vacation with kids: Sanur or Nusa Dua.
Culture and yoga: Ubud.
Beach and hotel service: Jimbaran or Nusa Dua.

Book your hotel in advance: during the dry season good rooms are snapped up months ahead, so it's worth comparing Bali hotel prices on Trip.com before your trip.

Where to go in Bali: resorts, hotels and the best season