Bali is a beautiful island in Indonesia. If you’re planning on backpacking Bali, you’ll have the chance to experience incredible experiences.
Imagine yourself drinking a coconut while enjoying the sunset, or learning how to surf…
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I lived in Bali for about two years, and I had an amazing time discovering the island.
If you’re traveling long-term in Southeast Asia or even if you are a bit short on cash, you should know that yes – it’s possible to travel Bali on a budget.
You simply have to be aware of the average costs, potential scams and know where to go, eat and stay.
Planning a trip to Bali should be fun! Let’s take a look at the options to help you make the most of your trip to Bali.
But first, let’s see why you should go to Bali for your next backpacking adventure.
Why Backpacking In Bali?
Bali is affordable and whether you’re on a tight budget or not, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself. The thing is… you can do plenty of activities for FREE.
You can hike, enjoy the beach, discover the island on a scooter, or simply relax by a pool. Then, if you add a bit of money in your activity jar, you’ll be able to surf for a few dollars, eat local food, and party without spending too much.
Bali is great for backpackers on a budget because you can live a good life for an average of $10-20 per day (including your stay in a hostel).
Of course, if you have a bigger budget, you’ll be able to enjoy yourself even more, and you could go explore every corner including the Nusa islands.
Is Bali Good For Backpackers?
Yes – if you’ve been reading, you’ll know it already – Bali is an incredible destination for backpackers who are looking to relax, surf, party, or experience spirituality.
Backpacking Bali is a great way to experience what the island has to offer. … With a fun party scene, many backpackers love the partying, chill, and relaxing vibes, you can find it all in Bali.
Is Bali Expensive?
Bali can be super expensive and it can be super cheap! The first time I went to Bali was in 2016. I was on an extremely tight budget and I managed to survive for less than USD 10 a day.
I wasn’t doing anything special, mostly enjoying the beaches. I was broke (and I was waiting for my Australian tax return) so I had to stay put for a bit.
In 2017, when I moved to Bali, I was also on a budget. My daily budget was around USD 15 a day, sometimes even less as I started working for a hostel for free accommodation.
This way, I would only spend money on food and on my scooter rental.
In 2018, I had my own “apartment”, which is basically a private room with an ensuite bathroom in a guesthouse. I spend between USD 20 and 35 per day.
Backpacking Bali Itineraries
As I just told you, it’s possible to keep it super cheap in Bali. You might have to limit yourself to fewer destinations or opt for free activities. Let’s start with the money-saving options here!
Budget Destinations In Bali
Some places are a bit more budget-friendly in Bali.
Places like Canggu (popular backpacking area), Ubud or Kuta are quite cheap and there are many hostels in these areas.
Of course, if you’re planning on discovering other parts of Indonesia in a short period of time, you’ll end up spending more money quickly to get there and back.
Slow travel would be a smarter option or you could also limit yourself to Bali which should save you more money.
One-Week Itinerary In Bali
If you only have one week in Bali, you could either concentrate on one destination or pick a few to spend a couple of days at each destination.
One week is quite short, you will likely not have time to go visit other Indonesian islands. It’s possible to do so but you can’t do everything in just a week! I can hear you already – decisions, decisions!
If you’re planning on relaxing on a beach, then you should go to Canggu, Seminyak, Uluwatu or Kuta. (I’d highly recommend Canggu!). If you’d like to mix it up and check out beaches, temples, rice terraces, waterfalls, and volcanoes, you might want to consider going to Canggu, Ubud and maybe another place such as Uluwatu.
One-Month Itinerary In Bali And Indonesia
If you’re planning on staying longer then you’ll have more time to visit Bali and also the time to visit other Indonesian islands such as the Nusa Islands, the Gili Islands, and Lombok (which are quite popular).
Other cool destinations to consider would be Java, Flores, or Sumatra, but then again, you might need more time to do all of this! Indonesia is a wonderful country, but traveling from an island to another isn’t always budget-friendly!
Cost Of Living In Bali (Long-Term Stays)
If you’re planning on making a big move and staying long-term in Bali then check out this guide to moving to Bali. Bali is a great destination for digital nomads or freedom seekers.
Staying somewhere longer does influence how much you will spend. It’s normally cheaper to rent a room or a scooter longer term.
On the other hand, staying in Bali longer also means your tastes might get fancier at some point, you might get fed up with local food at some point and you might want to spend more money on food, etc.
Renting a room can cost between USD 250 and 1000 per month. Of course, if you’d rather be close to the beach and have a pool you can expect to pay more or less. My room costs about USD 310 per month.
Renting a scooter longer-term is also a lot cheaper than daily. You can rent a scooter for about USD 45 per month.
Backpacking Bali Costs
On a typical day in Bali, you might just want to chill and head to the beach. You could get there on foot or by scooter.
If you’re on a tight budget you might want to make sure you pick a hostel that is closer to the beach so you can walk there without spending money on transportation.
If you eat local food you can expect to spend between USD 1-2 per meal. If you eat in a western restaurant you can expect to pay between USD 6-10 per meal.
Then, depending on the season, the cheaper beds found are only USD 2 per night. Of course, it doesn’t mean it’s going to be decent, but for that price, you can’t really complain, can you?
That said, you can have a decent bed between $5-10 per night.
Here’s an overview of your daily expenses in Bali:
| Expenses | Budget | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | $5-20 | You can find a decent dorm for a few dollars per night. |
| Food and drinks | $6-30 | Eating local food in a Warung is the cheapest way to eat in Bali. If you eat in modern restaurants, it’s going to be more expensive (between $5-10 per meal) |
| Activities | $0-30 | You can enjoy free activities, or book activities – it’s up to you. |
| Transportation | $0-10 | You can walk or rent a scooter. Avoid taxing taxis to save money. |
| Total per day | $11-90 | As you can see, you can easily save money in Bali. If you want to enjoy yourself more, you can expect to spend between $30-50 per day, or more if you want to. |
Accommodation In Bali
As I just told you, accommodation can be super cheap in Bali! Of course, if you’d rather stay somewhere more comfortable with a better location you might want to spend a bit more money.
You can easily find a decent bed in a dorm between USD 5 and 15. If you’re after a private room, you can expect to pay a bit more, but it’s still affordable.
If you’re searching for the perfect place to hustle, work, rest, and play, we recommend Tribal Hostel.
Located just minutes from the beach, Tribal is a very special hostel. You’ll find modern private and dorm rooms and a large coworking area with dedicated booths, power sockets, high-speed wifi, incredible coffee, and a kitchen to fuel a day’s hard hustle!
Need a quick screen break? Soak in some sun, relax in the infinity pool, or hit the billiards tables.
There’s always plenty happening down at Tribal, so rest assured, if you’re looking to find the perfect place to blend fun and hustle, Tribal Hostel is a fantastic choice.
More Examples Of Cheap Hostels In Bali
The following hostels are between $2-5 per night:
- The Endless Summer Guesthouse, Seminyak
- Bali Backpackers Hostel, Ubud
- Szabrian Hostel, Denpasar
- White Villa Hostel, Ubud
- Pondok Mesari House, Ubud
- Canggu Beach Hostel, Canggu
The following accommodations are between $10 and $15 per night:
Ubud:
Kuta:
Canggu:
Uluwatu:
Seminyak:
You may also like to read more about the best hostels in Canggu and the best places to stay in Canggu.
Food & Drinks In Bali
If you eat local food you can eat for as cheap as USD 1 for a vegetarian meal. You can find street food and warungs pretty much everywhere around Bali.
There are also a lot of cool bars and Western restaurants that are a bit more pricey, but still affordable.
There are also grocery stores around Bali but cooking your own food isn’t always cheap. I believe it’s cheaper to eat out than cook your own food.
Real-Life Examples
Vegetarian Mie Goreng or Nasi Goreng can cost between USD 1-3 depending on where you order them
Fresh coconut on the beach: around USD 1.50
Beer: USD 1.50-3 depending on where you buy them (shop or bar)
Getting Around Bali
The cheapest way to get around Bali is by foot or by scooter. You can expect to pay around USD 3.50 per day to rent a scooter. A litre of gas is about USD 0.70. If you’re staying longer you can try to negotiate a weekly or a monthly rate.
If you’re not comfortable with driving you should download apps such as Go-Jek or Grab to get around. You can either get a driver with a motorbike or a car to drive you around.
This would also be the cheapest option to get to your destination from the airport.
Unfortunately, taxi drivers charge a lot of money and take advantage of tourists who aren’t well aware of the currency exchange rate at their arrival in the country.
I heard countless stories where people spent ridiculous amounts for a taxi ride on their arrival. You don’t want to be telling that same story later on!
Getting A SIM Card In Bali
Getting an Indonesia SIM card is super easy and it’s also super cheap (as long as you don’t buy it straight at the airport). You can pay between USD3-8 depending on the data plan and the chosen company.
The best company would be Telkomsel, but this isn’t the cheapest one.
Activities In Bali
The greatest things about Bali are free! Enjoying the beach, admiring the colorful sunsets and swimming in the waves are free and it shouldn’t damage your budget too much! You can see the best of Bali on a budget!
If you’re just planning on relaxing during your holidays, you’ll keep your wallet happy! Renting a surfboard is about USD 3.50 for a couple of hours.
Although, if you’d rather have some fun and go on day trips you will likely spend more money. This is also the case if you want surfing lessons or if you’re going to visit temples.
To make sure you don’t get ripped off, you could book some of your activities in advance with GetYourGuide. This way, you’ll know beforehand how much you will spend on activities.
Also, you should keep in mind that surf camps, snorkeling trips, and diving trips are quite expensive. So, if you’d love to experience this while in Bali, make sure you keep enough money to be able to do it!
Here’s a list of the cheapest tours in Bali (below USD 30):
Flights To Bali
Depending on your current location, finding a cheap flight to Bali can be easy or challenging! If you’re willing to make a stop on the way then flying to Singapore or Kuala Lumpur first is normally the best option.
You can then find a cheap flight from one of these cities to Denpasar (Bali). Check out the flight options via Skyscanner.
Skyscanner always gives me a better idea of what I can expect to pay for flights. Also, if your dates are flexible, it’s even better to find the best deals.
If you’re already in Asia you should take a look at AirAsia as they always have cheap and great options to Bali!
Final Thoughts On Backpacking Bali
Backpacking Bali is a beautiful experience because Bali is an exotic island where you can try different things like food, surfing, partying, and spiritual activities.
It’s no secret – many expats decide to move to Bali because you can stay fit, enjoy the sunshine and eat good meals daily.
