r/bali

Traffic, no sidewalks, noise, not so nice locals, nice spots, but everything in between doesnt feel or look nice. I was just so tired after the week or so. Also, never in my life i was asked so many times if I want scooter, taxi, lady, surfing lesson etc. They treated me like a walking ATM. Somehow Thailand works much better for me, and also the Thai people are just much nicer and normal.

Hi everyone,
How much IDR do people tend to convert and spend in Bali for a decent holiday with massages and the usual touristy stuff? This my first time and I have no clue how much to take.

I’ve been thinking about doing a solo Bali trip for a while because none of my mates can line their schedules up properly, but I still can’t decide if it’d feel freeing or just lonely after a few days. For anyone who’s done Bali solo before, would you actually recommend it? What was the best and worst part about travelling there alone?

Whether it was about cost, lifestyle, how touristy certain areas are, or what day-to-day life actually feels like once you’re there

I’ve been casually looking into Bali property for a while now, mostly around Canggu and Uluwatu and the deeper I go the more I realize the advertised prices are only part of the picture.

At first glance it all looks pretty straightforward you see villas listed, rental income projections, and people talking about how affordable it still is compared to other destinations. But once you start trying to understand what it actually takes to buy as a foreigner, things get less clear.

Leasehold vs freehold is one of the first confusing parts, and then it kind of spirals into legal structures, notary fees, taxes, agent commissions, and setup costs that aren’t really highlighted in listings even the way people structure ownership (like using local companies or agreements) seems to vary depending on who you ask.

What stood out to me is how many small costs get added on top of each other. It doesn’t feel like one big hidden fee, more like a chain of smaller ones that only make sense once you’ve spoken to a few people or gone through the process.

The lifestyle side of Bali is obviously what draws most people in, but I think a lot of first time buyers (myself included) underestimate how much research is needed just to understand the buying process properly before even thinking about ROI or rental income.

Most of what I’ve learned so far has come from scattered experiences rather than a single clear explanation, which probably explains why opinions online vary so much.

Wondering if there are any shops that sell amazing funky unique stuff? Products or things that you cant find at brands or are unusual to find even at markets? Keywords for these things would be Hip, Neon, fancy, unusual, unique, bohemian, radical, polarising designs etc. Stuff I am looking mainly is in the tangible realm and not a service or something digital. Has to be something I can buy and keep (eg: products, decor, clothes, souvenirs, hobbies, instruments, etc.)

Mainly looking in; but not limited to - Ubud and Canggu.

Side question:
Can I get a flowstar or similar in person from Bali? And where?

I’ve been to the one in seminyak before but just saw there’s now one in canggu. Is one better than the other? Looking for the best party atmosphere.

Even in less strict countries, their governments have deported or arrested OF creators. I know some countries that have less Muslims did it. Why is it allowed in Bali? I come across many OF girls who produce inappropriate content there. Maybe only one of them got arrested, while the rest are still producing that kind of content. Isn’t pornography banned in Indonesia?

I also saw some news. There are people who have arrest warrants from their home countries flee to Bali. Doesn't the immigration office do anything about it? They even give long term visas to these criminals.

I honestly love Indonesia so much and l think Bali is really beautiful, but people who make inappropriate content in public and avoid taxes through their illegal business make it worse.

Hi all, I'll be going to Bali next month after years of dreaming about it.

Are there really places to avoid due to the garbage on the beaches? I really appreciate your advice.

Thanks!

Anyone here been having issues lately with long term C1 visa runs? I’ve been hearing mixed things. So far I haven’t had any problems, been here a year and 3 months.

Some people are saying immigration has started looking a lot harder at repeated C1 entries, especially if you’ve basically been living in Bali long term off visa runs. Other people say they’ve had zero issues and are still doing it normally.

Curious how this compares to people doing D12 visa runs instead. Are D12s getting treated differently right now or is it basically the same situation in practice?

Also wondering if anyone with an investor KITAS has run into problems regarding the actual 10 billion IDR investment requirement. I know on paper it’s supposed to be there, but I keep hearing completely different stories about how strict enforcement actually is.

Would appreciate hearing recent firsthand experiences, especially from people who’ve been here long term.

Hi all, I will be i indonesia for 2 months this summer- i have my uk bike license so my insurance won't void if I crash, and am mainly planning to use bikes in sidemen / amed and kuta lombok. other than the training day for the license i haven't ridden a bike before, i do drive a car though from a left driving country. Is it a terrible idea? My plan particularly for lombok heavily relies on it and I know everyone does it but I'd like to come home in one piece at the same time. I am very responsible, don't drink, will be wearing a helmet,etc. I've seen conflicting things, mainly to do with insurance, which I'm covered on due to having a license. Thanks!

Hi All,

I am looking for a more specialised hardware store in Bali (a grade well above Ace Hardware) to purchase some heavy duty brand name tools, such as Milwaulkee or Dewalt Professional range. Can anyone recommend a store that might carry a range of electric/battery tools of this type of quality? Thanks in advance, The Captain

Hi everyone, I like Bali and I am stuck with the visa on arrival. It will expire in 3 weeks, but I can extend it for 4 more weeks. After that, ChatGPT told me that I need to book a flight to a different country, and come back, to get the visa on arrival again. I can then extend that one, and then leave for a day again.
How many times can I keep doing this? I tried asking airport staff (the dude that checks passports), he didn’t gave me a clear answer, but his expression essentially said “you can do it as many times as you want”.
I am running a UK Ltd, I pay myself around 20k/year (started paying myself last month), and roughly 80-90k in revenue, so I don’t think I will qualify for the digital nomad passport. Plus, I know there’s another visa option that I need to apply for online, but that takes 7-14 days to approve, and I need to be outside of the country to qualify (which I am not).

Just a PSA for anyone heading to Bali: be incredibly careful, even when you think you’re safely across the road.

I got hit by a motorbike. I was already off the road with one foot down when he smashed into my shoulder and leg. The worst part wasn't even the impact, it was the fact that the rider didn't stop, look back, or offer a single word of apology. I was standing there in total shock, and he just kept going like nothing happened.

I spent the rest of my trip having a difficult time even stepping off the curb. The anxiety of trying to cross the road after that was huge.

Is the lack of accountability common, or did I just have a run of terrible luck? Stay safe out there.