Is Bali Really Cheap to Visit? The Real Cost in 2025
Dec, 4 2025
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Smart Tip: Avoid tourist zones. Eat at warungs, rent a scooter, and skip resort pools. You'll save 30-50%!
Everyone says Bali is cheap. But if you’ve ever booked a flight, tried to find a decent beachside cabana, or ordered a coffee that didn’t come with a $12 price tag, you know the truth isn’t that simple. In 2025, Bali isn’t the budget paradise it was ten years ago. It’s still affordable compared to most Western destinations-but only if you know where to look, what to avoid, and how to stretch your dollars. This isn’t about skipping meals or sleeping in hostels. It’s about understanding what actually costs money now-and where you can still get real value.
Accommodation: The Big Surprise
Stay in Ubud or Seminyak, and you’ll pay $60-$120 a night for a clean, private room with AC and a pool. That’s not a hostel. That’s not a guesthouse. That’s a standard mid-range villa. In 2015, you could get the same for $30. Now, demand has pushed prices up. Tourists aren’t just coming from Europe and Australia anymore-they’re coming from the U.S., India, and even Russia. And property owners know it.
But here’s the trick: if you go to Canggu, Munduk, or even parts of North Bali, you can still find decent private rooms for $25-$40. These places aren’t on Instagram. They’re where locals live. You’ll need a scooter to get around, but you’ll save hundreds over a week. Airbnb isn’t always cheaper than local guesthouses. Many villas listed on Airbnb are owned by foreign investors who charge double what a Balinese family would.
Food: Eat Like a Local, Not Like a Tourist
At a warung-a small family-run eatery-you can get a full plate of nasi goreng, fried tempeh, and a boiled egg for $1.50. That’s real food, cooked fresh, served on a plastic stool under a thatched roof. Walk 50 meters to a tourist restaurant in Kuta, and the same dish costs $8. Same ingredients. Same chef. Different price tag because of the sign, the menu design, and the fact that you’re wearing sandals and holding a camera.
Street food is still cheap. Fresh coconut water? $0.50. Grilled corn? $0.75. A bowl of bakso (meatball soup)? $1.25. But avoid restaurants with pictures of food on the menu. They’re targeting people who don’t know better. Look for places with a line of locals. That’s your signal.
Transport: Scooters Are Still King
Rental scooters cost $5-$7 a day. That’s it. You can ride from Seminyak to Uluwatu in 45 minutes for less than a dollar in fuel. Most tourists pay $30 a day for a car with a driver. That’s fine if you want comfort, but it’s not cheap. And if you’re going to do a temple tour or a waterfall run, you don’t need a driver. You need a map, a helmet, and a sense of direction.
Grab and Gojek are available in Bali now. Ride-hailing apps are cheaper than taxis, but not always faster. Traffic in Denpasar is worse than in Manila. If you’re going to the airport, book a driver the night before. Last-minute rides can cost $25 instead of $12.
Activities: Free Stuff Outnumbers Paid Ones
Bali’s biggest attractions? They’re mostly free. Tanah Lot Temple? $5 entry. Tegallalang Rice Terraces? Free. Ubud Monkey Forest? $18. That’s the most expensive one. You can hike Mount Batur at sunrise for $25 if you book with a local guide. A guided tour? $60. You’re paying for the group, the hotel pickup, and the coffee stop. Do it yourself and save $35.
Beaches? All public. Seminyak, Padang Padang, Nusa Dua-you can sit on any of them for free. The only paid beaches are private resort areas. If you want a lounge chair and umbrella, you’ll pay $10-$15. But you don’t need them. Bring your towel. Sit on the sand. Watch the waves. That’s the real Bali.
Drinks and Nightlife: Watch Out for the Markups
A beer at a beach bar? $6-$8. At a supermarket? $1.50. A cocktail in Seminyak? $12. At a warung? $3. The difference isn’t the ingredients. It’s the lighting, the music, the branding. If you want to drink cheaply, buy your own from a minimarket. Sit on your balcony. Watch the sunset. You’ll still feel like you’re on vacation.
Co-working cafes with WiFi and cold brew? They’re everywhere. A latte costs $4. That’s high for Bali, but low compared to New York or London. If you’re a digital nomad, you’ll pay $200-$400 a month for a monthly cafe pass. That’s not expensive-it’s a deal.
What’s Actually Expensive Now
Flights. That’s the real cost. A round-trip from Singapore to Bali is $150-$250. From Australia? $400-$600. From the U.S.? $900+. That’s not Bali’s fault. That’s global airfare. Once you’re here, the island is still cheap. But if you’re flying from far away, you need to plan for that big upfront cost.
Spa treatments used to be $10 for a 90-minute massage. Now, even basic ones start at $25. High-end resorts charge $100+. But if you go to a local spa in Sidemen or Lovina, you can still get a full-body massage for $15. You’ll get the same oils, the same music, the same skilled hands. You just won’t get the marble floors.
Shopping for souvenirs? Avoid the stalls in Kuta. They sell mass-produced junk. Go to the artisan markets in Mas (wood carving), Celuk (silver), or Batubulan (stone). You’ll pay $5 for a hand-carved statue instead of $30. And you’ll know it’s real.
How Much Does a Week Actually Cost?
Let’s break it down for a solo traveler who’s smart about spending:
- Accommodation (7 nights, mid-range guesthouse): $210
- Food (3 meals a day, mostly local): $42
- Scooter rental + fuel (7 days): $50
- Activities and entry fees: $50
- Drinks and snacks: $30
- Local transport (Grab, short taxis): $20
- Shopping and souvenirs: $40
Total: $442. That’s for seven days. No luxury. No spas. No private pools. Just real life, real food, real experiences.
Compare that to a week in Thailand or Vietnam. You’ll pay almost the same. Maybe a little less in Hoi An, but you won’t get the same mix of culture, beaches, and nature. Bali’s value isn’t in being the cheapest. It’s in being the most balanced.
Who Still Finds Bali Cheap?
If you’re from India, Southeast Asia, or Eastern Europe, Bali still feels affordable. A $500 budget can stretch far here. But if you’re from the U.S., Canada, or Western Europe, you’ll feel the pinch if you expect $20-a-night hostels and $3 cocktails.
The secret? Don’t compare Bali to 2010. Compare it to Phuket, Goa, or the Maldives. In those places, you’d pay more for less. Bali gives you temples, rice fields, surfing, diving, yoga, and nightlife-all in one place. And you can still do it without breaking the bank.
Final Tip: Don’t Try to Be Cheap. Try to Be Smart.
Going to Bali to save money? That’s the wrong mindset. Go because you want to experience it. Then, make smart choices. Eat where locals eat. Rent a scooter. Skip the resort pools. Avoid the tourist traps. You’ll have a richer trip-and spend less.
Bali isn’t cheap anymore. But it’s still one of the best values on Earth.
Is Bali cheaper than India for tourists?
It depends. For food and local transport, Bali is often cheaper than Goa or Kerala. But flights to Bali from India are much more expensive than flights within India. If you’re already in India, staying local saves you more. But if you’re flying internationally, Bali offers more variety-beaches, temples, jungles, surfing-in one place, often for similar daily costs.
Can I visit Bali on $500 for a week?
Yes, but only if you’re careful. $500 covers basic accommodation, local food, scooter rental, and a few activities. You won’t eat at fancy restaurants, stay in resorts, or take daily spa treatments. But you’ll still see temples, swim in the ocean, hike rice terraces, and enjoy the culture. The trick is avoiding tourist zones and buying your own snacks from warungs.
Is it cheaper to book a package tour or plan independently?
Plan independently. Most package tours mark up prices by 30-50%. A $200 tour that includes transport, meals, and a guide? You can do the same for $100 by booking a scooter, eating at warungs, and hiring a local guide for $15/hour. You’ll also get more flexibility and better food.
What’s the cheapest month to visit Bali?
February is the cheapest. It’s the rainy season, so fewer tourists. Prices drop on accommodation and tours. The rain usually comes in short bursts, not all day. You’ll get empty beaches, lower rates, and locals who are happy to see you. Just pack a rain jacket and avoid hiking Mount Batur on cloudy days.
Do I need to tip in Bali?
Tipping isn’t expected, but it’s appreciated. If a server goes out of their way, leave $1-$2. For a driver or guide who gives you extra time or good advice, $5-$10 is generous. Most locals don’t rely on tips, but they notice kindness.
If you’re thinking about Bali for your next trip, forget the myths. It’s not a bargain basement destination anymore. But it’s still one of the few places where you can wake up to a temple sunrise, eat fresh seafood for $3, and fall asleep to the sound of the ocean-all without spending a fortune. That’s not cheap. That’s priceless.