How I Planned My First Trip to Bali: Full Cost, Itinerary and Christmas Tips
How I Planned My First Trip to Bali (and Whether Christmas Is Worth It)
Cost breakdown, a 10-day first-timer route, the wet-season reality check, and the money-saving moves I would copy again if I were planning this from the UK in November.
Heads up: some links below are affiliate links (Expedia UK, Aerolite, Amazon UK). They cost you nothing extra and help keep this blog running. This is a researched planning guide built from published costs, official entry rules and traveller reports — not a diary of a trip I've taken. Prices are estimates, not quotes; always check live rates before booking.
I hate being cold. Not "I'd prefer a jumper" cold — the kind where you plan December around where the heating is. So when I started looking at winter sun, Bali kept coming up. It also kept coming up with a catch most glossy posts skip: December is the wet season. This is the planning note I wish I had in one place: what it really costs at a mid-range level, how I would split ten days, and what to know before you book a Christmas trip.
The honest verdict: is Bali good for a Christmas trip if you hate the cold?
Yes, if warmth is your priority and you can live with rain. Expect around 26–31°C by day and 24–25°C at night. Expect also somewhere between 16 and 22 rainy days depending on the source, usually as heavy bursts rather than all-day drizzle. And expect to pay more from around 20 December, when flights get pricier and hotels fill up.
Who it suits: people who want heat, green scenery, waterfalls and a festive-but-not-snowy Christmas. Who should think twice: anyone who needs guaranteed beach weather, or wants to travel cheaply in Christmas week. If that is you, compare other warm-weather options on Expedia UK below.
Balinese culture in four frames: dance, daily offerings, ceremony and temple architecture. AI-generated illustration
Best time to visit Bali (and where Christmas fits)
Bali has two seasons. The dry season runs roughly April to October; the wet season runs roughly November to March. Guides generally favour May, June, September and October for the best mix of weather, crowds and prices.
Green = best balance · Amber = trade-offs · Red = peak rain and/or peak prices · Blue = wettest
Christmas in Bali looks like this — festive, warm, and usually with rain somewhere in the frame. AI-generated illustration
Early December is the sweet spot if your dates can flex: still wet season, but crowds and prices are lower. From about 20 December, flights and hotels climb and stay high into mid-January. If you are locked into school holidays, book early and budget at the top of the ranges below.
What 10 days actually costs (mid-range)
These are mid-range estimates for a 10-night trip, including return flights from London, using October 2026 exchange rates. They are planning figures, not live quotes.
Mid-range 10-night total: about £2,150–£2,400 per person
That covers return flights, 10 nights in boutique hotels or private-room villas, a mix of warung and café meals, a private driver on a few days, a handful of paid activities, visa and tourist levy.
Flights are the biggest variable. If you fly in the first half of December rather than Christmas week, you can land closer to the lower end; the week after 20 December pushes towards £2,400 and beyond.
See the full mid-range breakdown (estimates)
Flights (return, London–Bali, 1 stop): £650–£800. December fares commonly sit in this band outside the 20 Dec–NYE spike.
Accommodation (10 nights, mid-range): £500–£700. That is roughly £50–£70 per night for a boutique hotel or private-room villa with pool, based on December pricing.
Food and drink: £250–£350 for 10 days. Warung meals £2–£4, café or mid-range restaurant mains £7–£15, with a few nicer dinners.
Transport: £120–£180. Ride-hailing for short trips, a private driver on 3–4 big days (£35–£55 per day), airport transfers.
Activities and entries: £100–£160. Monkey Forest, temples, a cooking class, a massage, and one bigger tour or Nusa Penida day trip.
Visa and tourist levy: about £27. VOA/e-VOA IDR 500,000 (≈£21) plus Bali levy IDR 150,000 (≈£6).
SIM/eSIM, tips, contingency: £80–£120.
Sources: mid-range daily spend benchmarked against Budget Your Trip (Bali); accommodation ranges cross-checked on Expedia UK Hotels; return fares sampled on Expedia UK Flights; entry costs from the official Indonesian e-Visa portal and Love Bali. Weather ranges from Weather Atlas (Bali).
Mid-range in Bali still buys a lot of green. AI-generated illustration
A 10-day first-timer itinerary
Ten nights: 4 in Ubud, 3 in Uluwatu, 3 in Seminyak or Canggu. That split gives you culture, cliffs and a social coast without turning the trip into a daily transfer marathon. Every day has a rain plan because it is wet season.
The three-base route in four landscapes: rice terraces, Nusa Penida cliffs, coastline, and jungle trail. AI-generated illustration
Day 1: Land, check in, do almost nothing
London is eight hours behind Bali in winter. Get a driver or ride-hailing car to Ubud (roughly 90 minutes) or sleep near the airport if you land late. Evening: short walk, warung dinner, bed.
Rain plan: nothing outdoors is booked today, which is the point.
Day 2: Ubud town, Monkey Forest and rice terraces
Morning: Sacred Monkey Forest (ticket about IDR 80,000) while it is quieter. Keep belongings zipped away. Late morning: Tegallalang Rice Terraces — December is the greenest time to see them. Afternoon: café stop and market browsing.
Rain plan: swap the terraces for a spa session or a cooking class.
Ubud's rice terraces in wet season: greener than any other time of year. AI-generated illustration
Day 3: Water temple and waterfalls
Tirta Empul, the water purification temple near Tampaksiring — dress modestly and bring a sarong. Then Tegenungan Waterfall, which runs strongest in wet season.
Rain plan: go early, finish by lunch, and keep a dry bag for your phone.
Day 4: Cooking class and a slow afternoon
Morning market and cooking class (typically around US$30–50). Afternoon: pool or massage (US$10–30 is a common range).
Rain plan: this entire day works in the rain.
Day 5: Move south to Uluwatu
Transfer by driver — allow extra time, Bali traffic is unpredictable. Afternoon: Balangan or Melasti beach if the weather allows, or a clifftop café if not.
Rain plan: clifftop cafés with covered seating beat open-air beach clubs when it pours.
Day 6: Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak fire dance
Sunset at Uluwatu Temple. Hold sunglasses, phones and bags tightly — the monkeys steal. Book the Kecak performance, then dinner nearby.
Rain plan: check the performance schedule that day and have a covered dinner option nearby.
Day 7: Flex day (Nusa Penida or beach and spa)
Nusa Penida is a day trip by boat, around 45 minutes each way. Kelingking is the famous cliff view. Crossings can be choppy in wet season, so keep this day movable.
Rain plan: if boats are delayed or cancelled, switch to a spa day or a long lunch.
Day 8: Move to Seminyak or Canggu
Transfer, then beach walk and sunset drinks. Seminyak is polished and shop-heavy; Canggu is surf-and-café casual.
Rain plan: boutique browsing, brunch, and a long dinner.
Day 9: Christmas or New Year at the beach
Many hotels and beach clubs run Christmas dinners and New Year parties. Book early; they go fast.
Rain plan: indoor festive dinner or a spa.
Day 10: Last markets and the flight home
Leave generous time for airport traffic and settle bills before you go.
Attractions and experiences worth the money
Four checks on everything: what it is, what it means in practice, why it matters for a first-timer, and the honest downside.
Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud
Ticket about IDR 80,000
Feature: A forested sanctuary with temples and a lot of macaques, inside Ubud town. Explain: Walkable from most Ubud stays, takes 1–2 hours. Why it matters: The easiest first taste of Bali's nature-and-temple mix without hiring a driver.
Limitation: The monkeys grab loose items. Zip bags, skip dangling jewellery and do not carry food.
The Monkey Forest is part temple, part jungle, part very bold macaques. AI-generated illustration
Tirta Empul and Tegenungan Waterfall
Feature: A sacred water temple plus one of the most accessible waterfalls near Ubud. Explain: They sit on the same side of Ubud so they combine into one half-day with a driver. Why it matters in December: Rain keeps the waterfalls running at full strength and the landscape vivid.
Limitation: Paths get slippery and rivers can look muddy after heavy rain. Wear grippy sandals and check conditions locally.
Wet season is waterfall season. AI-generated illustration
Uluwatu Temple and Kecak fire dance
Feature: A clifftop sea temple, with an evening dance performance. Explain: Go for the late-afternoon light and stay for the show. Why it matters: One of the island's most photographed sunsets and a real cultural experience.
Limitation: Cloud cover can swallow the sunset in wet season, the monkeys steal sunglasses and phones, and it is crowded in Christmas week.
Uluwatu: the postcard shot, when the clouds cooperate. AI-generated illustration
Nusa Penida day trip
Group tours commonly about US$43–68 per person
Feature: An island off Bali's coast with dramatic cliffs and beaches, reached by fast boat. Explain: Roads on the island are poorly marked, so a driver or tour is usually less stressful than riding yourself. Why it matters: It delivers the "famous Bali photo" in a single day.
Limitation: Boat crossings can be choppy in wet season, and cancellations are possible. Keep the day flexible and bring motion-sickness tablets if you need them.
Compare tours and activities on Expedia UK
Nusa Penida: the cliff view that justifies the boat ride. AI-generated illustration
Cooking class and a spa afternoon
Cooking class around US$30–50 · massage US$10–30
Feature: Two cheap, indoor-friendly experiences that fit any weather. Explain: Most classes include a market visit and a meal you cook yourself. Why it matters in wet season: They are your rain insurance, and they still feel like a proper Bali experience.
Limitation: Quality varies widely. Read recent reviews before booking and avoid anything with unclear pricing.
A cooking class is the best rain insurance in Bali. AI-generated illustration
Where to stay (by area)
Where you stay changes your day more than what you book. Three bases, three different trips.
Ubud: culture and greenery
Feature: Inland, surrounded by rice terraces, temples and waterfalls. Explain: Quieter at night, with spas, yoga and cooking classes nearby. Why it matters in December: Most activities here — spas, classes, cafés, temples — can be done indoors or in short dry windows.
Limitation: Not on the coast, and traffic in and out can be slow.
Search Ubud stays on Expedia UKUluwatu: cliffs and beaches
Feature: Clifftop villas, surf beaches and sunset temples on Bali's southern peninsula. Explain: Far from Ubud and the northern attractions, so plan one move rather than daily trips. Why it matters: The closest thing to a classic beach holiday on the island.
Limitation: The most weather-exposed part of the trip, and some beaches are hard to reach in heavy rain.
Browse Uluwatu villas on Expedia UKSeminyak or Canggu: cafés, shops and sunsets
Feature: The social coast — boutiques, restaurants, beach clubs, surf culture in Canggu. Explain: Walkable pockets, but you will still rely on drivers or ride-hailing. Why it matters at Christmas: Where most festive dinners and New Year events happen.
Limitation: The busiest, priciest and most congested part of the island in late December. Canggu to Ubud can take 75 minutes to 3 hours.
See hotels with free cancellation
Mid-range in Bali can look like this: a boutique pool villa without the luxury price tag. AI-generated illustration
Your rainy-day plan
December rain tends to arrive in short, heavy bursts, often later in the day, rather than all-day grey. Plan around it, not against it.
After the rain, Bali often looks better than before it. AI-generated illustration
- Do outdoor sights in the morning, indoor things in the afternoon.
- Keep one flex day in each base for weather and boat cancellations.
- Book a cooking class, a spa session and a long lunch in advance as your three rain fallbacks.
- Carry a lightweight rain jacket and a dry bag for your phone and passport.
- Use insect repellent every day, particularly around dawn, dusk and jungle areas.
- Check the forecast each morning and be willing to swap days around.
Money-saving tips (without making the trip worse)
- Move your dates, even by a few days. Early December is far cheaper than the week after 20 December. This single move saves more than any coupon.
- Eat at warungs for most meals. Local meals typically cost around US$2–5, and save the nicer restaurants for the nights that matter.
- Use ride-hailing for short hops. Short rides generally cost a few dollars, and you avoid scooter risk and parking.
- Hire a driver only for the big days. A driver is excellent for Ubud's far-flung sights and Nusa Penida; for everything else, apps are cheaper.
- Watch lifestyle creep. Beach-club minimums, imported alcohol and private villas are where budgets disappear.
- Pay the tourist levy online, in advance. Same IDR 150,000 either way, but you skip a queue.
- Use only licensed money changers or bank ATMs. A too-good rate is usually a trick, and recounting your cash at the counter is worth the awkwardness.
- Sort data before you land. An eSIM costs far less than UK roaming.
- Compare package vs separate bookings. Expedia UK lets you price flights and hotels together and separately, so test both with the buttons below.
- Keep a 5–10% contingency. Christmas-week surprises are a thing.
Things you must know before you go
Entry checklist (confirm on official sites before you fly)
- Visa on arrival or e-VOA: IDR 500,000 (≈£21). Official site: evisa.imigrasi.go.id.
- All Indonesia Arrival Card: free, completed within 72 hours of arrival. Beware of fake sites that charge for it.
- Bali tourist levy: IDR 150,000 (≈£6) per person via the official Love Bali portal (lovebali.baliprov.go.id).
- Passport validity and onward-travel requirements. Some guides mention proof-of-funds checks for certain visa types, so check current rules.
- Check the UK government (FCDO) travel advice for Indonesia the week before you go.
Scams and safety, in plain English
Money changers: use banks or licensed counters, count the money yourself before leaving, and be suspicious of unusually good rates.
Scooters: if you ride, carry an International Driving Permit, wear a helmet and photograph the bike from every angle before you leave the shop. Check your insurance covers it. If you are not confident, hire a driver. Avoid night riding on cliff roads.
Taxis: there are very few metered cabs. Agree the fare first, or use a ride-hailing app or a trusted metered taxi company.
Food and water: "Bali belly" is common for first-timers. Use bottled water, including for brushing your teeth, and be cautious with food that has not been cooked in front of you.
Mosquitoes: repellent every day in wet season.
Culture and everyday etiquette
- Cover shoulders and knees at temples, and remove shoes before entering inner temple areas.
- Ceremonies and processions can close roads at short notice. Ask your hotel before heading out.
- Carry small notes, because not everywhere takes cards.
- Bali uses 230V sockets. Pack a UK adapter.
What to pack for Bali at Christmas
Warm, humid, rainy-season list: light layers, quick-dry fabrics, sandals with grip, a rain jacket, a dry bag, reef-safe sun cream, and repellent. The one bit of kit worth thinking about before you leave is the case.
10 Bali essentials under £20 (my Amazon UK list)
If you don't want to think about the small stuff one item at a time, I've pulled the ten things that actually earn their place in a Bali suitcase into one list — every single one under £20. It covers the wet-season kit (dry bag, poncho), the safety kit (DEET repellent, filtered bottle), the practical kit (adapter, quick-dry towel) and the temple kit (sarong, cover-up).
Why a list: you avoid the "I'll buy it when I get there" trap — Bali prices for imported travel gear are higher than Amazon UK, and the airport markup is worse. Buying in advance also means it's already in the case before you fly.
Aerolite large suitcases (checked bag for a long-haul trip)
Feature: A range of large suitcases from Aerolite, a UK luggage brand. Explain: A 20-hour trip with a stop is a long-haul checked-bag situation, not a cabin-only one. Look for a case that suits your airline's allowance. Why it matters to Bali travellers: You will be moving between three bases, so wheels and weight matter more than size.
Limitation: A bigger case makes overpacking easy. Always check your airline's weight limit.
See Aerolite large suitcases Aerolite best sellersRain jacket, dry bag and mosquito repellent
Feature: Three cheap items that earn their place in wet season. Explain: A packable jacket handles sudden downpours, a dry bag protects your phone and passport, and repellent covers dengue-carrying mosquitoes. Why it matters: They are what lets you keep a plan when the sky changes.
Limitation: Any rain jacket gets sticky in tropical humidity, so choose a breathable one.
See these in my Amazon UK list
Pack for the rain and you will enjoy the trip more. AI-generated illustration
Frequently asked questions
Is Bali a good place to escape the cold at Christmas?
For warmth, yes: December days are typically around 26–31°C. But it is wet season, and the period from about 20 December to New Year is the busiest and most expensive of the month.
What is the best time to visit Bali?
Most guides favour May, June, September and October for the best balance of weather, crowds and prices. The dry season runs roughly April to October.
How much does a mid-range trip to Bali cost?
Excluding flights, about US$80–150 a day is a realistic mid-range range. For 10 nights including return flights from London, our mid-range estimate is around £2,150–£2,400 per person.
What do I need to enter Bali?
Typically a visa on arrival or e-VOA (IDR 500,000), the free All Indonesia Arrival Card within 72 hours of arrival, and the IDR 150,000 tourist levy. Rules change, so verify on the official sites: evisa.imigrasi.go.id and lovebali.baliprov.go.id.
Do I need to rent a scooter?
No. Ride-hailing and drivers cover most trips. If you do ride, take an International Driving Permit, wear a helmet and check your insurance.
The payoff: a warm Christmas, even if the sky is clearing rather than blue. AI-generated illustration
Compare flights + hotels on Expedia UK Browse Bali tours and activities
Related on the blog: Asia destination posts · travel packing lists · winter sun alternatives
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