Living in Bali
Bali is an amazing place to live. Either solo, with a partner or with a family, Bali has options to fit any lifestyle.
How to work LEGALLY in Bali
One of the most important things to consider for your life in Bali is how to work legally in Bali. Finding a job in Bali is not easy, as the Indonesian government would rather give jobs to locals whenever possible. For the jobs that they will allow foreigners to do,...
Bali rainy season is near, dreading it or excited?
Every year in Bali, usually somewhere in the months between November and April, the Bali rainy season hits. It is definitely not like clockwork and can fluctuate a few months in either direction or skip completely only to bring lots of rain during the months of June...
Tomcats in Bali – The big OUCH behind this little bug!
UPDATE for OCTOBER 2022 - After what seemed to be a lengthy hiatus, tomcats in Bali are back in the news. As the rainy season approaches with sporadic showers, tomcats may be venturing from whatever cracks and crevices they may have been hiding in. Give our article a...
What is Soto Ayam & why do locals absolutely love it?
Soto Ayam is Indonesian Chicken Soup and just as much a comfort food as a can of Campbell's in America. Read on to learn more about this popular local soup and our secret local spots that you won't find in the Bule Bubble of Canggu! What is Soto Ayam? Soto Ayam, as...
Bali Visa Guide – The common questions you need answered NOW!
To visit Bali you will need a visa. Depending on the purpose and length of your stay, there are a few Bali visas you can choose from. Read on to find out which Bali visa is the best one for you and how or where you should get it! Want to know more about Bali? Check...
Where is Bali? What makes Bali so special anyway?
Read on to learn where is Bali located and what all the hype is about, along with answers to other common questions! Where is Bali located? Believe it or not, a lot of people don't know where is Bali located! A lot of people hear about Bali while watching tv and...
Bali cost of living in 2022 will surprise you!
The Bali Manual 2022 Price Guide will provide you with a useful glimpse into the real cost of living in Bali. The Bali cost of living continues to rise. Some things have gotten very expensive while others have somehow gotten cheaper! But how will this affect the cost...
3 Great Places to Find a Maid or Housekeeper in Bali
Looking for a maid or housekeeper in Bali? We’ve got 3 great places to find a maid or housekeeper in Bali as well as some additional tips and info!
Uber in Bali? Try Grab and Gojek Instead!
Uber has become a way of life for many people around the world. Those of you visiting Bali might be wondering if it's available here and if there's anything you should know about it. Short answer... Yep! Long answer... Read on. Is Uber Available in Bali? Uber itself...
Everything you need to know about arak in Bali!
What is arak? Is it safe to drink? How to drink arak? Where to buy arak? How much is the arak alcohol percentage? Read on for the answers to all your arak questions and more! What is Arak? Have you ever wondered how they are able to sell cocktails so cheaply in Bali...
Grab – 5 Tips to Help You Use it Better!
"Learning how to use Grab to its potential will make life easier and more convenient. It's perhaps one of the best time-savers we have for both personal and professional use!" Grab Drivers waiting for orders. Food, Car, Bike, Express, & Jastip These are our...
6 Great Tips to Help With Your New Life in Bali
‘When in Rome, do as the Romans do’ That is a saying you may have heard. And it's true, putting forth an effort to fit in in Bali will enrich both the quality of your life and help you gain respect from the locals. So follow the tips below to help you make the most of...
Learn how to text like a local
Check out this guide on how to text like a local with Indonesian. It might even trick people into thinking that you're a local, that's if your name doesn't give it away first!!! Bahasa Indonesia is said to be one of the easiest languages in the world to learn. In...
![Getting Around Bali [A guide to transportation in Bali]](https://balimanual.com/wp-content/uploads/Getting-around-Bali-a-guide-transportation-in-bali.png)
Getting Around Bali [A guide to transportation in Bali]
Selamat datang ke Bali! (Or "Welcome to Bali!")Now that you’re in Bali (or doing some pre-trip planning), you might be wondering just how you should be getting around Bali. The choice(s) for transportation in Bali may seem very obvious to many, and extremely...
Getting Health Insurance for Living in Bali
By far, one of the most common questions I receive about living in Bali has to do with health insurance. It’s a great question too - when you’re living in a new, fun and sometimes strange country it’s only natural to wonder how things might unfold in a medical...
2014 Cost of Living in Bali with Price Guide
Note: there is a 2016 version of the price list available. I'll give you the link. But before I do, I want to say it's still interesting to read the introduction article here on this page. It's just the price guide itself that you better view here: 2016...
Is Bali Still a Good Place to Live as an Expat?
Thinking of moving to Bali? Don’t make things hard on yourself. Get The Ultimate Guide for Moving to Bali and learn how to make the move quickly and easily. Ask an expat or long-term resident of Bali how much the island has changed in the last 10 years, and you’ll get...
Alcohol Banned in Bali? Say It Ain’t So!
Just last week, many expats, tourists and local boozehounds received a big shock when it was announced that there is currently a bill in place to ban alcohol in Indonesia. While definitely shocking, it is important to take a look at the facts before we start...
Soul-Searching and Outdoor Adventures: Bali is for Everybody
This is a guest post from Jason Lowder at Internations.org Ever since Julia Roberts went soul-searching in Bali’s paradise and managed to snatch up Javier Bardem in “Eat, Pray, Love”, the destination has gained considerable popularity. But whether you...
Christmas Day in Bali for Expats
It is the Christmas season again and just like every year, Bali is CROWDED. Hotels are full to capacity, traffic is congested (even more so than usual) yet somehow it just doesn’t quite feel like Christmas. For North Americans traveling to Bali for Christmas this is...
Moving to Bali Guide
EVERYTHING You Need to Know About Moving to Bali - Finally in One Place Note: ebook updated february 2018. visa section totally renewed updated all prices new chapters on residency /citizenship, taxes, ... more info on finances more info on looking for accomodation...
The Bali Balance – A Lesson in Instant Karma
The sense of balance that many people feel in Bali is one of the reasons that I would put above almost all others as a reason to be here. Despite the problems that affect Bali from all angles, the island is able to pull off an impressive balancing act that...
Masuk Angin – The Wind That Infected an Entire Nation
After several years in Bali learning about the language and culture several of my friends like to joke that I’ve “gone native”. Everyone has a different definition of going native and whether it is a positive or negative thing but that’s all relative. Sure, I eat rice...
Meeting Made in Bali – A New Short Film to Begin Production on the Island
By now most people that are interested in Bali have seen the Julia Roberts movie Eat, Pray, Love. While probably the most high-profile movie to ever feature Bali in such length, lots of real Bali enthusiasts left feeling like the movie didn’t totally represent the...
Bali Revelations – How Being Away From a Place Can Teach You More Than Being There
At some point, every long-term, foreign resident of Bali eventually has to leave for one reason or another. In my time here I’ve yet to meet anyone who has spent a substantial amount of time on the island without ever having left, although that is mostly just a...
Prepaid Electricity in Bali – The Advantages Over the Old, Post-Paid System
The electricity coming into your house is going to be a big part of your happiness or misery while living in Bali. When everything is working as it should then you will be able to power your fans and AC to keep you comfortable as well as your computer, internet, TV...
Home Robberies in Bali – A Real Life Story to Raise Awareness
It is something that most people never want to think about – but the harsh reality is that while safe, Bali has its share of dangers as well. Hang around long enough and you are bound to come across an expat or two that has experienced their home being broken...
The Quest for the Best Babi Guling in Bali
Babi Guling is easily the most widely known Balinese dish and tourists have even been known to come to Bali just to sample it. The most famous place for Babi Guling would be none other than Ibu Oka in Ubud but it is it really the best? So far I have never known a...
Price of Fuel in Indonesia Will Not Rise in April – Indonesians Prove Rioting is an Effective Strategy
It has been quite a busy couple of weeks lately in Indonesia. Between the 5 suspected terrorists being shot in Bali and the ongoing riots over the rise in fuel prices, news reporters certainly have had their work cut out for them recently. It seems like all of that...
Fuel Prices to Rise in Indonesia by 33% on April 1st – This is No April Fools Joke
While not quite so common on the island of Bali, anybody that has spent any amount of time in Indonesia knows that riots in the streets of places like Jakarta are all too common of a sight. Problems of a political nature both large and small can cause massive riots on...
5 Terrorists Killed in Bali Sunday Night, March 18th
Over the years Bali has certainly experienced its share of tragedies at the hands of terrorists, making people weary and on edge as to whether or not that sort of thing will ever happen again. While everyone prays that terrorists will stay far away from Bali, when the...
Nyepi in Bali – Happy New Years 1934 is NOT a Typo
Nyepi, some love it, some hate it and for the Balinese it is just another important holiday to celebrate that happens every year. Those that happen to be in Bali during Nyepi can often find the rules and customs surrounding it quite surprising and restrictive although...
2 AM Curfew for Kuta Clubs – Is It Realistic?
A drunken, crazy night in Kuta until sunrise is some people’s idea of a great way to spend their time in Bali. Others though couldn’t think of a worse place to be, especially at night while trying to enjoy the serenity that Bali offers while on holiday. Most can agree...
Where are All of the Balinese People in Bali?
As traffic grows more congested and the air and level of noise becomes more polluted, people are often asking themselves why they come to Bali in the first place. For many people the answer is simple, the people and their culture. The Balinese people have probably...
Online Entrepreneur Sean Ogle Recaps His Recent Trip to Bali
One of the most successful online entrepreneurs and lifestyle bloggers, Sean Ogle spent the past two months in Bali and I had the chance to meet him and learn a whole lot about who he was and how he has been able to build such a successful business model. While in...
A Closer Look at Inequality as it Exists in Bali
Many travelers have fallen victim to the overcharging or similar treatment that tourists receive when they are in SE Asia. It can be annoying but usually once you get your head around the language as well as the actual prices of things it can become much...
Blackouts to Begin Again in Bali Starting February 2012
We aren’t talking about the type of blackout from too much Bintang, that one goes on all year round throughout Bali in the tourist areas. No, the dreaded electricity blackouts will be coming back again in February of 2012 and is just one of things that we as expats...
Large Earthquake Hits Bali on October 13th 2011
It happens all of a sudden with barely enough time for you to prepare anything before running out of your house. An Earthquake hits without warning and is finished almost as soon as it started. Such an earthquake hit Bali today and luckily it was not as devastating as...
Bali Apartments – Monthly Rentals for a Good Price
When most people make their initial move to Bali, they can be a bit confused about where they will stay while they are searching for their new dream home. Hotels can become quite expensive after a while for anything clean and decent, not to mention the fact that they...
Smartphones in Bali – Which One Will Suit You Best?
Although Indonesia is known for being far behind the rest of the world when it comes to technology, they are pretty up to date when it comes to mobile phones. Almost all Indonesians carry one, and a large majority of mobile phone users carry smart phones as well....
Considering Solar Power in Bali? Better Plan for Frequent Sun Outages
Bali is the type of place where seemingly strange things go on all the time and after a while you stop noticing or realizing just how strange some of these things are. In fact, one of the best ways to tell if you have truly acclimated to the local culture is your...
Bali Land Prices on an Alarming Rise – The Price of Paradise
Despite all of the red tape and other things that prevent foreigners from owning land in Bali, there are still thousands of people every year finding a way around it. Some people are buying land as an investment and some are buying to build a house on. Is buying land...
Travel Warning – Stay Away From Lombok Smile and GoKomodoTours!
This site is mostly dedicated to Bali and the positive things that go on around the island. Things are not always great though and especially when you find yourself outside of your base of Bali things can go a little awry. The intent of this site is not to bash or...
Safety in Bali in Your Home – Taking Realistic Precautions
One of the main reasons that people decide to pack up and make the move to Bali is because of the friendliness of the people and the feeling of safety and comfort that they have while here on Bali. Recently though the question of how safe Bali actually is has been...
Legionnaires Disease, the Latest Health Threat in Bali
Dengue Fever, Rabies, Bali Belly and Typhoid all seem like enough things to worry about in Bali already but it looks like one more is going to be added to that list. Legionnaires Disease is the latest thing to cause people to get a little weary of their...
Extending a 30 Day VOA (Visa on Arrival) in Bali
Indonesia introduced the extension of the 30 Day VOA (Visa on Arrival) last year, which was to the delight of many travelers and people who come to Bali often. This can be very handy if you are making a last minute trip to Bali where you will be staying more than 30...
Julia Roberts in Eat, Pray, Love vs. the Real Bali
If you take a walk around Ubud these days and pop into its many cafes, you will notice a trend. There are many women there who are on a similar journey as Elizabeth Gilbert took in her now famous book turned movie, Eat, Pray, Love. While Bali is certainly not an...
Goodbye Fiscal Tax, Hello Inflated Customs Tax
More so than most other countries, Indonesia is notorious for making people feel at ease by getting rid of rules or laws that most people don’t like, only to slip some even worse ones in there at the same time. Recently this happened when they announced they would be...
Bargaining for Goods in Bali
One thing that will need to become like second nature to keep your living expenses down will be the ability to bargain or haggle. Unless the price is clearly marked, like in a supermarket for example, just about everything in Bali is able to be bargained on. Many...
Anatomy of a Motorbike Accident in Bali
Given the chaos that is Bali roads, it is only natural that accidents can happen. It is amazing that there are not more accidents than there are, given the sheer amount of people and style of driving, but they still do happen and the entire situation is much different...
