Bali

The dry season, roughly April to October, brings sunny days and lower humidity; July, August and the year-end holidays are the busiest. November to March is the wet season, with heavy afternoon rain, but it is greener, quieter and cheaper.

• Ubud

  The cultural heart, inland among rice terraces, with temples, dance performances and many places to stay in the green.

  Good for: Culture, Couples, Slow trips

• Seminyak

  Beach clubs, restaurants and shopping on the west coast, with sunset over the sea.

  Good for: Food lovers, Nightlife

• Sanur

  A calm, family-friendly beach on the east coast with a long seafront path and gentle water.

  Good for: Families, Slow trips

• Nusa Dua

  Large resorts on clean, quiet beaches in the south, set apart from the busier towns.

  Good for: Honeymoons, Families

1. 1

   Tanah Lot at sunset

   A temple on a rock in the sea, at its best as the sun goes down. Go early to find a spot; at high tide it is cut off by the water.

2. 2

   The Tegallalang rice terraces

   Terraced paddies north of Ubud, best in the morning before the crowds and the heat.

3. 3

   Uluwatu Temple

   A clifftop temple in the south with a Kecak dance at sunset. Keep a firm hold on sunglasses and phones; the monkeys take them.

4. 4

   Ubud's palace and market

   A short walk apart in the centre of Ubud, with evening dance performances at the palace.

Try nasi campur, babi guling (roast pork) and lawar, and Indonesian staples like nasi goreng and satay. Much of Bali's traditional food uses pork, but halal warungs are easy to find, especially in the south and around Kuta.

A car with driver

The usual way to see the island: hired for a day, with the driver planning the route between sights.

Ride-hailing

Grab and Gojek work in most areas, though some places restrict pickups; your hotel can advise.

Scooters

Popular, but only if you are an experienced rider with a licence valid in Indonesia. Traffic is heavy in the south.

• Temples ask for a sarong and a sash; many lend them at the gate. Shoulders should be covered.
• Indonesia charges foreign visitors a Bali tourism levy on arrival; check the current amount and how to pay before you fly.