Daily costs per person in IDR (Rp). Bali ranges from incredibly cheap to eye-wateringly expensive — your choices determine everything.
Daily cost breakdown
Currency: IDR (Rp Rupiah) (1 USD ≈ Rp15,800)
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Splurge | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Rp100,000–250,000 | Rp500,000–1,200,000 | Rp3,000,000+ | Hostels → boutique villas → luxury resorts |
| Food | Rp75,000–150,000 | Rp200,000–500,000 | Rp1,000,000+ | Warungs → restaurants → fine dining |
| Transport | Rp60,000–100,000 | Rp200,000–400,000 | Rp800,000+ | Scooter → Grab & driver → private car |
| Activities | Rp50,000–200,000 | Rp300,000–700,000 | Rp1,500,000+ | Temples & beaches → tours & cooking → diving & spa |
| Drinks | Rp30,000–80,000 | Rp100,000–250,000 | Rp500,000+ | Warung Bintang → cafe cocktails → beach club |
| Daily Total | Rp315,000–780,000 | Rp1,300,000–3,050,000 | Rp6,800,000+ | $20–49 → $82–193 → $430+ |
Money-saving tips
Warungs are your kitchen
Nasi goreng at a warung: Rp20,000–30,000. Same dish at a Seminyak restaurant: Rp80,000+. Eat at local warungs (family restaurants) for authentic food at a fraction of tourist-area prices. Look for the places full of Balinese workers.
Rent a scooter
Scooter rental: Rp60,000–80,000/day. This is the only practical way to explore Bali independently. Grab works in South Bali but coverage is patchy. Taxis are overpriced outside Kuta/Seminyak. International license technically required.
Skip the beach clubs
Beach club entry and minimum spends add Rp200,000–500,000. The beaches themselves are free. Buy a Bintang from a warung (Rp25,000), rent a mat, and enjoy the same sunset the club charges ten times more for.
Book day trips locally
Mt Batur sunrise, Nusa Penida, and snorkelling tours are 30–50% cheaper booked directly with local operators in Ubud or your hostel than through online platforms. Compare prices at 2–3 shops.
Negotiate everything
Taxi fares, market souvenirs, scooter rental, and private drivers all expect negotiation. Start at 40–50% of asking price. The only things with fixed prices are warungs, convenience stores, and official attractions.
Free temples and views
Many smaller temples are free. Rice terrace walks are free (some charge Rp10,000–20,000). Sunrise from the beach is free. The best experiences in Bali — the culture, the nature, the spirituality — cost very little.
