Bali has always fascinated me. I remember driving through the island in a vibrant vintage Volkswagen, past emerald rice fields, little villages, markets and temples, meeting amazing people and tasting delicious food. Shrines and colourful offerings appeared everywhere, and every turn revealed another temple or landscape.
Sunset at Tanah Lot
On different journeys, I watched the sun set behind Tanah Lot, explored the mystical Goa Gajah, watched a fiery Kecak performance, and even conquered my fear of the sea by going scuba diving. Bali isn’t just a destination; it’s a vibe.
Kecak or the fire dance in Bali
Bali offers something exciting for every kind of traveller — culture and temples, beaches and nightlife, adventure and diving, food and wellness, volcanoes and rice fields. Here are ten experiences to add to your itinerary.
- Explore Bali’s temples — Visit Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Goa Gajah and Tirta Empul, and catch a traditional Kecak dance at sunset.
- Chase rice terraces and waterfalls — Walk through Jatiluwih or Tegallalang and visit waterfalls such as Tukad Cepung or Sekumpul.
- Find Instagrammable Bali — Think Handara Gate, Bali swings, flower gardens, rice fields, temples and sunset viewpoints. Go early for better light and fewer crowds.
- Discover Bali beyond the crowds — Explore Sidemen, Munduk and Tenganan, with villages, plantations, rice fields, waterfalls and views of Mount Agung.
- Experience Mount Batur — Trek up Mount Batur for sunrise, or enjoy the spectacular volcano and Lake Batur views from Kintamani.
- Go scuba diving and snorkelling — Dive the USAT Liberty wreck at Tulamben, snorkel around Amed, or head to Nusa Penida for reefs and possible manta-ray encounters.
- Hit the beaches and try water sports — Surf around Canggu or Kuta, enjoy Uluwatu and Jimbaran, or try parasailing and jet skiing at Tanjung Benoa.
- Taste Bali — Try nasi campur, gado-gado, tempeh and other local dishes, explore Ubud and Canggu’s café scene, or join a Balinese cooking class.
- Take an island day trip — Visit Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan for dramatic cliffs, beaches, mangroves and snorkelling.
- Plan a day excursion — Combine Tegallalang–Tirta Empul–Kintamani, explore Sidemen and East Bali, head north to Munduk, or visit West Bali National Park.
Mount Batur in Bali
If you are planning a holiday to Bali from India, you first need to plan for your Indonesia visa.
Bali is not visa-free for Indian passport holders, and there is no separate Bali visa either. Bali is just one of the thousands of islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago. For a regular holiday, Indian travellers can apply for the B1 Visa on Arrival (VoA) or its electronic version, the e-VOA, which can be applied for online through iVisa before you travel.
Indonesia e-VOA for Indian travellers: What you need to know
The B1 e-VOA is meant for short visits, including tourism. It is a single-entry visa that currently allows a 30-day stay and can be extended once for another 30 days. The government fee is IDR 500,000, which is approximately Rs 3000 or 35 USD. If you are looking for an extended stay for about 60 days as a visitor, then the B211A visa is what you should be looking at, and it costs IDR 150,000
For a regular Bali holiday, the e-VOA is convenient because you can apply before leaving India rather than dealing with the visa only after landing. I would recommend using iVisa if you would like guidance through the application.
iVisa is an independent travel-document service, and visa experts review applications before submission, which can help catch errors or missing information that might otherwise delay the process.
Batur Lake
How to apply for your Indonesia e-VOA with iVisa
Start with the iVisa Indonesia eVisa page for Indian travellers and check the visa requirements for your trip.
Keep your passport and travel information handy while completing the application. Your passport should currently have at least six months’ validity. You will also need a scanned copy of your passport biodata page, a recent photograph, a return or onward ticket, and other required travel documents.
Enter your passport and travel details, upload the required documents, check the fee breakdown, and make the payment. iVisa reviews the application before submitting it for processing.
While this additional review can help catch errors, Indonesian Immigration ultimately approves the visa. Apply early rather than leaving an important travel document until the last minute.
Travel tip: Always cross-check the latest visa requirements and fees before applying, as regulations and charges can change, while currency fluctuations may also affect the final amount you pay.
Temples in Bali
How much does the Indonesia eVisa cost?
The government fee for the B1 e-VOA is currently IDR 500,000 for the initial 30-day stay. If you apply through iVisa, there is a separate service fee for its application assistance, review and support.
If Bali is your destination, remember the separate Bali tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person. It is not part of your Indonesia e-VOA. Pay it before travelling and save the confirmation and QR code on your phone.
At a glance
Indonesia B1 e-VOA: IDR 500,000 government fee
Bali tourist levy: IDR 150,000 per foreign visitor
iVisa: Additional service fee
Complete the All Indonesia declaration
International passengers arriving in Indonesia now use All Indonesia, a digital arrival declaration integrating immigration, customs, health, and quarantine information.
It can currently be completed from three days before arrival, and there is no fee. Submit your passport and arrival information, and save the confirmation or QR code.
Inside a temple in Bali
Your Indonesia eVisa checklist
- Check your passport validity.
- Apply for your B1 e-VOA early and keep the required documents ready.
- Carefully check your name, passport number, and dates before submitting.
- Pay the Bali tourist levy separately.
- Complete the All Indonesia declaration from three days before arrival.
- Keep your passport, e-VOA, return/onward ticket, levy confirmation and arrival declaration together.
Visa and entry regulations do change, so check the latest requirements before every journey, even if you have travelled to Indonesia before.
I have returned to Indonesia several times, but no two journeys have been quite the same. The destination may be familiar; the entry requirements may not be. Check the latest rules, apply early and keep your documents ready before you fly.
And then Bali awaits — with its temples and traditions, beaches and volcanoes, rice fields and villages, and perhaps another story waiting around the corner.
Deities in the temples
FAQs: Indonesia eVisa and Bali Visa for Indian Travellers
Do I need a visa for Bali or Indonesia?
Yes. Indian passport holders need a visa to travel to Indonesia, including Bali. Bali is not visa-free for Indians. For most Indian travellers visiting for a regular holiday, the B1 Visa on Arrival or its online equivalent, the e-VOA, is the relevant document.
What is the Indonesia e-VOA for Indian citizens?
The e-VOA is Indonesia’s electronic Visa on Arrival. Eligible Indian passport holders can apply online before travelling. The B1 visa currently permits a 30-day stay and can be extended once. The government fee is IDR 500,000.
What is the Bali visa cost for Indians?
There isn’t a separate Bali visa. The Indonesian government fee for the B1 e-VOA is currently IDR 500,000. Travellers visiting Bali must also pay the separate IDR 150,000 Bali tourist levy. The iVisa service fee is additional.
How do I apply for a Bali eVisa?
You are actually applying for an Indonesia e-VOA, not a separate Bali eVisa. Indian travellers can apply online before departure through iVisa Indonesia. Complete your passport and travel details, upload the required documents, check the application carefully, and pay the applicable government and service fees. Apply early rather than waiting until immediately before your flight.
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