No visa is needed for Bali, Indonesia for U.S. citizens and other foreign nationals (see list below), effective June 10, 2015, per Ben; you can also see the tourist visa exemption for U.S. citizens update on the Embassy of Indonesia site. This is good news for anyone who has gotten caught in long visa on arrival lines, which depends on the number of flights landing at any given time–sometimes it hasn't been long at all, other times there's a very long wait. Here are the details, followed by my recommendations for the best Bali luxury resorts.
Which Nationalities in Addition to U.S. Citizens Do NOT Need a Visa for Indonesia, Including Bali
- Austria
- Bahrain
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Cambodia
- Canada
- Chile
- China (PRC)
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Hong Kong
- Hungary
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Lao PDR
- Macau
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Morocco
- Myanmar
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Oman
- Peru
- Philippines
- Poland
- Qatar
- Republic of Korea
- Russian Federation
- Singapore
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Thailand
- UAE
- United Kingdom
- United States
- Vietnam
Airports Where Visa Exemption Applies
Note that you are only free from needing a visa on arrival if you arrive at one of the following airports. This means, for example, that unfortunately you would still need to go through the visa on arrival process at at an airport such as Yogyakarta (JOG), for example if you wanted to visit Borobudur and stay at Amanjiwo.
- Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta
- Ngurah Rai International Airport, Bali
- Kualanamu International Airport, Medan
- Juanda International Airport, Surabaya
- Hang Nadim International Airport, Batam
- Sri Bintan Pura Seaport, Tanjung Pinang
- Batam Center Seaport, Batam
- Sekupang Seaport, Batam
- Tanjung Uban Seaport, Tanjung Uban
30 Day Tourist Visa Only
Note that the visa exemption is only for tourist visas for stays of fewer than 30 days. If you intend to stay longer, you'll need a visa.
Where to Stay in and Near Bali
1. East Bali
The Eastern side of Bali is much less visited by tourists, which helps avoid having your visit marred by crowdes or hawkers pressuring you to buy things. The perfect peaceful retreat is Amankila, which remains one of my very favorite Aman resorts to date. Its stunning tiered pools look out to the Indian Ocean, and we will always remember the delicious welcome drinks, breakfast and dinner; the beach club that seemed like our private club as we were the only ones there, and the beautiful Galungan gamelan and dance performance in front of the candlelit pool.
Amankila Virtuoso Benefits
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
- A complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people per room once during stay, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
2. Moyo Island
While Moyo Island is about a 50 minute flight from Denpasar, it is a must for avid divers and snorkelers, since with the exception of the nearby islands of Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, Bali as a whole doesn't have good snorkeling or diving. The only resort is Amanwana, which has a fully certified PADI dive center, and offers plenty of peaceful relaxation in a “glamping” setting for divers and non-divers alike. If you really want to explore, make sure to book a place on Amanikan, which I highlighted in Best Luxury Liveaboards in Indonesia and the Maldives.
Amanwana Virtuoso Benefits
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
- A complimentary dive for 2 at Amanwana's sea wall once per stay OR a 60 minute massage per person per stay for guests who do not dive
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
3. Ubud
We've stayed in Bali since I wrote my earlier post Where to Stay in Bali, and I no longer am quite as thrilled with Ubud, which has become much more crowded and touristy since my first visit to Bali back in 2001. It's still a good base for adventures such as bicycling and rafting, and for visiting local ateliers as well as seeing gamelan and Balinese dance performances, but I wouldn't spend an entire stay here. My two top recommendations are:
Amandari Virtuoso Benefits
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
- A complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people per room once during stay, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Four Seasons Bali at Sayan Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits
- Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
- Spa credit of USD100 once during stay (not applicable to products)
- Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
- Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms, complimentary premium Internet in all suites.
4. Nusa Dua and Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran Bay and Nusa Dua are only a 25-30 minute drive, respectively, from the Denpasar Airport, so many of my clients tend to stay at them either right after arriving or before leaving Bali, to avoid a long drive. I wouldn't say that these (or any Balinese beaches) make for an amazing beach destination–for that, go to Amanpulo or the Maldives–but if you stay at either of my top picks, Amanusa or Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay, you'll be treated to excellent service and very good dining options.
Amanusa Virtuoso Benefits
- Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
- Continental breakfast daily, for up to two in room guests
- A complimentary lunch or dinner for up to two people per room once during stay, excluding alcohol, taxes and gratuities
- Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay Four Seasons Preferred Partner Benefits
- Daily full American breakfast for two people per bedroom, served through In-Room Dining or in the hotel restaurant (including buffets)
- Spa credit of USD100 once during stay (not applicable to products)
- Upgrade of one category, based on availability at time of check-in (excluding signature suites and villas)
- Complimentary basic Internet in all guest rooms, complimentary premium Internet in all suites.
5. Seminyak
Honestly, we spent such a horrific night in Seminyak, with so little sleep (even our son, who normally sleeps like a log) due to the traffic noise, and the traffic congestion was so awful, that I doubt we'd ever go back to Seminyak. But for clients who value nightlife and shopping and insist on staying in Seminyak, I'd recommend The Club at the Legian, which has received excellent feedback from the clients I've sent there.
Do you plan to visit Bali, and are you happy that no visa is required now for U.S. citizens?
Related Posts
Amankila Ocean Suite Review, Bali
Four Seasons Bali at Jimbaran Bay Review
Amankila, Bali Food: Best Breakfast in Bali
Where to Go Snorkeling and Diving in Bali
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