The truth is, it’s not. Bali is NOT a country; it’s an island that belongs to the country of Indonesia.

Where is Bali located in the world?

Bali is a small island located in the south of Indonesia and belongs to the Asian continent.

Where is Indonesia on a map

Indonesia is a country in Southeast Asia with more than 17,000 islands, of which 6000 are inhabited. Notice below where is Bali on a map of Indonesia, you’ll see it’s located northwest of Australia between the Indian and Pacific Oceans. 

Indonesia shares land borders with three countries – Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor.

Is Bali a country within Indonesia?

No. Bali is a region of Indonesia. It’s just an island that is part of the country of Indonesia. To clarify where is Bali exactly, the island lies west of the island of Lombok and east of Java island.

The smaller islands of Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Gili Trawangan are also deemed part of the Bali province.

Is Bali the capital of Indonesia?

No, not at all. The capital city of Indonesia is Jakarta. However, many people skip Jakarta’s crowded and polluted city and head straight to Bali as the island has its own airport in the city of Denpasar.

It has been upgraded over recent years to handle the influx of tourists from around the world visiting the island.

This could contribute to why many people ask the questions, “Is Bali a country?, and “Where is Bali?” as it is often mentioned as a major tourist destination.

What is the capital city of Bali?

As I mentioned previously, Denpasar is the capital of Bali.

This is the island’s primary transport hub and if you fly into Bali, you’ll fly into Denpasar’s Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

What Religion is Bali?

Indonesia is the country with the largest number of Muslims in the world, estimated to be approximately 250 million people following this religion. Yet, Bali is different. The people living on this island are Hindu, not Muslims. Perhaps this is why many people assume that Bali is a country, as the culture differs greatly from the rest of Indonesia.

The difference in religion is also the main reason why consumption of alcohol is common and less conservative dress code is acceptable in Bali.

What is also interesting about Bali’s Hinduism is that it is quite different from the Indian Hindu religion. In Bali, the religion is closer to what we call “animism”: the belief in the souls of all things in nature.

Is Bali safe?

Bali is a rather safe destination to visit for all travellers, particularly solo female travellers. Like any popular tourist destination, there are ongoing problems with pick-pockets, petty thieves, ATM scams, and over-priced tourist scams. As long as you stick to our 12 tips for safe travel, you shouldn’t have any serious issues.

The Balinese in general, are some of the friendliest and most peaceful people I’ve met. 

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Is Bali cheap to visit or even live?

Over the past decade, Bali has become a popular place for digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and content creators to put down roots for months or even years at a time.

Due to the affordable (and beautiful) housing, cost of living, and reputation that Bali has as a relatively safe place to visit or live, its popularity has grown rapidly.

Tourists are drawn to Bali for its great surf beaches, cheap shopping opportunities, stunning rice fields, yoga retreats, and warm culture.

So to answer the question of “Is Bali cheap?“, I’d say it is one of the cheapest countries to live in or to take a vacation in. 

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Best Time to Visit Bali

As it’s situated near the equator, Bali experiences a warm and tropical temperature all year round. Bali has two main seasons: the wet season, which runs from November to March, and the dry season, which runs from April to October. If you want to enjoy the beach, the best time to visit is during the dry season when it rarely rains and there’s less humidity.

Prices are cheaper during the wet season, but if you do visit, then expect that when it rains, it really rains!

It’s no surprise that Bali is a hugely popular holiday spot for Australians, being one of the closest islands to Australia. And yes, some of my Aussie friends have asked “Is Bali a country?” and “where is Bali, exactly?” as it seems we always fly to islands nearby for holidays Fiji, Vanuatu or Bali.

While the first two are independent countries, Bali is not. I can see how it can confuse people.

Holidaymakers visit during the Australian school holidays (early April, late June, and September) so the island is super busy over these periods.

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Is Bali a destination for you?

I’ve visited Bali many times over the years, with Ubud (easily book this private transfer from Denpasar airport to Ubud) and Canggu being some of my favourite areas on the island. I also recommend visiting Lombok, the Gili Islands, and climbing Mount Rinjani too.

It’s very easy to get around Bali by taxi, tuk-tuk, and ferry between the islands. If you’re staying long-term, perhaps you’ll hire a scooter to be free to go wherever you wish. Bali is packed full of culture, welcoming people, stunning landscapes, and great food.

The bonus is that it’s an affordable destination, too. So, next time someone asks you, “Is Bali a country?”, or “where is Bali?”, you’ll have all the answers for them.

Best Things to do in Bali

Whether you’re a beachgoer, culture vulture, food-lover, or love exploring new destinations, Bali is a great destination!

It has many wonderful things to see and do – see my favourite activities below.

And if you love to eat delicious local food, don’t miss these 5 Best Warungs in Canggu, Bali.

Travel Tips for Asia

We have many travel guides and tips for Asia— a fascinating continent!

Delicious cuisine can be enjoyed across Asia, and our food map of Asia will inspire your food journey.

These top 5 best street foods in Asia are unmissable! We explain Central Asian food, including seven popular foods in this region.

Our Southeast Asia packing list will be helpful if you’re travelling here.

Furthermore, if you plan to travel long-term (or at least until the money runs out), these 21 cheapest countries to visit will help you make your hard-earned dollars stretch a bit further.

Not surprisingly, our top 10 best countries for food lovers include a few Asian countries.

You’ll need to stay connected while travelling in Asia. We recommend eSIM. It’s easy, reliable and affordable. View eSIMs for individual Asian countries, or consider a regional eSIM for Asia (which covers 18 countries).

If your travels in Asia are part of a much larger global adventure, then a Global eSIM may be the answer. It connects you in 124 countries, offering data-only eSIM and data/call/text eSIM. The Global eSIM has been a game-changer; we couldn’t imagine travelling without it now.

If you want to travel with like-minded travellers, consider joining a group tour. Check out our Group Tours first for any upcoming departures in Asia, or view Tourradar for great deals on tours in Asia.

Check out our best-ever travel tips compiled from more than twenty years of experience.