Gay Bali · Island Guide

Bali

Bali is one of more than 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago. The island is renowned for its rugged coastlines, sandy beaches along with its hilly and mountainous interior.

This beautiful landscape is home to about 4 million people and measures almost 144 km from east to west and 80 km from the most northern point to the southern tip.

Gay Scene

Bali is Indonesia's most important tourist destination accounting for almost 80% of all international visitors to the country. The island attracts over 2 million tourists a year - particularly from Australia and China.

The growth in tourism over the past few decades has contributed to the development of a thriving, although relatively small, gay scene in the southwest coastal area of Seminyak. The nightlife is focused around a number of popular Gay Bars on Jalan Camplung Tanduk (also known as Dhyana Pura). These venues are open all year around and generally get busy every evening from around 11pm-midnight.

The overwhelming majority of gay visitors stay at mainstream resorts or in private villas but there are a number of exclusively Gay Resorts, many of which are 'clothing optional'.

Rice paddy fields in Bali

Getting to Bali

Most visitors will arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) - also known as Denpasar International Airport. The airport is actually located in Tuban between Kuta and Jimbaran, about 30 minutes away from Denpasar. Ngurah Rai is Indonesia's 3rd busiest international airport and a major hub connected to Australia, South East Asia and the rest of Indonesia.

Most hotels and villas offer an airport pickup service. Otherwise, you can take a taxi. The airport is close to the main tourist area, and there is never a shortage of taxis. The fare should be negotiated beforehand unless they have and agree to use a meter.

Taman Ayun Temple

Getting around Bali

Getting around Bali is easy as there are many transportation options to choose from. If you want to explore the sights and make the most of your time, a well-organised tour is a good choice. The budget-friendly "bemo" is Bali’s main public transportation, and every town has a bemo station.

Denpasar is the hub of these unique forms of transport and several towns have regional terminals, so you can get from one corner of Bali to another. Buses and minibuses travel along the longer routes from the same stations as the bemos.

Fares can be quite unpredictable, and tourists and visitors are often overcharged. The thing to do is to observe what the Balinese pay. Remember to carry some small bills to prevent the driver from driving off with your change. You may be charged extra for a large bag, and it is normal for bemos to depart only when the vehicle is full.

Keep in mind that the traffic in Bali can be horrendous, so allow plenty of time if you need to get to the airport to catch a flight.

When to Visit

Bali has pleasant daytime temperatures all year round, varying between 20-33⁰C. The west monsoon brings high humidity from December to March, but there is still plenty of sun during the day, with rains starting in the late afternoon or evening and passing quickly.

From June to September, humidity is low and it can be quite cool in the evenings.

Where to Stay in Bali

If you want to stay within a gay environment, there is an excellent choice of exclusively Gay Resorts & Villas in Bali. More excellent choices of Mid-Range + Budget Hotels and Luxury Hotels can be found in Seminyak, Kuta and Legian area.

Our recommended Hotels in Ubud offer beautiful views and a nice change of scenery, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

We also have a separate page for Hotels in Lombok and Gili Islands.

Things to See & Do

Seminyak - a popular area on the west coast of Bali just north of Kuta and Legian, filled with luxury spas, hotels, high-end shops and gay nightlife

Kuta - a district in southern Bali and one of Indonesia's major tourist destinations.

Legian - a suburban beach area on the west coast of Bali, just north of Kuta and south of Seminyak

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan (Lake Bratan Temple) - Built in 1633, this iconic temple sits on the western shore of Lake Bratan and it can give the illusion of actually floating on the water.

Pura Uluwatu (Uluwatu Temple) - one of Bali's nine key directional temples.

Ubud - the central highland district of Bali, filled with lush, green terraced rice paddies and forests.

Jatiluwih - a beautiful view of contoured rice terraces using a water system developed by Balinese farmers (nominated for designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site).

Tirta Gangga - means "water from the Ganges"; a popular site of reverence for the Hindu Balinese.

Jimbaran - a fishing village and tourist resort beach in south Bali.

Batur Volcano - early morning trek up to top of the Batur Volcano.

Batur Volcano

Nusa Dua - an enclave of large 5-star resorts in southeastern Bali.

Jari Menari - one of the best massage spas in Bali, located in Seminyak

Bali Bird Walks- popular activity in Ubud.

Dive The Rainbow - Bali's gay dive specialist that offers a range of diving courses taught by a professional PADI dive instructors, located in Seminyak.

Visa

All visitors must have a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry and have at least two blank pages available for stamps.

Visitors from 140 countries qualify for a visa exemption that permit you to enter Bali for 30 days, free of charge. To qualify, you must enter via the main airport or seaport.

Electricity

220V 50Hz.