In the grand scheme of things, Bali is one of the most affordable and accessible travel destinations in the world. That being said, it is a destination that can secretly become expensive very quickly, and we’re not talking about the temptations of exploring Uluwatu’s gorgeous shopping boutiques.
From restaurant taxes to destination entry fees, to attraction tickets and visa costs, here at The Bali Sun, we thought it was about time to explore all of Bali’s hidden fees so that tourists and holidaymakers can accurately budget for their upcoming trips.
It may be true that you can still find a room in a hostel or guesthouse for less than USD 10 a night in Bali.
It is certainly true that eating at local warungs reduces travel costs considerably compared to dining at internationally acclaimed fine-dining restaurants.
But even for the most budget-conscious of travelers, there are a few hidden fees that keep catching holidaymakers by surprise.
Let us phrase that differently: these fees aren’t hidden; no one is trying to pull the wool over tourists’ eyes, but some of these fees and taxes are less well known to most tourists.
The first fee we’ll discuss is the visa fee. Before the pandemic, the majority of Bali’s most frequent international arrivals, including Australians, were (in most cases) eligible for 30-day visa-free travel in Indonesia.
However, changes were implemented, limiting the number of countries that now have visa-free travel to Indonesia.
Tourists from ASEAN nations, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Timor-Leste, and those who are part of the reciprocal partnership agreement with Indonesia, Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong (SAR), Peru, Suriname, and Turkey can visit Indonesia for a 30-day visa fee, no extension.
All other passport holders, from 169 nations, must apply for a visa to visit Indonesia. The most common visa for travel and holidays in Bali is the 30-day Visa on Arrival, or the 30-day eVisa on Arrival. This costs IDR 500,000 and can be extended one time for a further 30 days, and additional fees.
The next fee that often comes as a surprise to holidaymakers is the Bali Tourism Tax Levy. This mandatory IDR 150,000 fee was introduced more than two years ago, but still, only 35% of tourists have been making the payment.
Here at The Bali Sun, we published a detailed explainer all about the Bali Tourism Tax Levy earlier this week, and you can get up to speed with the tax and what you need to do to pay it, here.
The next fee, which most tourists don’t notice at first but is one that can trip people up when they are budgeting, is the Pajak Barang dan Jasa Tertentu (PBJT), sometimes referred to as the PHRI tax, as it is applied as standard to members of the Persatuan Hotel dan Restoran Indonesia (Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association).
The rate is set at 10%. This is one of the ‘++’ fees that are seen on food, beverage, and dining menus, as well as at hotels. The two fees are the PBJT set at 10% and then a service charge, which is typically set between 5-11%, which is set by the establishment, not the government, and should go to staff.
This puts the added tax up to 21%. It’s always wise to check if menu items are priced ‘++’ or inclusive of tax.
Tourists must also be aware that there are destination-level entry fees too, not only entry fees to top attractions and cultural landmarks.
Both Nusa Penida and Kintamani have a set entry fee for both domestic and international tourists, and both these fees have come under questioning from visitors regarding their legitimacy.
The entry fee for Nusa Penida is a fixed IDR 25,000 per adult and IDR 15,000 per child. For the Kintamani Special Tourism Area, the fees are IDR 50,000 for international tourists and IDR 25,000 for domestic tourists.
These fees come in addition to standard entry fees to attractions, landmarks, and sites of interest. Many destinations in Bali are increasing their entry fees in 2026, including Ubud’s Monkey Forest, Ulun Danu Beratan, and later this year, Tanah Lot Temple too.
Discover more from The Bali Sun
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.