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Bali is a long way from Canada, but few places pack so much into one island: surf breaks, rice terraces, temples, yoga retreats and some of the best-value villas in Asia. Getting in requires a little more paperwork than many destinations. Canadians need a visa on arrival, an arrival card and Bali’s own tourist levy. This guide explains each step with the amounts published by Indonesian authorities, then compares Seminyak, Ubud, Canggu, Nusa Dua and Uluwatu so you can choose where to stay.

Visa on Arrival for Canadians

Canada is on Indonesia’s list of countries eligible for a Visa on Arrival (VOA) for tourism. According to the Directorate General of Immigration, the VOA:

• is valid for 30 days and can be extended once for another 30 days at an immigration office in Indonesia;
• has cost IDR 500,000, with the extension costing the same;
• requires a passport valid for at least six months and a return or onward ticket;
• is for tourism only and cannot be converted into another type of stay permit.

You can pay for the VOA at the counter in the arrival hall at Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport (DPS), but most travellers now apply online for the electronic Visa on Arrival (e-VOA) before leaving Canada through Indonesian immigration’s official portal, evisa.imigrasi.go.id. With an approved e-VOA you can usually skip the payment queue on arrival. Avoid lookalike sites that charge extra.

Fee increase announced

In August 2026, Indonesia’s Director General of Immigration announced plans to raise the fees to IDR 750,000 for an e-VOA obtained before departure and IDR 1,000,000 for a VOA bought on arrival. Reports at the time said no effective date had been confirmed. Check the official portal for the current fee when you apply, and check travel.gc.ca before you go.

All Indonesia arrival card

Since October 2025, travellers arriving at Indonesia’s international airports must complete the All Indonesia digital arrival card at allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id or in the official app. It combines immigration, customs and health declarations in one free form and can be submitted up to two days before travel. Fill it in before you leave so you have the QR code ready on landing.

Bali tourist levy

On top of the visa, Bali’s provincial government charges foreign tourists a levy of IDR 150,000 per person, introduced on February 14, 2024. It is charged per visit, not per day. Pay it online before your trip through the official Love Bali website, lovebali.baliprov.go.id, or the Love Bali app, and keep the confirmation on your phone. Officials carry out checks at popular attractions such as Uluwatu and Tanah Lot. As of 2026 the amount had not changed, but increases have been discussed, so confirm the current rate on the official site before you pay.

Getting there from Canada

Plan on at least one connection to reach Bali from YVR, YYZ, YUL or YYC, typically through a major Asian or Middle Eastern hub. Total travel time is long, so many Canadians break the journey with a stopover. Look for itineraries with a reasonable connection time and arrival during the day, which makes the first transfer easier.

When to go

Bali has two main seasons. The dry season, roughly April to October, brings sunnier days and is the most popular time, especially July and August. The wet season, roughly November to March, brings heavier showers, more humidity and lusher scenery, with quieter periods outside the Christmas holidays. Canadians escaping winter often visit in January to March and accept some rain in exchange for lower demand. Note that on Nyepi, the Balinese Day of Silence, the whole island shuts down for 24 hours, including the airport.

Where to stay in Bali

Bali’s areas have very different personalities, and traffic between them can be slow, so choose your base carefully. Many first-time visitors split their trip between a beach area and Ubud.

How to split your stay

For a 10 to 14 day trip, a popular plan is four or five nights in Ubud followed by five to eight nights at the beach. Choose Seminyak or Canggu if you want restaurants and nightlife, Nusa Dua if you want swimmable beaches and resort facilities, or Uluwatu if you want cliffs, surf and dramatic sunsets. If you have extra time, add a couple of nights on the Nusa Islands or the Gili Islands.

Which area suits a short trip?

If you only have a week, avoid moving every two nights. Bali’s roads are often congested, and a transfer between Uluwatu and Ubud can take a large part of the day. With seven nights, pick one beach base close to the airport, such as Seminyak, Nusa Dua or Uluwatu, and visit Ubud on a long day trip with a driver. With two weeks or more, staying in Ubud for several nights is much more rewarding than a day trip, because the best rice terraces, waterfalls and temples are quietest early in the morning.

Before you leave Canada: checklist

1. Confirm your passport has at least six months of validity and blank pages.
2. Apply for the e-VOA on the official immigration portal and save the approval.
3. Complete the All Indonesia arrival card within the allowed window.
4. Pay the Bali tourist levy on Love Bali and save the confirmation.
5. Carry proof of your return or onward flight.

Practical tips

• Getting around: hire a private driver for day trips or use ride-hailing apps. Ride a scooter only if you are licensed and experienced, and always wear a helmet.
• Temple etiquette: wear a sarong and sash at temples, cover your shoulders, and follow local guidance on restricted areas.
• Water and food: drink bottled or filtered water and ease into street food to avoid stomach trouble.
• Money: carry rupiah in cash for small warungs and markets, and use bank ATMs where possible.
• Health and insurance: visit a travel clinic in Canada before departure and buy travel medical insurance that covers scooter riding and water sports if you plan to do them.

Ready to compare prices? Check hotels and flights for your dates on Expedia.

Bottom line

Bali is very doable from Canada once the paperwork is sorted. Apply for your e-VOA on the official portal and check the current fee, complete the free All Indonesia arrival card before you fly, and pay the IDR 150,000 Bali levy through Love Bali. Then split your stay between Ubud and a beach base that suits your style: Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua or Uluwatu. Check travel.gc.ca before you go and book villas early for the dry season.

Frequently asked questions

Do Canadians need a visa for Bali?

Yes. Canadians are eligible for Indonesia’s Visa on Arrival, valid for 30 days and extendable once for 30 more days. You can apply online in advance for an e-VOA through evisa.imigrasi.go.id or pay at the airport. Check travel.gc.ca and the official portal before you go.

How much is the Bali Visa on Arrival?

The VOA has cost IDR 500,000. In August 2026, Indonesian immigration announced plans to raise it to IDR 750,000 for an e-VOA and IDR 1,000,000 on arrival, but no effective date had been confirmed. Check the official portal for the current fee before paying.

How much is the Bali tourist levy and how do I pay it?

Foreign tourists pay IDR 150,000 per person per visit. Pay online before travelling through the official Love Bali website, lovebali.baliprov.go.id, or the Love Bali app, and keep your confirmation on your phone, since checks are carried out at popular attractions.

Which area of Bali is best for a first visit?

Many first-timers combine Ubud for culture and rice terraces with a beach base. Seminyak suits travellers who want restaurants and shopping, Canggu suits surfers and a younger crowd, Nusa Dua is best for families and calm beaches, and Uluwatu offers clifftop views and surf.

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Entry rules, prices and schedules change often. Always check travel.gc.ca and official sources before you go. Sources: How to get Visa on Arrival in Indonesia – Directorate General of Immigration, Inspection of tourist levy in tourism destinations – Love Bali, Bali Provincial Government, Indonesia Immigration plans to raise Visa on Arrival fees – VisasNews, Indonesia introduces mandatory digital arrival card – Mainly Miles, Bali Tourism Levy 2026 – Bali Travel Life.