Visiting Bali is always a good idea, be it to surf the waves, laze around on soft, sandy beaches, explore mystical ancient temples, or even go hiking up a volcano! But as welcoming and tourist-friendly as Bali is, the island can be overwhelming at times, and so having the right apps and websites on your phone will make a world of difference here. They’ll help you have a stress-free trip, avoiding unnecessary frustrations – always a win in my book.
It doesn’t matter if you’re visiting for a week, a month, or longer – think of these apps and websites as essential tools to help you stay connected, organized, and confident as you explore this stunning island.
Connect to the internet safely with a VPN
A good Virtual Private Network (VPN) should always be at the top of your list when you’re traveling abroad. Travelers in Bali frequently connect to the internet via public WiFi at airports, hotels, cafes, or co-working spaces – and a VPN is required to encrypt these connections so you can use them safely.
Without a VPN, your connection will be unsecured – making it an easy target for data interception. That means everything from your personal data to sensitive financial information could be compromised. Fortunately, having a good VPN fixes that and ensures your data is protected and can’t be read even if it is intercepted.
As an additional bonus, VPNs can bypass region-locks and allow you to access any apps, websites, or streaming services that may be restricted via local connections in Bali. All you need is a VPN for travelers, and you’ll be able to access them as you normally would.
Find your way around with confidence using Google Maps
Getting from A to B in Bali can be more difficult than you’d imagine it to be, given it’s such a small island. Between traffic conditions (traffic is notoriously chaotic here), one-way streets, and winding back roads, many tourists end up confused and struggle to find the right way. I know we did!
Google Maps is arguably the most reliable navigation app for Bali, and should be your go-to option while you’re there. It has traffic updates, real-time directions, and even walking routes that will undoubtedly prove useful – and is good at discovering nearby restaurants, cafes, temples, beaches, or other places of interest.
One of the most useful features of Google Maps is its offline access. By downloading maps in advance, you don’t need to worry if you venture into the more rural areas of Bali, where mobile signals are often spotty, and internet access is not as reliable.
Get a ride with GoJek and Grab
Ride-hailing apps are part of everyday life in Bali, and they’re one of the most convenient ways for tourists to get around. The two that we used here are GoJek and Grab – both of which offer transportation and food delivery alongside other on-demand services.
GoJek is the go-to app for most locals. In addition to car rides, it offers motorcycle transportation, which is often faster in heavy traffic. However, Grab is also a solid choice, and installing both on your phone will give you more options, especially considering the prices and availability of rides can vary a lot at different times of day.
Book flights and accommodation with Booking.com or Traveloka
Booking platforms such as Traveloka and Booking.com are indispensable when traveling through Bali. They provide flexibility, and will let you easily make or adjust plans on the go – such as extending your stay, finding last-minute accommodation, or deciding to take a day trip to Lombok or other nearby destinations.
In general, Traveloka is the more popular option in Southeast Asia and tends to have better regional pricing. However, Booking.com is a global favorite, and sometimes has options that aren’t available on other platforms.
Communicate easily with WhatsApp
WhatsApp is very popular among locals in Bali, which makes it the best option for travelers too. Hotels often use it to send check-in instructions, tour operators use it to deliver confirmations, and drivers use it to coordinate pickups.
If you’re spending any amount of time in Bali, it makes sense to download WhatsApp in advance and set it up. Groups of people traveling together will find it particularly useful due to its convenient voice messages and location-sharing features.
Handle entry requirements with All Indonesia
As of late 2025, the All Indonesia app is mandatory for entry into Bali or any other Indonesian destination. It is an all-in-one platform that replaces the previously separate on-arrival health, immigration, and customs forms – and generates a QR code for quick and convenient scanning at checkpoints.
Make it a point to download the app or visit the website and complete the forms up to 3 days before your flight. Just remember that this app is for mandatory declarations, not travel visas, and you’ll need to ensure you have the correct visa separately.
Manage your money with Wise and Revolut
Digital finance apps like Wise and Revolut make managing money in Bali much easier – especially when dealing with the Indonesian Rupiah and foreign transaction fees. Both apps allow you to hold and convert multiple currencies at competitive rates, helping avoid the hidden markups at banks or local exchanges.
In most cases, Wise is the better option as it offers transparency, mid-market exchange rates, clearly-stated fees, and a debit card that works well for everyday spending in Bali. On the other hand, Revolut isn’t bad – and some may even prefer it for its spending insights.
Regardless of which you choose, you won’t need to carry large sums of cash when traveling, which is always a good thing. Just be sure to have some paper currency available for small vendors or rural areas.
Other useful apps or websites:
On top of the apps and websites listed above, there are several other types that may prove useful when you travel to Bali. For example:
- Book experiences and tours digitally with Viator and GetYourGuide
With so many experiences in Bali ranging from temple visits or volcano hikes, to snorkeling trips or cultural performances, Viator and GetYourGuide make it easier to discover and book them. Both let you go over your options, read reviews, and secure spots for experiences that sometimes sell out quickly.
- Island hop or book ferries with 12Go
Want to visit nearby islands such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan or the Gili Islands? 12Go is likely your best bet, seeing as it is popular throughout Southeast Asia and consolidates schedules, routes, and ticket purchases into a single platform.
- Find vegan or vegetarian food with HappyCow
If you’re vegan or vegetarian, HappyCow can make it easy to find restaurants that match your dietary preferences. In general, Bali is very much a vegan-friendly destination with lots of great options, and HappyCow will let you discover them, read reviews, look at photos, and get directions.
Thanks for Reading!
Having the right apps and website at your fingertips will definitely support you as you explore Bali. Many of these apps are indispensable and will help with online safety, navigation, transport, bookings, communication, finance, and a whole lot more.
By building the right digital toolkit before you go on your trip, you can hit the ground running as soon as you arrive and free yourself to enjoy everything Bali has to offer!
Why not read next –
15 Best Set Jetting Destinations (Travel Inspired by TV)
How to Properly Save For a Vacation When Money is Tight
Last Updated on January 21, 2026 by snaphappytravel