What's New in Bali for Travellers Right Now (2026)
The Bali people are filming this autumn is up in the Kintamani highlands and out on the quiet north and west coasts, not in a Canggu beach club. What is new, how to get there, and when to skip it.
Quick answer: Bali's newest pull is away from the south coast. Highland day clubs in Kintamani are serving brunch and hot-spring pools with Mount Batur views, more visitors are choosing the north (Munduk, Lovina, Pemuteran) and the west (Medewi, West Bali National Park), and Kedungu in Tabanan is the quiet surf alternative to Canggu. On the practical side, a sea ambulance now links the Nusa islands to Sanur and Padang Bai, police patrols are up in Canggu and Kerobokan, and the IDR 150,000 tourist levy still applies.
Key takeaways
- The view moved uphill. Kintamani day clubs such as Cinze, Paperhills and Toya Devasya pair brunch or hot springs with Mount Batur and the lake.
- North and west are the off-path picks. Budget about 3 to 4 hours from the airport and hire a driver: Grab and Gojek coverage is limited in the mountains and the national park.
- Kedungu is Canggu's quiet neighbour. Surf schools, a clifftop sunset spot and rice-paddy stays, 60 to 90 minutes from the airport.
- Safety got a small upgrade. A sea ambulance now serves Nusa Penida, Lembongan and Ceningan, and patrols increased after a mugging near Seminyak.
- Rainy season is starting. Plan a backup itinerary for every day and follow BMKG's weather warnings.
Scroll Bali content this autumn and the beach club is losing to a mountain: a plunge pool facing Mount Batur at breakfast, a twin-lake village in the clouds, a black-sand bay where dolphins show up at sunrise. Here is what is genuinely new or newly popular in Bali, each item checked against a dated local report, plus the practical changes that matter on the ground and an honest line on when to skip each one.
Why is everyone going up to Kintamani for brunch?
The Bali Sun reported on 9 October 2026 that Kintamani's day clubs have become a draw of their own, serving brunches with views of Mount Batur in the Bangli highlands.
- Cinze: a luxury day club looking at Mount Batur, Mount Abang and Trunyan Hill, with a private pool per group.
- Paperhills: a coffee and brunch spot with a plunge pool, open from early morning until the stars come out.
- Toya Devasya: hot-spring pools over Lake Batur, open to the public every day.
How to do it: combine it with a sunrise Batur hike or a night in a Kintamani glamping tent, as the report suggests. Skip it if the forecast says cloud: the view is the whole product, and the highlands fog up fast in the wet season.
North or west: which quiet side of Bali should you pick?
On 18 October 2026 The Bali Sun weighed up the two off-path halves of the island. Both are about 3 to 4 hours from the airport, and Grab and Gojek coverage is limited in the Munduk passes and the national park, so book a driver or a resort transfer.
| Area | Why go | Costs reported (October 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Munduk (north) | Twin lakes, Banyumala and Sekumpul waterfalls, cool air | Waterfall entry about US$1.50 to US$3 |
| Lovina (north) | Black sand and sunrise dolphin boats | Dolphin trips about US$15 to US$25 per person |
| Pemuteran (north-west) | Village base for Menjangan Island snorkelling and diving | Guided day trips about US$45 to US$70 |
| West Bali National Park | Monsoon forest, mangroves, marine reserve | Park permit about IDR 200,000 for foreign visitors |
| Medewi (west) | Low-key surf stop on the south-west coast road | Not reported |
Skip it if you have fewer than three nights to spare: the drive eats a day each way, and the north is a place to slow down, not tick off.
Is Kedungu the new Canggu?
Not yet, which is the point. The Bali Sun described Kedungu on 11 October 2026 as a low-key surf village in Tabanan, minutes from Canggu and 60 to 90 minutes from the airport. Surf schools such as Coastline Surf Bali teach beginners, The Beach Love is the local clifftop sunset spot with bean bags, and boutique stays sit among the rice paddies, away from Canggu's nightlife.
Skip it if you want nightlife on foot, or if you are a beginner planning to paddle out without an instructor: the report notes the water can be choppy.
What changed for safety and paperwork?
- Sea ambulance for the Nusa islands: launched by the Nusa Medica Clinic Group, per The Bali Sun on 27 September 2026, running Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan to Sanur and Padang Bai for referrals to hospital.
- More patrols in the south: after a mugging on Jalan Pangkung Sari in Kerobokan, police stepped up patrols around Seminyak and Canggu (The Bali Sun, 24 September 2026). Watch for distraction tricks during small cash payments, and report crime on 110.
- Tourist levy: IDR 150,000 per international visitor, children included, paid on the official Love Bali site before you fly or at Ngurah Rai airport (What's New Indonesia, April 2026). Keep the QR voucher it emails you.
- Rainy season: The Bali Sun advised on 21 September 2026 to plan two itineraries for the next five months and to follow BMKG on Instagram for extreme weather warnings.
How do you stay online for all of this?
The moments are specific: messaging your driver from a Munduk pass where ride apps do not reach, checking BMKG before a Kintamani brunch, sending your live location from a Nusa Penida cliff. Buy an eSIM and install it at home on Wi-Fi, keep your home SIM on for bank text messages, and switch the travel line on after landing.
Fizen eSIM is one option. In the Fizen catalog on 26 October 2026, Indonesia country plans run on Indosat over 4G and 5G, with unlimited plans from 3 to 30 days and no speed cap stated. Regional Asia plans run on 3 (Hutchison) 5G and slow to 128 kbps once the data is used. Most plans cannot be topped up, so size for the whole trip. Signal in the highlands and the national park depends on the network, whichever SIM you use. A local SIM from an airport counter is a fair alternative if you do not mind registration. For current plans, check the eSIM tab in the app or fizen.io/esim.
A real person in chat helps if something fails on Fizen's side, and a verified fault gets a free replacement for the length of the trip. Changed plans? An unused, not-yet-installed eSIM can usually be taken back; eligibility depends on the plan, check Package details or ask chat. You can pay with USDT on Solana or BNB Chain in the Fizen app, and new users get US$10 of eSIM credit in the Fizen app's eSIM tab. Fizen is building the stablecoin neobank for people on the move: a wallet you own, investing and travel data in one app.
Frequently asked questions
What is new in Bali in 2026?
Highland day clubs in Kintamani, rising interest in the north and west coasts, Kedungu as a quiet surf base, a sea ambulance for the Nusa islands and more police patrols in Canggu and Kerobokan.
How long does it take to get to north or west Bali?
About 3 to 4 hours from the airport, depending on traffic. Hire a driver, because Grab and Gojek coverage is limited in the Munduk passes and the national park.
Do I still have to pay the Bali tourist levy?
Yes. It is IDR 150,000 per international visitor, children included, paid on the official Love Bali site before travel or at Ngurah Rai airport.
Is Kedungu good for beginner surfers?
With an instructor, yes. Local surf schools teach beginners, but the water can be choppy, so do not paddle out alone on your first sessions.
Is it worth visiting Bali in the rainy season?
Yes, with a plan B for each day. Expect longer storms, check BMKG warnings, and keep indoor or nearby options ready.
Land in Bali with data already on
Install an Indonesia eSIM at home on Wi-Fi and switch it on at Ngurah Rai. Pay by card via Stripe (Visa or Mastercard international cards, Apple Pay, Google Pay), or with USDT on Solana or BNB Chain in the Fizen app.
Terms and conditions
- Information only. This article is information only. It is not an offer or a sale, and it is not travel, legal or financial advice. Prices, fees and venue details come from the dated sources listed and can change; check official sites before you travel.
- For readers in the United States. This article provides information only. It is not an offer, solicitation or sale of any product or service, and it is not financial, investment, legal or tax advice. Fizen is not offered to US Persons.
- Data-only product. The eSIM is data only. It does not include a phone number or SMS. Most plans cannot be topped up (more data means a new eSIM), so size it for the whole trip.
- Facts and availability. Carrier, networks and speed details were checked in the Fizen catalog on 26 October 2026. The shop page carries current plans and prices.
- Independent. Fizen is not affiliated with the venues, operators or publications mentioned.
Sources
- The Bali Sun, Kintamani's day clubs serve brunches with Mount Batur views (9 October 2026)
- The Bali Sun, North or west: best off-path destinations (18 October 2026)
- The Bali Sun, Kedungu is Bali's secret surf haven (11 October 2026)
- The Bali Sun, new sea ambulance service for the Nusa islands (27 September 2026)
- The Bali Sun, Bali immigration and police increase focus on top destinations (24 September 2026)
- The Bali Sun, Bali's top destinations prepare for rainy season (21 September 2026)
- What's New Indonesia, Bali tourism levy guide 2026 (24 April 2026)
Venues, fees and eSIM catalog details checked on 26 October 2026.
