How to Travel Bali With a Large Group of Friends

Traveling with a large group of friends can be one of the most rewarding experiences—filled with laughter, shared memories, and unforgettable adventures. When your destination is Bali the possibilities multiply. With its mix of scenic beaches, vibrant culture, ancient temples, thrilling adventures, and lively nightlife, Bali offers something for everyone.

But let’s be real: group travel can also bring chaos, logistical nightmares, and unexpected tension. Coordinating preferences, managing budgets, and planning activities for 6, 10, or even 20 people can turn into a stressful task—unless you plan strategically.

Here’s your ultimate guide to traveling Bali with a large group of friends, complete with insider tips, activity ideas, accommodation suggestions, budgeting hacks, and how to balance spontaneity with structure.

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✈️ 1. Plan Ahead—But Not Too Much

🗓️ Set the Date Early

The earlier you can choose a date, the better. Bali is a popular destination, and flights, villas, and popular tours book out quickly—especially during high season (July–August and December–January).

🤝 Get Group Consensus

Use group polls (WhatsApp, Doodle, Google Forms) to lock in the date. Make sure everyone can commit.

🧠 Delegate Roles

Not everyone in your group will be a natural planner. Appoint a few “captains” for different tasks:

• 📍 Logistics Captain: Flights, transport, SIM cards
• 🛌 Accommodation Captain: Villa hunting
• 🍽️ Food & Dining Captain: Restaurant bookings
• 🎉 Activities Captain: Surf lessons, hikes, etc.

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🛫 2. Book Group Flights Strategically

While booking group tickets can get you discounts, it may be better to let people book their own flights (especially if flying from different cities/countries). Instead:

• Choose a meeting point at the airport or villa.
• Share a flight tracker or spreadsheet with everyone’s flight info.

🧳 Pro Tip: Make sure everyone has valid passports (6+ months remaining) and any necessary visas (many countries can enter Bali visa-free for 30 days).

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🏡 3. Choose Group-Friendly Accommodation

🏠 Villas Over Hotels

For large groups, renting a private villa is usually cheaper and much more fun than staying in hotels. You get:

• Shared common spaces (great for bonding)
• Private pool 🏊‍♂️
• Full kitchen
• In-house staff (cooks, drivers, housekeepers)

Popular areas to consider:

• Canggu: Surf, beach clubs, hip cafés
• Seminyak: Stylish and central
• Ubud: Jungle vibes, temples, yoga
• Uluwatu: Cliff views and surfing

🛏️ Room Assignments

Decide room-sharing arrangements before arrival. Avoid awkwardness by creating a simple rooming chart and rotating who gets the best rooms if necessary.

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🚗 4. Organize Group Transport

While Bali has taxis and ride-share services (like Grab), managing 10+ people is easier with private drivers or minibuses.

🚐 Benefits of Hiring a Private Driver:

• Fixed daily rate (~IDR 600,000–1,000,000 or $40–70 USD)
• Knows the area well
• Waits while you visit attractions
• No haggling or app delays

🛵 For the adventurous: Rent scooters (but make sure you have an international driving license and wear helmets!).

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🍛 5. Make Dining Plans Fun, Not Frustrating

With large groups, spontaneous walk-ins at popular restaurants can be tough. Always:

• Call ahead for reservations 📞
• Use apps like Chope or WhatsApp to book
• Check if they can split bills or allow individual payments

Great spots for groups:

• 🍕 Luigi’s Hot Pizza (Canggu)
• 🥗 Clear Café (Ubud)
• 🌮 Motel Mexicola (Seminyak, great for pre-drinks)
• 🍽️ The Lawn (Canggu beach club with sunset views)

📸 Don’t forget the group photos before the food disappears!

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🧭 6. Mix Group Activities With Free Time

You won’t all want to do the same thing every day—and that’s okay.

📆 Sample Weekly Itinerary

Day	Morning	Afternoon	Night
1	Arrival, check-in 🛬	Pool + rest	Welcome dinner
2	Ubud rice fields 🌾	Monkey Forest	Game night at villa 🎲
3	Surf lessons 🏄	Beach club	Free night
4	Optional hike (Mount Batur) 🥾	Spa day	Dinner at sunset
5	Waterfalls 🌊	Free time	Karaoke night 🎤
6	Shopping 🛍️	Uluwatu Temple	Kecak Fire Dance 🔥
7	Pack + airport	–	–

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🎒 7. Pack Like a Pro

Essentials for Bali:

• Swimwear (2–3 sets) 👙
• Light clothing (linen, cotton)
• Reef-safe sunscreen ☀️
• Bug spray 🦟
• Sandals + sneakers
• Power adapter (Bali uses type C & F plugs)
• Daypack
• Reusable water bottle

Don’t overpack—Bali is humid, and you’ll probably shop for clothes locally.

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🏄 8. Book Group-Friendly Activities

🌊 Adventure & Nature

• Surf lessons (Kuta, Canggu)
• ATV rides through the jungle
• Mount Batur sunrise trek
• Waterfalls: Tegenungan, Sekumpul, Tukad Cepung

💆‍♀️ Relaxation

• Balinese massage (try Karsa Spa in Ubud)
• Flower baths
• Yoga classes
• Floating breakfasts at your villa

🎨 Culture

• Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Dance
• Cooking class (Balinese food)
• Batik painting or silver jewelry workshop

🚤 Day Trips

• Nusa Penida island: Angel’s Billabong, Diamond Beach
• Snorkeling tours: Manta rays, coral reefs

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📱 9. Stay Connected

Buy a local SIM card (Telkomsel or XL Axiata) at the airport or convenience store. Or, use eSIMs for hassle-free setup.

Create a WhatsApp group to coordinate everything—daily plans, updates, last-minute changes, funny moments.

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🧾 10. Budget Smartly

Group trips can get expensive fast unless you’re strategic.

💵 Shared Budget Tips:

• Use apps like Splitwise to track shared expenses
• Pay in local currency (many places don’t accept credit cards)
• Always carry small bills for tipping or markets

🤑 Approximate Daily Costs (per person)

Item	Cost
Accommodation (villa share)	$20–40
Food & drinks	$15–30
Transport	$5–10
Activities	$10–30

🎁 Total Daily: ~$50–100 USD

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🧘‍♀️ 11. Keep the Peace

Large groups = many personalities. Conflicts can arise.

😌 Tips to Avoid Drama:

• Respect people’s downtime or solo plans
• Don’t over-schedule
• Check in daily (“How’s everyone feeling?”)
• Create safe spaces to talk about issues

You’ll remember the laughs, not the little disagreements.

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🥳 12. Capture the Memories

• Nominate a group photographer 📷
• Make a shared Google Photos album
• Use a GoPro for underwater shots
• Create a group TikTok or Instagram reel
• Print a photo book after the trip

Memories fade, but photos (and memes) last forever.

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🌈 13. Leave a Positive Impact

Bali has struggled with over-tourism. Be respectful and mindful travelers.

• Don’t litter
• Support local businesses
• Avoid single-use plastic
• Be respectful at temples (cover shoulders/knees)
• Tip fairly (10% is standard)

Give more than you take—both culturally and environmentally.

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🌺 Conclusion: Make It the Trip of a Lifetime

Traveling to Bali with a large group of friends is not just a vacation—it’s a shared chapter of your story. With a little planning, patience, and flexibility, you can turn logistics into laughter and moments into memories. The island is waiting—with sunlit beaches, mystical temples, spicy sambal, and vibrant sunsets.

So round up your crew, pack your bags, and get ready for a tropical adventure like no other.