Minimalist 3BR Villa w/ Private Pool, Rooftop Patio, and Home Office
Pererenan · 3 bedrooms
Rp 36.000.000/ mo
Living
The first 90 days in Bali: what to sort, in what order
The order matters more than any single item on the list. Get the visa basis, a short-term rental and a SIM card sorted before anything that locks you in.
Updated 24 September 2026 · 5 min read
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Why short-term first
A month in a place tells you more than any amount of research — the traffic at 7am, the noise on weekends, the actual internet speed, the actual walk to the beach. The premium on a monthly rental is far less than the cost of being locked into the wrong area for a year, and it buys the one thing research can’t: time in the place before you commit money to it.
Long-term villa rentals in Bali
See all 156 →- 47% below the median price of 14 similar 3-bd rentals in Pererenan (±50% size): Rp 68.500.000.
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The order that avoids the expensive mistakes
Several of these depend on each other, which is why the order matters more than the individual steps.
| Step | Roughly when | Why the order matters |
|---|---|---|
| Entry visa or e-VOA | Before arrival | Sets how long you can stay before the next step is needed |
| Local SIM card | Day one | Needed for ride-hailing, banking one-time codes, everything after |
| Short-term rental | First month | Buys time to learn the area before signing a year |
| International Driving Permit + scooter | First week | IDP only pairs with a home licence, and only for up to six months |
| KITAS application, if staying long-term | Start within the first month | Processing takes weeks; needed before Hak Pakai or long-term stability |
| Bank account | After KITAS, or branch-dependent | Most banks require a KITAS; a handful of Bali branches vary |
| Health insurance | Before you need it, not after | BPJS does not cover medical evacuation |
Transport before location
How you will get around decides which areas are actually viable, not the other way around. Everyone renting a motorised vehicle, including a scooter, needs a valid International Driving Permit matched to their home country licence — ‘SIM Internasional’ is Indonesia’s own outbound permit for Indonesian licence holders and does not help a visitor. An IDP only covers you for up to six months; KITAS holders staying longer need a local Indonesian driving licence (SIM C for a motorbike, SIM A for a car). Traffic police checks are routine, and missing documentation is commonly reported to draw an on-the-spot fine per missing item.
Money and documents
A local SIM card requires only a passport at any official carrier store or airport kiosk — no Indonesian tax ID needed for a short stay. A bank account is a different matter: most banks formally require a KITAS or KITAP, though practice at individual Bali branches has been reported to vary, and confirming with the specific branch beats relying on a forum post. Neither of these should hold up the short-term rental or the area scouting — they run in parallel, not in sequence.
An Indonesian tax number (NPWP) is not something to chase in the first 90 days by default — it is not needed for a short-term rental, a tourist entry, or most basic bank accounts. It becomes relevant once you take local employment, form a company, or a specific product asks for it, at which point you get one for that reason rather than as a general precaution.
- Get a local SIM on day one.
- Rent short-term (a month or two) before committing to a year.
- Sort the visa basis for your intended length of stay before you sign a long lease.
- Get an International Driving Permit before renting a scooter, and know its six-month limit.
- Start a KITAS application early if you intend to stay — it takes weeks, not days.
- Arrange health insurance with evacuation cover before you need it.
Common questions
Should I rent long-term straight away in Bali?
Usually not. Rent short-term for a month or two, learn the areas at the hours you’ll actually use them, then commit to a year once you’re sure.
Do I need an international driving permit in Bali?
Yes, alongside your home country licence, to legally ride or drive anything motorised — including a rented scooter. It only covers you for up to six months; longer stays need a local Indonesian licence.
How do I get a local SIM card in Bali?
Any official carrier store, GraPARI outlet or airport kiosk, with just your passport. No Indonesian tax ID is required for a short stay, and it takes minutes.
Can I open a bank account in Bali without a KITAS?
Most banks say no, but a handful of Bali branches have reportedly done so anyway. Practice varies by branch and can change, so confirm directly rather than plan around an exception.
How long does a KITAS take to process?
It’s commonly reported to take several weeks rather than days, and the exact timeline depends on the category and sponsor. Start the application well before you need it, and confirm current processing times with a licensed agent.
What should I prioritise in the very first week?
A local SIM card and a short-term rental, in that order. Everything after — the visa decision, the bank account, the scooter — is easier once you have connectivity and a base to work from.
Looking for a home in Bali?
Tell the Baliestate assistant your budget and dates. It replies in minutes with homes that fit and books the viewings.
Fees, processing times and branch-level bank practice reported here can change — confirm current figures with immigration, your carrier, and your chosen bank branch before relying on them.