Bali eSIM guide: mobile data in Bali, Lombok and the Gili Islands

eSIM or a local SIM card in Bali?

• Travel eSIM: delivered by email, works the moment you land, your own number stays active for bank codes.
• Local SIM: sold at the airport and in shops, but you need to register it with your passport and queue on arrival.
• Roaming on your home plan: Indonesia is far outside any EU or US bundle and usually very expensive per day or per MB.

Coverage in Bali and the islands

The main networks are Telkomsel, XL Axiata and Indosat. In the south and centre (Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta, Uluwatu, Sanur, Ubud) 4G is fast and reliable. In the mountains, the north coast and parts of Nusa Penida signal can be weaker, and on the Gili Islands it varies by beach.

Villa and café Wi-Fi is often slow or drops out, so many people use their eSIM as a hotspot for the laptop too.

How much data do you need?

Bali runs on apps: Grab and Gojek for scooters, taxis and food, Google Maps, WhatsApp and Instagram. That adds up to about 0.7 to 1.5 GB a day. For two weeks 10 to 20 GB is plenty; if you work remotely or stream a lot, choose unlimited.

• Download offline maps of Bali before you go, handy on scooter rides into the hills.
• Combining Bali with Singapore, Thailand or Malaysia? An Asia plan covers all of them on one eSIM.

Before you fly to Bali

• Check the visa rules for your nationality (many travellers can get an e-Visa on Arrival online).
• Bali charges a one-off tourist levy for foreign visitors: pay it online in advance via the official Love Bali website or app.
• Indonesia uses type C/F plugs (230 V): bring an adapter if your home plugs are different.
• Pay in rupiah and use bank ATMs inside shops or banks rather than street machines.