Bali's tourism office published foreign arrival figures for August 2026 on 8 October: Australia held the top spot, while France overtook India. For travellers, this is more than a statistic — it signals where the main visitor flow comes from, how crowded the island gets in peak season, and what to budget for.

What actually changed

According to the Bali Tourism Office, Australia remained the leading source of foreign tourists to Bali in August 2026. France moved ahead of India in the ranking of foreign arrivals. This is a reshuffle within the top list, not a change in visa rules — the entry procedure for tourists remains the same.

Who it affects

  • Australian citizens — the main visitor flow, leadership maintained.
  • French citizens — the country moved ahead of India in August arrivals.
  • Indian citizens — their ranking position shifted below France.
  • All other travellers — a useful benchmark for how busy the island is in high season.

What it means in practice

August is peak dry season in Bali, and the data confirms it: the island hosts the maximum number of guests. If you're planning a trip for this period, book accommodation and transfers early — choice in popular areas (Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak) narrows and prices rise.

For those flying from France or India, the only change is competition for flights and stays: the more compatriots travel, the higher the demand on specific dates. It does not affect visa rules — entry requirements for specific nationalities are set by Indonesia, not by the tourism office.

The payment side of a Bali trip

Paying in Bali is a story of its own, and it's worth preparing in advance.

How to pay on the ground

  • Cash in rupiah — needed for markets, small cafes, local taxis and drivers.
  • Visa and Mastercard — accepted at hotels, larger restaurants and chain stores. Cards issued inside Russia do not work abroad.
  • Virtual cards from a foreign issuer — a workable option for online bookings, hotel payments and subscriptions before and during the trip.

Bookings and pre-authorization

Bali hotels often hold a deposit (pre-authorization) on your card at check-in — the amount may stay blocked for days or weeks after checkout. Keep a buffer above the booking amount so the hold doesn't eat your limit.

Refunds and currency

Refunds for cancelled bookings come back in rupiah and are converted at your issuer's rate on the transaction date — the final amount in your card's currency may differ from the original. Factor this in when cancelling.

eSIM and taxis

  • A local eSIM or tourist SIM is easiest to buy online before departure and pay for with a virtual card.
  • Taxi and motorbike apps (Gojek, Grab) are tied to the app and require a card or local wallet — cash is accepted too, but change isn't always convenient.

Bottom line

Bali's August 2026 figures are a signal about high-season demand, not a change in entry rules. Plan bookings and payments ahead: a foreign card with a buffer for pre-authorization and an eSIM bought before departure will remove most day-to-day friction on the ground.

FAQ

Did visa rules for tourists change after these figures?

No. The tourism office report covers arrival numbers, not visa policy. Check current requirements on Indonesia's official immigration portal.

Can I pay for a Bali hotel with a Russian card?

Cards issued in Russia do not work abroad. Use a card from a foreign issuer or a virtual card for booking and payment.

When should I go to avoid crowds?

August is peak season. For a quieter trip, look at months outside the dry season, but account for the rainy season and check the forecast in advance.

This material is for information only and is not financial advice.

Service and organisation names belong to their respective owners and are mentioned only to describe payment scenarios; VirtCardPay is not affiliated with them.

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