Balinese Language and other languages in Bali: A quick review

Q: What are the top 5 languages spoken in Indonesia?

Apart from Indonesian and Balinese, English is spoken widely by locals in Bali thanks to the tourism industry being the dominant industry here. Apart from these languages, nowadays, Chinese, Japanese, Russian and German are also spoken in some popular tourist spots like Nusa Dua, Legian, etc.

Q: What is the most popular language in Bali?

Balinese is spoken widely in Bali even though Indonesian is the official language. Also, English is spoken by most locals in Bali because of the tourism industry.

Q: Is Bali cheap or expensive?

Bali can be as expensive or as cheap as you want it to be. And that is because Bali is an affordable island to travel to and can certainly be done on a budget or if you want there are many options for luxurious retreats in Bali too. What makes Bali special is how you can visit on any budget and have a great time.

Q: Do I need a visa to go to Bali?

Yes. Indians travelling to Bali need a visa. However, if you are planning to travel to Bali for less than 30 days you can travel visa free, but if your stay extends 30 days then you need to buy Visa-On-Arrival for a cost of Rs 2800.

So all your bags are packed for your Bali holiday and are you wondering what languages are spoken in Bali?

For many years, Bali has been a popular holiday destination that attracts all kinds of tourists: adventure seekers, nature lovers, surfers, digital nomads, party animals, yogis and those who come for wellness and wellbeing. You can have your pick from Bali Trip Packages, and help you plan your itinerary.

Bali is also often described as a place for healing. The island has many opportunities for self-care: there are Spas in Bali , healthy restaurants, yoga studios, and natural healing centers everywhere. So whatever it is you are looking for on your holiday, Bali always delivers.

There are two official languages in Bali: Bahasa Indonesia or Indonesian, which is spoken in every island in Indonesia, and Balinese, spoken by the locals on the Island of the Gods aka Bali. Most Balinese people are bilingual – they can speak in Indonesian and Balinese, lots of them are also trilingual with English as their third language. While locals are known for their friendly nature towards foreigners, conversing with them in Indonesian or Balinese can be a great way to connect with them more.

Hence, there are three main languages spoken in Bali: Indonesian, Balinese, and English.

Bali is rich in culture, including local languages.

Bahasa Indonesia:

Although Bahasa Indonesia is the national language used in institutions such as schools, offices, and the government, you will hear people speaking in other languages besides Bahasa Indonesia as well.

Bahasa Indonesia is a relatively easy language to learn. It is written using the alphabet and pronunciation which is purely phonetic (that is, you say it as you read it).

It has some of the simplest grammar of any language too. There is also the advantage that if you learn Indonesian, you can use it all over the vast archipelago rather than just in Bali.

You will have no problems communicating with most Indonesians using this language.

Curiously, it’s also very similar to Malay and somewhat similar to the Philippines’ main language, Tagalog. So, if you learn Indonesian, you can quickly learn Malay and get some advantage in learning Tagalog too.

Suggested Read: Temples in Bali