Best eSIMs for Bali

Reviewed 2026-10-31. General independent information; check current official immigration, financial and medical guidance before acting.

Expert take — Cost of Asia editorial team A local Indonesian SIM only works in a foreign phone for 90 days unless the phone's IMEI is registered with customs, and Bali customs only accepts permanent registration within 60 days of arrival. Travel eSIMs that roam on Indonesian networks don't need IMEI registration, according to Indonesian customs (Bea Cukai). If you may stay longer and want a local number, register your phone at the arrival hall at Ngurah Rai Airport.

Commercial transparency: Cost of Asia has no contracted partner in this category. Providers are compared on published criteria, and no provider has paid for inclusion. If this changes, affiliate links will be labelled.

This page is for visitors and new arrivals in Canggu, Ubud, Seminyak or elsewhere on the island. Telkomsel has the widest coverage in Bali, which matters once you head into the hills or up the north coast, and most travel eSIMs below use it.

The trade-off: a travel eSIM installs before you fly and needs no IMEI paperwork, while a local SIM gives you an Indonesian number for drivers, villa managers and deliveries, but has registration rules that bite on longer stays.

At a glance

How we chose

We compared published price, data and validity, the Indonesian network used, and hotspot rules. Sources: Holafly, Expatica's Bali eSIM guide (checked September 2026), a Travelsim Asia price comparison (October 2026), Lonely Planet and Bea Cukai. Checked on 31 October 2026. Travelsim Asia sells its own eSIMs, so we used it only for competitors' published prices.

1. Saily — best for heavy daily use

Expatica lists Saily on Telkomsel with 4G and 5G, no hotspot restrictions and a 180-day activation window. Travelsim Asia's comparison shows 10 GB for 30 days at $21.99, and unlimited plans from $18.99 for 5 days that give 5 GB a day, then 1 Mbps.

2. Nomad — best for budget fixed data

Nomad also uses Telkomsel. Travelsim Asia lists 3 GB for 30 days at $8 and 10 GB for 30 days at $19. Expatica notes you must activate an Indonesia plan within 60 days of buying it.

3. Holafly — best for unlimited data

Holafly's Bali page lists unlimited plans from $20.90 for 5 days to $74.90 for 30 days and $139.90 for 90 days. The eSIM connects to whichever of Telkomsel, Indosat or XL is strongest locally. Hotspot sharing is the weak point: Holafly's page says 500 MB a day, while Expatica reports 1 GB. Check before you buy if you tether a laptop.

4. Ubigi — best on Indosat

Ubigi runs on Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison only, with 10 GB for 30 days at $16 according to Travelsim Asia. Expatica notes that plans expire if not activated within six months. It's a good second eSIM if Telkomsel is weak where you stay.

5. Airalo — best for a choice of two networks

Travelsim Asia lists Airalo's Indonesia plans on Indosat and Telkomsel, with 10 GB for 30 days at $21 and unlimited plans (3 GB a day, then 1 Mbps) from $11 for 3 days.

6. Telkomsel tourist SIM — best for a local number

Lonely Planet's January 2025 guide priced Telkomsel's tourist card at 150,000 rupiah for 25 GB plus 25 minutes each of local and international calls, valid 30 days. You can preorder it online and collect it at the airport, but only in Bali and Lombok. Registration needs your passport.

What to check before you decide

• IMEI: a local SIM needs IMEI registration after 90 days; customs allows two phones per person.
• Hotspot: confirm Holafly's daily sharing limit.
• Activation windows: Nomad gives 60 days from purchase, Saily and Ubigi longer.
• Network: Telkomsel is safest outside the south; Indosat is a backup.

FAQ

Do I need to register my phone's IMEI for a travel eSIM in Bali?

No, according to Bea Cukai: tourists using a foreign SIM as roaming visitors don't need IMEI registration. It applies to Indonesian SIMs.

Which network is best in Bali?

Holafly describes Telkomsel as having the largest coverage on the island, and most travel eSIMs here use it.

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