01The honest picture
Bali's accessibility infrastructure is inconsistent — modern resorts, particularly in Nusa Dua, often have genuinely good wheelchair access, ramps and accessible bathrooms, while older buildings, most temples, and much of the general street infrastructure across the island were not built with accessibility in mind.
02Accommodation accessibility
International resort chains are the most likely to have accessible rooms as standard; independent villas and boutique hotels vary considerably and require direct confirmation rather than assumption. Always ask specific questions — step-free access, bathroom door width, roll-in shower availability — rather than trusting a generic "accessible" label.
03Attractions: what to expect
Many temples involve steps, uneven stone surfaces, or require removing shoes on uneven ground — Tanah Lot and Taman Ayun tend to be more manageable than sites like Gunung Kawi or Sekumpul, which involve genuine, demanding descents.
04Transport considerations
Standard taxis and drivers aren't typically equipped for wheelchair users beyond a folding chair in the boot — specialist accessible transport is limited compared to more accessibility-mature destinations, and worth arranging in advance through your accommodation rather than assuming it's readily available on the ground.
05Practical tips
Contact specific hotels and attractions directly ahead of time rather than relying on general online accessibility ratings, which are often outdated or overly generous. Budgeting extra time and flexibility into an itinerary matters more here than in destinations with more standardised, reliable accessibility infrastructure.