HOW MANY DAYS TO SPEND IN BALI
7 to 14 days. Bali has warm weather year-round with 2 main seasons, the dry season (April to September) and wet season (October to March). During the wet season, it rains almost every day, but usually for a couple of hours, after which everything looks even more green. It does, however, get very hot and humid as well.
INDONESIA MONEY EXCHANGE
The main currency in Bali is Indonesian Rupees (IDR) and it’s best to always have cash with you because lots of places don’t accept credit cards (mainly in the markets). More upscale restaurants and boutiques do accept credit cards, but a lot of them might charge you a 3% fee for paying with your card.
There are loads of ATMs on almost every street. You can also find them in most 24 hour supermarkets.
INDONESIA VISA AND ARRIVAL
In the last few years Bali and Indonesia have changed their policy to include a free Indonesia visa on arrival for many nationalities (140 in fact!) which include the likes of the United Kingdom, Australia, United States, Canada and Ireland.
This free visa is for tourism purposes only and allows you to stay in Bali/Indonesia for up to 30 days.
HOW TO GET TO BALI
You can use the flight comparison website as skyscanner for checking all flights with prices.
For your information, we will flight to Bali on 27th April in the morning till 04th May 2019 with Singapore Airlines.
HOW TO GET TO SEMINYAK FROM BALI AIRPORT
We highly recommend to contact Golden Tour services (baligoldentour@outlook.com) for transportation services from Airport to your Hotel. For example, one way from Airport to Seminyak will cost 175,000.00 IDR.
We do not advise to get taxi from the Aiport as drivers will over charge the fare unless you are good on price negociation.
HOW TO GET AROUND BALI
Motorbikes and Scooters in Bali:
Bali is a very crowded island and traffic jams are unbearable sometimes. The best and most affordable way to get around is on the back of a scooter. There are several transportation apps that you can download and the best ones are: Go-Jek and Grab. Both of these have the option of ordering a scooter. The driver will arrive and give you a helmet to wear. Rides normally cost around only 1$!
You can also rent a scooter if you feel confident enough to drive in the madness. Scooter rentals cost 50,000 IDR ($3.3) per day.
Getting around by taxis in Bali:
There are 3 different taxis you can get in Bali:
a) Local taxi drivers: these are drivers that you can find pretty much on every crowded street. They will try to charge you a very overpriced fixed fee, which you can negotiate most of the time.
b) Transportation apps: Go-Jek and Grab both have taxi options, but local taxi drivers do not like the online apps and have banned them in a lot of areas such as central Canggu or Seminyak. The online apps are so much cheaper (usually 1/3 of the price), so you might see signs in different places saying “No Grab or Go-Jek”. You can still try ordering the taxi but the driver might call you and tell you to avoid looking at your phone when he’s picking you up so that the local drivers don’t notice what you’re doing
2018 update: Some of the drivers might call you and ask for an additional fee (on top of the rate you see on your phone). If they do that, cancel your ride and order a different car.
c) Metered taxis: these are blue cars that you can find on the street with the name “Bluebird”. Just make sure the drivers turn on the meter, because a lot of them will try to ask for a fixed price which is usually much more than what you would pay for a metered fare.
WHERE TO STAY IN BALI
1. Kuta – for surfers & party lovers
Kuta has become the most popular beach area in Bali and one of the first parts of the island that started development for mass tourism. The area is especially famous for surfing, with several long stretches of beaches and perfect waves year round. It’s also heaven for party lovers, because it’s filled with lots of bars, clubs and beach clubs that throw some amazing parties.
Positives: great place for surfing, partying and finding affordable backpacker style accommodation
Negatives: overcrowded with tourists, lots of construction and beaches have become quite polluted
2. Seminyak – for sunset beach bars, luxury restaurants and shopping
Seminyak is a great area to be based in, because it’s very central and has great beaches, some of the best restaurants in Bali, beautiful sunset beach bars and loads of accommodations options ranging from budget to luxury. It also has an amazing shopping area with very hip boutiques selling everything from typical souvenirs, to trendy clothing, accessories and beachwear.
Positives: perfect place for affordable luxury accommodation, amazing bars & restaurants, great shopping
Negatives: a bit overcrowded, pricier than other areas, very commercialized.
By the way, we will stay at The Royal Beach Seminyak Bali from 1st to 04th May. If you are interested by this hotel, we have negociated discount price. Please find below Hotel Registration form.
3. Canggu – for laid-back boho chic beach lovers
Canggu is the new kid on the block. It’s an up and coming area located next to Seminyak and has officially become a favorite area to stay in the South of Bali. It’s still not swarming with tourists vs. the neighboring areas of Seminyak and Kuta, but is very central at the same time. The area is home to surfer beaches, cute and stylish cafes, rice fields and gorgeous villas.
Positives: stunning views of rice fields, affordable private villas, great cafes & restaurants, not too commercialized
Negatives: a bit calmer than other area and online taxis or bikes are not allowed
4. Uluwatu – upscale clifftop resorts and beach clubs
This area is famous for the Uluwatu clifftop temple and has several luxury resorts and beautiful beaches. It is much calmer than other areas and is perfect for spending a night or two.
Positives: Amazing luxury resorts with views of the Indian Ocean, great beaches, peace and serenity
Negatives: secluded and an hour drive from the main area in Seminyak, pricier than other areas
5. Ubud – for serenity, stunning nature and peaceful getaways
Ubud is by far one of the most beautiful places I’ve visited in my travels. It’s also the cultural hub of Bali with so many artists and local craftsmen. It’s the kind if place that will give you a sense of serenity like no other. In beautiful Ubud you will come across endless rice fields, monkeys, temples and locals dressed in their colorful prayer clothes with baskets on their heads which are offerings to their Gods, waterfalls, volcanoes and the friendliest and kindest locals you can ever meet. My only advice is to rent a scooter and get lost in the area. Don’t just stick to the main tourist areas, but just take a map and chase some of the lesser known waterfalls and temples.
Positives: one the most peaceful places you can visit, rice fields, temples, monkeys, waterfalls, kind locals
Negatives: 2 hours away from the beach areas, not much to do at night
6. Nusa Dua – for family getaways and water sports
Nusa Dua is the perfect place for a family getaway with loads of all-inclusive resorts. It’s also one of the best areas for water sports and activities, such as diving, snorkeling and parasailing.
Positives: a great family spot and perfect for water sport lovers
Negatives: far from the main areas in Bali and more difficult
BALI TOP ATTRACTIONS
01 | GET LOST IN THE ANCIENT TEMPLES OF BALI
Believe it or not, but there are thousands of temples in Bali. You don’t need to visit all of them, but make sure to explore a few of these peaceful places. The most impressive temples are Tanah Lot, Uluwatu, Saraswati, Bedugul, and of course the Besakih temple, the holiest of all of them. Dress modest and cover your knees and shoulders when visiting the sites.
02 | TREK A VOLCANO BEFORE SUNRISE
There is nothing more magnificient than reaching the top of a volcanic mountain and witnessing the sunrise! If you’re in a good shape and physically fit, you should hike one of Bali’s volcanoes. You can’t get closer to heaven.
There are four volcanoes in Bali: Mount Agung, Mount Batur, Bratan, and Mount Merbuk. Keep in mind that all of them are active, don’t trek without a guide.
I think the most beautiful one is Mount Batur, with breathtaking views over a caldera lake. You can reach the top (1.717m) within a 2-hours hike.
03 | EXPLORE THE ENDLESS RICE TERRACES OF BALI
Bali wouldn’t be Bali without the lush rice terraces in all shades of green. You can find rice paddies with breathtaking panoramic views all over Bali, most in rural areas around Ubud. The most famous rice terraces are the ones in Tegalalang, a half hour north of Ubud.
I recommend to hire a motorbike and drive yourself to the rice terraces. The ride itself will be amazing. You’ll get the most spectacular views during sunset or even better, during sunrise. Come as early as possible to avoid the crowds. The pictures above were taken at Tegalalang, early in the morning before 6 AM. Was it worth it to get up that early? You bet…
04 | LEARN SURFING IN KUTA
When people think about Bali, surfing is one of the main reasons to visit this island. Bali offers world-class surfing opportunities, but it’s also one of the most affordable places in the world to learn surfing. The waves in Kuta are perfect for beginners, as they break over soft sand, not corals.
There are plenty of excellent surf schools along Kuta Beach that offer professional lessons. If you’re on a budget, just walk along the beach and you’ll meet local guides who are happy to teach you how to surf for a small fee. Advanced surfers should check out Uluwatu, Canggu and Nusa Dua for the perfect wave.
05 | INDULGE IN HEALTHY FOOD IN UBUD
You can’t leave Bali without visiting Ubud, the spiritual center in the island and the place to get healthy and in shape! Ubud is also the place to do yoga, but let’s focus on food because I rather eat than do funny poses (no offence to the yoga people. Yoga is awesome!).
Ubud is home to countless amazing restaurants. Without doubt, the best food in Bali can be found there. Indulge in healthy and delicious food in Ubud: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, raw, organic, microbiotic – you name it!
My favorite places to eat in Ubud were Seeds of Life (for raw food), Seniman (for the best coffee in Bali), Warung 9 (super cheap vegetarian buffet), AA Juicery & Cafe (yummy breakfast bowls incl. rice paddies views), Dayu’s Warung (gluten-free), Kafe Ubud (great burgers, also vegan options), and Clear Cafe (microbiotic and raw choices). Enjoy your meals and eat without guilt!
06 | GET CLOSE TO THE MONKEYS
That’s one of the most adventurous things to do in Bali! Don’t miss out on an encounter with these amazing creatures and visit the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud!
OK, upfront, these cute furry animals can actually get very evil. Keep a safe distance to them and make sure to attach everything properly to your body. Anything that’s loose (like sunglasses or a hat) will get stolen by a monkey in no time. The monkeys grab everything they can.
I witnessed a monkey grabbing an Ipad and walking with it under its arm away, like a boss. After throwing several bananas at the monkey, it finally released the Ipad. Here is another hilarious video of a guy who’s GoPro got stolen in Bali by – guess what: a monkey.
By the way, if Ubud is not on your way, you can see plenty of monkeys around the Uluwatu Temple, too.
07 | VISIT A TRADITIONAL BALINESE DANCE SHOW
The Balinese people love dance and drama. It’s no surprise that you can find ritual shows with dancers in spectacular costumes almost everywhere in Bali, whenever there is a festival celebration. Some travelers might be lucky and stumble into one of these vibrant dance performances during their Bali trip.