We planned our entire Indonesia trip in 2 days. Based on our experience following are some of the tips that will be helpful for every traveler to Bali
LOGISTICS
#1 Check in at Airport: If you are using a Low Cost Carries in Asia, buy the luggage coupon while booking the ticket and reach the airport early so that you can get better seats. The cost of checking in the luggage at the counter can be twice as much as buying a coupon online. We had to sit in 2 separate rows as we reached the airport late.
#2 Buy Indonesian SIM Card: At the Bali airport, buy a sim card for USD 25 (50 mins calling and 6 GB data). International calls are also covered under this plan. We felt it was a good investment, considering we had to coordinate with the driver, hotels etc.
#3 Transportation from Airport to Hotel: Book Bluebird Taxis from the airport or ask your hotel to arrange for a pick up. Bluebird has a counter at the airport and will offer you a fixed rate. We booked ‘Grab car’ through the mobile app which was much cheaper than the Bluebird taxi but the driver could not speak English. Hence, we had to cancel and book bluebird taxi. The fare from Denpasar to Ubud is about USD 30 and can vary based on the season.
BALI TRADITIONS
#4 Be Modestly Dressed: While swim suits are completely acceptable at beaches, dressing modestly on the streets is recommended.
#5 Respect Tradition: Balinese are very open, warm and welcoming. Passing a warm smile, acknowledging their presence and blending in will be welcomed. Wear sarong (long piece of cloth worn around the waist) when you are entering into the temple. Do not step on Canang Sari, offerings made to the God by Balinese Hindus. You will see loads of them outside shops, in temples etc.
#6 Use a Translator App: Advisable to know few Bahasa words such as Terimah Kasih (Thank you), Selamat Jalan (Have a nice trip), Sama Sama (Welcome)
LOCAL TRANSPORT
#7 Self Drive: You need an international driving permit from your home country before you reach Indonesia. Petrol can be bought at petrol stations as well as at roadside shops in bottles costing around .8 USD per litre. The yellow bottles frequently seen on the roadside contains petrol.
#8 Avoid Self Drive, Book a Taxi: The distances are huge, roads are narrow and traffic might be exhausting. Moreover, a local driver might act as guide. Our driver was Agung (+62 852 3722 5847) and was a phenomenal choice.
PHOTOGRAPHY
#9. You will be on road for most part of your day. Keep phone/camera battery charger handy. As an alternative, we charged the battery during lunch time at the restaurants. If you are carrying a DSLR, getting a tripod is recommended to capture sunset, sunrise & waterfalls. Carry some gear to prevent the camera from getting wet at the waterfall.
TREKKING
#10. Mt. Batur Trek: Its a good trek for beginners. Book the trek through Uma Kutuh tourist service (+62 812 38445426, Adi). This costed us around USD 27 per person (including pick up and drop from Ubud), much lower than what other operators were offering online. I suggest to book the tour once you arrive in Bali. This will help you to be flexible and plan your trek according to the latest weather condition. We booked the tour 8 hours before our trek and managed to get the slots quite easily, even during the busy season. Strongly recommend to carry a jacket/warm clothing to avoid feeling cold at the summit.
BASIC NEEDS
#11 Daily Needs: Delta Dewata is a 24 hr supermarket and can help you with your basic needs of toiletries and snacks.
Great list. though i have a little different opinion on dressing modestly. It has a different definition in a different destination. so maybe a bit more explanation could have done good. like is a short ok or not for females. But I love your photographs and the tip on charging in the restaurants is great tip.
Great feedback. I will update the post to include your inputs. 🙂
Second post I read about going to Bali, your pictures are beautiful. I hope to visit Bali one day. Seems like such a relaxing and beautiful place to visit!
Great tips about Bali! Glad to know that petrol costs only .8 USD/L which is quite cheap!
I love your photos! They all look alive and dramatic. As for Bali, it still remains as a plan. Hope we can raise funds to go there soon.
Bali does look so amazing. And your pictures are just so beautiful and sensual. It feels like I can reach out and touch the things in your post. I really do need to go there at some point.
I love your reminder about respecting the traditions of the area. I always get upset when I see people disrespecting the local culture.
This is what I love about the internet. Is getting great advice from someone who has already been to a place. I’d never have thought to buy a native SIM card, and we probably wouldn’t have discovered the Delta supermarket until the last day!!
I would LOVe to visit Bali, it’s on our list of places to visit when the children are older. It looks amazing, like paradise really, and I can only hope we save up enough money to make it there one day!
Great post! I’ve been wanting to travel to Bali, and your tips are really helpful! Looking to plan for a trip there next year 🙂
Nice article! Good recommendations, and I think these tips are useful when going abroad anywhere. Will definitely keep in mind!
I definitely think that it is so important to respect tradition when you are visiting another country as it is the polite thing to do. That is very well said! x
I have to say I did not enjoy Bali at all, I don’t think I would ever return. Living in Australia, it seems to be the only place Australians go on holiday. I miss living in Ireland for the ease of travelling Europe,
What wonderful tips, not only for a trip to Bali, but anywhere in the world. I especially liked respecting traditions. Whenever my husband and I travel, we try to research the traditions of the place we’ll be. Also, a translator app. I haven’t thought about using something like this, but I bet it would sure come in handy!
Great tips here on journeying to Bali. A Balinese sim card is a good idea and one that I would’t think of myself. Dressing modestly too is something that would need to be respected by all tourists visiting this beautiful Island.
Wow, Bali is really popular right now. I’ve seen so many posts about it. Maybe that means I should book a trip!
This is a great list, esp the cultural tidbits that dont necessarily apply everywhere you go. Bali is definitely high on my list of places to visit.
Really great trips. I think it would be so much fun to visit a place like Bali. I’m not sure I’d actually get to go to a place so exotic. But, I do like dreaming.
That’s an important tips .Thanks for writing about our island .
I’m made from Bali island . Your tips is perfect only some miss writing .
– Terima Kasih instead of Terimah kasi
– Sama Sama instead of Sama Sam
For the sim card , I’m sorry to make some correction . The sim car in the airport is triple price than outside local store . Its only cost 8 USD for 8 gig approximately.
Best regards
Made
http://www.galihbalitours.com