Touch down Ngurah Rai, Bali’s International Airport, driving past towering stone gateways, along its narrow roads, dotted with Hindu temples and plenty of worshipping alters where each shop has a colorful basket of offerings to spirits.
Surf dudes and babes in bikinis loitering the streets, loads of shopping, “A” grade beaches and where surf, party and relax are the only words you’ll hear here. The overwhelming politeness and charm of the Balinese never ceases to amaze me. Bali is an Indonesian island located 3.2km east of Java with a 5632 sq km mass area. Majority of Balinese practice Hinduism. Its rich culture was strongly influenced by the Indian and Chinese particularly Hindu culture dating back to 1st century AD.
So whether it’s having lunch atop the village of Kintamani over looking Mt Batur, or gazing upon the green serenity of rice terraces at Tegallalang, or soaking up the cultural spirit of Ubud, Bali has everything for everyone.
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Best times to visit
Best weather in Bali is during the dry season,where the humidity is low, and cool in evenings (May to September).
Bali sees an all year round tourist influx coming from alternate parts of the globe. July to September, December to January, April to June are the busiest times. It might seem like its busy the entire year round, which without denial, it is. Securing a flight and deciding where to stay is the hardest part you need to sort out first before you come.
Customs
Tobacco Allowance (adult)-200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100g tobacco.
Alcohol allowance (adult) - 1 L (per person)
Surfers with 2-3 boards may be charged if they suspect you of selling it.
Caution about getting high on Drugs
Drug pushers in clubs are usually in cahoots with the police.
Heavy bribes are common (USD 40,000 and above) just to get out of trouble.
Do take note, in Indonesia the penalty for drug trafficking is death.
Random urine checks are common too.
Airport Tax
Bali’s Airport Service Charge increased 50%
Effective from November 1, 2007 Rp.150,000 Airport Service Charge for all International Passengers Departing Bali.
Packy Facts
- Capital: Denpasar
- Balinese Population: 3,151,000
- Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (Rp) (1USD= 12000 Rp approx)
- Calling Code: +62
- Time Zone: UTC +8 (Same as Malaysia/ Singapore)
- Language: Balinese/Indonesian and English
- Religion :Majority of Balinese are Hindus with remainder Islam.
- Highest mount on the island is Mount Agung, an active volcano that last erupted in March 1963.Sitting 900m on the steps of Mt Agung is Pura Bersakih, Biggest Temple in Bali.
Must See Must Do
- Get a full body Balinese Massage (Rp 50k, 1hr)
- Learn to surf from the locals (Rp 150k, 1/2 day) Guaranteed standing on the surf board after your intensive lesson.
- Watch the battle between good and evil during the Barong Dance
- Visit the temple in the sea at sunset- Tanah Lot
- Enjoy fresh grilled/bbq'd seafood at Jimbaran Bay
- Discover your artistic side when you visit the cultural and art center of Bali - Ubud
Cant Decide Where to Stay? Below are infos to help you pick!
Kuta
Bali's backpacker darling of all time. Jammed with narrow lanes, cheap losmen (basic accomodation), wall to wall cafes, clubs and plenty of street and boutique shopping. International surf brands and almost everything associated with either the word surfing or beach can be found here. You can also find shops that sell works by local designers and craft brought in from neighbouring districts.
Utter madness to be driving in Kuta, unless you are a real patient dude (or dudette). Traffic combined with the small lanes doesnt help the situation either. Walking or riding the scooter (speda in indonesian) is much easier, as there are plenty of road side parking. What to find here:
- Plenty of cheap accomodation here, you need to stroll the inner lanes to find them.
- Loads of cafes /restaurants (Serving both International and Local dishes)
- Plenty of bars and clubs to waste the night away
- Shopping heaven-You got to love the small boutiques along the roadside, selling shoes, dresses and surfing gear.
- Different levels of surfing lessons available (coached by part time local "surfers wannabe" to pro's)
Coping to the overflowing crowds from Kuta, Legian is almost like Kuta, in terms of what you can get here. Move up further north and you might find it abit more quieter and less chaotic.
** Legians beach is connected to Kuta.
What to find here:
- Plenty of cheap accomodation
- Plenty of restaurants, cafes and clubs
- And since Kuta is joined together with Legian. You cant really tell the difference between Kuta and Legian.
Seminyak is a beach on the west coast of southern Bali, just north of Legian. that still manages to retain the small town atmosphere, with good traffic condition and not much hawkers around. The beach is nice and is without the "Kuta" crowd.
Best discribed as the most upmarket of the west coast beaches, with high-end accommodation, restaurants and bars to serve its residents. The atmosphere is more sophisticated and laid-back than Kuta, and the beach, in particular, is quieter during the day, although this area, too, is developing fast. There aren't many cheap accomodation here, but more of the mid-range to the upper end. What to find here:
- Much calmer and quieter beaches
- Designer boutiques/shops
- Less hectic traffic
- Upclass clubs
Cultural center of Bali, it is home to a good choice of restaurants, cafes, guesthouses and galleries where every side street and lane seems to be displaying arts and craft for sale. Most of these local artists have inherited the skills from generations ago.
Due to the elevated location and also the surrounding greenery, Ubud is generally cooler, therefore during the night, air conditioning isn't necessary.
There are plenty of accomodation here to choose from. Some feature a paddy field scenery, and some overlook a mountainous ravine an others are hosted in a part art gallery part homestay. Here in Ubud, you can ride your speda around basking in the symphony of frogs, insects, and distant traditional musicals playing the evening cultural play, relax on your porch with a good book enjoying the cool surroundings, or even take one of the art courses abundantly available here. Ubud comes equipt with banks, ATMs and money changers.
What to find here:
- Cultural shows are abundant here
- Plenty of art and crafts for sale here
- Visit the many galleries and walk around admiring the craft
- Peace an quiet in the country side
Nusa Dua
This gated community of high class resort hotels enroached around some seriously crystal clear nice beaches to dip and swim in. Here pass the guard houses, is a massive complex of neatly manicured lawns and peaceful side roads setting invinsible boundaries from one 5 star resort to another.
Nusa Dua's shopping is confined to the shopping center (Bali Collection) inside, as the usual street stalls are all located outside the outer walls. Nusa Dua is about 40km from Denpasar, and the airport. Here lacks the crazy booming nightlife, and the only drinking is in the hotels.
What to find here:
- Some seriously nice beaches to dip in. Theres water sports like canoeing and sailing.
- Reef protected beach, with some very shallow sections. Ideal for families.
- 5-6 star accomodation with a 18 hole golf course and nice spas
Its reef protected beach stretches 5 km along the east coast and is popular among families. Here there are plenty of restaurants and hotels to choose from.
Sanur spots a more slow paced relaxed beach life such as kite flying or sunbathing on the beach. Not much night life here as compared to Kuta, but more than Nusa Dua (Sanur is famous for prostitution). Shopping here revolves around Jalan Danau Tamblingan. Sanur is about 20 minutes from the airport and 15 minutes from Denpasar.
What to find here:
- A quiet relaxing beach to chill in
- Some nice dining experience
- Bali Kite Festival in July
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