Bali is more than a place, it is a state of mind. A destination that captures your heart. Have you ever travelled on holiday, and even though you were only gone for a short period of time, you feel like you have changed somehow?
Well, that’s the affect Bali has on people. It is enchanting.
Bali caters for everyone; honeymooners, families, wandering souls and adventurers. You can sleep in a tree-house in the jungle or you can be lavish in a luxury hotel on the beach. Bali is what you make it. With this in mind, I have put together a short guide to ensure you experience your own version of the movie “Eat, Pray, Love”.
When is the best time to go?
The best time to visit Bali is generally during the summer months of June, July, and August when the weather is driest, the days are sunny and the humidity is low. Unfortunately, this is also the most popular time and therefore the busiest which may have an effect on the prices.
A good compromise is to risk occasional rain showers in exchange for more peace. The shoulder months before and after the high season (particularly April, May, and September) are enjoyable and experience many sunny days.
The wettest months to visit Bali are from November to March. December, January, and February are extra rainy and a little hotter. If you don’t mind the short rainstorms, visit Bali between November and April. There’s still plenty of things to do, and it’s the cheapest time to go!
Getting Around Bali
Ride-sharing apps like Uber, Grab, and Indonesia-based Go-Jek have become the most popular way to way to get around Bali because they are often a fraction of the price of taxis.
The “Taxi Mafia” was formed by disgruntled taxi drivers who believe that it is too difficult to compete with these ride sharing apps partly because these drivers contribute up to 30% of their salary back to their local communities. They also have to factor the costs for the return journey, which ride-sharing companies do not.
On the flip side taxi monopolies, taxi scammers, longer routes, “broken” meters and a lack of change are among the issues you may experience when taking a taxi in Bali.
Private Pre Paid Transfers
I would recommend pre booking your return airport/hotel transfers along with your hotel as a package with your travel agent. They are not expensive and worth every cent, especially after a long flight and in light of the above information.
Taxis
Blue Bird is the most trusted taxi operator in Bali. In most parts of Bali, there will be a Blue Bird taxi on every street but if not, there is Blue Bird App that you can download to order your taxi. This also stops you from being bamboozled by “fake” Blue Bird Taxis who imitate the brand due to their popularity.
Here are some tell-tale signs you found a ‘real’ Blue Bird taxi:
– Drivers Uniform. They wear a blue button up shirt with little blue birds on them
– Head Rest. It will be a white cover with the blue bird logo.
– Sun Screen. There will be a logo and big text in the sun screen on the windshield.
– Serial Number. This will appear on the side of the body, dashboard, and rear of the car
Ngurah Rai International Airport has its own taxi service, run by the Ngurah Rai Taxi cooperative which controls a monopoly of the taxis at the airport. They charge a set rate which is prepaid based on predetermined distances.
Rent a scooter
Scooters are a great way to travel around Bali plus they’re a lot of fun and very inexpensive to hire. It may not be the best idea if you have never ridden a scooter before or have poor balance – or have no sense of direction due to the lack of road signs. But if you do decide to take your life in your hands, wear a helmet, dress yourself in sunblock and always carry your international driver’s license in case you get pulled over by the police.
Private driver
Rent a driver/local guide to take you around Bali in your own time. This is especially convenient if you are travelling in a group. You have the freedom to plan your own itinerary and it is surprisingly cost effective. Just remember entrance fees and activities are not included. You are paying for a car and a driver who hopefully speaks English well.
Gojek
Gojek is a ride-sharing app much like Uber except on a motorbike. You can experience zipping in and out of the traffic sitting behind an experienced driver who knows where they are going. The driver will arrive within the estimated time, equipped with an extra helmet and an optional hair mask for those worried about hygiene. You’ll need Wi-Fi or data to operate the apps. For those not keen to ride a motorbike, you can order a car too.
Organised Tours
Sit back and relax on a guided tour. These tours generally include hotel pick up and drop off and are guided by experienced tour guides. The tours incorporate the most important sightseeing and normally include things like entrance fees or even meals.
Where to stay in Bali
There are parts of Bali that are far from idyllic and many travellers have left it feeling disappointed, which is why it is important to choose your base wisely. Bali is compact, so it is possible to day-trip to just about anywhere on the island from your base – but traffic can be chaotic and it can take 40 minutes to drive 10kms.
Kuta
I would avoid Kuta and its neighbour Legian… unless you are into seedy nightclubs. Kuta is a party orientated town and may seem overwhelming for first-time visitors, especially during the holiday seasons. The crowds and noise, as well as the hawkers and heat have been the reason many first timers to Bali vow never to go back.
Jimbaran
Jimbaran is ideal for honeymooners. It is tranquil and romantic and more focussed on couples than families with children. The sandy bays are ideal for swimming and long walks on the beach. Each afternoon the beach becomes packed with tables and chairs as seaside cafés offer candlelight dinners at sunset, with fresh seafood, local musicians and traditional dances.
Seminyak
The “Yak’ has some of Bali’s top dining spots and is known for its world-class cuisine. This popular tourist town has plenty of cafes, clubs and cocktail bars which pump every night of the week. Here you can shop all day and party all night. Seminyak is not recommended for those looking for a peaceful holiday. In saying that sunsets are stunning and the fine dining options are worth a visit at least.
Ubud
Ubud is the cultural hub of Bali. Here you will find temples, holistic centres, local markets on every corner of the street and the legendary Monkey Forest. It is the perfect setting for those seeking tranquility and rejuvenation.
Although Ubud can be visited on a day trip, many people stay in Ubud and nowhere else. If the idea of exploring the famous rice fields, hiking up Mount Batur to watch the sunrise and casually dropping in for a yoga sesh at a local shala gets your heart racing then Ubud is for you.
Sanur
Sanur is a quieter resort region with limited nightclubs and shopping which means, less crowds, traffic and noise. It is the perfect place for a more laid back Balinese experience. The east coast is less touristy and great for those in search of sand and sea. Sanur is also the gateway to the nearby islands of Nusa Archipelago, Lombok, Komodo and the Gili Islands which you can explore in a day trip or two.
Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua is the best place for families. This area has plenty of upmarket family resorts which offer children’s pools (often with water slides) and kid’s club offering engaging activities all day, as well as extensive children’s menus in restaurants and child-minding services. Many of the resorts face an exquisite beach with calm waters. Nusa Dua itself is clean, quiet and with far less crowds and traffic.
Why does it seem that everyone has the same name in Bali?
After spending some time on Bali you will quickly come to realise that everybody seems to have the same name and that is because Balinese Names are based on the order of birth no matter if it is a girl or a boy.
– First Child: Wayan, Putu, or Gede, Ni Luh (which is the only female name!)
– Second Child: Made, Kadek or Nengah
– Third Child: Nyoman, Komang
– Fourth Child: Ketut
What if a family has more than 4 kids?
If a family has more than four children, the cycle repeats itself from the beginning while sometimes the word “Balik” is added, which means “return, again, repeat”.
