Bali travel tips and information

Travelling to Bali

The fear of the unknown prevails among people who have never traveled to Bali. There are many good and bad stories circulating on this beautiful island. Below is a list of travel tips for those who have never traveled to Bali. They help you prepare and give you a fantastic holiday on this beautiful island.

• Take 25 USD per person on arrival for your visa. You will pay this amount on arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport, so you can stay in Bali for up to 30 days.

• Pack your bags easily. Even if you are tempted to throw these extra items in your suitcase, do not do so. The clothes in Bali are extremely cheap and whether you like shopping or not, your suitcase will be much harder on your return. You can buy toiletries, etc. in the Mini Marts and Circle K, which work 24 hours a day for a fraction of the price. The only toiletries I should bring are personal items for women and sunscreen as they are quite expensive in Bali.

• Take some decent shoes with you. The paths in Bali are not perfectly structural. Although the use of coaches in humid environments can be quite hot, your feet will thank you for that.

• Do not change money before you leave. Although I'm sure that everyone has heard of scammers, if they follow simple rules, this will not happen. In Bali you get a better exchange rate than in your home country. Just go to an authorized bureau de change, do not spend your money until you've counted the money you've received, and make sure you get a receipt. If you still do not like it, go to a bank because they usually have better exchange rates than the ones you have on the street.

• It is better to take money than to use your credit cards. Depending on the bank you work with, you will be charged a fee each time you use your credit card in Bali. Usually this is a percentage of your expenses and can be a significant amount during your vacation. The maximum payout at ATMs is 1.5 million IDRs (almost $ 200) and most banks charge a withdrawal fee of about $ 5. For both credit card and ATM withdrawals, the exchange rate is usually much worse than changing money on the street. If you are not satisfied with the money, be sure to ask your bank how much it costs.

• Be careful with the drivers. If you find a driver who will give you a low price throughout the day, be careful. Motorists earn little money for the day once the costs are removed. The main source of income for them is to buy commissions for what they eat and buy at the places where they are transported. Although you earn your living this way, you might be cheated by the places where the driver leads you. The other problem is that you can not finish the goal because the driver has his own agenda and takes you to where he receives the highest commission. Be careful and try to drive with a driver recommended by someone, not just the cheapest.

• Negotiation on the markets: Everyone knows, but I thought I would mention it. If they do not reach the price you are willing to pay, just do it and if you follow it, you know the price is reasonable. Remember that the Balinese earn their living this way. It is therefore interesting to negotiate at the best price and to accept a little more. This little extra is not for us, but everything for her. This will make you realize that you are not kidding and you will be extremely grateful.

• If you do not want the people trying to sell you to harass you, I recommend that you stay away from the markets and Kuta beach. Balinese are rarely uncomfortable or aggressive, but when they try to make a living, their impetus can sometimes be overwhelming. Not so everywhere and if you are away from markets and main tourist access points, you should not have any problems. If they bother you instead of being rude, just say "No thanks" and go on. I think that politeness works better. Balinese are perfect for remembering faces. After a while they probably will not bother you anymore.

• Pay attention to taxes: In most restaurants, taxes are not added to the price. At the bottom of the menu you will see "The price is subject to a 21% service and government tax surcharge". It's worth noting who has never traveled to Bali and wants to see his costs, as an additional tax of 21% can be a reasonable amount.

• Do not eat all meals in the restaurant of your hotel. Although it is sometimes cheap, you usually pay a lot more for eating at your hotel than going to the millions of restaurants on the street. A complimentary breakfast is usually included in the room rate. However, I would recommend dining outside of your hotel.

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• Do not be afraid of Bali Belly: Everyone has a story to tell how he got Bali Belly. My husband and I have been to Bali many times and while we touched wood we have never had Bali Belly. Just do not drink water. When showering, be careful not to swallow and use bottled water, even if you rinse your mouth after brushing. Use common sense when choosing a location: Make sure the kitchen and surrounding area are clean. When you meet Bali Belly, it is said that the friendly red helps and that the Balinese believe that the local snake fruit is also an excellent remedy.

• Shopping: Even though the prices in designer stores are already well below those we are used to, comparing them is always a good idea. Turnover in many places can be up to 50% and you can get an even better price if you look around.

• Until you know the prices charged by taxis, make sure you get one with a meter. If you are satisfied with the price you pay, it is sufficient to take a taxi without a meter. Make sure you negotiate the price before jumping.

• If you leave Bali, you must pay 150,000 IDR per person in the departure tax. Many new travelers to Bali do not know. Please also note that it is very difficult to return to the airport when checking in for your departure. The guards stand at the doors and only let you out when you need to use the ATM.

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Why should you visit Bali and make some suggestions for planning your vacation

Vacation in Bali

BALI is often described as too touristy. In my opinion, this is a rather superficial statement, since one must only discover Bali, which has attracted many visitors, leaving behind the tourist enclaves Kuta, Legian. Seminyak and Sanur.

Let me help you discover Bali, an island that is very small but makes a big impression on visitors who take the trouble to take their time looking good.

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Bali is easy and cheap to reach

Air Asia flies from Australia, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand to Bali. Jetstar also offers direct flights to Bali, making Bali a world-class destination served by some of the region's best-known low-cost airlines. Of course, most full-service airlines also serve Bali.

Bali offers a variety of hotels, resorts with spa and basic bed and breakfast establishments. Of course, there are also typical Balinese family houses, which are often found in family resorts and offer a rare opportunity to observe the Balinese life.

If you plan to stay for a while or longer, we recommend that you leave the main regions in the south. You can split your stay as follows:

One week around Tabanan, which will allow you to easily reach Tanah Lot and the western part of the island.

1 week to Padang Bai or Candidasa to reach the northeast coast.

Padang Bai, Candi Dasa, Amed and Tulamben are just minutes away from Bali's most spectacular dive sites.

1 week in one of the small towns near Loving on the north coast to facilitate the exploration of the north of the island.

1 week in the Ubud area to explore the cultural heart and the central region of Bali.

Ubud still attracts painters and writers from around the world and successfully organizes an annual festival of writers. Mas's silver and goldsmiths produce beautiful jewelery that is exported all over the world. It is best not to wear your credit card while visiting your showrooms.

Ubud has a lot to offer. You can sign up for silver jewelry classes, batik classes, cooking classes and much more. There are also many yoga schools and spiritual retreats. It is not uncommon to rent a room in a family home and realize that the owner is actually a famous artist. For the more energetic, Ubud is a great place to plan a hike through Mount Agung, the sacred mountain of Bali.

Since I am a diver, here is a little more information about diving in Bali.

Diving in Bali is still a mystery. Having dived into the most fashionable dive sites in Indonesia like Bunaken, Lembeh, Raja Ampat, Ambon, Banda and Komodo, I can say that Bali is still one of my favorite diving destinations. Let me explain the reason to you in more detail.

1. Bali offers something for everyone.

Whether you like energetic currents, sinking with corals, diving, diving or a mix of all the above, it's all here in Bali. Although it is a journey from one region to another, there are no expensive domestic flights, making Bali a very profitable and profitable dive destination.

2. Are you immersing or updating your certification?

In Bali, there are a variety of professional dives that offer a full range of scuba diving courses. From open water to diving instructors, this can be done in Bali. At prices that are hard to find elsewhere in Indonesia or elsewhere.

3. Are you a diver traveling with a non-diver?

When you travel with a non-diver, you know how difficult it can be to balance your passion for diving with the needs of your dive partner. This is not a problem in Bali. There is a lot to do for non-divers: day trips to cultural treasures, shopping, pampering at the spa, hiking, mountain biking, surfing, etc. Oh, did I mention the shopping?

Come to Bali, try diving and be surprised.

How do I get from A to B?

In order to move in Bali and if you have the means, I would advise you to rent a car with driver. Since the traffic in Bali is not an easy task, it can be a bit stressful on its own, but it is possible. If you drive a motorcycle at home and have a driver's license, we recommend renting a scooter. In fact, these are small motorcycles with 125 cc engines. There is public transport, but it takes a lot of time and is very uncomfortable.

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Diving in Bali

Diving in Bali

By simply hearing the name, Bali invokes visions of tropical paradise. Writers continue to invent adjectives to describe Bali, but there are few who can surpass the words of Indian Prime Minister Pandit Nehru, who called the island "Morning World". A world born of the sea and released by the power of the volcanoes. There is a deep world, an inner world, the true consequences of the world, a completely different world that belongs to Bali. A blue world of calm, tranquility, a world in which you can forget the world ...

As the most popular tourist destination in Indonesia, Bali is still an underrated diving destination. Believe it would be a mistake.

If you dive in Bali, you will find that the variety of Bali reefs is incredible. If you dive in Bali, let yourself be surprised. When it comes to diving in Bali, the biggest attraction of Bali is the variety of its dive sites. Wrecks, runs, sandy tracks, black volcanic seascapes, deafening currents and quiet bays ... are there for every taste.

There are many well-maintained diving opportunities in Bali.

There are four main diving areas in Bali that you can explore.

Nusa Penida:

Nusa Penida and the neighboring island of Nusa Lembongan offer some of the best dive sites in Bali. Nusa Penida is a large island southeast of Bali, opposite the road from Badung. The Balinese consider this dry, harsh island is frequented, but the main attraction is the diving around the island of Bali, in its clear, stream swept reefs.

The main attraction of Nusa Penida with its adjacent deep moats are frequent encounters with the strange and rare Sunfish or Mola Mola who visit the reef to visit purification stations.

There are a large number of dive sites to choose from. During the season we can try to find the famous Mola Mola, but the heart of Nusa Penida with impressive views, healthy reefs and pelagic reefs. You do not even have to swim much, because almost every dive is a drifting dive.

The currents are often strong because the islands are on the trajectory of Indonesia. The road from Lombok separates the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok. It is the second road through which the waters between the Pacific Ocean and the Indian Ocean are exchanged. The best times to dive in Nusa Penida are when the tides reach their maximum height and the movement of the water is minimal.

Amuk Bay (Candi Dasa and Padangbai):

Amuk Bay, with the villages of Padang Bai in the south and Candi Dasa in the north, about 6 km wide and located on the south side of the eastern tip of Bali. Near Candi Dasa there are two larger islands and Tepekong Biaha and a small rock area called Batu Tiga or Mimpang.

The islands of this bay are actually little more than the curving rocks and have an invincible beauty. The bay, which is fueled by the influx of rich south Bali, the home sharks, mola mola and shoals of fish, making these Bali diving sites very interesting.

If you are interested in small special creatures, you should dive to Padang Bai. This small entrance is bordered by a reef that begins as a shallow plateau ten meters deep. Macro enthusiasts can dive in Padang Bay and the Blue Lagoon, where you can find all kinds of creatures in the shallow waters. The sheltered bay is also an ideal place for night diving.

Diving in this area is incredibly rich. There are also several excellent dive sites for sharks, rays and large shoals of fish. This is one of the places where Mola Mola sea fish are regularly seen from August to October. The water temperatures are pretty cold, there is always a slight increase, but the visibility is generally very good.

Amed and Tulamben:

Tulamben, home to the famous World War II shipwreck, is Bali's most famous and popular dive site. Tulamben Bay is located in the richest marine biogeography zone in the world, with more than 2500 species of fish and 700 corals. Located on the northeastern coast, the bay receives a lot of plankton rich water from the great ocean current that moves in the Indian Ocean from the Pacific and vice versa.

Amed is located on the northeastern coast of Bali, about two and a half hours drive from Kuta. From the point of view of the landscape, Amed is much more beautiful than Tulamben. Along the way you will see many paddy fields, traditional salt pans and the sandy beaches on rocky beaches compared to Tulamben. Diving in Amed is affected and there are only a few divers in these dive sites.

There are also excellent dive sites from Tulamben to Amed and up to the eastern tip of Bali. Some sites have been recently discovered and many remain to be explored. The black sandy bottom provides a spectacular backdrop to the life of this incredibly rich fish.

The northwest reefs of Bali around Menjangan Island are protected to most of the island.

Quiet and calm waters, a mysterious old shipwreck of wood and steep walls and covered gorgons very good condition, makes Menjangan Island on the northwest coast of Bali, a first-level dive site.

Over 14 dive sites with clear water and calm conditions to choose. Menjangan is part of the West Bali National Park. These are the steep walls covered in gorgonians, which make this island the main diving ground northwest of Bali.

The coral walls around Menjangan fall vertically between 30 and 60 feet before gradually turning outward. The surface of the reef is very steep, with caves, grottoes and cracks that break the coral walls, structured with small corners. many species of gorgonians reach large sizes here and sponges are abundant. Soft corals cover the colored walls on the floor.

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The western tip of Menjangan has a deeper dive, but just as interesting, in an old wooden shipwreck. Called "Anchor", it will be located next to the coast of the island, near a small dock park service and a guardhouse.

Further north, Gilimanuk offers fantastic diving in the mud at Secret Bay and in the south; There is an equally interesting mud site in PJ.

Finally, you can discover the underwater world of Bali personally and completely with the Tauch Around Bali. Feel free to contact me for more information.

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Bali's best island in the world

Bali island

If there is a paradise on earth, then here in Bali, Indonesia! From mesmerizing beaches, tall trees, silvery sand and sunsets to romantic sunrises, Bali is more than just a dream. This is the place where you can expect the union of sea and mountain. The mountainous landscape mixes so subtly with the white sandy beaches. Even those who are not poetic in heart can not help pronounce one or two verses to praise the magical Bali.

The best thing about Bali is that it's not just a postcard you can only see. Here is a list of things to keep in mind when visiting Bali on vacation:

Bali is more than just beaches

People do what Bali is about on the beaches. Yes, the beaches of Bali are magical and fascinating, but this city has much more to offer than this. Bali has many other attractions and places that are beyond your imagination. If you want to travel and explore, Bali can be the destination of your dreams. Another interesting thing about Bali is its rich culture. If you like history, a good dose of history and culture awaits you in this beautiful city.

Cycling is a fun sport in Bali

Do not forget every time you visit Bali. There is so much to see in Bali and the fun fact that you can go anywhere in Bali is definitely amazing, adventurous and fun. Ubud is the best place for cycling in Bali. However, you can cycle through the streets of the city to see the streets, corners and incredible places. If you want, you can bring your bike to the mountains. Batur too. If you do not know how to organize your visit, you can get help from many active travel agencies in the city.

Bali is a water sports center

There are so many water sports and activities in Bali that you can never imagine. You can surf in Bali, snorkel, snorkel, jet ski, paragliding and much more. Kuta Beach is a famous surf spot in Bali. If you are a surfer, have a look. Menjangan Island is a great place for diving. It is also a very secluded place and if you are not a party animal you should come here when you are in Bali.

An exciting nightlife

Do you like the full moon parties on the beach? Would you like to experience outdoor clubs on the beaches? Well, Bali is the place for it. Kuta Beach is generally the place where the whole party takes place. There are night bars, sidewalk cafes, bars, pubs and nightclubs. Almost everything you want can be found in Bali.

This tropical island is real and there are many activities in Bali. This magical place really lets you enjoy your trip. If you're having trouble getting around Bali or looking for activities in the city, you can try the Bali TripAdvisor Forum.

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The secret of being able to book a luxury villa in Bali

Villas in Bali

So you are planning a vacation in the beautiful island paradise Bali with more than a thousand temples. That is why it is called "the island of the gods". Brilliant. Bali is a pleasure to look at, but there are pitfalls for travelers regarding the type of accommodation they choose.

If you're like 70% of tourists going to Bali, your next thought is probably "what hotel should I stay in". You have made your first mistake that could make your holiday more expensive than it should be.

Yes, Bali has hundreds if not thousands of hotels, so much so that the Indonesian government is trying to ban any hotel development. The problem is that there are now so many hotels, especially in the capital Denpasar, that the area suffers too many rooms, while the number of visitors to Bali continues to grow each year. As the number of hotels in South Bali continues to grow, many players will inevitably go bankrupt.

Denpasar and the south of Bali now have so many hotels that rub shoulders too often, especially in overcrowded, noisy and crowded downtown areas. Denpasar was so busy that it took 30 minutes to get from Ngurah Rai Airport to a hotel in the city, up to 2 hours. The government of Bali has built new highways that will hopefully help reduce this waterlogging.

There is another form of accommodation in Bali that normally attracts 16.5% of visitors. This alternative is Bali Luxury Villa and it is estimated that there are 10,000 scattered on this beautiful island. A stay in a luxury villa in Bali is not the first thing to think about, perhaps because hoteliers are very good at marketing and spend a lot of money promoting their business.

You may think that the price of renting a luxury villa in Bali exceeds the budget of your vacation, but you may be wrong because you probably do not have all the data. The secret is that if you book a group to live in a private villa in Bali, with their privacy, peace and wonderful space, you can save hundreds of dollars that you would otherwise spend on the holiday model of Bali the hotel ,

You see, the key to saving your holiday dollars, which you earn with so much effort, is a group booking in a luxury villa in Bali. This is the secret of the villas in Bali. Most of these large houses, which are usually built by private owners, can accommodate up to eight or more people. This means that you can share the rental cost per night between your group.

Let us see an example. A private villa in Bali, which I know very well and is located on the beach about 8 km east of Singaraja on the north coast, is currently charged at USD 340 per night. Wow, I can hear that it is expensive. However, if you bring together a group of friends or relatives to share the costs, each person would pay only $ 42.50 per person per night, probably a reduced rate in another person's language.

And remember, what you pay for a hotel room is just a hotel room, unless you jump and rent a suite, but it's a very expensive alternative. They disguise themselves, however. Hotels usually base their business model on booking rooms with double bed, private bath, chair and, if you're lucky, a table. Oh, and you'll definitely have a fridge in the bar, every item is cataloged and billed at a high price, which adds to the cost of your hotel.

When choosing a luxury villa in Bali for your heavenly holiday you have plenty of space. Usually four or more en-suite bedrooms, a large living area, including two living rooms, or in some cases even private terraces for each room. Oh yes, and then there are the private pools, which are almost standard for Bali's private villas. Most have the pool just steps away from the main lounge. If you even booked a hotel room by the pool, you know how much they charge you. And that can be a mixed blessing, because in hotels everyone can use the pool, which can stand for junk society, noise, crowds, screams, projections: you have an idea.

When you book a luxury villa in Bali, of course, you have your own pool, which is only accessible to the tenants, unless you want to invite special guests. If you are looking for friendly and personalized service, you can not beat what the villas in Bali have to offer. The Balinese are part of a group of people who are friendly, warmhearted, sincere and charming and who you will never meet. Just take a look at the reviews of our clients on the numerous villa pages and you will get lots of hints on the high quality service of the Bali Villa Assistants. Customers often talk about the friendly relationships they maintain with their luxurious villa assistants in Bali, far beyond the service experience of hotels.

Of course, the hotels also have their employees, who usually have to deal with many guests at the same time, but the most sophisticated villas in Bali have their own villa manager, the English and Bahasa in Indonesia as well as other languages. The villa manager is committed to ensuring that any problem that occurs during your holiday solves the problem immediately. If you are ready to enjoy a luxury vacation in a private villa in Bali, you can expect to be a first name with the manager of your villa and other villa staff. It is now rare for some villas to have up to four or five assistants. So you can expect a service that goes far beyond what many hotels can offer.

The staff of the Bali staff as Villa Assistants ensure that guests receive the latest and up to date information on local attractions and visit the premises. Often, local Balinese assistants and the village manager know which places to visit that are not included in the most popular tourist guides. After all, they live there and know their own backyard.

Many villas in Bali are being built by their owners to give them a home. That's why they put all their heart into the design to make sure they're as comfortable as possible. The decoration and atmosphere of many villas are varied and varied, reflecting the Balinese culture and the owners of the villa. Unfortunately, many hotels, especially multinationals, are destined for profit and can look the same regardless of the country in which they operate.

If you are an eco-tourist, the most obvious choice for you is to stay in a well-appointed villa in Bali, as most of them are built on very attractive and attractive locations. In order to build a villa, the residents' permission is required, and in general, they value the employment opportunities of well-appointed villas in Bali.

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As a result, you can choose from thousands of well-equipped and well-equipped Balinese villas where you can spend authentic moments in Bali. No matter how good the marketing of hotels, they just can not offer the same cultural integration and atmosphere as an excellent holiday home.

The real choice is between a hotel room or a whole house in Bali and the many benefits it offers. If you have not yet enjoyed the villa experience in Bali, do yourself a favor and enjoy this opportunity the next time you spend your vacation on the Isle of Gods. Ask all those who have stayed in a luxury villa in Bali, and you'll see why they liked it so much.

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Thinking about moving to Bali

Kerambitan Tabanan Bali

The beautiful beaches, statues, temples and simple pleasures of Bali have attracted many tourists. Many luxurious and famous hotels have sprung up in Bali, as well as world class spas and yoga centers. Bali has changed since the 70s, but the special quality of the Balinese culture has remained. "The people of Bali are warm, friendly and wonderful," said Joel Parkinson, a famous Australian surfer who has lived in Bali for five years. Joel Parkinson is a professional surfer who has won numerous international surfing competitions.

Settling down on a sunny tropical island and escaping the tormenting life of the city sounds like an ideal dream. Many people realize that it is just a dream and never wants to think. Many tourists in Bali say that they love this paradise island, but they could not live there. However, there will always be a group of visitors who admit they feel a great connection to the island: "Upon arriving in Bali, I just realized I had to stay," "I knew I had to be in Bali , "I have found my place and Bali is the place to live."

You've probably heard contradictory reports about Bali, like most emigrants to Bali, before moving to Bali. You may have been informed of the great business opportunities, the moving and inspiring experiences in Bali, or the various failed commercial investments and the fair share of terrible and terrible experiences. However, you will never really understand what it feels like to live in Bali until you have lived it yourself.

The fact is that Bali is by no means the paradise that most tourists thought. Working and living in Bali is a total difference to your Bali vacation. Life in Bali can be stressful, but from a different perspective than in Western countries. Do not think that everything will be okay. Bali is expensive, yes, you can buy in the shops for 5000 Rp food; However, visas, imported products, education, study and medical care are expensive. Bali can be humid or hot, exciting or dangerous, wonderful or terrible. This island paradise can help you realize your dreams or drown in a treacherous ocean.

If you are in a good economic situation, you may find that unscrupulous traders will tear you down. Things can and will become easier if you hire a local who will help you cope with the complex life needs in Bali, but isolating yourself too much from the daily reality in Bali is not beneficial in the long run. They have neither the experience nor the knowledge to face the challenges of living in Bali.

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If you are looking for a job in Bali, the road is not easy. The work visa is a complicated subject. The salary is not the same as in western countries. Most expatriates in Bali are self-employed and run their own businesses. However, if you are really interested in finding a job in Bali, make sure you speak the language. Bahasa Indonesia. It gets a bit easier after living in Bali for a while and making the right contacts.

If you have decided to move to Bali as a family member or partner, you can support and support each other. However, if you and your partner do not have the same passion for Bali, it will be difficult to work. If you move to Bali on your own, you only have to think of yourself. But in these first difficult days you will have many obstacles to overcome alone. There is a lot to do, such as finding a place to live, making friends, making money, learning Indonesian Bahasa, traveling to Bali, and understanding how things work on this island. If you have never lived in Indonesia or Bali, you will experience a great cultural shock in the first few months. You can not see it as a culture shock, you may think you are fine, but you will wonder why your feelings are intensified with a mix of happiness, joy, tears, frustration and anger.

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