Bali

“Land of a thousand Temples”

Bali is the most popular island holiday destination in the Indonesian archipelago. The island is home to an ancient culture that's known for its warm hospitality. Exotic temples and palaces set against stunning natural backdrops are some of the top attractions. Dining in Bali presents endless choices of local or far-flung cuisine. After sunset, famous nightspots come to life offering exciting clubbing and packed dance floors. Inland, towering volcanoes and pristine jungles greet you with plenty to see and do, but you won't want to stay away from the beach for long.

Bali At a Glance

Some of Bali’s monikers may come out as cliché, but they still hold some truth. There’s “island of the gods”, and “land of a thousand temples” (though there’s more than that). Just like its ancient landmarks, you can encounter cultural vibes and festivities that have lived on since centuries. Natural beauty awaits you all around the island, from down at the coastlines to up in its green mountains and valleys. The most famous beach resorts are in the island’s more crowded south, while the central highlands offer you tranquil escapes amongst lush green rice field panoramas. Balinese are super friendly and welcoming. They are also proud and are happy if you respect their customs and island.

WHAT'S GOOD ABOUT BALI:
Great beaches and world-class surf
Scenic mountains and landscapes
Plenty of cultural attractions and festivities
Well-varied dining, shopping and nightlife options
Impressive hotels and villas at great value
Renowned Balinese hospitality
English is widely spoken in all tourist areas

WHAT IS LESS GOOD:
Some areas lack infrastructure
Traffic can be very unpredictable (ceremonial parades, floods, detours, etc.)

Hotels in Bali

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Abian Harmony Hotel

No., Jl. Danau Tamblingan No.192, Sanur, Denpasar Sel., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80227, Indonesia, Denpasar (Bali) >

Mai Mesaree Villas

Jl. Sedap Malam, Kesiman, Denpasar Tim., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80237, Indonesia, Denpasar (Bali) >

The Zen Villas

Jl. Kesari, Sanur, Denpasar Sel., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80228, Indonesia, Denpasar (Bali) >

Villa Casis

Jalan. Mertasari No. 3 Bali, Sidakarya, South Denpasar, Denpasar City, Bali 80224, Indonesia, Denpasar (Bali) >

More Hotels HERE... or use the search engin

Hotels

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Transfer

Travel to and from Ngurah Rai airport in comfort and ease with a private professional airport transfers in Bali . We recommend that you book the transfer from us to the hotel in advance.

You will see MANY drivers and hotel staff holding up name signs as they wait and page for the guests who booked a airport pick-up to be dropped to numerous hotels and villas. W e will also be there on time for you.
If you have arranged a pick up and you can't find your name, don't give up. The driver might just be sitting on the floor checking his sms or playing a game - but not our driver. We always give you a special greeting: fruit basket upon arive in airport, one way to hotel we take yuo to have stop at Foreign exchange office (money changer office) or stop at shop to buy drink and check in.

Unless you have booked your pick-up an airport transfer beforehand there is no easy alternative. You CAN NOT get a metered taxi at the airport. It's quite an unpleasant experience at times to arrive without an organised transfer service. You will get asked by many illegal drivers that lure around the area, if you want their service.

Left-hand traffic on Bali. Call it creative driving.

Excursions & Activities

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Gate of Heaven Bali (Indonesia) >

Hidden Rice Terraces Trek Bali (Indonesia) >

Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Tour Bali (Indonesia) >

Private Half Day Tour of The Three Temples Bali (Indonesia) >

Enjoy amazing beach resorts and luxury resorts in any in Kuta, Seminyak and Jimbaran where many of the finest hotels and villas are right on the beach. You can also find Bali’s exciting surf spots nearby. For tranquil seascapes and sunrises, the eastern beach resorts are your best bets. These include Sanur, Nusa Dua and the remote coast of Candidasa. In Bali’s farther and lesser travelled East Bali and northern region, you’ll find some world-class diving spots with calm bays. They're home to pristine coral gardens teeming with colourful marine biodiversity.

Kuta

The definitive party capital of Bali, Kuta offers an array of music, nightlife, and great deals on accommodations and dining. Kuta and some parts of Legian are more for youngsters and party goers. Kuta Beach is where tourism and surfing started decades ago. It’s an ideal place to find accommodation on a budget and is within easy reach of most of the southern parts of Bali. Kuta and Legian are not quiet, by any means, and visitors who stay here should be prepared for action and even crowds at all times of day and night. Packed into the alleys running through this area are an incredible number of busy restaurants, bars, and nightclubs, and the beach is never more than a short walk away. Kuta Beach is a great place to learn to surf, enjoy the sunset, and meet new people.

Ubud

Ubud is perfect for travelers seeking lush jungle landscapes, healthy food and adventures to Bali's Monkey Forest and surrounding temples and waterfalls. In and around Ubud are magnificent ancient temples, great shopping, multi-leveled rice fields, waterfalls, a majestic active volcano, the largest freshwater lake in Bali, the Sacred Monkey Forest, entertaining dance shows, organic small coffee farms and much more. Ubud is also recommendable for families with kids. In the mountains around Ubud, peaceful atmosphere and focus on culture and art.

Seminyak and Canggu

Farther north lies the more refined Seminyak and Kerobokan area, famous for luxury and style. Hotels here are slightly more upscale, ranging from affordable and stylish to luxurious and opulent. Seminyak has most clubs and beach clubs, more upper class. The hotels and villas in this area are often tucked away from everything else, offering serenity, calm, and a unique Balinese aesthetic.

Seminyak and Canggu are great areas for children too, yet the sea is more rough and sometimes dangerous. If kids are old enough to surf or learn how to surf, these areas are perfect for a more active holiday. The Canggu Club has a Water Park, Trampoline Centre, a Ten Pin Bowling, and Kids Club. Both Seminyak and Canggu have many restaurants, interesting shops and beach front clubs.

Lembongan and Ceningan Island

Easy to get to and like Bali 30 years ago - just with more comfort. Paradise

Sanur

Sanur is one of the oldest tourist regions in Bali, and yet has remained calm and quiet, run according to traditional principles by a tight-knit group of Balinese villages. Sanur is more focused on tranquility and relaxation, a bit upper class in general, calm beaches, great restaurants at the beach side (pantai sindhu). Lots of live music. Sanur is great for families with small children as it has a peaceful white sand beach fronting a calm section of the Indian Ocean that allows safe swimming. Atmosphere is calm here and walking around with a stroller easy to manage.

Nusa Dua - Photo: Mariamichelle

Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa

Nusa Dua, 5 star resort area, large properties, lavish gardens, nice beaches. Those in search of beachfront luxury will appreciate Nusa Dua, on the southern tip of the island. Here, the world’s foremost hotel operators have set up lush beachfront compounds, each with its own system of swimming pools and restaurants. Massages, spa treatments, kids’ clubs, and tasteful boutiques can all be found within the grounds of these spacious properties. Surfing and water sports are also available in the stretch reaching up to Benoa which is a great area for families with kids. While some mid-range options and private villas are found here, Nusa Dua is really for those who want to enjoy the finest accommodation in a uniquely Balinese way.

Nusa Dua's hotels and resorts host regularly some of the most important events, gatherings and business meetings in the Asia Pacific Region and are therefore perfectly equipped to match the highest standards in conference and convention facilities.

Jimbaran

Seafood restaurants and BBQ directly on the beach, every night (busy, fresh seafood, tasty)

Bukit Penisula

Bukit Penisula in the south, surfer's paradise and still a little bit off the beaten track. Padang Padang Beach, Bingin Beach, Dreamland, Uluwatu, Balangan are some of the best beaches for swimming and surfing. Lovers of beaches, surfing and sun will love it here. You will find some world-class surf breaks on this cliff-lined stretch of coast.

More Excursions and Activities in Bali HERE... or use the search engine

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Useful Information

Arriving at Bali

The airport is located in the south of Bali and very near to most of Bali's main tourist areas. The international and domestic terminals are next to each other.

North of the airport : Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Kerobokan, Umalas, Canggu, Tanah Lot.  

South of the airport : Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa, Pecatu, Uluwatu, Ungasan.

Visa for Indonesia

Free entry stamp and Visa on Arrival both valid 30 days.
Remember: day of arrival and departure day count as full days each.
You passport must be valid for 6 months when arriving. Otherwise you won't be alowed to enter Bali (happens to quite a few)! There are no exceptions.
Keep a page on passport empty for stamp or visa sticker!
Keep your boarding pass when you arrive, you might have to show it to the immigration officer.
Free Entry stamp is valid 30 days and CANNOT be extended
Penalty fee for overstaying IDR 1,000,000 per day
Don't bring more than IDR 100mio in cash (ca. AUD 10,000)

Currency on Bali, Indonesia

The official currency for Bali and entire Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) or also shown as Rp.

However, the US$ you still see rates published in USD, mainly in hotels and some activities. US$, AUS$, EUR will be accepted changed almost anywhere. Make sure to go to official money changers.

Rough Rates: 1 AUD - 10,000 IDR; 1 USD - 13,000 IDR; 1 EUR - 14,500 IDR; Sometimes local prices are shown like this: Rp. 60K or 60T

Bring some cash, your credit card and a normal bank card. Most resorts and hotels accept credit cards but most times smaller places like guesthouses or homestays do not. Always carry a bit of cash with you. Tipping the staff at the hotel, spa and restaurant is also usually done in cash. Visa and MasterCard are the most accepted credit cards in Bali. Some hotels and restaurants do take Amex, Diners Club even less.

Beach in Bali

Bali Climate

Bali is located about 8 degrees south of the equator. Therefore you can expect a tropical, warm and humid climate all year around - with two main distinctive seasons: Dry Season and Rainy Season. Dry season is between April and September; During rainy season which is typically from October to March Bali becomes more quiet.

Bali's central mountains (volcanoes) include several peaks over 3,000 meters in elevation. Up there, the temperatures are considerably cooler, and there is much more rainfall than in the coastal areas. Average year-round temperature stands at around 26-27°C with a humidity level of about 85-90%. Water temperatures are always pleasant.

Best time to visit Bali depends mainly on the weather and on high and low season, which does affect the overall price for accommodation. High season is during the months of July and August, during Easter Holidays, and Christmas / New Year (December till 1st week of January). This is the time Bali is the busiest.

However, for many reasons, best time to come to Bali is April, May, June and September, just before and just after high season. It's still dry season, it's slightly less humid, and room prices and villa rentals can be 30-50% cheaper than during high season. Many shops offer sales and promotions, restaurants are less crowded in those mid-season months, and in general Bali is a bit more relaxed. October is not too bad either, still much less rain than November.

Use mosquito net and repellent when possible. Dengue fever is widespread!

Bali local time and time zones - Indonesia Central Time Zone (UTC+08:00)

Bali is part of Indonesia. Jakarta is the capital of Indonesia, but it does not share the same time zone with Bali. Bali time is one hour ahead of Jakarta. Bali shares the same time zone with Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Perth (AUS). Sydney is two hours ahead. Bali has only one Time Zone. Denpasar, Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbara, Lovina, Gilimanuk, etc. all have the same time.

Languages

Indonesian and Balinese after English is the common "third" language and the most popular foreign language by far. Due to tourism requirements a lot of Balinese speak a level of English that allows them to communicate with tourists on a basic level. But you will meet many who do speak a rather good level of English.

Plugs and Sockets in Indonesia and Bali

In Bali and Indonesia you can expect the 2 pin socket and plug as used in larger parts of Europe.

Whether you are staying in a hotel or in a private villa you should be able to get an adapter if you ask for one. The pins are round, not flat or rectangular. The standard used in Bali is a two-pin plug (round): Voltage: 230 V; Frequency: 50 Hz; Power sockets: type C / F.

Health in Bali

Vaccinations for Bali: Tropical Diseases, Dengue Fever, Diarreah, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Malaria (rare!), Rabies

Most Common Health Hazards in Bali

Bali is much more developed than most regions in Indonesia and the main tourism areas match international standards when it comes to hygiene. If you plan to travel to other areas in Indonesia or venture out for a longer period into the more remote areas of Bali, then a more careful approach is recommended. Because vaccines need to be taken before arriving at your holiday destination you need to plan your vaccine strategy 4-8 weeks before scheduled departure.

Balinese Culture

The Balinese culture and Hindu customs are probably are affecting almost every aspect of life on the island. The unique mix between Hindu-Dharma and domestic customs has lead to a vast variety of art and a long tradition of artists and masters. Masterpieces of art can easily be found in every corner of Bali. Bali's culture can still be felt everywhere; from museums to hotel lobbies and of course, the temples, where Balinese honor their ancestors and the spirit world, and perform religious rituals based on the ancient Balinese calendar. People wearing their ceremonial attires is a common sight.

The majestic musical performances and traditional dance shows have also become one of the must-does in Bali - for very good reasons. In a way, whatever Balinese do within the broad idea of culture is connected to the concept of being connected with gods and deities, ancestors and honoring their role in the cosmos. That passion and that conviction created incredible artists - local and some international.

Keep in mind the folowing!

Don’t smile at the monkey in the monkey forest or temples, showing teeth is a sign of aggression for them!

For ladies Topless on the beach is not allowed and not well appreciated in hotels. Balinese are open-minded but they don’t like: people using their streets as toilets, topless guys in restaurants and shops, disrespectful and loud behavior, somebody touching their head, overly public display of affection.

Sunset in Balin

Bali lagoon_2349401_1920_800.jpg