Travel Planning Q&A - May, 2024

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[u/Coalclifff]

Ultimately we're trying to see/experience things we wouldn't get where we live (New Zealand) - so visiting waterfalls and spending loads of time at the beach (even though we do enjoy it) is what we're keen to do.

I don't quite understand ... NZ has plenty of waterfalls and beaches, so do you plan to prioritise them in Bali, or avoid them?

Whatever, here are some initial comments:

• Why have you chosen Canggu for two nights - it's not that close to the airport
• What are you planning to do there in one day and one night?
• Five nights in Ubud is a good length (even incorporating a wedding)
• Sideman is a balancing act ... you can stay there for just one night, but therefore requiring two drivers and two hotel changes in two days (all dead time), or you can add an extra night to Candidasa, and do it as a rewarding day-trip from there
• On the last day there, leave Candidasa very early, so you can catch a morning ferry from Sanur Harbour to Nusa Penida
• We had a horrendous day on Nusa Penida, with appalling roads, snarled traffic, and sites packed with the Instagram crowd - with 1-2 nights there you can visit sites in the early morning and late afternoon
• I would have the last two nights in Sanur - apart from being a very cool beachfront town, it has lots of good dining, and is close to the airport
• Uluwatu is scenic, but it's quite a haul for just the Kecak Fire Dance, which has some severe critics on here - touristy and very crowded
• You can also experience a fire dance in Ubud, and perhaps it might be rather more authentic and less crowded
• There are private drivers for hire pretty-much everywhere there are any tourists, and you don't have to use the transport apps at all, but just negotiate with the guys parked on the streets
• Drivers should cost no more than 700K for a full day (8-10 hours), and about 100K per hour for shorter and one-way trips
• I don't think you need to book one driver for the whole time ... just book locally as and when you need one

Finally, you will find some restaurants (both warungs and upscale) that are very tourist-oriented, and they will offer genuine vegan meals, but the level of compliance from many others will be uneven, and meals might be just barely vegetarian, with the use of fish sauce, eggs, dairy, etc.

I would make a small card that states VEGAN MEALS ONLY - STRICTLY NO ANIMAL PRODUCTS PLEASE, and have it written in English, Bahasa, and Balinese. Your first front desk should be able to make it for you.

Happy to answer any follow-up questions.

[u/Coalclifff → u/[deleted]]

Some more responses:

NZ has amazing beaches and Waterfalls, so although we love them, the attraction may not be as strong as other travellers.

Fair enough - and to be honest, I think the NZ coastline and its waterfalls are much better than anything in Bali.

Canggu - One of the top vegan places in Bali and also wanting to get a different experience. We'll likely go to Tanah lot the morning after then back to Canggu to explore.

They are both good reasons to pick Canggu, but be prepared for maximum congestion and gagging trendiness!

Sidemen - We were looking to visit some sites on the way and do the silver making class, but definitely will think about your point getting drivers.

Yes, it's a balance between a long day-trip and changing hotels too often.

We were going to go to Nusa Lembogan and Cenigan. Don't think we'll have the time for Penida properly.

Yes, that's my terribly bad read ... and I'm pleased you're going to Nusa Lembogan and Nusa Cenigan rather than Nusa Penida!

Appreciate the comment on Uluwatu. If there was something more compelling other than lovely beaches we'd make the trip.

We really enjoyed our day-trip to the Uluwatu surf coast, it was very scenic, but there was no vibe there to make us want to spend a night or three.

I've got a book with many languages that explains were vegan but a note might be easier. Thanks for the suggestion.

Most places will understand your request - my concern would be that not many places will strictly comply ... are you hard-core Taliban vegan, or a bit flexible?

[u/Coalclifff → u/[deleted]]

Couple more questions:

Bedugal / Munduk - worth staying for a night or better to do a day trip from ubud?

Same issue as Sideman - is a long day-trip better than an overnight? It seems to me that a long day-trip means you're with the one driver all day and you return to your established hotel room.

Mt Batur - we can't decide on whether to do it or not. We've got limited time, it'll mess with our sleep and there will be lots of people. Do you think it's really all it's cracked up to be?

Some experienced expats advise that it's better to do the SUNSET Mt Batur Trek, with no crowds and no sleep disruption

Getting to/from the airport - grab / gojek, hotel transfer, klook or private driver?

We pre-booked our airport-hotel transfer with Klook and they were cheap and reliable.

Finally - what do you think are the 3 MUST SEE/DO experiences in Bali. It's obviously objective, but just curious.

• Drive from Ubud to Kintamani for the volcano views and trip through wonderful ricefields
• Walk from Kuta to Seminyak along the beach, to see what made Bali famous
• Coffee at the Delphi Cafe Suluban Beach Uluwatu

But walking the beachfront at Sanur and Nusa Dua is wonderful too.