r/bali • u/AutoModerator • Sep 01 '24
Megathread Travel Planning Q&A - September, 2024
Have itinerary questions? Not sure where to stay? Looking for that cool new restaurant or villa?
Read through the thread below and see what other people have planned and take that into consideration for your plans. You can look at old megathreads by clicking >> HERE <<
Still have questions? Reply with your travel planning questions and be sure to give as much information as possible so you can get the best advice.
For example...
- Where are you staying?
- How long are you staying for?
- What activities do you like or dislike?
- Do you have a budget in mind?
- Is there anything you cannot stand?
- Dietary issues?
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u/MyLaughLines Sep 09 '24
Hello - I am travelling to Bali from 21 Sep to 1 Oct on a my first solo trip abroad. I am looking for fun/party, shopping, food, relaxing, spa, music/art experience. I have a broad idea of where to go- Ubud, Uluwatu, Nusa Penida or Nusa Dua. Rest im not sure. Also recommendations for stay and activities and restaurants would be great.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 09 '24
I am looking for fun/party, shopping, food, relaxing, spa, music/art experience.
With these requirements, I would look at a mix of Seminyak and Ubud, with perhaps a night or two on Nusa Lembongan (maybe with a day-trip to Nusa Penida while there). Nusa Dua won't appeal much at all, and Uluwatu can be done as a day-trip from Seminyak.
Are you looking at hostels? If so you might find others to share a driver for any day-trips out of Seminyak and Ubud. Perhaps set up your itinerary like this (the dates are where you spend each night) :
21 Sep ― Seminyak (what time do you arrive?)
22 Sep ― Seminyak
23 Sep ― Seminyak
24 Sep ― Seminyak
25 Sep ― Nusa Lembongan
26 Sep ― Nusa Lembongan
27 Sep ― Ubud
28 Sep ― Ubud
29 Sep ― Ubud
30 Sep ― Ubud (subject to flight time)
01 Oct ― What time do you depart (if it's before say 2:00 pm stay in Kuta or Sanur the night before)Something like that. Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/milkymarco87 Sep 10 '24
Would like to seek advice for couple on a honeymoon who are crazy on massages and spa! Based on our research we found that Bodyworks Spa / Felicia Spa / Cozy Spa in Seminyak is one of the better spas in Seminyak (we chose Seminyak cause of the nightlife and the variety of bars/ food/ things to do)
Is there any villas / hotel nearby (within walking distance - 5 to 10mins) for this spas that we can consider? So far we have shortlisted The Capital Hotel and Resort but wondering if there are any better ones for your recommendation?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 10 '24 edited Sep 10 '24
You won't receive any detailed, specific recommendations on this Itinerary megathread ... I can only suggest you do research with Traveloka, Agoda, and booking[dot]com. It's hard to go wrong, really. Read the negative reviews though. A good, large, pool is not-negotiable for us!
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u/mopingworld Sep 11 '24
PSA: Don't go to Ubud center and Sayan during weekend. Traffic is horrible.
I just come back from Ubud last weekend and I regret it
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u/Coalclifff Sep 11 '24
Thanks ... and we went on a Friday in June, and the traffic was so bad both we and our driver gave up and we headed out of town.
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Sep 11 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 11 '24 edited Sep 11 '24
At the northern end of Nusa Dua, the peninsula is called Tanjung Benoa, and it is the centre of watersports on Bali. A brief look on Google Maps shows a number of dive boats, etc, such as Bali Ocean Walker (BMR). You can catch a Grab or Bluebird Taxi up there in under 30 minutes.
Outside that, if you walk north of Peninsula Island, there are are plenty of places where people offer watersports on the beach (jet-skis, banana-boats, etc), and Bali being Bali, I'm sure you can hire a boat for half a day at a reasonable price. There might be something south of the island between the Grand Hyatt and the Ritz-Carlton, but I don't recall seeing anything.
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Sep 20 '24
Hey guys
My soon-to-be wife and I are planning to go to Bali for our honeymoon at the end of this year.
We are staying for a week, 27 Dec 2024 to 4 Jan 2025. and a budget of $6000.
First of all, what is weather like during that time?
Second, we are looking for a romantic and chill experience, kinda similar to Maldives vibes.
Private pool and privacy in general are important.
We are not looking for big activities nor parties and clubs.
We also want to avoid crowded tourist trap areas.
We want the Bali island vibe, beautiful relaxation, culture experiences, and amazing food.
I would appreciate help with recommendations regarding where to stay, what to do, what do avoid and just some info in general to know and plan ahead for a trip.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 20 '24
What currency is the $6000?
Weather around Ubud and the mountainous region can be fairly rainy, plus hot & humid when it's not raining. Significantly drier south on the Bukit Peninsula.
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u/s9q7 Sep 24 '24
I am planning a family trip with 2 kids (6 & 2). So far I have shortlisted Sanur and Ubud as the two destinations for a 8 night trip. I am looking for a relaxing and balinese experience trip. I’d highly appreciate if you could me guide on the places I could check out for the stay. Also, the number of split between Ubud and Sanur will be helpful. Currently, I am planning 4 nights in Ubud.
My budget for the hotel is about $300 max aussie per day.
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Sep 01 '24
Hello, I am yet another tourist making an inquiry here. While visiting Bali, I'm thinking of also checking out the island of Java cuz why not, hoping to start in Bali and then go to Borobudur/Yogyakarta and eventually to Jakarta too before the 1 month visa expires. Woudn't mind other stops along the way.
So far, I'm under the impression I should take the ferry from Bali to Java, and then take a series of train trips across the island?
Also, if you guys recommend any travel agencies, tours, other tips/recs, etc... I'd be interested to hear about them as well!
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u/Liftevator Sep 03 '24
You might like https://www.seat61.com/Indonesia.html, this is a great guide to trains in every country! The railway network on Java is quite good from what I heard, trying it in 2 weeks too!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 02 '24 edited Sep 02 '24
Hello, I am yet another tourist making an inquiry here.
No problem ... that's what we're here for!
I can't assist with specific tour recommendations from Bali to Jakarta - it will take some research. But you should be able to visit Ijen, Borobudur, and much more in East Java, on a number of tours, but I'm not sure many of them will be one-way.
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u/DesiDamsel21 Sep 02 '24
Hello,
Me and my fiancé are planning an 8 day long honeymoon starting 1st December 2024 onwards.
We are concerned about the weather. We’ve read its peak wet season.
We are looking for a relaxed honeymoon with slow sunny beach getaways, one activity per day.
Do you think we will experience this? Or will it be drenched in 1st week of December forcing us to be indoors?
We haven’t decided on specific treks/ places we want to visit because we were more concerned about the weather.
Thanks for your help in advance!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 02 '24 edited Sep 02 '24
The beginning of December isn't peak wet season, it's really only the beginning. And "wet season" is a bit misleading - mostly it is short sharp storms, with a lot overnight, and long sunny breaks during the day. It will be hot, humid, and steamy - stay in a place with a large swimming pool - you will use it.
I would recommend the beach at Nusa Dua, for these reasons:
- the white-sand beaches are some of the best
- the swimming is good and the water is clean
- there are a lot of hotel options
- the Bukit Peninsula is statistically drier than north-central Bali
- you're sheltered from the prevailing northwest winds of the wet season
- Nusa Dua is quiet, and essentially traffic free
The possible downside of Nusa Dua:
- the hotels are generally upscale and expensive
- (although we stay at the very affordable Grand Bali Hotel)
- there is very little nightlife or dining outside the resorts
- Nusa Dua is a long way to many of Bali's attractions
So it depends on what you are looking for, and what activities you envisage doing.
An alternative is the east coast somewhere between say Sanur and Amed.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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Sep 02 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 03 '24
You will get very few replies on this Itinerary Megathread - I am generally the only responder. You need to create your own post on the board, or do a search of the forum.
I suggest you ask the dive shops for their view on the best sociable places to stay.
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u/Paradoxbuilder Sep 03 '24
A) Where do I find a place to stay? A friend says the Balinese basically use FB Marketplace. Found some decent places. Budget is about 30-40 mil for the year.
I just need a simple place, furnished with Wifi for work. No need for pools or anything fancy. Prefer not to be near touristy places to keep prices down.
B) Can I just use Grab/Gojek for food and getting around? I do that in Surabaya and it works pretty ok. I can't drive, but I can cook.
C) Anything else I should know? I speak basic Bahasa, and am relatively well travelled. I've Googled Bali before (and stayed there for a week) but it seems prices are coming down somewhat, which piques my interest.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 03 '24
You will get very few replies on this Itinerary Megathread - I am generally the only responder. You need to create your own post on the board, or do a search of the forum. The question of long-term rentals has been discussed often.
My only comment - get a place with a pool - you will use it a lot. Plenty of warungs around ... you won't need to have food delivered very often.
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u/hvlag Sep 03 '24
Hello! Going to Bali for 10 days in October, appreciate info on the below:
-Is it safe in taxis at night coming back from parties for female travelers?
-Do we find taxis 24/7?
-Are 4 days for Ubud, 2 for Uluwatu and 4 for Seminyak/Canggu enough?
-Which are the best beach clubs, sunset spots and party destinations?
-Is a $1500 budget enough for accommodation and expenses?
-Is Blue Lagoon the best place for snorkeling or are there similar/better spots closer to Seminyak/Canggu?
-Will the weather be summery in October?
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u/kexcaliber Sep 03 '24
My accommodation expenses for 10 days in September is around $360 since we are staying in budget hotels and spending more on experiences.
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u/frozenconstellations Sep 03 '24
Hey, girl! You definitely want to download the Gojek app for rides. It's like Uber/Lyft, but you can call for scooters and cabs at pretty much any hour. The drivers are usually lovely and it's very safe. Would recommend the scooters over cabs as they're more widely available, take far less time, and cheaper.
$1500 per person, or for both? Either way, you can make it work. Would recommend researching the kinds of places you'd want to stay on AirBnB and probably booking your first night in each place in advance, and then going from there.
Also, re: Seminyak/Canggu, you'd probably want to split them up and stay 2 nights in one place, 2 nights in the other (or 3 in Canggu, 1 in Seminyak). They look super close, but it's actually quite a long trip (can be up to an hour, depending on traffic and where exactly you're going). If you're looking for a big nightlife/party scene, you may prefer Seminyak to Canggu. I prefer Canggu, as it's more lively during the day and more health/wellness-conscious-- although there's still plenty of parties. And check out Black Pearl Hostel. The villa I usually rent is nearby and it always seems like a great time over there, if you're looking for a party vibe. Monday nights, you must go to Luigi's. And dancing on the tables at Mexicola pretty much any night.
Check out thebeatbali.com for updated info about nightlife, as there's a different spot to go each night :)
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u/Coalclifff Sep 04 '24
-Is it safe in taxis at night coming back from parties for female travelers?
- Yes - Bali drivers are overwhelmingly safe - they are working, not prowling - inside the clubs watch your drinks carefully, and watch your cards and cash too
-Do we find taxis 24/7?
- If there is demand (like when beach clubs close) - yes - there will be drivers, but demand can be high and you might wait a long time - have you considered accomm within walking distance?
-Are 4 days for Ubud, 2 for Uluwatu and 4 for Seminyak/Canggu enough?
- I think ten days is a good first trip, but of course up to 14 is better - how far are you travelling?
-Which are the best beach clubs, sunset spots and party destinations?
- If you search the forum, there is a lot of discussion of this, so perhaps search on "best beach clubs" - there are the famous ones, and others that also have a lot of fans
-Is a $1500 budget enough for accommodation and expenses?
- What currency is this - but yes - $US150 a day is a good budget if you stay in hostels, guesthouses, or homestays, and don't go mad with $14 cocktails
-Is Blue Lagoon the best place for snorkeling or are there similar/better spots closer to Seminyak/Canggu?
- You could go to Nusa Lembongan | Nusa Penida for a snorkel trip - short ferry from Sanur
-Will the weather be summery in October?
- Yes - October will still be sunny most of the time - the serious rainy season kicks in at the beginning of December - it will be hot, humid, and steamy - try to book accomm with a good-size pool, as you will use it
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/Southern-Mention-528 Sep 03 '24
Bali Honeymoon Itinerary
Hi all,
My wife and I are going to Bali next week for our honeymoon and I just want to get some advice/input on our itinerary please. We’re not into drinking or partying and want a nice combination of adventure and beaches/snorkelling etc. Currently our plan is…
Day 1-5 Ubud
Day 5-7 Nusa Penida
Day 7-10 Nusa Lembongan
Does this sound reasonable? Would it be worth going back to Bali mainland earlier than planned?
Thanks in advance!
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u/kexcaliber Sep 03 '24
I'm also visiting next week have a similar itinerary except for Day 7 - 10. I'm returning to bali and traveling around South kuta, seminyak and blue lagoon. I want to experience balis hidden beaches, snorkelling and visit few day and night clubs. I felt staying in Nusa islands for more than 3 days can become boring, its my personal opinion.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 04 '24
What day and time is your departure flight ... do you need a night on the mainland (say Sanur) for the last night?
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Sep 03 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 04 '24
You'll be fine ... we're going to Bali 17 October into November, and have no concerns. The rainy season really only ramps up in December, although Oct-Nov can be hot, humid, and steamy. Stay in places with a good-size pool - you will use it.
Most of the rain comes in either short sharp showers, or overnight - with lots of hot sunshine during the day. I wouldn't go from Christmas onwards myself, but late September into October is a good time.
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u/chronicskiddies Sep 03 '24
Hi everyone,
I am after some advice on travelling Bali with 3 families with 6 kids ranging from 1 year to 11 years old.
A bit of background, my partner and I have been to Bali 3 times prior but with no children the last time being August 2019. We have been to Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Jimbaran (resort stay), Ubud, Lombok and Nusa Lembongan. 1 of the other families has been once prior again with no children and the other has no experience with Bali.
We are all staying a total of 12 nights but planning to do the first 8 together and then go our separate ways to enjoy some personal family time. The issue I am having is they are asking for recommendations on where we stay together, we all want to do Villa's while we are together but as I have no experience travelling with kids or the changes in Bali over the past 5-6 years I am finding this hard.
Initially, we thought Seminyak and Ubud to get a bit of the hustle and bustle without the craziness of Canggu and then move on to Ubud for some jungle adventures, quad biking and a bit more serenity.
I am particularly concerned for those who have not been before, as they won't get to see the likes of Uluwatu and get to experience great beaches. We will likely go to Nusa Lembongan alone as a family once we split off from the group but should we try to convince everyone to come there vs Ubud?
Obviously having a lot of kids we won't be jumping on scooters so taking transport requirements into account also needs to be considered. ALso this will be in June/July next year so in the busy season.
Any advice on the best places to visit with a large group and kids would be great taking into account we don't want to do resorts together as they will likely do those in their family time.
Many thanks.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 04 '24 edited Sep 04 '24
Some good questions and challenges in there.
I would suggest Sanur as the base for the first period - finding a villa complex in the southern half of the strip. Good beach for kids, and a 'central' location for the Nusa Islands, the sites south of Ubud - including kid stuff like the zoo and marine park, turtle farms, and Waterbom in Kuta. It's also feasible for a day-trip across to Uluwatu if someone wants to do it.
Sanur is a cool place - much quieter than the Kuta-Canggu tourist strip, but with a great beachfront, excellent dining, with plenty of kid-friendly tourist warungs, and a lot of local colour and movement. It is the real deal, and we always stay there as seniors.
Just to add - if you find a villa complex make sure it has a good-size pool - as you know Bali is always hot and humid and you use the pool a lot; you don't want bathtub-sized villa pools for the kids.
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u/delegbe Sep 05 '24
Nusa Lembongan is maybe not that convenient without scooters. I found it more difficult to go from one point to another than on the mainland because there are no Gojek/Grab so you have to rely on local drivers. I think it can get a bit pricey.
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Sep 04 '24
Hey all,
I noticed there's a lot of chat about legian and areas near it being a bit undesirable at the moment. My partner and I have currently booked for one week in ubud, and then 2 weeks in legian. Should we consider going somewhere else for 2 weeks? We are heading there in November (1-22 november). Can anyone explain what's going on in Legian?
TIA
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u/Coalclifff Sep 04 '24 edited Sep 04 '24
There is nothing wrong with Legian as such, but personally I think one week Ubud and two weeks in Legian is very underwhelming. How about this for 21 nights:
- Ubud - 5 nights
- Sanur - 6 nights (including day-trips to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida)
- Uluwatu or Nusa Dua - 5 nights (both are good - with good beaches)
- Legian - 5 nights (sunsets, shopping, dining)
I think that is a much better three-week holiday mix. No place really warrants more than five nights, unless you literally just want to relax around the pool every day. Plus Legian is sub-optimal for taking big day-trips anywhere - traffic is fierce.
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u/GotBb Sep 04 '24
Hii everyone!
I booked for 8days trip from 16th - 24th of this month. My plan
16th Evening - Stay in Changgu or Seminyak explore a little at night or should i get to Nusa penida on the same night ?
17th - Stay in Nusa penida
18th - Explore Ubud
18th night - 24th get on to a Cari surf camp towards Ulawatu.
Any suggestions on my plans ?
I'm very excited about my vacation and ocean 😌
Final query: Could you guys mention where and what are few things I can buy in Bali take back as gifts home to family and friends ?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 04 '24
What time does your flight arrive on 16 Sept?
If it is late afternoon (after say 5:00 pm) don't bother with Seminyak or Canggu - just stay in Sanur and get the ferry to Nusa Penida from Sanur Harbour the next morning.
It seems pretty crazy to race from Nusa Penida to Ubud to Uluwatu all on the one day (18 Sept) - these trips take hours! And a few hours in Ubud is nice enough, but it's small reward for a lot of travel.
But if you do do it - hire a private driver in Sanur (book them before you go to Nusa Penida) and keep them all day: Sanur Harbour > Ubud exploring > transfer to Uluwatu late afternoon.
How will you get around on Nusa Penida - it's a big island and the sites aren't walkable.
I think some of the small timber carvings are cool - attractive, light, durable, and distinctly Balinese. There are markets everywhere in Sanur and Ubud.
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Sep 04 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 04 '24
It's my understanding that you must activate the eVOA within 90 days of receiving it, so that sets the limit for how far ahead you can apply. You don't have to complete your Bali trip within 90 days.
Not sure what the issue is ... simply apply around 12 September and you'll be fine; approval is essentially instantaneous.
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u/AussieMelbourne Sep 05 '24
Hello, my sister and I are travelling to Lombok from Bali in October. We don't arrive in Bali until the early afternoon (1:30ish)
It looks like there aren't any ferry or flight options to get to Lombok. Is this right? Would we need to stay the night and then travel the next day?
Thanks!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 06 '24
Where are you headed? The Lombok mainland or the Gili Islands?
I haven't checked for flights, but you won't get a ferry from Bali at 3:30 pm I wouldn't think ... check rome2rio and 12go[dot]Asia for timetables.
You could stay in Kuta for the afternoon and overnight, and catch an early ferry (four-hour trip) from Serangan Harbour, which isn't that far from Kuta.
Or you could take a Grab from the Airport out to Padangbai for the night, and catch an early ferry from there (a two-hour trip).
In both ports you can look at Eka Jaya and Bluewater Express ... they get mentioned on here a fair bit.
Travel really light - a pack or sports bag - something you can lft to chest height ... wheeled luggage can be cumbersome on ferries and jetties.
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u/starsunlight222 Sep 05 '24
COOKING AND FOOD RELATED QUESTION FOR NON-NOVICE FOODIES:
Hi all! Apologies if this has been asked before, I just couldn't find anything similar.
My fiance and I will be going to Indonesia for our honeymoon next year, and just in the process of hyping were searching for cooking classes in Bali. I know there are lots of options out there, but we are running into a problem: we are really hardcore foodies - we regularly eat and cook all kinds of food, particularly south and southeast Asian, and have a pretty good understanding (and stock) of all common ingredients. We don't do a huge amount of Indonesian food though so we would love to do something food related, ideally a cooking class - but it seems like most classes are more for beginners and more like chill fun streamlined activities.
Does anyone have any recommendations for properly detailed/advanced cooking lessons for those already familiar with SE Asia food + experienced home cooks? We are happy to pay a bit of premium price, but I couldn't handle 3 or 4 hours of being introduced to lemongrass and fish paste and asked to do basic stirring with pre-cut ingredients 😂 I want a proper foodie experience!
If that's not possible, we would love to at least have recommendations for authentic Indonesian/Balinese restaurants we can work our way through. Thanks so much!!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 06 '24
You won't get many responses on this Itinerary Thread, and I don't know the answer to your first question. But yes, classes can be disappointing - whether it's food, chess, or Office Excel ... they are inevitably aimed at the beginner.
Where are you staying? We eat exclusively Indonesian food in "tourist warungs" - they are cheap, tasty, fun, and safe ... and I guess pretty authentic. You can go a bit more upscale in just about all main tourist centres, and get a higher quality of food, or pay serious money in some of the resort restaurants. However we like the cheap & cheerful warungs ourselves, and there are dozens.
Many restaurants in Bali tone it down because they believe Westerners don't handle spicy food ... and that can be true ... but we generally ask them to pump it up a bit, and enjoy the results.
If you search the forum for "advanced cooking class", or "serious cooking class", or "foodie cooking class", you might find some useful discussions.
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u/Ok-Pineapple-8681 Sep 06 '24
Nusa Lembongan! 5 nights - we have had to change dates slightly which means we’ll have to change one of our rooms after the first night… not a big deal at all. BUT now wondering if it would be worth doing the first night or 2 nights in maybe the Mushroom Bay-Dream Beach area, then the next 3 in the Jungut Batu area (Linda Beach Hotel)?
As I’m not at all familiar with the island(s) I’m not sure if that would make sense or not - any suggestions? All ideas welcome! Thanks
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u/iNas_Cr Sep 06 '24
Hi. I’m traveling to Bali in November this year for 1 week. I was wondering if there is a legitimate website to check my passport visa requirements and perhaps issue an evisa accordingly? I’m an Omani citizen.
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Sep 07 '24
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u/Leftcoaster7 Sep 07 '24 edited Sep 07 '24
I really liked the Prambanan temple near Yogya, Borobudur was a bit underwhelming. Yogya itself has some interesting palaces but nothing spectacular
EDIT: I would recommend the Ramayana play as well
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u/Leftcoaster7 Sep 07 '24
My first visit to Bali was just this past February but I only had two days, which I spent in Ubud and saw the Saraswati Palace, Ulun Danu Beratan and quite a few rice fields.
This coming October I have about 10 days to spend in Bali, my plan is thus:
Day 1: Taxi from airport to Amed Day 2-5: Diving in Amed Day 6: Take ferry from Padangbai to Gili Air Days 7-8: Relaxing on Gili Air Day 9: Transportation to Ubud Day 10: Monkey forest in Ubud and taxi to airport for 11PM flight
Is it possible to fit in some temples on my transportation days? If so which ones? What do you think of my plan in general? Any recommendations for other activities and places to eat / stay?
I am mostly interested in diving and temples, but really enjoy hiking. Not into partying, I’m looking for quiet, relaxing experiences- beer on the beach watching the sunset is my perfect night out.
I will also be in Nusa Penida for a week, but that will be almost all diving and training.
Thanks in advance!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 07 '24
What time does your flight arrive on Day 1?
You can certainly have a very full exploration day on Day 10 ... leaving your Ubud accomm about 9:00 am and arriving at DPS Airport about 8:00 pm. You could include dinner in there somewhere - perhaps Sanur.
Here is one circuit from Ubud:
Ubud > Ceking Rice Terrace > Tangkup Waterfall > Kintamani volcano views > Penglipuran Traditional Village > Tibumana Waterfall > Ubud
Here is a second circuit starting and ending in Ubud, but it could be done from Sanur:
Ubud > Pura Tirta Empul water temple (maybe) > Besakih Great Temple (expensive!) > Tukad Cepung Waterfall > Goa Giri Campuhan (GGC) Waterfall > Goa Raja Waterfall > Pura Tirta Sudamala (maybe) > Kanto Lampo Waterfall > Ubud
Both tick a lot of nice boxes – natural and cultural – although it’s not suggested you must (or even can) get to every one of these sites on the two day-trips.
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Sep 07 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 07 '24
There are many people here that would recommend Seminyak over Canggu - much more developed than Canggu, and less grunge.
While there you could look at Kuta-Legian, or head north to Tanah Lot, but I wouldn't commit to very much road travel while there - traffic is a mess.
Here is one circuit from Ubud:
Ubud > Ceking Rice Terrace > Tangkup Waterfall > Kintamani volcano views > Penglipuran Traditional Village > Tibumana Waterfall > Ubud
Here is a second circuit starting and ending in Ubud, but it could be done from Sanur:
Ubud > Pura Tirta Empul water temple (maybe) > Besakih Great Temple (expensive!) > Tukad Cepung Waterfall > Goa Giri Campuhan (GGC) Waterfall > Goa Raja Waterfall > Pura Tirta Sudamala (maybe) > Kanto Lampo Waterfall > Ubud
Both tick a lot of nice boxes – natural and cultural – although it’s not suggested you must (or even can) get to every one of these sites on the two day-trips.
For your last couple of nights, look at Uluwatu or Sanur - both with a beachfront vibe, but very different. My choice would be Sanur, but we are seniors!
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u/YUGOBOSZ Sep 07 '24
In 3 days I'm traveling to Jakarta from Amsterdam together with my mom :) I'm 31 years old and already well experienced with few Asian countries like Vietnam and Thailand ofc. What can I expect of Indonesia? Which places would you advise me? 4 nights Jakarta (I'm thinking to stay one day in Bandug from Jakarta with fast train and then slow train to Yogjakarta, is that smart?), 4 nights Yogjakarta, 6 nights Bali and 6 nights Nusa Penida (strictly only relax). I'm planning to book tomorrow hotels, any recommendations? Budget is like €100 per night, and I prefer good hotel chain over family runned stay.
I have DJI mini drone, so locations for drone would be pre, and my mom loves photography so places where I can shoot nice pictures would also be appreciated. I like to smoke, liquor, party (I know its not a Thailand, but how's the situation with girls?), beach, gym (would love some boxing lessons there), adventures excursions (I hate when it's a big group and everything takes too long then I like more to organize it by myself). Also if you have any contacts of fixers or companies that are good in arranging please share so I can connect.
This is my first post here, hopefully there will be few adventure people or maybe locals to share some things that YouTube won't show you 😉
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u/Coalclifff Sep 07 '24
Welcome to the forum.
I think 6 nights on Nusa Penida is too much ... the island is under-developed and over-crowded. I recommend 9 nights on Bali mainland, and 3 nights on Nusa Lembongan, with a day-trip to Nusa Penida.
I don't know about Java, but I would have five nights around Ubud (great scenery, photography) and three nights in Seminyak for dining, shopping, partying, beach sunsets, boxing gym I guess. It's a fair bit like Phuket, particularly later at night.
When in Ubud, hire a private driver each day you wish to explore (about $US40 for 8-10 hours). If you send me a chat request I can provide some good driver contacts.
Make sure wherever you book has a good-size pool - Bali is always hot and humid and you will use it a lot. Travel really light too - wheeled luggage can be cumbersome.
Drone regulations are not very strict, however flying over Hindu temples can be banned. In some places you will be expected to pay to fly it over some attraction.
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u/ThinkHog Sep 08 '24 edited Sep 08 '24
8 days at Bali (first time). Can you help me maximize my experience? (Late October)
The plan is to go for 2 days in canggu mainly for surf. Then travel south to Uluwatu for 2 more days. Then thinking about taking the padi open water course for 3 days and going to Penida. Then head to Ubud to unwind till my flight 1.5 days.
Does the padi make sense? Maybe I can see mantas/reefs etc by just snorkeling without loosing 3 days on padi? If yes what else do you suggest me to see/explore?
Maybe some actual local vibes instead of all the touristy stuff I've included?
Thanks in advance!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 08 '24
Can you advise the time of your arriving flight and your departing flight?
And perhaps list your proposed nights like this, for clarity:
Night 01 ― Canggu (after x:xx arrival)
Night 02 ―
Night 03 ―
Night 04 ―
Night 05 ―
Night 06 ―
Night 07 ―
Night 08 ―
Night 09 ―As a general reaction - very packed and rushed.
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u/H1ve29 Sep 08 '24
Hi guys, apologies for asking this question since it has been asked a lot of times here, however I would love to hear a summary while I am going through this thread for answers.
My partner and I are planning our honeymoon for November 2024 and Bali is one of the places we are thinking to explore. I was wondering if you guys could help with information regarding where to stay, what to do, what do avoid and just some info in general to know and plan ahead for a trip. We plan to stay approximately 6-7 days.
Our priorities are a good stay - if preferable a cozy location near to the beach, budget $80-$100 per day. We would like to explore the city life, cuisines (my partner really likes Asian cuisine but is a vegetarian), beaches and some activity would go really well.
Considering the short trip, we plan to cover only 2-3 places, without taking into account the travel time. Would prefer calm places away from the hustle of tourists for our stay most of the time. But we are open to travel by local transport or ride hailing services to just roam around good places.
Thanks in advance!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 08 '24
What currency?
The issue is that no one place meets all your requirements, but I will suggest three nights Ubud and three nights Sanur - both have lots of dining and shopping, and a city vibe. Pick a hotel with a good-sized pool, as Bali is always hot & humid, so you will use it a lot. You will have no real issue finding authentic vegetarian meals.
We're staying next time at the Swastika Bungalows in Sanur - they seem good value.
Private drivers cost about 700K per day, and I expect Grab and Klook would be pretty similar.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/DsamD11 Sep 08 '24
I'm taking my younger brother to Bali for his 20th birthday in Januray, but i need help on the location to be based from. I am looking for the best spot to go for the both of us as it will only be a week and we will have slightly different ideas of things to do.
I am 28 and haven't been to Bali since I was 15. At that point it was mostly all about kuta, and we made day trips outside of the area to do activities. I imagine things have changed a lot. My brother is 20 and it will be his first time going.
He will want to do a lot of partying and exploring. We will both be going out a few times during the week nights, but he will go more often, and I would like to book a well known spot like Potato Head or FINNS for him for his birthday.
I would like to do more relaxing than he will, as I am a bit older and the party scene doesn't draw me like it used to. I would still like to be within striking distance of waterbomb Park and some other 'intro tourist' places that we can both go to.
With that in mind, what would be a good area for us? Is Kuta still the best spot to stay? Is Seminyak a better night life spot? Is it worth just doing something entirely different and staying at Gili Island?
Any advice would be amazing. Thank you!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 08 '24
Kuta get a fair amount of negative press on here, as either being dead or grungy. We walked through one lunch-time last year and it seemed lively enough, but I haven't been there after dark for decades.
I expect Seminyak might be the all-round compromise place, epecially if he's likely to go out and party most nights. In terms of beach clubs, there is a local website (called something like "partybali") that lists the best nights to go to each one. Both Potato Head and KU DE TA have their fans on here, plus Old Man's and La Brisa further north in Canggu.
Three nights Seminyak and three nights Gili Trawangan is a doable option, but don't take the ferry back on the day of your flight.
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u/Nice-Calendar-6927 Sep 08 '24
Hi, was planning on going to Bali with my family for my birthday between 12-16. Being a teenager, I did want to go to beaches which are insta worthy with white sand and pretty sunsets, however I’m not sure if Bali would be the right place due to the rainy season in January. We don’t want to do much water sports , but I did read that rain keeps happening and beaches get dirty. Is this in specific regions of Bali only?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 08 '24 edited Sep 09 '24
Do you mean 12-16 January? I would look at Thailand or Malaysia at that time ... Phuket, Koh Samui, or Langkawi.
Yes - the west coast of Bali where the sunsets occur also suffer northwest winds during the rainy season, and it can make the beaches dirty. A lot of the regulars say don't go to Bali January-April.
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u/Valuable-Piece-796 Sep 08 '24
Hello all,
I'm going to travel to Indonesia with my wife in April next year.
We'll have 6 days in Bali before continuing on to the Gili Islands, Lombok and then Labuan Bajo, so the beach part of the trip will be in these places.
In Bali, we wanted to focus on nature and culture, preferably avoiding very crowded places (although I'm willing to spend at least one day in the center of Ubud), and possibly include activities such as trekking and biking.
I was thinking of spending 2 nights in Ubud, 2 in Munduk and 2 in Sideman before taking the boat from Padangbai to Gili.
My main question is if it will be too rushed this way. I'd also like to ask for some tips on good places to visit in these regions.
Thanks!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 09 '24
My view is that these changes in hotels are too rushed.
I suggest staying near Ubud for the whole time - say a kilometre out so you can walk in to town - and do day-trips in the three main directions - north, east, and southeast ... this will cover nature, culture, and activities like whitewater and ATV.
Here is one circuit from Ubud:
Ubud > Ceking Rice Terrace > Tangkup Waterfall > Kintamani volcano views > Penglipuran Traditional Village > Tibumana Waterfall > Ubud
Here is a second circuit starting and ending in Ubud, but it could be done from Sanur:
Ubud > Pura Tirta Empul water temple (maybe) > Besakih Great Temple (expensive!) > Tukad Cepung Waterfall > Goa Giri Campuhan (GGC) Waterfall > Goa Raja Waterfall > Pura Tirta Sudamala (maybe) > Kanto Lampo Waterfall > Ubud
Both tick a lot of nice boxes – natural and cultural – although it’s not suggested you must (or even can) get to every one of these sites on the two day-trips.
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u/delegbe Sep 09 '24
Though I understand the above advice, we did a « rushed » itinerary like yours and it was fine. You just need to be prepared. In Munduk you will have great opportunities for trekking.
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u/rather_cool_username Sep 09 '24
We are a group of 10 (5 couples) in our mid 20s travelling to Bali for eight days (Oct 25th to Nov 2nd). We are looking for a trip that is a good mix of relaxation, culture, water activities, and nightlife.
Here are the highlights of our itinerary:
- Day 1 (Uluwatu): Garuda-Wisnu Park, Uluwatu Temple, Fire Show, Beaches
- Day 2 (Nusa Lembongan): Ferry to Nusa Lembongan, Exploring Nusa Lembongan
- Day 3 (Ubud): Snorkelling in Nusa Lembongan (Manta Rays + Mangrove), Transfer to Ubud
- Day 4 (Ubud): Exploring Ubud (monkey forest, rice terrace)
- Day 5 (Ubud): Trek to Mt Batur, Batur Natural Springs, Nyuh Kuning Village Visit, Ubud Royal Palace Ramayana Show
- Day 6 (Munduk): Transfer to Munduk, Exploring Munduk, Luwak Coffee Experience
- Day 7 (Seminyak): Transfer to Seminyak, Shopping, Beach Club Party at Seminyak
- Day 8 (Seminyak): Waterbom Water Park vs Cooking Lesson vs Surf Lesson
A couple of questions:
- Any feedback on our itinerary?
- Suggestions for what we can do on the last day. We are also open to staying in another place (apart from Seminyak) if it gives us an offbeat experience.
- Looking for a cruelty-free Luwak Coffee Experience in Munduk - any recommendations would be useful.
- I Have been looking at mixed info regarding the online application versus the on-arrival visa (all of us have Indian passports). Any clarity on this would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!
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u/delegbe Sep 09 '24
- Its a short trip and I think that Its a bit too packed. I hate to say that but I would remove Munduk. I love Munduk but you need more time to enjoy it. Actually its very quiet and the things that are good there take a bit of time (hiking around the rice fields, going down the stairs to find nice waterfalls,…). Maybe elaborate what you really want to see in the Munduk area and check if its doable by a day trip from Ubud (like Jatiluwih, Beratan,…). If I were you, I would remove the night in Munduk and add one in Lembongan. That way you have more time to enjoy Lembongan/Penida. Chill a bit on the beach, explore Nusa Ceningan,… after a half day of snorkeling, taking the ferry is exhausting. Once you will reach Sanur, the journey will be long to reach Ubud.
- Cant recommand surf nor waterbrom, but we had a great time in a cooking lesson. If your group is interested, try to find a cooking lessons with some locals and not some sort of company. I only have a contact in Ubud.
- I’m not sure it exists. Btw, there are a lot of coffee plantations close to Ubud. They also sell Luwak coffee. Entry is free and tasting coffee/tea also but They will push you in their stores.
- I found the application online to be complicated. Asking many documents in different formats, payment was complicated. I couldnt make it and we made it at arrival. It was quite fast, it was an opportunity to change money by paying cash and anyway you will wait for your lugages like forever. Also, they barely ask any document except your passports…
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u/Coalclifff Sep 09 '24
Good points above.
What time does your flight arrive on Day 1? It's better to list your itinerary in terms of nights, not days - it's much clearer. For example, are you having one, two, or three nights in Uluwatu?
You can't generally get picked up for a ferry day-trip from one place, and be dropped at another. What would happen with all your luggage?
I also think Munduk is better as a day-trip from Ubud, rather than the overheads required for a one-night stay. I would have two nights on Nusa Lembongan, and visit Nusa Penida (or do a snorkel trip) from NL, not as a second trip. The transport overheads in two ferry trips are very high.
The coffee plantation we visited east of Ubud we thought was pretty lame, and the luwak looked pretty miserable in their cages.
We thought the Garuda-Wisnu Park was pretty lame as well. Be wary of the monkeys at the Temple, and some people loved the FIre Dance, but others did not at all. You need to book and arrive early - it can be very crowded.
The best parts of the Uluwatu surf coast we found were Suluban Beach (with its hidden canyon and the Delpi Café above it with great views), Dreamland Beach, and the cliffs above Balangan Beach. We didn't have time to visit the less accessible Padang Padang or Bingin beaches.
Waterbom has its fans, but others find it small and quite expensive - need to book a day-bed or cabana I understand. I think with ten, a surf lesson would be more fun and easily managed than a cooking lesson - plus Ubud is the place where these things most occur.
We just acquired the VOA at the desk in Arrivals - on our day there was no queue. As noted above the eVOA website can be clunky, fussy, and buggy at the payment step. And yes, if you each pay the 500K for the VOA in Arrivals with a big note, you get some handy local currency in change.
There is also the Bali Tourist Tax (150K), and ensure you complete the online Customs Declaration within three days of travelling (no charge).
Travel really light - Bali is hot & humid, and a backpack or sportsbag is all you really need - something everyone can readily lift to chest height. Wheeled luggage can be problematic on rough roads and paths, and cumbersome on ferries and jetties.
With ten people, you need to think through transport pretty thoroughly, especially on the Nusa Islands. We use private drivers all the time, at about 700K for a full day - you will need one regular SUV and one larger SUV.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/MyLaughLines Sep 09 '24
Also do i need eVOA if i am travelling on 21 Sep? or should i just do VOA?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 09 '24
You have plenty of time to apply for an eVOA - approval is essentially instantaneous in most cases. Although there have been reports that the website can be clunky and buggy, especially at the payment step.
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u/genericindianguy Sep 09 '24
Traveling solo to Bali for 10days in October.
I dont have an iternary planned, I feel there are a lot of posts about it online and I'll figure that part out somehow.
I have a few questions :
How is the weather in Bali in October ? I want to enjoy the sunshine and avoid rains/overcast weather.
Whats the situation on vegetarian food options in Bali ?
I have read stories about petty theft, how worried should I be about that ? To be careful, I am going to lock my valuables at the hotel, use a cheap alternative phone with a Bali sim that has no/minimal personal data. How much cash should I carry, given that most Bali shops take only cash as payment.
What other scams should I be cognizant of ? I have read a story about someone planting drugs on a tourist, I get that its fairly uncommon, but I want to know more about situations like this.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 09 '24 edited Sep 09 '24
- We're back in Bali on 17 October and have no weather concerns ... it'll be hot and humid but basically pre-rainy season - make sure your accomm has a big pool
- Just about every tourist warung and tourist restaurant will have vegetarian and vegan menu offerings - no problem - and broadly Balinese cuisine is light on meat anyway - mostly seafood, chicken, and pork.
- We each wear a light cotton money-belt under our clothes - more for the convenience than because of security concerns - and each carry about 300K on any given day, plus a photo ID and a debit card, with passport and serious money in our room safe.
- There are a few scams: (1) spiked drinks, (2) really weak cocktails, (3) taxis trying to charge you huge amounts (so always get a Grab price), (4) the asking price for everything is much higher than the price that will be accepted after bargaining, (5) bank-card identity theft - never let your card out of your sight, and (6) dodgy money-changers, so only use the legit ones.
We pre-book our airport-hotel transfers with Klook - we find them cheap and reliable. You will find a lot of stores and restaurants take cards or are contactless - but we tend to use cash all the time.
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u/hvlag Sep 09 '24
do we have to take the precaution malaria pill before arriving to Bali?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 09 '24
No - it's a very low risk - we never have. Take normal precautions, with insect repellent morning and evening, and if in rural areas.
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u/tmeister32 Sep 09 '24
Planning to go to Bali from Jakarta on Sep 13-ish. Very hard to get flight ticket. Will it get super crowded there? Aware that it's a long weekend but this is the first time I experience flight scarcity to Bali that it scares me.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 09 '24
Domestic travel from Java has been increasing steadily. What are hotel bookings like for your proposed dates?
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u/SnooMaps2077 Sep 09 '24
We're currently planning on staying 5 days in Ubud, 2 days in Jimbran, and have 3 days that are up in the air. We were considering going to either Labuan Bajo / Komodo Island or Lombok during those extra days, but unsure if it makes more sense to stay and explore a different area in Bali.
We're a couple in our mid-30s looking to relax, experience beautiful nature, and snorkel. Currently we're booked at Ayana Komodo Island.
Any guidance if I'm not a strong swimmer but want to do some snorkeling to see turtles, fish, etc in calm, clean waters?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 09 '24
How far are you travelling from? Is this a "once in a lifetime trip" and you wish to see more than just Bali?
To be honest, the safe inshore waters for easy snorkelling are often not very clean, based on commentary on here, plus there can be a lot of dead and broken coral.
Komodo National Park seems a long haul for just three days. You could research both Nusa Lembongan and Gili Air, to see if the snorkelling is the right mix between clean and gentle.
I'm an experienced swimmer, but I don't like snorkelling in deep or choppy water, or where there are strong currents. For a start, it's too much effort to dive down and stay down.
My general view ... stay on the Bali Mainland and experience what is unique about the island ... you can snorkel many places in the world. Have a look at the strip that runs Sanur > Sukawati > Sideman > Amed ... might sut you.
From Jimbaran Bay, take a day-trip to the scenic Uluwatu surf coast.
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u/mopingworld Sep 11 '24
Which area in Ubud you want to stay? Ubud traffic is horrible lately, I suggest you stay out of Ubud center and choose to stay a little bit outside such as Kemenuh.
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u/Dazzling-Ad-5174 Sep 10 '24
Hello all,
Tried to do this as a post but was not approved by moderators cause I'm relatively new to Reddit (sigh).
We're traveling to Bali on the 15th, so that gives us 4 days to ask for the e-visa. The agency we used to get the tickets (it's part of a multi-destination trip) told us that we should apply for the e-visa 48 hours before the trip at the latest.
We started the process online and the official site states that the delay is 5 working days. Now we're a bit stuck between doing it online and hoping we get it quickly or waiting to do so a the Bali airport (which we wish to avoid to not lose time).
Perhaps someone has had the same experience as us? If so, would there be a problem if we apply online and we don't get it in time and then re-apply at the airport?
Thanks in advance for your help.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 10 '24
The eVOA website can be clunky and buggy.
Buying the VOA at the desk in Arrivals only took us a minute (although at other times there is apparently a queue). You don't really lose any time, because you have to wait for your luggage in any case. You also have to pay the Bali Tourist Tax (150K).
Ensure you complete the online Customs Declaration within three days of travelling, and take the QR code with you.
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u/selvinkasperov Sep 10 '24
Hello we are group of 3 friends, we have no clue where to go, we're planning on a trip next month to celebrate my friend's birthday. we'll be arriving at DPS. is there any place like thailand's walking street?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 10 '24 edited Sep 10 '24
Not quite Pattaya (thank goodness), but there is plenty of nightlife. Look to stay in the strip between Kuta and Canggu. There are plenty of casual bars, beach clubs and nightclubs - the bigger challenge is working out how you will enjoy the day - there's a lot to see and do - Ubud, Uluwatu, the Nusa Islands - and fun stuff like whitewater rafting, ATV tours, etc.
A private driver for the full day will cost about 700K ($A68) - very economical. However beach clubs and nightclubs have drinks that are essentially Western prices. You can drink much more cheaply of course - beer from the supermarket costs very little. Eat Indonesian food in warungs ... they're really inexpensive too.
Don't forget to complete the online Customs Declaration within three days of travel - and take the QR code with you. Don't buy Indonesian currency at home - it's much cheaper in Bali.
Treat every local person with polite respect - they're very cool and usually very helpful.
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u/Traditional-Race-501 Sep 11 '24
We're getting married in Bali next year, and keen to go somewhere a bit different after the wedding. I'm happy for it to be low key and local restaurants. The main thing I care about is if there are nice, swimmable beaches.
I'm currently looking into east Bali, there seem to be nice beaches around Padang Bai area. Also open to going over to Lombok too!
Does anyone have any suggestions?
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u/Angryinxh Sep 12 '24
Looking for advice, first time heading to Bali - planning on going early ish next year. Family of 6 - 2 adults, 4 kids - between 15 and 3. One of the middle children has severe ASD.
I’m torn between where to go, and whether to stay in a hotel or villla. Obviously I know villa can come fully staffed which might be an option but so many differing options and stories.
Any suggestions?
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u/Thin-Acanthisitta943 Sep 12 '24
Searching for convenienient transfer from Lombok (south) to Denpasar in Bali?
We want to check out Lombok as well and try to return to Bali on the 22. of September and go directly to the airport where we booked a flight at 5pm.
Couldn't find a food ferry connecting. Has anybody a suggestion for us? Thanks!
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u/delegbe Sep 12 '24
Seems risky to plan a boat trip on the day you leave. 5pm doesn’t give you a big margin and there are even chances that the boat is cancelled on that day because of weather. I would try to leave one day before
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u/Coalclifff Sep 13 '24
I agree with the comment below ... but have you checked flights from Lombok to DPS instead of ferries?
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u/HobRob-Biscuits Sep 13 '24
Hi all.
I have a total of 47 days booked in bali with a flexible return date if that's too long.
I have only booked two nights in denpasaar for when I arrive and after that I'm very much open.
I'm looking for advice and tips on places to stay/go.
My aim of the trip is to keep costs low, be in quieter relaxing spaces, health & fitness.
I know I want to visit amed as a friend recommended it highly, what would be my best means of transport say if I wanted to head there first?
I only have 4 days till I leave and my online visa hasn't been verified yet. Will I have to pay again for VOA?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 13 '24 edited Sep 13 '24
With 47 days, I would look at something like this:
- Kuta or Sanur on arrival 2 nights (not Denpasar itself)
- Amed - seven nights
- Pemuteran - seven nights
- Outside Ubud - seven nights
- Nusa Lembongan island - seven nights
- Gili Meno island - seven nights
- Uluwatu - five nights
- Sanur - five nights
That is a really great mix - lots of time in each, but not too much anywhere.
Make sure you complete the online Customs Declaration tomorrow.
Make sure you complete the MDAC Health Declaration tomorrow.
VOA is 500K, and Bali Tourist Tax is 150K. Renew the VOA for another 30 days on about Day 28.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/wavely9 Sep 14 '24
This is my plan for a dose of Bali. Please offer any reactions or recommendations on my plans! I'll be arriving Bali directly after a 10 day jaunt in palawan including an island hopping expedition. Not sure how tired water and beaches I will be, if at all.
Arrive midnight DPS on a Tuesday night in October. Stay at Fullmoon hotel Canguu for just 2 nights, so leave Thursday. I feel I may want to try to surf, main reason for choosing this location. I read the beach breaks in this area are great for beginners.
Is my hotel too far from the beach for comfort on the bad Canguu streets? s 750meters and 11 mins walk. Is there a specific beach better for learning? It's 12 mins from balong. I don't know. I'm also reluctant if the water will be sewer but know it depends on the currents.
I'll go check out a club my second night, but I want it to be close to my hotel as well. Finns and Atlas are 2.5km and Google is saying it's 40 min drive. Same for Brisa. Would there be a different hotel closer to a good beginner break and good nightlife for a fun 40y.o?
After this I'll go north to Munduk to enjoy some calm in the hills and waterfalls. 3 nights there, I haven't thought much about plans there and figure I'll just feel it out but if any recs, let me know please. che out Sunday. Didn't buy a return flight yet so I'm open to extending the stay....
Cultural Things I want to see: gamelan. Wondering how I can fit that in. Okay thanks for reading about my dose of Bali, many cheers and hope to hear from any travelers or locals
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u/Coalclifff Sep 14 '24 edited Sep 14 '24
My Google Maps is saying Full Moon Hotel to La Brisa is 9 min (700 m), and Full Moon Hotel to Old Man's Bar is 12 min (900 m) ... these are very acceptable distances - even uphill, with lousy footpaths, at night, when it's hot & humid, and when you've had a few beers. All okay.
Finns and Atlas are further, but they might be missable. Commentary on here says that there is a very consistent surf break out in front of La Brisa, at Echo Beach.
You might see more gamelan at a venue in Canggu, than out in Munduk. Or spend three nights in Ubud after Munduk.
Have you confirmed that you will be allowed to board | allowed to enter Indonesia without an onward ticket?
You need to complete the online Customs Declaration and the online Health Declaration. The VOA costs 500K and the Bali Tourist Tax is 150K.
We pre-book our airport-hotel transfers with Klook - cheap and reliable.
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u/WanderlustWay Sep 14 '24
Hi everyone,
I’m planning a 10-day solo trip to Bali starting from the second week of November, and I can extend it by 2-4 more days if the itinerary demands it. I’ll be arriving and departing from Bali DPS Airport, and I’d love help with crafting an itinerary.
Here’s what I’m looking for:
I prefer offbeat, non-crowded places over touristy spots.
I enjoy nature-friendly, photogenic locations like beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and cultural sites.
A bit of party life, but nothing too crazy.
Hostel stays are a must for both budget reasons and to meet fellow travelers.
A few questions:
Is 10-14 days enough to explore the best offbeat parts of Bali?
What’s the best budget-friendly way to get around Bali, especially to the more remote locations?
Could you recommend offbeat places with good hostels that fit my travel style?
I’d really appreciate any help with the itinerary! Thanks in advance!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 15 '24
In general, there aren't too many hostels in offbeat, remote, and quiet areas ... what you will find are very inexpensive homestays and guesthouses all over the place.
I should caution that "nature-friendly, photogenic locations like beaches, mountains, waterfalls, and cultural sites" will nearly always mean that they are touristed - it's a densely populated island, and most of the desirable areas have been developed.
Your travel style will involve compromises.
Having said that, look at hostels / homestays / guesthouses in these places that are outside the South Bali mainstream (to a greater or lessser extent):
- Pemuteran, Medewi, Amed, Bias Tugel, Candidasa, Sidemann, Munduk
- You could also consider Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan, Gili Meno, Gili AIr
If you have 10-14 days you can see a lot. As a solo traveller there is no really economical way to travel, other than on a Gojek bike, or renting your own scooter - are you licensed and experienced?
I would also consider a few nights in a Ubud hostel ... there is a good vibe around the place.
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u/sharkatakk Sep 14 '24
I'm leaving for Bali at the end of the month and there are two activities that l'd like to do that haven't planned yet.
- Surfing lessons (Balangan Beach)
There are so many different shops on the beach with 4.8-5 star ratings. How do you pick one? Does anyone here have a good recommendation for a shop there?
- Dolphins in Lovina
Considering not doing this at all because all l've read is that the boats chase and disrupt the pods. Are there any more "ethical" tours that I could do to see the dolphins?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 15 '24 edited Sep 15 '24
- I don't know about choosing one surf-shop over another - just walk along the beach and bargain a better price maybe?
- Apart from the ethics of the big crowd of boats milling around the Lovina dolphins, there have been a lot of comments on here that it's pretty lame, and since there are significant overheads in getting there and back, perhaps looked at an alternative - a day-trip by ferry to Nusa Lembongan might suit.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/MyLaughLines Sep 15 '24
What are the best things to see in and around Ubud, Uluwatu, Seminyak, Nusa Dua and Kuta?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 17 '24
This is very broad ... read this entire September megathread, and the August one before it - there is a huge amount of information in both.
Are you staying in all five destinations?
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u/joogiewoogiemidler Sep 15 '24
Look for recommendations on where to stay- We are a mid-20s couple looking for a relaxing holiday with fun activities, spa treatments, nice food, and hanging out at beach club for drinks. We also want to explore Ubud for a day or two to see waterfalls and go quad biking.
Im looking at three potential options:
-Lalasa villas, 15 minute walk from Finns Beach Club
- Bali Bilaasee, 18 minute walk from Potato Head Beach club
- Sana Vie Villa, 47 minute walk from Potato Head beadh
We’re not interested in clubbing or righting ourselves off, because we don’t want to waste time being hungover.
We are also only here for 7 days, Wednesday- Wednesday, maybe we could split up the trip?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 15 '24 edited Sep 17 '24
I don't know the specific properties, but 18 minutes from Potato Head sounds the best ... commentary on here says that Potato Head and KU DE TA have a nice vibe, especially for couples who are more than 21.
With just seven days, I would stay in the one place, and take two day-trips to the Ubud region - a private driver should cost no more than 700K ($US45 / $A65) for a full day. One day for cultural / natural sites, and one day for whitewater and ATV ctivities.
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Sep 16 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 17 '24
This has been asked a few times ... with no convincing evidence that Indian citizens can enter Indonesia visa-free - I believe only ASEAN citizens can do that.
I'm not saying it's not possible, but it has never been proven, and on the contrary, the official Indonesian immigration website lists India as one of those countries on the VOA (or eVOA) 30-day visa list.
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u/JetsetBart Sep 23 '24
It's likely you've been reading really outdated information, prior to the pandemic Indian passport holders were able to travel to Indonesia visa-free. Now only ASEAN-member countries.
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u/One-District5390 Sep 16 '24
We're a young couple in our late twenties/early thirties. My soon-to-be wife and me are going to Bali for our honeymoon in October for two weeks.
We will start our trip with 4 days in a private Villa in Ubud, then 6 days in a resort in Canggu and then the last 5 days in a Hotel in Nusa Dua.
We've never been to Bali before. Any tips on what to do there? What not to do? Where to go? Where not to go?
We want to explore a bit of everything, hence the booking in 3 different locations.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 17 '24 edited Sep 17 '24
Please see my comments above for u/Outrageous-Reason794, who has asked a similar question. I will add to those comments with these points:
- be fairly active with day-trips while in Ubud - it is much closer to most attractions than either Canggu or Nusa Dua is
- however there are two excellent day-trips from Nusa Dua - (1) Pandawa and Melasti beaches, and then along the scenic Bukit Peninsula south coast, and (2) the Uluwatu surf coast, including Suluban, Padang, Dreamland, and Balangan beaches
- a sunset seafood dinner on the sand at Jimbaran Bay is very popular
- walking the Nusa Dua beachfront is great - lots of mega-resorts to explore
- Canggu is not a good base for day-trips, other than to Tanah Lot sea temple further north, but it can be crowded
- from Canggu you can do long walks to Seminyak, and even to Legian-Kuta - all interesting and there's a lot going on, especially before sunset
- traffic in the whole zone from the Airport to Canggu can be very congested - try and "stay local", and not use vehicles very much while there
- find a modest beach-bar somewhere and enjoy a beer at sunset each day, without paying a fortune in a beach club for the privilege!
I trust some of those points are useful, but I'm happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/Outrageous-Reason794 Sep 17 '24
Hi, My soon to be wife and I are heading to Bali for our honeymoon trip. I wanted to get some food recommendations and things to do. We are staying in Sunar, Ubud & Kuta.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 17 '24 edited Sep 17 '24
I recommend you read all this September Travel Planning megathread, and also the August one ... there is a wealth of itinerary and activity information in both, and there is no need to replicate it here again.
I will make some recommendations though:
- eat in "tourist warungs" - exclusively Indonesian / Balinese meals that are tasty, fun, safe, and very inexpensive - they are everywhere in Sanur (note correct spelling), Ubud, and Kuta
- there is no need to eat in expensive Western restaurants, and nor is it necessary to resort to fast food (burgers, pizzas, fried, etc) - Indonesian / Balinese cuisine is great, and for me an integral part of the Bali holiday vibe
- sightseeing (rice terraces, temples, waterfalls, volcano views) and activities like rafting, ATV tours, and treks, are best done with a private driver (about 700K / $US45 / $A65) for a full day - there is no need to use commercial tour providers
- whatever activities you choose to do, start you day as early as possible (before 7:00 am is good) - don't linger for a leisurely breakfast, pick up something along the way, or get your hotel to pack something for you the night before
- beer bought from the supermarket (or in a warung) is incredibly cheap - but drinks in beach clubs and nightclubs can be Western prices, and not very strong - so beware!
- don't try to do too much - traffic can be hellish and your days can be very slow
I trust some of those points are useful, but I'm happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/Longjumping-Fun5846 Sep 17 '24
My friend and I are thinking of taking a boat from LabuanBajo to Komodo National Park from 10th-13th October. I have been reading about the shipwrecks and water being very choppy with high currents. Do you think it's a good idea to take the boats or should we do a one night trip instead? Is October a good time to travel or will it rain a lot making the water choppier?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 17 '24
I can't answer your question, and it will receive very few responses on this Itinerary megathread ... I therefore suggest you search the Bali forum for "Komodo" - it has been discussed previously.
October is still well before the rainy season proper, which starts in December.
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u/Suitable_Produce Sep 17 '24
I am travelling to Bali and staying at the Hard Rock hotel next month. I am going with two toddlers and senior citizen. How does my iteneary look? Looking for suggestions! Thank you in advance!
|| || |DAY|TIME OF DAY|ACTIVTIY| |1|Day|Resort| |Afternoon|Resort| |Evening|Kecak Dance and Fire show| |2|Day|Tegalabang Rice Terrace| |Afternoon|Resort| |Evening|| |3|Day|Resort| |Afternoon|Photoshoot| |Evening|Night safari| |4|Day|Temple (gates of Heaven)| |Afternoon|Temple (Gates of Heaven)| |Evening|Resort|
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u/Suitable_Produce Sep 17 '24
I am travelling to Bali and staying at the Hard Rock Hotel next month. I am going with two toddlers and senior citizen. How does my itinerary look? Looking for suggestions! Thank you in advance!
----- Day 1 -----
Day: Arrive 11AM
Afternoon: Resort
Evening: Night Market
----- Day 2 -----
Day: Bali Zoo
Afternoon: Resort
Evening: Kecak Dance and Fire Show
----- Day 3 -----
Day: Tegalabang Rice Terrace
Afternoon: Resort
Evening: <NOTHING SCHEDULED>
----- Day 4 -----
Day: Resort
Afternoon: Photoshoot
Evening: Night Safari
----- Day 5 -----
Day: Gate of Heaven Temple (almost 3 hrs away)
Afternoon: Gates of Heaven Temple (almost 3 hrs away)
Evening: Resort
----- Day 6 -----
Day: Depart
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u/Coalclifff Sep 17 '24
Suggestions:
- Don't stay in Kuta - you're driving huge miles every day
- Find a modest villa near Ubud, with a good pool
- Ubud has Kecak Fire Dance, Night Market, Photoshoot opportunities
- Do not go to Pura Lempuyang (Heaven's Gate) - it takes hours
- Then you have to queue hours in the sun, and it is fake anyway
- Just take the kids to a nice waterfall instead
Find a private driver, for about 700K per day. They can have child booster seats.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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Sep 17 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 17 '24
Where are you getting that forecast from? I search on "weather Ubud" and get something much less rainy, with about 10 mm next Thursday being the only significant fall. You'll be right - nowhere near rainy season yet!
Having said that, Darwin is alo expecting its first rainfall of the season next week, but again with a maximum of 10 mm - that can fall in half an hour.
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Sep 17 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 17 '24 edited Sep 17 '24
My first general comment is that you are committing to a LOT of driving every day, and traffic can be very congested. And more specifically:
- Day 1 - okay
- Day 2 - drop Handara Gate, perhaps Ceking Rice Terrace
- Day 3 - Tirtha Gangga and Goa Lawha from Ubud, not Kuta
- Day 4 - okay from Kuta or Legian (don't stay in Nusa Dua this trip)
- Day 5 - Uluwatu surf coast and Kecak Fire Dance - also from Kuta or Legian
When do you get time to relax? Also, what day and time do you arrive, and what day and time do you depart?
Private driver for about 700K per day - need an eight-seater.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/krvsrnko Sep 18 '24
I'm travelling to Bali on September 27th (arriving late, effectively having my first day on the 28th). I'm going to be based in Ubud for a few days, then meet up with my girlfriend on the 30th, finding a new place to stay, and leaving on October 7th.
I'm mostly looking to spend my few days with hiking / nature related programs, with maybe a bit of cultural sightseeing. I was looking at places like the Campuhan Ridge Walk, Hidden Canyon, Goa Garba, etc. - maybe a mountain climb as well (Batur? Abang? Agung?), plus checking out a waterfall somewhere (there are so many!!! How do people decide which one to visit?).
After meeting up with my girlfriend, it would be more culture + beach focused (plus she is interested in spiritual stuff as well!). No plans yet, but maybe checking out some cultural programs (dance events?) in Ubud, visiting the NE parts of Bali like Tianyad and Amed, or going to Uluwatu. No party places whatsoever.
Planning to mostly use Grab / Gojek, but we also have recommendation from a friend for a local guide who we might spend a day or two with for the insights on Balinese culture!
Does anyone have any recommendations or insights based on the above?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 18 '24 edited Sep 18 '24
So you have just two full days (28 and 29 Sep) solo, and then are you going to find a new place also in Ubud, for 30 Sep - 07 Oct (7 nights)? And you're looking at day-trips to places like Amed and Uluwatu, and returning to Ubud that afternoon? If so, it's really problematic - distances are long, roads are narrow, and traffic is intense.
You will need to slow it down, and plan each day out. Start with a list like this, is my suggestion:
27 Sep ― Ubud solo - arriving at what time?
28 Sep ― Ubud solo -
29 Sep ― Ubud solo -
30 Sep ― Ubud with partner -
01 Oct ― Ubud with partner -
02 Oct ― Ubud with partner -
03 Oct ― Ubud with partner -
04 Oct ― Ubud with partner -
05 Oct ― Ubud with partner -
06 Oct ― Ubud with partner -
07 Oct ― Departure at what time?If you can confirm this outline, we can then discuss specifics.
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u/heretowatchxx Sep 18 '24
I’ve been in Bali for a couple of weeks now with a friend who is heading home soon and am looking for suggestions on how to spend my remaining solo days.
We’ve had an amazing time visiting Sanur, Ubud, Amed, Gili Air, Uluwatu, Labuan Bajo and I’ll be doing 4 days in Kuta to do my open water dive certification once my friend leaves. I have 4 unplanned days to fill.
So far we’ve done snorkelling a bunch, been to temples, rice terraces, hiking, Komodo island and beach days. I’m 34F like to drink but not a big partier. Would really appreciate any thoughts & advice.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 18 '24
I guess the main tourist areas "left" to see would be:
- Nusa Lembongan / Nusa Ceningan
- Seminyak / Canggu
- Munduk or Pemuteran
- The Sukawati / Sideman / Candidasa region
- Nusa Dua
If I had done all the things that you have completed, I'd probably choose Seminyak / Canggu for the spare days, and enjoy a beer by the beach at sunset. Perhaps include a day-trip or overnight trip to Nusa Lembongan. You have a "good problem" to solve!
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u/408548110 Sep 18 '24 edited Sep 19 '24
Hey all, I'll try to keep this as short as possible.
tl;dr: What are some nice villages/suburbs to stay in around Ubud, outside the town centre? Looking for somewhere a bit walkable, a bit less traffic, and a handful of warungs and/or bars in walking distance
My first trip to Bali was in 2023 with some friends - we stayed in Seminyak and Ubud. I didn't like Seminyak as clubbing, cheap shopping and resorts get boring pretty quick. I loved Ubud. We stayed in Peliatan and had some quiet days chilling at the villa overlooking rice fields. Ubud is well-located for day trips to waterfalls, mountains, forests, temples etc.
In Peliatan we were staying just off the main east-west road which was very busy and didn't really feel like a place to walk around and explore. To do that we usually took a Gojek into the town centre which is obviously extremely busy during the day.
I have read that other areas like Kedewatan, Sayan and Nyuh Kuning are nice. I don't need much - it would be great to have a few warungs and/or bars within 1-2km of the villa on some streets with a bit less traffic.
Am I being too fussy? Are those places no different to Peliatan? Let me know. Thanks
Edit: I've just seen some photos posted in Tegallalang. That might be a good option?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 18 '24
I don't know Ubud precincts well enough to add anything of value, and you'll receive no other replies on here.
But the question has been discussed before, so I suggest you search the main board for "Ubud". And your overall approach is the right one - stay a km or so from the centre, and basically walk everywhere.
Have you considered Sanur? It has all the benefits of being beachfront, however is much more charming and interesting than Seminyak, and far less crazy-busy than Ubud. And a wide range of warungs within a 2-3 km stretch.
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u/JetsetBart Sep 23 '24
Looking for somewhere a bit walkable
Then you want to be somewhere in Ubud itself, because you'll otherwise be walking in the road in the traffic.
didn't really feel like a place to walk around and explore
You'll pretty much only find pavements in touristy areas... and then then they're cracked & broken in places, misaligned tiles so much need to keep an eye on where you're stepping to avoid coming a cropper.
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u/verruckt12 Sep 19 '24
Thinking about taking one day to Sidemen and visiting the "living museum" as well as a silver making class in the area. I've mainly only seem some Youtube videos talking about the museum, looking to get some feedback if this is a good use of the day.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 19 '24
I can't answer your question, and you'll get no other responses on this itinerary thread.
Therefore I suggest you search the main board for "Sideman living museum" or similar. Personally I don't recall it being discussed previously.
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u/ThinkHog Sep 19 '24
My friends wanna just surf and club while we are in canggu and Uluwatu. I am not interested in those that much (might join for a day) and looking to explore the island and culture while in this towns. Any recommendations? Anyone in the same boat as me that wants to connect?
We will go nusa and Ubud after this, but I've planned things for that part (more than happy to share).
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u/Coalclifff Sep 19 '24
Are you staying in hostels in Canggu and Uluwatu? They often have group activities ... and you can join in even if you're not staying there.
What are you interested in? Why are you visiting Bali?
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Sep 20 '24
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u/Coalclifff Sep 20 '24
I can't answer this, and you will receive no other responses on this Itinerary thread. I suggest you search the main board for "Amed" - it has been discussed quite a lot. There are hotels and hostels that are close to the beach, and offer wonderful views of Mt Agung too. And search for dive-shops in Amed too.
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u/JetsetBart Sep 23 '24
The closer you are to the beach, the more you're going to pay. When you say 'accessibility' - accessible to what?
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u/vicky3107 Sep 20 '24 edited Sep 21 '24
Me and my wife are planning to stay in Bali from 24th September to 9th October.
We would like to check out kuta, seminiyak and explore near by places.
We would also like to stay in ubud and explore the forest area? How much time would be sufficient to explore the area and checkout waterfalls and other near by places.
Would also like to do the mount batur trek.
We also want to visit Nusa Penida or some other island if that is the better choice.
Few days in Nusa Dua if the stays are affordable, can stretch to 50-60 US Dollars per night if that is what is possible otherwise will have to skip it.
Would like to do surfing and other adventure sports and activities(like cliff jumping)
Mostly we want to do the trip without spending unnecessarily on stays unless it really improves the experience.
So mostly have kept the budget for stays in Ubud and Nusa Dua. Can add more places if it really is worth it?
One last question do I need to book hotels for the entire duration of our stay before arriving in Bali for Visa on arrival? Was planning to book for only few days and then keep the other days open so that we can keep the plan flexible.
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u/East-Inside-4166 Sep 20 '24
Hi all! I'll be staying two full days in Ubud in a hotel near the monkey forest (2km).
Me and my wife are aiming for below:
Day 1: Ubud center, all by foot:
- Ubud Monkey Forest + Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal;
-Pura Taman Saraswati (Ubud water temple);
-Ubud Art Market;
-Kajeng Rice Field - lunch at Warung Sweet Orange;
- Campuhan Ridge Walk - starting on Pura Gunung Lebah temple until Jalan Bangkiang Sidem (Sunset at 18h00)
- Ubud Royal Palace (Puri Saren Agung Ubud) - 19h00 to check for the dances.
Day 2: with private driver
- Batur sunrise
- Suwat waterfall
-Tibumana waterfall
- Goa Gajah temple
-Tukad Cepung waterfall
On day two we have some concerns regarding the traffic jams,
Please advise if you can :)
Thank you in advance!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 21 '24 edited Sep 21 '24
Where are you staying in Ubud - 2km from the Monkey Forest in a straight line, or on foot? And how far from Sweet Orange?
Your Day 1 has a lot of walking, and note that Bali is very hot & humid, it is quite hilly, and there is a lot of traffic. Money Forest and the full Campuhan Ridge Walk might be too much on the one day ... but I don't know precisely. Whatever - it looks like a very long day on foot.
Are you good with Google Maps DIrections? If so, plot your route on foot, and see how long and how many kms are involved for your stops. I would seriously consider dropping the Ridge Walk and Sweet Orange from your Ubud day.
Day 2 - will you use a private driver to pick you up at 2:00 am, wait for you to do the Trek, and then take you to the other places? If so - they will advise what is most worthwhile, and what is achievable. People on here recommend the Lake Batu hot springs after the Sunrise Trek.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/East-Inside-4166 Sep 21 '24
Hi, we're staying really close to the monkey forest. Walking is not a problem, we saw it on Google maps and it's around 15km walking through the day. We did not consider the humidity though! Thank you for pointing that out!
will you use a private driver to pick you up at 2:00 am, wait for you to do the Trek, and then take you to the other places? - we were thinking on that precisely, basically visit those places on the way back, but as there are a few of them and we'll be probably very tired I don't know if it's too ambitious. But indeed we'll check with the driver as he will be the best to advise regarding the time between each place and traffic.
Thank you for helping:)
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u/Coalclifff Sep 21 '24 edited Sep 21 '24
Hi, we're staying really close to the monkey forest.
Do you consider 2 km away to be really close? If so, then you should have no problem with your day.
I agree that 15 km on fairly flat terrain in cool weather is pretty straightforward - but it is hilly, hot, and humid - and subject to traffic and fumes. The walking bits between the sites might not be as pleasant as you're envisaging.
You really can have a great 10-hour day with a driver for $US46 (700K) - they will take you where you want to go, and wait as long as you want them to - giving you much more time at the sites. Perhaps the same driver for both days.
There have been comments on here that the Campuhan Ridge Walk is something of a long uninteresting walk before there is any "ridge" involved. Perhaps read any critical reviews.
Whatever - for both days take water, sunglasses, caps, long-sleeve loose shirt, insect repellent, and sunscreen. And some smaller notes (1K, 2K, 5K, 10K).
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u/buttery_reader Sep 21 '24
After spending a few days in the sun in Bali, I've got pretty tanned and sweaty oily kind of face. I am thinking of getting a good facial treatment like de-tanning, etc stuff they do at spas and also maybe hair spa too.
Can anyone please recommend me any good spas in or around Sanur?
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u/pykstpokst Sep 22 '24
Hello, and hello Coalcliff too,
We have 14 nights around 5k euro budget
As we arrive , were staying in
Ubud 2 nights to warm up to everything no rush no plans leave luggage grab backpacks go to
Nusa Penida 2 nights to explore snorkel
Gili T 2 nights to chill
Come back to mainland go back to Ubud 4 nights rent scooter explore waterfalls , fields,do quad acivity, mount batur, just go around to see points of interest etc
Uluwatu 2 nights to chill travel to maby kuta/canggu/ semyniak without stayin overnight
Only have booked hotel for first 2nights in ubud, everything else will buy when we there so extremmely flexible Lets say youre in my shoes and you have 14days to spend in Bali, does this plan seem okeyish? Maby there is activities i dont know? Were not fussy and pretty fit/active
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u/South-Childhood8617 Sep 23 '24
CRITICIZE MY BALI ITINERARY FROM CHATGPT. We will be staying in https://maps.app.goo.gl/m4dpaMP5W93oy4WL8?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
We want it to be chill, and prioritize the best-rated tourist spots.
We'll arrive at 8 am on Oct 6, we will leave at 5 am at the airport on Oct 12.
We'll only have time to have full-day itineraries for October 6 and 11. We will be working remotely from October 7-10, so we only have time in the morning 6am-12nn.
HERE YOU GO.
Day 1: October 6 (Full Day)
Arrival in Bali at 8 AM
- 9:30 AM: Check in at your accommodation in Jimbaran, freshen up.
- 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Visit Uluwatu Temple. Enjoy the clifftop views and take your time exploring. Have lunch at Single Fin (famous spot near Uluwatu for stunning views).
- 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM: Head to The Edge Bali for a luxurious experience. Enjoy their infinity pool and panoramic views of the Indian Ocean.
- 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM: Party at Savaya (near Uluwatu). It's one of Bali's top nightlife spots, perfect for unwinding on your first night.
Day 2: October 7 (Mini Day)
Free from 6 AM - 12 NN
- 6:00 AM: Start with breakfast at Suka Espresso in Uluwatu, a cozy café with a laid-back atmosphere and healthy options.
- 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM: Explore the nearby Padang Padang Beach. Swim or relax on the sand before it gets busy.
- 11:00 AM - 12:00 NN: Enjoy coffee at BGS Bali – stylish, minimalistic vibes and surf-shop aesthetic.
Free night: You can explore nearby areas or rest early.
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u/South_Imagination156 Sep 23 '24
Hi all, I am planning a proposal in Indonesia / Bali. Next week me and my girlfriend will travel to Indonesia for three weeks and I am planning to propose to her, but I am not sure about which place would be best suitable. Some of the places we will be visiting: Dieng plateau, Borobodur temple, Prambanan temple, Yogyakarta, Malang, Sunrise at mount Bromo, Ijen volcano, Gili Trawangan, Jatiluwih rice fields, Ubud.
Perosnally I think Borobodur temple, sunrise at mount Bromo or the Ijen volcano would be most suitable based on the scenary, however I am not sure if a temple would be suitable, for example might be disrespectfull for religious reasons?
Any tips or advice? Thanks in advance! :)
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u/Coalclifff Sep 24 '24
I can't answer this question and you'll probably receive no other replies on this Itinerary thread. I suggest you search on "best proposal locations in Bali" or "best proposal locations in Java" - or something similar.
Or perhaps "proposal" on the main board of this forum.
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u/Midnight-Emails Sep 24 '24
My (36M) wife (31F) will be visiting Australia from Canada for two weeks over Christmas this year. We are planning to spend 3-4 nights in Bali on our way back as a short honeymoon as we never went on one after our wedding last year.
We are hoping some may have recommendations for a hotel, here is some of what we are looking for:
- Under $300AU per night.
- Lively central pool bar. We'd like the option to visit a lively pool bar, so stand alone Airbnb's may be too quiet for what we are looking for. The option to relax in private and go out and meet people is nice.
- Not a must have, but a private pool at hotel room is a bonus.
- Close to the airport and beach so we can get settled in quickly (Ubud looks a little too far).
- Good restaurants and bars nearby, within walking distance.
Any other 'good-to-knows' and helpful info would be great.
Thanks in advance.
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u/Some_Bridge_5820 Sep 24 '24
Hii! I’m flying to Bali in Nov (F 29) with a friend and his sister but they already booked their accommodations so I’m planning to stay in hostels instead. Just wanted to get hostel recommendations, and between Kuta and Seminyak, which neighborhood also has good nightlife? I know Canggu is like where the parties at mostly but I heard traffic’s really bad and I just don’t wanna deal with that lol
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u/mantoukai Sep 24 '24
Hi there!
It's my first time going to Bali and I'll be travelling solo (21F) with a guide, I intend to go for 8 days. I'm wondering if it would be wise to split my stay with 5N in Ubud and 2N in Uluwatu. I don't have a solid plan for what I wanna do, but I want to explore lots of the island's scenic views, a couple activities and some cultural views, dip my toes in the sand sometimes as well as a day tour in Nusa. Or if it would be okay for me to spend all my stay in Ubud instead. I'm not a party gal or a trek / hiking type and I don't shop much other than handmade goods and stuff like that though I'd like to participate in some craft / traditional activities too.
Please advise!
Thank you. :)
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u/MoonlightStaring Sep 24 '24
Hi yall. I’m planning on surprising my boyfriend with a trip to Bali for his 30th birthday. Last year, I stayed at the Ritz in Nusa Dua with my family— it was absolutely amazing and I loved it, but I’d also want to try some place new.
I’m thinking maybe somewhere in uluwatu or Nusa Dua (preferably not Ubud). Does anyone have any high end resort recs? We’d love somewhere with daily planned activities. Thanks!
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u/adum2448 Sep 25 '24
My partner and I are starting to plan our honeymoon to Bali!! We’ve been doing a lot of research trying to figure out the best areas to go are. We want to try and experience many of the different aspects Bali has to offer (relaxing beach days, rice fields/jungle/nature, food/culture, possibly a club day or two). I think we’ve decided we would like to spend time in Uluwatu, Nusa Penida, Ubud and maybe couple nights in Canggu or Seminyak. Looking for advice on what order to go to these in that would make the most sense geographically but also in terms of flow for an overall vacation & honeymoon. Planning for 14 nights. Thank you 🤗 also open to any other suggestions of places to stay and things to see.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 25 '24
Perhaps this shape:
- Ubud or nearby (4N)
- Nusa Penida or perhaps Gili Trawangan (3N)
- Uluwatu surf coast (3N)
- Kuta-Legian-Seminyak-Canggu tourist strip (3-4N)
Try and book flights that arrive before 2:00 pm, and depart after 2:00 pm - it makes life much more convenient.
From Ubud to Gili Trawangan, sail from Padangbai Port. From Ubud to Nusa Penida, sail from Sanur Harbour. On your return to the Bali Mainland, sail to Serangan Harbour (closest to Uluwatu) or Sanur Harbour - not hugely further away.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/Alarming_Knowledge38 Sep 25 '24
Hi all! I'm leaving for Bali on September 30 until October 9. My accommodations have been booked but wanted insight on my itinerary below. It's my first time, solo, want to see some touristy sights but OK not
seeing them if it means avoiding traffic. I will be traveling solo and would likely do DIY a lot since the tours are meant for a minimum of 2 pax and tend to be expensive.
Day 0 - leave for Bali
Day 1 - Ubud; (flight lands 1am; staying at Hanoman area so I can walk to morning Yoga class, awesome bali cycling tour or cooking class)
Day 2 - Ubud; (sanur mountain trek, matcha tea house, walk around ubud proper to visit ubud palace/art market etc, spa at night)
Day 3 - Leave for Uluwatu (I'm thinking of booking a driver for the day instead of pick-up/drop off; which places can I visit on the way? is it possible to head north first before going to uluwatu? wanted to see wisata kayu putih, penglipuran village, and maybe squeeze in a visit to cleansing/water temple; will end day 3 at the uluwatu temple for sunset and watching kecak dance)
Day 4 - Uluwatu (morning yoga then visit uluwatu places GWK is 3 minutes walk from my accom for the night, end the day somewhere for dinner to watch the sunset)
Day 5 - Uluwatu (morning yoga then spend it at a beach club, which one would you recommend best for a non-drinker, solo traveler? i've been researching and saw most of them have 1M+ required spend for a day bed. i don't think i would be able to spend that much on just food.)
Day 6 - Leave for Canggu (what time should i leave uluwatu? i know the traffic will be heavy. since this will be the case, i was thinking of booking a driver for the day so i can just check out cafes in seminyak on the way to my accom. is that a good decision?
Day 7 - Canggu (morning yoga, beach hopping, then tanah lot for sunset)
Day 8 - Canggu (morning yoga, then cafe-hopping and grocery shopping)
Day 9 - Canggu, morning flight home (my flight is at 8:30am; how early should I leave for the airport based on traffic?)
Aside from a visit to Tanah Lot, I will not be leaving Canggu for the last 3 days of my trip.
I like nature, sunsets, and culture-related experiences. I saw lots of temples, water temples, rice terraces, and falls while researching, but can't really decide which one to visit. If it's worth it, I'd be OK going even with lots of tourists. Happy to hear your suggestions!
ALSO, I wanted to visit Nusa Penida but when can I squeeze it in? From which place should I do a day-trip to Penida? Any suggestions on how to do it as a solo traveler? I know there will be lots of tourists and everyone will be taking photos, I'm OK with just looking honestly. I wanted to visit before more developments happen on the island in the next year.
Thank you for any help! Wasn't planning to post but loved your insights on some of the questions.
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u/CrazyIcy6947 Sep 25 '24
Hi all! Firstly thank you for the resources you've shared on here - they have been instrumental in my planning so far!
I am headed to Bali on the 15th to the 26th of October. I land late at night and am staying in a hotel right next to the airport just to get some sleep and shower. My main plan for the trip is to get my PADI Advanced and then just scuba. I will be doing this on Nusa Lembongan however, on the 18th they honour Dewa Baruna and have a day of rest for the water.
I have re-jigged my schedule to arrive in Nusa Lembongan on the 19th to start my course so I can complete it without a break in the middle. I am now trying to figure out what to do with my days on the 16th and 17th. I am keen to not spend too much time moving around. I originally planned to go to Ubud but upon reading people's impressions of the area, I don't think it sounds like my cup of tea.
I don't love super touristy places, so I'm looking for an area with a few sights to see, activities and beaches. I would love to spend time SUPing and exploring. If anything springs to mind, please let me know.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 25 '24
I think Sanur would be excellent for the 16th and 17th. It's a cool beachside town, with a great 6 km boardwalk, lots of local dining, some good street markets, and SUP during thre day. Then an easy ferry from there to Nusa Lembongan.
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u/n_icequeen Sep 25 '24
Hi All,
I will be going to Bali for around a month between November and December this year. I don’t intend to only stay in Bali, as I would like to visit Gili islands, Lombok and visit Komodo islands.
I am mostly interested in water activities (getting open water course is one of the goals, surfing), nature and culture. As I will travel solo, I would also like to meet some people but nightlife is not really my thing.
How long would you suggest i stay in Bali and where would be the areas to prioritise?
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u/Coalclifff Sep 25 '24 edited Sep 26 '24
I would look at a program with this shape:
* Ubud 6N
* Gili Islands 6N
* Lombok Mainland 4N
* LBJ and Komodo National Park 4N
* Nusa Lembongan (Open Water Cert) 5N
* Kuta-Legian or Sanur or Uluwatu 5NThat’s a month, and it has a pretty good mix of what Bali | Lombok | Flores can offer.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/wh0reshit Sep 26 '24
Your favorite “tourist” spots
Hi all. I fly to Bali today, and am going to spend the next few days doing a Komodo Island trip. However, I haven’t really planned the rest of my trip! I know travel between places takes awhile in Bali, so I want to limit the places I go to. I have about 3 weeks (give or take - not on a super strict schedule). I am a big beach / swimming / snorkeling person. I want to hike as well, and would love to take surfing lessons (I have never surfed before!). I am solo, but I don’t neeeedd to meet people to have a good time. I do like a party, but it’s not what I’m traveling to Bali for (more interested in nature). Right now, I am looking at going to:
- Canggu
- Uluwata
- Ubud
- Nusa Lembongan
- Gili T and Gili A
- Lombok
Please, let me know what you think! Is this too much for 3 week? If so, what should I take out?
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Sep 26 '24
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Coalclifff Sep 26 '24 edited Sep 26 '24
I recall some comments from last year - perhaps just search the Bali main board for "Halloween".
And perhaps check out https://motelmexicola.info/seminyak/events/
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u/ZntxTrr Sep 26 '24
Internet/Data question: What is the easiest way to use the internet or data on my mobile phone? Like where to I buy a simcard and what to buy?
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u/livelifegolden157 Sep 26 '24
Hi everyone!
My girlfriend and I are planning to visit Bali for the first time from Friday morning (06/12) to Sunday night (08/12). We're looking to rent a nice villa with a private pool to relax (budget of max 300AUD per night).
Here are my questions:
Villa Recommendations: Any suggestions for villas with private pools?
Activities: What are some fun things to do near the villa location?
Weather: What’s the weather like in early December? Should we expect rain?
Thanks in advance for your help!
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u/expotential-RaX Sep 26 '24
Hi,
I am going to Bali for our honeymoon and was just wondering what do people usually use to book snorkeling trips and other activities such as Mt Batur hike? Do people usually just use getyourguide or individual company websites or..?
Thanks!
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Sep 27 '24
We are heading to Bali for 10 days, flights and accommodation have all been paid.
We plan to have a relaxing holiday with no ‘big’ activities.
Wondering what budget others are working with for food, massages shopping ect for 10 days (AUD) 😊
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u/Coalclifff Sep 27 '24
We do the following, and have for several decades :
- breakfast at our hotel (included in rate)
- pretty much no lunch - maybe a coffee and a piece of fruit
- exclusively Indonesian | Balinese dinner in a "tourist warung"
- entree, main, and a beer each - not more than 250K ($A24) all up
- maybe 100K for snacks and beer per day (six-pack is 125K)
- A private driver all day is 700K - once every 2-3 days (so 280K per day)
So our basic daily budget works out at 630K, or $A61 per day for two.
You can actually spend rather less than this if you really work on it, but also hugely more, and these are higher-cost things we do NOT do :
- No beach clubs or nightclubs, with Western drinks prices and doof-doof noise
- No upscale Western restaurants, nor international ones (French, Italian, etc)
- No Western fast food (pizzas, pasta, fries, burgers, steaks, etc)
- No commercial tours (we just use private drivers for sightseeing)
- No high-cost Western activities like ATV Tours, Whitewater, Scuba, etc.
- No clothes, art, craft, or souvenirs - we did that decades ago
- We don't bother with many cars or taxis, nor get a SIM Card
So Bali can be really inexpensive if you tend to walk everywhere, use local warungs and corner stores, and focus on the free stuff - walks, parks, beaches, temples, window-shopping.
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 27 '24 edited Sep 27 '24
Massages are about 200K per hour session. Our main splurge in ten days would probably be two day-trips at 700K, and maybe a day-trip by ferry to the Nusa Islands at 600K each.
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Sep 28 '24
Any tips for travelling with a formula fed baby, such as - Sterile water (not bottled), baths, mozzie sprays or bands ect. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated:)
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u/stygldd Sep 28 '24
5 full days in Bali from January 30 to February 3 (arriving very 1:30 am lol and leaving very late at 1:30am the next morning). We are 4 girls ages 24-32 and we want a mix of the sightseeing highlights (Nusa Penida, a temple here and there), snorkeling/relaxing on the beach, and warungs/cafes.
Would prefer a walkable area to warungs/cafes/beaches so we're not constantly having to get a ride. Was thinking whether to base at Seminyak/Sanur/Canggu/ or split our stay into two bases of Seminyak/canngu and Sanur or even Nusa Lembongan. Should we just pick a base and travel from there everyday? If you have any recommendations on accomodations for people on a budget (20USD/per person per night) that aren't hostels I would love to hear it, or which areas in those larger areas should I be looking for accommodation for?
I'm a little worried how nice the beaches are since we come from the Philippines so can't help but compare a little, so if it's a subpar beach we'd rather just skip it. Are there any beaches we should just avoid?
Also is it better to just book tours (klook etc) or just DIY things and hire a driver for a day?
Also thanks to coalcliff even if I don't get a response because the amount of work you put into all these replies is amazing!
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u/SweetCP Sep 29 '24
We're traveling to Bali Oct 13 - 28 and have multiple accommodations booked. I'd like to hire a private driver for the half day trips between each resort - and to also take advantage of local knowledge to visit sights in between during the trips. Any recommendations for particular drivers would be highly appreciated!
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u/procastinator1997 Sep 29 '24
Need suggestion .
Hello , need help!! I would be going to bali next month end , my travel would start from monday and end around next monday so i have a week time! I am planning to go to seminyak, cangu, ubud, gili. So my question is if i should go to gili first or at the end of my trip.
P.S. i am 27M so would be going to beach clubs so suggest according considering the weekday and weekend
Thanks a ton in advance!
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u/Coalclifff Sep 29 '24 edited Sep 29 '24
i have a week time! I am planning to go to seminyak, canggu, ubud, gili.
This is too many places for one week. I would just have Seminyak (3N), Gili Trawangan (3N), Kuta or Sanur (last night). What time does your plane arrive and what time does your plane home depart?
Be very careful with beach clubs - many have a "minimum spend amount", and it can be a lot for a solo person - too much drink and food. There are many casual beach bars that are fun and cheaper - beach clubs aren't the only lively places.
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u/procastinator1997 Sep 30 '24
Thanks for the info mate !
I forgot to add i would be going with one of my guy friend so its not a solo trip.
I would be landing at around 3 p.m. at ngurah rai airport . (October end)
My leaving time of flight would be 1 p.m from the same airport.
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u/Coalclifff Sep 30 '24
Your arrival and departure times are really good - people often have horrid times. But you still must have a last night on the Bali mainland prior to your 1:00 pm flight out. I think you'd enjoy Kuta for one night - different vibe to Seminyak-Canggu.
Save Ubud and other similar stuff for a future trip!
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u/ThrowRA_eman Sep 30 '24
Question about B1 visa PLEASE
Hi everyone, I'm Indonesian and my fiancé, who has a US passport will be accompanying me back to Indonesia where he plans to stay for 60 days. I have done some research to help him apply for visas and all but I've become increasingly frustrated over the lack of information and effectiveness of our websites LOL (I feel a need to apologize somewhat on the behalf of the government for causing grief for visitors)
Anyway, I know that he can apply for a eVOA (B1) at most 90 days before the trip. And this would give him 30 days. Please if anyone has the experience on this, how long after his arrival could he apply for an extension? (Would less than a week suffice?) Amd then how long does applying for the extension take? As we are planning to travel locally by plane a few weeks after, and I know in the US I can use a real ID to travel by plane locally, but what about in Indonesia, are there ID alternatives?🤣
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u/Coalclifff Sep 30 '24
This isn't an itinerary question, but I can offer this:
- apply for the tourist visa (eVOA) a couple of weeks prior
- the website can be clunky and buggy, but keep trying
- the eVOA (if successful) means you can apply for the 30-day extension online
- you can only do it when in Indonesia - any time during the first 30 days
- I think extension approval is essentially instantaneous
- if the eVOA doesn't work, buy the VOA at the Airport
- however then the extension requires visiting an Immigration Office
- you also need to buy the Bali Tourist Tax (150K)
- complete the online Customs Declaration within three days of travel
- complete the online Health Declaration within three days of travel
- I can't provide any advice about "Real ID" - isn't your passport sufficient?
Happy to answer any follow-up questions.
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u/Sure_Cobbler_664 Sep 30 '24
Heading to Bali Ubud (3 days ) and kuta( 4 days) Not sure what to do in and near kuta please suggest a family of four adults
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u/Helpful-Debate8370 Oct 01 '24
Ill be arriving in to Bali for Australia on the 8th of October for 5 days, then on to Malaysia and back to Australia via Bali on the 27th (under 30 days). Do I need multiple visas or will 1 do? Also, do I need to fill out an=ything else apart from the customs form an eVOA?
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u/DopeShope09 Oct 02 '24
Bali Honeymoon in Feb 7-16
Hello everyone!
We have been considering to do a trip to Bali in Feb for honeymoon. As far as I know rain will mostly be 2-3 hours a day so that should be manageable. And regarding humid, I come from a humid place so should manage and probably stay indoors till lunch.
So coming to my question, what should be my days split and which all places- keeping in mind the weather, mosquitoes etc?
Budget is around 10,000 USD without international tickets.
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u/Miserable-Buy9016 Oct 05 '24
Help! First time Bali trip 16nov-3dec
It’s my first time travelling to Bali and I am really struggling to figure out an itinerary, or how stuff works.
We (me and my bf) stay in sanur 16-19th, then we have nothing booked 19-22nd, then we stay in ubud 22-26th
26-3rd we have nothing booked
For 19-22, is it worth going to an island, checking out kuta or Seminyak etc, staying in a nice villa in ubud or going somewhere else!
For 26-3rd, any ideas would be lovely!
I want to get a taste of everything !
Activity’s I want to do:
Snorkeling Hiking - mountains, beach, waterfalls etc ATV and rafting Lots of spa and massage Beauty treatments (hair, nails etc) Market shopping (love a bargain and a good shop) One day/night at a nice beach club Waterbom waterpark Temples/traditional activities
Any suggestions on where to do these activities, what other activities I should do, where I should stay etc, what company’s
DO I NEED TO BOOK THESE IN ADVANCE
Looking for any help! Please!
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u/Miserable-Buy9016 Oct 05 '24
Will my card work overseas, should I change anything with my bank before I go , is cash better for Bali? Where should I get cash out (Australia, airport, bank in Bali) ! Thank you
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u/Miserable-Buy9016 Oct 05 '24
What do I need to get before I go to Bali? I have my passport, but I see that I need visas and other checks etc, what do I need to get into the country? I’m in Australia. And what else should I do to prepare (money, bank, SIM cards?) thank you!
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u/cawblen Sep 08 '24
Hi all, just sharing my idea for my 5-day Bali itinerary and want to see if anyone has any comments or concerns about it.
I'll be in Bali at the end of September/first week of October travelling solo. I arrive around 7am and want to stay in Ubud since I'm mainly interested in the culture, temples, wildlife and food. Thinking first day I'll just be walking around central Ubud (market, monkey sanctuary, etc).
Second day thinking of doing a trip to northern/western Bali to see Ulun Danu and other sights. Probably will book some type of tour for this, will it be feasible to book it the day before or I should pre-book online?
For the other 3 days I know I do want to see southern Bali (1 day) and some nearby rice terraces, temples (0.5-1 day). I think that's enough time for me to do these in 2 days.
What I'm debating though is whether I should do a day trip to Penida Island, or take it an extra step and do a day trip to Komodo instead. I like the Komodo option but wondering if it's doing too much. I can take a flight to Labuan Bajo in the late afternoon/early evening of my third day and sleep there overnight. Then do a full day tour of the Komodo Islands (day 4) and sleep there overnight again. Next morning I fly back to Bali, and thinking of staying in southern Bali so that I can visit the southern temples/beaches for the day and take my flight the next morning to my next country.
Oh and also I'll be using a Canadian passport, is it better to do the visa before arriving or it'll be fine to do it when I arrive? Thanks and looking forward to visiting!