Bali, Indonesia

Bali is one of the most popular destinations in Indonesia and there is a good reason why. Bali beaches are perfect for sunbathing and surfing, has beautiful hikes, friendly locals in Bali, and super affordable. Did I mention the food was pretty good as well?

How to get there?

We flew China Southern Airlines to get to Bali. We did have a layover in China for almost 3 hours, but the flight in total was about 22 hours. Honestly, it took us 2 days to get there when you factor in the 12 hour time difference. The jet lag was so real! lol I would say pack a few books, Netflix and chill, and make sure your devices are charged to listen to music.

Where to stay?

We booked an AirBnb and stayed in Kuta, Seminiyak, and Legian. This was awesome because Legian is a suburban and beach area on the west coast of Bali in Indonesia, just north of Kuta and south of Seminyak. All of the areas were cute, but I think Seminyak was my favorite area to stay in. A lot of the AirBnbs are villas and the owners were very accomodating to make sure our stay was comfortable.

How to get around Bali?

Scooter rentals are available around the island for as little as 135,000 IDR ($10 USD). Bicycles are also available for rent, usually costing around 60,000 IDR ($4.50 USD) per day for a basic bike.

Taxis – Taxis are essential for getting around Bali, and they’re cheap. The starting rate is around 7,000 IDR ($0.50 USD) and then 4,100 IDR ($0.30 USD) per kilometer. For example, Kuta to Seminyak will cost around 85,000-110,000 IDR ($6-8 USD).

Bluebird Taxis are available in most places, and they’re the most dependable company for metered taxis and English-speaking drivers. There’s a smartphone app that makes ordering a taxi simple and convenient.

Grab (an Uber offspring) is a household name in Southeast Asia. It, too, is convenient, but it sometimes costs even more than a taxi. Go-Jek in Indonesia is a similar option though it focues on motorbike ride shares.

Currency$

The official currency for Bali and entire Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)or also shown as Rp. Every business is legally obliged to charge for their services in IDR, therefore it is the dominant currency. However, the US$ you still see rates published in USD, mainly in hotels and some activities. This practice applies particularly for businesses that are based on large investments and have foreign investors as partners. The final price you will end up paying in IDR will then be calculated based on current USD - IDR exchange rate.

When to go to Bali?

We went in March because it was the cheapest, but it is also their rainy season. Be prepared to bring an umbrella, a poncho, or rain jacket. Overall, the best time of year to visit is between May and September when it’s dry and sunny. It’s still pleasant to visit during the rainy season – rainfall usually comes as fast and intense downpours that only last a few hours.

Bali Gear and Packing Guide

• Clothing

  • 3-4 swimsuits

  • Maxi dress ( Long/short)

  • Jumpers/rompers

  • Sarong, but if you dont have one then some of the temples will give them to you.

  • Stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily)

  • Long-sleeve tops

  • Sandals

  • Sneakers- You will do a lot of walking at most of the excursions.

  • T-shirts

  • Tank tops/ shorts

  • Cardigans/Poncho

  • Umbrella

  • Water shoes

  Toiletries

  • Body wash

  • Toothbrush/toothpaste

  • Hairbrushes/comb

  • Makeup

  • Hair bands & hair clips

  • Feminine hygiene products (You can opt to buy there too, but I prefer not to count on it, and most people have their preferred products.)

  • Miscellaneous

  • Small Medical Kit (safety is important!!!)

    • Band-Aids

    • Hydrocortisone cream

    • Antibacterial cream

    • Earplugs

    • Tylenol

    • Hand sanitizer

    • A key or combination lock (safety first)

    • Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding)

    • Plastic bags (great for laundry)

    • Universal charger/adaptor (this applies to everyone)

    • Universal charger/adaptor 

Where To Go

First of all, I need to give a special shout out to our tour guide, Gusti Adnyana! He owns Blue Star Bali Tours and I highly recommend him if you want to plan your trip. He speaks English and he’s very organized. We spent 3 days doing excursions with him. Most of the days were 10 hours, but we enjoyed every minute of it. He’s on Facebook, Gusti Adnyana! Tell him I sent you. Check out this website, bluestarbali.com to see what other tours they have.

• Bali Green ATV (2 hours atv ride)

• Kintamani Volcano

• Tegalalang Rice Terrace

• Uma Pakel Swing

• Sacred Ground Restaurant (Kuta/Legian area)

• Ulun Danu Bratan Temple

• Bali Handara Gate

• Wanagiri Hidden Hills (twin lakes view)

• Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

• Tanah Lot Temple

• Ubud Monkey Forest

• Tibumana Waterfall

• Tukad Cepung Waterfall ( Bring watershoes/hiking attire/ bathing suit) Don’t wear your best clothes to this waterfall. There is a lot of walking before you get to the waterfall.

• Lempuyang Gate of Heaven- They will give you a sarong if you don’t have one.

  Nightlife 🎉

• La Plancha

• Potato Head Beach Club

• Finns Beach Club

• W Hotel in Seminiyak