As luck has it, I will be on a company-sponsored trip to Bali for both work and pleasure. I figure I have at least 2 days of R&R (unfortunately, they are not back to back), so I am wondering what’s the best way to spend them. And oh yeah, I am on a limited budget too, probably unable to spend more than USD 100. Yup, it’s a shame.
I will be in the Denpasar/Kuta area. I have been told that some of the old temples are great and Kuta has lots of things to look at.
If you can, try to get away to the northern coast, it is much less crowded. A lot of beaches on Bali are rock/pebble beaches, not sand. It would pay to do a little research before you head to a destination if you are planning to lay on the beach.
Bali is awesome you’re going to have a fabulous time.
Kuta Beach is hopping with action, restaurants, clubs, great beach and tons of Aussie surfers and other travellers.
Bali is something of a shoppers paradise. It’s a good place to buy, wooden carvings, stone carvings, leather goods, clothing, all a bargain! When I stayed there it was cheaper to buy new clothes than pay to have our laundry done sometimes!
There are beautiful temples everywhere, and some awesome ruins quite near to where you’ll be. Take a hat and drink a lot of water!
And make sure you watch at least one sunset from Kuta beach, they’re wonderful!
Colour me green with envy!
We were in Indonesia for two weeks, and I would happily have made it two years. We spent about a week in Yogyakarta (which is on the island of Java) and another week in Ubud (central Bali). Temples, dance, shadow puppet shows and Gamelan performances were what we did. Those things can all be found in Denpasar as well, but Denpasar adds the beaches, surfing and nightlife, if that appeals to you.
Hey, Indonesian here. Bali is a fantastic place for a bit of r & r and as elbows and Le Ministre de l’au-delà said if you’re in the Denpasar/Kuta area you can have a lot of fun partying if that’s your thing. But just a bit of advice if you go to Kuta beach to watch the sunset and rent a beach chair vendors will nearly definitely spoil your experience. They’ll come up to you in droves going ‘Mister, mister. Bracelet, bracelet (insert whatever good or service they’re peddling here). Cheap, cheap’. And no, this will never stop.
If you don’t mind driving out of Denpasar for an hour or so I’d recommend going to Tanah Lot which is a fantastic hindu temple situated on a rocky outcrop just off the beach, just ask around at the hotel you’re staying at and they can help you with transport. Bloody gorgeous place, and it looks almost fairytale-like at sunset. Linky
Or, you could go see the kecak dance which is the Balinese traditional fire dance. It’s especially spectacular if you go see it at sunset at Uluwatu temple. Again it’s a few hours drive down to it but I believe it is well worth it.
Ooh, I found a link to a tour that takes you to all the sites in the southern part of the island, and no I don’t work for that company I don’t even live in Bali. When the wife and I were on honeymoon we went to all these sites but without the tour, we just rented a car and drove ourselves. Fantastic.
Actually, Kuta beach has a delineation, posts, and the hawkers are only allowed to harass you if you’re on one side of the posts. They did this to keep the hawkers from ruining the beach experience for tourists. Want to shop for trinkets?, stay on this side of the post, don’t want to be bothered?, sit below the posts, it’s just that easy.
Also, driving in Indonesia is not for the faint of heart, believe me. Almost always when you want to rent a vehicle it comes with a driver. There is a good reason for that. Trust me, pay for the driver.
Another clue, if a street vendor is hawking silver bracelets to you, but holding them in a cloth, not his bare hand, that’s crap silver. He’s holding it in a cloth so it won’t turn his hand green, be wise and shop for silver in the shops, not on the street.
Please promise to come back and tell us all about it so we can live vicariously through you!
Stray dogs in Bali and, actually, most of Asia, are so accustomed to being pelted with rocks that should any approach, you need simply reach down, like you’re getting a rock, and they will instantly flee. Seriously, even if you’re on a paved road, whatever, they are so familiar with the movement, they will instantly scatter and run away yelping, you won’t even have to pick up a rock. This could prove to be a handy thing to know if you’re out walking at night.
I’d like to visit Bali again someday. I was there to visit some relatives when I was 9. Unfortunately, I got really sick, with things coming out of both ends for a little while, and I don’t really remember much of it. Hope you have a good time though!
This is my experience too, especially around the airport, which is an Aussie college kids party zone. Even if you stay on the no hawkers side of the beach, you still have to walk through a gantlet of hawkers and they will stand right on the line trying to get your attention.
The north and around the east Ahmed (sp?), is much quieter and calmer. These areas can be reached in a day trip (lengthy day trip).
Funny, I don’t recall this at all. All I remember was being hassled all the time while obviously trying to relax on the chairs. But come to think of it, the hawkers came up to us on the beach chairs and not to the people who were just hanging out closer to the beach.
I totally second the driving thing, it’s hairy as hell. But here’s the thing, drivers in Bali are among the most considerate in Indonesia. I found driving there quite relaxing in comparisons to Jakarta or Medan, but for tourists, if you want to rent a car definitely get a driver.
My wife is Indonesian, so I got a free tour guide when we went to Bali. My advice? Just get out and about; you will have a great time. It is a fun place.
Most importantly, bring Imodium AD pills. Seriously. It is sold over the counter here in the USA. Sadly we could not find it or an equivalent while I was there, only ineffective charcoal pills. I didn’t bring any, and as a result, I spent three days with nasty diarrhea while in Sumatra. My brother in law would stop the car at a random house and say something along the lines of “my sister is married to this white guy from America and our food gave him the shits, can he come in your house and destroy your bathroom with his funk.” Indonesians are very accommodating.
Jakarta: the scariest driving anywhere. We had a hit and run while I was there. Lanes are just a suggestion. A three lane road will have an actual 4.5 lanes with a guy pushing a cart, a little motorcycle with 5 people on it, buses with people hanging out of the door, big rigs, smoky loud 3 wheeled Bajai, and other odd things. Medan is mellow compared to Jakarta to this gringo.
Jakarta traffic is an adventure that should be experienced at least once. It requires a driving skill set I do not have. We had drivers when there.
On the driving, there is no need to drive for day trips. You can hire a car + driver to go out. You can likely do this at your hotel, avoid doing it at the airport as it is more expensive. Be sure to negotiate the price before you get in the car. I lived in Indonesia for a couple of years, and the most fun I had on Bali was renting motor scooters and driving around the island, but I also know a guy who rented one and has a steel plate in his chest as a result, so know your limitations.
I grew up in northern Australia, so have visited Bali many times. It’s right next door!
My favourite Bali destination is Padang Bai, best-known to most tourists as the ferry port to get to Lombok. However, if instead of boarding that ferry, you walk up (or down!) the coast for 15 minutes, you’ll come to some lovely secluded sandy beaches. There are a few places to stay, heaps of amazing food (oh, Indonesian food! OH, I miss it!) for almost free prices, temples and stone works everywhere.
I don’t much like the Kuta/Ubud sprawl - too touristy. I don’t come to Bali to visit a Hard Rock Cafe and buy pirated brand-name clothing.
Balinese Hinduism is the dominant religion (at least, for local Balinese - lots of the upper class business owners are from elsewhere in Indonesia, including the “dreaded” Javanese) which gives it a really unique viewpoint, and a different feel from the rest of the country.
I’ve also heard second-hand that a lot of injuries that happen to tourists in Indonesia are road traffic related, especially women wearing sarongs to ride motor scooters, and getting them caught in the chain. Ouch.
I’ve been to Kuta and I think it’s pretty close to paradise on Earth. It’s a wonderful, beautiful place where you can find pretty much anything you want. If you just want to laze on gorgeous sun-kissed beaches and watch heart-melting sunsets, you can. If you some partying and nightlife, you’re in the right place. If you want history, culture, ancient temples, wild jungle… it’s all there or within driving distance. If you want excellent food, it’s everywhere.
The people are great. Anything you want to know, or find, or see, or do… just ask. There will be no shortage of people wanting to be your guide, your driver or your tour advisor. Bear in mind that your money will go a long way in Indonesia in general, and in Kuta in particular.
Life has not been kind to the Indonesian people. For decades they built up, and came to depend upon, the tourist trade. Then the SARS virus and the terrorist bombings all but killed off their tourist industry, and many people - not exactly wealthy in the first place - found their main source of income evaporated almost overnight. Plus they’ve had hurricanes and other natural disasters to cope with. So go there, help the people, spend your money and have a great time.
Take good medical precautions, get all your shots and jabs and whatever. Take whatever works best for you in terms of repelling mosquitoes. I don’t think rabies is such a big problem… if you see a wild animal or a dog on its own, just stay well clear and keep your distance. But it’s not as if you have to go round in a perpetual state of fear.
Bear in mind that from Kuta, if you really want to and if you plan ahead, you can take a trip to Komodo Island to see the famous giant lizards, the Komodo dragons. I did, and it’s one of the greatest experiences of my life. But YMMV.
Hope you have a good time though!