Bali
Airport arrival:
We go through a fast and friendly passport control. After collecting our bags, we were greeted by our previously booked driver. Even if you have a driver, many “taxi” people will approach you. If you do go with a taxi, get a price before getting into the car or go with Bluebird Taksi which use meters (yes that is how they spell taxi.)
Visa
Not needed if staying less than a month.
Currency
Indonesian rupiah 13,333 to 1 USD. We got some in advance but this wasn't necessary because there are ATMs everywhere. However our card kept getting turned off requiring us to call.
Phone calls
We got international service added to one of our phones for 10 dollars a day which proved useful. To dial out, use 011 then the number. For example 011 1 800 *** ****. For dialing in Indonesia, you have to enter +62 before the number and drop the 0 before the eight. For instance: if they tell you their number is 08123 45678 you would dial +62 8123 45678.
Transport
Driving in bali is way different than in the US, they drive on the left and roads are very narrow. I suggest taking a taxi or hiring a driver. We tried out Gede at first but he was booked and unable to accommodate us past our first day. We then went with Andrew who owns Bali Daily Transport (+628123928261). Communicating with him was easy via WhatsApp and he has a fleet of vehicles and drivers. He does get booked out so prepare in advance. He sent us a great and trustworthy young driver named Wayan who even helped my mom and mother-in-law down a couple slippery hiking trails to the lovely waterfalls.
Update: Wayan has started his own business his number is +621237787533.
Accommodations
Due to having eight people, we went the Airbnb route. The villas were super fancy and run more like five star hotels than the usual renting out someone's spare room. Our first villa called Villa Luna Bingin near Bingin beach was absolutely beautiful with a private pool. It was pretty remote which was nice that it was away from the bustle with a couple restaurants within walking distance. For going to markets, we hired a driver through our villa. If we hadn’t there was a taxi stand nearby (look at their sign with rates and negotiate before agreeing.) Wayan, the villa’s housekeeper, took excellent care of us and even helped us book pool side massages for 150,000 rupiah a person.
Airport arrival:
We go through a fast and friendly passport control. After collecting our bags, we were greeted by our previously booked driver. Even if you have a driver, many “taxi” people will approach you. If you do go with a taxi, get a price before getting into the car or go with Bluebird Taksi which use meters (yes that is how they spell taxi.)
Visa
Not needed if staying less than a month.
Currency
Indonesian rupiah 13,333 to 1 USD. We got some in advance but this wasn't necessary because there are ATMs everywhere. However our card kept getting turned off requiring us to call.
Phone calls
We got international service added to one of our phones for 10 dollars a day which proved useful. To dial out, use 011 then the number. For example 011 1 800 *** ****. For dialing in Indonesia, you have to enter +62 before the number and drop the 0 before the eight. For instance: if they tell you their number is 08123 45678 you would dial +62 8123 45678.
Transport
Driving in bali is way different than in the US, they drive on the left and roads are very narrow. I suggest taking a taxi or hiring a driver. We tried out Gede at first but he was booked and unable to accommodate us past our first day. We then went with Andrew who owns Bali Daily Transport (+628123928261). Communicating with him was easy via WhatsApp and he has a fleet of vehicles and drivers. He does get booked out so prepare in advance. He sent us a great and trustworthy young driver named Wayan who even helped my mom and mother-in-law down a couple slippery hiking trails to the lovely waterfalls.
Update: Wayan has started his own business his number is +621237787533.
Accommodations
Due to having eight people, we went the Airbnb route. The villas were super fancy and run more like five star hotels than the usual renting out someone's spare room. Our first villa called Villa Luna Bingin near Bingin beach was absolutely beautiful with a private pool. It was pretty remote which was nice that it was away from the bustle with a couple restaurants within walking distance. For going to markets, we hired a driver through our villa. If we hadn’t there was a taxi stand nearby (look at their sign with rates and negotiate before agreeing.) Wayan, the villa’s housekeeper, took excellent care of us and even helped us book pool side massages for 150,000 rupiah a person.
The second villa we booked was even more remote, as it was 30 minutes outside of Ubud on an unnamed road. The host had to keep explaining to tour groups where to go to get us. The villa did work with drivers and we used that for some of our guests. However after waiting a couple times for a shuttle 30 minutes to an hour after requested (island time,) we stuck with our trusted driver. The villa did provide breakfast and a one time daily shuttle into town. The pool was gorgeous and looked out over rice paddies. The staff was friendly and tried really hard to communicate with us. Overall a good experience, but due to the mold in the place I will not list its name. Just read reviews on Airbnb and you might see me.
Finally our last day we booked a transit room at Manggar hotel in Kuta for showering and resting post-surfing at Kuta Beach. The staff was amazingly friendly, the pool was nice, bathroom small and the bed the most comfortable of the trip. Well worth the 19.80 USD for 8 hours. It was within 5 minutes of airport and beach.
Finally our last day we booked a transit room at Manggar hotel in Kuta for showering and resting post-surfing at Kuta Beach. The staff was amazingly friendly, the pool was nice, bathroom small and the bed the most comfortable of the trip. Well worth the 19.80 USD for 8 hours. It was within 5 minutes of airport and beach.
Activities:
While in Bingin we had our driver take us to Padang Padang beach. Entry fee was 10,000 rupiah. After climbing down through a rocky crevice, it opens to reveal gorgeous water framed by limestone rocks. The ocean floor is rocky so bring your water shoes!
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Padang Padang
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The next day we went to the fish market in Jimbaran Bay. This, I was told by my guests, was a unique experience that they wouldn't have done otherwise. The bay was filled with brightly painted boats with fishermen hauling in their catch. We got there at 7 am and the place was a buzz. After acquiring red snapper and yellow fin tuna filleted on site and some whole live lobster and shrimp, we stood on the pier and watched planes land behind the bay. Before heading back to the villa, we stopped at an open air market for produce. Once back at the villa we enjoyed the pool and massages.
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On the way up to Ubud we stopped at a beach day club for lunch and then went up to Tanah Lot for some great views of temples over water.
Tanah Lot
Tegenungan Waterfall
Tegallalang Rice Terrace
In Ubud, we booked a waterfall tour which took us to Tegenungan waterfall, the Tegallalang rice terrace, and the palace. The tour was more of just hiring a driver as information had to be encouraged out of him. The rice terrace requires frequent 10,000 rupiah “donations” to walk on certain paths; muddy paths so come prepared with small bills and hiking shoes. It is the most photographed site in Bali and it is understandable why.
After the tour our shuttle from the villa took us to Urbana restaurant which was expensive for the island, averaging 12 USD an entree, but delicious with great service.
We traveled into town the next day and booked a batik tour then headed out to Kanto Lampa waterfall. Entrance fee of 10,000 rupiah then down steep stairs to a creek in a canyon you walk through to climb up the falls.
Following day Wayan was back with us and we headed to the Kintamani Volcano and Mount Batur Hotsprings. The hot springs are warm pools and due to the free snack and juice given with entrance ticket flies are prevalent, but the vibe is more low key than the neighboring Toya hot springs. On the way back we stopped at the secluded and slightly difficult to get to Tukad Cepung waterfall.
The next day was class day. In association with Threads of Life we went to a batik class. There we learned the natural dyeing process native to Indonesia. We each got a piece of fabric and a tool to apply the melted wax and set to work on our creations. The team dipped our art into an indigo dye and then you are given them back to apply more wax drawings before it is dipped again.
As our creations were drying in the Bali sun, they served us the most amazing and flavorful vegetarian lunch (or as our Australian friend kept saying, “beautiful”). Once full we removed our creations from the drying line and headed back to town.
Our next driver picks us up and we head to Ketut’s cooking class. Set outside of town amongst gorgeous rice fields, we are greeted with welcome drinks. Our instructor is a lively young man with an unmistakable laugh. We are introduced to ingredients and tools, and then we set to work. Every step of the way we are coached and even cleaned up after. Afterwards we sit down to enjoy our creations. Lee and I have done many cooking classes and this one's personal approach and clear instruction made it a hit with all in our party.
The next day was our last in Bali. We headed to Tibumana waterfall, Kuta Beach for surfing, and used Manggar’s hotels transit room before saying goodbye to Wayan and Ketut at the airport.
The friendly Balinese people, beautiful landscapes, and lovely culture make this place a must for the bucket list.
Tukad Cepung waterfall