Tips & Useful Information
Bali is a tourist magnet with its refreshing laidback island vibes. Its tranquil nature backdrop is suitable for spiritual retreats. Its myriad of temples and beaches call out for the travelers to reset and unwind. This means that its popularity will offer plenty of options leaving you bewildered. English is not a first language and so it’s important to arm yourself with useful information. If you plan ahead, you’ll save time and money while embracing the calm in your holiday.
Here are some valuable tips on transportation, exchanging foreign currency and the best areas to stay in to maximize your Bali trip.
Here are some valuable tips on transportation, exchanging foreign currency and the best areas to stay in to maximize your Bali trip.
Bali's Top 10 tips
Transport
GRAB
Grab taxi is common in Bali. Most of us are already familiar with this mode of transport so it’s more convenient. Just download the app and you’ll have a fixed price for your destination cost. Remember though that company taxis in Bali are in competition with Grab so be discreet. Make sure to wait in an area away from the metered taxis to avoid the constant barrage of offers. Some hotels don’t allow Grab units so make sure to have mobile data so you can contact a Grab cab when you need a ride. The advantage of using a Grab taxi is you can pay either in cash or credit card. Savings: 20-50% off UBER Uber used to be a popular option for transport but had already pulled out from operation recently. GO-JEK Go Jek is another popular choice where you can simply download the app and order a scooter ride. Go car is also available if you need more room than a scooter. Most locals choose this option for transport but now, a lot of tourists are also using Go-Jek for its cheap prices and convenience. BLUEBIRD TAXI Taking a taxi in Bali will subject you to plenty of negotiating and overpricing. Make sure to get a reputable ride from a trusted company like Bluebird Taxi. Fares are reasonable and metered. Bluebird taxis are in high demand, the reason plenty of imposters copy their look. Be familiar with their corporate logo, uniforms, car sunscreen and serial number. As mentioned earlier, some hotels try to limit specific cab companies available to their guests, so check the reviews before booking your hotel. Taking a Bluebird Taxi is cheap when you’re traveling a short distance. Savings: 20% from inflated airport taxi prices PRIVATE CARS Hiring a car with a private driver is quite affordable and the advantages are worth noting. One, the driver is already familiar with the terrain and can ensure a smoother ride. Two, the driver also acts as a tour guide, pointing out the good spots and sharing the history and customs of a certain area. Three, if you’re traveling a long distance, a private car will turn out to be the cheapest options among all. Remember that negotiation is key since there are no fixed prices for private cars. BEMO In Bali, Bemo is also available for transport, an open-air minibus/van carrying 12 people in a row of seats. Usually, the driver waits until the shuttle bus is full. Prices are negotiable but will be higher for tourists. BUS There is an available bus terminal in all towns and you can also use this option. However, you have to frequently check the schedules and availability. FERRY You can travel between islands by taking a Bali Ferry. There are several departures throughout the day. Be sure to check the schedules first. SCOOTER A lot of tourists opt to rent scooters to go around the city. It’s important to have your international driving license with you. In the event that you don’t have one, you can go to a police station in Denpasar and ask for a temporary local license. Sometimes, when driving a scooter, you will be pulled from the road and be subject to a fine/penalty as a tourist. This is unfortunately one of the disadvantages so remember this before renting a scooter to drive on your own. Another thing to consider is navigation. Some terrains are rough when you are not familiar with the roads. Always be mindful of your safety especially when riding scooters in Bali. So these are the transportations available in Bali Island. Traffic can be horrendous so it’s more logical to use Grab taxis, scooters or private cars for more comfort and convenience compared with other public modes of transportation. Money Saving
Check out our Free things to do page to save. Bali has plenty of festivals and nature sanctuaries. You will find tons of activities that is suitable for the budget-conscious traveler. Even catching a spectacular sunset in a beach or temple will mark your trip with wonder. Changing your currency There are many money changer businesses operating in Bali especially around peak tourist areas like Kuta and Seminyak. As soon as you land in the airport, you can opt to change your currencies from foreign to Indonesian Rupiah (IDR or RP). The rates at the airport are fairly competitive although better rates are offered outside. You can change a few bills for transportation costs and head outside looking for authorized money changers. Look for the PVA Berizin (Indonesian phrase for Authorized Money Changer) green logo in a money changer shop. Be wary of advertised high exchange rates, often they come with steep commissions. The best money changer don’t charge fees for money exchange. Check the market rate in the internet to have a general reference range of what to expect. Always calculate and count your notes several times. Ask for a receipt. Bring fresh crisp bills with a higher denomination. For example, exchanging 50 usd and below will be given lower rates and below 20 usd will not be accepted. Some of the recommended money changers in Bali are BMC Money Changer, Central Kuta Money Exchange, PT. Dirgahayu Valuta Prima, PT. Made Putroe Bakrie (MPB Money Changer) and Rara Money Changer (RMC). These money changers have operated for more than a decade and have branches stationed in a lot of areas. ATM Machines When you land in Bali airport, you’ll find ATM machines near the bank branches. It’s very convenient to use an ATM service but make sure to check with your bank the overseas fees and their exchange rates before withdrawing cash. It might be wiser to use a money changer if the rates charged are too high. Commonly, withdrawal limits are set around 300usd daily for your home bank. If you need more than that then opt to have your currency exchanged at a money changer. This will ensure that you save on bank transaction fees every time you withdraw from an ATM booth. Some banks also offer a credit card cash advance via the ATM machine. Remember to use ATMs attached to a major bank branch. You can also use well-maintained stand-alone ATMs of the major banks and those located in shopping malls for greater security. Avoid ATMs located inside convenience stores and Commonwealth bank ATM machines. This is to protect your card from skimming devices and escape the hefty transaction fees. As much as possible, use local banks’ ATMs to save money. Some of the recommended banks and ATM machines in Bali are the following: Bank Mandiri, BNI, Bank BCA, Bank Danamon, Permata Bank and CIMB Niaga. If a public holiday or festival is approaching, make sure to have enough cash. You wouldn’t want to experience withdrawing from an empty ATM machine while the banks are also closed for the holidays. If you choose to travel to remote/rural areas, it is wise to stock up on cash. It might turn out that the only ATM machine in that region isn’t working. In Bali, it is important to always have cash since some establishments or transportation will not accept cards. Have small bills in hand constantly for tipping and to avoid being short-changed. Book Online Before going on tours, selecting accommodations and buying bus tickets, check and compare the online prices. It is much cheaper to book online and find deals to save and avoid the stress of frequent negotiating. Eat like a Local Dine in local restaurants known as warungs to sample authentic Indonesian food like nasi goreng. Another option is eating at local markets where the ingredients are fresh and the prices are low. Where to buy souvenirs Choose to buy at smaller stalls where you can negotiate for discounts. There are plenty of sarongs, sunglasses, beach bags and flip-flops to choose from. Time saving
Stay Nearby Bali Island is vast and picking where to stay depends on your priorities. It is reasonable to stay in South and Central Bali where there are plenty of tourists especially if you’re a first-timer. If you prefer to swim and engage in watersport activities, book your accommodations in Seminyak. If partying and the nightlife hold your interest then Kuta is where you should be staying. If you like surfing then choose a place near the Uluwatu Beach. If you want to spoil yourself in a luxury hotel and enjoy delicious seafood, pick to stay in the Jimbaran area where 5-star luxury resorts abound. Plan your Itinerary Tourist spots in Bali are far from each other, not to mention traffic is constant. It is best to carefully map your destinations to avoid wasting precious time. Some regions are remote and could take a few hours to reach. Be sensible when planning and make sure you schedule sufficient time in between areas. Start early if possible and reduce waiting hours by booking your day trips and tours beforehand. Hiring a driver will also save time as they are accustomed to the shortcuts, parking spots and can readily communicate with other locals reducing the amount of time in navigating. Check calendar for festivals/holidays Before booking your flight, check that your travel dates won’t coincide with local festivals/holidays. It’s always best to be prepared so you won’t be surprised when shops are closed. Allot time for possible time delays during holidays since transportation can also be affected. Follow the rules When riding a scooter, wear a helmet. Carry your international driving license. This is to avoid an encounter with the police and save time. Dealing with interrogations can affect your trip schedules. Check the weather
Seasons: Bali has two distinct seasons, wet and dry. October to April – 27 to 28°C (80 to 82°F). These are the wettest months in the island. There are occasional downpours, overcast skies and high humidity. January to February are also known as the rainiest period in Bali. May to September - 26 to 27°C (78 to 80°F). These months are considered the driest and sunniest weather. These are the best months to visit Bali with its low humidity. June to August are known as windy months and referred to as ‘kite season’. At the airport
Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport is also called Denpasar International Airport. It's the second busiest international airport in Indonesia. It's also the only international airport serving Bali Island presently. The sight of the Balinese architecture theme in the international airport is easily recognizable. Currently, it has 62 check-in counters, 8 boarding gates and 7 arrival gates. It has 4 transit and transfer counters. The International and Domestic terminals are located in the same building next to each other. The Domestic Terminal closes at night while the International Terminal is open 24 hours. VISA UPON ARRIVAL Queuing for a visa is relatively quick with more than two counters handling the process. PASSPORT CONTROL Hand to the immigration officer your entry form and latest boarding pass. Keep the piece of paper they’ll give you. It will be required when you depart the island. COLLECTING LUGGAGE Wait for your checked-in baggage to pass through the conveyor belt. As Bali is a popular tourist hub, expect to wait a bit. There’s an option to hire a porter if you have several luggage. Spot the official employees with numbers on their shirt and proceed to negotiate before arranging for a service. CUSTOMS After you retrieve your luggage, prepare for a security check for all your bags by letting a scanner run through it . Hand the custom declaration form/tax card to an official and proceed to exit the airport. REMINDERS:
Before you travel
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Date Modified: 11/10/2019