Essential Travel Tips for Bali

Dear Traveler,

What do you know about Balí?

Growing up in Eastern Europe, I knew almost nothing about the "Island of Gods" besides the fact is an exotic destination and is far, far away. I never even dreamed that l would have the chance to visit one day... Well, when an opportunity presented itself earlier this year, my husband and I embraced it and we were off on our first trip to Southeast Asia. Balí was the last stop in our multi-county Asian adventure and delivered an unforgettable experience.


Quick Facts
You might find it interesting to learn that Balí is part of Indonesia, which is a mostly-Muslim country, but the island itself is home to the Balinese Hindu minority. Another interesting fact is that most Balinese are bilingual, if not trilingual (Indonesian, Balinese, English). The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah and there is no visa required for US citizens.

 Travel Tip:  
Exchange plenty of $ to local currency at the airport, foreign currency is rarely accepted for payments.
Travel Tip:  
Arrange transfer to your hotel ahead of time - In the event, you arrive after midnight (as we did), and there are no transfers available to your hotel so late at night, there are taxi drivers waiting in the arrival hall that offer their services. There is also a tourist's desk that can help you to negotiate a lower rate.

What to expect from Balinese People? 
We found the locals friendly and curious to learn about different countries and cultures. However, an important thing to keep in mind is that the locals are religious and you have to be respectful of the local customs.

                                                                         Our local guide Agung
Travel Tip:
 Respect the local traditions - Balinese are pious people and their beliefs reflect daily life. The most visible signs are the tiny offerings known as "canang sari" that can be seen everywhere (in Balinese home, workplace, in restaurants, and streets.  Every house has a Pura (Balinese for "temple"), attached to it -- even the poor houses have a small one. 

When to visit Bali?
With an average temperature of 30 C throughout the year, Balí is generally a year-round destination, with only two seasons: the wet season and dry season. Note that the High season is during the months of July and August, during Easter Holidays, and Christmas / New Year (December until the 1st week of January). 

 Travel Tip: 
The best time to visit the island is before or after the High Season, typically April, May, June, and September.

 How long to stay in Bali?
Balí is a comparatively big island (2230 sq. miles), and it's best to allow at least a week to explore it. If you are planning to include in your trip the nearby island Lombok (accessible via Fast Boat, Public Ferry, or Air), consider staying at least 10 days.

Scooters are widely used by the locals to get around

                                                                    The Rural areas in Bali often have mud roads

How to get around in Bali?

Travel Tip: 
Renting a car or scooter is an option only for an experienced driver used to drive on the local roads. Especially inland, in the countryside, the GPS doesn't work and the roads are either unmarked or the signs are only in the Balinese language.
 Travel Tip: 
For the best vacation experience, consider arranging a private guide who can show you the island highlights, explain the local culture and help you to navigate the windy roads. My husband and I used two local guides: Agung Tours (a licensed, government-private guide with a driver), & Bali Golden Tour (a budget-friendly, local tour operator with a driver only). 

Ready to start planning your vacation to Bali?

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