What do you wish to know before visiting Bali island?

Author, Ekarini

More info about Bali: Bali Travel Info

Nusa Penida 

Video by Samudra Visions

Bali island is the global winner of its 2017 traveler’s Choice Awards for destinations.  Travel to Bali is not so difficult.  If you a newbie traveler, Bali is the perfect place to start.  Bali is a small island in Indonesia archipelago with thousand temples and it has it all what you need for your holiday gateway.    Like to travel anywhere in the world, it is very useful when you know what to expect on the site.  As a travel guide and travel management, I have been taking tourists to many places in Bali, and I would love to share some tips, unknown rules may your travel agent doesn’t tell you.

     -Canang Sari is everywhere.

What is the Canang Sari? The Canang Sari: Balinese Flower Offerings You Will See All Over Bali Island.  Everywhere you go on the Island of Bali, and you will see beautiful offerings, consisting of flowers, rice, fruits, and cakes in a small square woven basket originally made from coconut leaves. 

The Balinese believe that any place that receives regular offerings accumulates sacred energy, eventually becoming sacred itself. 

Watch your step when walking down a street in Bali and you'll see hundreds of offerings, lovingly and thoughtfully crafted pieces of art.  You don’t want to step on them.

    -Every day finds festivals and ceremonies

In Bali, there’s almost always some kind of ceremony going on on the island and you’ll definitely want to see and experience of Balinese vibrant life.  You don’t want to miss the celebrating passage of life, temple ceremonies, and the spectacular village cremation ceremonies.  Also, don’t miss a full moon ritual every month of Balinese calendar.

     - Balinese belief

Bali is an amalgam of indigenous animism, Buddhism and the Hinduism of India. As the influence of the Hindu religion permeates all aspects of life in Bali. The Balinese believe in one God (Trinity: Ida Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa) with 3 manifestation of God as a creator, preserver, and destroyer. The Balinese believe that everything that exists as a duality. "The existence of this duality is what brings a cosmic balance to the universe. So, if there’s good, evil must exist to bring balance. Birth balances death, joy balances sorrow, young balances old, positive balances negative, health balances sickness, and so forth. The universe constantly adjusts itself to bring about the perfect equilibrium." This called Rwa Bhineda literally means “two opposites”

-You will meet Balinese name: Wayan, Made, Nyoman, and Ketut

You might wonder why every person you meet is named Wayan, Made, Nyoman, or Ketut.  . It was created to distinguish each person’s birthright order in the family.  The firstborns are named “Wayan“, the second eldest is “Made,”  third is “Komang” or “Nyoman” ,  fourth is “Ketut” and the fifth back to Wayan.

Both men and women use similar names. A woman is distinguished by a “Ne” at the beginning “Ni” (Ni Wayan), while a man is specified by “I” (i.e.  I Wayan). Personal names can be attached to the birth order names, but there is no family name I Bali.

      -Wearing a traditional Balinese outfit

You definitely don’t want to miss the ritual and ceremonies in Bali, so mingle with locals and wear the traditional outfit and experience Bali traditionally. 

    -VISA:

Nationals of 169 countries can visit Bali visa-free (for 30 days), while Visa on Arrival applies for others at USD 35 (after 30 days, you can extend once)

    -WEATHER:

Wet season: October-April; Dry season: May-September; Best time to go: May-August.

    - Getting around in Bali is easy

DRIVING:
In Bali, we drive on the left.

RENTALS:
International drivers' license required to drive and rent cars and motorbikes. 

TAXIS:

Blue Bird Taxi (+62 (0)361 701 111) is most popular and reliable - all of their taxis are metered. 

Private drivers:  I think having a private driver is the best choice to travel around the island.  It is worth to have somebody to drive you, so you can  just relax and enjoy the view.

Download GO-JEK

Like several places in the world, Bali has banned Uber. So, locals have turned to another app called 'Go-Jek'. Through Go-jek you can  order food,  shopping and other courier services, but most often it's used for hailing a taxi or motor-taxi. Definitely one to consider if you stay in Bali for a long holiday.

-CURRENCY:

USD 1 = about IDR 14,000

             -ATMs:

ATMs dispense IDR 50,000 or 100,000 bills; withdrawal fees using foreign bank cards, Visa or Mastercard varies and can be high. Beware of skimmers and rigged units, and remember to take your money and card after each transaction.

    -Don't drink the tap water

The tap water in Bali is not safe to drink, so you need to buy small bottle water or a big jug of water with dispenser. 

     -Super Strict Drug Laws

The super-strict drug laws in place in Indonesia, when you are getting caught smuggling  drugs will face a death sentence.

Just don't do it. Seriously!

    -Laundry in town is cheaper than your hotel

Of course, anything you order within your hotel is a lot more expensive than laundry mat in the town . There are so many laundry places in the town, expect to pay around RP 10. 000 per kilo.

-Bargain at the beach

Don't be afraid to bargain.  It is very normal at the beach when some hawkers sell you some products.  It may be fun experiencing to haggle the price.  Start your bargain for a half price.  Remember, be polite!

    -Learn few local words

Even though fast majority Balinese speak English, it is so rewarding when you can communicate with the locals using the Bahasa Indonesia or Balinese words.

You will  find some funny words and learn the everyday slang.  

Even being able to say 'hello, how are you' Apa khabar?, 'thank 

you' Terimakasih, and 'please' will be really appreciated in Bali - 

and it will go a long way in the bartering process!

     -  Cheap massage

Bali is famous for new age capital, so get your full body massage while holiday in Bali, and you will want more.  Why? The price is so cheap compare than back home. For anywhere between RP. 100,000 and 150,000  around $15-20 you can get a one hour full body massage.  It means full one hour of bliss.

    -Tipping

When you’re happy with the service you can tip the housekeepers,

 waitresses, and bartenders, but it’s not expected though.  I always 

tip them because I mostly happy about their service  and the food 

price is cheap, this just my  appreciation for their great service in 

Bali.

     -No Free Refill For Coffee in Bali

I saw one time a tourist had a big argument with a waitress in the restaurant who could not explain it that coffee was not refillable.  I had to be in the middle of the argument, so I explained it to that tourist that in Bali is not like other countries where you can refill your cup over and over again unless they put a special sign on the buffet table.

    -Sunset is not like other places in the world

You see sunset anywhere in the world! You will find sunset in Bali is very special.  Many travel agents arrange special sunset tours, so you will catch the right moment.

    -Don’t forget to visit other untouched islands while visit Bali

Bali has three other islands beside the big island.  If you would like to experience the virgin of Bali, you should visit Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan.  Here you can enjoy spectacular sunsets, snorkeling, enjoy mangrove forest, and serenity of the beach because there are not many tourists here.     

   -Easy to find WiFi, but not always free

There are very few budget hotels in Bali have an internet connection and those that do are usually on dial up! But most big hotels have internet part of your stay.  Some internet cafes you can visit, but they are expensive in the tourist area.  If you want to shop around for internet café, go to the internet café where the locals  hang out.  My family and I bought a hotspot connection around $30 and plus the time (called: Hotspot Mobile Wi-Fi Smartfren, Andromax M3Y), You pay as you go, and faster than internet café around.  I watch videos, check email, Skype, etc…

Happy Travel!