10 tips to have great time in Bali

My two girlfriends and I visited one of the most popular destinations in the world - Bali, in the end of November 2017, right before Volcano on Mount Agung erupted and people were stranded in the airport. Crazy right ? We stayed in Ubud for week and spent another 5 days on Legian beach. Bali opened up to us as a beautiful tropical island full of artistic citizens, famous for their dance, music, paintings, arts and crafts and ceremonies, with it's the most gorgeous sunsets and unbelievable culture. Yet like all touristic places, Bali can be dangerous, thats why I created a list of tips that would help you to stay on point of your travel and get maximum joy of this paradise. 

1. Book your guide and transportation ahead. It’s not that hard to get a ride from airport in Denpasar (Bali international airport) to your hotel or Airbnb but it’s nice to have a piece of mind that someone is waiting for you and will be there holding a sign with your name on it. The biggest plus is that you won't need to exchange your money to Rupiahs at the airport, you can pay with credit card at the hotel or cash to your host in the end of your stay.  If you are renting an Airbnb, your host most likely will be your guide as well, so discuss tour prices, ask for bundle deals airport transfer+guided tours. Day with the guide can cost somewhere from $40-70. It will save you money and most importantly the hustle;

2. Don't get into tourist traps like money exchange scams. Exchange your currency at only licensed currency exchange places or bank. They will ask to fill out some form and give you a receipt. Do not fall for a higher rate in a street booth, you might think "Oh that's a great deal", but in the end, you will loose money. I have years of experience counting cash (don't forget I work in a very busy bar), so I could catch and noticed the trick that scammers were trying to pull off, so I walked away three times !!! I payed with my credit card where I could. A lot of place take card nowadays, they just add 2.5% transaction fee. Another options is to use ATM. Most of them accept visa and master card. You will be change $3-$5 transaction fee depending on bank and the exchange rate might be not that attractive, but it's just more convenient in my opinion. 

3. Don’t mess with drugs. Indonesian drug laws are very strict. And if for US marijuana is almost legal in a lot of states, in Bali you can get life imprisonment that smoking it. If you’ve been convicted of trafficking weed, heroin or cocaine, your could face the death penalty. Just say no to any solicitation for drugs, it could often be narcotic office under cover;

4. As we all love the convenience and cheep prices an alternatives to regular metered taxi, I would strongly advice to not use Uber or Grabcar in Bali. Regulations on those companies are quit clear yet, so drivers often pretend to get stuck in traffic or get lost and contact you via WhatsApp or Viber since they can see your number on Uber app, to get a ride from you without letting Uber know. Which is scratchy. You won’t know who is driving and where they might take you, there is no trace anymore, and you will have to pay cash. It happened to us almost every time we tried to use Uber. As I already mention, use government regulated Bluebird Taxi for getting around the island;

5. Bargaining is a must in Bali. Discuss and negotiate the price before anything. I’m mostly talking about shopping at local markets, surf lessons, taxi rides, rental equipment. Do it respectfully. If the salesman isn’t running after you, when you walked away, you pushed too far. Pay a fair prices yet don't get to rip you off ether;

6. It's very common to rent a motorbike in Bali, although I wouldn't recommend doing it by any means unless you have a lot of experience riding a bike with passenger in the back (let'd admit you a not going anywhere along), on crazy crowded streets with left-side driving rules. For us it was just easier and cheeper to get a driver. They know what they are doing and where are they going. They know all the small streets and get you to the place faster then on the car, and you can have couple beers and have fun on the back seat, no need to focus on the road, just enjoy the wind in your hair. Don’t drive their yourself. You will get hurt. If I you still convinced you can ride there - get a good insurance! Just in case; 

7. Bali hygiene standards improved remarkably over the few years yet be careful what you eat and drink (I’m talking about their local liquor arak. That's a no-no). Bring some Imodium or Pepto-Bishop with you to help with your “Bali Belly”.  It's very important to stay hydrated (no tap water though) and I would avoid any street food. Follow those healthy rules and you will be able to go father then two steps from your toilet;

8. While I was writing this post, I noticed, I was mostly talking about how to avoid negative things on your trip. Let's brings some happiness here. For our girl retreat we got a day in spa. $25 gets you way father in Bali then anywhere else. Three and a half hour massage and scrub treatment followed by hot bath with the view on rice plantations, flower petals and hot tea with cookies for desert. Don't you tell me, it doesn't sound amazingly relaxing!;

9. Enjoy the sunset. Any place you go. You have so many options here. Colorful bean bags, cold beer, life music and sunset on Seminyak Beach. The Rock Bar at Ayana Resort is a go-to place for refine bar scene. Be prepared for dress code and paying fancy pricing for the most memorable chill out of your life. My favorite was Tanah Lot Temple that holds praying ceremonies during sunset hours. Check out my short time laps video that I took there; 

Watch this short time-lapse video on my YouTube channel Tanah Lot Temple Sunset  

10. Last but not list, visit Ubud. Very laid back and relaxing place focused on great food, healthy lifestyle and tons of yoga. Ubud has a lot to offer from great craft and art shopping to clothes, leather bags and stylish shoes. It also has more central location, which is convenient, if you want to check out places like Rice Terrace in Tegalalang, The Bali Swing, Monkey Forest, Goa Gajah Elephant Cave. Go for a sunset at Pura Ulun Danu Bratan Temple by the lake, swim in surprisingly warm water of Tegenungan and Gitgit Waterfalls, try most famous and expensive coffee Kopi Luwak that's made out of civet cats poop. Wake up early and go to Ubud farmers market, like Julia Roberts did in Eat, Pray, Love movie. That’s a short list of things you can do around there. 

I hope this post was helpful. Share your Bali experience here, or maybe you are planning on going there and have more questions, don't be shy, leave a comment below.