SEE: Bali in a Nutshell

Bali is an Indonesian province blessed with beautiful beaches and rich culture, which is why it's one of the most famous travel destinations in Asia. I have prepared a simple guide about everything I have learned about Bali and maybe explain why people, including me, fell in love with this island.  

GET TO KNOW BALI

Tourist spot index:

Kuta is famous for its wide stretch of white sand beaches, waterfront resort hotels, and all-night parties. Kuta is definitely where the party is at.

Seminyak is few minutes away from Kuta which has a more laid-back setting. Colorful umbrellas and bean bags paint the long beach alongside numerous restaurants. Sand is quite darker in color but the shore gives the most beautiful reflection of the sky, it resembles a mirror.

Canggu is a surfer's haven, which is most known for its tall waves. Plus, there are a lot of hipster cafes around which are inspired by both western and eastern culture. Canggu also holds one of the gorgeous sea-hugged temples of Bali, Tanah Lot.

Ubud is the culture capital of Bali. If you want an Eat-Pray-Love experience, this is the place for you. Cooking, yoga, and meditating classes are made available for tourists to showcase Balinese culture. Everything can be reached by walking distance - from the monkey forest to the temples. For shoppaholic babies like me, Ubud also holds tons of branded boutiques and the Ubud Market wherein you can buy beach apparel and souvenirs.   

Nusa Dua is located at the southeast of Bali. Nusa Dua is the nest of enormous 5-star hotel resorts and less-crowded beaches.
Jimbaran is located at the southwest of Bali, which is near the airport. It has a rocky beach but its famous for the line of restaurants that offer fresh seafood that would grant your candlelight-dinner-by-the-beach dreams.

Uluwatu is at the edge of southwest Bali. Similar to Canggu, it's also a surf spot with huge crazy waves. It also holds the Uluwatu Temple where the Kecuk Dance, a popular Balinese dance about the Balinese gods, is held.

Sunset in Seminyak Beach	Saraswati Temple in Ubud
Tanah Lot in Canggu	Nusa Dua Beach

WHEN TO VISIT

Dry season in Bali is from April to September. Wet season is from December to February. Nevertheless, there's no need to fret the wet season because rainy weather in Bali is still bearable. We went there on February, and for four days, it only rained once (and it lasted for only an hour).

WHERE TO STAY

Choosing your accommodation totally depends on the places you want to visit. If you want to explore more of Bali's beaches, I recommend staying in Canggu, or Seminyak. Canggu has the most Instagram-worthy and hipster cafes that are reachable via scooters. If you want to be where the party's at, Kuta is the place for you. For a more relaxing stay, I highly recommend Ubud.

Surprisingly, affordable hotels are all over Bali. With just $35-$50 (PHP 1500 - 2500) you can get a beautiful hotel room for two people, which is ten times cheaper compared to hotels here in Manila! However, I have booked our accommodations through Airbnb because I wanted to try the app and I was amazed with the super low rates of unique Balinese homes with a modern flavor. We booked Villa Lua in Canggu ($50 per night) for one night, which was so visually pleasing and artsy. We also booked Ubud Ku Guest House in Ubud ($20 per night) for 3 nights. I highly recommend Ubud Ku Guest House if you are planning to go in Ubud because the host family was very welcoming, accommodating, and made our stay as wonderful as possible.   

Villa Lua - Crescent Room

Ubud Ku Guest House

GETTING AROUND

If you are used to planning DIY trips, Bali might be a little tricky when it comes to transportation. Public buses and trains are not available. So here are some tips on how to get around:

via Taxi

Bluebird is the most famous taxi company because of its reliable service. Beware of other taxis that imitate Bluebird taxis for they might charge you for a higher rate. Always check if the taxi has a meter and that the driver starts it as soon as you start your trip.

via Bus

Kurakura bus is the only one I could find in Bali. Kurakura is perfect for tourists who are on a budget. We were actually planning to ride the Ubud line on our second day, however, our plans have changed and decided to book a private car. Find out more details in their website.

via Uber or Private car

Uber is much cheaper compared to taxis, however, Uber drivers are difficult to contact if you do not have WhatsApp, which is the app they use to contact passengers.

Private car rental is the most suggested for travelers, they cost around 400k (5 hours) to 600k (10 hours) IDR.

Via Motorcycle or Car rental

A lot of tourists actually prefer driving on their own and they are allowed to that if they have a universal license. Other car and motorcycle rental companies also offer to fix your license application if you do not have one. For most places in Bali, helmets are not required for motorcycle driving.

WHAT TO WEAR

Cotton apparel is advisable to wear on a tropical destination like Bali. Even in the wet season, it's still humid, so ditch those layers of clothing and stick with sundresses and camis. If you are planning to visit temples, do note that proper dress code is observed. They're not strict but avoid wearing shorts (men and women) and tube tops (women) to show respect to their culture. In Uluwatu Temple, skirts and belts are provided as you enter the temple.

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So that's Bali in a nutshell! I'm no expert but I hope my simple guide has answered some of your questions about Bali. If you have any doubts, don't hesitate to leave a comment or drop me an email below. :) 

Have you been to Bali? 

P.S. I will be writing about our travel and budget itinerary soon so stay tuned!