BALI, INDONESIA 5 Days
Bali is an Indonesian island known for its forested volcanic mountains, iconic rice paddies, beaches and coral reefs. In addition, visitors come for scuba diving and witnessing a fascinating Hindu culture with colorful ceremonies and magnificent temples.
There is an wide range of hotels, resorts and spas. Most of Bali is mountainous, the highest point being Mount Agung,(Bali Peak); 3,142 meters (10,308 ft). The island is small, half the size of Jamaica.
Bali is the only Hindu-majority province in Indonesia, with 82.5% of the population adhering to Balinese Hinduism. It is also renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, metalworking, and music.
Getting around:
Walking is the most basic way of getting around villages, beaches or resort areas.
Getting around the island? We do NOT recommend renting a car and driving it yourself.
Hire a car with a driver.
Why hire a driver ?
If you're NOT used to driving a RIGHT-hand car.
Bali's traffic is both chaotic and dangerous. Road conditions are not always the best.
Avoid public transport due to always being very crowded.
Beware of animals:
Give wild and stray animals lots of space. They may look cute, but rabies and other diseases are serious risks in Bali.
Beware of the monkeys. They are notorious for their thieving ways.
Top resorts in Bali
Where to stay:
Seminyak is a great area to be based in, because it’s very central and has great beaches, some of the best restaurants in Bali, beautiful sunset beach bars and broad selection of accommodations options ranging from budget to luxury. It also has a great shopping area with very hip boutiques.
DRIVING TIME:To Nusa Dua beach: 26 minutes/ 18 km
To airport: 25 minutes/ 11 km
To Ubud: 1.25 hrs./ 43 km.
Canggu - It’s an up and coming area located next to Seminyak. It is not swarming with tourists compared to the neighboring areas of Seminyak and Kuta, but is very central at the same time. The area is home to surfer beaches, rice fields and gorgeous villas.
DRIVING TIME:To Nusa Dua beach: 41 minutes/ 28 km
To airport: 33 minutes/ 20 km
To Ubud: 1.25 hrs./ 43 km.
Nusa Dua is the ideal spot for a family getaway with many of the all-inclusive resorts. It’s also one of the best areas for water sports and activities, such as diving, snorkeling, and parasailing.
DRIVING TIME:Nusa Dua is just a 20-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
To Ubud: 1.5 hrs./ 44 km.
Bali Tourism Board - provides useful planning information.
Things to do in Ubud
Highlights:
Uluwatu - located about a 30-minute drive from Nusa Dua , Uluwatu lies on the southernmost tip of the island. The serene town is known for some of the prettiest beaches, bluest waters, and most dramatic cliffs. There is also a great mix of luxury and more affordable accommodations here.
Don’t forget to check out the the #1 attraction in the area: Uluwatu Temple.
The best time to visit Uluwatu Temple is around sunset, when the daily Kecak Fire Dance is held in the amphitheater and enjoying the stunning background sunset.
Explore Ubud- the spiritual, cultural, and artistic hub of the island. Ubud is the center of both traditional dance and crafts in Bali. The drive through the countryside to reach this Ubud is a experience in and of itself. You journey through rice paddies and picturesque ravines of the foothills. No Bali holiday is complete without a visit to Ubud.
We suggest not to base your accommodation stay in Ubud. Traffic in Ubud can be a deterrent for visitors who want to take day trips, as the roads are mountainous and traffic can be very slow.
Drive time between Ubud and airport, 1 hr. / 37km.
Visit The Pura Tanah Lot Sea Temple - a 30-minute drive from Canggu, the temple is perched on a rocky outcrop – an easy attraction to reach, especially as you can follow the sea of souvenir shops lining the road to reach the entrance.
Stroll around the Seminyak Night Market. Starting around 6 p.m., the street food stalls around Seminyak begin selling delicious Balinese treats. Among the most popular offerings are fish, barbecued prawns, and all sorts of satay meats. Hop from stall to stall until you get your fill of the best Indonesian cuisine.
Relax at the Bali’s best beaches. <read more>
Take a stroll in a village -- Take in the local experience especially in the mornings. You will see children in uniform walking hand in hand to school, moms bringing back the day's provisions from the market, and men and women placing offerings throughout the village and in the temples. It's a stunning start to begin your day in paradise and a great photo opportunity.
Watch a Balinese Dance Performance <watch video> -- Bali's highly stylized traditional dances have evolved from ancient Hindu rites.
Journey into North Bali - the northern region is often ignored and widely underrated. This is where the best waterfalls, temples and rice fields can be found.
You can visit the north region of Bali on day trips from the south, (however if you have the time we would recommend staying overnight in Munduk). Your hotel or tour operator can arrange any day trip.
DIVERSION: LOMBOK ISLAND
Lombok is an Indonesian island east of Bali. It's known for stunning beaches and surfing spots.
Bali and Lombok are very similar in costs for accommodation and food, so if budget is your main concern you won’t have an issue with either destination for your holiday.
Getting there from Bali:
The fastest way is by flying. Flights are reasonable and depart daily. <recommended>
Crossing by ferry is the cheapest and takes about 4 hours.
By Fast Boat - Blue Water Safari Express is one of the fast boat companies providing service from Bali to Lombok.
There are two (2) departure points from Bali: Serangan (the Benoa Harbour) & Padang Bai Harbor.
The most popular activity is trekking Mount Rinjani. It is the most epic adventure on Lombok.
Other options are to explore incredible scuba diving sites or simply lounge on pristine beaches.
Best Resorts in Lombok: (highly recommended)
Average cost:
(EXCLUDING AIRFARE)
$$$ USD for two (2) people:
Budget: $1,800
Moderate: $2,700
Luxury: $3,700 +
Climate Guide:
Best time to Visit Bali:
Bali has warm weather year-round with two (2) main seasons, the dry season (April to September) and the wet season (October to March). During the wet season, it rains almost every day, but usually for a couple of hours, after which everything looks even more green. It does, however, get very hot and humid as well.
Avoid a trip to Bali in December through early March, because it rains heavily virtually every day and it can ruin some of your outdoor activities.
The high season is July/August which is the peak of the dry season, but the island gets extremely overcrowded and hotel prices rise sharply compared to other months.
The best months to visit Bali are May, June, and September where you can enjoy the beautiful weather without the crowds.
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