Itineraries in Bali

Planning your travel itinerary to Bali

Bali has, over the past few years, become a destination everyone dreams of going to. But what would Bali be without Java and Lombok? 

Bali has a very rich natural heritage, so rich it’ll take your breath away. Who never dreamed of getting on a swing on a white sand beach, while enjoying a stunning view of the Indian Ocean? 

The Indonesian archipelago consists of 17 000 islands of which Bali, Lombok and Java. Visiting these islands has become a goal for many travelers.  From traditions and craftsmanship to hikes and snorkeling … You will never want to go home! 

The explorer inside you will be in heaven when exploring the impressive jungle and meeting wild monkeys.

Ready for adventure? Come on!

Contents: Everything to plan your trip to Bali

1- Useful links
2- What to see in Bali?
3- What to do in Bali?
4- Language
5- Local currency
6- How to travel around during your trip to Bali?
7- What is the budget for such a trip?
8- Useful contact information
9- First bookings to make when planning a trip to Bali
10- Some useful information
11- Useful shopping list before traveling to Bali

Useful links to help you plan your trip to Bali

• To travel safely and without any worry on your mind, we recommend Chapka Insurance!
• You want to buy a paper travel guide? We recommend this one! In our opinion, it is the most complete, the most visual and the most up to date!
• To book your accommodation, we recommend this website. In our opinion, it is the most efficient, reliable, and the one with the best cancellation policies.

What to see in Bali?

What to do in Bali ?

Live Balinese experiences

• Go snorkeling on Amed beach in Bali.
• Get a traditional Balinese massage in Ubud.
• Live a once-in-a-life-time experience: hiking up Mount Batur in Bali.
• Swim with turtles in the Gili Islands near Lombok.
• Explore the busy Jakarta on the Island of Java.
• Learn to make Balinese offerings in Sanur.

But wait for it … Indonesians also know how to celebrate !

There are many national holidays and festivals in Bali, Lombok and Java all year long :

• Celebrate the Bau Nyale Festival in February in Lombok. Join the hordes of people flocking to the sea to catch sea worms.
• In March, celebrate New Years with the Nyepi, the Day of Silence. During this day everything is on the down low, the goal being to make evil spirits go away. The night before this day, giant paper dragons are burnt.
• In Ubud, in April, take part in the Bali Spirit Festival where you will dance, play some music and even do some yoga. 
• Between March and April, attend the Jakarta International Java Jazz Festival.
• In Lombok, in April, discover the Malean Sampi where buffalo races are held. Beware of the mud!
• Learn the traditional Balinese dances and musics in the capital during the Bali Arts Festival between mid-June and mid-July. 
• Admire the Lebaran Topat, a traditional celebration of the West of Lombok where families gather around their loved ones’ graves. 
• Fly your own kite at the Bali Kite Festival in July.
• Surfers, discover the many surf contes on Padang Padang Beach in August. 
• Book worm? Go to the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival in Ubud in October.
• Experience sticky rice fights during the Perang Topat in November. Wondering about the food waste? It is not a waste but a tradition between Hindus and Wetu Letus (people of Lombok).
• Now fight! During the Peresean, in Lombok, martial art is in the spotlight. The goal? Make your opposent bleed to win. Quite brutal isn’t it? 

Languages in Bali

We speak Balinese! 

Well not exactly … Balinese is not actually a language. But Bahasa indonesia is! Didn’t learn that language in school? Don’t worry English is also widely spoken. 

Bahasa indonesia 101! 

You might want to practice your prononciation…

• Hello from 5am to 10am : Selamat page  
• Hello from 10 am to 3pm : Selamat siang 
• Goodbye : Selamat tinggai 
• Hello from 3pm to 6pm : Selamat sore 
• Hello after 6pm : Selamat malam 
• Please : Tolong 
• Thank you : Terima kasih 
• Sorry : Ma’af / Permisi 
• Yes : Ya
• No : Tidak 

Local currency in Bali

Money, money, money

The official currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). Better get a money converter on your phone to manage your expenses more easily, like this one.
Credit/debit cards are accepted in middle range (and over) hotels as well as in expensive shops and restaurants with an added fee. It’s easier to go withdraw money from ATMs, they are easily found in Bali as well as in Lombok. You will also find banks and trustworthy exchange offices in airports and big cities. 
Just don’t forget to tell your bank you’ll be using this card abroad so they don’t suspect fraudulent transactions.

Traveling around in Bali

Is the steering wheel on the left or the right?

Getting a moped is probably the best option if you want to be independent but we made the itineraries as if we were traveling with a car.

To rent a car, no need to book it beforehand because prices fluctuate a lot and you will probably get a better deal last minute. You will just need an International Driving Permit (same to rent a moped). 

CAUTION : Very few car rental agencies will allow you to go to Lombok with your car or motocycle. Be sure to check with your agency before going, or take the plane or ferry to get to the other island. 

And about the steering wheel, well it’s on the right side of the car so depending on where you’re from, you might need a little period of adjustment.

Overall budget for a trip to Bali

Thanks for all the information but how much will this actually cost?

Transportation

• Flights: several airlines have domestic flights, from Depensar (Bali) :
  – Garuda Indonesia (starts at 505 000 IDR)
  – Lion Air (starts at 290 000 IDR) 
• Ferries: about 420 000 IDR to go to the Gilis Islands from Senggig and 50 500 IDR to go from Padang Bai in Bali to Lembar in Lombok.
• Taxis: there are two simple ways not to get scammed, either look for blues taxies called Taxi Blue Bird, or using Grab, the Asian Uber (convenient because you’ll know how much it will cost before going).
• Car rentals: starts at 589 000 IDR for a day with driver. Without driver, you can find small cars for 202 000 IDR/day. A moped rental will be pretty cheap. Gas is about 8400 IDR/liter.

Accommodation

• If you are the backpacker kind, youth hostel will cost about 168 300 IDR/night/person.
• A night in a 2-star total will be about 252 400 IDR. 
• For a 3-star hotel, about 336 550 IDR/night. A 4-star hotel 505 00 IDR and a 5-star hotel 1 178 000 IDR. 
• You can also get good deals on mansion rentals (2-person bedroom and pool) : around 1 010 000 IDR/night/person.

Eating

• A traditional dish, sold in the street will cost about 33 700 IDR. 
• For a more filling meal, expect up to 168 300 IDR/person. 

Useful contact information in Bali

If you need to join / go to your embassy while in Indonesia, go to this website for the address, phone number, email address and website : https://embassy.goabroad.com/embassies-in/indonesia

In case of emergency, call : 

– Police in Bali : 911
– Police in Jakarta : 110
– Firefighters : 113

Book your trip to Bali

Here are different websites you can use to make your first bookings for your itinerary in Bali:

Flights

• https://www.garuda-indonesia.com
• http://www.lionair.co.id

Ferries

• https://www.baliferry.com
• https://www.directferries.fr

Practical information in Bali

Tips for our fellow travelers

• If you get a headache, immediately call the doctor. Mosquitoes could have given you malaria. 
• Avoid raw or barely cooked food if you don’t want to get sick during your trip. And also food tends to be spicy, so beware!
• Tips are not mandatory but are highly appreciated.
• Be sure to pack a universal adaptor if you want to charge your devices!
• Only drink bottled-water or you could get sick.
• Don’t over pack! You will find cheap clothes more appropriate to the local weather over there.

Useful shopping list before traveling to Bali

On our side, we always go on a trip with a first aid kit, it can be more than useful. Add in this kit “made” paracetamol and medications for belly type Spasfon… You never know !

The travels inexorably damage the passports… To avoid changing yours every 3 stripes, we advise you to opt for a passport cover !

You want to secure your bag a minimum ? Opt for a “special suitcase” padlock. Remember that between a protected suitcase and an unprotected suitcase, careless people will prefer to tackle the unprotected one.

Depending on the country, you may need a universal adapter for your electrical devices.

You take pictures with your smartphone, use it for GPS, watch the time, and so on? You will probably need an external battery to charge your phone during the day!

For the choice of your cabin luggage, special mention for this solid and practical bag especially for “digital nomads” (like us!) who need to take their computer around the world!

Getting hydrated is essential when traveling! We recommend this water bottle to overcome all your thirsts !