Want to plan a trip to bali

[Daniel50]

People have different preferences but I have always enjoyed some time in Sanur and the Ubud area. Also, dinner and a walk along the beach in Jimbaran, in the evening, could be nice. But it has been about 10 years since I have been to Jimbaran, so it may have changed.

 

[scouser59]

Jimbaran beach is still a cool place in the evenings for a walk, a few wandering minstrels plenty of places to stop for a beer or a glass of expensive wine nice atmosphere .

 

[Davita]

All the beaches in South Bali have walkways and places to have beer/food/music and beach bean bags to relax. The ones in Kuta/Legian/Seminyak seem to attract a younger crowd but, sadly, also loud motor cycles....but they do offer great sunsets.
Sanur beach walk is more laid back and motor free...only the ting-ting of bicycle bells and 'excuse me' are heard.....no sunset only sunrise.

 

[Puspawarna]

The avatar is just something I found on the internet after the famous Mitch McConnell dissing of Elizabeth Warren (details here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nevertheless,_she_persisted if the story is fading from memory).

Usually I have a very goofy cat avatar but once in a while I change things around. Yeah yeah, I know - a cat avatar, how original. But mine is particularly funny-looking. I should probably go back to it one of these days.

 

[New Lad]

Okay guys you've been very helpful:

So Sanur and Ubud are definitely in my top places to be! I need one more location, an affordable beach resort / hotel in the most secluded beach possible.
This comes out of a suggestion someone gave me recently about some hotels have their own private beaches. Although those hotels are very pricey, but this gave me an idea.so give me secluded beaches which have good hotels on them.
Does sanur fulfill the above requirements?

 

[New Lad]

Also a few more questions:
1.) As may suggested, negotiate a fixed amount the first time you meet a driver! The best drivers are suggested by your hotels, it seems, but wont they charge more than drivers found outside?
2.) I get outside the airport, then what? I need to get to the hotel, do I get a random driver or take an Uber?
3.) Is it safe to leave stuff like passports in the Hotel Room? Say I go to the beach or am in a situation where I cannot carry it myself is it okay to leave it in the room?
4.) The first time I get to the airport, I'm going to need some rupiah, is it worth using the money exchangers at the airport? How much is a good amount for such a trip, in fact how much should I be getting the first time around, I'm coming from the US.

 

[Davita]

New Lad..... you say you are coming from the USA on a 6 day tour of Bali and (post #15) you've been to India many times.
Many others have answered your questions in a succinct way but you seem to be wanting to go around and around and not identify what you specifically want in such a 6 day venture.
Why don't you tell me when you will arrive and depart. I will then personally advise where you can enjoy, to the best of your desire, according to your budget...free of charge!
BTW there is nothing available for US$20/night unless you want to bunk with my driver and his dog......Edit. apologies...the dog moved out!

to answer your post # 26
1. Do not do anything on day one. Blue Bird taxis can get you to where you want within the confines of the area Kuta/Legian/Seminyak on a meter...until you get over jet-lag. Taxis in Indonesia are about the cheapest mode of transport in the world.
2. Ignore all the immediate touts at the airport as if you know your way. Depending on where you initially decide to stay look for a normal Blue Bird taxi that will take you there on a meter. If your intent is to travel far after arrival i.e. Ubud...you are on your own. I would not advise such a venture as has also been suggested by others,
3. Bali is as safe as any other country and IMO probably safer...it behoves travellers to look after their personal belongings whether in Bali or Bermuda. Safety boxes are as normal in hotels in Bali as anywhere else I've visited...except the middle of the Sahara.
4. It is worthwhile to exchange a small amount of US$ on arrival at the airport for local payments until established....(say $50). Expect around Rp 12,500-13,000 for US$1. When rested, there are established money exchangers everywhere...avoid the street vendors. Bring newish, clean US$100 notes to get the best rate...crumpled five bucks....not so much.

 

[Asun]

Get Grab or Uber, instead of using Bluebird taxi. The Bluebirds tend to gouge tourists by refusing ride for short distances, or refusing to use the meters.

 

[New Lad]

Many others have answered your questions in a succinct way but you seem to be wanting to go around and around and not identify what you specifically want in such a 6 day venture.
Why don't you tell me when you will arrive and depart. I will then personally advise where you can enjoy, to the best of your desire, according to your budget...free of charge!

Yup, been to India many times, regret it a lot, a few times I was forced to go for work, other times it was for pleasure ( sadly all of them felt like wasted vacations, once actually witnessed a molestation firsthand, India never again! ).

Yes and I'm very thankful for their answers. I'm not asking the same questions, if you would note, I'm asking for any other possible suggestions in locations other than Ubud and Sanur with quiet beach resorts, if anyone would know. If you dont know, I appreciate your consideration anyways, I'm not one for waddling about on misinterpreting fine details.

> what you specifically want in such a 6 day venture.

Read post #1 and post #2 and maybe the rest of the thread.

I appreciate the offer, but I'd rather book a hotel. Not that it matters nor would it make for a comfortable or good holiday, but FYI there seem to be a lot of options less than $20 for those who take the pure long-term economic backpacking route. Sadly you'll have to find solace with your own driver and his dog, I'm sorry his dog moved out. Hope you come to terms with it and get whatever help you need.

 

[fastpitch17]

Every time I read where you are looking for a hotel with a private beach I cringe a little. First off by national law, there are no private beaches. Yes, some places try to restrict access to the beaches in front of their property and may well tell you it is their private beach, but, it is not. The shoreline belongs to the nation up to 15 meters above the high tide line. Secondly, taking a quick look at some of those places that offer private beaches I see some economy rates during the rainy season as low as US $500.00 a night. Some over US $1,000.00. Bali is not a cheap, let's go backpacking for economy purposes place. It is a TOURIST attraction every which way you turn.

Better you choose other places you could actually budget for and find secluded beaches along a trail you take on a rented motor bike. As long as it's a week day and no holidays in there.

I'm not saying don't go to Bali or have the time of your life. You just need to get a better reality of your budget for it. Maybe look into the places the surfers rent and than take a nice walk to the beach.

 

[CaturMuka]

Bali is not a cheap, let's go backpacking for economy purposes place.

I agree with everything thing else you've said, but that's a bit weird. Every holiday I've ever taken in Bali has been a "cheap, let's go backpacking" adventure.

Also, I just dropped off some visiting family members at a Rp.240.000/night homestay in Sanur. Clean with AC, and a really decent mid sized pool. 400m from the beach.

You're right though, he's dreamin' if he thinks he can find a NICE resort on the beach for around US$20 a night. There's a few cheap places on the "beach" up north, but it depends upon your definition of a beach.

In theory, you can stay at a hotel on the beach in Sanur for about Rp.500.000 a night, but it's the government run, Werdhapura Hotel. Pretty bad reviews, and they don't even have their own website.

Wow, just found this. Thanks Google.
https://www.google.com/search?hs=r4...!3d-8.698658625896705!3m2!1i1460!2i808!4f13.1

 

[fastpitch17]

There you go. An answer to all or many of your questions. I didn't think of suggesting the OP do any searching of his own. I guess I just figured that would be the first thing someone did.

 

[Davita]

Thanks for your post #31 CaturMuka...very informative.
I was aware there is an oversupply of accommodation in Bali but unaware the rates are that low. The Governor is trying to control the supply/demand and is talking about passing some bill to put a floor price on what registered accommodation can offer. Much like the RI Gov't put a max price on domestic flights and a consequent floor price as a % of the max.
The hotel industry in Bali keep complaining that illegal villas/rooming houses are stealing their clients and, on another forum, I've heard of those villas advertising on AirBnB being raided.

A friend of ours from Canada visits every year for about a month and again in Mar 2018. They normally stay with us for a couple of nights then leave their big bags and tour the islands. He prides himself on getting great hotel, flight and cruise ship deals but, if I can find good accommodation in Sanur at under twenty bucks...he'll be thrilled.
If anyone has used any of those cheap places I'd appreciate a report of the facility.

BTW We visited Sanur last night and had a great evening in CharMing restaurant...highly recommend.

 

[scouser59]

If you have a nose around on booking .com traveloka etc there are plenty of 20 to 30 usd per night decent 2 to 3 star dotted around , but for sure non have a private beach , even if it was legal .

 

[Vanhelsing]

I get outside the airport, then what?

I'm honestly more confounded than when I started,...

I'm getting stuck on the basics here,...

... but this is so confusing! So many options!

Should I do hotels bookings online or after reaching there?

I dont know how to balance my trip...

Also what do you do about Jet Lag? Should I account for an extra day to sleep off the lag?

Anyone ever been diving? What if someone doesn't know how to swim?

After covering ubud + other temples / palaces completely (what I can do)

How on earth did you cope/plan your "many" visits to India?

 

[William King]

I was wondering the same, he/she must also be older than the 18 or 19 I had pegged for...

 

[lifelongexpat]

Sounds like an adult backpacker.

Unlike your regular gap-year backpacker, the adult backpacker can’t hack hangovers any more so won’t be starting the drinking games in hostels. They will more like be found sipping a latte while flicking through The New Yorker on their iPad, rather than vomming into a bin after one too many arak cocktails.

Like all backpackers however, they will run out of money at some point and find themselves back in the city where they started, living in a grimy shared flat while all their friends have moved to the countryside to get married and have babies.