When to go
How to go
As a popular tourist destination, Bali can get very crowded
in August and September, and again in December and the New Year. Being so close
to Australia, it is not unusual to also have Australian students visit during
school holidays in April, June and September. Outside of these peak seasons
Bali provides a quiet vacation getaway and finding discounts on accommodations
is easy. For a more traditional and genuine Balinese experience tourists should
avoid the Southern region, where partying and tourism is the center of
attention.
How to go
Unfortunately there are no direct flights to Bali. The easiest way to get there is through Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, or Jakarta. Most tourists flying internationally into Bali will arrive
at the Ngurah Rai International Airport, the 3rd largest airport in
Indonesia. As previously mentioned, flight prices will depend on the time of
year. Listed below are two flight estimates—one scheduled to fly on May 14th,
during the more quiet season, and the other on August 14th, during
peak tourist season.
As can be seen, flight expenses for the same airline and
same layover schedule are approximately $800 more during peak season in August
than the more quiet tourist season during May. One thing is guaranteed,
although—any tourist can expect to have at least one layover during their
travel, some even two. It takes at least 30 hours travel time to get to Bali,
but don’t worry, it is definitely worth it!
Currently one Canadian Dollar equals 9497.11 Indonesian Rupiah. While in the airport, tourists may chose to buy souvenirs,
however unfortunately since such southern regions of Bali are ripe with tourist
exploration, it is not uncommon for locals to take advantage of tourists by
overcharging for goods and services. In fact, some scammers may claim that
souvenirs require export licenses, but with a hefty donation (of just a few
hundred thousand rupiah!) that problem can be sorted out.
From the airport, all regions of Bali are easily accessible
by taxi or bus. Hotels often arrange free transportation from the airport to
tourist resorts. However, if taking a taxi, taxi fair from the airport to Kuta,
South Bali would typically cost between Rp 20, 000 to 30, 000. Those tourists
visiting Bali from surrounding Islands have access to public ferry crossings and speed boat rides which take place every 15 minutes throughout the day.
This is where the true luxury of Bali is found. Bali offers
a wide range of hotels and resorts to accommodate all types of travellers,
depending on what region of Bali you are visiting. In North Bali, Bali Paradise
Hotel is located on Lovina beach, on the north coast of Bali. It has mountain,
ricefields, and ocean front views, with a large pool and pool bar, 3 restaurant
areas, and traditional Balinese massage. In Central Bali, Four Seasons Sayan is
a 5 star hotel and resort located amongst a lush valley in Sayan. It provides
all resort accomodations, including ayurvedic massage, and has even been
recognized as one of the world’s best resorts on the
Condé Nast Traveler’s Gold list in 2013. In South Bali, Kuta Central Park Hotel
is rated 4 stars, and located only 2km from the beach. It also provides
a full-length pool, pool bar, restaurants, spas, and even shuttle services to
the beach. South Bali is said to contain the most extravagant and
well-recognized hotels and resorts in Bali, so travellers looking to spend a
few nights in a luxurious resort should look no further. For tourists looking
to spend more time in Bali, renting a private villa is easy to do and probably
the more affordable option.
Getting around
Tours of Bali are provided by some hotels, and can also be
booked through street agencies. Adventuring by foot can sometimes be
challenging, as sidewalks and roads are problematic unless in the most popular
tourist areas. If arranging explorations independent of hotel accommodations,
Perama bus company is safe and reliable and often used by tourists. If you
prefer tax, Bali Taksi/Blue Bird taxi is the largest taxi company in Bali and
taxis can often be found easily in any tourist area. Taxis are cheap in Bali; one can expect to spend around $50 for an entire day of taxi service. For the most adventurous
tourists, renting a car or motorbike is always an option. However, due to
Bali’s unconventional traffic rules and busy roads this option is not
recommended for those drivers who are unfamiliar with driving on the left-hand
side. Travel by bicycle is a unique experience and offers a more scenic view of
Bali than transport by motor vehicle. Bicycle shops provide buying or renting
bicycles at reasonable prices, and some hotels even provide them for free.
Climate
Daytime temperatures in Bali are in the perfect range between 20-33 ⁰C year round. That means no matter what
time of year you visit Bali you can expect to be warm. However, visitors should
be careful when travelling during monsoon season, from December to March.
During this time there can be heavy rainfall and high humidity, but usually
only for short periods starting in late afternoon or evening. That means you
can still expect to catch a few sun rays during the day if travelling during
this time. In fact, the Bukit Peninsula is often more dry and sunny than other
parts of the island, so monsoon season travellers can escape to the peninsula
if they don’t feel like they’re getting enough Vitamin D!
Language
English and other foreign languages are prevalent in most
tourist regions. Tourists who attempt to speak Balinese to locals will be much
appreciated, as Balinese is a difficult language.
Electricity
American and Canadian travellers planning to use electrical
equipment from North America should pack a voltage-changing adaptor, as
electricity is supplied at 220V 50Hz and outlets are the European standard. Higher
priced hotels will provide international charging sockets, so plan ahead by
calling your respective accomodations.
Tourism information centres
All tourists can dial 166 from a landline in Bali or 0361
166 from a handphone if in need of assistance. Bali is considered a safe
destination. Balinese people depend on tourism for their livelihood and so they
ensure visitors feel safe, respected, and welcome.
