Bali s the most famous island of Indonesia. Bali is home to vast beautiful landscapes, breathtaking waterfalls, beautiful beaches, magnificent temples & mighty mountains. Bali is not only about nature, it is also favors adventure sports like scuba diving, snorkeling & surfing.
A place with all these qualities & picture perfect sceneries on every corner is hard to be ignored. In my view, it is a complete destination for every age group. Maybe this is the reason why a large number of European families stay here for months.
I stayed for 9 days & could have easily stayed for few weeks.
So, here is Bali Solo Travel Guide.
If something is stopping you from visiting this beautiful yet inexpensive destination, just put that thought to the rest & pack your bags. I am sure you won't regret your decision. For people who like partying more than nature, Bali can still surprise you with world class party clubs & party culture. South Kuta is famous for its party spots & its music.
If something is stopping you from visiting this beautiful yet inexpensive destination, just put that thought to the rest & pack your bags. I am sure you won't regret your decision. For people who like partying more than nature, Bali can still surprise you with world class party clubs & party culture. South Kuta is famous for its party spots & its music.
How to Reach:
The best way to reach Bali from any place is through a flight. Bali is well connected with major airports of the world.
Trains are available from within the Indonesia but it takes too much time & it's very hectic, so until and unless you have time on your side it is advisable to choose flights.
(It's cheap & fast)
I boarded flight from Pattaya ,as it cost me less from there. I travelled from India to Bali under Rs 25K while hopping at Bangkok & Pattaya . Interestingly flight from India to Bali cost the same as the direct cost of flight from India to Bali. So, with a little planning, I visited two countries on the same flight cost Win Win situation for me.
I boarded flight from Pattaya ,as it cost me less from there. I travelled from India to Bali under Rs 25K while hopping at Bangkok & Pattaya . Interestingly flight from India to Bali cost the same as the direct cost of flight from India to Bali. So, with a little planning, I visited two countries on the same flight cost Win Win situation for me.
Things to do
Waterfalls: Waterfalls are the most beautiful part of the Bali.
Experience some of the best waterfalls in the world here. Sekumpul being the top on my list.
It is a must visit for everyone who is travelling to Bali.
I visited 4 waterfalls & all were breathtaking & mesmerizing. At sekumpul three parallel waterfall cutting through the jungle added an oomph factor to an already amazing view; it was quite an experience.
Bali day trips are fascinating as it allows you to spend a full day with nature.
Beaches: Bali is surrounded by beautiful beaches. All beaches have something new to offer. From Kuta to Amed, From Uluwat to Canggu you will fall in love with beaches. An evening on the beach with a drink is an ideal thing to do & of course watching sunsets on beaches is an experience to look out for. Avoid Kuta Beach if you like serene environment, Kuta beach is very crowded to one's expectation. There are many calm & silent beaches which can serve the purpose.
Ubud: Ubud is the cultural hub of Bali, this place is beautifully built & most of the time crowded with travellers. This place is also known for the famous rice fields & articrafts shopping hub. The place will take you one step closer to Bali’s culture. If you love yoga, you will definitely love this place, it offers lots of yoga centers. If bored with regular stuff visit monkey temple. In the night you can enjoy cultural dance & learn more about Bali's culture.
Gilli : If you had enough of Bali. Gilli island is an option for a perfect getaway. Gilli island consists of three small island Gill Air, Gilli Meno & Gilli Trawangan (Gilli T). Backpackers mostly prefer Gilli T because of places it offers for the party. Gilli T is like Khao San road with a motto of Sand, Party & S**. Gilli Meno is not much developed hence it can be boring. Gilli Air is much calmer & much more developed than Gilli Meno respectively. I would suggest the couples to try Gilli Air; a place to try snorkeling & scuba diving. This place also offers a diving course. This place offers some of the best sites for scuba diving & snorkeling. One can discover Gilli Air on foot. It hardly takes 2 hours to cover the place. Gilli Air is good enough for 2 days. Best way to reach Gilli is through speed boat from Sanur beach or through Padang Bai. Sit at the end to enjoy some waves.
Nusa Penida, Lambogen: Nusa Penida & Lambogen are 40 Km from Bali & can be reached by ferry or speedboat. The place is home to some of the best sunset points & hidden gems. Crystal bay & Pasih uug (Broken beach) are some of the major attractions on Nusa island. This place has crystal clear water & white sand. This place is good for 2 to 3 days. One can take the scooter to this island through ferries at a minimal rate of IDR 70,000. Speed boat costs more, I recommend to take a ferry which takes much more time but it costs less. If you are short on time & high on the money take speed boat.
Temples: Bali has a decent Hindi population & it is easy to find temples all around Bali. The architect is unique & refreshing. One of the unique features of their temples is their gate whose pillars are not attached to each other. Two independent columns act as a gate for the temple.
Beaches: Bali is surrounded by beautiful beaches. All beaches have something new to offer. From Kuta to Amed, From Uluwat to Canggu you will fall in love with beaches. An evening on the beach with a drink is an ideal thing to do & of course watching sunsets on beaches is an experience to look out for. Avoid Kuta Beach if you like serene environment, Kuta beach is very crowded to one's expectation. There are many calm & silent beaches which can serve the purpose.
Ubud: Ubud is the cultural hub of Bali, this place is beautifully built & most of the time crowded with travellers. This place is also known for the famous rice fields & articrafts shopping hub. The place will take you one step closer to Bali’s culture. If you love yoga, you will definitely love this place, it offers lots of yoga centers. If bored with regular stuff visit monkey temple. In the night you can enjoy cultural dance & learn more about Bali's culture.
Gilli : If you had enough of Bali. Gilli island is an option for a perfect getaway. Gilli island consists of three small island Gill Air, Gilli Meno & Gilli Trawangan (Gilli T). Backpackers mostly prefer Gilli T because of places it offers for the party. Gilli T is like Khao San road with a motto of Sand, Party & S**. Gilli Meno is not much developed hence it can be boring. Gilli Air is much calmer & much more developed than Gilli Meno respectively. I would suggest the couples to try Gilli Air; a place to try snorkeling & scuba diving. This place also offers a diving course. This place offers some of the best sites for scuba diving & snorkeling. One can discover Gilli Air on foot. It hardly takes 2 hours to cover the place. Gilli Air is good enough for 2 days. Best way to reach Gilli is through speed boat from Sanur beach or through Padang Bai. Sit at the end to enjoy some waves.
Nusa Penida, Lambogen: Nusa Penida & Lambogen are 40 Km from Bali & can be reached by ferry or speedboat. The place is home to some of the best sunset points & hidden gems. Crystal bay & Pasih uug (Broken beach) are some of the major attractions on Nusa island. This place has crystal clear water & white sand. This place is good for 2 to 3 days. One can take the scooter to this island through ferries at a minimal rate of IDR 70,000. Speed boat costs more, I recommend to take a ferry which takes much more time but it costs less. If you are short on time & high on the money take speed boat.
Temples: Bali has a decent Hindi population & it is easy to find temples all around Bali. The architect is unique & refreshing. One of the unique features of their temples is their gate whose pillars are not attached to each other. Two independent columns act as a gate for the temple.
Cost Involved During The Journey
I spent around about INR 14,000 for a 9 day trip to Bali, Nusa Penida & Gilli which includes everything (except airfares)
Flights cost may vary from places to place. I went to Thailand first & then to Indonesia. Starting price for a flight from Thailand to Indonesia was of INR 7,000.
Accommodation: Accommodation is usually cheap in Bali starting price for a dorm is IDR 60,000. However, the amount varies from places to places. Like staying at Kuta or Seminyak will cost more compared to places in the north of Bali. Dorm rooms price starts from 60,000 IDR & it can go to high depending on which time you are travelling & where are you staying. Places like Kuta, Seminyak are costly as it is crowded with travellers. Depansar & Ubud are good variants for accommodation. To enjoy some quiet time in Bali's head towards the north. The beaches on the north are less crowded & also priced less compared to prime locations.
Food & Alcohol: If travelling on shoestring budget, street food is a good option. Stalls are easily available & one can find good food starting from IDR 12,000.
Vegetarians will find it little tough to find food of their liking but Nonvegetarians can come across lots of variants. Alcohol cost in clubs & pubs starts from IDR 25000.
But It is better to buy alcohol from the departmental store where the cost starts from IDR 17,000. As a vegetarian, I relied on street food as I was able to modify according to my requirements.
Activities: Surfing is one of the famous sports in Bali, due to high tides & great waves Bali offers an ideal place for surfing. It is easy to find surfboard on the rent at the beaches that too on affordable prices. Snorkeling is generally done by renting a snorkeling equipment’s (cost of snorkeling equipment is usually IDR 30000 for the whole day). Scuba diving requires you to take a formal training for a dive, it usually takes 3 hours for the basic course. It is recommended to try scuba diving as Bali has some of the world's best spots to dive into.
Commutation: The best way to commute in Bali is through renting a bike. But, lots of travellers are afraid to rent a motorbike because of insane driving practices. But, I rented a bike & haven’t found anything alarming (may be driving in India helped me in that department :P). I rented a bike for IDR 55,000 per day. Public transport is available but it is costly & limits your travelling. It is better to hire a bike & roam around the city. All tourist spots can be easily reached by motorbike. Petrol is cheap, Roads are extremely good just carry a GPS for routes & everything will be under your control.
Activities: Surfing is one of the famous sports in Bali, due to high tides & great waves Bali offers an ideal place for surfing. It is easy to find surfboard on the rent at the beaches that too on affordable prices. Snorkeling is generally done by renting a snorkeling equipment’s (cost of snorkeling equipment is usually IDR 30000 for the whole day). Scuba diving requires you to take a formal training for a dive, it usually takes 3 hours for the basic course. It is recommended to try scuba diving as Bali has some of the world's best spots to dive into.
Commutation: The best way to commute in Bali is through renting a bike. But, lots of travellers are afraid to rent a motorbike because of insane driving practices. But, I rented a bike & haven’t found anything alarming (may be driving in India helped me in that department :P). I rented a bike for IDR 55,000 per day. Public transport is available but it is costly & limits your travelling. It is better to hire a bike & roam around the city. All tourist spots can be easily reached by motorbike. Petrol is cheap, Roads are extremely good just carry a GPS for routes & everything will be under your control.
Handy Resources:
Below are the few resources you should check before making an itinerary.Agoda: Best place to book hotels of your liking. Agoda provides the best solution & great offer while booking a hotel.
Skyscanner: Skyscanner compares various sites & sort the flights based on the rates. A great way to check flight cost. Although the only drawback is that rates are flexible. Hence, the cost might change while you are making the payment.
Jetradar: Jetradar is a comparing site which is just like Skyscanner. But, is much more accurate & much more handy in use.
Booking: Best place to book hostel rooms. There are plenty of options available & with so many properties booking becomes much easier.
Couchsurfing: Best place to find free accommodation. It is as easy as filtering people & messaging. If you will get lucky you will find free accommodation in local resident house.
Travel Insurance: There are numerous options available to get one. So, you can choose anything which suits your requirement. Make sure you read the terms & conditions before buying one.
Here is the solo travel guide to Bali. Here is few more things you need to know.
My Trip To Most Beautiful Island I Visited
PS: If you like the way I mentioned things do comment or mail me at [email protected]
Extra Information on Bali :
My Trip To Most Beautiful Island I Visited
PS: If you like the way I mentioned things do comment or mail me at [email protected]
Extra Information on Bali :
hi,
great blog..
we willl be travelling to Bali in Dec end for 8 days,
got few queries for you
1. Is Visa on arrival to Bali or free entry Visa, and what documents r needed
2. Is Indian licence fine to hire bikes in Bali?
3. Is it good to buy forex card or international debit/credit card?
4. Best way to convert INR to USD and USD to IDR(Like foreign exchange or airport etc)
thanks
Saurabh
HI,
I will mail you with the details
Amazing article, in fact, the best article that I came across. I am looking to go in February for my honeymoon. What do you suggest how many days would be enough to explore Bali and where should we stay Seminyak Kuta Ubud or Gili??
And also what is the visa process if we are flying via Kuala Lumpur?
Hi
I will mail you the details.
Thank you Anand for sharing your exp. Its really helpful.
I am going with my wife and we intend to be travellers not tourists.
Please suggest of money exchange and Gps. Do i need to get international data/call roaming?
I will mail you with the details
Regards,
Anand
Hi.
I am travelling with my wife to bali. I will be boarding flight from new delhi and then via Kaula Lumpur will reach bali.
Can you enlighten us on the visa aspects. I think visa is free for indians. How will i get through the Delhi airport without visa ? And then how will i get the visa on arrival at bali.
Many thanks
Hi Aditya,
I will mail you with the details
Regards,
Anand
Well written mate! A good glimpse of your expenses. You advise first to convert INR to USD and than to IDR. I rougly have a budget of INR 60K for me and my wife excluding flight and hope to stay for 10 days if planeed well i guess. what do u suggest?
Hi,
Thanks a lot for the comment
I will you mail you the details.
Regards,
Anand
Hi Anand. Great article!
Was wondering if you could enlighten me about the best ways of converting money for the trip. After a lot of reading, I figured that carrying USD and then converting it to IDR is the best option. Could you please let me know about some good currency exchange places in Bali which will convert USD to IDR at a reasonable rate and nit overcharge us the the airport.
Thanks
Regards,
Ira
Hi Ira,
Thanks a lot for your wonderful comment.
I did my currency exchange in a shop in Denpasar. I don’t know the exact name of the place.
The best way would be to ask hotel guys about the good place to convert money.
But have few IDR (say IDR 200,000) with you while at the airport for few expenses like commutation, food etc.
I hope this will solve your query.
In case you still have something, you can mail me at [email protected]
Regards,
Anand
Really liked the article.
Had a query, Can you comment a little on exchanging from INR to IDR,
Is it preferable to use a credit or a debit card (INR or USD or any other currency cards) ?
Do hotels and other stores accept credit/debit cards INR or USD?
Thank You
Hi Omkar,
I hope you doing great.
I would suggest don’t use rely entirely on credit card. Most of the shops don’t have one. Have cash with you. The best way to convert currency is through getting it converted into USD & then into IDR.
Convert INR into USD & convert a very small chunk of INR into IDR for commutation & one-day expense.
I hope this will solve your query.
Regards,
Anand
Article is really good, it really help for new traveler like us. how much an entire trip can cost if i board from Mumbai?
I will revert back to your email id.
Thanks a lot for your comments.
Regards,
Anand
Excellent Article, Is there any flexible option if we decide to travel by our own in Bali Island( Like in Goa we can rent a two wheeler or four Wheeler) and how much an entire trip can cost if i board from Mumbai
Yeah, you can plan that.
Thanks for the comment.
I will mail you with the details.
Regards,
Anand
Very nice article, totally what I was looking for.|
Thanks alot.
I am glad that you liked my work.
Keep crawling & keep commenting
Thanks again