Been reading this thread for quite some time and just got back with wifey from Bali yesterday.
I thought I'd contribute back since I got a lot of tips from this forum.
So here it is:
Manila departure:
Airport tax: As usual 1600+php per.
Tip: If your Bali flight is leaving early in the morning, do not spend too much time outside the boarding area. Like me and my wife, spent too much time lounging in the restos only to find out that during wee hours of the morning, very few ang immigration officers and the line for boarding xrays are not split between boys and girls. Muntik na kami maiwan sa tagal ng pila.
Bali Arrival Tips at the Airport:
- Head straight to immigration stamping.
- No need for Visa on arrival fees for Filipinos.
- If you can get by without changing your money at the airport, the better.
- If you must change money at the airport, get a small amount enough for your cab ride.
Taxi ride:
- Head over to the taxi counter, do not deal with taxi drivers directly.
- There is a price list depending on your destination.
Yes,
UBER is available in Bali and even much cheaper than taxi rides. If you have an Uber account, this is the best and cheapest way to go around.
Which Area to Stay:
3 main tourist areas accessible by the beach ( think for Boracay Station 1, 2 and 3 but much much bigger.
Kuta
Seminyak
Nusa Dua
and Ubud (not by the beach)
Kuta - Busiest and Noisiest. ( kinda like Bali's version mix of Makati, SM MOA by the bay minus the office buildings of course)
- Best for Shopping, Lots of Malls facing the beach ala SM MOA by the bay.
- Beach within walking distance from resort if not fronting directly.
- If you are travelling with many kids and have a tendency to go the shopping malls and the water theme parks, this area should be most convenient for you and should save you a lot of walking and travelling when going to bars, restos, malls and kiddie attractions.
Seminyak- Also by the beach, kinda like Bonifacio High Street with lots of high end shops and boutiques.
- Much more quiet vs Kuta
- A lot of hole in the wall restos that are very unique and authentic in taste.
- this area is a haven for foodies and hippies.
- No huge mall establishments here, just a collection of endless shopping outlets and stores.
- Best for couples looking for a private Villa with a pool. or if you simple hate chaotic surroundings.
- Highly recommended : Desamuda Village for the Villa private pool experience and Amadea Resort if you prefer a hotel that is right smack in the center of Seminyak's popular avenue.
Nusa Dua- Southern part of Bali.
- Has the best beaches and finest sands.
- A gated community of high end resorts.
- Not much to do but sun-bathe and swim as the malls, shops and foodie restos are for the most part in Kuta and Seminyak.
- Stay here if you want to just lounge in the beach 90% of your stay.
- About 15-20KM away from the malls, shops and boutiques around Kuta and Seminyak.
- You can still visit this beach even if you're not staying in this area.
Ubud- Almost in the inner part of Bali where you are closest to nature.
- Pick this area if you want to go the Julia Roberts Eat Pray Love route where you want to be serene with nature, rice fields, green views.
- Not for the beach afficianodas. Think of Tagaytay, or Batanggas - "The Farm at San Benito" lots of similar types of resorts.
Some must visit Restos Bars:
Jamie Oliver's Italian, Kitchenette, Bo & Bun, Fat Gajah, Ultimo, local Warungs and Italian Warungs, Mama San, La Plancha, Potato Head, KudeTa, SisterFields, Bale Bali, Blue 9 Beach Bar, Cocoon Beach Club, Woo Bar and La Favela.
Skip this:
- Skip the water sports. ( Banana Boat, Helmet Divings, PAra Sailing, etc)
Everything is available in the Philippines if you havent tried them in Boracay.
and everything is 10X much more expensive in Bali.
Best way to go around: Uber. Local Taxi drivers will try to not use the meter and charge you higher 99% of the time.
Best way to stay online anywhere in the island: Buy Simcard called "SimPatti" 10-20K (less than 60Php) and load it with prepaid load of 50K IDR (150+php) .. Ask the store clerk to register it with internet 1GB data. This should be good for 1 week.
Be sure you bring a phone that is not sim locked or at least have your device unlocked before going to Bali.
Best way to withdraw cash:Reputable shop money changers with actual stalls. Don't change money with wood-stall improvised outlets.
ATM works for ATM accounts with PH money , 3$ charge only and currency is converted automatically based on the banks exchange rate when you withdraw.
Leaving Bali- Airport is 10-15 KM away from resorts. Totally safe to travel even at night or wee hours.
- Airport Departure Tax: is 200K IDR, if you bough your ticket at least after April 2015, the tax is already included in your ticket fare. ATM's are widely available all over the Airport too.
Tour Guide or Driver:- The best and most cheapest way to go tour and go around Bali Temples and tourist spots is to hire a driver+car.
- Don't bother hiring an exclusive tour guide. All the tourist spots have guides inside for the public and the local drivers act like tour guides themselves knowing where to go and where to eat.
Who to hire:
I recommend:
japanyoman92@yahoo.com aka "Norman"
this is his face:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100009004704576&fref=ts He drives a toyota Avanza at siya na bahala sa itenerary. Email him directly, he responds quickly.
Just request or make an intenerary in advance when you contact him.
Cost: 500K IDR per day inclusive of driver, car, gas, parking tickets and toll gate fees.
Not included: Temple tickets.
that's it for now.
Thanks again for all the tips!
