General Bali Guide

 

This is a late post of my trip to Bali last November 2023. This post is to give general information on what you need to know about Bali for your travel and what you can expect.

November is not a popular time to visit Bali because it is their rainy season. However, luckily it was sunny during our trip and just experienced one drizzle during our whole stay on the island. Since it is off-season there are fewer tourists and shorter lines in some tourists’ destinations. There are only two seasons in Indonesia, pretty much like in the Philippines.  Its two seasons are defined as dry (April to October) and wet (November to March). However, even if it’s raining, it can be humid in Bali. So, it’s better to bring and wear light attire.

The first thing we did when we arrived in Bali was withdraw cash. There are some ATM machines before you exit the airport. Based on our research BNI has the lowest exchange rate, so this is where we usually withdraw our money.

There are a lot of taxis offering rides. In our case we booked a vehicle through Gojek. Gojek is the local ride hailing services in Bali. It is the same as Uber or Grab. There is also a Gojek booth outside the airport that can assist you. We downloaded the Gojek application before our flight. Gojek accepts cash payment, or you may link your credit card to the app.

The place where you want to stay in Bali will depend on what is your itinerary. Some tourist destinations are from each other hence it is better to book a place where you want to stay based on your itinerary.

Getting around Bali is easy. The most popular way is renting a motorbike. Motorbike rentals are common in Bali. It is also cheaper and gives you more flexibility. Another option is booking a ride through Gojek. You can also contact tour services in Bali to help you get around the places you want to visit. In our case, we told our tour service our itinerary and they advised us if it is feasible and gave us the total cost. We checked three different tour services to compare costs and inclusion. Some tour services do not include gas charges. It is better to read and compare the inclusions of their services so that you can get better value for your money.

Most tourist attractions have entrance fees but there are some which are free. Most of the temples we visited have an entrance fee. There are also some temples that have a dress code which you need to follow. Temples are still very common in Bali.

Aside from temple, one of the famous tourist attractions in Bali is their beaches. There are a lot of beaches in Bali and each beach offers a different experience. Popular beach destinations in Bali are Kuta, Uluwatu, Sanur ang Canggu. Another popular beach destination is Nusa Penida, however this is a small island near the big island of Bali.

Of course, a travel in Bali would not be complete without experiencing their food. Popular local food is Babi Guling or roasted suckling pig. There are Warungs that offer Babi Guling. Warung is a small eatery or cafeteria. Satay is also a popular local dish in Bali. Other must-try food in Bali are Nasi Goreng, Tahu and Tempeh and traditional cakes and dessert.

Travel to Bali is not complete without having their traditional coffee. You can visit coffee plantations and have free samples of their teas and coffee including the expensive luwak coffee. They also explain how they create their tea and coffee. You may also try their local beers. The most recognized local beer is Bintang.

Aside from this it is better to also understand the culture of Bali. majority of the population is Muslim, while in Bali the Hindu religion is predominant. In general, Balinese are very religious. You can see them prepare and have canang sari in their houses or any establishment. Canang sari are usually based in a woven bamboo container and include rice, flowers, incense, sweets, fruits, and spices.

Visiting Bali is a remarkable experience. It is both an adventure and a tranquil place in one. Will be posting about more of our detailed tour in Bali.