Bali, the famed Island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all providing a picturesque backdrop to its colourful, deeply spiritual and unique culture, stakes a serious claim to be paradise on earth. With world-class surfing and diving, a large number of cultural, historical and archaeological attractions, and an enormous range of accommodations, this is one of the world’s most popular island destinations and one which consistently wins travel awards. Bali has something to offer a very broad market of visitors from young back-packers right through to the super-rich.
Source: Wikitravel
This is what Wikitravel says, now our more personal opinion – to get more information click on the name of the city you are interested in.
Overview:
There are several regions in Bali that are worth discovering – The region around Denpasar with Kuta, Canggu and Seminyak are the most obvious and usually the first real destinations to new Bali travellers. However, aside from the buzzing Kuta and Canggu, lies also on the tourist track the “culture” city of Ubud in the center of Bali. The tourist streams seek “original balinese culture” which they sadly won’t find there anymore, instead the air is filled with Aloe Vera and one can enjoy Yoga and other meditation classes with views over rice terraces while enjoying some fancy lifestyle drink. Nevertheless, from Ubud you can travel further east to the beach towns around Candidasa, which have lost some of their glamour and attractions leading to lower prices, which makes it on the other hand more tempting for low-budget backpackers. From there one can easily make a visit to Besakih, a big temple compound in the hills or travel further to Tulamben or Amed, which are excellent starting points for diving since a high number of dive sights is close to shore and thus easily reachable.
The south of Bali offers with Padang Padang, Uluwatu, The impossibles, Dreamland etc. world class surfing and outside the high season also less crowded beaches.
Of course there is much more to see, just get a scooter and disover the island.
Don’t Miss:
Ulu Watu Beach and Padang Padang
Making a scooter trip to the south of Bali. Enjoy watching world class waves being surfed on Ulu Watu Beach from the little Cafés and Bars, build directly on the high cliffs, with a cold beer in your hand.In off-season don’t miss checking out the secluded beach of Padang Padang, a former secret “dream beach” where you have to go down some stone stairs carved in the high rocks to reach the ocean.
Expenses:
Scooter Rental
A scooter for a day should not cost more than 50.000 Rp, if you take it for a weak you can get it for 30-40 k /day. If you book for a month, rates of 18.000 a day are possible. Check the license of the scooter, wear a helmet and get a internationl driving licence or a police permit for driving in Bali if you want to prevent trouble with the cops, which are actually scouting for tourists to make some extra cash. You always should take several pictures of the bikes before starting your first ride to proof existing damage and prevent trouble through this well known and popular scam. Before you know it, the damage of the scootere is blamed on you. Apart of that, check the tires for enough profile – we personally heard of 5 rented scooters where an bursting tire led to severe injuries.
Surboard Rental
Surfboard for a day at Kuta beach is around 40-50.000 Rp, depending on your bargaining skills; Echo Beach and Ulu Watu 60-70.000.
Parking Fee
Parking fee is never more than 2000 Rp, (usually 1000 Rp) so don’t get fooled.
Taxi
Not only the bluebird taxis are fine in Bali (although they seem to have the friendliest drivers), Taxi Bali or Bali Taxi are both fine as well – just insist that the taxi-driver turns the meter on – no matter what. Be aware that some drivers at nighttime try to get a high fare out of you, by talking about special minimum fares at that time. However, if you found a nice, friendly and helpful driver, don’t foget to tip him good, their salaries are quite low.
Interested in reading more?
Why don’t you check out our blog starting at: Bali Baby | Towards New Horizons
