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General information about Bali
Bali is an island in Indonesia, surrounded by the larger island of Java, Nusa (Penida and Lembongan) and Lombok with the Gili Islands. Above all, it is known for its rich culture, clear sea and the hospitality of its inhabitants.
Bali has a tropical climate with two main seasons – dry season and rainy season. The dry season lasts from April to October, while the rainy season lasts from November to March. Heavy but often short rain showers can occur during the rainy season. Temperatures remain warm all year round, with average highs of around 30°C.
The Balinese people are known for their hospitality and friendliness. Most Balinese belong to the Hindu faith and their traditional way of life is closely linked to religious and spiritual practices. Family and community play a big part in Balinese life and visitors are often warmly involved in local customs and traditions. Most families have their own small temple at home and incense sticks and small bowls of banana leaves filled with flowers and rice are placed there daily. During prayers, people wear a so-called sarong, which resembles a skirt that covers most of the knees and legs. Headbands and flowers behind the ear are also very popular. Travelers can watch a kecak or legong dance while on vacation in Bali. The dance tells a story, similar to Romeo and Juliet, accompanied by male voices in acapella. Without any other instruments, you are drawn into the magic of the show.
Bali is a paradise for divers and surfers. Many beaches, especially Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, offer ideal conditions for learning to surf. Diving is possible in Amed or especially on the neighboring islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. In May, Manta Point on Nusa Penida is very popular, as manta rays can be observed there during the mating season. Snorkelers also have the opportunity to see manta rays. There is also the possibility of encountering the rare moonfish, also known as the mola mola.
Language
The main languages spoken here are Balinese and Indonesian. Almost every local we met also speaks English. This made communication very easy.
In the tourist spots, many signs are translated directly into English.
Since it is important to us as travelers in a foreign country to immerse ourselves in the language, we like to look at the most important terms in advance and use them in everyday life, so you also build a good relationship with the locals, because you show interest in the culture and the country. They are also always happy to help you with pronunciation and teach you other words. Here is a small list of words in Indonesian for beginners.
Some say that the language is very easy to learn and that you can get the basics down in about 2 weeks.
- Hello – Halo
- Thank you – Terima kasih
- Goodbye – Selamat tinggal
- No – Tidak
- Yes – Ya
- Please – Tolong
- Sorry – Maaf
- How are you? – Apa kabar?
- Good morning – Selamat pagi
- Good morning – Selamat siang
- Where is…? – Di mana…?
- How much is it? – Berapa harganya?
- Delicious – Enak
- Water – Air
- Food – Makanan
- Bathroom/toilet – Kamar mandi/toilet
- Without – Tanpa
- Meat – Daging
- Fish – Ikan
- Vegetarian – Vegetarian
Time difference
The time difference to Germany CET is 7 hours ahead in winter and 6 hours ahead in summer.
Visa
With a German passport you need a so-called Visa on Arrival. This can either be applied for and paid for online in advance or on site. The visa (Visa on Arrival) is valid for up to 30 days. A one-time extension of this visa for a further 30 days is possible. Any immigration office (Imigrasi) in Indonesia is responsible.
When entering the country, an electronic customs declaration(electronic customs form) must be submitted; this can also be done two days before entering the country (currently only Jakarta and Bali) to shorten any waiting times at the airport. We also did this in advance at the airport, which saved us waiting time and allowed us to queue directly for customs clearance.
Currency
In Bali, you pay with the Indonesian rupiah.
1000 rupiah is about 6 cents. There are numerous ATM machines everywhere on the streets or in stores, often guarded by cameras or even a security service. You can even withdraw money there 24/7 in some cases. The ATMs often charge a fee, which must be quoted when withdrawing money. However, there are also numerous banks that do not charge a fee. These include, among others: Mandiri, BNI, Maybank, Commonwealth, HSBC and CIMB NIAGA.
Food
There is a wide variety of food options in Bali. There is a particularly wide choice for vegetarians. Tempeh is the main meat substitute for tofu and no matter which warung or restaurant you eat in, you can always choose tempeh or tofu as a meat substitute. Warungs are usually small restaurant-like stalls run by families. They are therefore somewhat cheaper than larger restaurants. Prices there range from 10,000 rupiah for rice, a drink or satay skewers to 30,000 rupiah for a main course. Take-away food is packed in small plastic bags and there is also a major problem with waste disposal in Bali.
There is a wide variety of food options in Bali. There is a particularly wide choice for vegetarians. Tempeh is the main meat substitute for tofu and no matter which warung or restaurant you eat in, you can always choose tempeh or tofu as a meat substitute. Warungs are usually small restaurant-like stalls run by families. They are therefore somewhat cheaper than larger restaurants. Prices there range from 10,000 rupiah for rice, a drink or satay skewers to 30,000 rupiah for a main course. Take-away food is packed in small plastic bags and there is also a major problem with waste disposal in Bali.
In restaurants, a service charge and taxes are usually added to the total price. You can usually pay by card, but sometimes a 3% fee is added.In restaurants, a service charge and taxes are usually added to the total price. You can usually pay by card, but sometimes a 3% fee is added.
Means of transportation
There are many different means of transportation. The choice usually depends on where you want to go and how long the route is. In Bali, everyone seems to be a cab driver and tour guide. If you are traveling in a group or as a family, a driver can be booked by the day or hour as a personal chauffeur. The drivers are all very friendly and always provide information and can answer almost all questions.
In addition, the traffic here really should not be underestimated, as even short distances of just a few kilometers can take up to several hours. Furthermore, left-hand traffic applies here and those who are unfamiliar with it should pay particular attention when driving.
App Grab: Here you download the app in advance and can then call a cab from anywhere. Comparable to Uber. The difference to regular cabs is that the price is already fixed in advance and is paid directly when booking via the app. This means you don’t need cash and the price doesn’t change during the journey. You get the verified name of the driver, the license plate, the type of car and can share the location or the ride with someone, so you feel really safe. Unfortunately, there is no grave on islands like Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Penida.
Cab: There you will find a taximeter and the actual price will only become clear at the end of the journey. Unfortunately, these taximeters are often manipulated and the previously discussed price is far exceeded. There are an incredible number of cab drivers in Bali, so they are grateful if you end up choosing them rather than the competition and are prepared to bargain. This way you end up paying almost half the original price.
Ferry: To get from island to island, you can either take a plane or a ferry. We either bought ferry tickets in advance from 12go.asia, which was often cheaper, or in small stores or directly at the port terminal. There are different providers and different ports, so you should make sure that you choose the right port. You should wait at the port about an hour before departure so that everything runs smoothly and your luggage can be dropped off. There are often no additional costs for luggage.
The ferries are all slightly larger speedboats. If you get sick quickly, you should definitely take a travel pill in advance. Sitting at the back is highly recommended, as the swell is stronger at the front. The windows are usually open and water can get in. The smell of petrol is also very strong and not for sensitive noses. The trip from Bali to Nusa takes about 30 – 45 minutes. From Bali to Gili it can take 3 hours and the boats are the same. The walk to or from the ferry can also be through the sea, so it’s best to wear shoes that can get wet or flip-flops that you can take off.
Flight: The quickest way to get from one island to the next is by plane. If you have a fixed schedule, you should book flights in advance, as prices can rise sharply at short notice. We didn’t use it during our stay.
On foot: To save money and work on our fitness, we always wanted to walk as much as possible. This is highly recommended, especially in Ubud, if the accommodation is centrally located. The distances on the islands can quickly become very long, which is why we switched to a scooter there.
Scooters: In some places, especially smaller islands, scooters can easily be hired for a few hours or several days. There is little traffic on Nusa in particular, so you quickly feel safe driving. When we rented our scooter at our accommodation, they wanted nothing more than a name and the money. We always recommend asking for helmets and wearing them, because even if you quickly feel safe and driving without a helmet is tempting, you shouldn’t forget that the locals don’t have to take a driving test like in Germany and that children often drive and there are chickens, cats and dogs on the roads, which are difficult to see at night as the street lighting is weak or non-existent.
Sim Card
You can buy your sim card at the airport for a higher price, with an eSim app like Airalo or we bought it ourselves via Nomad with 5GB for 30 days.
Excursions and activities
Klook is an app that allows you to book various activities at a lower price. It is particularly well known and popular in Asia.
GetYourGuide is also a globally known and popular app for booking excursions. These can almost always be canceled free of charge up to 24 hours in advance. We ourselves have tested GetYourGuide in several countries, including France, the Netherlands, Tenerife, Turkey, Egypt and the Dominican Republic, and have never been disappointed.
Excursions can also be booked the day before in most accommodation or small street stores. There are often WhatsApp numbers on signs, so we were able to book and clarify a lot of things with a quick message on our cell phones.
Accommodation
We usually book our accommodation either via Booking.com or Airbnb. If you make several bookings with Booking.com, you get different Genius levels and therefore discounts or other benefits. These often include free breakfast and special offers. However, we have often compared the prices with Agoda.
Our itinerary
Sanur →⛴️
Nusa Lembongan →⛴️
Nusa Penida →⛴️
Ubud → Auto
Legian →Auto
Amed →Auto
Legian
Sanur
Sanur is not only a beach region in the east of Bali, but also the starting point to the numerous neighboring islands of Bali. There is a large harbor in Sanur, where many boats depart daily. But the beaches are also worth a visit. With the soft, light-colored sand and the clear sea, we were able to relax and arrive there very well during our first few days. Our accommodation was within walking distance, so we had the perfect starting point to the harbor from where we could set off for the island of Nusa Lembongan.
Nusa Lembongan
Nusa Lembongan is a small island next to Nusa Penida and is very underrated. If you really want to relax, this is the place for you. The traffic in the center of Bali is rather stressful and things are quieter on Lembongan. There are lots of small beaches, which can be found on Google Maps under Secret Beach or Hidden Lagoon. The best thing to do here is to hire a scooter and explore the island yourself, which is really easy due to its size. The well-known beaches are usually busier, although we were often virtually alone at the more hidden spots. If you don’t yet have your own diving mask and snorkel, it’s best to buy one in advance, as there are great spots to explore everywhere.
Nusa Penida
A paradise for divers! Not only Manta Point is the highlight, but also the numerous reefs and colorful fish. Diving skills such as drift diving can be learned particularly well here, as the currents can often be very strong and sudden. We opted for the BaliAqua diving school and were more than happy with everything and would book there again.
We also did our own island tour with our scooter. We can highly recommend Kelingking Beach. It’s especially worth getting there before 8 a.m., as this gives you the chance to be almost alone and get some great photos. After that, all hell really breaks loose. Scooters and cars without end and it all seems very stressful and rushed. Numerous people stream past and sometimes push and shove to get the best photo.
We went to Broken Beach and Angles Billabong after Kelingking Beach and were more than disappointed. There is no beach there, just rock formations and hundreds of people. We would therefore advise anyone not to go there, as it’s really no fun. We visited Delfin Bay opposite the two attractions and were the only ones there. Unfortunately, there were no dolphins to be seen, but the peace and quiet did us good. We then drove to Gamat Bay and went snorkeling in a beautiful reef. As most people hire boat tours, the beach was almost empty.
We were able to watch the sunset every day from our accommodation in the northwest. Nusa Penida is highly recommended, but you should think carefully about whether you want to visit the tourist traps or start your own tour. The cab drivers know great spots away from the crowds.
Ubud
The town of Ubud is located in the highlands of Bali and is known as a center for traditional crafts and dances. Surrounded by rainforest and rice terraces, as well as Hindu temples, Ubud is a cultural center. The best way to explore Ubud is on foot, as the traffic here is also very dense and therefore takes a long time. The temples, the Monkey Forest and the various markets are all within walking distance. There is a lot of competition at the markets, which is why the vendors quote far too high a price and end up giving more than half a discount. The temples require a special dress code. You can either rent a sarong at the entrance or buy your own for just 20,000 rupiah at the markets. The sarongs are colorful and beautifully designed, just like everything else in Bali. The temples, the sculptures and the doors.
In the Monkeyforest, which is close to the center, the monkeys are rather aggressive, as unfortunately many tourists make fun of the monkeys. We later found out about another monkey forest just outside Ubud, where the monkeys can also be fed and are friendlier. This one is called Sangeh Monkey Forest. The monkeys can also open zippers and take everything out of the side pockets and trouser pockets when they see something. So please check your rucksack in advance, as they will unfortunately try to eat everything. If your accommodation is close to the monkey forest, you may be able to see the monkeys on the veranda or in your room if the window is open. All valuables should be safely stowed away.
There are two beautiful short hiking trails in the middle of the rice fields and near a river. We were there and only encountered a few tourists. At the rice fields there are very tasty, beautiful restaurants with a view of the fields and are a great place to take a break after hiking. The two trails are almost next to each other and can easily be combined in one morning. They are called Bukit Campuhan and Campuhan Ridge Walk.
If you would like to hike up Mount Batur, Ubud is very close by and is a good place to start a tour. We were picked up at around 2:30 in the morning and almost 1.5 hours later we were at the foot of the volcano. There we met our tour guide, as it is forbidden to climb the volcano alone. After about 1.5 hours, we were already at the top. You have the option of joining a larger group or booking a private tour. We had the private tour and were more than grateful as we could walk at our own pace and didn’t have to adapt to others. Unfortunately, there was no sunrise due to too many clouds, but it was a great experience. We were also able to briefly feel and see the hot steam coming out of the ground from the volcano. On the way back from the tour we had booked, we stopped at a coffee plantation and were greeted by a lady who showed us around the plantation and then invited us to a free tasting. It was really interesting and tasted delicious, although neither of us are coffee drinkers, so we even bought a packet of the avocado coffee.
If you really want to take a picture on a famous Bali swing, Ubud is the best starting point. However, some people leave as early as 4 a.m. because numbers are given out there and the later you arrive, the longer you have to wait. The waiting time can be up to 3 hours.
Legian
Legian is close to Kuta and the airport in Denpasar. From here you can book a surf course to learn how to surf. Legian and Kuta Beach are world-famous for this and we gave it a try. After a short briefing, we were already in the sea and were surprised at how easily we could stand and how much fun it was. However, it is also very strenuous and many people try their luck there, so the sea is sometimes full of beginners. This didn’t bother us as we were busy with ourselves.
In the Discovery Mall near Kuta, you can also watch a free dance and fire show with a view of the sea and the sunset.
In Legian there is also the Pandora Escape Room, which we found by chance and are more than thrilled. The rooms are so detailed and inexpensive. We did Area 52 and Alcatraz and there were only two of us in the room and we had 2 hours to solve all the puzzles. If you want an adventure and want to escape rainy days, you should definitely book a room. Preferably in advance via Whatsapp.
Amed
Amed is a small fishing village in the east of Bali and has plenty of charm. Surrounded by mountains, rice fields, reefs and the Agung, Bali’s largest volcano, the place is an oasis of calm. Perfect for a short weekend getaway, we decided to explore the USAT Liberty Wreck while diving there. And we were not disappointed, as we saw an octopus, barracudas, a turtle and were allowed to dive through the wreck. This is located in the neighboring village of Tulamben. But we were also right on the black volcanic sand of Amed on the way to the Amed Pyramids. Rocks that have been lowered into the sea and are now supposed to represent the pyramids of Amed. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find them, but we were lucky enough to snorkel with around 15 blacktip reef sharks. There are a few restaurants right on the beach and in the evenings you can marvel at a breathtaking sunset next to the volcano and the super clear night sky. Thanks to the low light and less pollution in the air, we were able to catch great views and even a shooting star without clouds.
Cost breakdown
We always keep our costs up to date in an Excel spreadsheet and divide them into 6 different areas. This means we always know exactly what we have spent and when and can work out how much we have spent on what. For 4 weeks in Bali we spent a total of € 2002.86 including the outward flight for 2 people. The biggest expense was our PADI Advanced Open Water Diving course, which cost almost €630 and 6 dives.
Through Workaway we didn’t spend a penny on our accommodation for about a week and had a fully equipped kitchen and private bathroom in our apartment.
If you want to learn more about Workaway you can find a post from us here, where we provide an affiliate link where you get one month for free when you sign up to Workaway and support us at the same time.
Our conclusion
In conclusion, we can say that we really enjoyed Bali and the neighboring islands. Both the country and the people are great. The 4 weeks went by so quickly and were definitely not enough for us to do and experience everything we wanted to. Especially for us beach and sea lovers, there is still a lot to discover.
Our highlights were the numerous dives with a wide variety of sea creatures such as barracudas, sharks, an octopus, a shipwreck and many more. We were very impressed by the Kecak dance in Ubud, where we were really carried away by the performance. We also had an instructive surf lesson at Legian Beach, which is one of the best places to learn to surf, and climbed the active volcano Batur at night.
Anyone who has the opportunity should definitely go to Manta Point in Nusa Penida to have the chance to see manta rays while diving or snorkeling. Manta Bay has been unpopular with the manta rays in recent weeks and they have not been seen.
When we come back, we would like to do a 3-4 day boat tour with overnight stays to the Komodo Islands. This tour is available at a reasonable price including everything for just under €200 on a boat with a sleeping deck and 40 people or alternatively there are slightly more expensive options where single rooms can be booked. The islands are home to the Komodo monitor lizard and a pink beach. If you’re lucky, you can spot whale sharks on the way there, although unfortunately some providers attract them with food.
Next time we wouldn’t miss out on the inexpensive massages, with an hour’s traditional Balinese massage starting at just €6. Bali is the perfect place to relax, so in addition to numerous massages and spas, yoga retreats are also offered.
The Gili Islands and Lombok are still on our list. On Bali itself, we would like to explore the beautiful beaches in the south and the Uluwatu temple with its Kecak dance. In the west, we would like to visit the national park and go snorkeling/diving there. The neighboring island of Java can be easily visited from Bali and offers a breathtaking view of glowing blue lava from the volcano at night.
So a second trip has already been decided and we can hardly wait to have the opportunity to go to Bali again.
Indonesia, we haven’t had enough of you yet!