Ultimate Guide To
Planning Your

Table of Contents

In this ultimate guide to planning your bali vacation we will cover the following topics. Feel free to click on one of the topics below to jump instantly to that section

1
About this Guide
5
Final Thoughts

If you're reading this guide then you are either dreaming about one day visiting Bali or your vacation to Bali is already locked down and now you need to plan the details. Either way, this Ultimate Guide to your Bali Vacation will help you plan and prepare for your trip to Bali.

Bali is the most famous of the thousands of islands located in Indonesia. The busy island of over 4 million residents has been a tourist favorite for decades. The wide beaches in the south and lush, volcano-dominated interior attract close to 3 million foreign tourists per year.

After reading this guide, you will be able to navigate Bali like a pro and have all the information needed in order to create your perfect vacation. So what are we waiting for….
Let's dive in!

What you Should Know
in Bali


Language:

The official language is Indonesian, but you'll hear Balinese in the countryside often with a smattering of Indonesian mixed in. However, English is commonly spoken throughout the island due to the constant amount of tourists visiting. Not everyone will speak English but most of the locals know at least how to speak English for simple communication.

CurrencyCurrency:

Bali uses the Indonesian rupiah as the local currency. We would recommend that you exchange currency before you arrive in Bali, however if that's not possible, there are many currency exchange shops located in all the main areas of Bali.

Some simple currency calculations are as follows:

$100 USD = 1,412,000 IDR (approximately)
$100 AUD = 1,002,000 IDR (approximately)
$100 EUR = 1,586,000 IDR (approximately)

If you're not a millionaire yet, you will have a chance to be a millionaire in Bali :)

Credit Cards & BanksCredit Cards & Banks

Cash is king in Bali Always carry a handful of 10,000 IDR to 100,000 IDR notes (valued from $0.75 to USD 7.50) for daily expenses and haggling. However, most main restaurants and shops do accept credit card so feel free to bring your credit card. Also, you can easily withdraw from ATMs, which are everywhere in the cities.

ClimateClimate

Expect year-round tropical temperatures in Bali. The rainy season runs from January to April and dry season runs from May to September. The most popular time to visit Bali is from July to September.

Phone, Sim Cards & WiFiPhone, Sim Cards & WiFi

The cost of a Bali sim card is around 100,000 rupees ($7 USD) for 23GB of data. Our personal recommendation would be to use Telkomsel as they are one of the most trusted wireless providers. No need to worry though as most cafes and restaurants have wifi and the connection is usually pretty good.

NegotiatingNegotiating

Negotiating in Bali is widely seen and is 100% acceptable when you are at local shops or looking for local services. Don't be shy. Feel free to negotiate a price you feel is fair. We always love to support the locals in Bali but you always want to feel like you are getting a fair price given the situation.

Getting Around Bali

While Bali may seem like a small island, there is a lot of things to see and a lot of ground to cover! Traffic in Bali is usually very congested so when planning your schedule, always allow extra time for traffic. It's fairly easy to find a car or taxi in the main parts of Bali, however, you will just need to be conscious of the price and try to negotiate whenever possible.

Arrange an airport pickup before arrival - Once you arrive in Bali the last thing you want to have to do is try to find a trustworthy driver that will bring you to your hotel/villa at a reasonable price.

If you plan ahead, you can get an airport transfer from around $30-$40 and there will be someone waiting for you at the airport with your name on the sign. This to us is a lot more stress free, safe and gets your vacation started on the right track

Scooter

Scooter is probably the cheapest option, however, we recommend it only for the brave as it can be a bit scary if you're riding through the main streets of Bali.

Taxi

Taxis are the most expensive and since the taxi's are basically a monopoly, they tend to try to ban apps like Uber & Grab. You can still use Grab in some places.

Private Car

There are tons of private drivers that will offer airport drop-offs, transfers and tours for much less than taxis.

Driving Times

Here is a handy section that will tell you how long it takes to get from one popular destination to another.

Driving Times From The
Airport To Downtown Bali

  • Denpasar Airport to Ubud:1 hour 30 minutes
  • Denpasar Airport to Canggu:1 hour
  • Ubud to Seminyak:1 hour
  • Seminyak to Canggu:30 minutes
  • Canggu to Sanur:1 hour
  • Ubud to Uluwatu:2 hour
  • Sanur to Nusa Penida:45 minutes (by fast boat)

With butterflies in the air and monkeys swinging on vines, Ubud is rightfully known as the spiritual destination of the island.

Four Seasons Sayan Ubud

Website: https://www.fourseasons.com/sayan/
Phone: +62 361 977577

Viceroy Ubud

Website: https://www.viceroybali.com/en/bali-luxury-resorts.php
Phone: +62 361 977577

Hanging Gardens Ubud

Website: https://hanginggardensofbali.com/
Phone: +62 361 982700

Sayan House

Website: https://www.thesayanhouse.com/
Phone: +62 361 982700

Milk + Madu

Website: https://www.milkandmadu.com
Phone: +62 361 9067074

BATUBARA - ARGENTINIAN GRILLERY

Website: https://www.facebook.com/batubaragrillery/
Phone: +62 361 9084249

Tegalalang Rice Fields

The Monkey Forest

Tegenguan Waterfall

Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Mt. Batur Volcano

As the world's current top travel destinations and Bali's trendiest city, Seminyak is rightfully known as the mega-perfect getaway for those indulging in the finer things in life.

The Legian Bali

Website: https://lhm-hotels.com/legian-bali/en/
Phone: +62 361 730 622

Sahana Villas

Website: https://www.sahanavilla.com/
Phone: +62 361 73 66 74

The Colony Hotel Bali

Website: https://www.thecolonyhotelbali.com/
Phone: +62 361 736160

KYND Community

Website: https://www.kyndcommunity.com/
Phone: +62 859-3112-0209

Motel Mexicola

Website: https://www.motelmexicola.info/
Phone: +62 361 736688

Strawberry Fields

Website: https://www.strawberry-fields.co/
Phone: +62 859-6900-9245

Potato Head Beach Club

Website: https://www.ptthead.com/bali/
Phone: +62 361 473 7979

Surfing at Seminyak Beach

Shop & Eat

Notoriously known as Bali's most hardcore party scene, Kuta is incomparable to any city on the island.

Padma Resort Legian

Website: https://www.padmaresortlegian.com/
Phone: +62 361 752111

The Stones Hotel

Website: https://thestoneshotelbali.com/
Phone: +62 361 3005888

Sheraton Bali Kuta

Website: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/dpsks-sheraton-bali-kuta-resort
Phone: +62 361 8465555

Crumb & Coaster

Website: https://www.crumbandcoaster.com/
Phone: +62 819 9959 6319

Johnny Tacos

Website: https://www.facebook.com/johnnytacosbali
Phone: +62 821 4466 6232

Hard Rock Cafe

Website: https://www.hardrockcafe.com/location/bali/
Phone: +62 623 61755661

Waterbom Bali

Go shopping at Beachwalk

Website: https://beachwalkbali.com/
Phone: +62 361 8464 888

Release Sea Turtles

Website: https://waterbom-bali.com/
Phone: +62 811 3882 683

Welcome to Canggu, a tucked away surfer town on the west side of Bali, a little north of Seminyak.

COMO Uma Canggu

Website: https://www.comohotels.com/umacanggu/
Phone: +62 361 6202228

Aston Canggu Beach Resort

Nusa Penida is Bali's rugged volcanic island to the southeast offering dramatic sea cliffs, pristine beaches, and incredible snorkeling spots.

Nusa Lembongan is a small island, a short boat trip from Sanur, popular for surfing, diving, snorkeling and enjoying the laid-back lifestyle.

Uluwatu is perched on the southern tip of Bali, known for its iconic temple, world-class surf breaks and stunning clifftop bars.

Jimbaran is a tranquil fishing village famous for its seafood restaurants on the beach, the bay's calm waters and spectacular sunsets.

Go to a Seafood Restaurant

Final Thoughts

After reading this guide we hope it has helped you to prepare for your upcoming trip to Bali or gave you the final nudge to book your flight and come visit this beautiful island. A trip to Bali will change the way you think about life and allow you to indulge in one of the best vacation destinations in the world.
At ForeverVacation, we want to help you have the best time possible so feel free to send us an email at team@forevervacation.com with any questions you may have and we would be glad to help plan and organize your dream vacation.
Life is short. Stop procrastinating for that amazing vacation you so truly deserve. We look forward to meeting you.

See you in Bali!


Cheers!
Janie & Ben