Bali Travel Tips

The main tourist destinations of Kuta, Legian, Seminyak, Sanur and Nusa Dua offer a good starting point for you Bali Exploration. These areas are very tourist friendly with many of the locals knowing several languages.

This will make sightseeing to destinations including Gunung Agung and Besakih Temple, Kintamani, Lovina Beach, Candi Dasa and Ubud, the main art hub in Bali, relatively easy. Traffic getting out of Nusa Dua can at times be a little difficult and will add 30 min to any trip. Sanur is a popular destination as it is still close to popular Kuta attractions without the busy shopping crowds.

Until you are familiar with the cost of items, be prepared to pay a little more for them! Bartering is expected almost everywhere with the starting price often being more than twice the accepted price. Offer a low price and work up from there. Be careful with all those zero’s though! As a rough guide, 10,000IDR is about $1USD.  Remember to have fun haggling (you are on holiday after all!) and pay a fair price for both parties. If you do find yourself paying a little too much for something, try to not get too upset. Fighting over a few thousand Rupiah probably won’t make a difference to your holiday but it certainly will make a difference to them.

Hiring a motorbike to tour Bali’s many attractions is the most popular form of private transport. Road safety is poor in Bali and it is not uncommon to see 3-4 vehicles in each lane. Local motorists are known for their erratic and unpredictable driving often pulling over without warning. Most hire companies will require an international license before rental. Police often pull over tourist to check their license or minor traffic infringements. Try to stay calm as most minor offences can be settled with an ‘On the spot, fine’.

You may often be asked personal question’s by people you meet such as: ‘How old are you?’ ‘Are you married?’ If you are married, ‘How many children do you have?’, if you’re not, ‘Why are you not married yet?’ These questions are not meant to offend as they will often ask Balinese and foreigners alike. If you are in a relationship where the man has a particularly ‘young looking’ face it is not uncommon to be assumed as being ‘your son’. You will be thankful in years to come so do not take it to heart.

For more Bali travel tips and bali hotel accommodation, check out http://www.balibeachholiday.com/.