Bali Tips & Tricks

WELCOME TO PARADISE! We have a feeling you're going to make some really good memories on this trip, but as is the case with. Any new and unfamiliar place, you might also encounter somethings that are frustating or difficult to understand. In attempt to mitigate this, We will provide you with the best personal tips and tricks to ensure you have an enjoyable and unforgettable visit to the island of the gods!

GETTING AROUND

• Ask your accommodations host to arrange airport pickup for you. There will be plenty of people offering their services at the airport (including taxis), but they are likely to be overpriced.
• Rent a car with a driver if you’re here with family or with a group. It’s the most convenient option for day trips.
• Don’t attempt using a motorbike unless you already know how to drive one. If you must feel the breeze in your hair, hire an ojek (motorcycle taxi).
• Pak Putu’s Tip: Wear a helmet (and wear it properly) if you do decide to rent a motorbike. And don’t follow the bad driving examples you’ll see on the road.
• If you hear lots of honking when you’re walking, no need to get flustered! It’s likely to just be taxi drivers offering their services.
• Mutia’s Tip: Make sure your cab driver has the meter on before you get in. Blue Bird taxis almost always operate by the book, but it’s not always the case with the other brands. By the way, Blue Bird has a new mobile app so check it out!

SHOPPING

• Mee’s Tip: The Beachwalk mall is a great place for one-stop shopping. It has everything from local brands to international ones, and lots of places to eat too.
• Get playful when bargaining for knick-knacks at roadside shops. Try batting your eyelashes, using silly gestures and don’t forget to smile! The key to getting what you want is an easy-going and playful attitude.
• Keep your bag where you can see it and make sure your money, phone and ATM cards are hard to reach. It may seem like a pain to have to dig through your bag, but thieves need only a minute to grab and go.
• Don’t exchange your money at an unoffi cial moneychanger. If you can’t tell whether the moneychanger is offi cial or not, you’re better off getting money from the ATM machines to avoid getting scammed.

FOOD

• Venty’s Tip: Try local delicacies – nasi betutu, babi guling and fresh fruit juices, and also sipping young coconut juice straight out of the coconut while tanning on the beach!
• Hold your horses when it comes to street food. As tempting as it may look, you need to ease yourself into the food here to avoid what is unoffi cially known as ‘Bali Belly’.

VIEWS

• Pak Goestamar’s Tip: The best scenery is in Karangasem around the Manggis area. There’s a spot where you can view a stunning combination of mountains, rice paddies and ocean.
• Tegalalang is gorgeous. Take in the view of the tiered rice paddies and snap lots of photos.
• Bli Nyoman’s Tip: At Taman Wana in Negara there is a beautiful dam with water activities to enjoy.
• Meli’s Tip: Take a late afternoon stroll on the beach in Kuta or Seminyak and watch the sky explode into vibrant colors at sunset. It’s mind blowing!

ACTIVITIES

• Visit Kintamani Lake in the morning and bike back down to Ubud once you’ve taken in the view. You won’t regret it!
• Pak Adara’s Tip: Venture out of South Bali for pristine scenery. You can try Gitgit Waterfall in Singaraja or stay in Tulamben and do some diving.
• Mbok Wayan’s Tip: Tirtha Gangga and Taman Ujung are interesting locations for day trips.
• Head to Uluwatu to see the temple and a kecak dance performance. Ubud also has many options for traditional dance performances.
• Arief’s Tip: Woobar at the W Bali and Jenja are good venues for those who want to dress up and go out. They’re the places to see and be seen!

GENERAL TIPS

• Go with the flow. Sometimes people run on island time and sometimes plans fall through. If something starts to annoy you, let it roll off your shoulders and laugh it off. You didn’t fl y all the way out here just to get upset when things don’t go as planned!
• Ibu Agung’s Tip: Don’t step on canang in the street. These beautiful offerings are a form of appreciation to God and the universe. The Balinese put these out several times a day.
• Have a chat with the locals and learn from each other!