Traveling to Bali: Everything You Need to Know
So you’re thinking of traveling to Bali?! Let me tell you all that you need to know to have the most magical, memorable trip!
First things first: Getting there
Dave and I visited Bali to celebrate our honeymoon in March of 2023. We flew from LA to Denpasar on EVA Airlines, with a layover in Taipei. The flight from LAX to TPE was approximately 14.5 hours, and the flight from TPE-DPS was another 5.5, so it is quite a long journey coming from the US! We were scheduled to have a 4 hour layover in Taipei, but due to a delay getting out of LAX, we really only had like 2.5 hrs in the Taipei airport. The international terminal in Taipei is quite beautiful, with lots of shopping options if that’s something you enjoy, but Dave and I opted to use our time checking out the Plaza Premium Lounge. Because Dave is an American Express Platinum holder, both of us were able to access the PP lounge for free! Even though it was approximately 7:30 AM local time, the lounge was stocked with a fantastic assortment of food and drinks. The also have private rooms for resting, and showers ( which we had planned to take advantage of) but due to our shortened layover, we opted to eat some breakfast and answer a few emails instead. No matter which airline you fly, or where you layover, definitely check to see if any of your travel cards have lounge access as a perk! It’s a great way to relax/refresh and enjoy some free food and drinks while you pass the time!
Where to stay
Dave and I wanted to get as much variety of environment as we possibly could during our quick two-week visit. We spent the first four nights of our trip in Ubud (one of the most famous jungle destinations - known for beautiful rice patties, monkeys, and its yoga/wellness vibes). From there, we moved to the beach, to the town of Sanur - on the east coast of Bali (beautiful sunrises!). Sanur is known to be one of the more “laid back” beach destinations in Bali, where the crowd tends to be a little older, and it’s a little more family-friendly. For a younger, rowdier crowd, look to Kuta or Seminyak, both on the west coast of the island. We stayed in Sanur for 5 nights, and from there, moved to the north side of the island, to the mountain destination of Gobleg for the last three nights. Other destinations we would’ve like to check out if we had more time (but, alas, our time was limited): Canggu, Nusa Penida, and the Gili Islands - so definitely take those into consideration when you’re doing your research!
UBUD:
In the jungle, we stayed at Alila Ubud. This place was truly top-notch! I told Dave - I have never actually been called (compelled!) to leave glowing reviews of a hotel before on Google and Trip Advisor, but I actually could not wait to write all of my praises about this place!! From the moment you arrive, you’re treated as a dear old friend and honored guest. Every one of the staff was extremely kind and caring - so friendly, so engaged! They greeted Dave and I by our names at every meal, and were eager to chit-chat and always wanted to make sure we had everything we could possibly desire. The staff was truly one of the most special things about this place - I can’t stress enough how much I loved everyone that we met!
Besides the spectacular staff, the food was also fantastic. They have two restaurants on property, the Plantation Restaurant - which serves traditional Balinese food, and the Cabana Lounge - which serves more “American” fare. We ate at the Balinese restaurant for every meal but one (the other being a poolside lunch at the American spot) and never had a bad bite! Breakfast was a real treat for me - as they had delicious fresh juice (my fav was jamu lima - a turmeric juice blend) and a huge array of fresh local fruits - like rambutan, snakeskin fruit, passion fruit, dragonfruit, and mangosteen - which our waitress brought out special for me when she saw how much I was enjoying the other “exotic” fruits! On one of the nights we stayed at Alila, they put on a special full-course BBQ dinner with live music, and Dave and I sang and tapped our feet and stuffed ourselves silly. The band was absolutely fantastic and the food was wonderful too!
While the staff and food were both impressive, the accommodations were truly spectacular. We stayed in the Forest Edge Villa, a huge one bedroom suite overlooking the hills, and we truly felt like we had the entire jungle to ourselves (besides the monkeys - more on that later!). The Forest Edge Villa has a massive private outdoor deck (I believe the biggest on the property) and Dave and I spent several nights lounging out there cuddling and listening to the rainstorms and the other mesmerizing sounds of the jungle. In the morning we would wrap up in our robes and sit out there to sip our morning coffees and wait for the rest of the world to wake up - so romantic!
On the note of monkeys - you won’t even need to visit the Monkey Forest in Ubud if you stay at Alila! We were up close and personal with the monkeys every single day! We could see them every morning and every evening at dusk - hanging in a huge tree near our villa, and around breakfast time they would hang out near the restaurant in case they had a quick opportunity to steal an unattended scrap of food! While the monkeys are generally not threatening or aggressive, they are still wild animals, so the staff always kept a close eye to step in and scare them away if they got too close. But, if you are looking to get up close and personal with the monkeys, I did notice that they would frequently climb the balconies of rooms 201 and 202 (a perfect position near the restaurant and overlooking the pool), and they were always nearby our villa (501), and we would would see them hanging out on the roof of the villa next door to us (502).
The last thing to note about Alila is their gorgeous infinity pool overlooking the valley - definitely an Instagram worthy spot! We spent a couple afternoons just relaxing by the pool and sipping cocktails. Also noteworthy, Alila puts on daily activities, such as a guided bike ride through the rice paddies (free but reservations required), and morning poolside yoga (also free, and no reservations necessary!). Alila also has a full service spa, which Dave and I intended to check out, but the days got away from us! (Although a nice Spanish couple we met on the property seemed to like it very much - they visited the spa multiple days in a row!)
Overall, I rate Alila Ubud 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - and you should absolutely consider them for your stay in Ubud. You will not be disappointed! Also, another very important perk - Alila Ubud is a World of Hyatt property, so you can use (or accrue!) your points on a stay here. At the time of writing, for sample dates in March 2023 (not quite peak season), a standard room is available for 8,000 points or $180 USD avg/night and the Forest Edge Villa is priced at $392 avg/night.
SANUR:
In Sanur, we stayed at another WOH property, the Hyatt Regency Bali, which is a totally different vibe! For starters the Hyatt Regency Bali is a massive property (I heard it was the first Hyatt in Bali!) with beachfront, two restaurants, and three giant pools! Again, I have to sing the praises of the staff. The hospitality in Bali is truly something special. The grounds are gorgeous - with tons of wildlife; frogs, lizards, snails, ducks, birds, bats, and ponds teeming with lotus and fish! The food was also great. Hyatt Regency Bali boasts two huge restaurants - Omang Omang, the more traditional Balinese restaurant serving a delicious breakfast buffet (with so much variety - including gluten free and vegetarian options!), lunch, and dinner, and the beachfront Pizzeria - serving Italian fare. We ate at the Italian restaurant multiple times (I highly recommend the Spaghetti Aglio e Olio - my favorite!). They’ve also got a Piano Bar in the lobby. You can hear live music at all hours of the day and night - from traditional Balinese music played on the Rindik (a type of xylophone made from bamboo) in the mornings and afternoons, to a live jazz band or quartet of serenaders on the patio at the Pizzeria in the evenings.
This resort, being so large, lacks a bit of that private, personal connection feeling of Alila Ubud, but the experience overall is still top notch - just different. Less honeymooners, and more family. :) It’s a bit louder, and bustling (but never felt crowded!). And anything you need, you can get with a smile and just a wave of the hand. Poolside, they serve food and drinks all day long, as well as fresh cold coconuts for just 50k rp (about $3.25 USD). You can also rent bicycles to take down the boardwalk for 25k rp/hr, or join a yoga, pilates, or meditation class for 150k-250k rp/pp.
The poolside was where we spent most of our time. The three pools consist of a kiddie pool (with a tiny waterslide), a medium sized “cold” pool (it wasn’t actually cold or even labeled as such - it was just the coldest of the three so that’s what Dave and I took to calling it), and a huge main pool - with a little island and waterfall feature built in. This main pool is what I would consider the perfect temperature! Great for a cooling dip as a respite from the sun, but never chilly. We always had an easy time finding great pool chairs in a shady spot mornings and afternoons, and we’d lounge the day away reading books from the pool “library” of novels and magazines left behind by former guests.
Just a quick 5 minute walk from the hotel are plenty of shops, restaurants, laundry, spas, and money exchangers. We didn’t do much price comparison on the spas, but I know you can get a full range of services - from nails, to pedis, to massage, to eyelashes - all at very affordable prices. We also ventured into another (you guessed it!) Italian restaurant nearby called Massimo that the front desk mentioned was very popular. The food was very good, and they had lots of gluten free options, and was priced just slightly cheaper than the Pizzeria on property. But, the star or the show was the gelato!! It was FANTASTIC!! You can get two huge scoops of their probably 50+ flavors as low as 20k rp (approximately $1.30 USD)!! Dave and went back two days in a row!
Here, we booked a “1 King Bed Club Access, Premium” room - approximately 39 sq meters, with a king bed, work area (for Dave), and a small terrace. It was on the ground floor, which we figured would be nice for the more spacious patio vs a balcony, and be convenient for popping in and out to the pool. The Regency Club access gave us free daily breakfast (located in the private club area, although breakfast, I believe, is also included with the regular room rate - this just offers a more exclusive breakfast area, although the main restaurant does boast a wider selection), and also free afternon tea from 2-4, and free happy hour with cocktails, wine, beer, and hors d'oeuvres from 5-7. We loved visiting the Club nightly for happy hour to get a bit of work done on our computers accompanied by a snack and a glass of wine! If I had to any small critique about our room, my only note would be that the walls are a bit thin, so I did hear kids outside and our next door neighbors on a couple of occasions, so if we were to visit again, I might opt instead for a room on the top floor to minimize the noise. But to be honest, having the ground floor room was very convenient!
Overall, I give Hyatt Regency Sanur 4.5 stars, and I would definitely come back! I can’t imagine a better, more fun and laid back beach spot! It was exactly the speed we had in mind for our honeymoon, and really gave us the chance to fully relax and recharge between all of the hustle and bustle of sightseeing and activities at our other Bali stops. Rooms here start at $155 USD or 5,500 points per night/avg (for sample dates in March 2023, at the time of writing). Our 1 King Bed Club Access Premium room is $255 avg/night for the same dates.
GOBLEG:
After 5 days on the beach, we decided to venture up to the northern side of Bali - to a small village near Lovina called Gobleg, in Buleleng Regency. We stayed at place called Munduk Moding Plantation and Resorts. They are a working coffee plantation, nature resort, and spa. After staying in Ubud and Sanur - which are more “touristy” areas of Bali, getting off the beaten path to visit Munduk was a totally special! Getting there is a bit of a trek (we estimated it would be a 3-4 hour drive from Sanur), so we made sure to add some stops and sightseeing along the way! From Sanur, we stopped at Lake Beratun to see the water temple Ulun Danu, the famous Handara Gate, and stopped for lunch with our driver at Ten Ten Bamboe in Candikuning. Upon arrival in Gobleg, after climbing elevation, the climate changes drastically. Here, you can see rolling clouds of fog and mist, perfect for the local crop of blue hydrangeas and robusta and arabica coffee.
Being so remote, you might think you won’t have much to do or see, but that’s not the case at all! One of the best things about staying at MMP is their extensive list of complimentary daily activities! We took advantage of their offerings every single day. Our first adventure was the Munduk Coffee Experience “Deep Diver” which included a walking tour of the plantation and grounds, education on the type of beans grown onsite and the roasting processes, and a coffee tasting. Also on the tour, we got to meet three horses that reside at Munduk - Boy, Dauk, and Hercules! The experience was really fun and informative - and our guide was so knowledgable. Later on, we took a shared van transport into the town of Lovina (again, totally complimentary!) - the beach town just 25 minutes north of Gobleg. The beach was lovely, and there were lots of shops to browse. Dave and I spent our time in town eating a delicious (and cheap! - about $12 USD total) lunch at Aditya Resort’s beachside restaurant. From there, our driver took us to the largest Buddhist temple in Bali - Brahmavihara Arama. This temple is particularly special because of it’s mix of Buddhist and Hindu influences. The grounds here are incredible, and this is one of the only temples we visited in Bali that wasn’t crowded. We enjoyed ourselves so much soaking in all of the peace and tranquility and general *vibes* here, and we got to take a bunch of photos too! The entrance fee was 20k rp (approx $1.30USD). From Brahmavihara Arama, we headed over to the famous Banjar Hot Springs - known for it’s healing sulfur waters. The water is warm, but because of the high sulfur content - the water will definitely have that sulfury smell and be a bit slick. There are three pools total at Banjar, the two largest pools are good for swimming or floating, and the smallest pool has three high waterspouts - standing under them will give you an excellent shoulder massage! For visiting Banjar Hot Springs, I’d recommend a one piece and sarong or t-shirt out of respect for local customs (it is considered a holy place, after all), and I’d also recommend not wearing a white swimsuit - the water may stain it! The are lockers for your things, as well as showers. The entrance fee to Banjar was 20k rp, and I would definitely say this was a site worth seeing, and I was so glad for the day trip!
On our last night at MMP, we were treated to a traditional Balinese dance performance - put on by kids from the local villages who attend traditional Balinese dance lessons at the resort! It was so special and so magical to see - apparently it was the children’s first live performance since the pandemic! After the performance Dave and I finally got our first massage of the trip (huge mistake by the way, not making time for approximately a dozen more massages earlier in the trip!) and it was such an experience! We opted for the MMP Royal Lulur - first, a massage with essential oils, followed by a turmeric and jasmine skin scrub. Then, a traditional bengkoang body mask applied to your skin, followed by an exotic flower bath! It was such a pampered experience! It cost 600k rp/pp (just under $40 USD) and was worth every penny!
Munduk Moding has two restaurants on site: the larger MiMPi Restaurant overlooking the upper infinity pool (stunning views), and Warung Bongkot next to the lower infinity pool. MiMPi serves more international fare, and Warung Bongkot serves traditional Balinese dishes , with an emphasis in North Bali cuisine. Nearly everything served in the restaurants here is grown on site or locally, offering a truly authentic farm-to-table experience, and all of our meals were excellent! We especially enjoyed breakfast - with the most beautiful selection of fresh fruits and healthy bowls and juices, but the experience was made all the more magical with served floating in our private villa pool! Definitely treat yourself to a floating breakfast!
We stayed in a one bedroom pool villa called Frangipani. It features a living room with a working fireplace (which we lit one evening - so romantic!), large bedroom, huge bathroom with soaking tub, and private patio with a spa jacuzzi and private infinity pool overlooking the valley - with views all the way to the ocean! This villa runs (for sample dates in May 2023, at time of writing) approx $459/night. They also have other villa options ranging from the Garden Villas (priced from $234/night) to a five bedroom villa if you’re traveling with a big group! Overall I would rate MMP place five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - and consider it an excellent value, especially when you consider all of the activities and experiences that are included with your stay! If you’re looking to get out of the tourist traps and experience something unique and off the beaten path, definitely add this to your list!
What to do
UBUD:
Monkey Forest
Uma Pakel Bali Swing in Tegellalang
Tegalalang Rice Terrace, rice paddies
Mount Batur volcano and lake (Batur Sari Restaurant is a nice stop for a cheap buffet and beautiful views!)
Tirta Empul Temple - Holy Springs (A must see! - It will be crowded, but is a beautiful experience! Sarongs required, hair must be tied back. For a small tip, the local guides will give you the best history lesson and folklore of the springs!)
Downtown Ubud shopping district
Ubud Palace
Blangsinga/Tegenungan Waterfall
Kemenuh Butterfly Park
Batuan Temple
SANUR:
Massimo Italian Restaurant and Gelato (so delicious and affordable!)
SEMINYAK:
Bodyworks Spa
NORTH BALI:
Lake Beratun - Ulun Danu (water temple) and gardens
Handara Gate (go early to avoid a long line for photos, and afterwards eat at Ten Ten Bamboe)
Lovina (eat at Aditya beachside restaurant for a delicious, cheap meal!)
Brahmavihara Arama Buddhist Temple
Banjar Hot Springs
other things to know
Hire a private taxi driver to take you around to all the sightseeing spots! You can find a private driver for as little as $45 USD/day. Some will even act as tour guides or help you to take photos at all the best photo spots! It is recommended to always tip your driver an additional 100k rp, and to buy their lunch if they are out all day with you. Though some may recommend just renting a scooter or hiring a Grab or Gojek (basically the equivalent of a scooter Uber in Bali), traffic in Bali can be truly horrific (and I come from Los Angeles, so that’s saying something!) and I simply wouldn’t feel at all safe driving or riding on a scooter.
ATMs without a fairly low withdrawal maximum are hard to come by. Dave and I had to stop nearly every day we were out with our driver to get more cash, and we were hit with a $5 foreign ATM fee each time. I would recommend changing your money out before you leave the States if possible just to avoid the hassle. Also, when researching Bali safety, we were cautioned against ATM skimmers and shady money changers, so once here - I would recommend only using a bank ATM. We used mostly BNI ATMs, which were fairly plentiful, and besides not being able to take out as much csh as we would’ve liked in one go, we didn’t run into any problems. We did try change some money at the money exchange inside the Hyatt Regency Bali in Sanur, but unfortunately they were VERY strict about which bills they would accept, and they turned away the majority of our stack of USD for having folds and truly practically invisible microscopic “tears” along the edges of the bills. 😂 So in general, be prepared for cash to be a little tricky if you’re forced to get bills here. Most restaurants and stores though did take credit card, we really just used IDR for tips, entrance fees to attractions, and to pay our driver each day.
Before you visit Bali, you may want to check in with your doctor to make sure your shots are up to date or discuss if they recommend any prophylactics for you. Although rare, mosquitoes in Bali do carry dengue fever and malaria, so you may want to take extra precautions, particularly during rainy season when the mosquitoes are more plentiful. Also, money bites in the Monkey Forest in Ubud are rumored to happen fairly regularly (we know half a dozen people+ who have been bitten there - as a matter of fact, the day after I wrote this, we saw another of Dave friends was bitten on his honeymoon and had to spend $6000 USD on rabies treatment!) so a rabies booster may be worth getting, just to be on the safe side! Also worth noting, Bali has been dealing with an outbreak of hand, foot, and mouth disease, so you can take proper precautions to protect yourself by frequently and thoroughly washing you hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
Tipping: Most restaurants will include a 10% service charge on your bill, and it’s up to you if you’d like to tip a little extra beyond that. Many hotels also include a service charge, but you can tip 20k-100k to staff directly for good service. I recommend to tip your bellman 50k if they’re transporting many bags for you, and leave housekeeping 30k per day. For spa services or massages, 10%-20% (minimum 50k for excellent service). Taxi, round up (for example: 33,500 to 35,000). Private driver - 50k for 2-4 hours service, 100k for a full day’s excursion, plus be sure to buy your driver’s lunch! Follow the same formula for a tour guide - 50-100k. Airport porters, tip 20k per bag.
Safety: We heard that drive-by scooter phone or bag swiping was something to watch out for, so I recommend a fanny pack for your personal items, and don’t walk around absentmindedly on a busy street with your phone or camera loosely in your hands! We alway felt safe, but in general, it’s always good to be conscious and aware of your surroundings. :)
Enjoy Bali!
In conclusion, Bali has so much to offer!! While I feel like we got to experience a ton in our two week trip - we weren’t even close to getting to see and experience it all! I hope we’ll be back again someday to pick up where we left off! Let me know if you take us up on any of our recommendations, or if you think there’s anything else we should add to our list!
