The Ultimate Beginners Guide to Bali, Indonesia

Bali is becoming more and more popular with British tourists. The rise of Middle Eastern airlines has made it more accessible and affordable, it has though long been a favourite destination for Australians. Ask any Aussie and they will have most probably been to Bali, just like most Brits who have been abroad have been to Spain. I haven’t yet made it, but we will very soon! My best friend spent her honeymoon here a few years ago and I just loved arranging it and hearing all her stories. Every time I have customers travelling I find out new things and learn about new hotels that look amazing. From a travel agent’s view – here is The ultimate Bali travel guide

The Basics

The flight from the UK is around 17 hours give or take a few hours for stopovers. Popular stopovers include Dubai, Doha and Singapore. They all offer a great airport to explore for a few hours. If you prefer a longer stay it’s really easy to get a great twin-centre break.

We have flown with Qatar Airways a LOT in the last few years. I rate them highly, and Doha Hamad Airport is a breeze to get through. Singapore Airlines is consistently rated one of the best in the world too. Singapore’s Changi Airport is a destination all on its own, whether you were there for 2 hours or 2 days you’d still not see all that the airport has to offer. If you’d prefer to fly via Dubai, Emirates is the perfect airline with flights from Manchester, Birmingham, Heathrow, Stanstead, Gatwick, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Newcastle. There will most likely be a flight to suit everyone.

The main international airport in Bali is Denpasar (DPS). Bali’s time zone is GMT +8 so many flights at first glance will look much longer than they are! The currency is the Indonesian Rupiah and the only currency accepted. It’s a good idea to make sure you exchange some before travelling. Once you are there and settled ATMs are reportedly easy to find and use.

Where is Bali?

Bali is an Indonesian island. I know to some that might be like stating the obvious but to those who are complete beginners this might be completely new information. There are so many different sides to this island. From the uplands in Ubud to the beautiful beaches of Seminyak. Or from the upmarket resort of Nusa Dua with its golf resorts and luxurious hotels to the quaint fishing village of Jimbaran. A friend of mine swears he had the most delicious fish dishes he has ever tasted in his life here.

Moving on from the main island of Bali. Many travellers will twin or triple-centre their holiday with nearby Lombok and the Gili islands for a slower pace on an island known for its snorkelling and surfing. There is something for everyone somewhere in Bali, and lots of different itineraries that would suit different people.

When to go

The best time to visit it is between May and September (this is the dry season). That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit during the wet season, as with most tropical countries the rain is a welcome relief unlike the unrelenting misery that it seems to be during the British wintertime (I am currently typing this in the conservatory listening to the rain on the roof and the sound of the tumble dryer on again because it’s just too wet to dry clothes any other way!). For you super organised people who remember to take electric adaptors then the 2-pin round pin like the ones used in Europe are the ones that you need in Bali.

Ubud

Ubud is one of those places where a holiday of a few days can easily turn into a stay of weeks, months or even years. The size of the town’s expat community attests to this, and so do the many novels and films that have been set here, creative responses to the seductive nature of this most cultured of all Balinese towns. This is a place where traditional Balinese culture imbues every waking moment, where colourful offerings adorn the streets and where the hypnotic strains of gamelan are an ever-present soundtrack to everyday life. It’s also somewhere that is relentlessly on trend – a showcase of sustainable design, mindfulness, culinary inventiveness and the very best that global tourism has to offer. Come here for relaxation, for rejuvenation and to have what may well be the most magical holiday of your life.

LonelyPlanet.com

The rice fields and the Monkey Forest are the most photographed and recognised places in Ubud. Most people will have seen at some point if you have ever paid any attention to Bali at all. If you are spending a day at the Monkey Forest it would be a great idea to visit the Agung Rai museum for a bit of culture (and a cool down!) and they do a highly rated cultural show in the evening. Definitely will be on my itinerary for a few days before heading over to the beach resorts and for some snorkelling. I just don’t think I’d be able to miss seeing the sights I’ve seen in all the photos!

Kuta

Kuta is the the party town of the island. It was the first major tourist resort in Bali and a little like Marmite with travellers these days. If you’re looking for culture Kuta is not the place for you. If you want a well-established westernised resort it would be right up your street. I will make a trip to Kuta to see the memorial from the 2002 Bali bomb but I am not sure it’s the place for me. That doesn’t mean it’s not for you though as they say, it wouldn’t do for us all to be alike and variety is the spice of life.

There are lots of attractions in Kuta including Waterbom Bali – a waterpark rated the #1 attraction in Kuta on Trip Advisor, the Bali Sea Turtle Society and even the Beachwalk shopping centre which is home to many international shops, restaurants, a cinema and a beautiful gardens. A taxi or transfer from the airport should take around 20 minutes.

Kuta boasts the best beaches in Bali, a five-mile stretch of clean sand that is a magnet for surfers and sunbathers. When that golden sun goes down, the animals come out—the party animals, that is. Kuta nightlife is almost frantic, as global tourists bounce from restaurant to nightclub in an effort to soak up the Kuta experience like a well-dressed sponge.

Tripadvisor.co.uk

Seminyak

Fabulous Seminyak is the centre of life for hordes of the island’s expats, many of whom own boutiques, design clothes, surf, or do seemingly nothing at all. It may be immediately north of Kuta and Legian, but in many respects, not the least of which is its intangible sense of style, Seminyak feels almost like it’s on another island.

Lonelyplanet.com

The beach is the main focus in Seminyak. With cool bean bag sun loungers on the beach whilst musicians play giving you the soundtrack to your day drinking cocktails! There is a big range of accommodation here. From a great selection of villas with private pools to luxury hotels like W Bali, there’s something for everyone. Seminyak is around 10km from Denpasar airport but may take around 45 minutes if traffic is particularly heavy.

Jimbaran

Jimbaran became a bit of a running joke in our travel agency. One of our old colleagues would recall how much he loved it there every time anyone mentioned Bali. He exclaimed how amazing the seafood he tasted there was. Genuinely I know a lot of passionate people but none quite as passionate as he was about Jimbaran Bay! It’s a quaint fishing village with some luxurious hotels. Not surprisingly a lot of the top-rated activities on Trip Advisor in Jimbaran centre around seafood and eating! The drive from the airport to Jimbaran should be 20-30 minutes depending on traffic.

Teluk Jimbaran (Jimbaran Bay) is an appealing crescent of white-sand beach and blue sea fronted by a long string of seafood warungs (food stalls) and ending at the southern end in a bushy headland, home to the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay.

Despite increased popularity, Jimbaran remains a relaxed alternative to Kuta and Seminyak to the north (and as it’s just south of the airport, you can’t beat the access!). Its markets offer a fascinating glimpse into local life.

Lonelyplanet.com

Canggu

Canggu (pronounced Chang-goo) is around a 30-minute drive from Denpasar airport. A nice quick transfer to this ultra hip and trendy beach resort. Home to vegan cafes, beach bars and boutiques Canggu is my kinda town! often described as a hipster paradise, if you’re into anything from surfing to yoga this is the place for you. Accommodation here is anything from small villas to stunning 5-star resorts, definitely something to suit everyone.

More a state of mind than a place, Canggu is the catch-all name given to the villa-filled stretch of land between Kerobokan and Echo Beach. It’s packed with an ever-more alluring collection of businesses, especially casual cafes. Three main strips have emerged, all running down to the beaches: two along meandering Jl Pantai Berawa and one on Jl Pantai Batu Bolong.

Lonelyplanet.com

Lombok

An island east of Bali, often overlooked by the British market. More so because most have already taken 2 flights to get to Denpasar a lot of people see the third flight (or a boat ride) to Lombok as too much. They are missing out! The island of Lombok is gaining popularity with the UK tourists. The Australians of course already know all about this beautiful island and the close by Gili islands. The Gili islands are a snorkeler or scuba divers paradise. Only around 20 minutes away from Lombok is a definite not-to-be-missed trip.

Mount Rinjani is the second-highest volcano in Indonesia and for sure a highlight of Lombok. You can take a guided tour and see the crater lake at the top. That would be a trip you’d never forget! With a lot of beautiful white sandy beaches and a pink beach to visit, waterfalls, mosques and Hindu temples, it’s easy to see why you shouldn’t overlook Lombok when you’re planning your trip to Bali. I really would recommend at least making it a twin-centre with Bali and Lombok. Possibly a triple centre with a stop in the Middle East on the way over!

Bali’s sister island, Lombok is often overshadowed by its show-stopping neighbour. But give Lombok a chance and you’ll discover it’s just as beguiling, with untouched beaches, volcanic calderas and smouldering peaks. Wild stretches of fine sand wrap around the coastline, and the awesome bulk of Gunung Rinjani contours the northern landscape, offering superb trekking from the villages of Senaru and Sembalun Lawang. But Lombok’s number one draw is undoubtedly its fabled Gili Islands, three tropical specks of land ringed by shimmering coral reefs.

Roughguides.com

Time to get planning!

I genuinely have enjoyed looking more into Bali. I said at the start of the post that every time I have an interested customer, the more I look into it the more I want to go myself which is probably why I still work as a travel agent. It’s a job for a passion! I have read some great articles on TripAdvisor, Lonely Planet and Rough Guides to help me get the facts as correct as I can. Hopefully, soon the world will be healed and I can get out there and explore myself. If you do want a bit more information I have come across the wonderful Sandi and Jimi who have a YouTube channel TryNSomethingNew highly recommend it. I follow them on socials too they are a great example of how it is not only possible but fun and educational for kids to travel the world.

If you’ve been to Bali let me know what you’re must-have tip is in the comments. I am buzzing about going now and haven’t even booked a thing! A special thank you to my friends Jacqueline and Lauren for their input too.

Thanks for reading this far, take care. If you want to read more you can find more of our Travel and travel guides here.

Becky x