Everything you need to know to have an amazing holiday in Bali…
Arriving at Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport
Great news if you are an Australian entering Bali, the laws have recently changed and there is no longer the need to purchase a compulsory visa on arrival. Australia is now on the list of countries being visa-free for entry.
Transport options
Take a Taxi or a private car from the Airport to your hotel. Private cars to Seminyak should cost around $20.
Taxis are easy to come by in areas like Seminyak, Kuta, Jimbaran and Uluwatu. I recommend using Bluebird Taxi as they use taxi meter. Ubud has private cars only, but you can hire a moped for around AUD$5 per day (I don’t however recommend this as the roads are narrow and there is lots of traffic). If you want to get out and explore Bali for the day, I suggest hiring a driver. Typically you’ll pay around AUD$50 per day (8hrs).
Eating Out
If you’re a bit of a foodie like me, take my recommendations when it comes to eating out. Don’t risk a bad meal, life’s too short for average food and holidays are way too short for Bali Belly.
Best Restaurants:
- Barbacoa – Seminyak
- Menage Cafe- Jimbaran Bay
- Moksa – Ubud
- El Kabron- Uluwatu
- Mamasan – Seminyak
- Locavore – Ubud
Best bars, beach clubs and nightlife:
- Potato Head – Seminyak
- Finns Beach Club – Canggu
- Single Fin (on Sunday) – Uluwatu
- Rock Bar at Ayana- Jimbaran
- Motel Mexicola – Seminyak
Best Cafes:
- Alchemy – Ubud
- Biku – Seminyak
- Watercress- Ubud
- Nalu Bowls- Uluwatu
- Revolver – Seminyak
- Sari Organic- Ubud
- Cafe Bali – Seminyak
Day Trips and Activities
Ubud:
- Visit the cascading falls at Tegenungan
- Cycle the Rice terraces
- Feed the monkeys at The Sacred Monkey Forrest
- See Ubud Palace
- Try yoga at The Yoga Barn
Seminyak:
- Shop the boutiques on Oberoi and Petitenget
- Get a massage at Prana Spa
- Try hot yoga at Jiwa Bikram Yoga
- If you have little ones, or you’re a big kid like me, spend the day at Splash Water Park at Canggu club
- Hang-out on the sun lounges at Potato Head
Uluwatu:
- Visit Bali’s best Beach, Sundays Beach Club
- See Uluwatu Temple at sunset for the traditional Kecak and Fire Dance
Best places to stay
- Luna2 Private Hotel- Seminyak
- Padma Resort- Ubud
- The Mansion Resort and Spa- Ubud
- The Ungasan Clifftop Resort- Uluwatu
