"I don't have enough money" is a common excuse that stops people from traveling to their dream destinations. But between then and now, having the internet, having access to low-cost airlines, and having enough motivation, a low-budget trip can be done.
Since there is an ongoing sale in Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines for flights from Manila to Bali, we will share how to enjoy a holiday in the Island of the Gods for under PHP8,570. Reading this might make you think, "Are they having a laugh?" or "Is it really possible?". But the thing is, it's doable. Here's how we made it happen in a 4D3N itinerary.
Flights
Thanks to the emergence of low-cost carriers, we are now able to book economy seats at very affordable rates all-year-round. Of course, there's always the option to wait for seat sales to book the lowest possible fare. That's exactly what we did! We booked our Bali flights through the GetGo One For Juan 10 Point Sale. We got our round trip flight for only 20 points and PHP1,573.14 in taxes and fees per person.
Airfare Cost: PHP1,573.14 per person
Accommodation
Because of its wide variety of accommodation options, it's easy to travel Bali on a budget, and surprisingly, it can be cheaper than a lot of other Southeast Asian destinations.
Get a room at Dewa Bharata Bungalows Legian located just a few steps from Legian Street, the main road that runs from Kuta to Seminyak. The hotel's Superior Room is big enough for two guests. It features traditional Balinese decorative elements and garden view terraces. Reservations can be done via the hotel's website, via online travel agencies like Agoda.com and Booking.com, and even through Airbnb. Since the rooms are offered at lower rates plus a discount coupon, we decided to book through Airbnb. With free breakfast and WiFi access, we only paid a total of PHP475 nett per night. For more information on Dewa Bharata Bungalows, click here.
Accommodation Cost: PHP712.50 total per person
Food
Whatever your preference is for food and whatever budget you have, you will certainly find it in Bali. Food prices here are generally cheaper than those in Singapore or Malaysia.
Warungs are the way to go if you're on a shoestring budget in Bali. These are small traditional restaurants or food kiosks in Indonesia akin to our carinderia. The cost for a taste of traditional Indonesian dishes at warungs ranges between PHP35 to PHP100.
We also ate at the hotel's low-key Gending Restaurant, the popular The Pad Bar and Grill, the scenic Lereng Agung Buffet Restaurant, and even well-known international food chains Pepper Lunch, McDonald's, and KFC. The most expensive meal we've had during the trip was the buffet lunch at Lereng Agung. It was a hearty meal of local fares at a reasonable price of PHP450.
Food Costs: PHP1,415.00 total per person
Transportation
We highly recommend that you plan out your transportation ahead of time rather than waiting until you arrive in Bali. There seems like a cartel of taxis inside the airport where they just make up the prices for the service. For a supposed PHP200 trip to our hotel, we were charged PHP600. Others recommend taking the Bluebird Taxi or the bus outside the airport to avoid getting overcharged.
Walking was a great option for us while we were in Bali, not to mention it was totally free. Dewa Bharata Bungalows is strategically located within the center of the bustling Jalan Legian. It is very close to a good variety of shops, bars, hotels, and spas, and it's a mere 10-minute walk to Bali's most popular beach, Kuta Beach.
On our way back to the airport, we flagged a Bluebird Taxi along Jalan Legian and paid PHP255.
Transportation Costs: PHP427.50 total per person
Tours
For our tours, we tapped Bali Travelo for our private service. Since there were only two of us, we were assigned a Suzuki APV for a tailored-fit tour of various temples and attractions in Bali for approximately PHP3,000. This rate is actually good for up to 6 persons and for a 10-hour private tour. This rate can even go down to around PHP2,000 if you go on a tour within a 120-kilometer distance.
Most attractions require entrance fees. Here are the attractions we visited and some extras with their corresponding fees:
Tip: To save more, you can hire the same service and split the cost with fellow travelers. And bring your own sarong.
For contact details of Bali Travelo, please check here.
Tour Costs: PHP2,267.50 total per person
Quick Breakdown of the Expenses
To sum it all up, here's how much each of us spent when we traveled from Manila to Bali.
Looking at the above breakdown, ticking off Bali from your travel list can be done without breaking the bank. It's a fact.
Since there is an ongoing sale in Air Asia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines for flights from Manila to Bali, we will share how to enjoy a holiday in the Island of the Gods for under PHP8,570. Reading this might make you think, "Are they having a laugh?" or "Is it really possible?". But the thing is, it's doable. Here's how we made it happen in a 4D3N itinerary.
 |
| The beautiful Kehen Temple in Cempaga, Bali |
Thanks to the emergence of low-cost carriers, we are now able to book economy seats at very affordable rates all-year-round. Of course, there's always the option to wait for seat sales to book the lowest possible fare. That's exactly what we did! We booked our Bali flights through the GetGo One For Juan 10 Point Sale. We got our round trip flight for only 20 points and PHP1,573.14 in taxes and fees per person.
Airfare Cost: PHP1,573.14 per person
Accommodation
Because of its wide variety of accommodation options, it's easy to travel Bali on a budget, and surprisingly, it can be cheaper than a lot of other Southeast Asian destinations.
 |
| The rooms at the affordable Dewa Bharata Bungalows |
Accommodation Cost: PHP712.50 total per person
Food
Whatever your preference is for food and whatever budget you have, you will certainly find it in Bali. Food prices here are generally cheaper than those in Singapore or Malaysia.
Warungs are the way to go if you're on a shoestring budget in Bali. These are small traditional restaurants or food kiosks in Indonesia akin to our carinderia. The cost for a taste of traditional Indonesian dishes at warungs ranges between PHP35 to PHP100.
We also ate at the hotel's low-key Gending Restaurant, the popular The Pad Bar and Grill, the scenic Lereng Agung Buffet Restaurant, and even well-known international food chains Pepper Lunch, McDonald's, and KFC. The most expensive meal we've had during the trip was the buffet lunch at Lereng Agung. It was a hearty meal of local fares at a reasonable price of PHP450.
Food Costs: PHP1,415.00 total per person
Transportation
We highly recommend that you plan out your transportation ahead of time rather than waiting until you arrive in Bali. There seems like a cartel of taxis inside the airport where they just make up the prices for the service. For a supposed PHP200 trip to our hotel, we were charged PHP600. Others recommend taking the Bluebird Taxi or the bus outside the airport to avoid getting overcharged.
Walking was a great option for us while we were in Bali, not to mention it was totally free. Dewa Bharata Bungalows is strategically located within the center of the bustling Jalan Legian. It is very close to a good variety of shops, bars, hotels, and spas, and it's a mere 10-minute walk to Bali's most popular beach, Kuta Beach.
On our way back to the airport, we flagged a Bluebird Taxi along Jalan Legian and paid PHP255.
Transportation Costs: PHP427.50 total per person
Tours
For our tours, we tapped Bali Travelo for our private service. Since there were only two of us, we were assigned a Suzuki APV for a tailored-fit tour of various temples and attractions in Bali for approximately PHP3,000. This rate is actually good for up to 6 persons and for a 10-hour private tour. This rate can even go down to around PHP2,000 if you go on a tour within a 120-kilometer distance.
 |
| The stunning sunset at Kuta Beach |
- Batuan Temple: Donation, PHP75 in total
- Kehen Temple: PHP55 per person
- Kerta Gosa Royal Court: PHP45 per person
- Besakih Temple: PHP225 per person (exercise caution, read our experience here)
- Bajra Sandhi Monument: PHP75 per person
- Bukit Jambul: Free
- Kuta Beach: Free
- Beachwalk Bali: Free
- Sarong: PHP300 per person
- Bottled Water: PHP30 per person
 |
| Rice fields with Agung Volcano in the backdrop |
For contact details of Bali Travelo, please check here.
Tour Costs: PHP2,267.50 total per person
Quick Breakdown of the Expenses
To sum it all up, here's how much each of us spent when we traveled from Manila to Bali.
Item
|
Cost in PHP
|
Two-Way Airfare
|
1,573.14
|
Philippine Travel Tax
|
1,620.00
|
Accommodation
|
712.50
|
Transportation
|
427.50
|
Tours
|
2,267.50
|
Food
|
1,415.00
|
Shopping/Pasalubong
|
500.00
|
Miscellaneous
|
50.00
|
TOTAL
|
8,565.64
|
Looking at the above breakdown, ticking off Bali from your travel list can be done without breaking the bank. It's a fact.
But what are the secrets? We are our own travel agent. We plan our travel in detail. We determine our personal priorities to know what to skimp and where to splurge. Lastly, we do benchmarking of prices for accommodation, flights, and tours which gives us the ability to recognize good travel deals.
Share this to your friends and start planning your trip to the Island of the Gods.
Share this to your friends and start planning your trip to the Island of the Gods.
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