Bali has always been on our list of places to visit. Why not? It's known as the Island of the Gods because of its deep sense of spirituality, scenic landscapes, and rich culture.
We're fortunate enough to have recently crossed off Bali from our list. And we're excited to share our story about travelling to this popular island destination.
The Island
Bali, the famed Island of the Gods, is one of the 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago. At 5,780 square kilometers, the island is smaller than Leyte but bigger than Cebu.
The island is Indonesia's biggest tourist draw. In fact, around 5.70 million people visited the island in 2017. It is popular for its deeply spiritual and unique culture. Unlike the rest of Muslim Indonesia, Bali is primarily Hindu and every aspect of Balinese life is infused with religion. It is also popular for its scenic landscapes that varies from volcanic hillsides to mountains, from rugged coastlines to sandy beaches, and from lush rice terraces to elaborate temples.
Although very popular, Bali is a destination with something for everyone.
Travel Requirements
There are around 169 countries in the world that are granted free-visa entry to Indonesia with varying length of stays. Filipinos and citizens of other ASEAN countries can stay in the country without the need for tourist visa for stays no longer than 30 days. Passports also need to be valid for at least six months at the time of entry and a return/onward ticket is required.
Time Zone
Indonesia stretches across three time zones. Bali observes the Indonesia Central Standard Time which is is eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT +8). This means that the Philippines and Bali are in the same time zone.
Currency
The currency in Bali is the Indonesia Rupiah (IDR). Bring dollars or euros. There are limited money changers in Bali that accept pesos and they offer very poor rates. You may also withdraw money from your ATM for a good PHP to IDR rate. Make sure to call your bank for a travel advisory so you can withdraw abroad.
Electricity
In Indonesia, including Bali, the power sockets are type C, F, and G. Make sure to bring an adapter so you can charge your devices.
The standard voltage is 230V and the standard frequency is 50Hz. Many of today's devices such as mobile phone chargers will automatically switch to the network voltage and will work fine. However, always check your device's voltage before traveling as connecting it to the wrong voltage might damage your device.
Getting the Flight
Two airlines fly direct to Bali from Manila - Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific. Flight duration is roughly four hours and usually costs between PHP5,000 to 8,000 one way. We know it's expensive, but believe us, you can get your tickets at a much lower price. You just need to be resourceful and have that little bit of luck to snag the best airfare.
We were actually in the middle of a vacation in Boracay when 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.
Tips on how we snagged this really low fare:
1. We didn't forget our frequent flyer membership with the airline. It's a good idea to always have your membership details handy.
2. We booked on the first day - in the wee hours of the date of the sale. The key is to always book early.
3. We were flexible. We considered other dates. Just be patient enough to go through different dates to check for seat availability.
4. We were decisive. We booked them quickly when we saw the availability. Sometimes you just have to chase and book that cheap fare.
5. We connected to a fast internet connection. We asked permission to use the hotel's Mac at that time. Use your charm. It gets you places.
Update (January 2018): Air Asia is now flying direct from Manila to Bali. To check their low fares, visit the site here.
Where to Stay
Aside from transportation, accommodation expenses take the biggest bite out of your travel budget. If you know where to look you can find cozy and convenient places to stay for a fraction of the usual price. And with Bali offering various accommodation options ranging from the very basic to high-end five star resorts, you're certain to find a place that fits your budget.
So where did we stay in Bali?
We stayed at Dewa Bharata Bungalows Legian. It is located just a few steps from JL Legian Street, about 15 minutes walking distance to Kuta Beach, and 15 minutes drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport.
Although it is a few steps from one of the liveliest and busiest parts of Bali, it is just amazing that it can be so close to the center and still be so quiet. It's a pleasant surprise to enter such a quiet, serene place directly from the busy street.
The hotel in traditional Balinese design features a large swimming pool surrounded by a beautiful, green, and lush tropical garden. It sure brings that rural atmosphere in the heart of Kuta - a calm place to shut your eyes down after a tiring tour of Bali.
The hotel is listed in Airbnb and the rooms are offered at a much lower rate. As such, we booked our stay through the site. With free breakfast and WiFi, we only paid PHP475 nett per night. This is by far the cheapest hotel stay we've had in all our travels. Plus, the staff are friendly and helpful.
So if you're heading to Bali, we highly recommend this place. Just like in traditional-style luxury resorts in the island, you'll also get a genuine taste of Balinese design while relaxing in an amazingly quiet environment at Dewa Bharata Bungalows Legian.
For more information on the hotel, visit their website here.
Getting Around
Transportation options in Bali are limited to taxis, car hires, and scooters.
We highly recommend that you plan out your transportation ahead of time rather than waiting until you arrive in Bali. We booked a car hire in advance for our tours but did not bother to book our airport transfers until arrival.
Upon arrival at the airport, we were met by a slew of people offering taxis and car services. Be careful as these people are really pushy and will charge extremely high rates. They will avoid telling you the rates until it's too late. We were charged around PHP600 for a short and quick ride to the hotel.
For our tours, we booked a service with Bali Travelo. It arranges car hire and private tour services for tourists in Bali.
Why we recommend Bali Travelo:
1. Their rates are inclusive of car, fuel, driver, parking, and 10-hour service fees.
2. They offer different types of vehicles for different group sizes.
3. They are flexible. They can customize your itinerary depending on the budget, the sites you want to visit, and the activities you want to do.
4. They are knowledgeable. They can also suggest suitable destinations and activities if you have no idea at all.
5. They only hire experienced, well-mannered, and English-speaking local drivers.
6. They don't require prepayment or cash deposits.
7. They don't charge for cancellations or changes in the reservation.
8. They will only be dealing with you through their co-founder, Made Sudiasa, so you're sure to be in good hands.
We were able to book a Suzuki APV for a tailored-fit tour of various temples in Bali for USD60. That's roughly PHP3,000 for a 10-hour private tour. This rate is actually good for up to 6 persons. So it's a great deal.
Note: If you go on a tour within a 120-kilometer distance, the standard rate is USD40 for the same car type and capacity. It's not all bad, right?
For more information and for bookings with Bali Travelo, visit their website here or contact Made Sudiasa through Viber at +6282247564000.
Places to Visit
1. Batuan Temple
Pura Puseh Batuan was founded in 944AD making it the oldest temple in Bali. It features well-preserved and beautiful sandstone bas motifs and a grand complex of shrines.
Across the temple is a separate large communal hall where visitors start their tour. Here you will be required to dress appropriately as a sign of respect in entering a sacred place. Sarongs and selendangs are available to be lent at Batuan for free. Entrance to the temple is also free but it is customary to give a donation after the visit. There is no minimum amount as it is based on a person's sincere donation.
The temple is located along the main road from Denpasar to Ubud so it is easy to get to and there are ample parking spaces for your car service.
2. Kehen Temple
Pura Kehen is the state temple of the kingdom of Bangli. It is the biggest temple in East Bali and considered to be the finest and most beautiful as well.
Located on the slopes of Mount Agung, the temple can be reached by climbing a flight of 38 stairs. Highlights inside the temple are a huge Banyan tree, an 11-roofed meru, and a carved throne dedicated to Brahma, Shiva, and Vishnu, the trinity of Hinduism.
Of all the temples, we have visited, this is our favorite. We had the place all to ourselves so we had all the time to appreciate it. It's really beautiful, serene, and has this mystical feel to it.
Just like other temples, visitors here are required to dress appropriately. However, make sure to bring your own sarongs and selendangs as they are sold here at a hefty price tag. There is also an entrance fee of IDR15,000 or approximately PHP55 per person.
Pura Kehen is located around 45 kilometers from Denpasar.
3. Kerta Gosa Royal Court
Kerta Gosa is a historical landmark in the town of Klungklung. It dates back to 1686 and was used as a main place for the royal family to conduct important rituals and rites of passage. It also served as a court during the Dutch occupancy of Indonesia.
The court features spacious and open halls with unique and traditional Balinese architecture. The highlight of which are the beautifully painted ceilings found in the halls.
Entrance fee to the court is IDR12,000 or approximately PHP45 per person.
Kerta Gosa is located about 40 kilometers east of Denpasar.
4. Besakih Temple
Pura Besakih is built on the southwestern slopes of Mount Agung within the village of Besakih. This huge and artistic temple complex is referred to as the Mother Temple of Hindu Bali. It has been revered as a holy place since ancient times.
Even though Besakih is considered as the holiest place in Bali, we had a terrible experience here. We were only able to reach the gate when a group of so-called Tourist Information Officers grabbed our entrance tickets and demanded for us to pay USD60 per person to enter the temple. We argued that we already paid the entrance fees but they did not budge.
We were actually given a heads up by our driver of this scam to extort tourists. We even reported it to the police but they were not able to do anything either. Out of our frustration, we just decided to leave without even seeing the temple.
You can skip Besakih and opt for another lesser known temple. But if you really want to see the mother temple, be ready. Read through many tips published online to avoid being scammed here.
5. Bajra Sandhi Monument
Bajra Sandhi Monument is a major landmark in the heart of Denpasar City. The site is located in front of the Bali Governor's Office.
The grand structure resembles a Hindu priest's praying bell or bajra. Housed within it is a museum that displays various historical dioramas immortalizing the soul and spirit of the Balinese people. At its topmost level is an observation platform where you can enjoy sweeping views of Denpasar.
Entrance fee to the monument is IDR20,000 or approximately PHP75 per person.
6. Kuta Beach
Kuta is considered as Bali's most famous beach destination. Just like Boracay, this is Bali's party zone. It is close to various hotels, shops, clubs, and pubs.
Kuta Beach has plenty of quality waves for surfing enthusiasts and offers breathtaking sunsets all year round.
Kuta Beach is approximately 15 minutes away from our hotel, Dewa Bharata Bungalows Legian.
7. Bali Rice Terraces
You will find breathtaking rice terraces all over Bali. A trip to this island is not complete without at least visiting or enjoying the dramatic panoramic views of these tiered rice paddies.
The most popular of the rice terraces in Bali are the ones located in Ubud.
There are actually a whole lot more places to visit and activities to do in Bali that will please every type of traveler. We were not able to see and do some due to shortage in time.
Yet, even with a short visit, from the beautiful landscapes we've seen to the spellbinding charm we've experienced, we can say that Bali has surely earned the nickname, the Island of the Gods. We hope to be back someday!
