VOLCANO ASSURANCE SPECIAL
Still wanting to come to Bali but worried about our Volcano affecting your travel plans? We have the special for you!
BOOK NOW using PROMO CODE: VOLCANO
Volcano Rate Inclusions:
– If your inbound flight is cancelled, you are free to move your booking to any dates within the following 12 months at no penalty
– If your outbound flight home is cancelled by airport closure due to the ash cloud, we will accommodate you for up to 3 nights at between $20-30 per night (room type dependent).
Terms & Conditions
– To take advantage of these incentives, you will be required to show proof of cancellation from your airline that this is due to Volcanic Ash activity.
Valid Dates
Bookings: 4th December 2017 to 31st December 2018
Stay Dates: 4th December 2017 to 28th February 2018
Tours
You can book the following tours at the office
BALI ECO CYCLING
This is mainly downhill and is a wonderful way to see the Bali countryside.
BALI HAI CRUISES
There are numerous options here and they are all terrific.
BALI ADVENTURE TOURS
Numerous options here also including White Water Rafting.
WAKA LAND CRUISE
A four-wheel drive tour into the rainforest, tour of local house etc.
Please see Putu or the other staff and they will be more than happy to book any tour you require and you pay the company direct. Putu can also organise our recommended driver and guide Gede Pastiasa 081338442760. Gede has an air conditioned car, speaks very good English and has an extensive knowledge of Bali and the off-beaten track.
We have personally been on these tours and know that they look after you very well and have appropriate insurances, etc.
Please ask our staff for brochure if not in compendium.
Bali Travel Tips
Bali is a beautiful combination of lush landscapes, sandy beaches and turquoise seas. You can shop for wonderfully cheap goods, lose yourself in spectacular forests, or just relax and soak up the sun. To ensure that you have the best experience possible, we ask that you read the following information carefully. Do not hesitate to Contact us if you have any queries
Visa Regulations
A 30-day visa on arrival is obtained in the arrival hall for and must be in USD $25.00. It is recommended that travelers have the exact US dollars cash available as not all entry points have bank facilities.
Departure Taxes
From Indonesia IDR200,000 (around $20) as at 1st April 2014
Currency and Exchange
The unit of currency is Indonesian Rupiah which is abbreviated to ‘IDR or Rp.’ Currency notes are issued in denominations of Rp 1000, 5000, 10000, 20000, 50000, 100000. Coins are issued in Rp 5,10,25,50 and 100. As at 1st April 2014 exchange rate was AUD$1 = 10,500 Rp.
Changing Money
There are a great number of registered money changers that offer very competitive exchange rates. We recommend changing money at BMC money changers as they are honest, have the best rates and are air conditioned.
Like many places around the world low life’s have put skimmers on ATM’s so try and use ATMs that have security guards on duty and if you must use another make sure you cover your hand when keying your pin.
[notification type=”notification_warning”]WARNING: When changing money, be very careful to check that correct money is given. Many money Changers will try to ‘confuse’ you and give less money than what is due. REMEMBER: IF IT LOOKS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE IT PROBABLY IS AND A FEW HUNDRED RUPIAH IS ONLY A FEW CENTS.[/notification]Shopping
Some of the best buys in Bali include furniture, home wares, leather clothing, bags and wallets, casual clothing, paintings, wood and stone carvings and beautiful handcrafted gold and silver jewelry
Food
Bali has some of the world’s best restaurants, when you browse through our website, you can find plenty of information including our restaurant and shopping reviews. Our reviews will save you a heap of time as we constantly update the list. To eliminate or reduce the risk of Bali belly, use hand sanitiser before eating. Some of our must tries are Ultimo, Mamasan, Dahana, Sea Circus, Black Pepper, Beach House at Echo Beach, Gateway to India.
Climate
Straddling the equator, Indonesia tends to have a fairly even climate year-round, with an average temperature of about 28C. In the dry season between April to September, the weather is clear and dry. During the wet season, between October and March, the weather alternates between sudden showers and bright sunshine. It is a lot more humid during the wet season and that makes it seem hotter. In the mountain areas, the weather is cool and exhilarating.
Electricity
Electric power in Bali is 220 volts. All good hotels provide adapters, but it is advisable to take your own international plug converter. Normal outlets are plugs with two rounded pins.
Internet
Most restaurants, cafes and hotels have complimentary wifi the quality varies and can be very slow.
Mobile phone
Local prepaid Sim Cards are available at very reasonable rates, we use Simpati which has good rates and coverage. The cost is between Rp15,000 and 50,000 (AUD$1.50 to $5) with some credit and top ups are available everywhere. If calling overseas from Bali there is a cheap prefix 01017 then country code then number.
Taxis
We only use Blue Bird taxis as they are professional and won’t rip you off. There are many other taxis in Bali but many of them have dodgy meters, cars and can be very rude and aggressive. Flag fall is Rp5,000 and if you book by phone the minimum charge Rp25,000 which is about AUD$2.50. An example from Seminyak to the airport is around Rp60,000.
Private tour guides
There are many Tour guides or private drivers in Bali and of course the quality of service varies. Recommendations are the best way of finding a good driver, so talk to hotel staff or other guests and ask them. A general guide for price for 8 hours is Rp450,000 to 500,000, extra hours are an extra charge. Remember: that is only around AUD$50 for 8 hours so that is extremely good value for money.
Personal Safety
Bag snatchers are operating in Bali as they are in many other tourist hotspots around the world. Whether you are on foot or on a motorbike, secure your bag by having the strap over your head and keep the bag in front of you. If you are walking along the footpath, keep the bag on the opposite side of the traffic. Always use the safety deposit box supplied in your room by all good hotels.
How to Select the Perfect Villa in Bali
Whether you’re visiting Bali for the first time or the nth time, you would want an enjoyable stay. Most of the affordable luxury villas or accommodation in Bali are villas. Now, before you go and book yourself a villa, take time to sit down and get a list of how you want your holiday experience be. The following questions will help you choose the perfect villa for your holiday vacation:
What is the purpose of your visit in Bali?
Most of the time, holiday vacations are the reason for going to Bali. On some occasions, business travelers will book a villa after accomplishing their business travel goals. It is fairly difficult to pass the chance of enjoying the sights and sounds of Bali such that after a business meeting, tourists will try to squeeze in a day or two for a holiday.
Where will your wants and needs catered in Bali?
Your choice of affordable luxury villas should consider the activities you want to accomplish in Bali. The following are just some of the few that you may want and need during your vacation:
Security
Vacation is a time to recharge and relieve yourself of the everyday stress from work and life’s issues. Checking in a secured and spacious accommodation is one of the desirable qualities that will give your mind and body the rest you truly deserve. A secured luxurious accommodation should be staffed adequately as well as has strategically placed 24-hour CCTV’s placed.
Clean and comfortable
Accommodations are supposed to feel like your home away from home, minus your cranky neighbor. It should also be clean with no pests flying around to disturb your sleep or get you sick. Get a villa that offers both. Everything should not just look clean. It should look and feel clean.
Near the tourists spots that you want to go to.
If you are looking to spend a day in the beach or book for a tour, your accommodation should be near these places or the pick up points for tours. It would also be ideal to book a villa near restaurants that cater to different cultures to give you variety and choices.
Finding the perfect affordable luxury villa in Bali would be challenging, as there are quite a number of villas offering value for your money. However, it may not be the case if you find yourself in a pest-infested villa lying in a very uncomfortable bed. Look for reviews from other travelers and go for the one that have been awarded with Certificate of Excellence by booking agents and platforms. The most reliable basis in getting the perfect villa are reviews provided by travelers as they are honest and uncensored.
Going to Bali: What not to bring
Traveling to a different country should be like an adventure and leisure at the same time. Even if you are traveling for business meetings, there are a couple of things that you should bring to make your stay in Bali a memorable one.
You probably have read so much stuff about what to bring. In your effort not to forget anything you may need, you may tend to pack things that are not really necessary for your trip. Here’s some of the things that you should not bring and why:
High heels and pumps
Unless you want to ruin your shoes in the sand or add an extra weight on your luggage, you should not bring those beautiful lady shoes. If you have to bring a pair, leave them in your luxury accommodation in Seminyak. What you will require is a pair of reliable flip flops to make your strolling a comfortable and light one. If you are looking for a hiking adventure or a biking tour, then you should not forget your good old pair of running or biking shoes.
Jacket and coats
Indonesia is a tropical country. If you are visiting between May and September, then a jacket or a coat should not be on your list of things to bring to Bali. On the other hand, if you will be in Bali during the wet season, which is, between October and April, bring a light jacket and an umbrella.
High-end Branded Backpacks or Day bags
Bali is not a crime-free place. Tourists are always advised to take precautionary measures to keep their valuables at all times. Using high-end branded backpacks or day bags to stroll around Bali is not a good idea as you may attract theft and pickpockets. It is better to use your old and beaten bag or just a simple belt bag to ensure your valuables are safe with you.
Expensive jewellery or bling
There’s no need to bring your expensive jewelry when you are going to Bali. Wearing no jewelry or bling will make it easier for you to try out the accessories being sold at souvenir shops near your hotel accommodation.
There may come a time that you’ve forgotten that you’re still wearing your blings and precious heirlooms and you’re already in Bali. What you can do: after checking at your luxury accommodation in Seminyak, ask for the combination of the safety box to ensure you don’t lose them. Check out our Bali Travel Tips. Enjoy your Bali experience – pack light.