visitorsguidebali.com YOUR GUIDE TO BALI, THE ISLAND OF GODS DINING SHOPPING ACCOMMODATION CULTURE TOURS CAFES & BARS & ACTIVITIES $8 | €7 | 1000K Visitor’s Guide From the Founder The aim of this booklet is to give our readers some valuable information about Bali, Indonesia, as well as to some extent about the neighbouring island of Lombok. The population of Bali is predominantly Hindu and has a rich culture steeped in religious ceremonies. Our first Visitors guide publication began in Northern Europe in 1999. It was a success among tourists and staff in hotels, guesthouses and information centers alike. Having travelled to 60 countries myself, I have accrued a great deal of knowledge and insight into travellers´ needs. Indonesia has unexpectedly become one of my favourite countries. This is due to the warm and friendly people and Bali’s rich cultural traditions. You also get good value for your money there, which is always a pleasure for an economist! I hope this booklet will serve to help you in your travels. Welcome to Bali! Hakon Thor Sindrason M.Sc. Business Administr. Economics CEO FOR RECYCLING AND BUSINESS PURPOSES, PLEASE DON‘T THROW THIS BOOK. IF YOU HAVE A PRINTED VERSION, GIVE IT TO ANOTHER Visi TRAVELER TO USE OR SOMEONE GOING TO BALI. VisitorsguideTravel 2 3 Practical Information Currency • Transport • Visas • Alcohol 6 • Co-working • Health clinics • Flight search engines Dining Nature of cuisine • Popular dishes • Budget Options • Recommended restaurants • Recipes 8 • Cooking class Culture Balinese religion and nature • Family structure and 14 values • Balinese funeral • Recommended places to visit Shopping Where and what to shop • Prices and bargaining • Recommended products to buy 16 • Recommended shops Tours and Activities Common tours • How to get around and cost • Spa and beauty treatments • Travel and tour 18 routes • Recommended activities and companies • Top ten things to do in Bali Accommodation Prices and quality • Tips • Recommended places 22 Cafes & Bars Locations • Balinese attitude to bars 24 • Some recommended places TRAVEL VisitorsguideTravel Visi For further information visit www.visitorsguidetravel.com visitorsguidetravel.com Visitor’s Guide THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK and companies presented Each of the guides chapters start with information and writings about the topic and then refers to one to three websites for further reading. Thereafter we recommend some places or companies. They have all been tested by the writers. Furthermore they hold good reviews on Tripadvisor, Google and other review websites. Among other important criteria is value for money. Therefore we have chosen places which in the long term are economical. The editor's main base was in Ubud so you will see comparatively most companies referred to there. TRAVEL Our first publication began in 1999 in Iceland. It is a comprehensive book about Iceland and Icelandic companies. This publication and associated information was sold in 2016, by the parent company ’Netid’ to another reputable company. Please visit their website for further information, pictures and more comprehensive publications. www.visitorsguide.is 4 5 ABOUT Indonesia and Bali Indonesia covers roughly 1.9 million sq. km and totals 34 provinces and 13 thousand islands. The largest one in terms of population and centrality is Java. Indonesia’s population stands at around 275 million – the fourth most populated country in the world. Almost 90% are Muslims, followed by Protestants at around 7%. Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world. Bali, one of Indonesia’s islands, is only 5.780 sq. km., with a population of almost 4.4 million inhabitants. Around 90% of its population are Balinese, of which 85% are Hindu. The next portion are Javanese, at around 7%, some of whom are chasing the economic opportunity which Bali’s tourism brings. There is also a significant proportion of The capital city of Denpasar has almost expats who reside either part or full time one million inhabitants, but including on the island. nearby villages the metropolitan area has roughly 2 million residents. Bali‘s Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali received almost 7 million foreign visitors in 2019. Bali is also a very popular destination for domestic travellers, mainly from Java, and they exceed the number of foreign visitors on the island. Source: Wikipedia, Lonely Planet, and other sources from the Internet. visitorsguidetravel.com VISA Visitor’s Guide Practical Information VISA The currency is Indonesian Rupiah Be aware that visas are a complicated (IDR). USD 1 is close to 14.000 IDR matter in Indonesia. For every day and 1 EUR is around 15.000 IDR a visa is overstayed, there is a one (Feb. 2020). It‘s a big number with million IDR fine. Should you desire to many zeros so, just as in the tourist stay longer than 60 days, the popular area, we often refer to the 1.000 as method is a “visa run” for a day or two one K, and therefore 14.000 is 14K. to nearby Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. In my first visa run, I visited Singapore for a few days before taking the bus overland up to Kuala Lumpur. From The gateway to Bali is usually there I took a direct flight to Denpasar. through direct flights to Denpasar In the latter Visa run I took a direct, airport from certain destinations such return flight to Perth, Australia. VISA as Australia, Europe, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore. Another option to access Bali is via a public ferry or a fast boat, from Java in the west or Lombok in the east. Immigration authorities will give you the option of a visa on arrival at no cost, valid for 30 days, or an Alcohol is expensive in Bali, so I extension to 60 days for $37. recommend buying in Duty Free before entering Indonesia. Only one bottle of wine or spirits is allowed per person upon entry. Offering some locals a glass from my bottle (Jim Beam, honey whisky), was often a nice treat for them. I also recommend you to bring some small presents from your country, as I did with some Visitorsguide books and fridge magnets. 6 7 There are some Co-working spaces There are some health clinics with in Bali, for instance; Outpost, Hubud, English speaking doctors in the cities Dojo Bali. Outpost has two locations in and more touristic places. BIMC Ubud and one in Canggu. Hubud has both in Kuta (the big one) and Ubud, one in each. After trying out both I found Toya Clinic, Ubud Care Clinic, SOS Outpost more professional. This is a hospital. good place to meet some like-minded people staying for a long time. For more information and further reading: www.lonelyplanet.com Practical Information In Bali. www.myguidebali.com Bali Useful Info. VISA Some useful FLIGHT ticket websites to and from Bali and all over the world: www.kiwi.com www.flightsfrom.com/DPS www.skyscanner.com This website will show you all direct flights from Denpassar airport. www.expedia.com See also our website www.dohop.com www.Visitorsguidetravel.com www.googleflights.com for a great comprehensive checklist for your travels. visitorsguidetravel.com Your Guide to Dining Guide to Restaurants The stunning green rice fields found across this volcanic island will give a clue as to the main ingredient of most Balinese cuisine. With an abundant tropical monsoon season and rich volcanic soil, Bali is home to some organically grown and nutritious produce (often lacking a certificate, though). It‘s cuisine reflects this with The famous Nasi Campur is a popular its bright colours and vibrant tastes. dish the locals eat often. This consists of Served with a smile, eating out on the white rice with options of chicken, fish, island can sometimes feel almost like satay, vegetables, tofu, tempe and a hot a ceremony in itself, bringing new life chili sauce called “sambal” on the side. and appreciation to something that is This delicious dish changes according often taken for granted. to the local foods available that day. 8 9 Spices are used liberally to add further variety to a very diverse dish. Satay sticks (‘Sate Lilit’) are another prominent element of a local Balinese diet - grilled pieces of chicken or pork (beef is less common due to the Hindu faith of most residents), marinated in coconut milk and spices for a unique taste. Vegan and vegetarian options are available, replacing meat portions with tofu or tempe. Lastly, Nasi Goreng is mostly an Indonesian dish but also available everywhere in Bali. It is steamed and fried rice with various spices and some chicken, an egg and sauce. The price for a main course meal can range from $1,5 to $20. The cheapest meals can be bought from local street vendors, but remember that the the hygienic standard is not always country. The freshness of food and the same as you are used to in your the kind of oil used are all things to consider before buying food on the For more information and street, at least for sensitive people, further reading: as “Bali Belly” can ruin one’s holiday. A selection can often be made at the www.thebalibible.com street vendors, one to five courses Best restaurants in Bali for from some. Their options I found by 2020. far to be the best value for money (and www.restaurants.is no problem for my strong stomach), as Links and information about well as being tasty, fast and the locals´ Bali food, recipes from preference. Many of the local street Balinese kitchen, etc. vendors are gathered together in so- called nightmarkets found in every city and most bigger villages. visitorsguidetravel.com Your Guide to Dining Some recommended restaurants: • Taco Casa, in Ubud, Kuta and Seminyak.