Bali, Indonesia Travel Guide
Bali, Indonesia Overview
Bali, Indonesia is one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in Southeast Asia. This tropical island is 3.2 kilometers (2.0 miles) from Java and about 8° south of the equator. Bali, Indonesia is located in the westernmost part of the Lesser Sunda Islands, and west of the Lombok Region. Its GPS coordinates are 8° 24′ 34.2648” S, 115° 11′ 20.1084” E.
Bali, Indonesia is also known as “The Island of the gods.” The island’s total land area is 5,780 km², slightly smaller than the US State of Delaware. Bali is divided into 8 regencies and 1 city.
Read also: Bali – Experiencing Indonesia’s Island of the Gods
Bali, Indonesia Regencies
Badung
– the regency is known for tourist spots such as Canggu, Kuta, and Uluwatu. This is also where the only Airport (Ngurah Rai International Airport – DPS) is located in Kuta.
Bangli
– It is in this regency where you will find the iconic Mount Batur where you can schedule a day hike for a Bali sunrise!
Buleleng
– this is the northernmost regency in Bali, Indonesia. This is where you will find the West Bali National Park. This is also where you will find the Bali Handara Gate.
Denpasar
– this is the city center and the only city in Bali, Indonesia. This is where you will find Sanur – which is known to be one of the most peaceful areas on the island and is also considered as family-friendly.
Gianyar
– This is home to Ubud, which is tucked with so many tourist attractions and temples such as the Pura Tirta Empul, “Bali Swing,” Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, and Ubud Palace among others! I tell you, the list is never-ending!
Jembrana
– The mountainous regency of Jembrana is home to numerous rice terraces but is unfortunately one of the least-developed areas in Bali, Indonesia.
Karangasem
– This is the home to Bali’s tallest volcano, Mount Agung. This is also where you will find the Sidemen Village.
Klungkung
– This must be one of the most popular regencies in Bali, Indonesia. Klungkung regency is where you will find Nusa Penida Island – home to the Atuh Beach, Kelingking “T-Rex” Beach, and manta rays!
Tabanan
– It is in this regency where you will find the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Bedugul. In Bedugul, this is where you will get to visit the famous Pura Ulun Danu – especially during sunrise!
Fast Facts about Bali, Indonesia
1) Bali is Indonesia’s only Hindu-majority island. Almost 85% of the Balinese population practices Hinduism, thus the numerous temples found on the island.
2) Civet Cat Coffee is also a popular beverage in Bali and is considered one of the most expensive coffee varieties in the world. It comes from the civet cat’s poop and is made into coffee as its main diet consists of coffee berries.
*Civet cat coffee is also popular in some parts of the Philippines, such as in Sagada, Mountain Province where it is also a priced beverage.
3) Bali’s nickname is “Pulau Dewata,” or the “Island of the gods” since almost everything like forest spirits, village gods, rivers, etc. have a “deva” (“dewata” in Bahasa) or a certain deity.
4) Bali, Indonesia is as warm as the lowland Philippines. Locals are very welcoming and accommodating to tourists’ needs. Some also speak well in English and Filipino (even in Thai). People in Bali mostly speak Bahasa and Balinese. Vibes in Bali are very tropical, the same as the Philippines!
Best time to go to Bali, Indonesia
Bali predominantly only has two seasons, the Wet Season (November to March) and Dry Season (April to October). The best months to visit Bali are from June to September, where the climate is generally sunny and the humidity is tolerable. It can also be breezy on coastal areas – which is a good mix to experience the tropical vibes of the island. August is considered to be the driest month in Bali, if you prefer to visit on warmer days.
The average temperature is around 27.6 °C (82 °F), with a minimum of 24.5 °C (76 °F) and a maximum of 30.7 °C (87.2 °F). On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 21.5 °C (71 °F). On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 32 °C (90 °F).
How to get to Bali
Since Bali is an Island province of Indonesia, the easiest way to travel to the island is via Air. Here are the details on how you can reach Bali.
By Air
This is the most common way of reaching Bali, Indonesia. The only airport is located in Denpasar – the Ngurah Rai International Airport (IATA: DPS). It serves around 40 airlines and its subsidiaries and offers routes from Europe, Asia, Southeast Asia, East Asia, Middle East, and Australia. There are also numerous connecting flights in Thailand, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan ROC, Japan if you want to go to the Americas.
By Water
If you want to have an additional adventure before experiencing Bali, you may opt to stop by Java, Sumatra, or Singapore and take a boat going to Bali. Waters can be rough at times but if you are up for the experience, this would be one for the books.
Things to know about when visiting Bali, Indonesia
- Languages / Dialects spoken: Indonesian (Bahasa), Balinese, English
- Socket Standard used in Bali: Type C (two round pin plug), and Type F (two round pin plug with earth clips on both sides)
- Modes of Payment: The most common mode of payment in Bali is still Cash (Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)). The average exchange rate is US$ 1 = IDR 15,365 = PH₱ 57. Wire Transfer (International and Local Debit or Credit card) is also widely accepted in most establishments.
Exploring round and about Bali
Getting in and around Bali is quite hard as there is no established transport system on the island. But there is a network of transport vans locally called “bemo” or auto rickshaws / share vans. This is not the most comfortable transport option but this is the cheapest.
Alternatively, there is the Kura Kura Shuttle Bus System. These buses ply on certain networks of routes within Bali for easier access and transfer.
There are also local tour guide-drivers that offer their services to tourists who want a more hassle-free and personalized Bali experience. Taxis, Grab Car, Grab Bike, Go-Jek, and motorbike or scooter rental are also available within Bali.
Traffic conditions throughout the day in Bali can be a bit hectic at around 0800 – 1000 H and late afternoon, also known as rush hours. Due to the high daily average volume of tourists visiting Bali, Indonesia, traffic congestion can be more usual (especially on peak months). Most road conditions are concrete (central business districts) and land / soft pavement (in rural areas).
Read also: Bali – Experiencing Indonesia’s Island of the Gods
*Note that the places, prices, and information written as of publication date and time are true and are given best during my visit. Changes may occur without prior notice. If you notice any changes to the information given above, you can e-mail me here so we can dish things up!*
We’re born to travel!
About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
