The original article was published by YogiTimes.com. Read HERE.
Writer: YogiTimes.com
What’s in the Bali vacation travel guide?
ABali vacation is truly one for the books! This island has an abundance of wonderful places to eat, stay, shop, rejuvenate, and most importantly, do yoga. Our thoughtfully-curated guide to narrows it down to some of the finest spots to help make your life easier.
Over the years we have discovered remarkable places that would suit a variety of budgets and tastes.
Find the tastiest and most creative healthy restaurants, scenic and original boutique hotels, markets or stores with an ethical tagline, idyllic spas or wellness centers, innovative yoga studios as well as iconic landmarks waiting to be explored… the list goes on.
Who is this Bali vacation travel guide for?
We have created this unique guide with the modern yogi in mind. A guide for inspired, curious and conscious individuals seeking one-of-a-kind experiences to play, rest, learn and grow.
It is particularly suited to those with an interest in exploring, shopping, dining, and relaxing amongst health-conscious and ethical business minds.
Our suggestions meet a variety of budgets but they ultimately aim to add value to your journey so that you can enjoy the best of Bali and continue to gather meaningful and lasting experiences.
On your way to your Bali vacation
Before jetting off to your Bali vacation, there are just a few things to take note of. Being prepared ahead of time will ensure you have the trip of a lifetime!
Visas (updated on May 12th 2022)
Before booking your Bali vacation, it is important that your passport be valid for 6 months from the date of arrival.
At the moment you can enter with a visa on arrival given for 30 days which is perfect for a short holiday and extendable for an extra 30 days for about 880,00 IDR.
Any other reasons for your visit other than for tourist purposes must be checked beforehand.
At the time of writing this article there is another way to enter the country, which is with a Business Visa. Although the law has just changed and the Business visa can be extended up to 150-180 days for 3.300,000 IDR each time (each 30 days after the first 60 days), however check with a local agent. Proof of two doses of vaccination is required for both types of visas.
Here is the contact of a reputable Visa Agency:
Mass Travel
WhatsApp @ Ella: tel:+62-819-1610-0924
Money
The currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah – Rp, also known as IDR. You can take cash out at the airport with money changers and will find ATMs once you are on the island (they do limit the amount of cash that can be withdrawn around 1,500,000 – 3,000,000 IDR).
For most restaurants, hotels and outdoor activities, you can use your international credit cards, however most of the local smaller shops will only accept cash.
Sim card
As soon as you arrive at the airport, you may purchase a SIM card with 3G or 4G internet data or locally known as Pulsa.
There will be plenty of places on the island to top up on your data if it runs out. You can look for small shops selling cellphones or any larger supermarket such as a Mini Mart, Circle K or Pepito.
Transport
Check with your accommodation as most hotels will offer transport from the airport. There are plenty of taxi drivers waiting for you, ready to kick off your Bali vacation!
If you are going to the Canggu or Seminyak area the cost should be from 200,000 – 250,000 IDR to Ubud or Uluwatu 250,000 – 350,000 IDR.
For getting around Bali, taxis, Gojek, and Grab are easy to find and transport is never an issue anywhere you are.
When is the best time for a Bali Vacation
Although Bali’s temperatures are pretty stable throughout the year, there is a distinct wet and dry season.
The dry season in Bali
The dry season, which runs from April to October, is the best time to visit Bali. The lack of rain throughout this season makes tourists in Bali more comfortable. The dry season in Bali offers mild temperatures with little rain and humidity, making it perfect for outdoor activities such as yoga, treking, exploring, and sunbathing.
This glorious weather, however, does not come cheap. The peak tourist season on the island occurs during these months. Room rates rise in July and August, so book early to avoid paying increased prices. You’ll often find discounted accomadation costs if you book just before (April, May, or June) or just after (September) peak season.
The wet season in Bali
Bali receives a lot of rain from Noember to March. In fact, there are very few days in January when it does not rain. The combination of humidity and high temperatures (averaging 90 degrees Fahrenheit) means you may wish to avoid these months. Another disadvantage of the rain is reduced visibility at the region’s dive spots, as well as persistent mosquitos. However, if you’re looking to save money and avoid tourism’s busy period, it would be the best time to visit Bali.
Key events to consider for your Bali Vacation
March:
Nyepi is a public holiday in Indonesia and a day of silence, meditation, and fasting. Bare in mind shops and even Denpasar airport will be closed.
May:
The Bali Spirit Festival, a vibrant celebration of yoga, music, and art, located in Ubud.
June – July:
The Bali Arts Festival is one of the island’s most popular events. This month-long celebration of Balinese culture takes place in Denpasar.
August:
The 17th of August marks Indonesian Independence Day (or Hari Merdeka), celebrated with parades and outdoor activities.
November:
Galungan, a 10-day festival commemorating the triumph of good over evil. If you’re traveling for a Hindu festival, keep in mind that Hindus in Bali often celebrate holidays differently than Hindus in India. For example, the Galungan feast is not observed in India but is very important in Bali.
Navigate this Bali vacation travelguide through 10 distinct sections
STAY
We diligently selected some of our favorite places to stay, from boutique hotels, eco-lodges, resorts, and retreat centers to extraordinary private villas.
The collection includes places with outstanding décor, sustainability standards, overall charm, the best services, and striking locations. Overall we highly value very small boutique hotels or private villas (and there are plenty in Bali), for they give you the feeling of being immediately immersed in the ultimate Bali vacation experience.
EAT
If there is one thing you won’t be short of in Bali, it is that of food choices, as it has become a foodie’s Mecca! In the last five years, Bali has seen an explosion of a variety of cuisines, with a strong move towards healthy eating from vegan, plant-based and raw food to innovative local “farm to table” concepts.
As well as the healthy food craze, different tastes from around the world can be explored from Italian dishes to Mexican and Japanese cuisines, there is so much more to be found and all of a high standard and quality.
MEDITATE
Lull the senses and settle into your ultimate serenity in the spiritual haven of Bali. Affectionately known as ‘Island of the Gods’, it’s no surprise that it has become home to so many ethereal practices and traditions.
A Bali vacation provides the perfect base from which to explore your soul. You’ll be guided to your inner silence at retreat centers and meditation classes nestled among lush rice paddies or by the soothing ocean. Once you arrive, all that will be left to do is to sit on your cushion!
SPA
The Balinese are reputed for their soothing and healing massages, this is the time and place for truly reconnecting to your senses. Most of the spas that we select will transport you through a rejuvenating experience, using natural Balinese scents in locally made products and with a huge selection of treatments like: mobile, at home sugar waxing Bali, the choices to spoil yourself are plenty!
PLAY
Play is an important part of life. Take the time to explore the island of Bali with unique activities that will lift your spirit and move your body.
From scuba diving in the North to ecstatic dancing in Ubud, Bali is not short of fun things to do! With a selection of beautiful beaches on the island make the most of your Bali vacation in the sun and sand.
Explore the lush green landscape of Bali on day trips around the island, discovering the rice fields, forests, Balinese temples, natural hot springs, and culture of the island.
TRY
Bali is blessed with a melange of artisan delicacies and delights. This is where our passion lies and we are so happy to share our treasure trove of secret treats with you.
The forward-thinking food scene here is as colorful as the surrounding nature and fabulous fruit. What better place to hop on board the latest trends in culinary culture and wellness than in the ever-inventive Bali.
Refresh your senses and discover the endless possibilities generated by the island in the art of creation.
SHOP
Creativity and visual aesthetic flourish at every turn on the island, making it is a treasure trove for exquisite goods to be found.
The land fuels artistic talents from local artisans to expat designers, with products fabricated from the surrounding land that include wood, stone, dyed fabrics, and woven products.
You can hunt down a selection of high-end, quality goods in the boutiques or markets (where bargaining is acceptable). Finding homemade cosmetics, art and crafts, paintings, designer clothes, and delicately crafted jewelry can serve as a delightful treasure hunt.
BEAUTY
It is our mission to discover and recommend the very best in clean and natural beauty brands.
Bali is becoming the center of the Universe for holistic health and wellness; let your beauty products be part of that equation. Read on to learn about some of our favorite natural, luxurious, and effective beauty lines found here in beautiful Bali.
YOGA
With a huge following of all yoga practices and levels of yoga, there is a class for everyone and there are no excuses to not do yoga on this Bali vacation.
With an abundance of yoga studios and shalas, you can find the right atmosphere and scene that best suits your yoga practice. Whether you want to sweat it out in a Vinyasa flow at an advanced level or relax and breath in a gentle Yin practice, the options are endless make Bali a unique yoga destination.
Beginners to advanced practitioners can make the most of their yoga holiday and in doing so, expand and heal your mind, body and soul.
HEAL
Synonymous with healing, seekers have been coming to Bali for decades to nourish their mind, body, and soul. Recuperate by discovering the powerful gifts of local healers or by immersing yourself in a ceremony in one of the many sacred temples.
Bali’s nurturing energy has drawn innovative therapies from all over the world and you will find ancient rituals and new-age workshops abound. The power of nature, atmosphere, and ocean will all add to the sense that your heart has been wrapped in velvet as you return home at peace and restored.
Places to visit on your Bali vacation
We’ve organized our categories of STAY, EAT, MEDITATE, SPA, PLAY, TRY, SHOP, BEAUTY, YOGA, and HEAL into areas to make planning your Bali vacation even more stress-free. These locations are:
CANGGU
Canggu village has been our home for six years now, so we know all the best spots for the modern yogi. Its serene rice fields, stunning beaches, and abundance of delicious places to eat, make it our favorite place on the island. Here are some of our favorite places to stay, eat, do yoga, meditate, shop, play, and heal.
WHERE TO STAY IN CANGGU ON YOUR BALI VACATION
Where you stay is important. That’s why we’ve curated the island’s most breathtaking accommodations just for you. Stay in style.
STAY | CANGGU
Hotel Tugu Bali
Aiming to showcase the romance within the art, history, and culture of Indonesia, Hotel Tugu Bali’s decor features a vast collection of priceless Indonesian antiques and artwork. The aesthetics blend pure tropical luxury with an out-of-the-ordinary ambiance.
Our favourite part about the hotel is the exclusive cultural experiences only available to guests. You’ll be transported back in time through lavish feasts and banquets of kings from the 14th century, or through humble village dinners of Java and Bali where food is cooked in terracotta pots over wood fires.
Experience a mix of luxury, romance, and culture at Hotel Tugu Bali.
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