Travel can be stressful, especially when your expectations are high.
Which they probably are when holidaying in Bali. You want everything to be perfect.
And let’s face it…. if you haven’t been to Bali before you probably don’t know a lot of the small but important differences in culture that can make the difference between a train-wreck and a fantastic holiday.
The travel brochures and websites you looked at makes it appear effortless, and you see yourself having the ultimate Instagram holiday. But what about all the things you don’t know. Like getting ripped off at a money changer, or which ATMs frequently chew your card while still debiting your account!
Remove the stress from holidaying in Bali by getting Bali Holiday Secrets: An Insider’s Guide to the Perfect Bali Holiday. Learn about the real price of day tours and how to get the best deal. Understand what do in a medical emergency (or just where to go if you think it’s more than a common cold).
Bali Holiday Secrets will give you an insiders guide to how to make your time in Bali everything you want it to be. We have seen first-hand the problems tourist’s encounter on holiday in Bali. And we have put together a guide that will make you an expert before you get here!
Beautiful scenes like this can be hard to find. Bali Holiday Secrets is packed with insider tips you won’t find anywhere else.
Here is What Makes for a Perfect Bali Holiday.
Arriving at Bali airport is friction-free because you know if a bathroom break is better before or after Immigration.
I went to Bali last year and had my card swallowed and now I know why!! About to go on my second trip with the girls and you have the best travel advice about money ever!! I always thought some of those ATMs were dodgy but now I know it's ok to get money from the airport or from one at a bank.
These chapters are all about the little things you may never have thought of until it’s too late. Whenever I had friends or family read these chapters before coming to Bali they always responded: “Good To Know!”
You will probably just want to skim these so they answer your basic questions — like whether to bring cash, credit cards or change your dollars for Indonesian Rupiah before or after you get to Bali — and then you can reference it in more detail when you need to know something specific in detail, like the location of safe ATM’s in Seminyak for example.
Nothing ruins a holiday faster than losing your hard-earned cash or having your card swallowed because you made a simple but avoidable mistake. Using your credit or debit card in Bali is quite safe if you follow these Rules for Withdrawing Money at ATMs in Bali. From using ATMs at the airport, to which ones to avoid,…
Away from the major hotels and larger restaurants paying by card isn’t always possible, so you will need Rupiah, the local currency, while on holiday. Luckily money changers are plentiful and most — although definitely not all — are trustworthy and offer better exchange rates than you will get by withdrawing cash from an ATM.
Finding ATM’s in Seminyak is often difficult, as for some reason the major banks don’t have a big presence in the three most heavily touristed areas in Seminyak, which are Jalan Seminyak (the main road with shopping and the well known Bintang Supermarket), Jalan Kayu Aya (also known as Eat Street) and Petitenget (the good…
One of the most common questions I get is about taking cash or credit cards to Bali on holiday. Many people are concerned that using a card at an ATM is dangerous because of the possibility of it being skimmed or swallowed, quickly ruining an otherwise great holiday. Bringing cash can also have its pitfalls…
If you are looking for a sure-fire way to save money while travelling, the Transferwise Debit Card is a must-have. I’ve been using Transferwise to transfer money between bank accounts in different currencies for a couple of years, and I swear by it. Why Transferwise is cheaper than banks and credit cards. The reason Transferwise…
Commonwealth Bank does have ATMs in Bali, although they are a separate, locally operated subsidiary of Commonwealth Bank in Australia. Personally, I’m not a fan of Commonwealth bank ATMs in Bali as their service record is pretty shoddy, with many machines either out of cash or faulty to the point they have a habit of…
I’ve been travelling constantly since 2016 and if there is one thing I am grateful for its comprehensive travel insurance. I’ve used several different companies and a range of policies and the best travel insurance for Bali, in my experience, is Global Nomads. I’ve used their policies for the past 3 years and after making…
Much more inspiring are the collection of chapters in Things To Do, which as you guessed it focussed on activities and attractions that you may not have heard of, or if you have contains detailed information like entrance fees and location maps.
These will make your holiday planning so much easier. Knowing what’s on offer and how long it will take to get there is worth it just by itself, but I’ve included a whole lot of up-to-date information, like the new craze for Bali Swings and the comprehensive guide to chasing waterfalls there is.
The waterfalls in Bali are seriously popular tourist attractions and while many are accessible, easily found with well-trodden pathways and steps, others take some planning and are more difficult to access through jungle walkways and descending slippery steps. This is the Ultimate Guide to the Best Bali Waterfalls, including location maps, entrance fees, safety tips,…
Bali swings have become the most popular attractions since the rice fields were invented. Here is your ultimate guide to swings in Bali complete with maps and entry fees. Swings have been around forever, but in Bali, they have gone to a whole new level and turned into a massive Instagram craze. Who would have thought that a couple of ropes tied between some coconut trees could be so much fun?
Bali has so much to offer you’re spoilt for choice. There are so many temples, beaches, waterfalls, wildlife, theme parks, markets, swings, volcanic mountains, rice terraces and nearby islands to explore you’ll need a plan to tick some of them off your Bali Bucket List. Here are the most popular attractions in one easy guide…
No holiday to Bali is complete without seeing at least one of the amazing Balinese temples. The daily spiritual life of Balinese revolves around their community temples and is a significant and integral part of daily life. From weddings, funerals and coming of age ceremonies to the observance of a busy calendar of spiritual rituals,…
If you have never been to Bali before, visiting a beach club is a must. Every one of them is different with their own unique vibe. From sunsets in Seminyak to jungle views in Ubud and infinity pools overlooking the ocean in Uluwatu, you will not regret hitting at least one beach club for a day…
You will be missing out if you don’t check out some of the best live music in Bali after dark. The live music scene in Bali is getting bigger and better, with international artists performing alongside local bands playing both original songs as well as covers. Indonesian musicians, singers and songwriters are some of the…
Here are some common courtesies that you can observe in order to not offend the Balinese in their temples of worship. Unfortunately, far too many tourists ignore the basic practices of common decency and give unnecessary offence for understandable reasons that are easily avoidable. Here are 10 simple rules to follow when visiting a Balinese…
Everyone has a bucket list, including me. And I seriously recommend putting this Aling-Aling Waterfall Tour on yours. Along with stops at Gitgit Twin Waterfalls, Danu Beratan (a.k.a. the Floating Temple) and Tanah Lot this day tour with a private car and driver will tick off four iconic Bali attractions in a day. You’re friends…
Going on a Gigitgit Waterfall Tour is something you will never regret. If you only get the chance for one day tour to check out a waterfall, I highly recommend this one. It’s a 160km round journey that will take you a full 12 hours if you stick to the schedule. Gitgit waterfall is the…
Nothing says “Bali” like a road-trip to Lovina, a beautiful seaside town on the northern side of the Island of the Gods. Getting there, however, can be painful. With the help of my trusted drivers, we’ve made a Lovina transfer option by private car from south Bali to Lovina or Singaraja. Depending on traffic it…
Nothing says “Bali” like a road-trip to Lovina, a beautiful seaside town on the northern side of the Island of the Gods. Getting there, however, can be painful. With the help of my trusted drivers, we’ve made a Lovina transfer option by private car from south Bali to Lovina or Singaraja. Depending on traffic it…
We get it. You came to Bali and brought your crew, all 11 of them. And now it’s time for a trip to see the monkeys in Ubud and the famous Bali waterfalls. The whole damn tribe. What are you going to do, hire 3 different private cars, each with their own driver? No. You’re…
If you want to book a transfer from Bali Airport to your hotel or villa and keep the driver for the day, this is for you. Arriving at Bali airport can be stressful if you don’t have transport organised. This booking will have you met at the airport from one of the trusted, English-speaking drivers…
When I started Bali Holiday Secrets I had no idea the most requested feature was from people asking if they could book one of my drivers to pick them up at Bali airport. I got together with my most trusted drivers, the same ones I use to collect family, friends and guests at my luxury…
Safely and securely book a private car and driver for a day tour in Bali. I have so many inquiries asking me to book the trusted, knowledgable and English-speaking drivers I regularly use for my friends, family and villa guests that I’ve made a secure, online booking system that takes away the risk, stress and…
On the few occasions I find myself at the hospital, the accident and emergency room always has at least a half-dozen bule (foreigners) that have clearly come off second best in a traffic incident on a scooter. Thinking of hiring a motorbike or scooter? You really need to read this. 1. Bali is a really…
Hiring a Bali private driver for sightseeing some of Bali’s extraordinary attractions or just to drive you for the day while visiting markets, beach clubs and restaurants for dinner is a great idea. This article will teach you how to hire a private driver in Bali, what you should pay and help you make a…
It may seem like a rite of passage to be ripped off by a Bali taxi driver during your first holiday to Bali — but don’t think it’s just the fresh-off-the-plane greenhorns that suffer the odd exorbitant taxi ride. This happens to repeat visitor, expats and locals alike. Follow my guide and you’ll at least…
If your first experience of being in Bali is trying to get transport from the airport to Seminyak, then be prepared. The most common complaint I hear from friends, family and fellow travellers is how much of a nightmare it is trying to arrange transport at the airport after a long flight. Exiting customs into…
Komune Beach Club has a laid back, up-the-coast kind of feel. It’s around an hour north of the airport and situated right on Keramas Beach, which is primarily known for its reef break popular with surfers. Keramas is a volcanic black sand beach, and the exposed reef means it isn’t great for swimming – which…
There are thousands of cafes and restaurants in Bali, and thanks to Instagram the most popular ones just get busier and busier. But there are a few that I go to regularly, especially when I take friends and family visiting Bali for the first time that most people never get to see. Here’s my ultimate…
If you’re a foodie looking for fine dining at a price that won’t break the bank, then Bali should be high on your travel list. Fine dining restaurants in Bali serve high-quality food and cocktails and a fraction of the price you can expect for a similar meal in Europe, United States, Singapore, Australia or…
Guide to Hospitals and Doctors in Bali
Your guide to medical treatment from doctors, hospitals and medical centres in Bali. Which hospitals to use, location maps and emergency phone numbers.
We all want a care-free, smooth-sailing, relaxing-on-the-beach-while-sipping-cocktails holiday experience. But sometimes unexpected emergencies — like a case of Bali Belly (traveller’s diarrhoea), a surfing injury (reef burn) or a traffic accident that takes too much skin off (a Bali tattoo) — can ruin a dream holiday. Thankfully, Bali’s medical infrastructure is world-class, with air ambulances,…
