Bali is hands down one of the best places in the world to travel to. You will hear countless tales of people finding themselves here. Known for its blue water, iconic rice paddies, great surf, forested volcanic mountains and waterfalls galore! This terrain is unbelievable, and you can do so much. Whether you want to go to a yoga retreat in Ubud or hit the beach in Canguu, Bali has something for everyone.
The official language of the country is Indonesian. Depending on the region you are in that can be different. English is spoken by most especially in the tourist areas.
Hai – Hello
Selamat pagi – Good Morning
Ya – Yes
Tidak – No
Tolong – Help
Maaf – Sorry
Terima Kasih – Thank you
Apa Kabar – How are you
One of the coolest hotels located in Canguu. If you are going to Bali as a solo traveler this is a great accommodation to meet people. Price includes breakfast and dinner and they are communal style. I loved being able to meet other travelers and have people to talk and hang with during breakfast and dinner. Plus, their smoothie bowls are out of this world!
The average price per night starts at $50 USD.
If you are looking for a sustainable option, this hotel is for you! Not only is it an amazing location (I mean they are perched on a cliff) but they are geared towards being as eco as possible. They have fantastic dining on site and breakfast is included.
The average price per night starts at $300 USD.
This hotel is considered one of the nicest in Bali. Its located in Uluwatu and is a very secluded property. This is the perfect place if you are looking to spend significant time at the property. They have a full spa on site, yoga pavilion, salon and multiple restaurants. You will have amazing views of the ocean and jungle.
The average price per night starts at $600 USD.
Although she is not from Bali her book “Eat Pray Love” is one of the most iconic references to Bali life. She wrote her own memoir in 2006 about her search to find herself. She left her husband due to being unhappy and after her divorce was final, she was off. She went from Italy (Eat) to India (Pray) and finally she ended her trip in Bali (Love). Her story has resonated with so many people, myself included and you will often hear people say they are visiting Bali because of her book or the movie with Julia Roberts.
All this information is available to download so you can take it with you offline!
Some traditional Balinese dishes would be Satay which is strips of grilled meat on sticks. Banana pancakes are also a very popular item that most places will serve, and they are so amazing! Mie Goreng is a fried noddle dish that is also super cheap and local.
This is seriously my favorite restaurant in Canguu! Not only is it unbelievable affordable but its so delicious. They have everything from smoothie bowls to salads and power bowls. My personal favorite is the fresh bread! Do yourself a favor and get a French baguette and your life will be changed.
Average meal per person is $10 USD.
Located in Ubud this is not only a great restaurant but it’s a great place to work. I spent many days in front of the coy pond working on my blog while sipping on the best coconut coffee on the planet! They have so many fresh options whether you are vegan, gluten or dairy free.
Average meal per person is $30 USD.
Located in Seminyak this restaurant sits right on the ocean. With amazing views and high-quality food this place is hard to beat! The best way to go is to do the tasting menu. You can get the full experience by getting the 12-course menu.
Tasting menu starts at $100 per person.
Bali is on the C and F plug which is 230V and standard frequency is 50 HZ. To avoid issues, you will need an adapter AND convertor! I would recommend BESTEK Universal it works in multiple destinations and has USB ports. I have been using it for a while and love it! Now all my ladies out there you will need a DIFFERENT adapter for your curling irons and straighteners. I know its extra money but trust me! I have blown out a few curling irons, it’s worth the extra money and luggage space. Conair has the best adapter for pretty much every country. Check it out here.
One of the biggest misconceptions is that all there is to do is go to the beach. This is so wrong! Bali is so much more than beach, they also have amazing jungles to explore. From beautiful temples, to volcanoes and rice fields you will find so much more here other than just beautiful beaches.
Bali is for the most part a very safe destination which is why so many solo females choose to travel there. You will want to watch for road safety as there really aren’t “traffic” laws. Keep your helmet on at all times because crashing on a motorbike does happen! For more information click here.
There are two seasons in Bali, the wet and the dry seasons. It’s great to visit all year round but you can tailor your visit based off of what you want to do. If you want to avoid crowds, then the wet season is best as prices are lower, and crowds are down. The dry season so May through October is a great time to visit but there are more people and it is more expensive.
Learning how to ride a scooter is super important when visiting Bali. To be able to get to those amazing waterfalls early in the morning or get around traffic you will need a scooter. Wherever you are staying will most likely have scooters to rent, practice in the back to get comfortable before heading out and always wear your helmet!
The currency used in Bali is the Indonesia Rupiah. While you can find locations that take card, cash is really king. ATM’s are not always available so having cash is a great idea.
The two best ways are walking and scooters. If you are in a tourist area you will be able to walk but you will 90% of the time need a scooter. You can rent your own or take a taxi scooter. Cars are an option, but you will find that they can be pricey. I only use cars when I have a lot of things with me such as suitcases.
Wifi is available at most locations for free but it will be limited. Depending on the length of your trip either add international to your plan or invest in a portable wifi. A company I use often is SkyRoam, they have very affordable rates!
One very unusual activity you can do in Bali is visit the lost plane. Yeah you read that right there is an abandoned Boeing 737 just sitting in a field. What makes it so weird is no one knows why it’s there or how it even got there
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I have made tons of travel mistakes that were easily avoidable. Forgetting convertors, not packing properly, the list goes on. To make sure you avoid the same mistakes I have made I have complied a list of travel must haves.
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