The majority of individuals have Bali on their list of locations they want to visit before they die. A beachy paradise and a cultural sanctuary come together in one place, making it the ideal combo. There is a solid reason why people refer to it as the Island of the Gods; whenever there was an island that was touched by heaven, it would be this particular island.
Bali, on the other hand, is not without its share of drawbacks. By way of illustration, consider the overcrowded beaches and the polluted rivers. In addition to this, Western food and architecture have had a significant impact on a significant portion of the island.
All things considered, Bali is an island that is not only gorgeous but also inexpensive and simple to explore. On the other hand, just like with any other new location, there are a few things you have to be aware of before you go there. A few helpful hints that I wish I had known before my first trip to Bali are presented below for your perusal.
When you consider that it takes you and your vehicle an hour and a half to get from the airport in Denpasar to Uluwatu, which is located on the Bukit Peninsula, you can see that it is a considerable distance. In point of fact, however, the distance between the two regions is just about 19 miles.
For the sake of putting things into perspective, the island is about 95 miles long from east to west and 70 miles long from north to south. One further reason why it seems to be so huge is because the atmosphere is absolutely different from one town to the next and from one shore to the other. When compared to the ambiance in the northern part of the island, the atmosphere in Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu is completely different.
In light of the fact that traffic may be rather heavy, it is essential not to let the small distances deceive you.
Seminyak and Kuta
If you do some research on Bali, you will certainly find that the majority of the hotels that you find will be situated in the areas of Seminyak and Kuta. These two cities, which are situated next to one another, serve as the island’s primary tourist destinations. This is the location where you will discover the upscale beach clubs, the glamorous pubs, and the restaurants that are inspired by the Westerns.
Seminyak is most well-known for its luxurious resorts and boutique lodgings, whilst Kuta is more well-known for its lively nightlife and hotels that are more affordable. In spite of the fact that these locations are well worth seeing, they are quite crowded and are mostly inhabited by tourists. I would suggest that you do not decide to spend all of your time at these tourist centres.
Uluwatu
Uluwatu, which is located on the southern cliffs of the Bukit Peninsula in Bali, is a dream destination for surfers and anyone who are looking for a more relaxed atmosphere. In addition to having some of the greatest surfing conditions in the world, this region also has breathtaking scenery and water that is just right for surfing.
The one and only issue is that the location is so well-known that it draws hundreds of surfers to its beaches at any one moment. You will need to manage the likes of the top surfers in the world as well as amateurs who are completely out of control in order to surf here. When there are 10 times more people on each wave than there should be, it is a difficult pill to take when you are looking at some of the finest waves in the world.
In the event that you are capable of surfing these waves and would want to have some photographs made of you doing so, you may hire a local photographer to take some photographs of you surfing for around twenty dollars. If you ask me, it was absolutely worth it!
Make Sure That Your Vaccinations Are Up-to-Due
It is imperative that you ensure that you have had all of your normal vaccinations, which include those for tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis, before you go on your trip to Bali. This immunization is given to the majority of individuals before they arrive.
Vaccines against hepatitis A and B, as well as typhoid fever, which is a disease that is transmitted by water, are also suggested.
Verify that you have had all of the necessary vaccines at least four to six weeks before your trip, since many immunizations need some time to take effect in your body.
Ubud
Although it is situated in the lower middle of the island, Ubud is often regarded as the cultural and spiritual core of the island. It is in this area that you will discover the yoga retreats, meditation institutes, and vegan restaurants that Bali is so well recognized for.
Ubud, which is located around an hour and a half inland from Seminyak, is a town that provides a completely different environment compared to the seaside towns. You should go to the Sacred Monkey Forest and look at the traditional crafts that are sold at the Ubud Art Market. Both of these activities will cost you around $5 per person.
Participating in a yoga class, going to a water temple for a spiritual cleansing, and indulging in some wonderful vegan or vegetarian meals are all great ways to get into the flow of things. Sage is one of my favorite restaurants in our area because it serves cuisine that is both healthy and distinctive, and it serves food that tastes as wonderful as it looks.
One dinner will set you back around IDR 150k, which is equivalent to just $9 in American currency.
Motorcycles are the easiest but not safest mode of transportation
One piece of good news is that since Bali is a very small island, it is quite simple to travel across the island on a motorbike. Renting bicycles is not only simple and inexpensive, but it also does not need a license that is special to motorcycles. There is a significant risk involved with riding a motorbike, which is the unfortunate news.
When I’ve been to Bali for holidays, I can state with absolute certainty that I’ve seen at least one motorbike accident on each and every trip. It is true that some riders are not as competent as others, but when the roads are as congested and overpowering as these are, there is always the possibility that anything may go wrong.
On the other hand, I am not suggesting that you should not hire a motorbike; nevertheless, I would ask that you exercise extreme care on these roads, which are often shared with drivers who are not very skilled.
Malaria & Dengue Mosquito Repellents Are Different
With regard to mosquitoes, the risk of dengue fever being transmitted by mosquitoes in Bali is considered to be medium. Dengue is a severe virus that produces high fever, bodily pains that are comparable to broken bones, and low white blood cell counts. While you may be acquainted with malaria, which has a low risk factor in this location, dengue is particularly dangerous since it causes these symptoms. It is possible for the illness to be lethal in extreme situations.
The fact that the majority of insect repellents are designed to prevent malaria but do not also protect against dengue-carrying mosquitoes is something that I found to be rather fascinating. Be careful to get insect repellents that are designed to particularly ward against dengue mosquitoes while you are in Bali. OFF!, Soffell, and Dr. Dengue are a few examples of products that I am aware of that target dengue.
Hydrate Yourself, But Not With Water From the Tap
Maintaining proper hydration is crucial no matter where you go in the world, but especially in tropical locations where temperatures often reach the upper 90s. However, use cautious while drinking the water in this area since it is often contaminated with illnesses. Bottled water is easily accessible and reasonably priced, with a liter costing as low as fifty cents. This is a fortunate circumstance. Almost all hotels provide free bottled water to their guests.
When dining at some venues, you should exercise extra caution when consuming iced beverages. In order to save money, restaurants may sometimes fill their ice trays with water from the tap. To the point that I even propose using bottled water to wash your teeth, you only need to endure one attack with Bali Belly to agree with me.
Not Everything Has Been Roses During the Tourist Boom
The island’s tourist boom has been nothing short of spectacular, as shown by the fact that their annual visitor count has increased from less than 400,000 in 1990 to more than six million in 2019.
Nevertheless, this increase in tourism has brought about a great deal of difficulty. Among the most significant issues are the following: pollution, overcrowding, and the watering down of culture. Among the most prominent examples are well-known locations such as Kuta and Seminyak.
There are some regions of Bali that have the distinct impression of being a “paradise lost” due to the fact that there are too many people to accommodate, there are difficulties in waste management, and Western influences spread like wildfire across the hotel sector.
Ubers are quite difficult to get by
As a consequence of competition among taxi companies, there are not many Ubers accessible in Bali. This means that in order to go from point A to point B, you will need to download the local programs Gojek or Grab. In a manner comparable to that of Uber, some platforms even provide delivery services.
The first thing I do when I arrive at the airport is hail a regular cab, and I make sure to acquire the driver’s name and number so that I may utilize it for future visits. Private drivers may be really helpful, particularly when you are driving to remote places such as Keramas and Uluwatu, where there are a limited number of taxis now available.