Hotels in Bali

Best time to visit Bali

Bali has a typically tropical climate with a distinct dry season and rainy season. Peak tourist seasons include the months of July – August and also during Easter holidays and the few weeks around Christmas and New Year. The best time to visit Bali is April – June and September. Accommodation is slightly cheaper during these months. Also, with less humidity and calmer sea waters, you will find the outdoor activities and water sports more enjoyable. Average temperatures range from 25 – 30 degrees Celsius. The rainy season from October – March is characterised by strong winds and rough seas so you may not be able to make the most of your Bali visit as compared to other times of the year.

Getting around Bali

Getting around Bali is relatively easy. Taxi operators abound and you can easily hail one along the streets of Bali’s major beach resort areas. Renting a car is also an option. For budget-friendly ways to travel in Bali, look out for the minibuses locally known as ‘bemo’. Fares start at approximately Rp 5,000. You also have the option to rent motorcycles and scooters, but many of Bali’s roads are in poor condition, making 2-wheeler rides slightly unsafe unless you are an expert rider. A relatively new bus service called Kura-Kura Bus Shuttle operates from the Duty Free DFS at Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai to places such as Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud. Fares range from Rp 20,000 – Rp 80,000 depending on your destination. You also have the Perama Shuttle, an established operator offering bus and ferry services from Kuta to Ubud, and beyond.

Best places to stay in Bali

Bali, the Island of the Gods, is known for its mesmerising landscape with a warm and friendly character. Its turquoise waters with curvy coastlines, volcanoes with lush green canopies, staggered pagodas and temples, and lively markets are bound to inspire you every time you visit Bali. As a popular destination for tourists from all over the world, it is well-known for its high level of service and friendly staff at all hotels. Accommodation is not very expensive and you have a range of options from basic guest houses (Losmen) run by Balinese families to luxurious beach resorts, and privately-serviced beachfront villas that come with a driver and a cook.

Kuta

The most mainstream and popular destination of Bali, Kuta is a bustling neighbourhood, and shops and restaurants line up virtually every street of Kuta. Stay at the beachfront property, Citadines Kuta Beach Bali which is walking distance from major shopping, dining and entertainment. At the northern end, near the Kuta Art Market, you have the Kuta Paradiso Hotel, a luxurious beachfront 5-star property. A 2-minute walk from Discovery Shopping Mall, you have the Alaya Resort Kuta, a 4-star spa resort close to the Tuban Beach and Kuta Beach.

Seminyak

Seminyak has everything that Kuta has, only a more high-end version of it. So you will find sophisticated beach resorts, upmarket restaurants, exotic spas and designer boutiques. You may consider the upscale beachfront hotel, The Oberoi, Bali or the Seminyak Beach Resort and Spa on the calm Seminyak Beach, or a private villa-styled accommodation at The Kayana Villa, a short walk from Petitenget Beach. The Bvilla Seminyak is another chic, minimalistic collection of villas along the Jalan Braban, away from the beach but in the heart of the hip Seminyak area filled with plenty of dining, shopping, and nightlife options.

Canggu

A major surfing destination, Canggu coastlines are dotted with plenty of restaurants and cafés, and you will spot beautiful contemporary street art at almost every turn. A short walk from the Canggu Beach, you have the luxurious Hotel Tugu Bali, Canggu or near the Tanah Lot, right on the beachfront is the Anginsepoi Villa where you can stay in traditional Balinese-designed teak and bamboo décor rooms.

Uluwatu

The southernmost tip of Bali, Uluwatu is a culture-rich spot as well as a surfer’s paradise. The famous Uluwatu Temple, Padang Beach and Suluban Beach are all located in this neighbourhood. Rest and recharge at The Temple Lodge at Jalan Pantai Bingin or enjoy a luxurious cliff-edge stay at the Bulgari Resort Bali. For stunning views of the beach, the Karma Kandara which can be reached via the villa’s hill tram is an excellent option in the Jalan Villa Kandara. Or live like royalty and experience the ultimate luxury at The Edge Bali Villa.

Sanur

Sanur’s east-facing coastline offers calm waters that match this neighbourhood’s laid-back and tranquil ambience. You will find several family-friendly activities and resorts in this area. Consider the Klumpu Bali Resort Villas for mid-range luxury accommodation just off the Sanur beach or the Fairmont Sanur Beach Bali which is also a beachfront resort set amidst large tropical gardens.

Ubud

In Central Bali, Ubud is a true showcase of Balinese culture and artists set against backdrops of rice terraces, temples, and volcanos. Ubud is an attractive base to explore the surroundings of central Bali. Stay at the Hanging Gardens of Bali resort with an onsite luxury spa and a breathtaking pool that sits over jungle tree tops offering views of the gorge below. 15-minutes from Downtown Ubud, you have The Royal Pita Maha, a sprawling hillside resort offering beautiful villas with private gardens and pools. For a more mid-range budget option, consider The Chedi Club Tanah Gajah which pays homage to Balinese art or the Fivelements, a wellness retreat located in the valley along the banks of Ayung River.

Cheap hotels in Bali

A 5-minute walk from Kuta Beach, The Bene Hotel Kuta is a popular budget accommodation with comfortable, modern amenities. The Kana Hotel Kuta on Jalan Setiabudi offers a cosy stay and is a 10-minute drive to Kuta Beach. La Belle Villa, D’alang Alang Villas, Tijili Hotel or Villa Karisa Boutique Hotel and Spa are some of the budget-friendly options in Seminyak. Consider a budget stay at the Frii Bali Echo Beach hotel or The Chillhouse Surf and Bike Retreat in Canggu. Stay in thatched grass-roof houses at Mu Bungalows, a secluded cliff-top property at Bingin in Uluwatu. At Sanur, enjoy a comfortable budget stay at the Katala Villa. In Ubud, some of the budget stay options include the boutique hotel Bali Bohemia Huts, the Jungjugan Ubud Hotel & Spa or The Kampung Resort Ubud which is located in the prime tourist area of Ubud.

Bali is famous for its idyllic beaches, unique culture and tradition, mystic spirituality, and wellness avenues. Whether you visit Bali for relaxation, business, entertainment or cultural interests, there is lots to see and do on this exotic tropical island.

• In Ubud, hike through the palm-lined rice paddy fields at the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, walk in the Ubud Monkey Forest, visit the historical site of Goa Gajah caves just outside of central Ubud, and shop for beautiful silk scarves, handmade bags, and hats at the Ubud Art Market.
• Make a trip to Kintamani volcano, also called Mount Batur, and also watch traditional Bali lifestyle as you walk past Bali Aga villages around Batur Lake.
• Visit the Tanah Lot temple in Tabanan and Uluwatu Temple in Uluwatu.
• Watch close to 60 species of animals roaming freely in their almost natural habitat-like enclosures at the Bali Safari and Marine Park.
• Spend a couple of hours at the Elephant Safari Park which hosts around 30 rescued Sumatran elephants who paint and give rides to visitors.
• To enjoy some succulent seafood and an exotic sandy coastline, head to Jimbaran, a one-time quaint fishing village which now hosts some of the most opulent resorts in Bali.
• At the beaches of Kuta, Sanur, and Seminyak, indulge in surfing or swimming along the coastline, kite flying and sun bathing on the soft golden beaches, and several other water sports and beach activities.
• For some adrenalin-pumping activity, join a guided quad biking tour and motor past picturesque rice fields, lush riversides, and traditional Balinese villages.
• Book yourself into one of the luxury spas at any of the beautiful beachfront resorts and enjoy a relaxing and rejuvenating massage with tranquil seaviews in the background.