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Bali, an Indonesian island, is renowned worldwide as a "tourist paradise" with its breathtaking beaches, lush tropical forests, and vibrant nightlife.
Overall, Indonesia is not an overly expensive tourist destination. However, along with its popularity both domestically and internationally, prices and all living expenses in Bali have skyrocketed while the economic situation remains extremely difficult.
To still be able to fulfill your dream of a self-guided trip to Bali under these circumstances, carefully review the following travel information.
Cheap flight tickets
Several airlines operate flights to Bali, Indonesia, but according to experienced travelers, tickets to Bali from Lion Air, Airasia, and Tiger Airways are still the cheapest.
Accommodation in Bali
In Bali, there are luxury hotels and resorts for those who like to splurge, and prices have been steadily increasing over the years.
However, if you're on a tight budget, you can still find cheap accommodation on Kuta Road and the nearby alleys, which lead to many budget guesthouses.
Typically, to minimize living expenses, some young people choose rooms with only fans instead of air conditioning, costing only $10-$12 (200,000-240,000 VND). Despite the low living standards, these cheap rooms are often fully booked on weekends.
If you want slightly better accommodation, you can visit tourist areas like Seminyak, where hotels like Grandma's Hotel cost around $30 per night (approximately 600,000 VND).
Around popular beaches like Balangan and Bingin, there are also many budget guesthouses with prices around $10 (200,000 VND), and if you stay longer, you can even bargain.
However, with these types of budget accommodations, you should avoid booking online and instead call directly. When you call, ask the owner about the room price, when you can arrive, and ask to see photos of the room so you can negotiate the price.
Traveling on the island
One of the biggest challenges for independent travelers in Bali is figuring out how to explore the island safely and affordably. Public transportation is scarce in Bali, while there are plenty of motorbike taxis and regular taxis.
The best way to explore the island is to rent a motorbike. Rental shops are available in popular tourist areas like Kuta and Seminyak.
You can explore the most secluded and least-visited beaches on the Bukit Peninsula or drive to Munduk for a scenic hike.
Typically, renting a motorbike costs around 3 USD per day (60,000 VND) if you bargain hard. You'll have to refuel it yourself, which costs about 1.50 USD (30,000 VND) for a day's use.
You can also rent a car to explore the island, but it will cost a lot of money and is also quite dangerous because the locals here tend to drive rather…recklessly.
Cheap activities in Bali
There are many activities you can participate in when visiting Bali. One of them is swimming, sunbathing, and snorkeling at the pristine beaches. This is a fun activity that won't cost you a penny.
Bali also has many beautiful temples and pagodas for you to explore, where you can admire the surrounding natural scenery while discovering the local culture.
However, it's important to remember that there are quite a few touts in Bali. As soon as you get off the plane or taxi, these "brokers" will approach you offering all sorts of services. Go back to your hotel before signing up for any service.
Visiting Gillis Island is also a fun activity in Bali. Typically, tour guides will charge you around $150-$200 (3-4 million VND per trip), but you can always bargain to get a lower price.
(According to Knowledge of the Times)
