Trip to Bali: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

May 23, 2024, 10:10 AM
by Shahriar Rabab

UNB News
Publish- May 23, 2024, 10:10 AM
Shahriar Rabab
Update- May 23, 2024, 12:50 PM

Trip to Bali: A Comprehensive Travel Guide

The Nusa islands, Baki

Nestled in the western end of the Lesser Sunda islands in Indonesia, Bali is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. Often referred to as the "Island of the Gods," Bali is renowned for its arts, traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music.

With its pristine beaches and diverse marine life, there’s a lot to see and explore in Bali. Here’s a comprehensive guide to get you started on your next dream holiday.

Location of Bali

Bali is an island province of Indonesia located near the equator. The island system is close to Java and Lombok with Java Strait and Lombok Strait separating them. In addition to the main island, there are smaller islands such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan, located southeast of the main island. The island is surrounded by the Indian Ocean on the south. The Bali Sea and part of the Pacific Ocean circumvent the island on the north.

The main point of entry to Bali is the Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS). It is located near the capital city of Denpasar and serves as the main entry point for international and domestic tourists.

Bali

How to Get to Bali from Bangladesh

Bangladeshi citizens are eligible for e-Visa to visit Indonesia. Bali as a province doesn’t require any special permit. So, the e-Visa for Indonesia is enough to visit the tropical island.

The application process is pretty straightforward. Head over to the online portal (https://evisa.imigrasi.go.id/web/visa-selection) for the e-Visa application. From there, fill up the application form and pay the required fees. The e-Visa application cost is around 1500000 IDR or 10,975 BDT (1 BDT = 136.69 IDR). Once processed, the e-visa will be issued through email.

Things to Do and Places to Go

The Nusa islands

Finally, the trio of Nusa islands, Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan are other must-visit places in Bali.

Nusa Penida is known for Kelingking Beach, Angel's Billabong, and Crystal Bay. You can also explore diving at Manta Point. Nusa Lembongan is famous for the pristine Dream beach and Ceningan offers cliff jumping at Blue Lagoon and scenic views.

Several speedboats run to the Nusa islands. It takes about 30 to 45 minutes to get to the islands from Sanur beach.

Canggu

Canggu is another beachfront destination in Bali. The most notable and tourist-favorite beach here is Batu Bolong Beach. In addition to its pristine sands and waves, there are several beach clubs to explore the nightlife.

If you’re into culture and heritage, check out Tanah Lot temple, an iconic sea temple perched on a rock formation, located about 30 minutes from Canggu.

It takes about 45 minutes to 1 hour to get to Canguu from the airport via car.

Tanah Lot temple

Ubud

Ubud is located in central Bali and is often the poster place for Balinese vacations. The Tegallalang rice fields offer a stunning view of the terraced fields which merge to the horizon. A 10-minute walk from central Ubud will take you to Padangtegal, which is also known as the monkey forest. It is a sanctuary and temple complex home to hundreds of monkeys.

Also, consider visiting the historical Puri Saren Agung palace which houses the rich history of Balinese architecture. And for souvenirs, be sure to check out the Ubud art market.

Getting to Ubud takes around 1.5 hours by car from the Ngurah Rai airport.

Kuta

Located in southern Bali, Kuta is famous for its beaches and surfing culture. The place offers vibrant nightlife unlike anywhere else in Bali. In addition to the sea beaches, consider visiting the Waterbom Bali, a popular water park with slides and attractions, located in central Kuta. For food, shopping, and entertainment, the Beachwalk shopping center in Jalan Pantai Kuta can be a great option.

Getting to Kuta takes around 10 to 15 minutes by car from the Ngurah Rai airport.

Seminyak

Just north of Kuta, there’s another beach heaven in Seminyak. If you’re looking for upscale beach clubs, Ku De Ta and Potato Head can be great options. For food and shopping, there’s the ever-bustling Jalan Kayu Aya. There’s also the Petitenget temple, a historic sea temple offering cultural insights, located near the beach.

It takes about 30 minutes to get to Seminyak from the airport via car.

Nusa Dua

Nusa Dua offers some of the best white sand beaches in Bali. Beyond the beaches, there’s the water blow point where incessant rows of waves crash into the rocks creating a spectacular spray. And for food and shopping, there’s the Bali Collection complex.

It takes about 30 to 40 minutes to get to Nusa Dua from the airport via car.

Nusa Dua

Jimbaran

If you’re into a more laid-back and relaxed experience, the Jimbaran beaches might be your ideal spot. These beaches are known for offering some of the best sunset viewing experiences.

As for culture and heritage, consider visiting Pura Luhur Uluwatu, a clifftop temple offering stunning ocean views and traditional Kecak dance performances, located further south of Jimbaran.

What to Eat in Bali?

The food culture of Bali is almost the same as other places in Indonesia. The must-try items include Nasi Goreng (fried rice), Mie Goreng (fried noodles), Bebek Betutu (slow-cooked duck), Satay (skewers) and Lawar (special curry).

Bali-specific dishes include Rujak (spicy fruit salad) and Serombotan (vegetable salad with grated coconut).

Bali can go from cheapest to most expensive in terms of food depending on your preference. A meal at a small family-owned restaurant or street-side stalls would cost 3 to 7 USD (350 to 820 BDT) at best. Medium to upscale restaurant costs may range between 10 to 100 USD (1170 to 11717 BDT).

How to Get Around Bali?

The main options to get around Bali are

- Taxis
- Motorbikes and Scooters
- Car Rentals
- Private Car Hire
- Limited Public Transport

For taxis, your options are Bluebird, Gojek and Grab. The cost will depend on your trip and destination. Car rentals cost about 14 USD or 1640 BDT per day and scooters can go up to 7 USD or 820 BDT (1 USD = 117 BDT). As for the private car hire, it all depends on your negotiation skills.

How to Book Flights to and Hotels in Bali?

When it comes to flight booking from Bangladesh, ShareTrip and GoZayaan can be great options. Consider checking Skyscanner as well to get the cheapest deals. Usually, Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, THAI, Batik Airlines, and Cathay Pacific operate flights from Dhaka to Bali.

As for hotel booking, Expedia and Booking.com are your best option.

Jimbaran

Final Words

Bali with its tropical climate, magnificent beaches, and historic landmarks has consistently been a top tourist destination. Every year, millions of tourists flock to the island province to explore its charms.

However, the best time to visit Bali would be during its dry seasons, that is April to October. But if you’re not afraid of regular downpours then November to March can be a great choice too.