A FIRST TIMER'S GUIDE TO BALI & NUSA PENIDA 2020

Tree House, Nusa Penida

Here, I'll be sharing my recent experience and what to expect in Bali - one of the most sought after travel destination!

Surprisingly, they play filipino songs. From Moira's latest singles, to Bagay Tayo, and even Neneng B. Locals will also call you ATE/KUYA. I even heard a lot of sellers saying "Pili pili lang bes". 🤣

We stayed for 5D4N (February 23 - 27, 2020) but only had four days for the tours so we maximized it without having to compromise our "chill time". Well, we are on a vacation aren't we? 😊

Wanagiri Hidden Hill

So before anything else, ask yourself first - where do you want to go? With an island full of amazing wonders, you have to identify which ones would make it on your list given your schedule. Here's a tip - you can ask your guide to combine two locations in one day if you have a limited time. ⌚

Next, find the best deal for your tours. As for us, we booked thru Weda Bali Top Tours for a convenient way of exploring Bali after researching thru fellow travelers. They are highly recommended! 👍

Of course, prepare your ultimate OOTDs for more eye catching photos. Some attractions even have long dresses for rent like in Wanagiri and Uma Pakel. 💃

Be warned as well. Here, your expectation versus reality will be tested. Due to the influx of tourists, some spots will require a waiting time for about an hour or more for a 3-minute shot. In Lempuyang Temple, we arrived as early as 6:20 AM but was aleready queued at 49th!

Pro tip: Ask your guide to get you a number while you are fixing your sarongs. Every minute literally counts!

This photo from Lempuyang's Gates of Heaven is actually a camera trick. I heard some tourist getting disappointed when they don't see a pool of water.

A photographer will use your smartphone and place its lens just above a mirror for that reflection effect.

If you are also planning to visit Nusa Penida, ready your legs and sweat glands. Wear comfy and sturdy slippers as there will be a lot of walking thru steep stairs just to reach those famous insta worthy sites. Note as well that you will have to wade in the waters to reach the fast craft. Travel time from Sanur to Nusa Penidais approximately 45 minutes.

Prepare your cash too! Picture taking alone will cost you 50k IDR for Tree House and 100k IDR for Diamond Beach's nest attraction, while the swing is priced at 200k IDR.

Pinterest-y cafes and restaurants are all over too! You can find a bunch at Seminyak. Don't forget to order first before you take pictures! 😉🍹

We've visited Kynd Community, Neon Palms, Sea Circus, Motel Mexicola which are just typically almost beside each other! Then on our way to La Plancha, we dropped off at Coffee Cartel and made a quick stop over at Mad Pops for their vegan icecream. Did I mention that you can customize your coffee froth design? Coffee cartel offers ripple printing at an additional price of 15k IDR.

What to bring for every tour?

Extra Cash. For entrance fees, tips and donations. Even use of toilets will charge you with 2k to 5k IDR.

Water. Lots of it! The heat will definitely dry you up. Hydrate always.

Where to buy the cheapest rattan bag?

Definitely at Tirta Empul. Rattan bags are prices for as low as 50k IDR!

Use your haggling skills too! We were told to bargain up to 50 - 70% off initial offer. I bought a macrame wall decor at Ubud Market initially priced at 150k but ended up paying 70k only.

Here is my itinerary and expenses on our whole stay:

✈️ 𝐀𝐢𝐫𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞

4.1k RT via Cebu Pacific (Travel date: Feb 2020)

🏨 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Suris Boutique Hotel

A value for money! We booked for 5D4N and only paid a total of 4.6k PHP for 2pax. It's a 10-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International airport, Legian and Kuta Beach.

🚘 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬: Weda Bali Top Tours

Highly recommended! 💯 Very easy to deal with. Made our vacation convenient and hassle free. He knows how to speak in Tagalog too! 😉

Vehicle Type: 7 seater
WA/VIBER: +6282236432111
WA/VIBER: +6285737339111

🗺 𝐈𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲: 5D4N

✨ 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟏 (𝑼𝒍𝒖𝒘𝒂𝒕𝒖 + 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑬𝒅𝒈𝒆)

📍Dreamland Beach 20k
📍THE EDGE 12-4pm (advance booking)
- General Admission 450k (350k consumable)
- VIP Admission 700k (550k consumable)
📍Uluwatu Temple 50k
📍Kecak and Fire dance 150k

Transport: IDR.500k/car (Max. 11 Hours)
Total entrances IDR.220k/p (excluded) + The Edge

Be reminded to book an online reservation at The Edge ahead of time! You won't be charged yet. Note that they will also increase their rate starting April 10, 2020. VIP admission will be 850k IDR with 600k food and beverage credit, while General Admission will be 600k IDR inclusive of 400k food and bev credit.

Book here 👉🏻 https://www.oneeightybali.com

✨ 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟐 (𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒐 𝑳𝒆𝒎𝒑𝒖𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 + 𝑺𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒚𝒂𝒌)

📍Lempuyang Temple 20k
📍Tirta Gingga Palace 40k
📍Kynd Community
📍Neon palms
📍W Bali Bamboo
📍Motel Mexicola
📍Sea Circus Bali
📍Coffee Cartel
📍Mad Pops
📍Seminyak Beach
📍La Plancha Beach (sunset)

Transport IDR.900k/car (Max. 14 hours)
Total entrances IDR.60k/p

✨ 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟑 (𝑩𝒆𝒅𝒖𝒈𝒖𝒍 + 𝑼𝒃𝒖𝒅)

📍Ulun Danu Temple 75k
📍Twin Lake/Wanagiri 100k
📍Handara Gate 30k
📍Saraswati temple free
📍Ubud palace
📍Ubud Market
📍Uma Pakel/Alas Arum Balinese Plantations
📍Tegalalang Rice field 10k
📍Tirta Empul 50k

Transport IDR.900k/car (Max. 14 hours)
Total entrances IDR.265k/p (exclude)

✨ 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟒 (𝑪𝒐𝒎𝒃𝒐 𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒕 + 𝑬𝒂𝒔𝒕 𝑷𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒅𝒂)

📍Tree House/Rumah pohon (Molenteng Beach)
📍Diamond Beach
📍Broken Beach
📍Angel Billabong
📍Kelingking Beach
📍Return boat at 5pm

Package price: IDR.1.000k/p
Included: Return Hotel transfer (Ubud/Kuta/Seminyak/Sanur/Nusa dua/Jimbaran), Return Fast Boat, Entrances fees, Island Tour, Meal & 1 Bottle Mineral water.

✨ 𝐃𝐀𝐘 𝟓

🚖 DEPARTURE
⏲ Pick up time 06.00am
🏡 Pick up at Suris Boutique Hotel Kuta (check out)
🚙Transport IDR.100k/car
_________

GRAND TOTAL FOR TOUR PACKAGE :
IDR 4.400.000/2pax
PHP 17.600/2pax or Php 8,800 per pax
Excluding Entrance Fees

INCLUSIONS ON PACKAGE:
📱 WI-FI during the trip
🛑Parking fee
⛽Car Fuel/petrol
🛣Toll fee
👮English Speaking Driver
🚘Private car
💦Mineral water daily
🍚Lunch at Nusa Penida Island
👘Free T-shirt Explore Nusa Penida

We spent a total of PHP 24k per pax 𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗜𝗡! This includes airfare, accommodation, tour package, entrance fees, tips, donations, and FOOD. 😉

To sum it up, Bali is worth every penny, sweat and muscle aches. Definitely coming back!❤️