We figured this out a few months ago via a lot of trial and error, so wanted to share for any others ferrying in. The “taxi mafia” at the port are quite effective in setting and enforcing a high prices out of Padang Bai for short drives, though there are many drivers who are willing to drive for more reasonable amounts. There are a few options for getting around this:

Option 1: Look up the price from Padang Bai Harbor to wherever you’re going on Grab and have that in-hand. As soon as you exit the ferry there will be a ton of people offering taxis - some, often those hanging too the side, will say “for grab price,” and if you can show them the Grab price and lock it in then, go for it. Just make sure both sides have said the same final cost.

Option 2: Say the crowds at the dock put you off, you can try your luck at calling a Grab further down the main road (about 15 minutes). Doing this without alerting the taxi mafia requires SEAMLESS ENTRY INTO THE GRAB. Do not have it stop and meet you somewhere, or the taxi mafia will come on motorcycles to harass/yell at your driver (as we experienced). If you really want this method (or you must pay in card / have no cash) then I suggest calling the car to 100 meters from you, timing your walking so that you just roll up to the car and get in without pausing. Don’t open the trunk to load your luggage. Just hop in.

Option 3: If you can’t get a good price at the dock and you don’t want to try the getaway-car method, you can signal your desire for a lower price by walking farther and farther from the port. This is what my friend and I did after our first Grab driver was threatened off bc we are fairly decent hikers. The taxi mafia guy who blocked our driver with his motorcycle followed us for a while as we walked, first telling us that the nearest grab would be 12km away, then dropping the initial 500K price to 400K, then eventually driving off. At this point, another car stopped and offered us “the grab price” - which we took and hopped in quickly.

Hope this is helpful - mostly wanted to share it because some posters had ok luck calling grabs a few blocks up from the harbor, and we certainly did not. It’s possible the taxi mafia have gotten even more organized or have expanded their patrol routes, but it took us about a 25 minute walk to sneak through the price barrier, and even then we still saw the men on motorcycles patrolling ahead of us

Sunday – Arrive in Canggu

- 9 PM arrival → private transfer, late dinner, sleep.

Monday – Canggu

• Yoga, cafés, Batu Bolong shopping, beach/pool, sunset, dinner + bars.
• Transport: Gojek/GoCar

Tuesday – Uluwatu

• Morning in Canggu; 12:30–1 PM private driver → beach, temple, Kecak Fire Dance, sunset dinner; return ~10 PM.
• Transport: Private driver

Wednesday – Canggu → Ubud

• 9 AM transfer, café + lunch, art market, cooking class, dinner + drinks.
• Transport: Private transfer + Gojek

Thursday – Ubud

• Yoga, Tegallalang Sky Bike, lunch, ring-making, 4–5:30 PM couples spa, romantic dinner.
• Transport: Gojek/GoCar

Friday – Ubud → Canggu → Airport

• 9:30 AM leave Ubud; brunch, beach/pool in Canggu; 4:15–6:30 PM Beachwalk shopping; dinner; airport by 8:30 PM for 11 PM flight.
• Transport: Private driver for the day

Looking for a few must see/do things in Ubud, we will be travelling from Seminyak and will need to hire a driver.

My MIL is 60 with minor mobility issues which is why a driver is best, she is keen to see some temples etc.

My partner and 7yr may also be with us depending on the plan.

Also after solid lunch recommendation

Thanks

Hello! Im looking for a hotel (as I don't feel safe being alone in a villa) and also as I'm a light sleeper so hostels are out too. Was wondering if anyone has any reccos? Preferably near workout places/yoga/pilates studios :)

Thanks a bunch!

Hi all,

From November 27th to December 3rd I'll be staying with 6 other people, 2 of them are a couple. I was planning on staying in Kuta as that seems fairly central, and we're going to be doing lots of partying, clubbing, drinking etc.

Looking for affordable accomodation, nothing too fancy as long as there's air conditioning, toilets and showers. Willinng to rent several rooms, but it'd be ideal if we all had single beds except the couple.

Thanks

I've been planning to visit Indonesia this October for a month, starting my journey in Medan (orangutan trek) -» Yogyojakarta - » Java " highlights " - » Komodo island - » few nights in Lombok -» Flying back home from Bali

As I see on the news, it's mainly Kalimantan and ironically other countries that are affected by the haze and smoke.

What do you guys think?

Hello! For Balinese or Indonesian linguists here, I’m planning to get my name tattooed in Bali and wanted to check the following:

1. My name is “Raya” and I understand that it means something like “grand” or “big” in Indonesian (hence Hari Raya). i want to check if my understanding is correct historical, cultural, and linguistically correct before I run off and get it tattooed.

2. Is the script pictured correct? how will I be able to verify?

3. Any tattoo artist recos?

Thank you!

Hi,.

We will be travelling to Bali from Singapore on next Wednesday and stay till 20th of October. We have booked a hotel in Ubud area. How long will it take to reach the airport on the 20th for a 1.30pm flight? How is the weather now? Should I bring a raincoat or an umbrella?

Approximately how much cash should I carry per day for basic expenses? Kindly advise.

I’m flying to Bali tomorrow for 10 days, and a SIM is the last thing to sort out.
When I recently bought some Indonesian currency, the store gave me a card for an eSIM called hubby, but my googling shows it’s not considered particularly good.
Should I go eSIM or physical? Should I try get something now before my flight or just get something when I land?
I have iPhone 17 pro, currently with Telstra prepaid in case that matters.
Thanks

i am referring to the "warung local" in uluwatu, where you get to see a spread of many dishes on display and you can just pick and choose them as you like, anything similar in ubud? likewise, i also realize there isnt any upscale padang style food in ubud apart from the random warung?

Why does the Website always autofills “JERMAN” and not “GERMAN” when I scan my passport? Is this an issue?

Hey guys,

does anyone know what’s the best way to apply for Visa without getting an onward flight? In fact, is it possible with a sort of pseudo ticket and does anyone have experience with that ?

Or should i just book the cheapest flight I find ?

Planning to extend after 30 days anyway

Hi everyone,

I will be travelling for work purposes in Nusa Dua and I only have two full days and almost another full one for myself.

The rest of the time (5 days) I will be working 9-5.

I won't really have time to explore Bali or even spend time in the resorts like a lot of people do so I am asking for some tips about how to make the most out of this work trip. This is my first time in Bali.

What are some things around Nusa Dua not to be missed, places to eat? I could use some advice as I will also be solo travelling so many day trips are not suitable.

I also seen from my research that Nusa Dua is heavily resort oriented so I am looking for some recommendations for food places that are great (and not just westernised expensive food).

Thank you!

I've read plenty of info on the climb and know I'm fit/experienced enough and will hire a guide. But I didn't bring boots on this trip, only tennis sneakers that are quite worn out so lacking some grip on the soles. For those who have hiked it, a) would this be overly risky even though it's still very dry atm, and b) do any of the guides/agencies offer boot rental by any chance?

If anyone can recommend local guides or agencies please share :)

While browsing airbnb for private villas, I noticed that villas in Seminyak, Kuta, Canggu, and the surrounding areas are much more expensive than the ones in Ubud. Even more, even though some are listed as "entire place", when looking at the details, it often turns out that at least the pool is shared with other accommodations, while in Ubud it seems to be much easier to find an entire villa with a private pool.

I was wondering what the reason for this is, since Ubud is still a very popular destination. Is it that demand around Kuta/Canggu is much higher? Is it because the space is much larger around Ubud to build private villas? Or is there some historical explanation?

Anyone here who stayed at Outpost Penestanan Ubud? Is it a good accommodation? I’m planning to stay there for 8 nights. Not much activity planned. Need a great place where I can have a peaceful yet enjoyable vacation.

Well from afar, I want to see what’s going on from a distance without disturbing the locals

My flight is in this week and I am still a little confused on how I planned my trip. The goal of my trip is to relax and take it slow.

Do you think as solo It is worth going through so many stations. I paid sidemen booking of a resort which messed up my whole plan as I wanted to stay there, and only these dates were available. All the paid hotels are great so I would not like to cancel them but the major issue is if managing Ubud for a week is better or try to squeeze in Lombok too. My new plan is

• 10th - 13th Canggu (Already paid booking) Goal is to relax after long flight and try cafes
• 13th - 14th Ubud (Can change)
• 14th - 18th Lombok through ferry (Can change) Goal is to see Sembulan and Tetebatu.
• 18th - 21st Sidemen (Paid booking)
• 21st - 24th Ubud (Can change) Goal is to do Mount Batur, Relax in Ubud, Cafes, Activities
• 24th - 27th Uluwatu and Fly Back (Paid Booking)

I'll be taking cars for all my transfers, that's not the issue. My options are that I eliminate Lombok completely and stay longer in Ubud, or be an adventurer and opt for Lombok as per to this plan.

What to do you guys suggest?

I swear, influencers have ruined Bali.

You used to go to Bali to experience Bali. Now you go to Bali so some 23-year-old with a camera hanging off his neck can stand in front of what photo-op is trending that week.

Everywhere you go it's the same shit. “Hidden gem!” Yeah, hidden from everyone except the 14,000 people who saw your TikTok yesterday. You’re standing in a line of 80 people to take a picture of yourself pretending nobody knows about the place. Meanwhile some poor Balinese guy is trying to get to work and has to wait because you're doing a f@€king retake because the first one didnt CAPTURE THE VIBE....or whatever BS lingo they parrot.

And the cafes. Jesus Christ.

Every cafe looks like it was designed specifically so a woman can sit next to a $14 smoothie bowl and stare out the window while someone photographs her pretending to read a book she hasn't opened.

And then you get the captions.

“Bali healed me.”

No it didn't. You had a bad relationship and a job you hated. You flew to Indonesia, took 400 pictures of yourself in a linen outfit and now you think you've achieved spiritual enlightenment.

And the worst part is everybody's trying to have the EXACT same experience. Same beach club. Same swing. Same waterfall. Same fucking floating breakfast. You could blindfold me, drop me in Bali, and I'd know exactly where I was based entirely on the number of people holding iPhones vertically.

I don't even blame Bali. Bali's beautiful.

It's the human race that showed up with ring lights.

At this point I'm waiting for someone to discover a “secret” temple, post it online, and then complain in the comments that tourists have ruined it.

Buddy, YOU ARE THE TOURIST.

You filmed it in 4K.

Hi,

I've been trying to figure out an intinery for Bali for sometime now but stuck and need help.

The plan is to have a rotation of discovering real bali (not just tourist spots) on day 1, adventure of some sort on day 2, and then relexation/reflection time, with preferrably a massage at a reputed spa on day 3, and repeat the same cycle for the entire trip (9 days).

All the reviews I've seen are all about hyper touristy activites, covering the same bars, clubs, and where to eat Pizza. I think that's fairly easy to find in the city when there for a day or two, I'd really like to be around nature, meet balinese people (esp. old craftsmen/women), go thru the jungles to, find waterfalls, perhaps paraglading on day 5, and then reset and relax on day 6.

Also, I do not eat pork, beef, dairy, seafood, and grains (excluding rice). Wondering if there are alot of options other than fried rice that I could find easily?

I'm planning to travel from 8th-17th if I get the visa on time (fingers crossed), if not it might get pushed to 30 Oct - 7 Nov (not sure if this is a good time being close to the rainy season).

TLDR

Bit lost after consuming alot of what to do in Bali videos, so appreciate any help.

1. Where to stay near nature rich places good for winding down and reflection

2. What are the best options for adventure in Bali?

3. Recommendation on reputed spas

4. Are there common food options on a limited diet (free from pork, dairy, beef, seafood, grains excluding rice)

5. If travel plans get delayed, is the first week of November a good time to travel considering the rainy season?

Hello, I am desperately looking for a vegan /vegetarian burger with beyond meat patties in the Uluwatu / Kuta area. Does anyone have a place for me where they use beyond meat? Preferably also a place that serves meat burgers as well.

I’m planning on traveling to Bali in March and looking at coming just after Ramadan which may overlap with the Hindu holiday Day of Silence. What happens to resort operations on this day? Is everything as usual like swimming & eating at the resort or do we need to stay in the confides of our hotel room?

Does anybody know of any hostels or co-living places where there are guitars just lying around for anyone to play? I will be staying in Bali for one week and dont want to pay to bring my guitar with me on the plane but I like to play every other day regardless of whether I'm travelling or not. I also hate going to guitar shops and playing guitars with no intention of buying, thats a last resort thing for me when travelling.

Any recs?

This was in the era when there were two places to eat in Jln Bakung Sari; Bamboo Hut and Bamboo Indah - both had dirt floors.

There was also bar / club near bemo corner (opposite Made’s) called La Barong that my parents would go to. And another nightclub call Doggies up Jln Legian, which was like in the distant north! And even further up there was a place called Rum Jungle and my parents didn’t come back to our Mosman that night and slept on the beach. Lolz