1.What to bring
Here are some suggestions for what we recommend to bring. If you forget to bring, don't worry! Most things can also be bought in Bali if needed.
- Water Bottle - preferable stainless steel
- Light clothes for warmer weather
- Long sleeve shirts are nice to protect yourself from the sun and keep mosquitos away.
- Temperature is generally around 28C = 83F
- sun lotion/ sun hat/cap
- umbrella/poncho when it rains it really rains!
- good airy walking shoes. Preferable with grip if you plan to join our treks and bike rides.
- sandals/ flip-flops
- yoga mat we have some mats, but it's nice to have your own
- flashlight
- mosquito repellant
- sarong - Great to wrap yourself in plus to enter the temples.
- long Cloth bags – so you can say no to plastic bags (see environment section further down)
- passport - Make sure it has minimum 6 months before expire
- earplugs - the ricefield orchestra of frogs, cicadas etc can be a bit overwhelming the first
- nights. After some time becomes a lullaby.
- Hand disinfectant (you can easily buy more here)
- ATM card
2.Money
The currency in Bali is Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
There are many ATM-machines in Ubud. It’s advisable to use ones that are either inside of a bank or attached with a security guard, not the free standing ATMs.
Most places let you withdraw 1,5 million - 3 IDR per time but you can do many withdrawals in a row. Please note that the money is received before the card. Many people have walked away with money in their pocket, but the card is still in the ATM.
If you have booked an airport-taxi with us you can ask our drivers to stop at one of the serious exchange-offices with an acceptable exchange-rate, or at an ATM on the way to your accommodation.
Normally You get a less beneficial exchange rate in your own country. Most people will bring USD / EURO and other currencies with a more preferable exchange rate.
If you prefer less fees, most of our guests will transfer and use WISE and make one transfer for most expenses and only bring enough money for daily expenses.
For more information regarding WISE> Click
Make sure you have enough money to pay Visa on Arrival ( VOA )
3.Visa
Please be aware that the rules for Visa can differ from country to country. Be sure to check with your Indonesian embassy what rules apply for your country at the time of your travel.
If your nationality is on the list for VOA ( visa on arrival)
- Visa you pay directly at the airport counter
- They accept most currencies
- change will be given in rupiah ( IDR )
4.Accommodation
We will listen to your wishes, preferences and budget,
For example: Do you prefer?
- Low budget
- Luxury
- In the mountains or by the beach
- with pool / no pool
- Your own bungalow / Homestay
- Kitchen / no kitchen
There are many choices!
We understand that it can sometimes be challenging to make the decisions. To make it easier for you, we will set up a meeting, listen to your wishes, special requests and preferences and present a couple of recommendations of places that we believe would be suitable for your journey.
Many of our guests decide to organize a program where they stay in 2-3 different locations. We will help you and organize, so you can easily flow between the locations, relax and you can discover the jewels in Bali, as logistics are being taken care of.
We are proud to be one of the few travel organizers in Bali that support the small local accommodations, by recommending places that either pop up on the different booking - apps or have the finances to pay marketing ads and manipulate the booking system.
5.Yoga
Yoga classes can be booked Under the Banyan tree
We have a few really nice offerings taking place in the yoga shala:
- Sanskrit classes
- Devi circles
- Pujas (vedic ceremonies)
- Drum - circles
- Vedic talks with Swamiji.
Send us an email if you are interested and we'll give you the latest schedule.
There are also many other yoga teachers and classes in the Ubud area and its a good opportunity
to try out many different yoga styles and teachers - a great way to learn!
The closest yoga studio in Penestanan is called intuitive flow . The biggest studio, which has around 80 different classes every week, is called Yogabarn.
6.Food
Ubud has a large variety of restaurants. You can find anything from local indonesian dishes to raw food, gluten free, italian, indian, japanese, smoothies, freshly pressed juices and much more. Many restaurants also offer home delivery free, or very cheaply.
You can easily find super healthy food, premium juices and organic foods all walking distance if you stay in our small village Penestanan
If you prefer to cook for yourself, you can easily find groceries.
There’re many little stalls on the streets with basic vegetables and there's a few organic markets each week and one shop in Penestanan which sells only organic vegetables and foods.
We can also arrange so you get delivered organic food to your accommodation.
Supermarket
Bintang 20 min walk from Penestanan. Make sure you walk the backroads and stay away from the traffic roads.
Here are the names of some of the restaurants we like where you can get healthy, mostly organic food. Most of the places you can find on the internet:
-
CENTRAL UBUD and around
Down To Earth, Jl. Hanuman/Gautama junction. Name says it all, very environmental friendly and excellent menu. Also has an organic food shop/health food shop downstairs and a Cinema next door. 100 % vegetarian. -
Clear
Some of Unud’s finest Smoothie. Mainly vegetarian, but serves also seafood -
Bali Buda
A Ubud Classic with a nice menu and an excellent food shop and bakery nearby. For a Special Chocolate treat try the outstanding not-at-all-healthy-but-super-delicious Chocolate Mousse Cake. Mainly Veg. -
Cafe
Jl Hanuman. Another Ubud Yoga Restaurant Classic. Excellent Salads. Mainly Veg. - Sage (vegan place in Neu Keuning 10 min outside Ubud)
-
Zest
100 % vegan and a menu that needs to be discovered!
Food that open up the flavors buds , creativity , what can be made from pure vegan cuisine -
Moksha
“Take a left in the curve just before The Mansion - on the path to Naya” Super delicious vegan food. World class really. Not to be missed. -
Alchemy/The Shift
Penestanan Kaja. World Class Raw food including an excellent Chocolate Bar and “I Scream”-selection.100 % vegan and raw. -
Yellow Flower,
Sweet spot nearby Intuitive Flow Yoga Studio. Organic and mainly Veg.
7.Phone & Internet
Many cafs in Ubud have wifi connection.
Keep an eye for the Telekom booth at the arrivals. The sell SIM card and will help you to install it in your phone. That way you have access to wifi / pulsa ( phone credit )
Pulsa ( credit ) can be filled up with 20, 50 or 100 thousand IDR
You can also buy internet connection for
your phone and use it as a hotspot.
It might not work as well in all areas of Bali.
Signal is an uncertainty in Bali, especially in the remote areas.
8.Transportation
Mountain bike
Perfect way to get around & ride the small hidden backroads, where cars can not enter.
Motorbike
You can rent a motorbike daily / weekly / monthly. Be just careful, as the police regularly do controls.
Cars
For longer distance, we recommend that you travel in car.
From the Airport
You can either find a taxi at the airport or catch the local bus.
Sometimes this can be a little over- whelming, as you have many people shouting at you at the same time and try to get your attentions.
Most of our guests prefer to have a more calm welcoming and organize transportation beforehand. That way, your driver is waiting for you as you step out of the airport.
Contact details of the driver plus and Sign with you name , so you easily can find each other
We have known our drivers for over ten years, and know that they are very trustworthy and good drivers.
If you want to book a driver, please contact
Yatratours: WA +62 81- 337656556
9.Environment & Recycling
Bali is clean and smells of flowers most of the time. However, as in so many developing countries there ́s a problem with garbage maintenance. Please be a respectful and responsible visitor. Bring batteries, electronics and other hazardous waste back to your home country unless you find trustworthy recycling for it. In Bali it will most likely end up either in nature, ocean or air. Bring a few cloth bags from home so you can say no to plastic bags. In many places including most hotels you can fill up your water bottle with clean water from big containers that are being reused, instead of buying plastic bottles.
10.Washing
Most hotels/hostels have laundry service, for small money. Or you can bring it to a laundry service. There is one 200m up on our street (Jl Penestanan Kaja). They may use quite heavy chemicals in their soap, so finer garments are better to wash yourself . You can buy natural laundry soap at for example Bali Buda in Ubud. Many places have their water pipes go straight out into nature. Please be mindful to use natural products as much as you can. I like to think its a nice idea to bring the natural soap to the laundry service and ask them to use that. The more of us that show that we want the natural things, the more likely they will pick up on that.
11.Spa & Massage
Bali has a rich spa tradition, but watch out for places that don’t have educated staff. Ask for a 5 min try-out if possible. Here’s 3 options we like.
- The Zest Cantika in Penestanan Kelod, which is out on the rice fields. Treatments vary depending on the therapeut but most of them are good.
- In central Ubud you can find “Ida ́s bodywork”, also called “Body & Soul”
- “Some therapists can come to your place and give a treatment, please ask us for contacts.
12.Health Care
Bali is relatively clean (compared to other parts of Asia).
Consult your doctor before leaving home about the risks.and required vaccinations.
As in almost all tropical and subtropical parts of the world, there is dengue fever in Bali. The
the chance of getting dengue is very small. Dengue mosquitoes are active during the day time.
Some people get “Bali Belly”, that means a few days upset stomach to get used to a new bacterial flora. Using probiotics tablets before, during and after your travels can help avoid this.
If you know you have a sensitive belly; grapefruit seed extract after meals can be used to kill bacteria. Hand disinfection is another excellent preventive measure.
If you need Western health care, there are a few medical clinics in Ubud, the closest one is called
- ”Ubud Clinic” Jl. Raya Campuhan No.36 - phone: +62 361 974911 Another one is
- ”Toya medika klinik” Jl. Raya Pengosekan - phone: +62 361 978078
Ayurvedic doctor:
There is a really good Ayurvedic doctor in Ubud, called Sujatha. She is excellent when it comes to finding long-term health problems and recommending helpful lifestyle/food changes. Art her
clinic you can do many different treatments including detox and pancha karma (rejuvenating and
cleansing treatment that is generally 1-3 weeks long)
Contact: www.amrtasiddhi.com
+62 (0) 361 973 193
info@amrtasiddhi.com
There are also many, many other alternative health therapies and healers available in Ubud, you can ask us for recommendations of a specific kind of therapist.
In case of Emergency
You need to be aware of dialing procedures, how to use the local area codes when calling the
emergency assistance services listed below. (info from www.bali.com)
- Main Emergency = 112 (like 911)
- Ambulance = 118
- Search & Rescue = 111, 115, 151
- Police = 110
- Fire Dpt. 113
Dialing Procedure
- If you have a mobile with Local SIM dial first 0361 (South Bali)
- If you have International SIM dial first+62 361
- Via Landline dial directly the emergency number
The country code for Indonesia is +62 and the area code for all of South Bali is (0)361 (incl. Gianyar, Ubud).
13.Leaving Bali
We wish you to have a beautiful time on this magic Island, it's a very special place where lots of
wonderful things tend to happen. Enjoy it, you're so worthy!