ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation in Bali is very reasonably priced compared to
other top tourist destinations around the world. Rooms in basic 2-star
hotels (perhaps US$20 or so in Bali) can easily compare
and there they don't provide ANY service at all.
At the high end, the accommodation offered at the AYANA (formerly RITZ CARLTON), FOUR SEASONS and BVLGARI BALI resort for instance can be US$800 or
US$1,200++ per night. At the new ST.REGIS BALI resort, 1-bedroom suites
and villas are between US$950 and US$2,500++, and 2- ond 3-bedroom
residences can be around US$5,000 and more but the same standard of
accommodation would cost you somewhere else still more.
Generally speaking, hotel rates in Bali range from about US$20
for a basic but clean, air-conditioned room with private bathroom and a
small terrace to US$2,500 + 21% tax & service charge per day for
beautiful Balinese 1-bedroom cottages and villas with private plunge
pool set in a walled tropical garden and offering stunning views and
polished 5-star service around the clock.
For the detail about accommodation (its price and condition) please contact our partner,
balijavatour
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation in Bali was always cheap by any standard. The
metered radio taxis start with a flag fall of 5,000 Rupiah (plus 4,500
Rupiah per kilometer), and most trips cost Rupiah 20,000 to 90,000. Most
reliable and polite are the drivers of the blue taxis, and you should
avoid most other taxis as they often refuse to use their meter and
over-charge foreigners.
If you brought an International Driver's License, you can rent
motor bikes from Rupiah 55,000 to Rupiah 85,000 per day, and five to ten
year old self-drive cars (Jimmy or Toyota "Kijang") cost from 250,000
Rupiah to 400,000 Rupiah per day. Newer models are more expensive, and
luxury cars such as a Volvo limousine or a new Toyota "Land Cruiser"
will cost US$150 to US$250 and more per day. Gasoline prices have been
raised several times in the past, and Premium leaded gasoline is now
6,000 Rupiah per liter (per May 24th, 2008).
Everywhere in tourist areas you'll be offered "transport,
transport", and the rates are negotiable. However, the cars of many of
these guys are quite old. Radio, tape and even the air-conditioning are
often out of order. Although most drivers initially seem to be very
friendly some are real con artists and waste hours of your precious
vacation by bringing you to shops you never wished to visit because they
want to earn a commission on your purchases.
We think, however, it's much more relaxing to have someone who
knows his way around behind the wheel than to drive yourself through
Bali's traffic. You can fully enjoy the sights, don't have to worry
about getting lost, and there's always somebody to watch the car and
your belongings when you go for a meal or sightseeing.
LostInBali
