Hi everyone,

I am planning a trip to Bali next year and will be spending a month in Ubud. Their are some ok deals from New Zealand at the moment but they say you have to include three nights accommodation which is ok with me. It will be my first time in Bali and I did want to try and stay somewhere a bit more coastal for a few days as well.

I'm not really interested in Kuta or in anywhere that is too upmarket. Does anyone know where I could go? I guess I would be looking for something a little bit more Ubud like... creative? Budget or mid-range (no more than say $50USD a night per person if that can be done).

Any advice really appreciated :)

Lovina Beach in the North or Candi Dasa Beach in the East will be your options...

I'm considering to visit Bali to photo shoots some beautiful places out there but I don't know where to stay. I want a place near a beach if there's any. any suggestions?

Hi,

if you have 3 days, i'll suggest you to go to Lombok. it's like 30 min by boat, you will cross beautiful landscapes, and if you are into fun, you'll find everything you need ;) apart from that, you'll see a clear blue turquoise water, and an island that is wilder and so more beautiful that Bali! :)

you'll really enjoy Bali!!

see ya!

there are many places of interests that uou could visit to spend your three nights in bali. sanur will be your first destination and it's very quite therewith many low budget accomodation...

hiii for me its not enough just only 3 nightstay in bali, if u like busy place and u like party, shopping and eat kuta it great place for that. but if u like more nature with balinese culture, quite, and relax place just enjoy ur day for refresh ur mind ubud its the right place for u. you can find hotel, motel, or private villa in kuta or ubud.
so enjoy ur holiday in bali.

My favourite time to go to Bali is January/February. OK so dry season is mid year yes and we all know that's the time to go. I used to love Kuta during this time when I was 16 chasing girls who just wore cutoff jean shorts and bintang singlets but now I am over that scene and try to avoid extreme crowds so January February suits me perfect when there's still plenty of tourists but not quite as crazy and hectic. Here's what it's like in the wet season, it doesn't just rain constantly. The average day will be warm and sunny and if you live at the beach you will tan up and start looking like an indonesian! In the evening, sit on your balcony and watch the thunder storm clouds roll in.. The most tremendous lightning shows on the planet! Then yes, it will bucket down with rain for a couple of hours which is excellent because it cools everything down and then it moves on. If you get caught in it it's just life and you can duck into a bar or whatever and wait till it clears. Or what normally happening is there will miraculously be umbrella salesmen everywhere and you can buy an umbrella for a couple of dollars but really the rain comes and goes. So you get the sunshine with the thunderstorms. The whole place feels alive and I just love it.

With regards to "Is it dangerous?" Bali is one place on earth where I feel completely safe. The Balinese are as upset as we are about what happened in the past. I always partied at the club which got bombed and I had friends in Bali at the time so it's close to home for me too but I know for a fact this was a random incident by a bunch of extremists. Since then there has been major security measures put in place in Bali as there has been throughout the world. This doesn't make me feel as safe as I do just because the people there as a whole have a loving and peaceful nature. You should concern yourself with something else from now on because you will be safe in Bali. Of course people who look for trouble can find it anywhere but in general you'll be fine.

Also one more thing to note on time of year, In the "off season" everything is cheaper including accommodation, a fair bit cheaper too which we all like. Remember if you are a surfer the bigger swells are in the peak season (mid year) but you will get waves all year round. You will of course see Kuta Beach and the tourism centre there, ten minutes north of that is Seminyak which is more boutiquey shops and cafes. In the south West you have Dreamland area mainly for surfers and Uluwatu temple where the monkeys are everywhere. If it's your first time, driving is scary. Take a couple of days to get used to the roads and then hire a scooter if you're brave and just do everything slow and you should be ok. Or hire a driver to take you around for the day for about $20-$30 including car and driver. Then you can go up to Ubud inland a bit and check out the art capital and rivers and mountain. There are hundreds of places to stay in Bali, each one different. We normally get the cheapest contract rates and can hook you up for whatever your budget.

My favourite place in Bali which you just must go and see is heading West from Denpasar about an hour and a half away a little place called Medewi. Just like what all of Bali was like 25 years ago, amazing. Expect to pay from $30 per night there for accommodation and then everything else costs next to nothing. Medewi is just a small beach in the middle of nowhere which is a great place to try surfing for the first time if there in the off season and the people are incredible. Unparralleled sunsets over the Indian Ocean and a spiritual sense that cannot be explained here. Get over there and enjoy it guys!

Hi Nikki! I've posten this already to someone elses forum but the tips are useful.

One of my fav places in Bali is Balian Beach, black sand, quiet and cool people. Stay at Pondok Pitaya...tell Michael Emily says hi.

There are some really great resources to find restaraunts, volunteering, transport and house/bungalow rentals. It's difficult to find accomodation online at times because the sites charge a huge commision.

1. If you're already in Bali, chack the community boards by plces like Bali Buddha in Changgu and Ubud as well as all cafes and libraries. Locals post houses very often and events like workshops, yoga classes, and art classes are all found here.
2. baliadvertiser dot com, online ads and articles on Bali
3. ask the Balinese working at restaraunts...they can always point you toward great accomodation or that week's ceremony!
4. rumah123 dot com, home listings for indoneisans
5. vrbo dot com - house listing by owners
6. baliblog dot com, everthing Bali!
7. beatmag dot com, music events in the south!

Hope these help!

Em

Maybe try the Raddin Sanur, I was staying there...very nice and on the beach.

Sanur is a nice place to stay and not so crowded as Kuta.