Top 3 Travel Tips For The Best Bali Holiday

If a tropical island escape is what you’re looking for this holiday season, here are my top Bali travel tips.

1. Book with Club Med
If you have kids or love to spend your days soaking up the sun, having poolside cocktails, feasting on incredible buffet breakfasts, lunch and dinners with every cuisine possible, exercising and watching live entertainment, book into the Club Med at Nusa Dua and make life easier for yourself. When I stay at Club Med with girlfriends I’ll spend the time doing all the activities: tennis lessons, water sports, yoga, getting massages and of course having poolside drinks as everything is all inclusive. If I go with my family or a group of family friends with kids, it’s all about my son being in the Kids Club with all the other kids playing in the pool, kayaking, doing trapeze and circus, and eating the buffet breakfasts, completely relaxing as a parent whilst never needing to leave the resort.

2. Carry a cross-body bag
My number one tip for any kind of travel is to carry a cross-body bag on you at all times. I once lost my passport in the airport after I had checked in and gone through customs – after that scary experience I always carry a cross-body bag with my passport, phone and wallet in there. They are also perfect for walking around shopping or getting on a scooter. 

3. Exchange cash early
Change some money before you get to the airport – it’s good to have some rupiah on hand for catching a taxi at the airport if you haven’t arranged a transfer to the hotel. You will also have to pay the 500,000 rupiah / 35US dollars Visa on Arrival at the airport – although you can pay this on credit card though. There are ATMs everywhere but if you want to buy a fresh coconut or some traditional sarongs or jewellery from some of the locals selling on the beach you’ll need to have cash.

Best places to visit:

While you’re in Bali, Canggu, Bingin and Uluwatu are a must-see. In Canggu you will find great shopping lining the streets: JL Raya Batu Balong is the main shopping street and then the surrounding streets. In this same area you’ll find some of the most popular beachside bars and Seminyak is also one to check out for great restaurants. Bingin and Uluwatu are great for a day trip but are mainly good surfing spots.

Balinese people are so friendly and lovely, so take the time to chat to a few of the locals if you can whilst you are on their wonderful island. Be respectful of the culture too – when going into a temple or even if you happen to go into capital Denpasar, cover up a bit.

To book your next holiday to Bali visit clubmed.com.au or clubmed.co.nz