If you are planning a vacation to Bali in the near future, there's nothing wrong with trying a backpacker-style trip to Bali. Besides being cost-effective, you can also feel the unique sensation of traveling and an unforgettable experience. Do you want to know what backpacker-style travel tips to Bali are? Come on, check it out!
1.Public Transportation in Bali
As we know, the existence of online motorcycle taxis has become a modern means of transportation that can be an alternative while traveling between cities in Bali. However, do you know that Bali also has public transportation facilities? Among them are the Trans Sarbagita bus and the Kura-turtle bus.
The Trans Sarbagita bus is a bus owned by the Bali provincial government which serves several important routes including tourist routes. Another case with the Kura-Kura bus which is a special mini bus for tourist routes with quite a lot of shuttle points. This bus reaches almost all important tourist destinations in Bali, from Nusa Dua to Ubud.
If you want more flexibility, you can rent a motorbike or car to travel with a larger group. Motorbike rental currently costs only around 75,000 to 100,000 IDR per day (excluding petrol) while for cars the rental price starts from 225,000 IDR per day (excluding petrol and driver).
2. Festive Cheap Accommodation
If you want to have a long vacation in Bali, for example, for more than a week, it's a good idea to find a boarding house with a bill per week. In this way, you are guaranteed to save a lot of money and don't have to bother carrying heavy suitcases every day. However, you have to make sure the boarding house is in a location that matches your itinerary! Don't let the money that you save actually cause a breakdown in the transportation department.
For those of you whose vacation is less than a week, you should look for accommodation according to your itinerary. In Bali, there are various types of accommodation suitable for backpackers, from hostels, dormitory bunk beds, cheap guest houses to capsule hotels. If you want to stay in the Kuta area, you can explore the Legian area to find super cheap lodging!
3. Delicious Culinary, Full And Cheap
Finding delicious and cheap food stalls may be quite a challenge in Bali. There are several food stalls that are quite popular among backpackers, including Warung Indonesia on Jl. Poppies 2, Kuta. If you stay at a guest house with kitchen facilities, you can cook snacks such as instant noodles, beef eye eggs with bread or fried rice. Practical, right?
Famous fast food can also be a mainstay if you are hungry. You can also come to LuhTu Coffee Shop in Sanur which offers a cafe-style dining sensation at a very affordable price. For other cheap culinary tours, you can try Ibu Mangku Kedewatan Chicken, Arjuna Plecing Satay, and Men Tempeh Betutu Chicken which are guaranteed to be delicious and pocket-friendly!
4. Itinerary Planning
The itinerary is an important thing that will affect the costs you will spend when traveling. Bali cannot be explored in one visit, so don't force yourself to visit all destinations at once. Take into account the various kinds of obstacles that might occur, for example a tired body, or a leaky tire in the middle of the road. When making an itinerary, it is better if it is divided according to geographic areas and easy access. At this stage, google maps can be the tool you rely on!
South Bali is the area of Bali with the most tourist attractions and is a short distance away. In South Bali, you can divide the area segment; for example, the first to the third day you can explore the Sanur area and its surroundings, then continue to Kuta and end at Uluwatu.
In order not to be disappointed with a tourist attraction that is too crowded, you must always visit Bali during the low season, where not too many tourists visit. For example, the Kuta area will be flooded by tourists in the months leading up to the new year. Therefore, you can plan a vacation to another city like Ubud, which tends to be quieter in that month. Taking annual leave outside of national holiday celebrations (March or September) can also be an alternative to avoid tourist attractions that don't meet expectations because they are full of tourists.
5. During the trip
During the trip, don't forget to always bring your own drinking water bottle, and fill it up at your lodging before starting the trip. Also prepare a small money to pay for food at the stall or to pay for public transportation. If you rely on google maps during your trip, there's nothing wrong with preparing an alternative plan by downloading offline maps for the area you are going to visit. One more thing, make sure your power bank is at full capacity so you don't panic if your cellphone battery runs out. Don't hesitate to ask questions if you are lost, because Balinese people are known to be friendly and will not hesitate to tell you the right direction.
6. Security
Never leave valuables and important documents at your lodging. If your accommodation provides an electronic safe box, you can put valuables and important documents such as a laptop and passport in it. The availability of these lockers can be a condition when you are choosing accommodation, especially if you have lots of valuables with you.
Also make sure to bring a small bag that you can fill with your wallet, cellphone, or other necessities. Always be aware of pickpockets in crowded places such as markets or beaches. Also activate the anti-theft application on your smartphone to anticipate loss.
7.Souvenirs
Souvenirs are certainly included in one of the items that will increase your expenses. One of the ways in which you can save on the cost of spending on souvenirs is by shopping at the market. Yes, just come to Kereneng market on Jalan Cambodia Badung Bali; besides the price is cheap, you can also bargain, you know! But remember, don't be too overwhelmed. This traditional market not only provides souvenirs at low prices but also various Balinese culinary delights that you must try!
