As soon as Bali was opened to international tourism, it didn’t take long for me to decide where my first travel destination would be. The ideal getaway I had in mind shouldn’t require more than 4-hours of flight time from Singapore. I wanted to go somewhere preferably warm, laidback with varied landscapes of the mountains, rice fields, rugged coastlines and blue oceans. A tropical paradise.
Post-covid Bali is not much different from the one I remembered yonks ago. The stark difference is that we have access to technology more than ever now hence getting information is so much easier – so you get to read reviews, compare prices of different accommodations, book your transfers and places of interest even before stepping into the country.
Having said that, nothing beats a first-hand experience and I am sharing all that I know in this article. If you’re planning a getaway to Bali sometime soon, here is a handy but comprehensive, post-pandemic travel review to the ‘island of the Gods’.
Pre-departure checklist to Bali
While revenge travel is pretty rampant now – what with the summer holidays and most countries opening up their borders, we do not need to go all crazy and let our guards down. I don’t know about you but the adage ‘prevention is better than cure’ still rings true for me. You may want to check the following before you depart for the holidays:
Visa on arrival: (VOA) is available for 72 nationalities. VOA is priced at IDR 500,000 for a 30-day entry with the possibility of one, 30-day extension.
Citizens of ASEAN countries do not need any visa for stays up to 30-days and this is non-extendable. Nationalities eligible for Visa-Free travel include Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.
For those not eligible for VOA or visa-free travel, you’ll need to pre-apply for the B211 Tourism Visa. If unsure, seek guidance from your local consulate and/or travel agents.
Quarantine & PCR Testing: Both quarantine and PCR testings are no longer required for fully-vaccinated travellers (either two or three doses) at all ports of entry in Indonesia.
Vaccination requirement: All travellers must show a card or certificate (physical or digital) of full-dose vaccination at least 14 days before departure as a requirement to enter Bali. Make sure that your vaccination data is verified beforehand by Indonesia’s Ministry of Health.
Insurance Coverage: Travel insurance is mandatory for international travellers to Indonesia and this should cover medical costs related to Covid-19 and evacuation. Minimum coverage is SGD 20,000 (USD 14,300).
Peduli Lindungi App: Effective from 5th April 2022, international travellers to Indonesia are only required to download PeduliLindungi mobile app and complete their user profile in the app.
Mask-wearing in Bali: No masks are required outdoors but must be worn indoors and in public transportation.
Where to stay?
Differences between Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran and Uluwatu towns
There were several reasons why I chose an accommodation in Seminyak. Firstly, for its location. The proximity from Seminyak to Ngurah Rai International airport is not that far. It is near Canggu where most of the activities (like yoga, weekend markets and spas) I’m interested in were found. Unlike Kuta, I prefer the laidback vibes in Seminyak.
Post-covid Seminyak is less bustling – there are many shops that had to close down due to the lack of tourists. Granted, it isn’t the Seminyak I remembered where beachclubs thrived and restaurants were usually packed to the brim. Alas, there were signs of recovery when I was there in June – more shops were re-opening and more tourists from Southeast Asia, Australia and Europe were trickling in.
If this is your first time in Bali, I would recommend staying at Canggu and Ubud for lone travellers or singles. If budget is a consideration, Kuta is your best bet for affordable accommodations. For couples or honeymooners who prefer privacy, Jimbaran and Uluwatu have the best offerings of hotels and villas suited for a romantic holiday. Nusa Dua and Seminyak are pretty awesome towns for families.
Should I plan another trip to Bali, I’ll probably still choose to stay in Seminyak but I’ll also divide time between Ubud and Canggu. Ubud and Canggu seemed to be the least affected by the pandemic – businesses were thriving there. The temples, markets and other touristy places were as busy as they used to be.
Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach
The hotel I stayed in Seminyak was nothing less than spectacular. I truly enjoyed my stay there and I’ve written a review of Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach for keepsake. There are also other similar accommodations to Hotel Indigo within the same coastal town, which you could consider such as W Hotel, Alila Hotel and Potato Head Seminyak (which happens to be a cool beachclub).
Potato Head Seminyak
When choosing an accommodation in Bali, you may want to consider if it’s CHSE-certified. This means that a property has met the ‘Cleanliness, Health, Safety, and Environmental Sustainability’ protocols in Indonesia which requires its staff to wear masks, practise social distancing and wash their hands with soap regularly. All the accommodations stated above are CHSE-certified.
Weather in Bali
So when is the best time to visit Bali? To me, anytime is a good time to travel there.
But if you prefer the drier, warmer weather, it’s better to book your travel between April to October. If you don’t mind a little bit of rainfall, November to March is a great time to go. It also happens to be the off-peak season (except for December) if crowds are not your thing. Or if you’re financially prudent. For people-loving folks, July to August and December would be the best time to mingle.
Balinese ceremony by Ruben Hutabarat
If you’re a culture-vulture (like me), you could plan your trip sometime in March when Nyepi is celebrated and observe the Balinese ceremony rituals in their full glory.
Travelling modes in Bali
Airport transfers and personal drivers
Before smartphones were staples in our lives, bargaining with cab drivers or transport operators used to be the highlight of my travels within Southeast Asia. While it’s not really a thing of the past, the likelihood of being hoodwinked to pay exorbitant fares has improved dramatically with travel apps. For the airport transfer to my hotel in Seminyak, I booked it from the Klook app for about SGD 10 (USD 7). I’m not too sure if that was the cheapest option but the fare was definitely reasonable. I loved that we were welcomed by our driver with a name placard – no more second guessing if we’ve picked the right person or not.
Klook, Grab and Go-jek apps
You can also book personal tours with a driver (which we did for 2 days), similarly from Klook to explore the various attractions in Bali. For short-travels between towns, I booked via the Grab app which is a household name in Asia. The best part is that you can view the fare in advance and decide whether to proceed or not. You can pay directly through the app and there is also that option to pay by cash but I highly recommend the former, to avoid the possibility of fare disputes. Another option is Go-jek if you’re one for adventures on motorcycles.
Alternatively, if you’ve found a trusted driver in Bali – you can engage him directly throughout your stay there. Having a personal connection with a service provider doesn’t hurt at all!
Tourist Attractions in Bali
There’s so much to write on this topic that it deserves a blog post on its own. So, I’m going to lightly touch on this and share my two cents on which places to go (or skip) based on your interests.
Adventure-loving: If you’re up to hiking an active volcano, by all means, go to Mount Batur. Having said that, the hike takes only a few hours and is also suitable for novices. This comes with a super early start at 3am, to catch the sunrise. Surf like a pro in Bali or if you don’t know how to – learn to surf like one I guess? Take your pick from the gentle whitewashes in Kuta for beginners to pumping barrels in Uluwatu for the pros. Rent a scooter to explore and discover hidden gems off the beaten track within the island.
Tegenungan Waterfall
Social Media Socialite: Take Instagram-worthy shots at Lempuyang Temple in East Bali but be prepared to queue from 5 am as the crowds begin to flock. You cannot miss the famed Love Bali Swing with an epic jungle backdrop. Be there in the morning to get the best picturesque shots. While in Ubud, chase cascading waterfall shots in Tegenungan and impress your friends while you’re at it!
Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud
The Environmentalist: Join sustainability tours, get up close and personal with monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud, enjoy the balmy weather and fresh air when scaling gorgeous rice terraces like Tegalalang or swim with friendly sea turtles and dugongs in Nusa Penida.
One who loves a good bargain: Do not miss out on Ubud’s Night Market and its street food. If you have a knack for bargaining, you can get household decor items, resort-style straw bags, sarongs and silverware at great prices (please compensate the locals for what the items are worth, to be fair). I’m a fan of the Love Anchor Market in Canggu – pricier than the street markets but they offer quality products.
Kecak Dance, Uluwatu Temple
Dharma & Greg: If you’re married or dating someone completely opposite of you in terms of interests, finding that middle ground can prove challenging. But worry not, there’s always something for everyone in the various towns. For example, the Dharma(s) can explore boho yoga studios in Canggu while Greg(s) can bliss out in a swanky spa there. Both can immerse in the cultural Kecak dance while soaking in the breathtaking sunset view at Uluwatu Temple.
To travel or not to travel?
A resounding hell-yeah from me!