missmeethipie

Hi! Going to bali for the first time with my family (all adults), wondering what are all the places to must see? Where is it recommended to stay?

rhkkmk

ubud is a good central place to stay, imo.

we love alum shanti.

hire a driver to take you around. we use putu.. [email protected]

Kathie

With just five days, choose one location, either a beach location or inland, near Ubud, depending on your interests. As far as places to see - only you can decide that. There is so much to see and do, you need to choose based on what you want to see/do/experience. Do you have a guidebook yet? Get one and read about the various areas and the various temples, traditional dance shows, etc. You will likely want at least a day with a car and driver so you can see the countryside, the rice terraces, etc.

iamles

I second recommending accommodation at Alam Shanti in Ubud and Putu as a guide/driver.

In the event that Putu is not available, he might suggest another family member. I don't remember if it was his cousin or uncle who drove us to the airport. He was very nice and an excellent driver, but his English is not sufficient as a guide. One night we ran into him in Ubud and he drove us back to the hotel because it was late. Putu is an excellent guide.

Also, we used the hotel car service, which is free, to go into Ubud and return to the hotel frequently.

Have a wonderful time in Bali!

Craig

Go with Ubud, Alam Shanti and Putu. You will have a great time. The coast has less to offer than most island destinations.

LancasterLad

If everyone used the same driver then he'd be a Gremlin!
So don't be too surprised if Putu turns out to be a friend of a friend of a friend.
There are literally hundreds of driver/guides. So don't feel rushed into making your choice before you arrive.

Craig

We have used Putu twice since 2003 and RHK has used him multiple times so is he a "friend of a friend"? Probably - but he has been a great asset to us and to many others on this board. Yes, there are lots of driver/guides in Bali, but why not go with someone who is known to be reliable, rather than rolling the dice? Putu is not the least expensive (which is probably LL's point, as he tends towards budget travel) but he is not unreasonable either.

Lolazahra

My family and I will be in Bali on July 8-July 16. Based on the advice of Craig, RHK and many others, I contacted Putu. He was prompt, full of suggestions and is very, very reasonable for our large group. I'm thrilled to have secured someone early who has toured with so many Fodorites who have written trip reports I have enjoyed. Though my immediate family is staying at Komeneka Bisma, we do have one member of our party at Alam Shanti. I can't wait to visit!

mareeS55

If you are all adults, and you only have 5days, Seminyak would be my recommendation. Plenty of hotels and villas to choose from, lots of top line restaurants, shopping (if that appeals) and a driver will get you to anywhere (Ubud, Uluwatu, Tannah Lot, Sanur, the volcano etc),

Ubud and surrounds are lovely, but a bit restricted if you have people with varying interests in your party. the coast around Seminyak offers a lot more range.

we are just home from our son's wedding at Canggu last month, and enjoyed the quieter area there, west of Seminyak/Kerobokan, but also enjoyed being back in Ubud for a couple of days, however Seminyak still does stand out as a beach stay for grown ups.

Lolazahra

mareeS55,

We will also be in Seminyak in a beautiful villa which is not beachfront. Which beach would you recommend we visit? Though we have reservations at a few beach clubs, if we just wanted to go to the beach on our own, I'm curious which one would be ideal for sunning and swimming. I have read some are not ideal for swimming because of tides and others not so clean....

Thanks!

marmot

I like the entrance to Seminyak beach at Kudeta. If you continue south you will see grouos of chairs and umbrellas for rent. Continuing south beach shacks for lunch or drinks.
The surf really depends on the tides and swells which are highly variable: sometimes calm, sometimes rough. (But always beautiful.)

mareeS55

Hi, Lolahahra, "the beach" is actually about 6km long, and so Seminyak, Legian, Double-Six, Kuta etc are all on the same stretch. You can walk along the sand, or along the beachwalk street just behind, but it's pretty much all the same, with beach bars and beach businesses on the sand, restaurants and hotels just behind.


The beach around that area is okay for swimming, very shallow and safe when conditions are calm, and plenty of lifeguards and locals to watch over you, but it isn't spectacular coastline, and conditions can be hairy when the swell is running, so you have to be aware. also,you have to deal with the local hawkers and business people (they need to make a living, so be a bit patient).

When you talk about beach clubs, I think Ku De ta and Potatohead etc, which are fun and good service, but at a fairly hefty price, while on the beach the boys with the bars are also fun and good service and far less expensive. IMHO, the beach boys are the way to go if you want a bit of fun and local banter, cheap beer, easy food, some good tips for local food places afterwards.


We spend a bit of time in Bali because of our son and our Indonesian daughter-in-law and the extended family, so pardon me if I seem a bit partial to the place, but it really is nice, in the best possible way.

Staying in a villa is perfect around Seminyak because you get lovely peace and quiet when you close the gate, you have a nice pool, and it's your own house if you want to cook and hang out with the friends or the family. My tip for you to buy goodies is Bali Deli on Jalan Kunti, best place in Seminyak for all food goodies. Otherwise Canggu Station if you're out that way.

Happy travels