To the Gili Islands - From Ubud or South Bali?
Mar 15th, 2017, 11:51 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
To the Gili Islands - From Ubud or South Bali?
Hello!
I'm traveling to Bali for the first time with my husband and two young kids (ages 2 and 4) for a week in April. We would love to visit Ubud, southern beaches of Bali (Seminyak or Sanur), and Gili Trawangan. What's the best order of places to visit?
Option 1): Since we fly into Bali and the airport is close to the south, we stay in the south, then Ubud, then catch a ferry at Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan. Then fly from Lombok airport back to Jarkarta.
Option 2): From the airport, head to Ubud for a few days, then go to the southern beaches, then ferry from Sangaran Harbor or Sanur to Gili Trawangan. Then fly from Lombok airport back to Jarkarta.
I know it's a lot but we are adventurous travelers. We love to experience the local Balinese life as well as the nice beaches.
Thank you for your help!!
I'm traveling to Bali for the first time with my husband and two young kids (ages 2 and 4) for a week in April. We would love to visit Ubud, southern beaches of Bali (Seminyak or Sanur), and Gili Trawangan. What's the best order of places to visit?
Option 1): Since we fly into Bali and the airport is close to the south, we stay in the south, then Ubud, then catch a ferry at Padang Bai to Gili Trawangan. Then fly from Lombok airport back to Jarkarta.
Option 2): From the airport, head to Ubud for a few days, then go to the southern beaches, then ferry from Sangaran Harbor or Sanur to Gili Trawangan. Then fly from Lombok airport back to Jarkarta.
I know it's a lot but we are adventurous travelers. We love to experience the local Balinese life as well as the nice beaches.
Thank you for your help!!
Mar 16th, 2017, 04:35 AM
#2
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 2,003
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From Bali Airport its just under an hour by road to Sanur, and from Sanur to Ubud just under an hour.
With 2 young children I reckon Sanur is ideal. It's low key, the beach is very long and sandy, a boardwalk runs the full length, and it's protected by breakwaters. The town is long and narrow, running parallel with the beach.
Watch the moneychangers.....there's a few rogues.
With 2 young children I reckon Sanur is ideal. It's low key, the beach is very long and sandy, a boardwalk runs the full length, and it's protected by breakwaters. The town is long and narrow, running parallel with the beach.
Watch the moneychangers.....there's a few rogues.
Mar 16th, 2017, 06:48 AM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 33,288
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So you have a week (a full 7 nights, meaning 6 days?) and you are planning on staying three different places. This means you will be spending a lot of time in transit rather than being in Bali. I'd highly recommend that you re-think this. I would sat this to you even if it was just you and your husband. But with small children, you need to consider them as well. Small children do bat with a routine and moving around so much is likely to make them feel unsettled.
How many places to go in a week has nothing to do with being adventurous. You say you want "experience the local Balinese life." If this is your goal, you need to stay put in a place for a while.
How many places to go in a week has nothing to do with being adventurous. You say you want "experience the local Balinese life." If this is your goal, you need to stay put in a place for a while.
Mar 16th, 2017, 09:55 PM
#4
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'd agree with Kathie that with just a week you'd be better off choosing 2 out of 3 locations, Ubud + one beach.
But in answer to your question, whether you should travel to the Gilis from Ubud or from Sanur: Pandang Bai is somewhat closer to Gili Trawagnan so the trip is shorter, but otherwise there's not a significant difference. There are several fast boat services leaving from both ports. I don't have a recommendation, but you should research carefully on Trip Advisor as there have been safety issues with some carriers.
If you plan for your children to swim in the ocean, then you should look at Sanur, Nusa Dua or Jimbaran. Seminyak is a big wave surfer beach which can be difficult with small children, though, of course, there are plenty of swimming pools.
But in answer to your question, whether you should travel to the Gilis from Ubud or from Sanur: Pandang Bai is somewhat closer to Gili Trawagnan so the trip is shorter, but otherwise there's not a significant difference. There are several fast boat services leaving from both ports. I don't have a recommendation, but you should research carefully on Trip Advisor as there have been safety issues with some carriers.
If you plan for your children to swim in the ocean, then you should look at Sanur, Nusa Dua or Jimbaran. Seminyak is a big wave surfer beach which can be difficult with small children, though, of course, there are plenty of swimming pools.
Mar 17th, 2017, 12:23 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Do you want a more unique Bali experience seeing the culture of the island? Or, do you want a standard beach resort experience? What is your focus? That is the first question you need to answer. Then, make your decision where to go and how long to stay in each place based on that.
Mar 23rd, 2017, 11:57 PM
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2009
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you for all of your responses!
We just booked a private villa in Sanur for 3 days and Ubud for 2 days. The standard beach resort experience does not appeal to us as seeing the culture and beauty of the island.
We're still deciding what to do for 2 days. Add an extra day to each location?
We just booked a private villa in Sanur for 3 days and Ubud for 2 days. The standard beach resort experience does not appeal to us as seeing the culture and beauty of the island.
We're still deciding what to do for 2 days. Add an extra day to each location?
