I am going to be in Bali for a week in the end of September/early October and need some help planning the trip or recommendations on good websites for info. We are three guys in our late 20's-early 30's. Would like to have some time to relax at the beach and take in the nightlife, so I figure we should stay in a villa in Seminyak. But, we would also like to scuba dive/other outdoor activities and experience the culture and village life and visit key sights of Bali. Trying to figure out how to combine everything over 7 days.

Does it make sense to stay in Seminyak the entire time and use it as a base to see the island? Or should we spend time in Ubud for a few nights?

Where would you recommend scuba diving? Any operator in particular? I read near Seminyak isn't ideal.

Any particular tours for hiking, biking, rafting, etc that are a must do? Would like to see the volcano, rice paddies, lakes.

Any recommendations on a driver or tour company to help us out? Would like to utilize 2-3 days for sightseeing the island and makes sense to have a car/driver take us around who probably knows what sights to see, if there are any special events going on, etc. How much time to see Ubud versus other parts of the island.

Any important religous events or festivals going on?

Thanks for the help.

I would stay in Ubud for at least three days. It is much closer to the outdoor stuff you want to do. Plus, it's a charming place to stroll around.

yopu could stay in either place....the island is not that big that location makes any difference...

kuta is the nightlife capital of bali, so seminyak makes sense from that point...

putu is a well liked driver on this board...book him early to avoid disappointment.. www.mybalifriend.com

wrong address, sorry

try this one: [email protected]

I just came back yesterday from spending 2 weeks in Bali - it is a wonderful place to visit. I was based in Kuta & stayed a night in Ubud. I could have easily spent more time in Ubud, but my days were pretty busy. I went on a bike tour from Ubud - it started at the volcano & we rode through rice paddies & villages. It was a beautiful way to see the countryside, I highly recommend it. There are plenty of tours out there, I paid $35 US, which included breakfast & a balinese lunch. I also used Puta for the day. He was great & I learned so much from him about the customs, ceremonies, etc. If Puta is not available, I found another driver (recommended from my hotel), his name is Agung Tirta @ [email protected]. He took me to a great mask maker & was also very informative. I did not get the chance to go snorkling, but there are alot of advertisements to go to nearby islands for the day to do that. If you are a surfer, the beach in Kuta seems tops for that. Have fun!

For scuba, you will need to get to the north or east coast, or off to Lembongan. I dove the Liberty wreck and wall in Tulamben with Aquamarine Diving, which is actually based in Seminyak. I did it as a day trip from Kuta, which is one option, or if you want more dives, you could plan an overnight in the Tulamben area. Aquamarine can arrange everything, and last I checked they gave good rates for some nice dive resorts in that area.

I would also agree with the recommendation to spend a few nights in Ubud, and I consider the rafting there a 'must do' activity. I've done it twice so far, and had a blast both times.

I've done a little cycling around Bali, and that's another good activity.

I would probably suggest that you do the diving first, then transfer to Ubud, and end up in Seminyak for your relaxing beach time.

Depending on where and when you are arriving this might work: Upon arrival go directly to Northwest Bali. It's about a four hour drive. Your resort will arrange it for you. SCUBA at Menjanan. There are plenty of mid-price resorts in the area. I'd recommend Taman Sari in Pemuteran.

Then after a day or two get a car to drive you down to Ubud. Sight see along the way -- you can see volcanoes, caves, terraced rice paddies.

Stay two nights in Ubud. Again, plenty of choices in accommodations. I'd suggest Ketut's in the town of Ubud. Alila in the surrounding area. Komaneka resorts are also very good.

The resorts all have guides who will know what's going on in the area. Most will organize trekking, biking, hiking etc. I like Sobek for rafting and other outdoorsy activities. There are traditional dances every night of the week in Ubud proper and in the surrounding villages. Usually there's a festival going on somewhere.

The head guide at the Alila -- Sangputu -- is also very good for nature oriented tours.

Then I'd end up in Seminyak. Lots of restaurants, clubs, shops, spas -- very social and active. Big waves and long sunset beach. I'd suggest the Sofitel. A villa is also a possibility but not if you want to be right on the beach.

If this is too much moving around you can "commute" to the dive spots either in the Northwest or eastcoast, but it makes a long day.

A couple of years ago my son did this same trip with a group of college friends, who were also very active and outdoorsy. They really liked all three places, but especially enjoyed the Ubud experience and Ketut's TLC.

I'll second the recommendation for Sobek. Very professional outfit.

I have heard that the diving around Menjangan is the best Bali has, but I haven't been there yet - my time in Bali is usually too limited and it takes too long to get there. It does kind of come down to how much diving you want to do. If it's just a couple dives, then Amed / Tulamben is probably fine. If you want to do more, then you should definitely consider the Menjangan area. Aquamarine also organizes things for there as well.

Hi MichaelBKK,

I'm from Bali and yes Menjangan is a great place for diving. And if you like crowded (Club, Bars, Night Life, etc) then Kuta is suitable for you.

Nusa Lembongan is also great place I have few images of it in my small blog http://www.webkios.info/2009/06/26/h...embongan-bali/

and also about nusa lembongan http://www.webkios.info/2009/07/27/m...deos-included/

Hope it will inform you little bit.

Thanks for all the feedback. I am thinking maybe it makes sense to spend the first 4-4.5 days in Seminyak and then head up to Ubud and stay there for 2.5-3 days. I don't really want to stay at more than 2 places. Not huge divers so not sure I want to make the trip to Menjangan.

Any recommendations on a travel agent or company that books villas in Seminyak?

In Seminyak - besides relaxing/partying, thinking about taking a daytrip to Lembongan for snorkleing/diving. Any recommendations on tour operators? What else would you recommend seeing around the area? How is the Uluwatu temple? Any beaches or villages near Seminyak worth going to?

In Ubud - I would concentrate on seeing villages/temples and the outdoor activities. Maybe one day in Ubud, one day on a full day sightseeing tour, and then to relax. I read white water rafting is not in season in September, is that true? What tour operator for bike ride tours? If I had a car and driver for 1-1.5 days, what would you recommend seeing? Interested in checking out local art, seeing temples, and taking in the scenery. Is it possible to fit that in with the outdoor activities I'd like to do?

Thanks for the help.

ar, sounds good.
Uluwatu is a good choice for a seaside temple. There's great surfing in the area. You can have lunch or drinks at Blue Point resort and watch from the cliff.

Have drinks at Kudeta, dinner at Lalucciola, after at Hu.

As far as I'm aware you can raft all year. September is the end of the dry season so the river is lower. This makes a slower, rockier trip which is actually more fun. It's quite safe.

My favorite dance is the kecak at Janganan village. They will send a car to pick you up in Ubud.

There's a little known museum in Ubud with a worldclass collection of masks. I'll have to find the name later.

The wonderful part of Bali is serendipity, so don't over plan. Set aside some time for walking around the villages, watching the sunset. You'll undoubtedly stumble into all sorts of local culture. It's everywhere, even at the beach.

I liked the kecak dance at Uluwatu, but that was many years ago. Saw it again in Ubud last year, and it was also good.

Given the time of year you're going, there's a chance you might be able to see mola-mola when diving. Aquamarine does a day trip to Nusa Penida to see these.

we have rented the villa kipis in seminyak....the OZ owner is very helpful....he owns others....get his e mail from google

I recently got an update from one of my contacts in Bali, which I posted to one of my sites. Here are some more villas in Seminyak:

http://theposhguide.com/blog/2009/07...llas-on-offer/