scubalo

We're planning a short--about four-day--stopover in Bali after diving in Raja Ampat. I know March is still the rainy season, so am trying to decide where to go. We've been to Ubud and loved the area, but have read that the weather may be better along the coast.
We enjoy being near the ocean, but are not ones to sit on the beach--we like walking among the rice paddies and villages. Looking for a hotel with real Balinese feel; a little luxury definitely important after diving and before horrendous flight home.

StanKase

We are on a 12 day liveaboard trip through the Banda and Raja Ampat Islands as well. We were at an up-scale resort called The Chedi Club 10 minutes outside Ubud in the rice fields. Though expensive, if you can get it because it only has 12 lovely balinese villas, they have a special where you you stay for 3 nights and pay for 2 including a very good breakfast. The dinners were very good so we eat there and it was not too pricey. It is best to contact the hotel directly to get the special. The weather could well have days with no rain at all in March.

scubalo

Thanks, I've seen reviews of that hotel and it looks lovely. Still would like to hear more about coastal areas as well. How's the diving?

scubalo

Oops, I meant the diving in Raja Ampats, not Bali. Did the Liberty wreck there several years ago and it was great.

marmot

March is a transitional month. In a four day period you could get any combination of rain and/or sun. It rains during the dry season too, just not as intensely. Here it is May, and we've had rain for the past three days!

I don't see much difference between inland and the coastal areas, although it's true that it rains at different times in different places and along the mountain valleys you get misty, moisty mornings (and evenings).

Having said that, unless you intend to sunbathe 12 hours a day, the rain won't slow you down, so choose your destination by where you want to be.

Seminyak beach is great for walking on the beach, but for rice paddy/village walks you should stay with the Ubud area.

"Real Balinese feel" means different things to different people. Bali is the trend setter for international resort style and has been for so long that it's difficult to separate the "real" from the overlay, but for sure there are many beautiful, serene and green properties that feature Balinese arts and Balinese hospitality.

My favorites are in Seminyak: The Legian and The Colony, in Ubud: Como Shambhala and Samaya, on the eastcoast: Amankila. If you're looking for an individual villa with staff and private pool, I'd recommend the Laksmana complex.

scubalo

Thanks so much for the great advice. Am checking availability of Samaya in Ubud. Another question--we'll be arriving early evening in DPS, on a flight from Sorong/Jakarta we've been warned is unreliable. We're thinking of staying somewhere near the airport in Kuta for the first night and then heading up to Ubud in the morning. Any suggestions for a reasonably priced place for the night?

StanKase

Last Sept. we stayed at the Holiday Inn that was surprising not like your ordinary HI for as I remember $125+/- just before going to Wakatobi last Sept. It is 8-10 minutes from the airport (about $3 taxi ride as I recall). I booked it through Agoda .com because it was only 1 night and I was not looking for any special considerations as The Chedi Club offs and was was going to have enough water and beach at Wakatobi.

scubalo

Thanks much. I love it when a plan comes together!

marmot

scuba, I'd head straight for Ubud no matter when your flight arrives. Flights from Australia and Europe come in at all hours and taxis and resorts are used to middle of the night arrivals. You can snooze in the car, and it's so nice to wake in your room in Ubud!

The best approach is to ask your resort to send someone for you. They are also used to flight delays and will wait.

Do you really have to go all the way back to Jakarta? Can't you connect through Makassar/Ujung Padang?

scubalo

Hi Marmot--Thanks so much for all your interest. The flights from Sorong do go through M/UP to Ubud, not Jakarta (I guess I mixed that up earlier). But I thought if we don't get in until the evening, why spend $600 for a hotel to sleep in when we can stay near the airport for way less and then get to Ubud the next morning. Am I missing something?

marmot

Well, that's always a dilemma. For me, morning is the best time in Bali and I wouldn't want to miss one out of four.

In the scheme of things, checking in and out of a temporary place just doesn't seem worth the aggravation. If it's under $US200 it's going to be pretty basic.

I'm sure the flights from Raja Amput will involve a lot of sitting around and waiting, and you'll want to get settled in so that you can start enjoying Bali. You also may not be able to get into your Ubud room until afternoon.

Another option is just to stay at the beach instead of Ubud. But I'm prejudiced here because I really like Bali beach life.

scubalo

Thanks again, Marmot. Will think about all this.

StanKase

I can tell you that the Holiday Innn is as I said more than basic. The rooms are large, with good A/C and nicely furnished. I would say it is like your averave Hilton in the US.For $125 for 10-12 hours thou do not expect the Chedi or Four Seasons-Sayan.
Though the diving and snorkeling ib Bali is fairly good after 7-10 days in the raja Ampat Islands with 3 dives a day you will not improve on the that off Bali.

scubalo

Got it. Thanks. Not planning on diving in Bali, unless the weather's been calm we may go to the Liberty. I've looked at the Holiday Inn and it looks fine for one night; good idea. I've also booked a river view villa at Samaya in Ubud for four nights so I thank both very much. Now I just have to be patient enough for next year!