I'm planning a honeymoon for January 2003. Is Bali safe to go to? I don't want to book it and spend tons of money if it's not safe for Americans to be there. Please be honest.

Yes, Bali is safe. Remember that it is Hindu, not Muslim.

There are thousands of Americans living here with their families, including me. I hope you won't let alarmist and misleading rumors cause you to change your plans for a honeymoon of a lifetime. Talk to anyone who has actually been here and aside from pushy salespeople in Kuta Beach the Balinese are wonderful people and the culture here is fascinating. <BR><BR>If you need any other assurances please send me an e-mail. <BR><BR>By the way, I'm really curious where people are hearing that Bali is not safe and how they get that impression? Perhaps they are confusing Bali with other parts of Indonesia, which is a very large and spread out country.

I was in Bali last October, and there were absolutely no problems at all. I am a young blonde single woman, was traveling solo, and never once felt like I was in danger. (Although there was an incident with a large cockroach that was a little unnerving...) Everyone there was very concerned about September 11, and were adamant that Bali would never harm a tourist. It was an amazing vacation, and you will have a great time.

Totally safe. We just got back and never once felt concerned for our safety. The people are among the most peaceful in the world. You'll understand once you've been and feel silly for ever worrying. Have a great trip!

Thanks so much for all of your helpful responses. Does anyone know what the weather is like in January in Bali?

I noticed a government travel warning for Lombok ( next door!) that was posted back in the winter time..perhaps you should check you government travel web site.

I checked a few goverment travel websites. The US government is asking US citizens to defer all non-essential trips to Indonesia. But the British government wrote that travel in Indonesia is in general trouble free - even though after 9/11 Americans and Brits are terrors' target. Both the British and Australia websites names some parts of a few islands that are dangerous. <BR>Remember the US government warned all US citizens against any travel overseas during millenium new year holiday?

I'd like to ask Made who is living in Bali and anyone who knows Bali a question.<BR>Based on the info. from my travel agent, I basically decided to stay in either Nusa Dua or Tanjung Benoa. Could someone help me to finalize the decision? Thanks. BTW, I love beach and water sports.

Do a search on this board to read about Nusa Dua. Some people like it some hate it (I'm in the hate it group). It was developed exclusively as a high-end tourist enclave and has very little feel of Bali.

When in Bali, stay in Nusa Dua! Take my word for it! It has beautiful hotels and a lack of beggers, which is a terrible problem in Bali today.

Jessica, Also booked a trip for two weeks next Jan. It is the rainy season. A friend visited Bali in Jan. several years ago and the rain was not a problem. States it actually felt good when she got wet. Some weather sites say it rains a lot during the night. Check out the following for temps hi/lo and precipitation.<BR>http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather.php3?s=003279&refer=<BR>Also I have been following the Bali Travel Forum at<BR>http://www.balitravelforum.com/<BR>Can't wait to go.

So many people say Nusa Dua is not “real Bali” enough for them. But what is? Kuta? Sanur? Ubud? None of them are any more real Bali than Nusa Dua. Does a hotel have to be surrounded by t-shirt shops to have more Bali feel?<BR><BR>Stay in Nusa Dua, just don't STAY in Nusa Dua. Get out and see the island. Meet and talk to the locals. Why anyone would travel halfway around the world to lay by a pool, ordering expensive drinks and snacks makes no sense. Villages like Bualu and Tanjung Benoa are just a short cab ride away (less than a dollar), offering a bunch of great restaurants and shops. Both Kuta and Sanur are also nearby (15 minute drive) and worth a visit, day or night. And there’s loads to see and do around the island. But when you’re done exploring, it’s nice having a relaxing place to return to.<BR><BR>Complaints about beggars are also misleading. Bali doesn’t have many actual beggars, just a lot of people trying to sell things. Buy the odd thing (if you want it), or simply say “No thanks” and keep moving. Just remember that they’re only trying to make a living, and selling to tourists puts food on the table.<BR><BR>If you can get a good air/hotel deal on a Nusa Dua hotel, do it. We stayed at the Melia (amazing!) for a bit more than a selection of Kuta hotels. And we’re glad we did.<BR>

Jessica,<BR>I had a very positive experience in Bali, friendliest people. I stayed at the Nusa Dua Resport, highly recommend the coconut massage!<BR>Plentiful temples to explore, bargains to be made exotic dance<BR>and theater to be seen.<BR>Enjoy!<BR><BR>

Oh yah sure nice beggers. taxi-taxi , young girl- young girl. hash, mirijuana, that was what I heard on every single block in kuta.. and I couldn't even sit on kuta beach the beach without someone hustling me... trust me.. I've traveled aroind and have lived in third world countries. but kuta is out of control now.. the rest of bali seems too be FIne do as the other poster mentioned take a cab look aound you'll have fun and it's SO CHEAP... try the pizza out there...

Jessica,<BR> My husband and I just returned from our Honeymoon in Bali. It was very safe for Americans. We had no problems and met the nicest people. We had an incredible time and did not want to come back. I highly recommend the Ritz-Carlton. The service was incredible. It seemed like after arriving there for 10 minutes, everyone knew your name. Our stay at the Ritz was much nicer than our stays at the Four Seasons, Sayan and the Matahari Beach Resort up North. Be aware of the Four Seasons in Jimbaran Bay. Your view from the Villa is the Airport. If you plan to stay at the Ritz, the prices there are very reasonable. We stayed in a villa and it was much larger than the villa we had at the Four Seasons. If you plan to stay in a villa at the Ritz, villa 1019 and 1007 are very private and face the ocean. Regular rooms at the Ritz start at $145, which is very reasonable for a Ritz hotel. We were originally staying at the Matahari for 3 nights and ended up leaving a day early. It's a beautiful hotel but it was too quiet for us. Two days there was more than enough. We took a wonderful cooking class there. If you plan to snorkel or dive, stay there for three nights. The food there was wonderful except I was not looking for Nouveau food in Bali. I wanted Indonesian. Overall, our time would have been better spent at another location. It also takes almost 5 hours to get there. If you are going to Ubud, go river rafting. It was so much fun and the scenery was beautiful. The rafting was only a class 2/3, so perfect for beginners. The Four Seasons in Sayan was very beautiful. The service and food was wonderful also. Good luck with your planning. E-mail me if you have questions. P.S. hire a driver while you are there. We hired ours for around $30-35 dollars per day and he spoke perfect English.<BR><BR>

A note on the Nusa Dua question. Yes, it's beautiful and quiet. The reason Nusa Dua is considered "not Bali" is that it was built by the government and big businesses specifically as a gated community for tourists. Unlike areas like Sanur, Ubud or even Lovina, Kuta or Jimbaran, it's not part of a traditional community. <BR><BR>