It wouldn't make sense to me to hire a car and driver for a day just to go to Seminyak and hang around, shop, eat, etc. Seminyak is a well-developed resort area, and you could easily get a taxi back to Nusa Dua.

You will want to hire a driver when you go to Ubud to explore or to visit craft villages or temples, etc. There is a lot to see and do on Bali.

Do you have a guidebook yet? If not, do buy one. There is much, much more to Bali than we can describe here.

Kathie,

Thanks for feedback! Yes, we are following a few guidebooks. But we're finding that certain practical info is worth checking with actual travelers who've been to Bali. For example, we've read advice that you should take an antibiotic prescription along for the so-called "Bali Belly", just-in-case. That it's difficult to get meds. When we pursued taking an antibiotic Rx, we found out that the just-in-case Rx is very expensive. $$ So we're wondering: Do you or others do this? We're thinking that we might just "take our chances", be careful not to drink the water, and watch where we eat. Any info appreciated.

Seminyak is one area of a long beach that starts at Kuta extends through Legian and Seminyak and continues North for some distance to Canggu.

There are clusters of beach chairs with umbrellas every 100 yards or so. They're a little tacky and overrun with hawkers, but they serve the purpose. There are no showers that I know of which makes a day at the beach followed directly by dinner difficult.

I'd suggest that you start at LaLucciola in Petitengit. It's a great spot for breakfast, brunch or lunch.
Then head South about a 1/4 mile and find a beach chair in the area of the Legian resort. If you like big waves you can rent a body board.

After you've had enough sun and surf, walk North about half a mile to Potato Head beach club. (In the middle is a somewhat seedy area. Just keep walking.)

Potato Head has a restaurant and a big pool that you can use for a fee. So have a swim and a drink.

Then, around fourish walk south again to KuDeTa for sunset. There will be about a hundred people either on the restaurant grounds or on the adjacent beach.

If you're up for dinner, you could stay at KuDeTa or take a taxi to one of the Seminyak restaurants like Sarong, Hu Bar, Sardine. Sea Circus is very close (I haven't been there yet). Metis is also quite good, but a little formal after a day at the beach.

Try to avoid Sundays though as the beach gets overwhelmed by soccer players.

You'll have no problem getting a metered taxi any time day or night. The only reason I'd hire a car by the day or hour to Seminyak would be if you want to shop. The shopping area also extends several miles from Kuta through Petitengit and the shops are fairly spaced out. Walking is not particularly pleasant as it's hot, the sidewalks are pathetic and just crossing the street can be treacherous.

If you do want to get some shopping in, I'd do that first starting in the northern part of Jalan Seminyak around Biasa.

Thanks, marmot, for the great suggestions for planning our day in Seminyak!

For some reason, the end of my post was cut off:

If you do want to get some shopping in, I'd do that first starting in the northern part of Jalan Seminyak around Biasa. Then walk South toward Seminyak. There are shops for several miles -- mostly beach clothes and home wares.

When you're through shopping, take a taxi to La Lucciola. If the driver doesn't know the restaurant ask for Petitengit Temple. La Lucciola is on the other side of the parking lot.

Also, be sure to swim where the flags are posted and the resort life guards can see you.

Marmot, we are so appreciative of the time you took to spell out so many good ideas for our excursion to Seminyak. We feel like you know us, as the things you suggest are just the types of things we would enjoy. . .with great specifics. Thanks again for your help!

Hi

Our family of 4 holidayed In Nusa Dua in early January 2011.
Having read the comments on the site regarding Nusa Dua as sterile/touristy, my family and I were pleasantly surprised by the area. There are lots of restaurants(serving many cuisines),small convenience stores and small boutiques.
The shopping centre is The Bali Collection(mix of upmarket shops,restaurants,banks etc. A shuttle bus runs at scheduled times during the day - pick ups and drop offs from The Bali Collection to the Nusa Dua hotels.
The Nusa Dua beach is fine - my family enjoyed it.
Day trips are a must - most definitely to Ubud(the wealth of arts and crafts are so unique and beautiful)- spend more time here if you can.
We did the usual excursions but it was wonderful as this was our first trip to Bali ie.Tanah Lot, Ulun Danu,Bratan twin lakes, Kintamani tour, Coffee Luwak and spice plantations etc.
I was not brave enough to sample coffee luwak(civet cat coffee but enjoyed the outing nonetheless.
Bali has so much to offer - not just the beaches.
Driving through and viewing the Balinese way of life was so insightful. We did not tire of seeing the Balinese women place beautiful offerings of intricately woven fruit,leaves and flowers at their shrines.
The beautiful rice plantations were so lush and green - we spend time time watching the farmers at work as there is so little mechanisation.
Balinese families praying and bathing at the Spring Temple are images indelibly imprinted on our minds - unforgettable. I could go on but this is beginning to look like a trip report and maybe it is.
Bali is wonderful and I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

"...lush area near Ubud..." maybe 20 years ago. I just returned from Java, Lombok and Bali and I was really disappointed. The vast amount of construction on what had been rice paddies, the immense motor traffic, the loss of huge amounts of trees - esp. the great Banyan trees being cut down wholesale because they damage houses when the annual winds hit old branches, and the terrible decrease in birds. Bali is finished, screwed, yesterday's newspaper. In their desire to produce the same amount of rice with much less land, they have adopted the Thai rice concept of 3x annual harvest using far more toxic chemicals which gets into the water and kills animals and birds. I still love Lombok, but I doubt I will ever return to Bali.

Hi
As first time visitors one simply scratches the surface of the places visited.
I now feel sad reading your insights as the old way of life is surely being eroded by modernity and dangerous farming practices. So sad....

marmot I just saw your suggestions for the day in Seminyak . I heartily endorse them . I ate at Sea Circus last August and it is terrific.Lovely small tasting plates .Went thinking we would just have 3 small plates and had about 8 between us and all delicious .I highly recommend it .

Shopping isgoodalong Jalan Laksmana as welland worth a walk browsing. Commonly called " Eat Street " it bustles at night and is Little Italy .Smart mix of shops . Good during the day for a drink or lunch .

At the far end as you approach the Oberoi there are some excelent " Antique " shops and galleries to look in if interested . Seminyak Square has cafes and a little supermarket . Good bakery for lunch where we had a mini Rijstaffel for about $8 and it was delicious .

Back in June for a week .Can't wait .

anom, I'm glad you enjoyed your trip. merckxx likes to tell people that what they thought was lovely was really awful. No place is the same as it was 20 years ago.

I was first on Bali about 25 years ago. Yes, Bali has changed. Ubud had just gotten electricity a year or so before I was there the first time. Does that mean Bali is destroyed? No. I've been a number of times since, and while Bali has grown and changed, they have retained their unique culture to a remarkable degree.

Hi
Kathie

I feel so much better now...

thanks

We just returned from a wonderful eight days in Bali! Our great experiences were due, in large measure, to the suggestions received on this site, especially from Kathie and Marmot. Thanks so much to both of you! We stayed at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel, as that was part of the "package" offered by Singapore Air. We purchased this Bali/Singapore trip through AsiaLuxe, rep Jennifer, and were very pleased. We agree with the assessment provided above by Anom. The feel at the Nusa Dua was very Balinese. . .the architecture, the staff, the beautifully landscaped gardens with water features and statuary, etc. We hired drivers on four different days to explore the island, and felt that we experienced much of the real life and graciousness of the Balinese people. (Our favorite driver, I Wayan Karsa PH: (0361) 294 632, invited us to his home!) In addition to enjoying various sites, as noted above by Anom, we attended two dance performances, a couple of temple ceremonies, and stopped by a few villages. Having a driver with knowledge of the island enabled us to visit several private art galleries, esp. around Ubud, to experience the wonderful wood sculptures, paintings, etc., and purchase a few for our home. We spent some time in Sanur and checked out the Hyatt, thinking about a return trip. (Since we're Hyatt members, that would be an appealing choice.) We also really liked the beach along the Seminyak stretch, with its crashing waves. That area would also be a location of choice for a return visit. Lunch at LaLuccia's was a fav! KuDeTa was a perfect spot for sunset. . .except that on the particular day we were there, it became overcast around sunset hour. But we did enjoy the atmosphere of KuDeTa. Next time for sunset!

For a future return to Bali, we will search out our best deal at the time. But, given our experience, we would not hesitate to return to Nusa Dua Beach Hotel. It proved to be a relaxing and comfortable "home base", with its daily, delicious buffet breakfast in the garden restaurant, especially given the availability of taxis/shuttle to take advantage of other areas.

tomarkot, So glad to hear that Bali didn't disappoint! That's my ideal Bali tri,: a mix of beach, culture, nature, spiritual, sophisticated and fun.

hi tomarkot

Having a good driver/guide enriches your touring enjoyment and affords a peek into a slice of local life.
We hired a wonderful driver/guide Made Wijaya and were certainly not disappointed.
He navigated his way skillfully through the the horrendous traffic and was always tolerant and patient.

Besides enjoying Ubud for its art and sculpture we also visited a family owned art gallery, Wayan Arnaya in the Giyanyar regency area and likewise made a few purchases.

So pleased to hear that you had a wonderful Bali holiday!
Great that you enjoyed the Nusa Dua location as well.

Nice to read of another convert to its charms .