How long is the flight to Bali?
The flight from the United States to Bali is long and it is not for someone who isn’t motivated to go. We left from Boston, and our layover was in Abu Dhabi both ways. Our initial flight from Bali to Abu Dhabi was 12 hours, with an 8-hour layover. Since we booked business class tickets, we were eligible to stay in their lounge during the layover which was equipped with meals, showers, and a relaxation room tore-energize before your next flight. The second 9-hour leg was from Abu Dhabi to Bali. Our travels were over 30 hours each way!
What airline did you fly with?
We flew business class on Etihad Airways out of Boston for the first time. After we booked, nearly 10 months in advance, the airline did change our flight schedule quite a few times. Because of this, we had a hiccup with our return flight from Bali to Abu Dhabi. The two seats we selected together were unavailable due to one of them being broken. Since the flight was full, there was no way for us to sit together during that 10-hour flight. Overall, we had a positive experience with no flight delays or lost baggage.
What are Bali Visa and Travel Requirements?
When you arrive at the Denpasar airport, you will need to go through customs. We completed the health form online but not the electronic visa. There is a $35 fee per person for the Visa on Arrival (VOA) that is paid before exiting the airport for stays up to 30 days. Your passport must also be valid for at least six months after your arrival date.
When is the best time to visit Bali?
There is no bad time to visit! Bali has two seasons, rainy and dry. The wet season runs from November to April and the dry begins in May and runs through October. We technically went during the wet season when the prices are a bit cheaper, humidity is higher, and tourism is lower. Keep in mind that just because it’s rainy season, doesn’t mean it will rain the entire stay. Most days in Ubud, it would rain for an hour beginning around 7 pm, but otherwise, the weather was beautiful. A bonus of visiting during the season is less traffic!
What is the weather like?
The weather in Bali is nearly the same year-round. It was normally around 80 degrees Fahrenheit every day. Even when the sunset, it was still pleasantly warm. We were still comfortable in summer attire even with an ocean breeze.
How can you maximize your travel benefits?
We highly suggest booking any luxury hotel through Jetset and Travel. Addie has been a pleasure to work with for our last couple of vacations and already booked another trip through her agency for Anguilla. It costs you nothing extra, yet you gain valuable perks. Some of these included resort credits, complimentary room upgrades (subject to availability), free breakfast, and early check-in or late check-out, among others! Even if you booked a reservation with a hotel directly, you can reach out to see if her agency is a partner to that hotel. If so, she can add her code to your existing reservation and receive these extra perks! The agency gets you access to VIP service with the best room views and exclusive amenities that help you travel the world. Jetset & Travel is an independent affiliate of SmartFlyer, a Virtuoso agency that has a powerful network of partner hotels. Reach out to see if your bucket list vacation is in their network!
How do you prevent Bali Belly?
Unfortunately, it isn’t something that can be avoided. We made sure to eat at reputable places and stayed away from street food, and we still got Bali Belly on our last night. We did bring activated charcoal and probiotics that we took every day, even before the trip, and we still caught it. Although it wasn’t a fun experience, we were grateful it didn’t happen on our flight home or at the beginning of the trip. It’s a sickness that can leave a bad taste in your mouth and prevent you from enjoying your time on vacation! In extreme cases, it may even require hospitalization. It took us around 24-72 hours to start feeling “normal” again.
What clothing should I pack?
Since the weather is consistent year-round, summer clothes are acceptable. The dress code is rather casual outside of visiting Temples. If you’re planning on seeing any, you will need to make sure your knees and shoulders are covered. A sarong is highly recommended for this. Otherwise, I would stick to linen or breathable clothing due to the humidity. There is no need to pack jeans or sweatshirts. I would also recommend a light rain jacket, especially if you’re visiting during the wet season.
What currency does Bali use?
Their currency is called the Indonesian Rupiah. We exchanged ~$400 worth at our local AAA store. It came in a few days, and we were ready to go. I would recommend bringing more currency than you typically would on vacation because cash is their king. Most places only accept Visa or MasterCard so I’d leave other forms of payment at home. Cash came in handy in many situations, especially Grab rides.
How much does it cost?
Once you land in Bali, everything is relatively inexpensive compared to the United States. You can goto nice restaurants and stay at high-end resorts for a fraction of the cost. Keep in mind, it is an underdeveloped country and therefore should exercise caution when booking places that aren’t reputable. It’s amazing how photos can make a place look so glamorous, but what you don’t see is outside of the four walls. Private villas are becoming increasingly popular, but they’re going to involve a lot more upfront planning such as private drivers, chefs, and third-party companies to book activities. You truly get a lot for your money staying at resorts when it comes to amenities and convenience.
