The Bali Current

Bali’s cultural currents and breaking news of the day

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Make a Base in Bali

Begin planting your roots here!

How you transition is up to you!
I prefer to stay at simple guesthouses (Losmen) or private villas in Bali run by friendly local Balinese families instead of ritzy five-star beach resorts and hotels. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’ve certainly experienced my fair share of Indonesian hotels. Not only am I a fan of renting villas, but the trend appears to be growing every year. You’d think with all the money and effort that has gone into creating hotels all across the island, particularly in the southern areas like Seminyak, Legian, and Kuta, that this would not be the case. Villas are simply perfect for big families or friends taking a trip together, throwing a private party, or even just settling down for a while in Bali.

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BOOK AN AIRBNB

There are now 34,000 Airbnb properties available on the island, ranging from private villas to vacation rental houses, giving guests a wide range of options for how they want to spend their time, whether that’s partying it up in the island’s best-known hotspots or relaxing in quiet seclusion. Travelers on a shoestring budget won’t believe the high quality of the places they may stay, while those seeking the lap of luxury can do so at surprisingly affordable rates.

Airbnb has a “superhosts” feature that filters the top-rated, most responsive, active (at least 10 stays a year), and reliable (no cancellations) hosts. It also lets you narrow your search even further. This is super handy in Bali where not everyone speaks English. The hard work has already been done, and you’re almost certain to have a smooth stay. Always look at the list of amenities and narrow your search to include things (necessities) you might want during your stay. For my international friends who come to visit me and my wife, I keep a list of the best Airbnb’s if they’re only staying for a short visit.

VILLA SEARCH DIRECTORY

With a quick online search, you can easily find the locations of Bali’s most ritzy tropic residences and minimal comfort villas. The villas listed on third-party booking services like the Ministry of Villas (ministryofvillas.com) or Villa Concierge Bali (villaconciergebali.com) range from one-bedroom, traditional-style residences in Ubud to six-bedroom, beachfront estates with tropical gardens in Canggu.

All the information you need to know, such as what’s included, what’s not, and whether or not you may get a discount for reserving at the last minute, is usually shown clearly.

Those with better reputations, like the Red Door Villa in Canggu (reddoorbali.com) and the new Noku Beach House in Seminyak (nokubeachhouse.com), may be booked straight from their respective websites.

GET INFORMATION FROM LOCAL SOURCES

If you want to save money, immerse yourself in authentic Balinese culture and have a more meaningful experience, talk to people who’ve been here a while.

Facebook has become a popular platform for Bali’s expats, locals, and landlords to advertise and rent out their properties to tourists and nomadic workers alike while they are away on vacation or when a villa becomes available. For both temporary and permanent lodging, the closed groups Canggu Community, Bali House Apartment Villa for Rent and Bali Housing and Accommodation are excellent resources.

Keep in mind that the safety and security of booking with an individual owner through Facebook is compromised in comparison to official booking sites like booking.com. You should always ask to see photos of the property, and you should never meet the owner in person before at least communicating with them via phone or email.

Find out if they recommend walking, taking a scooter, hiring a local, or using any other mode of transportation to get around. That ought to give you some idea of their legitimacy.

Living in Bali Guide – Where to Stay

Although most visitors choose to stay in Seminyak, Umalas, Oberoi, or Legian, those in search of a more laid-back experience often go to Ubud, Sanur, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua, parts of Canggu or even Uluwatu. There is a wide variety of tourist areas in Bali, so it’s important to do some research to choose the one that best meets your preferences. I would recommend spending a month in each of these places if you are seriously considering making one of them your home base.