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The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong – Hotel Review

Would you like to stay at the highest hotel in the world? If your answer is yes, you need to put Hong Kong on your bucket list right away! The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is rising 118 floors above the city and with its 484 metre height it is know as the highest hotel in the world. Read along if you want to know more about this luxury hotel and what is it like to stay on top of the world!

Disclosure: *We were invited to stay at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link!*

Arriving to the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong

Location

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is located on the 102-118 floors in the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in the West-Kowloon area. The property is sitting right on top of the Elements mall where you can find many shops and restaurants together with the Kowloon MRT station.

The location is really convenient and it’s super easy to reach practically everywhere from Hong Kong. For example if you’re coming from the airport you can use the Airport Express which stops at the Kowloon MRT station. In this case you only need 30 minutes to reach the hotel from the airport!

Moreover, you can also reach the West Kowloon train station within a few minutes walk from the hotel. That means if you’re traveling from or to Mainland China the location is perfect for you!

In addition to that, the Thung Chung Metro Line also stops at the Kowloon MRT station. You can use this line to get to the Hong Kong MRT station where you can transfer to the Island Line to travel across the Hong Kong Island.

Lobby & Check-in process

We visited Hong Kong right after our Dubai trip so we arrived at the Hong Kong International Airport. We decided to use the Airport Express which took us directly to the Kowloon MRT station inside the Elements Mall. There were many signs across the mall pointing towards the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong so we easily found our way to the ground-floor lobby.

A lovely girl from the Ritz-Carlton staff greeted us at the ground-floor. After having a quick chat about our travels she escorted us to the elevators. Since the Ritz-Carlton occupies the 102-118 floors in the ICC their own lobby is located on the 103rd floor.

The lobby is absolutely beautiful with a dark marble and golden design! You can access several locations from the lobby like the Café 103 or the restaurants on the 102nd floor. If you want to go higher up to the rooms you need to take another set of elevators from the lobby.

If you book a room with an inclusive Club Lounge access you can go straight to the 116th floor for your check-in. Since we had this room type we changed to another set of elevators and went straight to the higher levels.

The general check-in time is 2 pm. We arrived a bit earlier so we were offered a seat and some drinks at the Club Lounge while waiting for the room. Since we arrived at lunch time there was a big open buffet in the Club Lounge where we could grab a quick bite. After a long flight a warm meal and a delicious coffee was everything we needed!

The Room

The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong has 312 rooms in total – 262 rooms and 50 suites, to be more specific. You can see all the different type of rooms on their website. I think it’s safe to say – you can’t go wrong with any of them!

We stayed in one of their Club Deluxe Rooms on the 116th floor near the Club Lounge. Entering the room was like stepping into another world! The room was spacious with modern and luxury furnitures and had a huge floor-to-ceiling window. The view over the Victoria Harbour and the Hong Kong Island was breathtaking!

I must say I’ve never felt so welcomed at any other hotel. The window in our room was decorated with pink and golden balloons and a welcome sign. But what I really loved the most is the hand-written welcome note we received from the staff. Yes, you’ve read it right – a hand-written note! It consisted sweet little welcoming messages from different members of the staff. I was absolutely amazed by this!

Apart from the decoration and the welcoming note they even left us some surprise treats like traditional Hong Kong milk tea, cupcakes, cookies and some fruits. I was completely blown away by their kindness and their attention to detail!

Our room was equipped with a king sized bed with comfy bed linens and pillows. The big desk in the corner was really practical for working and the chair was so comfortable!

The minibar was located between the entrance hallway and the bathroom and it was fully stacked with goodies. I’ve never seen such a various mixture in minibars. You could even purchase some black orchid scented candles or champagne flavoured gummy bears. Not an everyday experience that’s for sure!

The full marble bathroom was also spacious. It featured a separate bathtub and a shower where you could choose between a regular or a rainforest shower head. The double sink and the big mirrors were very convenient for getting ready in the morning!

Service & Facilities

Gym

The gym is located on the 118th floor and it’s equipped with everything you could possibly need for a good workout. You can find many running treadmills inside and they are all facing the window. Watching the Hong Kong skyline while doing your daily running exercise – sounds amazing, right?

Pool

The indoor pool is located on the 118th floor as well. With this height currently it’s the highest pool in the world! Needless to say, the view is absolutely amazing from up there.

First you have walk through the gym to get to the pool area. The pool is huge and there is a big TV screen on the end featuring tropical photos and city photos from Hong Kong. You can find many lounge chairs around the pool and the mirrors on the ceiling are just the top on the cherry.

Beside the swimming pool you can also relax in one of the hot tubs. You can find one inside near the swimming pool and there is another one outside on the terrace. The terrace is accessible through the gym as well.

Spa

The spa is located on the 116th floor and it features nine treatment rooms including two couples spa suites. We didn’t try the spa while we were staying at the hotel but if you’re interested you can find the spa brochure and the price list on their website.

Culinary delights

Club Lounge

The Club Lounge is located on the 116th floor and it is only available for guests who book a Club level room or suite. As we had a Club Deluxe Room it granted us a 24-hour access to the Club Lounge where we could have five complimentary meals per day.

We started every morning with a hearty breakfast at the Club Lounge. The food selection was absolutely amazing: fresh fruits, vegetables and pastries, cheese platters, ham, smoked salmon, various types of eggs, traditional Cantonese meals and delicious desserts.

The breakfast was really amazing and we had so much food that we were not even hungry until late afternoon. As a result, we skipped lunch but came back to try the afternoon tea. This meal is served between 2-5pm in the Club Lounge and it includes many sweet and sour treats with a cup of tea or coffee.

It’s best to come between 4-5pm because this way you can see the Hong Kong skyline during golden hour while having all these delicious goodies. It was definitely one of the highlights of the day!

In-Room dining

If you also like having your breakfast in bed like me, in-room dining is just the perfect choice for you! You will receive the breakfast menu every night and you can choose between various types of breakfasts. You have to fill out the menu and hang it on your door before 2am to receive your delicious meals in the morning.

We chose to have a Cantonese breakfast and an International breakfast and both of them were really delicious! The portions were so huge that even one breakfast set would have been enough for the two of us.

It’s important to note that in-room dining is a paid service at the Ritz Carlton Hong Kong. It means even if the breakfast is included in your room type you still need to pay separately for in-room dining.

Other dining options

If you want to take your dining experience for another level you have to visit one of the luxury restaurants in the hotel! The one Michelin-starred Tosca di Angelo restaurant is specialized in Italian cuisine while the two Michelin-starred Tin Lung Heen features Cantonese cuisine.

Even if you choose to eat elsewhere walking around the restaurants will leave you speechless! Their design is breathtaking and the view is incredible from every angle. My favourite part was the mirrored hallway between the restaurants – it is so perfect for an Instagram shot!

Since we visited in the middle of December the hotel was already decorated for Christmas. These cute teddy bears were practically everywhere and I loved them so much!

If you are looking for the perfect sunset spot in Hong Kong you need to visit Ozone! It’s located on the 118th floor in the same building but you need to take a separate elevator from the 103rd floor. The Ozone bar is currently the highest bar in the world so it’s definitely not to be missed!

Final thoughts

Staying at the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong was an absolute dream. I loved everything about the hotel: the location, the design, the food – everything was perfect! Their attention to detail was exceptional and I’ve never felt so welcomed and appreciated at any other hotel. Talking with the staff was one of the highlights of our stay. Everyone was so helpful and polite!

If you’re planning to visit Hong Kong and you want to indulge yourself the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong is the perfect place for you.

If you have any questions about the hotel feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email, I always love helping you out! Have you already visited Hong Kong or is it still on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo, Kriszti

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Best Tourist Spots in Bohol – Bohol Island Guide

Bohol is the 10th largest island in the Philippines and it is full of beautiful tourist spots. The island is mostly famous for the Chocolate Hills and the cute looking tarsiers but it has many more things to offer. In this Bohol island guide I collected all the best tourist spots that you need to see in Bohol together with a bunch of useful information about the island!

Disclosure: *This post contains a few affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you make a purchase through my link!*

Best tourist spots in Bohol

1. Chocolate Hills

The Chocolate Hills are the most famous tourist spot in Bohol and you definitely need to see this amazing landscape with your own eyes! The hills are located in the middle of the island – you can rent a motorbike to go there on your own, hire a private driver or join an organized tour.

There are more than 1,200 hills and during dry season they are all brown – hence the name. However if you’re visiting in the rainy season the hills and the surrounding area will be lush green.

You can’t climb the hills individually and there is only one viewing platform which is accessible by a long stairway. The entrance fee is 50 pesos (1€) per person. There is not much to do beside admiring the Chocolate Hills from the platform so you will only need 20-30 minutes for visiting.

2. Tarsier Sanctuary

Bohol is really famous for the tarsiers and visiting these wide-eyed monkey-looking creatures are one of the top things to do in Bohol. You can visit the tarsiers in three different locations on the island. We visited the Tarsier Sanctuary in Corella which is officially run by the Philippine Tarsier Foundation.

Tarsiers are officially recognized as endangered species. They are really sensitive emotionally and they can get stressed out easily. If their stress level is too high they often commit suicide by banging their heads against the trees.

That’s why you can only visit for a short period of time and you have to keep your voice to a minimum level to protect the animals. You can take photos of them without the flash but touching them is strictly prohibited.

You have to pay 60 pesos (1€) per person for the entrance fee. A local guide will lead you through the jungle in a small group and he will help you spot the tarsiers. They are really small, like half the size of your hand so without the guide it would be really hard to see where they are. The trek in the jungle is really short, we spent only like 15-20 minutes there but we could see at least 4-5 tarsiers.

3. Bilar Man-Made Forest

The Bilar Man-Made Forest is a 2 km long forest located in the border of Bilar and Loboc towns. You will find huge Mahogany trees in this forest creating a natural tunnel above the roads. Honestly if I didn’t know about these trees I probably wouldn’t even noticed but actually they are not naturally grown, they were planted by humans.

And this is the only interesting thing about them – don’t expect more. There is not much to see or do here but since you will drive through it anyway from the Tarsier Sanctuary on the way to the Chocolate Hills it’s a nice stop for a quick photo.

4. Alona Beach

Alona Beach is one of the most famous tourist spots in Bohol. It’s located on the southern side of Panglao Island and there are many resorts, hotels and restaurants nearby.

It’s a 1.5 km long white sandy beach with two rock walls bordering on both ends. The water is very shallow and crystal clear which makes it perfect for swimming. There are numerous dive boats around and you can also go island hopping from the beach to the nearby islands.

5. Dimiao Twin Falls (Pahangog Falls)

The twin falls near Dimiao are definitely one of the best tourist spots to visit in Bohol! Although I’m not sure if you can call it a tourist spot because it is not so well-known amongst visitors. But this is just one more reason for you to visit!

On Google maps you will find this waterfall as Pahangog Falls. Unfortunately you can’t visit it by car, you will need a scooter or a motorbike to go there. Don’t worry if you’re not comfortable driving a motorbike – you can hire a local guide to take you there just like we did.

Even if you take a motorbike you still need to walk the last 1 km by foot. It’s a very steep hike down and it is not completely built yet so be careful! The roads are really slippery especially after rain.

It’s definitely not an easy hike but it’s completely worth all the struggle! The waterfalls are really beautiful and you can even swim in the water which is very refreshing after the hike. You need to pay 20 pesos (0.4€) per person and you will have the waterfalls almost to yourself!

6. Ingkumhan Falls

Ingkumhan Falls are located only 3 km away from the Dimiao Twin Falls so you can easily visit both of them during a day trip. Getting to Ingkumhan Falls are pretty similar to the twin falls as you need to hike down on a super steep road as well. Proper shoes are a real must have! You also need to pay 20 pesos (0.4€) per person to enter the falls.

What makes this waterfall really special is that there is a huge swing and a rope which is super fun! It looks very dangerous at first but there are always a few local guys around who will guide you and teach you how to do it. Although it looks pretty scary definitely go for it if you can! I almost chickened out but made up my mind in the end and it was super amazing!

7. Habitat Butterflies Conservation Center

The Habitat Butterflies Conservation Center is located in Bilar, only 5 minutes away from the Bilar Man-Made Forest. If you like butterflies it’s a nice and quick stop on the road back from the Chocolate Hills.

You need to pay 60 pesos (1€) as an entrance fee and a local guide will walk you through the conservation center. He will tell you a lot of interesting facts about the butterflies and he will also help you spot the most beautiful butterflies in the park. The walk is really short but if you like photography you can easily spend 20-30 minutes in there.

8. Rice fields

I didn’t know it before I visited but actually Bohol is full of beautiful rice fields! It reminded me a lot of Bali and I was really happy to see these lush green fields on this island too.

The most famous ones are the Cadapdapan Rice Terraces but since it’s quite far from the other tourist spots we didn’t go there in the end. However if you have the time definitely check it out! And don’t worry if you don’t – you will stumble upon many gorgeous rice fields while traveling around Bohol anyways.

Bohol tourist spots - Map

How to get to Bohol

From Manila

If you wanna visit Bohol from Manila your only option is flying. Luckily Bohol has an airport – Panglao International Airport (TAG) – and you can find cheap flights easily. Cebu Pacific, Air Asia and Philippine Airlines operates several flights on a daily basis between Manila and Bohol. The flight takes around 1.5 hours and the ticket prices are usually between 1500-2500 pesos (27-45€). Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights!

From Cebu

Unfortunately you can’t fly from Cebu to Bohol directly. Your only option is taking a ferry but no need to worry – actually taking the ferry is very easy and it’s more cheaper than flying from Manila.

Bohol has two ferry ports – Tubigon and Tagbilaran – and you need to pay attention which port your ferry is going to because they are actually pretty far from each other! Tubigon is located on the northwest part of the island and since it’s quite far from the best tourist spots there is a big chance that it’s not the right ferry port for you. Tagbilaran on the other hand is located on the southwest side of the island and it’s the capital of the island with many hotels, shopping malls and restaurants.

There are three different companies that operates on the Cebu-Tagbilaran route: OceanJet, SuperCat and Island Water. They are all departing from Cebu Pier 1, a tourist class ticket usually costs around 600-700 pesos (10-12€). There is not much of a difference between the three, just take the one which has the best timing for your needs.

I always use 12Go Asia to check the timetables and booking the tickets in advance. When it comes to traveling in Asia, they are my to-go site. I can totally recommend them!

How much time do you need to spend on Bohol

As I said before Bohol is the 10th largest island in the Philippines so it has a lot of things to offer. You will need minimum 2-3 full days to explore the main tourist spots on the island. If you wanna spend more time on the beaches or wanna go island hopping to the nearby islands you can easily spend 5-7 days in Bohol.

Best time to visit Bohol

Before visiting the Philippines I made a mistake of checking only a few sites about the weather. All of them said that December is a dry season in the Philippines so that’s why I decided to visit the islands before Christmas. Then I arrived to Bohol and was welcomed with pouring rain. What?!

It turned out that despite December is considered as a dry season for some part of the Philippines – it is not true for Bohol. Typically the dry season lasts from March to May on the island but you can still expect a little rain in this period too. The wet season starts with the northeast monsoon in late May and it lasts up until the beginning of March. In this period you can expect 15 rainy days on average.

The temperature is always hot and humid in Bohol. The humidity is around 80% all year long, while the hottest monhts are April, May and June.

Where to stay in Bohol

There is a wide range of accommodation available on Bohol, basically you can find anything from cheap hostels to luxury resorts. If you are visiting Bohol as a tourist the best places to stay are either in the capitaly city, Tagbilaran or on Panglao Island.

Booking.com

Panglao Island

If you wanna stay close to the best beaches in Bohol then staying on Panglao Island is the best choice for you. This small island is connected to the main island by bridge and it is very easy to get there. The best resorts are located on the southern part of the island, near Alona beach and Bolod Beach. Click here to see all of the accommodations on Panglao Island!

We also stayed at Panglao Island at Glamping Alona. We spent there 5 nights and absolutely loved everything about the place! I highly recommend checking them out if you would like to try glamping on Bohol.

Tagbilaran

Staying in Tagbilaran is a good choice if you wanna explore the best tourist spots on the island. You won’t find any luxury or beachfront resorts here but the prices are much lower so if you are traveling on a budget that’s good news for you. Since you are closer to the tourist spots you will spend less time on your motorbike or in the car which is another advantage. Click here to see all of the accommodations on Panglao Island!

Bohol Island Guide - Summary

Staying in Bohol was a great start to our 2 week long Philippines itinerary. I loved exploring the crystal clear beaches, lush green hills, hidden waterfalls and see the interesting wildlife on the island.

Hope you guys liked this post about the best tourist places in Bohol and this Bohol island guide will help you plan your Bohol itinerary!

If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email, I always love helping you out! Have you already visited Bohol or is it still on your bucket list? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo, Kriszti

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Peguyangan Waterfall, Nusa Penida – The Ultimate Guide

Unlike Kelingking beach, Peguyangan Waterfall is not so popular amongst tourists visiting Nusa Penida. However if you love off the beaten path places, I totally recommend checking it out! I was so obsessed with those iconic blue stairs ever since I saw them on Instagram, so it was no question that I will include it on my Nusa Islands itinerary. If you’re planning on doing the same, I got your back! I put together a complete guide about everything you need to know before visiting Peguyangan Waterfall!

How to get to Nusa Penida

From Bali

If you want to reach Nusa Penida from Bali, you need to arrive at Sanur harbour and purchase your tickets at one of the fast-boat operating companies. Depending on which company you choose, the tickets are usually between 150k-250k Rp (9-16€ / 11-18$) for one way.

The boat ride takes like 45 minutes in total and it will take you to Toya Pakeh Harbour in the north-west side of Nusa Penida.

From Nusa Lembongan/Nusa Ceningan

In order to go to Nusa Penida from Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan, you have to reach the Yellow Bridge. You will find many local boats around the bridge on the Lembongan side that will take you to Nusa Penida.

There is an official ticket desk where you can purchase your tickets. The ticket price is 60k Rp (3.7€ / 4.2$) for one way per person. The boat doesn’t have a fixed timetable, it will depart once it’s full with passengers. It takes around 15 minutes to reach Nusa Penida and you will arrive at Toya Pakeh Harbour.

How to reach Peguyangan Waterfall

Peguyangan Waterfall (referred as Mata Air Guyangan by the locals) is located on the southern coast of Nusa Penida. The nearby attractions are the Tembeling Beach and the Banah Cliff Point on the east and the Manta Point on the west.

The easiest way to get around Nusa Penida is to rent a scooter at the harbour. They usually cost around 75k Rp (5€ / 6$) for a day. Although be prepared for a very bumpy ride! The roads on Nusa Penida are in a really bad condition with many potholes, so they can be very dangerous.

If you don’t have experience in scooter riding I would recommend hiring a private driver or opting for an organized tour. Traveling in a car is not comfortable either, but at least you don’t have to worry about the road conditions. And having a seatbelt together with airco is a huge advantage too!

When to visit Peguyangan Waterfall

Since Peguyangan waterfall is not so insta-famous (yet), you don’t need to worry about the crowd. Therefore you can visit any time of the day, however due to the intense climbing it’s better to do it in the morning when the weather is not so hot.

What to expect at Peguyangan Waterfall

The entrance

There is no entrance fee for visiting Peguyangan Waterfall, however you have to pay 5k Rp (0.3€ / 0.4$) for parking.

At the bottom of the stairs there is a secret temple so you are required to wear a sarong. If you don’t have your own, you can rent it at the entrance for 10k Rp (0.6€ / 0.7$). It can be hard to climb the stairs wearing a sarong, but you can take it off during the climb and put it back on when you reach the temple at the bottom.

You can find a Warung (restaurant) right in front of the entrance selling food and drinks. Definitely buy some water in case you forgot to bring your own, you’re gonna need it!

Getting down on the stairs

A little arch marks the entrance to Peguyangan waterfall and right after you cross it you will see the iconic blue stairway going all the way down along the cliffs. Going down there is not so easy as you have to hike down almost 700 stairs on the hillside. It’s definitely not for the faint-hearted!

The stairs are incredibly small and there are large gaps between them, so you need to watch your steps! But apart from that, the walk down is not dangerous at all. I would recommend wearing comfy shoes for your own safety, but I personally did it in sandals and there was nothing wrong with that either.

It takes like 20-30 minutes until you reach the bottom. You will find many amazing photo opportunities along the road, so it can take a lot longer if you are stopping for a photo in every corner. Couldn’t blame you for this though, the view is just breathtaking!

Arriving to the bottom

If you were expecting a gorgeous waterfall at the bottom, you will be disappointed! Despite the fact the place is called Peguyangan waterfall, there is no waterfall at all. At least not what you would expect.

There are three little spouts marking the entrance to the sacred temple where the locals usually perform water blessings. Don’t expect a big building though, the temple is just a simple gate with a small outside area behind it.

Balinese people believe that if they take a shower under all of the spouts their spirit will be cleaned from evil. First they have to shower under the tree little spouts that marks the entrance. There is a fourth, bigger spout as well, and they have to finish the ceremony under it in order to receive the blessings from the Gods.

There is a small natural rock pool where you can take a dip in the water and admire the huge waves crashing into the cliffs. Watch out for the signs though, if it say “No swimming”, don’t get in the pool!

Getting back up

After you finished exploring the bottom area, it’s time to get back to the top. If you found the hike down difficult, be prepared for an even harder one to climb up! It’s not a piece of cake, especially in the hot sun. Take it slowly and be careful with your steps!

When you finally made it back to the top, sit down at the restaurant with some cold water and relax a little bit. You totally deserve it after a workout like this!

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Kelingking Beach, Nusa Penida – The Ultimate Guide

I bet you’ve seen thousands pictures already from this T-Rex shaped cliff on Instagram. No wonder that Kelingking Beach has quickly become the most famous spot in Nusa Penida – just look at this view! Visiting this place is a real must have on your Nusa Islands itinerary. Therefore I put together a complete guide for you, so here is everything you need to know about Kelingking beach!

How to get to Nusa Penida

From Bali

The boat ride takes like 45 minutes in total and it will take you to Toya Pakeh Harbour in the north-west side of Nusa Penida.

From Nusa Lembongan/Nusa Ceningan

How to reach Kelingking Beach

Kelingking Beach is located on the south-west coast of Nusa Penida. The nearby attractions are the Angel’s Billabong and Broken beach on the east and the Banah Cliff point on the west.

When to visit Kelingking Beach

As the most famous spot on Nusa Penida, Kelingking beach is a part of every organized day tours. Since this is usually the main attraction, it can get really crowded during the day.

If you want to avoid the crowds, try to visit outside the operating hours of the tours. That means either early in the morning (the first tour arrives around 9 am), or late afternoon, when most of the tours are already finished (after 4pm). Sunset is another great time for visiting as the spot will be almost empty and the lights at sunset are always fascinating!

What to expect at Kelingking Beach

Kelingking beach was only discovered in 2003 by a few backpackers who traveled through Nusa Penida. The place was still untouched back then, but since it became more and more popular they started to build out the area. However the whole island is still undeveloped compared to Bali, so don’t expect perfect pathways or fancy restaurants.

After you parked your scooter/car, you need to pay a small entrance fee of 10k Rp (0.6€ / 0.7$) per person to access Kelingking Beach. There is a built concrete platform not far away from the parking lot from where you can safely enjoy the breathtaking view.

Fun fact: Kelingking means “Pinkie” in English, as the smallest finger on the hand. I’m not so sure why did they come up with that name, because the shape of the cliff rather looks like a T-Rex than a little finger.

Getting down to the beach

Although the view from the top is jawdropping, you can decide to hike down to the beach as well. If you wish to do that, be prepared for a really hard hike!

First you have to hike down on the spine of the T-Rex and then venture all the way down to the beach. There are some stairs and railings made from sticks and bamboo but they are not very well maintained. The whole path is very steep and it’s easily to fall, so please be super careful!

With that being said, unfortunately visiting the beach is not for everyone. If you have heart problems or you are generally not that fit, it’s best to find another beach to swim at. It takes around an hour to get down to the beach, and it’s not even the hardest part. Getting back up is the real challenge! It can easily take up to 2-3 hours depending on your fitness level.

Oh and one more thing: don’t even think about hiking down in flipflops or sandals! It’s really challenging even in proper shoes, so only do it at your own risk!

If you manage to hike all the way down to the bottom, you will be rewarded with an incredible white sandy beach and turquoise water. However the waves are usually very strong and unpredictable, so swimming is not really option here. But at least the view is really one of a kind!

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How to Spend 24 Hours in Singapore

Singapore is one of my favourite cities in the whole world! This vibrant city is one of the biggest hubs in Southeast Asia, so if you are planning a trip to this region I highly recommend to visit Singapore as well! You don’t need so much time to explore the main sights in Singapore – in fact, you can do it in one single day! So if you wanna know how to spend 24 hours in Singapore, I got you covered!

How to spend 24 hours in Singapore

You have only 24 hours to spend in Singapore? Don’t worry, if you maximize your time you will be able to cover all the must-see spots! Although it means you will have a really long day with lots of walking. So put on your most comfortable shoes, have a coffee in your hand, and let’s go exploring!

Accommodation

Since 24 hours are not a lot of time, I suggest booking a hotel close to the city centre to save time on the transportation. Unfortunately Singapore is a really expensive city, so unless you wanna stay in a hostel or a capsule hotel, it’s gonna cost you a lot of money. Especially in the city centre.

I had a really hard time choosing where to stay, but in the end we booked a room at Destination Singapore Beach Road for like 200 Singapore dollars (125€ / 145$) per night. The room was really comfy and beautiful with great breakfast. The hotel was close to the MRT station and there was an amazing outdoor pool on the top floor. We stayed there for 2 nights, but we arrived late in the afternoon and we left early in the morning, so we only had 1 full day for exploring.

Transportation

As you can see on the map below, Singapore is a totally walkable city. The whole route I put together is 13.7km in total, but since you’ll be wandering a lot more around, it will be like 20-25km in reality.

If you don’t fancy walking, or you wanna spare some time between each locations, you can use public transportation or get in a taxi as well. The MRT is the best and fastest way to travel around the city. You can buy a Tourist Pass for 10 Singapore dollars (6.5€ / 7.5$) for 1 day, but if you only plan to use it occasionally, you can buy single tickets as well.

24 hours in Singapore - Morning

Since you have only 24 hours to spend in Singapore, wake up early, have a rich breakfast and start exploring right away!

Singapore Flyer

The first stop will be the Singapore Flyer – a giant ferris wheel overlooking the Marina Bay skyline. With it’s 165m height the Singapore Flyer is one of the world’s largest Observation Wheel and one of Asia’s biggest tourist attraction.

If you wanna go for a ride, you have to purchase a ticket at the ticket counter. According to their website the online booking is currently unavailable. Although it’s not cheap: an adult ticket costs 33 Singapore dollars (22€ / 24$) and it includes a 30 minute long ride (one rotation) on the wheel. The ticket counter is open between 8am and 10pm, the first flight is at 8.30am and the last one is at 10.15pm.

Helix Bridge & Marina Bay Skyline

In order to reach the Gardens by the Bay from the Singapore Flyer, you have to cross over the Helix Bridge. The Helix Bridge is a pedestrian bridge that links together Marina Centre with Marina South. It was inspired by the form of a curved DNA structure, it looks really cool!

The bridge has four viewing platforms from where you can see the amazing Marina Bay skyline.

The bridge takes you right to the foot of the Marina Bay Sands Hotel (the one that looks like a giant ship). This hotel is the most popular one in Singapore as it features the world’s biggest rooftop infinity pool with breathtaking views over the Singapore skyline. Unfortunately the pool has been closed to the public, so you can only try it if you are a guest of the hotel. Although you have to pay big bucks for that as the rooms start from 550 Singapore dollars (350€ / 400$) per night.

Cloud Forest & Flower Dome

Even if you have only 24 hours to spend in Singapore, visiting the Cloud Forest and the Flower Dome is a real must-have! The tickets are a bit pricy, the admission for the two conservatories costs 28 Singapore dollars (18€ / 20$) per person, but it’s really worth every penny!

As you enter the Cloud Forest Dome you’ll have a first glance at the 35-metre tall mountain that is home to the world’s largest indoor waterfall. No pictures do justice how beautiful it is in real life! If you wanna have a picture in front of the waterfall without the crowds, try to arrive around opening time (9am), otherwise it will be impossible to have a decent photo.

The temperature inside the Cloud Forest Dome is between 23-25 degrees with 80-90% humidity, which is the perfect setting for the tropical plants. It’s like heaven if you are a flower lover like me! You will find many gorgeous orchids, bromeliads, ferns and carnivorous pitcher plants. It really feels like as if you were walking around in a steamy and humid tropical jungle. Make sure to have a sweater with you because compared to the outside temperature you will feel really cold!

The Flower Dome is the largest greenhouse in the world featuring exotic plants from five continents. You will find nine different gardens with an always changing floral display. If you are into flower photography you will love this place!

24 hours in Singapore - Afternoon

Supertree Grove & OCBC Skywalk

The Supertree Grove is the most iconic spot in Singapore! These Supertrees are actually not trees – they are made of concrete and steel. They work like a vertical garden and they are home to more than 158,000 plants. Walking amongst them feel like you are in another world!

There are 18 Supertrees around the Gardens by the Bay in total – 12 of them are located at the Supertree Grove, 3 in the Golden Gardens an another 3 in the Silver Gardens. 11 of them are embedded with environmentally sustainable functions like photovoltaic cells to harvest solar energy. So they are not just fascinating to look at, they are actually an important part of the self-sustainable system that runs through the whole Gardens by the Bay.

Walking around the Gardens by the Bay is completely free. However if you wanna get an up-close look of the futuristic Supertrees, you can purchase a ticket to the OCBC Skywalk. The ticket costs 8 Singapore dollars (5.2€ / 5.8$) per person and in exchange you can stroll around on the 128-metre long aerial walkway amongst the trees. Unfortunately the skywalk was closed due to maintenance when we visited, but next time I’m definitely getting up there!

There are many outdoor gardens around the Supertree Grove, like the Chinese Garden, the Indian Garden or the World of Palms. They are mostly located on an upper level where you can find many photo opportunities with the Supertrees and the Marina Bay Sands in the background. It’s also a great place to watch the evening light show – but we’re gonna come back to that in the Night section!

Chinatown

I know that you can’t spend enough time in the Gardens, but it’s time to continue our journey towards Chinatown! I suggest hopping on the blue MRT line for 2 stops (from Bayfront to Telok Ayer) to save some time.

Chinatown is really different from the rest of the city with its red and gold tones and low-rise buildings. The whole neighborhood is very vivid, with lots of street markets, museums and temples. There are actually not just ornate Chinese temples, you can find many Buddhist and Hindu temples as well. Chinatown is also a great place to grab some lunch if you could survive without food until this point.

Clarke Quay

Clarke Quay is another great neighborhood in Singapore. It is famous for the little colorful houses, the stunning riverside restaurants and the endless collection of bars and clubs. Also a good place to have some lunch or if you had that already in Chinatown then you can relax a bit with a cup of coffee. If you wanna hit the night later, it’s totally your spot!

24 hours in Singapore - Evening

Old Hill Street Police Station

Okay this gotta be the most colorful police station you’ll ever see! Actually this is not a police station anymore, but the name has not changed. Now it’s the home to Ministry of Communication and Information and the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth.

Merlion Park

The Merlion is the national icon of Singapore. The fish body symbolises the beginning of Singapore as a fishing village, while the lion head represents the city’s original name, Singapura (lion city).

You can also get a gorgeous view of the Marina Bay Sands and the ArtScience Museum from the park.

Marina Bay Street Circuit

As the sun begins to set, it’s time to head back to the Gardens by the Bay to see the evening light show. You will pass by the Marina Bay Street Circuit on your way back. Seems familiar? If you are a Formula 1 fan, it should be – it’s the venue for the Singapore Grand Prix!

Gardens by the Bay

If you still have some time before the evening light show I recommend strolling around the gardens to explore them at night as well. The view with the city lights are absolutely breathtaking! One of my favourite spot was at the Waterlily Pond – the reflection was gorgeous on the water!

24 hours in Singapore - Night

Garden Rhapsody

It doesn’t matter, if you have 72 hours, 24 hours or just 6 hours to spend in Singapore – you have to see the light show at the Supertree Grove! The Supertrees are really awesome in the daylight as well, but the real magic comes when the night falls. The trees are performing a magnificent music and light show and I have only one word describing it: WOW!

Seeing this light show was hands down one of the most magical experience in my life and the absolute highlight of visiting Singapore. I can’t even describe my feelings properly but I was so touched that I almost ended up crying.. It’s really that amazing!

The trees are performing twice every day: at 7.45 pm and 8.45 pm. The show runs for 15 minutes and it is completely free! You can chose to watch it from the ground and from the OCBC Skywalk as well, but be prepared for the crowds! It you wanna have a quieter place with less people head over to the upper gardens! The view is fantastic and usually there are not many people around.

Spectra

If you go over to the other side of the Marina Bay Sands you will find another great show: the Spectra! The Spectra is a light and water show performed by many dancing fountains and colorful visual projections. The show is also free and it starts at 8 pm and 9 pm on a daily basis. I thought after the Supertree light show I will not be amazed by this show – how wrong I was! It is also absolutely spectacular, so don’t miss it! Since I forgot to make some pictures, check out this website for a taste of the show.

Arab Quarter

After the light shows it’s time to grab some dinner and probably a drink or two. And there is no better place to do it than in the Arab Quarter! This vibrant and lively neighborhood is packed with cool boutiques, instagrammable cafes and bars and amazing restaurants. The must see spots are the Haji Lane, the Bali Lane and the Sultan Mosque.

Since we had an extra hour the next morning we decided to come back to get some shots with the cool buildings – hence the daytime photos. One of the places I desperately wanted to visit it the Selfie Coffee – where they actually print your selfie on your coffee! How cool is that?! Unfortunately it was closed early in the morning so I couldn’t get in, but if you have a chance don’t miss it!

Summary

Singapore is a really amazing city. Although it’s not on the budget side (especially compared to other Southeast-Asian countries), but it’s definitely worth visiting! As you can see you can pack a lot into just 24 hours, so no excuses!

Since Bali was the main attraction on our first Asia trip I only had 24 hours to spend in Singapore so I wanted to maximize my time as much as I can. I know this is a lot to take in just one short day but if you have more time you can divide this itinerary into two days as well.

How about you? Have you ever been to Singapore or is it still on your bucket list? If yes, how did you like it? What was your favourite place? And if no, I have only one question – what are you waiting for? Just book that flight ticket, I’m sure you won’t regret it!

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The Perfect Nusa Islands Itinerary for 3 Days

The Nusa Islands consist of three little islands: Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. While most people visit only Nusa Penida as a day trip from Bali, I highly recommend visiting all the 3 islands! With this perfect Nusa Islands itinerary you can cover all the must see spots in 3 days!

The Perfect Nusa Islands Itinerary for 3 Days

Local people say that the Nusa Islands are the perfect place to see how Bali was like 20 years ago, before it became a tourist hotspot. And it’s really true: the Nusa Islands have such a raw beauty that you won’t believe your own eyes!

Day 1 : Nusa Lembongan & Nusa Ceningan

In order to get to Nusa Lembongan, you have to catch a boat at Sanur harbour. There are many options to choose from, but the fast boats are the most popular choice as they only need like 45 minutes to reach Lembongan. Check out Scoot or Rocky for prices and timetables.

Getting around the Nusa Lembongan is pretty easy. You can walk around if you have time (and if you can bear the harsh sunshine) but you can also rent a scooter or barter with the local taxi drivers to save time.

Devil's Tear

Since we didn’t have any experience with scooter riding, we opted for a taxi. Finding a taxi around the harbour was not so hard, so we asked for a ride to the Devil’s Tear, since this was the first stop on our Nusa Islands itinerary.

The Devil’s Tear located in the south-west corner of the island. It’s a pretty cool spot! When the waves crush against the rocky coastline they create a massive water spray explosion with thousands mini waterfalls pouring back to the ocean. Try not to stay close to the edge because the waves are really strong and completely unpredictable!

Dream beach

Dream beach is just a few minutes walk from the Devil’s Tear. It’s the most popular beach on Nusa Lembongan and it’s the perfect spot to chill and have a dip in the ocean.

If you don’t want to spend hours on the beach it’s better to ask your taxi driver to wait for you until you’re done with your sightseeing! Although the parking lot will be full with cars, those are all from organized tours, hence they already have passengers. Practically there is no free taxi waiting around the beach, so we had a really hard time finding another ride. So it’s better to organize something in advance or you may have to walk from this point!

Yellow bridge

The Yellow Bridge connects Nusa Lembongan with Nusa Ceningan, it is the only connection between the two islands. As you can see in the below photo it’s pretty narrow, so it is only suitable for scooters or pedestrians.

That also means, that there are no cars on Nusa Ceningan! You can continue riding your scooter or you can walk, but you will have no option to take a taxi.

Blue Lagoon

The Blue Lagoon is located in the most southern part of Nusa Ceningan. This spot is famous for its crystal clear turquise water and the amazing rock formations along the coastline. Since we didn’t have a scooter we couldn’t make it all the way down to the Blue Lagoon in time, because we had to get back to catch the last boat to Nusa Penida. But we found some amazing beach swings on the road!

Arriving to Nusa Penida

After you are done with the sightseeing on Nusa Ceningan, head back to the yellow bridge and cross over to Nusa Lembongan again. You can find some local boats around the bridge that will take you to Nusa Penida for your overnight stay.

There is an official ticket desk where you can purchase your tickets. The ticket price is 60,000 Rp (3.7 EUR / 4.2 USD) for one way per person. The boat doesn’t have a fixed timetable, it will depart once it’s full with passengers (although it happens quickly).

It takes around 15 minutes to reach Nusa Penida, you will arrive at Toya Pakeh Harbour. I recommend staying on Nusa Penida for 2 nights, we choose to stay around the harbour to save time on the transportation.

Day 2: Nusa Penida - South

Nusa Penida is a pretty big island with many amazing viewpoints, so you will need at least 2 full days to explore everything. I recommend breaking down your itinerary for 2 days and visiting the southern side of Nusa Penida in one day, and the eastern side in another day.

You need to rent a scooter or hire a private driver to take you around the island. The roads are in a really bad condition, they have many potholes and they are so bumpy that you can easily feel sick while driving. Therefore don’t believe what Google maps says about the driving times, it’s a lot more in reality! Furthermore, there is no coastal route, so you always have to venture back to the inland and go back out again.

As I mentioned before, we didn’t have any experience with scooter riding so we chose the most safest option and hired a private driver. It was a really good decision, especially after seeing the condition of the roads..

Peguyangan Waterfall

Peguyangan Waterfall is located at the bottom of some huge cliffs, in order to reach it you need to climb down almost 700 stairs on the hillside. The iconic blue stairway is really narrow and steep, so it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted. But the view along the road is incredible! Oh, and don’t expect any waterfalls down there – the name is only symbolical.

Banah Cliff Point

Banah Cliff is an epic viewpoint along the coastline. Actually there are two different lookout points: the Panorama Viewpoint and the Banah Cliff Viewpoint. Both of them offer an incredible view of the surrounding cliffs and the shimmering blue ocean!

Kelingking Beach

Kelingking Beach with the T-Rex shaped cliff is all over on Instagram, this is the most famous spot in Nusa Penida. Visiting this place is a real must have on your Nusa Islands itinerary!

The view from the top is breathtaking, although you can decide to hike down to the beach as well. If you wish to do that, be prepared for a really hard hike! It takes about an hour to get down and the walk is very steep and only secured by a bamboo rail. Don’t even think about hiking down in flipflops or sandals!

Angel's Billabong

Angel’s Billabong is an incredibly clear tide pool where you can also have a dip in the water. But you have to be very careful and only do it at your own risk! Always watch out for the signs and only get in the pool when the tide is really low. Don’t stay close to the edge, as the high waves can easily swipe you out to the open ocean. Don’t believe me? Check out these videos (especially the second one) and see it for yourself!

Broken Beach

Broken Beach is right next to Angel’s Billabong, you have to walk just a few minutes to reach it. There is an amazing archway that creates a natural pool by allowing the water to flow in and out from the ocean. You are not allowed to swim there, in fact you can’t even go down to the beach, but you can walk around the natural pool.

Crystal Bay

If you still have some time left, make a little detour to Crystal Bay on your way back to Toya Pakeh harbour. Unfortunately we didn’t have time for that, but it would have been a perfect sunset point!

Day 3: Nusa Penida - North

Goa Giri Putri

Goa Giri Putri is a cave temple located on the northern coast of Nusa Penida. Since it’s a religious place, you always have to wear a sarong (you can also rent it, if you don’t have your own).

The entrance is only through a small crack in the rock and you have to crawl through it to reach the cave. Inside you will find a huge temple courtyard and that is always filled with locals praying and participating on ceremonies.

Thousand Islands Viewpoint (Pulau Seribu)

The Thousand Islands Viewpoint offers the most breathtaking view on the island. There are several viewpoints in the area, you have to climb down the steep stairway to reach them. There are no words that describe how beautiful the view is.. I had to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming!

Rumah Pohon Treehouse

The Rumah Pohon Treehouse is also a part of the Thousand Islands Viewpoint. This spot was my ultimate favourite viewpoint on our Nusa Islands itinerary! You can actually rent it for an overnight stay as well, check out booking.com for more info.

Atuh Beach

Atuh Beach is really close to the Thousand Island Viewpoint so it’s the perfect place if you want to include some beach time in your Nusa Islands itinerary. It can be accessed from the right and the left side as well, but in both cases you have to climb down on a long stairway.

Diamond Beach

If you park on the right side of Atuh Beach then you will have access to Diamond Beach as well. Like in Atuh Beach, you also have to hike down on a long stairway to reach Diamond beach. Both beaches are amazing so it’s really up to you which one you choose!

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The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide for First-timers

To be honest with you I knew almost nothing about Bali before I visited. Sure, I’ve seen million pictures of this dream island, I knew that every proper Instagrammer had been there at least once and I saw Eat, Pray, Love, but that was it. If you are like me, I have some good news for you: in this Ultimate Bali Travel Guide I collected everything that you need to know if you are visiting Bali for the first time! So let’s dive in!

If you wanna know how I planned my Bali trip head over to my Step-by Step Travel Planning Guide where I explained everything in details!

The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide for First-timers

Location

Bali is located in the Indian ocean, it’s by far the most famous of the more than 17,000 islands of Indonesia. The island sits east of Java (the most populous island of the world) and west of Lombok. I know it seems like a tiny island on the map but actually Bali is pretty big: the distance is 145 km from west to east and 85 km from north to south. Apart from the main island, the Nusa Islands (Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida) also belong to Bali.

Population

Bali is home to more than 4.2 million people. About 90% of the population are Balinese, the other ethnic groups are Javanese, Baliaga and Madurase.

Languange

The official language is Indonesian, but many people use the Balinese language in the everyday life. English is widely used as well, due to the high level of tourism.

Religion

Indonesia is the biggest Muslim country in the world, accounting for 13% of the world’s total Muslims. Bali is the only exception, as it is the only Hindu island on Indonesia. Actually this is not the standard Hindu religion, it’s rather a Balinese Hinduism: it’s kind of a mixture of local beliefs and Hindu influences.

Balinese people live in a magic world of people, spirits, gods and demons. I was so surprised to see how deeply religious they are! There are over 20,000 temple in Bali and you can’t go anywhere without seeing countless offerings to the gods and spirits. They seriously believe in karma, that life is governed by a system of cause and effect, action and reaction. Their religion and culture is really interesting, so try to learn about them as much as you can while you are there!

Visa

If you only want to visit Bali for less than 30 days then you don’t have to apply for a visa and you can enter for free. However this is only true for like 170 countries, so please check the official list before arriving, just to be on the safe side.

The free visa can’t be extended, so you need to leave Bali when your 30 days are over. Of course you can stay longer than that with another type of visa, visit the official immigration website of Indonesia for more info about this topic.

Money in Bali

Currency

The official local currency in Bali is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR or Rp). The amounts in rupiah are usually very large because of all the zeros. 1 USD is like 15,000 Rp, while 1 EUR is around 16,150 Rp. Therefore the prices are often given with the thousands implied and left off of the end. So when someone says “one hundred”, they most likely mean 100,000 Rp (around 7 USD or 6 EUR).

Cash is the king in Bali, therefore you always need to carry around some cash in your pocket. You can generally pay with credit cards at most of the hotels and cafes in the urban area, but you will need cash for everything else. The largest denomination is the 100,000 Rp banknote, so your wallet will always be stuffed with a lot of banknotes. Make sure you don’t bring your tiniest wallet with you!

ATMs

You can easily find ATMs in the popular travel hubs, but once you are out you will have a hard time finding a machine in the countryside. So it’s better to stack up on cash while you are in a more touristy area.

ATMs typically charge you a transaction fee for every transaction. Fortunately it’s not that much, but the bad news is that there is a daily withdrawal limit. It can be different depending on what kind of ATM you use, but it’s usually between 1.5-2.5 million Rp (around 100-170 USD or 90-150 EUR). So basically you have to pick up cash from an ATM almost every day (or you can use different credit cards, if you have more).

Important note: There are some ATMs that deliver your cash first, and your credit card after. If you are coming from a place that it’s the other way around, you have to pay attention not to leave your card in the machine. Unfortunately we managed to lost a credit card, most likely for this reason. So learn from our mistake!

Exchange

Of course you can exchange all the major currencies into rupiahs at the airport or banks, but you always have to pay a commission fee and the exchange rates are not always in your favour. Generally using an ATM is a better option, but it’s really up to you.

Technically US dollars are not accepted in Indonesia, however you can almost always use them in reality. You will always have to pay more in dollars (because you obviously can’t pay 1.2 USD, so you will pay 2), but it’s good to have a plan B if you accidentally run out of rupiahs.

Best time to visit Bali

Bali is located a few degrees south of the equator, therefore it has a tropical climate all year around. It means that the weather is always hot and humid and there are only two main seasons: the dry season and the rainy season.

Generally the rainy season is between November and March, but it can vary a bit from year to year. During this time it usually rains a couple of hours in the morning and a couple of hours in the afternoon, so you can still have some rain-free hours during the day if you are lucky. Nevertheless I still wouldn’t recommend this period for traveling, especially if you are a first-timer.

Bali is always busy during holidays like Easter or Christmas. July and August are usually crowded too, because of the national school holidays in Indonesia. So if you’re not a fan of mass tourism I would avoid these periods as well.

Based on all this, the best time to visit is May, June, or September. You will have a pleasant weather with almost no rain, and the beaches and famous sites will not be that crowded either.

October can still be a good time, we also visited at the end of October. We were really lucky with the weather, because it only rained on our last day. On the other hand, our driver said that this time last year it was constantly raining all day long and it didn’t stop for days. So be careful with October, it can really be a hit or miss.

How much time do you need to spend in Bali

Anywhere from between one week and a few months. Seriously! We spent 8 days in Bali and it felt really short! We managed to cover all the famous sites but in exchange we spent almost no time at the beach and we were extremely tired at the end. Needless to say, it was totally worth it!

Based on my own experience, I would say 2 weeks would be the optimal amount of time. Of course it highly depends on what you want to see and do. If you are only looking for beautiful beaches and you wish to relax all day long, one week could be enough. However there are so many wonderful sites to explore and various activities to do, that you will need at least 2 weeks if you really wanna see the best of Bali.

Transportation in Bali

Public transportation

Public transportation is basically non-existent in Bali. All right, this is not exactly true: there are some public minibuses called bemo. If you are in a really adventurous mode and you wanna try getting around like a local, you can opt for a ride. But for real transportation I wouldn’t consider this as an option.

Bikes

Renting a bicycle is possible, but Bali is far too big for biking around. But if you wanna explore the countryside close to your accommodation, it can be a great way to get around.

Scooters

The cheapest and most popular way of transportation is renting a scooter. However, if you don’t have an experience in scooter riding I wouldn’t recommend it.

Why? Because the traffic is crazy! Cars, scooters, chickens, dogs, all sharing the same lane and they are coming from every direction possible. No matter where you go, the streets are always full with scooters and the roads are often in a really bad condition. Scooter accidents are not exceptional, and trust me, you don’t want to spend your holiday lying in the hospital (if there’s any).

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against scooters at all. I’m just saying you have to be really, really prepared and have a ton of experience before trying to get around this way. So please be safe!

Taxi

You can find a taxi practically anywhere, and it works the same way as it does in Europe or America. In Bali, almost everyone is a taxi driver. Seriously. You will be constantly asked by the locals where are you headed and if you will need a ride. Everyone will be glad to take you anywhere.

There are two type of taxis in Bali: the Bluebird taxis, and the rest. The Bluebird taxis always go by the meter and they are safe to use. They even have their own app which you can download, and after registration you can summon a taxi as you please.

The non-Bluebird taxis on the other hand are often corrupt, and they usually play dirty tricks with the tourists, like claiming to have a broken meter or taking you on a longer road to pay more.

Side note: Uber and Grab are illegal to use in Bali. I’ve heard stories that despite the ban they still operate, but I don’t know if it’s true or not. However I do know that there were signs all over Bali about these two being illegal. So please don’t use them!

Private driver

I think having a private driver in Bali is the best option ever, especially if you are a first-timer and you don’t have any experience in scooter riding. It is generally more expensive than renting a scooter, but in exchange it takes away all the stress and you don’t have worry about transportation during your stay.

We also decided to hire a private driver and I’m so glad we did! I received a recommendation from another Hungarian girl and that’s how we found Putu. He is the sweetest guy ever!

I contacted him while we were still at home. Like I mentioned before I’m a big planner, so I’ve already planned most of our itinerary before we first spoke. Therefore we only needed to finalize the program I had in mind and he helped me organize every little detail. So by the time we arrived to Bali we already had a perfect itinerary and everything was taken care of.

How does it work in real life?

To be honest I had no clue how does it work in the real life and I received many questions about it, so I will share my experience. When we arrived at the airport Putu was already there, waiting for us. He took us into our hotel (since it was already late afternoon) and we agreed on which time he should pick us up the next day.

The next morning came, he picked us up as we agreed, and from that point he was always with us until he took us back to the hotel at the end of the day. He drove us from location to location, and while we were away exploring he waited us in the car, or spent the time with other drivers (who were waiting for their clients as well). Yes, even when we were out for hours! Sometimes he even joined us exploring the area, so he could tell us stories about the place and about the Balinese life in general.

He was really flexible with the timing as well. We wanted to do a lot of sunrise tours so he usually picked us up very early. And by that I mean very, very early. Like 1am or 3am in the morning. Yes, you’ve read it right! (I know, you must think I’m crazy. Wait until you see my sunrise pictures!) The only general rule is that they don’t work more than 14 hours in a day, which is totally understandable.

Long story short, I really can’t recommend enough to have a private driver. Everything was just so perfect!

What to wear in Bali

Despite Bali is a very religious island, there is no strict dress code for tourists. The only exceptions are the religious sites where you always have to wear a sarong (and a scarf, if your shoulders are not covered by your clothes). Don’t worry if you don’t own a sarong, you can always rent it for a small amount of money at every religious site.

As I mentioned before, the weather in Bali is always hot and humid. Therefore you will most likely stroll around in shorts and T-shirts, or dresses. Try to pack light-weight cotton and loose clothes! A beach hat or baseball cap is also a good idea to protect your head from the sun.

Regarding shoes, you can almost always wear flip-flops or sandals. But having a comfy sneaker in your suitcase is a huge bonus if you wanna go for a hike. If you plan to hike Mount Batur, you should prepare with some warm clothes too! I know it sounds weird to pack a jacket and a warmer sweater for Bali, but trust me, you’re gonna need it.

Best things to do in Bali

Okay, this is a very hard topic. There are just so much things do to and see in Bali! I can go on and on for hours without even repeating myself. That’s why I’m planning to write much more detailed posts about the places we visited. They will be linked under every section so keep your eyes opened! But let’s see the different areas of Bali and what to expect from each of them.

South Bali

The southern side of Bali is the most touristy area on the island. Denpasar (the capital city of Bali) is located here together with the Ngurah Rai International Airport. South Bali is packed with beautiful beaches, posh cafes, fancy restaurants and cool party places.

Best spots: Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Jimbaran

Central Bali

The central area is the cultural heart of Bali and it is also the most picturesque side of the island. Central Bali is home to many beautiful temples, deep river gorges, unbelievably green rice terraces and gorgeous waterfalls.

Best spots: Ubud, Campuhan Ridge Walk, Tegalalang rice terraces, Jatiluwih rice terraces, Pura Tirta Empul, Tegenungan waterfall, Kanto Lampo waterfall

East Bali

East Bali is dominated by the largest volcano in the island: Mount Agung. This is a very active volcano with constant eruptions, therefore it is not allowed to visit. But it’s little brother, Mount Batur (who is also an active volcano) is still safe and open for hiking. The nearby area is really beautiful and it is home to some of the island’s oldest villages.

Best spots: Mount Agung, Mount Batur, Pura Luhur Lempuyang (Gate of Heaven), Tirta Gangga Royal Water Garden

North Bali

The northern side of Bali is really different from the rest of the island. The climate is more foggy and rainy, therefore you can see many cloudy lakes, misty mountains and lush jungle waterfalls.

Best spots: Munduk Moding Plantation, Wanagiri Hidden Hill, Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, Banyumala twin waterfalls, Sekumpul waterfall, Handara gate

Nusa Islands

Best spots: Kelingking beach, Rumah Pohon treehouse, Peguyangan Waterfall, Angel’s Billabong, Broken beach, Devil’s Tear, Blue lagoon

Bali Travel Guide - Summary

Bali is really a paradise on Earth. We spent there only 8 days but it was still my most wonderful travel experience ever. I wanna go back ever since I left the island! I really believe everyone should experience Bali at least once in their lifetime.

Hope you guys liked this Bali travel guide and it will help you to make the most of your visit at this postcard perfect place! If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below or send me an email, I always love helping you out! Have you already visited Bali? Leave your comments and tips below!