Bali Family Trip: Tips, Itinerary, and Recommendations from a Vietnamese Traveler
Bali Bliss: Insider Tips for an Unforgettable Island Getaway
Planning your dream vacation to Bali? Having recently returned from a fantastic family adventure, I'm excited to share some firsthand experiences and practical tips to make your trip as smooth and magical as ours. Navigating the Essentials: Power, Connectivity, and Currency
When it comes to power, Bali uses a round, recessed electrical outlet. Good news for Samsung users, their chargers fit perfectly. For staying connected, I opted for a Joytel SIM card purchased on Shopee, advertised as Telkomsel. However, I couldn't verify the provider, and the network was unfortunately quite spotty and unreliable during our trip. Currency exchange was an interesting experience. While exchanging USD at a bank in Bali itself yielded a rate of 15,700 IDR to the dollar, heading over to Nusa Penida offered a better rate of 16,100 IDR. Since time was tight, I found a favorable exchange rate of 1,695 IDR per Vietnamese Dong with our pre-booked car service. I had inquired in Hanoi beforehand, where rates ranged from 1,755 to 1,815, which was significantly higher. Seamless Arrival and Comfortable Travel
For families with young children under six, take advantage of the separate priority immigration lane. We breezed through with only about five people ahead of us, a stark contrast to the regular line which had around 70. Remember to complete the online declaration form at least three days prior to your arrival at https://allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id/. This generates a QR code that expedites your entry, saving you a considerable amount of time at the airport. With a larger group, we decided to book a private car for the entire trip through Kadek Maya, a Vietnamese woman married to a Balinese local. This was incredibly convenient, especially for currency exchange. When we had some leftover Indonesian Rupiah, she kindly exchanged it back for us at the same favorable rate of 1,695 IDR to VND. Her flexibility and helpfulness made our transportation experience truly stress-free. Culinary Delights and Stunning Scenery
A definite culinary highlight was Warung Chef Bagus Kuta. Their grilled ribs are absolutely divine, and the average meal cost around 250,000-300,000 VND per person. Bali truly shines with its breathtaking landscapes and incredible photo opportunities. While not primarily a beach destination for swimming, every vista is a postcard-perfect scene. The turquoise waters are simply mesmerizing, and the photos I captured are unedited, showcasing the natural beauty in all its glory. Our 5-Day, 4-Night Bali Itinerary
* **Day 1:** Our journey began with a 10 AM flight from Vietnam. Bali is one hour ahead of Vietnam. We arrived at Denpasar (DPS) at 4:30 PM and proceeded through immigration. Our driver, a wonderfully friendly and enthusiastic local with over 20 years of driving experience, took us on a scenic drive along Kuta Beach for photos before heading to dinner and our hotel. He was also invaluable in sharing insights about Bali. * **Day 2:** We took an early morning ferry to Nusa Penida. The day was dedicated to exploring four spots on the west coast of Bali. The roads can be quite bumpy and narrow, but our driver navigated them with expert skill. The scenery was spectacular, though I admit I managed to obscure the famous dinosaur silhouette while posing for a photo! Remember to queue up and wait for your turn to get the perfect shot. * **Day 3:** We ventured to four locations on the east coast of Bali. Similar to the west, the scenery was captivating. This side required less strenuous climbing. If you prefer to avoid the trek down to Diamond Beach, the view from the first viewpoint at the top is still incredibly beautiful. * **Day 4:** Initially, we planned to revisit Crystal Bay, but the rocky seabed made swimming uncomfortable. We returned to mainland Bali early and headed to Geger Beach for a swim. A wave-breaking wall seemed to be in place, creating calm, clear waters further offshore. The water was shallow, perfect for adults to wade and for children to enjoy swimming without needing floaties. * **Day 5:** Our final morning was spent picking up souvenirs, enjoying a last meal, and heading to the airport for our flight home. We mostly bought chocolates as gifts, and a quick tip: refrigerate them as soon as you get back to prevent melting. Overall, our family trip to Bali was an absolute triumph. We are incredibly grateful to Kadek Maya and her team of drivers for their exceptional support throughout our journey, from getting around Bali to assisting with ferry tickets and pickups on the island. You can connect with Kadek Maya and her team via their Facebook page: Di Du Lich Bali Cung Kadek Maya | Gianyar. This travel experience was shared by Bích Ngọc.
