kramer
Hi everyone!I'm on the fence between visit Phuket (dry season), or Bali (wet season) in the coming weeks. I might even try to squeeze both. I have 1 mth to play with. I prefer to just spend the full month in Bali, but I'm worried over the rain. How is the weather in January? My research shows it's the wettest month of the year. I winged everything the last time I visited Bali back in 2015 with no pre-planning, and I'm looking to change my habits this time around. I would love to live as cost efficient as possible, therefore, I'm looking for some advice. For starters, I'm looking to stay in the Seminyak or Canguu areas.1. Accommodation. Just like my last visit, I used Airbnb. It looks like I'm heading down there in low season, so I'm seeing a lot available. I found some nice rentals on a couple of popular fb groups, but they may be long term rentals. I'm going to try and talk them down to a month-month deal. Other than airbnb, does anyone have any recommended sites to source fully furnished month to month rentals in Seminyak or Canguu?2. Food - I tend to cook a lot as opposed to eating out often. Does anyone have any recommendations for grocery stores which are well priced? Or well priced healthy eating spots in Canguu/Seminyak?3. Gym - Does anyone have any good recommended gyms in the area with a lot of machines and free weight?4. Internet - The apartment I stayed in the last time was very slow, and spotty. I will be doing a lot of work on my laptop and Internet is very important. I'm wondering, is it normal to experience slow speeds and interruptions often? Any solutions for this issue, like high speed internet cards/usb sticks which can be used in case the rental unit has poor internet?5. SIM Card - Any suggestions on where is the best place to purchase high speed (4G/LTE) SIMs?6. Visa - Coming from Canada, I'm good for 30 days. Most likely, I will be down there for more than 30 days. Is it easier to apply for the tourist visa when I arrive at the airport in Bali or locally in Toronto before departing?7. License to Drive - My last visit, I rented a motorbike without any issues. I've read some mixed stories that you need a local license to operate and the police will give you a hard time if pulled over. Is this true? Is it safer to get an international drivers permit before departing?8. Insurance - Does anyone recommend any specific Health insurance which can be purchased to cover medical bills? Is something like that purchased locally in Bali? Does anyone have any recommended walk in clinics or doctors in or around Seminyak/Canguu?I think that's it for now:) Thanks![URL='https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=875775#reco-4751322']Like[/URL]
harryopal
Kramer, I'm not living in the Seminyak Canggu area so can't help you with earlier questions.4.[I] Internet - The apartment I stayed in the last time was very slow, and spotty. I will be doing a lot of work on my laptop and Internet is very important. I'm wondering, is it normal to experience slow speeds and interruptions often? Any solutions for this issue, like high speed internet cards/usb sticks which can be used in case the rental unit has poor internet?[/I][B]Spotty is a good way to describe the internet. We are in a permanent location with a satellite dish and the speed varies almost from hour to hour. Before settling we had used a little Huwaei device that was quite useful but I am sure other tech savvy people will have useful ideas for you.[/B]7. [I]License to Drive - My last visit, I rented a motorbike without any issues. I've read some mixed stories that you need a local license to operate and the police will give you a hard time if pulled over. Is this true? Is it safer to get an international drivers permit before departing?[/I][B]Strongly recommend you get an international permit. Bring your home licence with you as well. And make sure you use a safety helmet. Police frequently set up to spot motorcyclists so not wearing a safety helmet and you automatically have a problem and not having a permit puts you an awkward place.This is also pertinent to the following question as any insurance will be invalid were you to have a motorbike accident without a permit. There are occasional crowd funding pleas for people whose insurance was invalidated by not having a licence and then had nasty spills racking up bills in the tens of thousands and needing special travel arrangements to get home. I suspect a good travel insurance purchase would be the way to go but can't recommend any particular plan.[/B]8. I[I]nsurance - Does anyone recommend any specific Health insurance which can be purchased to cover medical bills? Is something like that purchased locally in Bali? Does anyone have any recommended walk in clinics or doctors in or around Seminyak/Canguu?[/I][B]See above.[/B]
SamD
Hi everyone!I'm on the fence between visit Phuket (dry season), or Bali (wet season) in the coming weeks. I might even try to squeeze both. I have 1 mth to play with. I prefer to just spend the full month in Bali, but I'm worried over the rain. How is the weather in January? My research shows it's the wettest month of the year. I winged everything the last time I visited Bali back in 2015 with no pre-planning, and I'm looking to change my habits this time around. I would love to live as cost efficient as possible, therefore, I'm looking for some advice. For starters, I'm looking to stay in the Seminyak or Canguu areas.1. Accommodation. Just like my last visit, I used Airbnb. It looks like I'm heading down there in low season, so I'm seeing a lot available. I found some nice rentals on a couple of popular fb groups, but they may be long term rentals. I'm going to try and talk them down to a month-month deal. Other than airbnb, does anyone have any recommended sites to source fully furnished month to month rentals in Seminyak or Canguu?2. Food - I tend to cook a lot as opposed to eating out often. Does anyone have any recommendations for grocery stores which are well priced? Or well priced healthy eating spots in Canguu/Seminyak?3. Gym - Does anyone have any good recommended gyms in the area with a lot of machines and free weight?4. Internet - The apartment I stayed in the last time was very slow, and spotty. I will be doing a lot of work on my laptop and Internet is very important. I'm wondering, is it normal to experience slow speeds and interruptions often? Any solutions for this issue, like high speed internet cards/usb sticks which can be used in case the rental unit has poor internet?5. SIM Card - Any suggestions on where is the best place to purchase high speed (4G/LTE) SIMs?6. Visa - Coming from Canada, I'm good for 30 days. Most likely, I will be down there for more than 30 days. Is it easier to apply for the tourist visa when I arrive at the airport in Bali or locally in Toronto before departing?7. License to Drive - My last visit, I rented a motorbike without any issues. I've read some mixed stories that you need a local license to operate and the police will give you a hard time if pulled over. Is this true? Is it safer to get an international drivers permit before departing?8. Insurance - Does anyone recommend any specific Health insurance which can be purchased to cover medical bills? Is something like that purchased locally in Bali? Does anyone have any recommended walk in clinics or doctors in or around Seminyak/Canguu?I think that's it for now:) Thanks![URL='https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=875775#reco-4751322']Like[/URL][/QUOTE]For short term in Seminyak I can recommend a place called Utari Residence on jl Nakula 5. The deluxe double is the best value but there is only one so hard to get for the whole stay. There is a fridge but no cooking facilities. Plenty of cheap local warungs in the area. I have found airbnb have shifted their business model from ordinary people renting out their spare accommodation to a more commercial type operation. I have experienced this from both a host and traveller's perspective. Nowadays I tend to use Agoda more than airbnb. Anyway, Hammerhead gym is just a 5 minute walk away from Nakula 5. And if you want high speed internet the Hub Bali coworking space is just up the road from Hammerhead at Sara Residence with hot desks for casual use or you can rent a dedicated desk for a month for 2.5million. That is what I do. You can get your teeth fixed there too and if so inclined, some cosmetic surgery. There is a clinic on the same floor as the dedicated desks.Not sure where you get the idea that January is low season. It is high season in the middle of the Australian school holidays. Unless you mean the end of Jan. Rain here is generally the late afternoon thunderstorm variety but that is not to say you can't get prolonged wet periods with constant rain. Luck of the draw. But if I had to choose between Bali and phuket then Bali would win every time, rain or no rain. There is no other place like it in the world. And Seminyak is the place I choose to live.Good luck.
kramer
For short term in Seminyak I can recommend a place called Utari Residence on jl Nakula 5. The deluxe double is the best value but there is only one so hard to get for the whole stay. There is a fridge but no cooking facilities. Plenty of cheap local warungs in the area.I have found airbnb have shifted their business model from ordinary people renting out their spare accommodation to a more commercial type operation. I have experienced this from both a host and traveller's perspective. Nowadays I tend to use Agoda more than airbnb.Anyway, Hammerhead gym is just a 5 minute walk away from Nakula 5. And if you want high speed internet the Hub Bali coworking space is just up the road from Hammerhead at Sara Residence with hot desks for casual use or you can rent a dedicated desk for a month for 2.5million. That is what I do. You can get your teeth fixed there too and if so inclined, some cosmetic surgery. There is a clinic on the same floor as the dedicated desks.Not sure where you get the idea that January is low season. It is high season in the middle of the Australian school holidays. Unless you mean the end of Jan.Rain here is generally the late afternoon thunderstorm variety but that is not to say you can't get prolonged wet periods with constant rain. Luck of the draw. But if I had to choose between Bali and phuket then Bali would win every time, rain or no rain. There is no other place like it in the world. And Seminyak is the place I choose to live.Good luck.[/QUOTE]Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I checked out Utari, I can't believe how cheap it is, wow. But they're all sold out for my days :( Any other suggestions? I wouldn't mind staying at a smaller building which is not so busy, as opposed to a bigger style resort/hotel.I checked airbnb, it's quite pricey. I've been looking on some fb groups lately, no luck yet.Do you have a recommended sim card or service, in case I need to tether from my phone to my laptop? I have a bit of personal work I'll be doing daily, but I prefer to work in silence in my unit as opposed to a public coworking space. But, I'll check it out while i'm down there anyway.Sorry, what I meant in terms of low season is that it's raining season. I thought the dry months are the usual high season (April - Nov). I had no idea about the Australian school holidays, that has turned me off a little bit. I was looking for more of a relaxed downtime without a bunch of drunk kids running around the streets causing chaos...I tend do agree with you, out of all of my travel spots, Bali is #1 and Phuket is #2 (I've been to both once). I just love both spots. I mentioned Phuket because I really want to enjoy some sunshine and beaches, so it seems a little less riskier. Tough decision. How are the mornings and days at this time of the season, sunny? When it does rain, if it's small bursts of rain, I can deal :)One more thing, I'll be looking to rent a bike (150cc), any recommended places?
spicyayam
I like the rainy season, but that's because I live here and most of the time it is dry and hot. Given the choice, I would go somewhere where it wasn't rainy season.
Mark
Hi everyone!I'm on the fence between visit Phuket (dry season), or Bali (wet season) in the coming weeks. I might even try to squeeze both. I have 1 mth to play with. I prefer to just spend the full month in Bali, but I'm worried over the rain. How is the weather in January? My research shows it's the wettest month of the year. [COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)]So far this year the weather has been very dry. It only just started to rain with any regularity. January can be wet, but it doesn't typically rain all day every day. Mornings in particular, tend to be sunny, with showers in the afternoon and evenings generally dry.[/COLOR]I winged everything the last time I visited Bali back in 2015 with no pre-planning, and I'm looking to change my habits this time around. I would love to live as cost efficient as possible, therefore, I'm looking for some advice. For starters, I'm looking to stay in the Seminyak or Canguu areas.1. Accommodation. Just like my last visit, I used Airbnb. It looks like I'm heading down there in low season, so I'm seeing a lot available. I found some nice rentals on a couple of popular fb groups, but they may be long term rentals. I'm going to try and talk them down to a month-month deal. Other than airbnb, does anyone have any recommended sites to source fully furnished month to month rentals in Seminyak or Canguu?2. Food - I tend to cook a lot as opposed to eating out often. Does anyone have any recommendations for grocery stores which are well priced? Or well priced healthy eating spots in Canguu/Seminyak?3. Gym - Does anyone have any good recommended gyms in the area with a lot of machines and free weight?4. Internet - The apartment I stayed in the last time was very slow, and spotty. I will be doing a lot of work on my laptop and Internet is very important. I'm wondering, is it normal to experience slow speeds and interruptions often? Any solutions for this issue, like high speed internet cards/usb sticks which can be used in case the rental unit has poor internet?[COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)] Recommend you have your mobile local 4G SIM as a backup network, or you can purchase a small device called Smartfren that uses its own SIM card and creates a local 4G network without tying up your phone.[/COLOR]5. SIM Card - Any suggestions on where is the best place to purchase high speed (4G/LTE) SIMs? [COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)]Pretty much any telephone shop sells SIMs. I use a Telkomsel SIM. Their packages are not the cheapest, but they tend to have the widest area of 4G coverage. I pay Rp. 171k for a 52gb internet package that is valid for one month. The speed is good enough that I haven't been bothered to install fiber at my place yet. Skype video calls, youtube etc. are all ok.[/COLOR]6. Visa - Coming from Canada, I'm good for 30 days. Most likely, I will be down there for more than 30 days. Is it easier to apply for the tourist visa when I arrive at the airport in Bali or locally in Toronto before departing? [COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)]If your stay will be 60 days or less, you can purchase a visa on arrival at the airport, good for 30 days and renewable locally for a further 30 days.[/COLOR]7. License to Drive - My last visit, I rented a motorbike without any issues. I've read some mixed stories that you need a local license to operate and the police will give you a hard time if pulled over. Is this true? Is it safer to get an international drivers permit before departing?[COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)] My two cents is that it is much safer to get an international driver permit before you arrive in Bali. It must be endorsed for motorcycles to be valid. Do note that, while you probably won't be caught, your insurance will not cover you if you are not properly licensed under local law, meaning having your home license plus the IDP, endorsed for motorcycles. If you do get caught, the police probably won't give you too hard a time - most likely you'll be asked to pay a 'fine' directly to the officer. If you cause an accident, however, especially if someone is injured or god forbid killed, and you don't have a license, then you could be in Real Trouble.[/COLOR]8. Insurance - Does anyone recommend any specific Health insurance which can be purchased to cover medical bills? Is something like that purchased locally in Bali? Does anyone have any recommended walk in clinics or doctors in or around Seminyak/Canguu?[COLOR=rgb(226, 80, 65)] There are loads of inexpensive travel insurance policies available online. Just use a reputable company and read the reviews. Make sure yours covers medical evacuation and if you ride a motorbike don't forget to wear your helmet, have the correct license (see above) and don't drink alcohol and ride, all of which will invalidate your insurance should you need it in case of accident.[/COLOR]I think that's it for now:) Thanks![URL='https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=875775#reco-4751322']Like[/URL][/QUOTE]
SamD
[/QUOTE]Thanks a lot for your suggestions. I checked out Utari, I can't believe how cheap it is, wow. But they're all sold out for my days :( Any other suggestions? I wouldn't mind staying at a smaller building which is not so busy, as opposed to a bigger style resort/hotel.I checked airbnb, it's quite pricey. I've been looking on some fb groups lately, no luck yet.Do you have a recommended sim card or service, in case I need to tether from my phone to my laptop? I have a bit of personal work I'll be doing daily, but I prefer to work in silence in my unit as opposed to a public coworking space. But, I'll check it out while i'm down there anyway.Sorry, what I meant in terms of low season is that it's raining season. I thought the dry months are the usual high season (April - Nov). I had no idea about the Australian school holidays, that has turned me off a little bit. I was looking for more of a relaxed downtime without a bunch of drunk kids running around the streets causing chaos...I tend do agree with you, out of all of my travel spots, Bali is #1 and Phuket is #2 (I've been to both once). I just love both spots. I mentioned Phuket because I really want to enjoy some sunshine and beaches, so it seems a little less riskier. Tough decision. How are the mornings and days at this time of the season, sunny? When it does rain, if it's small bursts of rain, I can deal :)One more thing, I'll be looking to rent a bike (150cc), any recommended places?[/QUOTE]Recently I also stayed at Suji Apartment. A bit pricier than Utari but you can cook there and they have a pool. But like I said I use agoda to search for places to stay now rather than airbnb. And you might find the best places are already booked given Jan is high season and you have left it a bit late.Hundreds of scooter rental places in Seminyak. Can't recommend any one in particular. Just make sure you have your international permit. Aussie kids tend to run amok in Kuta, not Seminyak. It's their mums and dads you need to look out for in this part of the world.
britoo
Kramer,your choice of - to go to rainy Bali or not - depends mainly on what you want to do during your stay. As one poster said often its just a late afternoon or overnight downpour for an hour or so (like right now) then its fine for the whole of the day. Occasionally there will be a day long downpour. On the Canggu side of the island it does however tend to leave the beaches really filthy with garbage and debris washed down the rivers and deposited back onto the beach by the tide. If you are looking for a beach, holiday this is probably the biggest turn-off and I would suggest split with or just go to Phuket if you want to spend long hours lounging on the beach. If you are after experiencing Bali, then go for it - Bali is still Bali when it rains.1 I cant really add to anything on this topic2 For Seminyak area, a good choice is Lio square - Heading away from Seminyak on Jl Raya Kerobokan theres a Festive supermarket just before the traffic lights for your Western needs but more importantly there is a wet market just a little bit further towards the crossroads after the petrol station accessed down a small alley on the right or by going right at the junction. Perfect for fruits, veggie and meat. For eats, theres a locals food court set up right opposite the festive and just past the petrol station youll find level-8, always busy with locals.3 Hammerhead was suggested, I would agree its a good choice in terms of price, equipment and being able to meet some nice people who go there. I would also suggest checking out the jungle gym set up at Wayan's beach shack in Berawa (not its proper name) on the beach. There are regulars who hang and work out there though the gym is as you expect very crude, its a nice relaxed vibe especially around sunset. To get there park at Finns beachclub and walk North along the beach for 5 min or at Perancak/Berawa beach and walk south 20 seconds and you cannot miss it.4 Fibre internet is fairly widespread in this part of Bali and in theory you shouldn't have any problems though of course my own experience is my own dedicated 20M fibre connection relayed via my own dedicated wifi connection or wired connection in some cases. So your experience may vary if you are in a homestay with 20 other digital nomads hammering the internet especially if they all want to upload :). Still, finding a place with fibre is a good way to meet your needs. 5. For sim cards you should get 4g lte thoughout this part of Bali and plans are pretty cheap here unless you plan to host a data server off your phone. I have used XL whch is super cheap and 3 where the quota is good for an entire year and have found them both to be fine for my general needs but remember I have my fibre for any heavy lifting. There are phone shops/kiosks everywhere that will sell you sim packages so I'd say just try one out. As of last year each sim needs to be registered to a person but foreign tourists are allowed to do this with a passport. It is possible some small shops may not support this process.6. If you know you will stay beyond 30 days there is benefit in pre-arranging your 60 day visa back at home as you wont have to pay an agent and make 1 visit or make 3 visits to immigration mid-way through your holiday to process your extension. It is also about the same price as you have to pay 500k for the VOA + 500k for the extension. If you are not going to stay beyond 30 days, then its simpler to just get a visa-waiver on-arrival which is free but cannot be extended.7 You need your local licence + the International Driving Permit (IDP) which has to be issued at home, which is merely a translation of your home licence endorsements to drive legally and to be insured. Indonesia isn't a signatory but accepts the 1949 convention as opposed to the 1926. This caused friends of mine some problems as their local IDP issuer couldn't determine which IDP they needed. Obviously if you are not entitled to ride a motorbike (category A) on your home licence, this will be translated onto your IDP and it will not entitle you to ride a bike overseas. You will be able to rent a bike and ride it regardless, you will just be an ATM on wheels for local police and uninsured.8 No adviceEnjoy your trip.
harryopal
Weather patterns can always vary and thus far there has been little rain. Often there may be rain in the morning and then clear and sunny in the afternoon... on the other hand it could rain for days on end... but not usually.
JohnnyCool
Predicting weather in Bali, ([I]or anywhere else[/I]), these days is problematic.I'll give you an example from my own experiences in the past.Way back in the early 1970s, when I returned for my [I]second[/I] visit, I stayed in what is probably known these days as Legian.[B][I]It rained non-stop, day and night[/I][/B] for almost one week! (I'm still not sure how that was even possible.)And the rain then was so hard it hurt. Couldn't go anywhere to even buy food. Nearly 'starved'. (My Australian girlfriend at the time, later my wife, wasn't impressed. Me neither.)[B]But[/B], that didn't deter me from returning to Bali for and over many decades later. I don't remember now exactly how many times ; 30-40-50? I do remember having a complete break from Indonesia for about 10 years, and then started coming back (multiple times). I've been in Bali now for ~25 years. (Seen 'good' and 'bad' weather.)The weather [I]these[/I] days in Bali is kind of all over the shop. Nobody really knows or can predict what might or not happen in 'January'.The last two 'wet seasons' here overall were late and/or under par. Much of Bali this year is experiencing drought conditions. Many major rivers have been either dry or just trickles. The Indonesian weather 'experts' are predicting possible major monsoon rain events across the country (including Bali). If and when they turn up.Places like Pokhara in Thailand are hard for me to even recognize these days, but I haven't been there since ~1980s.Same goes for Penang (Malaysia).My final take on all of this (for you), is to not worry [I]too[/I] much about weather conditions. Go with the flow. [B]If[/B] things go rough weather-wise, you won't be alone.You'll be able to share with the locals. Be brave.:)
Juggler
If you are after a place in Canggu I can recommend a place that I have used before. Its was 400000 per night but Made gives a sizable rebate for longer stays. It has 4 rooms with tv a/c and a shared pool and kitchen area. Located justt of JL pantai berawa and near Farine bakery (best sourdough on the island) Gg Dona by memory. If you want the contace PM me.I used XL and its fast and cheap. Also if you plan to drive down sunset the police have a habit of pulling over EVERY scooter to do licence checks
PERtoDPS
I have much more to input but not much time and the others have offered you some great suggestions already.For internet I still find a 4g dongle and "Smartfren" is the cheapest way to go with 100,000 (Its either 60GB or unlimited of course with set conditions) recharges is the way to go, fast enough to stream my IPTV. Not as fast as my NBN in Aus though and it will only work well in the south tourist hubs (like where you will be).If you want to do proper shopping, Terra Dewata and second to that Hardys, a great mix of western and Indoneisa foods at good price.
