TRAVEL ...BALI
VISA is free for Indians who plan on
staying in Bali for less than 30 days.
The total cost
per person for a 2 week trip including flights, budget accommodations, food,
transportation, & adventure activities costs roughly INR 50,000.
How was your Bali trip as
an Indian? How much expensive was it for you? I have heard it is visa free for
Indians.
First International Trip? Indian? Planning for Bali? Well, I
must say you’ve hit the jackpot, my friend. I finished my Bali trip, &
returned on the 7th of this month. So I can give you a first-hand account of my
experience.
I was in Bali from 25th August to 6th September, which is a
solid 12 days (excluding flight time). Myself along with my friend boarded from
Chennai & reached Bali via transit in Kuala Lumpur. I can boil down my
experience of Bali as an Indian in the following points:
·
The foremost thing that you notice once you reach Bali is the
respect that the citizens have for tourists & travelers in general. The
people there are very warm & welcoming. This is something you won’t notice
while you’re traveling to places within India. I’m not exaggerating; go see for
yourself.
·
The entire island is geographically diverse; it’s a sight to
behold! Every 15 KMS you travel, the markets, the culture, the architecture,
the environment, the way to living, the activities on offer… everything is
drastically different. For example, while Kuta & Seminyak are the party
hotspots of Bali with hundreds of pubs & cafes, Ubud is a bit more
peaceful, & is full of agricultural landscapes. Moving up North, you’ll
find the mountains & volcanoes in abundance such as Mt. Agung & Mt.
Batur. Towards the South, you’ll find it to be a bit less crowded & more
residential setup with Uluwatu.
·
The level of sanitation they maintain is something we MUST learn
from. The processes that have been put in place for the citizens ensure that
the activities carried out don’t affect the locals. The pick-up trucks that
collect garbage also function at night after the shops & restaurants have
closed to avoid traffic. There is absolutely no inconvenience caused to the
anyone, public & tourists alike.
·
The roads are spotless. Being an Indian, I was very skeptical
about walking barefoot on the road for about a mile. But after a while, I
realized that I wasn’t even looking down. It’s something I really applaud the
locals for! They contribute a lot to keeping their country clean.
·
The shopping/bargaining experience is pretty much the same
there, as you can manage to get decent prices for handicrafts (must buy) &
clothing.
·
Traveling to Nusa Lembongan via fast-boat was a great
experience. The islands are pristine & clean. Worth a visit!
·
Finally, the best part about the trip apart from the adventure
activities was the exposure. The island is a mosaic of 100s of cultures! You’ll
find people from 10s of nationalities under one roof. It’s crazy when you
realize that you’re just another frog in a pond, while the entire ocean is just
beyond that barrier.
Moving on to your second question about the costs; I’ll make it
easy for you by putting down some solid numbers.
·
Flight costs for a round-trip from Chennai->Bali & back:
INR 15,000 or lesser (if you book early)
·
Accommodation for 2 per day in a decent hotel (complimentary
breakfast, swimming pool, Wi-Fi, AC): INR 1300
·
If you’re going solo & are okay with staying in a dorm,
check out Toto Tata Hostel in Ubud, with prices as low as INR 250 per day with
AC, Wi-Fi, & showers. It’s pretty damn cool!
·
Average cost per meal for 2: INR 300 for breakfast, INR 500 for
lunch & dinner.
·
Transportation: We rented a scooter daily throughout our stay
there, which cost us roughly INR 250–275 with a full tank of gas. IKR!
·
Adventure activities: Trekking to Mt. Batur for sunrise cost us
about INR 1300 per person, which includes pick-up & drop, breakfast, a
flashlight, & a private guide. Snorkeling cost about the same. With the
fast-boat charges, it cost us about INR 2000 for snorkeling. Scuba diving might
cost a tad bit more (read ‘a lot’).
All in all, the total cost per person for a 2 week trip
including flights, budget accommodations, food, transportation, & adventure
activities costs roughly INR 50,000.
Finally, coming to your 3rd statement. I’d like to clarify this
to all those reading:
VISA is free for Indians who plan on staying in
Bali for less than 30 days. You’ll have to pay up only if you’re
planning to stay for more than a month. Since a majority of Indians don’t
travel for such extended periods of time, it shouldn’t cause you any trouble
FROM QUORA
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