ps Tags: etiquette, finance, holidays, quarantine, seasons, tips
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Bali’s “Tourist Seasons”
Following are simple descriptions of the five key ‘tourist seasons’ known in Bali. The best one that suits you depends on variables such as time, money, weather conditions, and accessibility.
Pre-prime season ( April – May). Rooms in Bali are readily available and rates, the crowds and the weather are moderate.
Prime season (May – September). A sunny and dry period; during this season, international as well as domestic tourists flock the island, following the school holidays that occur in Indonesia. The month of August is usually full of offers for tourists on promotional hotel rates, tour packages and special restaurant menus with interesting pricings in conjunction with the Indonesian celebration of Independence Day. Foreign visitors can join in on the various Independence folk celebrations held in Bali. Best book your hotel room at least a month prior.
Post-prime season (September – mid December). Hotel rooms in Bali are readily available again as schools in Indonesia begin their curriculums, thus not many domestic tourists are seen during this season.
Holiday season (mid-December to early-January). Holiday-makers flock the island for Christmas and the New Year. Just like the prime season, many promotions and attractive prices are on offer. However, it is when the dry season subsides into the wet season.
Wet season (January – April). Just like the rain, everything else seems to come down: prices, crowds, as well as room bookings. It is a refreshing period after the dry season, and many sightseeing and adventure features on the island are best enjoyed during this season, such as the agrarian life and majestic temples and royal water palaces and gardens in the central regions. However, the tropical rainy season will always leave plenty of sun for the coastal lovers.
Location & Duration of Your Stay
Don’t take in too lightly the number of days for your stay. Many travelers to Bali admitted that they wished they had more days on their Bali trip. Here are some clues on the considerable location and length of your stay:
It would be better if you stay in Bali for at least 10-14 days because many hotels and travel agencies in Bali provide special benefits for guests who stay for a considerable length of time in Bali. A month would be even better because Bali has so many highlights to experience.
In the major tourist areas of southern Bali; if you prefer quiet atmospheres for your holiday, it would be better if you stay in the Nusa Dua or Ubud area, but if you prefer the livelier mood you can stay in the Kuta or Sanur area.
Staying in a hotel room over a longer duration (at least a month) will help you save more than staying in a villa.
Exchange & Currency
Here are some options that can help you save during your holiday in Bali.
Credit Cards – Use a major credit card: American Express, MasterCard or Visa, whenever possible. The rate of exchange applied by the cards is likely to help you save more than exchanging cash or traveler’s checks into the Indonesian Rupiah.
Cash vs. Traveler Checks – Better exchange rates apply for major foreign currencies than for traveler checks. Moreover, extra fees often apply for cashing travelers checks – added to the fee you originally paid to purchase. Besides, cash eases your shopping in traditional markets in Bali.
Which currency? – More buying power is gained if you exchange hard-currency cash – such as the Japanese Yen and Australian Dollar. But for the highest relative rate, bring US Dollars or Euros.
Dollar denominations – The dollar denomination affects the exchange rate. Prime reason: The larger the denomination, the less likely the bill will be a counterfeit. That’s why US$100 bills get appreciably better rates than $50 bills, which get appreciably better rates than $20 bills. Only some money exchangers bother with $10 bills — and if you have $5 and $1 bills, forget it. Whatever the denomination, bring the latest design style of US currency. And, be sure notes are crisp, unmarred and unwrinkled.
Money exchangers – Professional money exchange establishments (particularly those in Kuta’s main shopping areas) normally give you significantly better exchange rates than banks, which in turn give you appreciably better rates than you get at hotels and the airport. Note: Although nearly all Balinese money exchangers are honest, there are a few who “accidentally” miscount, use sleight of hand deception, use rigged calculators or tag on unexpected commissions. For getting best a reliable local source to point you to one of the many reliable money exchangers.
Etiquette
Several tips to keep in respect for Balinese customs, rituals and sensibilities:
Don’t take a picture of anyone or something without first obtaining permission.
Don’t enter a temple unless you’re completely covered knees to shoulders;