It's true. The Indonesian rupiah has a very advantageous exchange rate for Europeans (15,000 Rp=1 €) and the prices are reasonable – a “top of the range” dish, for example, costs around 100,000 Rp. (except arak, the local palm alcohol) is expensive, as it is heavily taxed. As for the art of negotiation, especially at the market (not at the restaurant!), it is a custom to which all Balinese lend themselves and which is part of the culture. However, we don't fight for 3,000 Rp:for us, it's very little, for them, it's a lot...
Yes. A bit everywhere in the streets, there are warungs, traditional restaurants ranging from small carts to quite chic establishments. The itinerant warungs, serving very spicy cuisine (and not necessarily very clean…), are reserved for the strongest stomachs. The best dishes? The nasi goreng, made with rice, vegetables, meat and an egg, the babi guling (suckling pig), the bebek betutu (smoked duck), without forgetting the fresh fish by the sea. Bali is also a paradise for vegetarians:vegetables, but also variations of tofu, tempeh… We fell in love with the gado gado (boiled vegetables and rice, in a peanut sauce). For dessert, don't miss the pisang goreng, the fried banana fritter.
Yes and no. If the impact of tourism is visible in big cities like Ubud or in the South, around Kuta, Bali is not limited to its only tourist spots:it would be a shame to leave without having seen the mountains (towards Munduk) and fishing villages (towards Amed), climbed a volcano (Mount Batur or Mount Agung for the more athletic), scuba-dived (towards Amed or the Gili Islands), visited little-known temples, admired the rice fields in floors classified as World Heritage by Unesco…
For a tailor-made stay off the beaten track (and at a reasonable price), we trust Bali Otherwise.
For a family stay with a waterfront formula, head to Club Med (4 Tridents), with Baby Club from 4 months, flying trapeze with circus activities, but also Balinese cooking classes and Club Med Spa by Mandara (surcharge ). Also Zen space reserved for adults. From €1,113 per week in August all inclusive (excluding transport).
More info on the website of the Indonesian tourist office.
