Before arriving in Bali, we imagined the island as a peaceful place with beautiful beaches, perfect for a relaxing getaway, far from the hustle and bustle of Western civilisation. We thought we’d spend most of our time on the beaches or swimming in scenic lagoons. Our knowledge of the island was very limited, and we hadn’t really educated ourselves beforehand – we went with the flow.

Photo: Virgin Beach, Bali

Photo: Warm-water pool in one of the resorts near Ubud

Bali is known as the “Island of the Gods”, and its main attractions are its temples, each offering something unique – whether floating on a lake, perched on a sea rock, featuring a cave full of bats, or boasting breathtaking views. We only visited the beach twice; once in the north near Lovina, where the beaches have black volcanic sand, and once in the south, which is home to the most beautiful beaches. Uluwatu, considered the crown jewel of the southern coast, was on our list, but we didn’t manage to visit it.

Photo: Me and Marianna at Ulun Danu

Most of the places we visited were highly commercialised. The small island is visited by about 5 million tourists annually, making it very crowded and traffic-heavy, especially around Kuta and Ubud, where the average speed is about 25 kilometres per hour. It’s worth keeping this in mind when booking accommodation – no one wants to spend their holiday stuck in a car, moving at a snail’s pace. To explore the island comfortably, it’s worth booking accommodation in several different locations.

Photo: Busy road in Kuta

Travelling with children, we decided to rent a car. When driving in Bali, due to the countless scooters and their often reckless driving, it’s important to stay calm and avoid sudden moves. I also wouldn’t recommend driving at night due to the poor road conditions, frequent potholes, and pedestrians walking on the streets due to the lack of pavements. Renting a car is much cheaper, sometimes several times so, with local rental companies. I contacted one such company, and we arranged everything through WhatsApp, paying in cash at the airport upon picking up the car. Insurance wasn’t included, and the owner informed us that any scratches or dents would incur a fee of about £15 per damaged part, which I found to be perfectly acceptable.

The food in Bali is not only delicious but also very affordable. Fruit, including my favourite – coconuts – are available everywhere. The best prices for fruit and vegetables can be found at street markets. For those who prefer premium shopping, there’s the Peppito supermarket chain, where you’ll find familiar European brands, although prices are slightly higher than back home.

Photo: Buying fruit in Lovina

Prices in Bali are relatively low compared to those in the UK. The biggest expense during our stay was accommodation. Villas can be found from £60 per night, though prices usually hover around £100. We paid £140 per night for a villa in Candidasa and about £60 per night for one in Ubud. Both places included breakfast and cleaning services. Our villa in Banjar cost £100 per night but without breakfast or cleaning. These were the prices just before the peak tourist season; we were in Bali from 24th May to 18th June. Marianna’s mum flew from Berlin to Denpasar with Scoot Airlines, with the return ticket costing £500.

Photo: Villa in Banjar

The most amazing places we visited: 

– Ulun Danu Berata – the most famous temple in Bali

– Messusun Waterfall – a wild, untouched spot, highly recommended

– Tanah Lot – the second most famous temple in Bali

– Family dinner at Wajan’s – a truly local meal, not something you can just turn up for.

Financial summary for a 5-person trip from 24th May to 18th June 2024:

– Flight from Thailand: £400

– Accommodation: £2,600

– Car hire: £480

– Food, fuel, attractions, etc.: £1,520

– TOTAL: £5,000

Bali left us with many memories and surprised us in many ways. We’re very happy with our visit and glad we got to see firsthand what lies behind the enhanced photos from blogs and YouTube videos.