I loved the Nusas and Komodo National Park. I totally get you. Or give you a ride to temples only local people know to avoid crowds. My impulsive decision to buy a random international How do you get over the fear of going to a bar/club alone What place exceeded your expectations as a solo traveler? Plus you can check the reviews/. Just thought Id add my experience under your post in case someone else is in doubts. When are you going, I'm thinking of heading back at the end of August. At least it worked for me; I always swore I would never wear a bikini, and then somehow I bought one to take with me to Bali. @ACHMAD GHOZI We spent about a month in Bali on a backpackers budget and while I had my man with me, I felt so weird about Bali too! -plan ahead So they have no idea about this kind of transportation exist in Bali. Just didnt suit my travel wants sadly.
At first it was a painfully long drive through Denpasar, but when we got to the countryside we picked up giggling school children and happy locals, which made it kind of fun. It wasnt creepy, it was kind of cute actually, but super uncomfortable. Hi, I am a local and travelling alone in 2017.
Still touristy but not nearly as bad. Public transport is a nightmare!! Which sucks because I think it might have made a difference in me feeling like I had more freedom to move around. He spent hours talking about how he makes his own paints, etc, and It was bullshit.
I made a joke about wanting to stay in Bali forever, but my husband would not like it (I dont have a husband- just dropping hints to him I was unavailable.) Many of the people are kind I just had enough crappy interactions and experiences that it left me feeling negative about it. Im in Lombok with my boyfriend. Part of the magic of Bali is being able to go into the country side, see the rice terraces, the waterfalls, the coffee plantations, and the temples. -The booklet offer more detail map area around their bus stop (you can d/l from their web), Cons: -Bali traffic is unpredictable so going to different line takes more times and it wasted so much of your time (e.g from seminyak to Ubud, from line 4 to line 5 it took me 3hr traveling time compare with lets say rent a car 1.5hr) . Bali isnt big but what it lacks in size it makes up for with diversity. I often look at some other solo female travellers, who [], bali sucks. Check out some of the companies below for their latest Panama trips!
The most awkward being the men. I came to her when she was talking in a too friendly mode. Wow, this is amazingly honest! And based on the website, it was established 5 years ago, with all the reluctant from local with any new business in transportation, I can imagine it must be a slow growth. Either way, women shouldnt have to be assertive. You won't experience much Balinese culture in Kuta but probably good if you want to party. It has a huge bar scene and mushroom scene. The driver apparently didnt see that I was requesting such a long trip, so he picked me up and realized he couldnt do it after all. (Unwanted compliments, strangers asking personal questions, unwanted attention). No, not at all. Omg..thats horrible. Im so excited to you that you come to my country and share your experience during in Bali.
Is it possible? Cheers to fellas travelers! Ive spent a lot of time in Bali and felt very safe overall. Solo and travel budget guide to Norway and Sweden, Solo Travel Inspiration and Information. Because of the taxi mafia he wasnt allowed to drop me off where I was going and I could see he sincerely felt badly about it. He was nice but Id rather preferred to be with more people. Oh yes, uber could be scary, they have banned it in tourist areas like kuta, seminyak, uluwatu, ubud, canggu and maybe some other areas. Im not sure what it was about me that encouraged all the men to ask me if I would like to drink and party with them, but it ended up being pretty unnerving on my end. So I left feeling like I didnt get to do everything I wanted because I was travelling alone. Hey I am considering travelling to Bali for a trip for 1.5-2 weeks. Im sorry you didnt have a good time in Bali. Im glad you still enjoyed parts of your trip though! I stayed in Kuta Lombok, which is a smaller and more "up and coming" destination on the island than Senggigi. I , too am a solo female traveler, 5 days in Ubud and 5 days in Seminyak. Uber, Lyft, Gojek arent allowed within the city limits and taxi tours will take one to the cleaners if allowed. 
Im in Bali right now, and yes I had the same experience. Oh and just a heads up, although they are used to seeing tourists dressed in shorts, tank tops, and swimwear, its still shocking to them. -More happening area like Canggu and/or off beaten track at North Bali is not yet covered (probably in the future? I wouldnt say drop it. Especially I cant ride a motorbike (well..) so my only choice left is either rent a car (not cost-friendly) or take a motor bike taxi (we call it ojek) which can be painful for my butt if long journey. One tip take group surf lessons, its a great way to meet others. Just about 1 month ago, military and police arrived at Trawangan and cleaned up the beaches (got this info from a local dive center, Trawangan Dive). No, but my frustrations with the parts listed above didnt allow me to love my time there as much as I thought I would. [] better for the environment is enough to push you then imagine this: youre travelling through Bali and unexpectedly get your period (trying to manage being on the pill with major time zone changes [], Hello! Flores and Komodo island are also a short hop from Bali.
A good reason to get out of Bali. good tip, thanks! Thats what I was looking for but I kept being told no sigh. Also partying in other areas along that strip is common but for a different audience. He was very kind and professional. 62 countries Canada Seriously, every time I opened my maps and look confused, theres always some local offered to help even with their little English without I even ask.Well, mostly the old ones, the young is too shy and timid imo but they still willing to help if we ask. While that may not be such a terrible price considering I had a private car, the fact that it was my only option to get there was a major bummer and definitely influenced my trip.
Nestled on the north coast, Lovina is a low key resort thats very much on the backpacker beaten path and can provide an excellent base to the northern volcanoes and coastline which features spots to dive or just be a beach bum. Maybe not the best place to go solo though.
Kuta is so full of dirt and plastic It made us super SAD. I hope Ubud is better for you. I do see why people like it, but I think this is a place for people who can ride a motorbike (I dont). All the Instagram pretty pictures are mostly expensive resorts which are not exactly balinese. There is something for everyone on Bali, whether you are part of large group of Australian sun seekers or own your own looking for some cultural high life. Wow I cant thank you enough for writing this blog and all the women who have shared your experiences. Im sorry you cancelled your trip, Im sure you were looking forward to it, however, Im also glad you had this information beforehand to make that decision. In Bali YMMV. These are very laid back coastal villages, that appeal to solo backpackers. [] What I love most about the brand is their belief that every body is a swim body. Thank you!
Im a Muslim woman (wears hijab) and I have booked my solo trip for June 2020, to Seminyak. I am considering to rush to java. Cheap for long distance area like Ubud, Sanur, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua. Thankfully Im pretty easy going and wanted to see almost everything, but I can imagine it could be frustrating for someone who wasnt as flexible and had their mind set on certain places. Meanwhile there is a sign in the bathroom not to use towels unless absolutely necessary. Its sad because the island is beautiful, the culture is very interesting, the food is good and most people are nice.
Lots more outdoor activities to do in my opinion.
He became my driver for awhile, and charged the same rate as uber, he would tell me to use the uber app and pay whatever uber would charge. I was heading up to the pool of my hotel and one of the staff saw me in my bikini and dropped his tray! Welcome to Solo Travel. Like with travelling between cities, the only option was private drivers or hire your own motorbike (which wasnt a good option for me as explained later). He said he can be my Bali husband in a joking way to which I laughed. Of these three areas, what would be the most worthwhile to see as a solo traveler. -The drivers has limited English so if you want to consult more touristy advise, need to call the call center directly, Tips: For just a couple bucks a day, you can save yourself a whole lot of stress and money. There are many flights over to Australia, and they are cheap too, making destinations like Perth attractive, if you are looking for a change from Asia. Im pretty jealous of your Sumatra adventures! The whole session was supposed to be for 1 hour and I told him after 20 minutes to take me back. Either Bali or Lombok first and then taking a fast boat up to Gili is what a lot of people do and it's probably the best way to do it. Thank you SO much for sharing. In highly touristic places like Ubud I felt too much attention but still normal (girls will understand what I mean) but in places where they dont see too much tourists I felt harassed by locals sometimes . For example I loved solo travel in Greece, but if you are looking for hostels and meeting people that way not the best bet. Ps: Even as a male, I kinda know the issue with being way too much hitted on by local males (met a lot of female travellers that said the same thing you did). Transportation is a nightmare, beaches are pretty polluted and men are beyond creepy. Well, the more you know. Bali is particularly good for solos because of the many activities on the island, both in sea and on land, so its very easy to hook up with other like minded folk. Everything ended up great for $45 to 60 usd for the whole day! Although it was only happened when we walked around Legian and Kuta. Everything was super good until he said we needed to take off our clothes and hug under the cascade for couple harmony. Hey Nikki, 7D pass IDR 250k (USD 18). While Im quick to admit that I didnt love Bali as a solo traveller, I did enjoy my girls trip to Seminyak and our private Seminyak villa definitely had a lot to do [], [] on the road. yes, I think if you have a motorbike or are content to stay in a villa or in town at the beach clubs relaxing its probably great.
A taxi driver followed us to our Grab and start screaming at us. *.
Im in Ubud right now, I arrived here two weeks ago and I dont love Bali for the same reasons you mention. As a local myself (I am Indonesian), I also find the transportation is an issue for me who sometimes loves to travel alone. Definitely recommend checking those posts out for some ideas to help you decide based on your travel style. For me, Bali wasnt a good pick for solo adventure travel. Most journeys start at Denpasar International Airport on the southern tip of the island and from there all the major sites are within one days travel. I like to recommend Get Your Guide for tours. Bike from Dunkirk to Bruges. Have you tried either of those? I do get all your points.
Couldnt agree more. Obviously you will get far more for your money in other places. body positive & self love advocate Renting a car if you can again might be a great idea. How to minimize it: be prepare, plan ahead. Thanks for sharing your experiences! I also left my dive shop in Tulamben a day early because the staff, all males, were a bit too interested and questioning about my love life and the fact that I was there alone. Kind regards,Caro. Now I have this experiences on Bali but I wanted to get to know more about Indonesian Culture on the main island.
I think the reason is than people are dependent on these bemos and since they are much smaller than the Latin American chickenbusses or colectivos, they rather keep this cheap transportation method to themselves travallers got enough money to find a substitute. One time, a friendly uber driver offered to drive me privately. Wow I had no idea! Very true. It ended up well the guy was just a toooo friendly guy and unaware of personal space .
Bali is Hindu so unlikely to be the hassle experienced by females in other muslim countries.
Great post! Men should respect us enough to leave us alone if we clearly dont want the attention. While the cost may seem annoying and better spent elsewhere, trust me when I say youll be sorry if you dont have it. He asked what I had done, so I explained I had seen some temples, did a cooking class, and now off to do a bit of shopping. Oh jeez Im sorry you are having such a rough time that snorkelling story is horrible! I thought I would be able to find tours I could join and where we would share transportation among other tourists, but private tours only which is still weird for me as solo traveller as I wanted to meet other people on the same tour. They vet the companies ahead of time, but they are still local companies. . Now I go back to continue my study at college in Yogyakarta, and if you want to come to Indonesia again. But based on my experience I do recommendhaving a plan and extra money, especially if you want to get more off the beaten route. My ESBT Greece sailin, Come sailing with me in Greece! Im sorry for your horrifying experience. That being said, as a solo traveller who has had these experiences in Bali, I dont think I would personally love an Airbnb away from everything that I needed a bike to get to. The Guy inside said he was the painter and bla bla bla. We were so sad because we thought he was being honest. Is this crazy? This post is very helpful. Perhaps Im to blame; maybe I didnt do enough research or plan well enough ahead. haha good to know! I just go back from Bali as a solo traveler a weeks ago. You could also check out Lombok. PS: If you are going to Bali and looking for a guide book, my good friend and travel journalist Chantae Reden recently wrote this Bali Travel Guide for Moon Guidebooks. Single rooms rare but doubles and twins pretty cheap anyway. As much as I love Bali, it will be better to go with more people I think. I love solo travel, but it does mean I need to take some extra precautions. It's small and chill, but has a drinking scene. He kept telling me I should go for one more round and I had to say no several times before he finally agreed to take me back. I enjoyed Ubud. Yeah the motorbikes are awesome but after crashing mine only a few days earlier I wasnt keen on getting on one for hours especially without a working phone for a map. If you stayed in a homestay or a hostel that would be an easy way to meet other travellers.
Lots of bars and restaurants are well set up for solos and by sitting at a bar alone it wont be long before youre chatting to some new friends. But after several days, he began talking about getting married, lol.
Uber and Grab Car do exist, however at the time I visited they were at odds with the taxi drivers and there was a bit of a battle going on. I have frequented Bali alone very often. Whether Im with my sister or female friend who wear hijab or walking by myself , it still happen. I think the locals just didnt want me to know haha. Might anyone out there be interested or know of a blog where solo travelers can connect? I think with some planning and knowing what to expect, you can make it a much better experience and help ensure that you will feel a more comfortable. Most of the Balinese are very kind. But thanks to you, I made some thorough plan as a result I really enjoyed my stay there. And, while not as pricey as North American standards, a ride may still leave a hole in your wallet. My pub night in Northern Irelandstill remains one of my scariest moments, and the harassment I experienced in Baliwas enough to make me never want to return. I think having friends to share the cost with is a big help too. I would go again, but probably with friends and more for relaxing than adventuring. this means they are not in the truly pristine, wild places. For travelers going to the main areas like Kuta, Seminyak or Ubud, that isnt usually a problem. These articles and comments made me anxious of my decision to go solo travel to Bali for off beaten track itinerary and Im Indonesian.. Sorry to hear about your experience Hannah I think it is awful that men think its okay to prey on tourists with the intention of getting something in return and we shouldnt have to make small talk and laugh because well be less safer otherwise. The most affordable option is the shuttle; however, it is also the most inconvenient as they follow a set route that usually adds hours to travel time. Then he grabbed my hand and said I like you. Keep in mind, we are like 50 minutes outside of town, there are no tourists around, so either I can tell him I want to get out of the car somewhere so foreign, or I can just suck it up and deal with it. 99% of my friends prefer to go to Bali in a group to share the cost of rent a car or just rent a motorcycle for cheapest and fastest mode of transportation. Riding a motorbike is the cheapest way for short distance. []. Im not sure if/when I will return but I will keep this in mind if I do! Dont laugh and speak a bit. West Bali (Negara, Gilimanuk, Medewi Beach, Pemuteran, West Bali National Park) also is a great place to search for great value places to stay. Once back on the boat, he suddenly touches my chin and starts rubbing as if hes trying to clean something off of it. Awesome experience though. Dont give space to communicate. Agreeing with you about the over-friendly locals, I get that too, even when I was with a group of friends! this Bali Travel Guide for Moon Guidebooks. I could not relate more to this article. Then he told US he lied to us, he was just a coconut Seller not the painter. It does however act as an excellent base and is a must visit. While it was nice to have the company on these day trips, it also meant we had to decide where we wanted to go and what we wanted to see as a group. I also tried to Uber all the way from the south to the north because the estimated cost wasnt bad. I truly havd the most bizarre experience yesterday with a driver. I keep it real & funny. Haha.. Thank you so much for the advice :). You can also travel overland to Java and explore this highly populated muslim island, with lots of historical places to explore. Hi, Im thinking about going to Bali in June. It wont happen if you walk with group of men (more than 2) because if you read some of these comments the harassment still happen on some couple too. -Has many discount coupon for shops/cafe nearby their bus stops I should clarify that my disliking solo travel in Bali had nothing to do with the fact that its a romantic honeymoon destination. Im debating whether to go to Bali next week or to Vietnam. I havent been to Bali yet, but I can assure you that a lot of the issues you mention get easier as you get older. I will be honest I will never travel alone to Bali. But after spending a month in Indonesia, a couple weeks of that in Bali, I was more than happy to leave. Bali is beautiful and has a super interesting culture. imo Javanese ppl is more shy than local Balinese, the irritating part probably more kids calling you bule (indonesian for foreigner), hi sir & hello) and randomly ask to take picture with you . Anyways, Im going to Ubud tomorrow to get away from all this nonsense. He said there was a waterfall nearby. However, as someone with a penchant for getting hopelessly lost and into some sticky situations, I usually get one if Im going to be in a country for awhile. Ive had similarly disappointing solo trips for some of the same reasons Belize was geared toward group and luxury travel, and I got followed and harassed everywhere I went in Sri Lanka. It can be overbearing at times and too dirty/touristy so then you can decide to head to Ubud. And the men are less likely to see you as prey if you have a few wrinkles on your face! I just didnt have a good experience and shared it- its a personal post, Im not generalizing. If you are into surfing and partying then few spots on earth come close to this area. I had a particularly uncomfortable ride to Ubud with a driver who kept trying to take me drinking rather than to my hostel.
- Shein Los Angeles Sweatshirt
- Show Me Your Mumu Crochet
- Strymon Dig Dual Digital Delay
- Scorpion Exo-r420 Silver Visor
- Bank Leumi Account Number