Bali Transportation

I have great Bali Holidays recently, I stayed at small hotel in Legian area, my trip mostly for explore the island and I decide to make 3 days trip with balinese driver we found from internet. First day my driver took me to Royal family temple with the storeyed shrine, monkey froest with giant bats, the best view of rice terraces at Jatiluwih village, temple in the lake and view the sunset at temple in the sea. Nextday he took me to visit Ubud, arts market, elephant cave, King memorial temple, the Batur volcano with hawkers surrounding me. Last trip it was half day trip to see Kecak Dance and the view sunset from temple in the cliff. The driver name is Nengah Polos, he is professional guide, very good english, informer for balinese cultures, know very well the temple history and reasonable price for full day trip only 300,000 rupiahs, half day trip only 200,000 rupiahs.

Unless you stay in Kuta or Nusa Dua and only intend to do some watersport, then hiring a taxi maybe enough. But if you intend to do other than that, such as rafting, craftwork, village landscape, etc, then hiring a car (with a driver) will be the best option. Distance from one place to another can take up to 2 hours. So far the cheapest one we managed to find is Rp250,000 for 8 hour (we just pick up afew leaflet at the airport and start negotiate). The name of the driver is Suwade (not so sure if I spell it correctly though, pronounced SU-WA-THE). His english is ok and claimed to be able to speak Japanese. He's quite resourceful and safe driver. His contact number +62-813 38735308.

I travelled to Bali via Air Asia the last time I was there. The price for a return trip was about RM400 only, departing from KL and arriving at Denpasar. Compared to MAS it's really quite a deal. Totally worth it although you don't get food/drinks for free (you have to buy them and they aren't cheap, so better bring your own water and snacks). Although a budget airline, I really have no complains with the service as well. Very convenient to find the check in counter at KLIA and the service is good.
Great way to get to Bali economically.

How to get around Bali? Well for my trip, we actually rented a jeep sort of vehicle through our Bali friend, then he acted as a tour guide and took us around the places we wanted to go. I think that's the best way to get about Bali. Tours are quite a rush and I hate being rushed through things - especially my holidays.
The jeep you see is called a Kijang (I think) in Bali. I can't say I remember how much it cost us cause we shared out the cost. Think it would be best when you head to Bali to try and get a rent a car plus a guide to take you around for a few days. Shouldn't cost too much and you can plan your own journey.
Alternatively there's always the cab. Cabs are quite common in Bali so you need only call for them at the hotel. My friend who took a cab around the last time she was there recommends the blue coloured cabs.