AboutLocated on the south coast of Bali, Denpasar is the
regional capital and the main gateway to Indonesia’s most popular holiday island. The city is a main business and administrative centre, and is home to a mixed population of Balinese, Javanese and other immigrants from elsewhere in the archipelago. Most visitors head for the neighbouring resort areas of Kuta, Sanur and Nusa Dua where most of the island’s hotels, restaurants, shopping facilities and nightlife are located. Jalan Gajah Mada is the city’s main thoroughfare, running east to west, and is usually jam-packed with traffic. Puputan Square is the hub of downtown Denpasar, with lawns and greenery, and is dominated by the elaborate Governor’s Residence, the Bali Museum, and a monument dedicated to the royalty of Bali who were gunned down by Dutch rifles here in 1906. Kuta, Bali’s first and largest resort, lies a few kilometres southwest of the capital, and has spread from its original core for almost 20 kilometres along the coast, merging with neighbouring Legian. It has a number of upscale hotels, but is mainly popular with budget and mid-range travellers. Its main attraction is its superb beach, which is famed for its surf, but Kuta also has a huge choice of restaurants, bars, colourful shops, nightlife and places to stay. Sanur, east of Denpasar on the south coast, is a more recent development and is less raucous and a little more up-market than Kuta. It has fewer late-night bars and budget guesthouses and more mid-range resort hotels, but, like Kuta, it has superb beaches. The Nusa Dua peninsula, which dangles from the south coast, is the epicentre of a planned resort area, with a selection of large, self-contained luxury resort hotels. North of Denpasar (less than an hour’s drive from the airport) amid green valleys and rice fields, the hill resort of Ubud has excellent shopping, some of the world’s finest boutique hotels, and a slightly cooler climate than the capital and its satellite resorts. Cruise ships, excursion boats and some inter-island ferries leave from Tanjung Benoa, south of Denpasar on the Nusa Dua isthmus. AirportBali Ngurah Rai International Airport is 13 km west of
Denpasar. Facilities include shops, bar and restaurant, currency exchange, post office, internet access, tourist information office, tour agency, car hire, duty-free shops and VIP lounges. The best way to get to your hotel from the airport is by taxi. Many resort hotels often offer complimentary minivan or limousine transfers.Taxis, deluxe taxis and bemos (mini-vans) are also available and you find them outside the terminal on the right hand side. Buy a fixed price ticket to your hotel. To Seminyak the fare starts at 60,000rp, to Legian 55,000rp, Ubud 195,000rp Nusa Dua 95,000rp, Destination: Bali Publishing date: 2013-07-01 Kuta (Discovery) 45,000rp and Denpasar from 70,000rp. All prices are per taxi, not per person. Address: Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport Phone: +62 361 751011 Internet: www.angkasapura1.co.id More Info: Prices updated May 2013 Public transportationNumerous bemos (minibuses) operate on fixed routes
around the city and the rest of the island, leaving when full and stopping anywhere on their route on request. Most foreigners find the system confusing and find haggling over fares challenging. There are also buses connecting the bigger cities around the island, operating mostly daytime. Both buses and bemos can be stopped anywhere along their routes. Taxi Blue and yellow city taxis can be hailed on the street, at numerous taxi ranks, or called from your hotel or restaurant. They are cheap, by international standards and are much more convenient than bemos. However, be prepared to haggle over fares as taxi meters have failed to keep pace with inflation. Hiring a taxi with a driver can be a good option since the prices are low. Many drivers speak a little English. One of the biggest taxi companies on the island is Bali Taksi & Golden Bird by PT Blue Birds. Phone: +62 361 701 111 Internet: www.bluebirdgroup.com |
To do & seeBali Museum
The museum is one of the best in Indonesia and has a superb collection of the ornate carvings, painted masks, puppets, pottery and textiles for which Balinese artists are famous. It is set within a complex of well-kept courtyards. Destination: Bali Publishing date: 2013-07-01 Address: Jalan Mayor Wisnu, Taman Puputan, Denpasar Puri Pemecutan Temple Museum The Puri Pemecutan Temple Museum is located next to the Pemecutan Palace Museum. This 100-year-old temple contains a collection of valuable ancient keris daggers and other weapons, musical instruments and Hindu statuary. Address: Jalan Hasanuddin, Denpasar More Info: Corner of Jalan Thamrin and Jalan Hasanuddin Taman Werdi Budaya (Art Center) This complex of ornate wooden buildings in traditional style contains contemporary Balinese artworks – wooden masks, carvings and paintings – and also has a number of souvenir stores where the work of local artisans are sold at fixed prices. Address: Jl. Nusa Indah, Abian Kapas, Denpasar Phone: +62 361 227176 Traditional Music and Dance No visitor should miss Bali’s many traditional joged and legong dances, barong performances, or excerpts from the great Hindu dance-drama, the Ramayana. Most large hotels stage performances (open to non-residents as well as residents) nightly. For barong, also head for the open-air performances held every morning at Batubulan, northeast of the city centre. Wayang kulit (shadow puppet) shows are also performed frequently at many hotels and art centres. Bali Safari & Marine Park This park is home to hundreds of amazing animals representing more than 50 species and is located in Gianyar. The park showcases much of Indonesia’s protected wildlife. Here you can find some rare and endangered species in natural surroundings and environment such as the Sumatran Tigers. Address: Jl. Bypass Prof. Dr. Ida Bagus Mantra, Km. 19,8, Gianyar Phone: +62 361 950 000 Internet: www.balisafarimarinepark.com More Info: Golden Line of Bali Bali Jet Set Dive and Marine Sports Bali Jet Set Dive and Marine Sports is one of the island's most exclusive water sports centre. It is located right on the beach in the south of Bali and provides five-star scuba diving and water sports facilities, both motorised and non-motorised. With its wide range of activities this is definitely a place to visit if you enjoy water sports. Address: Jalan Pratama No. 89, Tanjung Benoa Phone: +62 361 772 518 Internet: www.jetsetmarine.com Yoga The village of Ubud is known for being the centre of art and culture. This is also the place where a lot of the island's prime yoga schools are located. The Yoga Barn is one of the most popular ones and here you can try different kind of yoga and they offer alternatives for both beginners and the more advanced "yogis". Address: Jalan Raya Pengosekan, Ubud Phone: +62361 971 236 / +62361 971 407 Internet: www.theyogabarn.com More Info: Located behind Siam Sally & Zen Spa. Bali Adventure Tours For the travellers looking for thrilling and memorable experiences there are several different tours to book. Bali Adventure Tours has a wide array of alternatives, a lot of them offering water rafting and a visit at the Elephant safari Park in Ubud. Address: Jalan Bypass Ngurah Rai, Pesanggaran, Denpasar Phone: +62 361 721480 Internet: www.baliadventuretours.com Tirta Gangga This Royal watergarden in the beautiful surroundings of rice fields is a magical place to visit. The words Tirta Gangga means water from Ganges and some of the springs here are said to be holy. Bring your camera and a swim suit so you can take a refreshing bath in one of the pools. Address: Jalan Abang-Amlapura, Candidasa More Info: Located 7 km north of Amlapura. Public buses run from nearby Karangasem town and Perama. Waterbom Bali For a day filled with splashing water slides, tropical parks and thrilling attractions take a tour to Waterbom Bali in Kuta. You find all necessary facilities within the park so just remember to bring your swimsuit. This is fun for the whole family! Address: Jalan Kartika Plaza, Kuta Opening hours: Mon-Sun 9.00-18.00 Phone: +62 361 755676 Internet: www.waterbom-bali.com Bali Bird Park Bali has a rich wildlife and birds make up for large part of it. In this park you can see 250 different species, some of them from other parts of the world. In addition to all the birds there are also a small collection of reptiles and among them you find a big Komodo dragon. Address: Jl. Serma Cok Ngurah Gambir Singapadu, Batubulan, Gianyar Opening hours: From 09.00 until 17.30 daily. Except on Balinese New Year. Phone: +62 361 299352 Internet: www.bali-bird-park.com |
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