Accommodation in Bali is very reasonably priced compared to other top tourist destinations around the world. Rooms in basic 2-star hotels (perhaps US$20 or so in Bali) can easily compare with Travelodge accommodation which can cost e.g. in North California US$150 per night, and there they don't provide ANY service at all. At the high end, the Four Seasons Villa Packages offered through Balivillas.com for instance would cost you somewhere else twice as much.
Hotel rates in Bali range from about US$20 for a basic but clean, air-conditioned room with private bathroom and a small terrace to US$600 or US$800 per day for beautiful Balinese cottages with private plunge pool set in a walled tropical garden and offering stunning views and polished 5-star service around the clock.
Private villa rental is becoming very popular in all parts of the world. Prices for fully staffed villas in the Caribbean can be about two to three times higher than in Bali. In Europe, on the other hand, you pay about the same as in Bali, but then this is kind of a self-service vacation as in most countries NO STAFF is included. You can view the range of villa accommodation offered in Bali with trained, full-time staff to take care of everything by visiting the Balivillas.com web site.
The bottom line is that accommodation of any kind in Bali is still a great bargain, and in every category you get more than you pay for.
Transportation in Bali was always cheap by any standard. The metered radio taxis start with a flag fall of 5,000 Rupiah (plus 4,000 Rupiah per kilometer), and most trips cost Rupiah 25,000 to 50,000. Most reliable and polite are the drivers of the blue taxis, and you should avoid most other taxis as they often refuse to use their meter and over-charge foreigners.
If you brought an International Driver's License, you can rent motor bikes from Rupiah 35,000 to Rupiah 45,000 per day, and five to ten year old self-drive cars (Jimmy or Toyota "Kijang") cost from 150,000 Rupiah to 350,000 Rupiah per day. Newer models are more expensive, and luxury cars such as a Volvo limousine or a new Toyota "Land Cruiser" will cost US$150 to US$300 and more per day. Gasoline prices have been raised several times in the past, and Premium leaded gasoline is now allowed to fluctuate around 4,500 Rupiah per liter (per October 1st, 2005).
Everywhere in tourist areas you'll be offered "transport, transport", and the rates are negotiable. However, the cars of many of these guys are quite old. Radio, tape and even the air-conditioning are often out of order. Although most drivers initially seem to be very friendly some are real con artists and waste hours of your precious vacation by bringing you to shops you never wished to visit because they want to earn a commission on your purchases.
We think, however, it's much more relaxing to have someone who knows his way around behind the wheel than to drive yourself through Bali's traffic. You can fully enjoy the sights, don't have to worry about getting lost, and there's always somebody to watch the car and your belongings when you go for a meal or sightseeing. Therefore, Balivillas.com is providing for all villa guests a FREE air-conditioned car with a reliable English-speaking driver during their whole stay. Even gasoline is free.
Food and drink at Bali's better hotels cost about the same as in the same category of hotel anywhere else in the world. Breakfast is US$8 to US$30, lunch and dinner US$20 to US$70 or more per person – and that does not include any wine which can be very expensive. On the other hand, restaurants outside the large hotels are often 60% to 80% cheaper, and at the open food stalls you can still get a tasty meal for a few thousand Rupiah.
If you've rented a private villa for your stay in Bali, your house staff will do the shopping at the local "warungs" and supermarkets and prepare delicious meals according to your instructions. Your savings on food and beverage will be at least US$40 to US$50 per person per day compared to what you'd spend in a good hotel. This way you can enjoy delicious meals and all your favorite snacks and drinks – at unbelievably low prices.
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