| While we mainly aim this article at visitors to our part | | | | offline rates. |
| of the world in Bali, Indonesia, you can apply a lot of | | | | |
| the advice to holidays anywhere in the world. | | | | Money Exchange |
| One of the great attractions of bali is that it is cheap. | | | | Do not change money in your home country before |
| The Tourism Authority of bali can carry on pushing | | | | coming to Bali. You will get a much better rate of |
| their vision of bali as a millionaire's playground for as | | | | exchange in Bali. Bring an ATM card or travelers |
| long as they want but still the majority of visitors will be | | | | cheques. In fact, it is nice to have two sources of |
| people who have a limited budget. | | | | money in case of problems so why not bring both. |
| Its simple tips to help you make your money go further. | | | | Do not exchange your money at hotels. They give |
| We are not talking about the sort of penny-pinching | | | | bad rates. Exchange booths at airports also give poor |
| measures that backpackers use to make their tiny | | | | rates. The best way to get money when you first |
| budget stretch a year. We are not going to suggest | | | | arrive is to use an ATM at the airport |
| you eat noodles every day. After all, you are on | | | | Tours |
| holiday and holidays are meant to be enjoyed. | | | | The tour prices in Kuta are generally very competitive. |
| However, most people have worked hard for their | | | | These organised tours are a convenient and |
| two-week holiday in the land of smiles and there is no | | | | reasonably priced way to see Kuta's tourist attractions. |
| reason why they should not get the best from their | | | | There are many tour shops and lots of tours so the |
| money. Here are a few simple tips to make the | | | | competition keeps the prices down. Just go to any tour |
| money go a bit further. | | | | shop and you are likely to find some good deals. |
| Accommodation | | | | The only problem with booking tours is you do not |
| If you want budget accommodation then usually you | | | | know the quality of the tour service. The price may be |
| can find good deals just by walking in off the street. | | | | competitive but if the experience is poor then you will |
| Walk around the side streets of any of Kuta's beach | | | | still be disappointed. Most of the tour organisers |
| resorts and you will find guesthouses. During peak | | | | provide a good service but there are also a few |
| high-season (Xmas & January) it is better to book | | | | stinkers. |
| in advance as there may not be any rooms available. | | | | Tipping |
| Whatever you do, do not ask a tuk-tuk driver for a | | | | Tipping was never really a part of Bali culture. It is a |
| recommendation. They will just take you somewhere | | | | custom that we visiting westerners have introduced |
| that pays them commission. | | | | and which Bali customers have now taken up. Most |
| If you want mid to high range accommodation then | | | | western visitors over-tip. |
| you should book in advance. If you walk in off the | | | | The normal tip in Bali at restaurants or bars is USD 1. |
| street, you will pay more for your room. It may seem | | | | That may seem like a derisory sum to leave by |
| strange but it is cheaper to book in advance through a | | | | western standards but in Bali they do not expect any |
| travel agent or internet-booking site. The internet | | | | more. You are not being tightfisted by leaving so little. In |
| booking sites have the best rates. An excellent tool for | | | | fact, some claim that westerners who come here and |
| finding the best rates is Get Bali villas. This Bali based | | | | tip big are actually causing problems for everybody |
| website does a price comparison across 30 | | | | else. They are creating an expectancy of big tips from |
| internet-booking sites and finds the cheapest available | | | | westerners that never used to exist. |