Budget

Flights – 100 000 points pp (LAX ↔ Denpasar round-trip)

Accommodation – $1 668 total
• Le Cliff $194 / nt × 3 • Ubud homestay $56 / nt × 3
• Bamboo Mansion $384 × 1 • Sidemen villa $192 × 1
• Denpasar hotel $65 × 1 • Nusa Penida bungalow $138 / nt × 2

Transportation – $219 total
• Mopeds $60 each (~$5/day) • Gojek rides $63 (7) • Sanur–Penida ferry $18 pp RT

Activities & entry fees – $222.06
• Surfboard rental $10 • Tibumana waterfall $0.68 pp + $0.30 parking
• Monkey Forest $5 pp • Hats $5 each • Rice-terrace swing $4 pp + farmer tip $5
• Pura Tirta $3 pp • Suwat waterfall $1.10 pp
• Silversmith workshop (@silver.agung) $25 pp
• Lempuyang Temple + shuttle $10 pp
• Diamond Beach parking $0.60 • Manta-ray snorkel $14 pp
• Kelingking Beach parking $0.60

Visa on arrival – $35 pp
Grand total: $2,109 (≈ $191/day, $95 pp/day)

Monkey Manners

The long-tailed macaques that roam places like Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest and the cliff temples near Uluwatu may look like Disney extras, but they behave more like seasoned pickpockets. Think of everything on your body—sunglasses, dangling earrings, unsecured water bottles—as an invitation for a lightning-fast snatch-and-run. Keep valuables zipped inside a backpack (front-carried if possible) and avoid jingling plastic bags; the rustle reads as “food.” Macaques read body language well: direct eye contact or sudden arm-waving can feel like a challenge, and that’s when bites happen. A single nip means a multi-week rabies vaccination series that’s hard to finish on the road and brutally expensive if you have to start over back home. If a monkey lands on you, stay calm, lean gently forward, and let gravity encourage it to hop off. Hand-sanitizer packets are useful afterward, because the little bandits rummage through trash and can carry bacteria you don’t want on your next smoothie bowl.

Two Wheels and an App: Mastering Island Transport

Traffic in southern Bali often looks like a million-scooter ballet, and joining the dance on a moped is hands-down the most efficient way to move. Daily rentals run about the cost of two coconut lattes, helmets are included (inspect the straps and foam before accepting), and parking attendants waive you through places that would gridlock a car. International Driving Permit in hand, keep your license tucked with a small bill—random checkpoints do happen, and an on-the-spot “fine” is smoother if you’re prepared. Weather flips quickly in the wet season, so stash a compact rain poncho under the seat and slip valuables into a dry bag before long rides. For luggage days, or if monsoon sheets make the throttle feel risky, fire up Gojek—Indonesia’s answer to Uber. A few taps brings either a car (four times cheaper than airport taxis) or a motorbike courier who’ll strap your backpack between their knees and thread traffic like a local while you ride pillion. Tipping through the app avoids coin fumbling and keeps both driver and passenger happy.

Cash Is King: Navigating Bali’s Rupiah Economy

Card machines pop up in upscale cafés and beach clubs, but most of Bali’s day-to-day economy still runs on rupiah notes. ATMs at the airport and in larger towns frequently cap withdrawals at 2 000 000 IDR (around $125), so make a second pull while you’re there to dodge extra fees later. Break a few big bills at supermarkets or Circle K minimarts; waterfall parking attendants and roadside warung owners don’t carry much change and will simply round in their favor. Even petrol is a cash affair—the ubiquitous street-side stands selling gasoline in old Absolut vodka bottles won’t swipe a Visa. Keep a slim stack of 2 000 and 5 000 IDR notes in an easy-reach pocket for parking fees, temple sarong rentals, and quick snacks; reserve larger denominations for hotels or multi-day motorbike hire. Finally, when bargaining at markets, smile and keep your tone light—haggling is expected, but you’ll find prices drop faster when you have exact cash ready to seal the deal.