Bali

[Goferring]

It is great to travel to a third world country and enjoy the benefits that it offers. Can you blame the locals for trying to get an extra dollar from the Bule tourist? It does leave a bad taste in some guys mouths but reading about tourist wanting to exploit the locals sickens me. Have you tried walking out of the airport and hail a cab from the main gates? I have seen people do that in the past. I think your friends have a social conscious that some people don't have. By the way tipping seems to originate in the USA and like Coke and McDonalds it has made it way to Indonesia so take note that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

I see the whole getting screwed by / ripping off the locals question as a spectrum rather than a yes / no or good / bad.

Generalizing, I've seen them fall into three categories:

Being a dick and bullying or refusing to pay for services supplied in full is just a prick thing to do anywhere and has a marvelous way of attracting karma, especially in Asia where word travels quick.

Paying a fair price and tipping appropriately where warranted seems to engender respect and appreciation for bringing business and behaving appropriately. It can lead to future preferential treatment or discounts.

Knowingly overspending because one can or to be seen as the big dick in town attracts a easy mark label real quick. Rather than appreciating the extra cash, others soon line up to extract as much as possible from the gullible whale ASAP. The moment the money stops flowing, all the new found friends the and guides miraculously disappear.

I much prefer, and get better results from, paying reasonable costs and tips.

Enjoy. G.

[Rob Jones]

On thing I've stopped doing is ever thinking that I am okay paying usa prices once I spend 20 hours and several hundred to get out of Amercia for my Holiday.

I will note that an Uber from my home to SFO is about 25 minutes at night. An Uber or Lyft ride, one way, is $50 fucking dollars. The 35 minute trip from DPS to Sanur is 100,000 or $7 usd. I like the value of that ride as much as I dislike the insanity of NYC or SF transport pricing.

That said, I feel like I am the minority. After explaining how much to pay for a ride in a BlueBird taxi from DPS to Sanur two friends who were meeting me there on their first visit, felt guilty and decided they would paid the taxi 85,000 for the meter and another 65,000 for a tip for a total of 150,000. Sigh, no wonder they try to get more from everyone.

It is great to travel to a third world country and enjoy the benefits that it offers. Can you blame the locals for trying to get an extra dollar from the Bule tourist? It does leave a bad taste in some guys mouths but reading about tourist wanting to exploit the locals sickens me. Have you tried walking out of the airport and hail a cab from the main gates? I have seen people do that in the past. I think your friends have a social conscious that some people don't have. By the way tipping seems to originate in the USA and like Coke and McDonalds it has made it way to Indonesia so take note that imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

[Rob Jones]

One can simply walk up to the "Departures" area on the top level and go to the sidewalk. Watch for BlueBird taxis dropping a passenger off and ask that he take you to Legion / Sanur / Seminyak on meter. If he says no, walk away, try another. As a reference. A meter BlueBird to Sanur is 85,000 in the off hours of the evening when I typically arrive. I'll pay him 100,000 and everyone is happy. In fact, 100,000 to Sanur is a great target rate if the taxi guy won't run the meter. i am no expert, but it is my understanding that BlueBird cabs are required to run a meter, so this should not even be a negotiation. But they probably are not supposed to pick people up there either, but i've never run into any issue over the years.

I haven't been to Bali for 3 years so things may have changed. You used to leave the International departure, line up and tell the guy at the taxi counter where you are going, pay the fare and a driver takes you to his cab. Granted it will the dearest ride in a taxi in Bali you will experience but hey you have just arrived for your holiday, needing a shower and a beer so why waste energy on a couple of bucks? Bluebird Taxis do run their meters all the time but if you are wanting one to run around with for half a day or so you can negotiate.

[Smoothy]

I didn't know that. Can you confirm this applies to International arrival / departure area. ?

No, I never fly into Bali directly Internationally. The ticket prices are always more expensive than Jakarta by enough of a margin that I always fly to Jakarta first, then grab a flight to Bali from there.

[Wimble]

You need to try Grab or Gojek. But I value my time and life.

FWIW, US $50 is cheap. There have been cases of travelers being hit on BART and I had seen some very touchy situations where I was ready to bolt if the knives or guns come out. And this was during the day on a weekday. And this is from a New Yorker who has witnessed stabbings, shootings, and dozen cops with guns drawn behind their patrol cars outside a crime scene.

You should try both Lyft and Uber and see which one is cheaper. If the pricing is not to your liking, grab a cup of coffee and try 10 minutes later. Especially during rush hour. I usually check while walking to baggage claim. Prices could go up by the time your bags come out or you hit the curb but just wait and try again. I travel enough so I know what the price range is. A 30 minute coffee break has on occasion saved me over 30%. I get discount vouchers from Uber often. Not sure how that works but I accept and use them. Also, there is more than one airport in the area.

You talk about rip off. About a year ago I wanted to spread my business to the local cab companies so I went to where the suburb cabs wait for return trip in NYC. I approached 2 because I recognized the logo and I use them on the return trip. They wanted US $250. The fare to the airport is a fixed $35.

In Bali, a guy I have used over the years charges me US $5 for airport pickup or drive to dinner and back. I feel really bad so I don't take him on his offer but use him for tours to the same old places. Several other drivers were also available at that price though contacts.

On thing I've stopped doing is ever thinking that I am okay paying usa prices once I spend 20 hours and several hundred to get out of America for my Holiday.

I will note that an Uber from my home to SFO is about 25 minutes at night. An Uber or Lyft ride, one way, is $50 fucking dollars. The 35 minute trip from DPS to Sanur is 100,000 or $7 usd. I like the value of that ride as much as I dislike the insanity of NYC or SF transport pricing.

That said, I feel like I am the minority. After explaining how much to pay for a ride in a BlueBird taxi from DPS to Sanur two friends who were meeting me there on their first visit, felt guilty and decided they would paid the taxi 85,000 for the meter and another 65,000 for a tip for a total of 150,000. Sigh, no wonder they try to get more from everyone.

[Achmmc]

There's no need for that if going to Sanur. The taxis in the official taxi cue on the arrival level use a meter now. (Minimum of 90 k though). If going to Kuta or Legian, going to the trouble of flagging a taxi on the departure level would be worth it.

I didn't know that. Can you confirm this applies to International arrival / departure area. ?

[Achmmc]

I am usually in town to relax. So I likewise don't quibble over 50 k. Earlier this year, my NYC 4 block taxi ride cost me over USD30. Granted there was traffic and bad weather. I eventually called quits and walk the last block.

On thing I've stopped doing is ever thinking that I am okay paying usa prices once I spend 20 hours and several hundred to get out of Amercia for my Holiday.

I will note that an Uber from my home to SFO is about 25 minutes at night. An Uber or Lyft ride, one way, is $50 fucking dollars. The 35 minute trip from DPS to Sanur is 100,000 or $7 usd. I like the value of that ride as much as I dislike the insanity of NYC or SF transport pricing.

That said, I feel like I am the minority. After explaining how much to pay for a ride in a BlueBird taxi from DPS to Sanur two friends who were meeting me there on their first visit, felt guilty and decided they would paid the taxi 85,000 for the meter and another 65,000 for a tip for a total of 150,000. Sigh, no wonder they try to get more from everyone.

[Smoothy]

One can simply walk up to the "Departures" area on the top level and go to the sidewalk. Watch for BlueBird taxis dropping a passenger off and ask that he take you to Legion / Sanur / Seminyak on meter. If he says no, walk away, try another. As a reference. A meter BlueBird to Sanur is 85,000 in the off hours of the evening when I typically arrive. I'll pay him 100,000 and everyone is happy. In fact, 100,000 to Sanur is a great target rate if the taxi guy won't run the meter. i am no expert, but it is my understanding that BlueBird cabs are required to run a meter, so this should not even be a negotiation. But they probably are not supposed to pick people up there either, but i've never run into any issue over the years.

There's no need for that if going to Sanur. The taxis in the official taxi cue on the arrival level use a meter now. (Minimum of 90 k though). If going to Kuta or Legian, going to the trouble of flagging a taxi on the departure level would be worth it.

[Achmmc]

No I've flown in from CGK Jakarta and the mafias still got me at 130 k to 150 k just to head to Legian or Kuta.

One can simply walk up to the "Departures" area on the top level and go to the sidewalk. Watch for BlueBird taxis dropping a passenger off and ask that he take you to Legion / Sanur / Seminyak on meter. If he says no, walk away, try another. As a reference. A meter BlueBird to Sanur is 85,000 in the off hours of the evening when I typically arrive. I'll pay him 100,000 and everyone is happy. In fact, 100,000 to Sanur is a great target rate if the taxi guy won't run the meter. i am no expert, but it is my understanding that BlueBird cabs are required to run a meter, so this should not even be a negotiation. But they probably are not supposed to pick people up there either, but i've never run into any issue over the years.

[Wimble]

I am usually in town to relax. So I likewise don't quibble over 50 k. Earlier this year, my NYC 4 block taxi ride cost me over USD30. Granted there was traffic and bad weather. I eventually called quits and walk the last block.

I just flew into Bali last Friday and there is a taxi stand there (after a fairly lengthy walk). The taxi used the meter, but minimum charge was 90 k. I went to Hotel Padma in Legian and the meter was just over 40 k, so I gave the taxi 90 k.

[BenderOver]

Hi guys,

I'm going to Bali for the first time on Friday.

In reading up on Kuta, I keep hearing that in the back streets there are women who approach you for 'massage'.

Are these massages legit, or sexual?

I'm sure there are some legit, but what I'm asking is, is it possible to get sexual massages around those areas of Kuta?

Laxman,

These alleys in Kuta you're talking about are bustling with tourists, souvenir shops, bars, discos, the works. The women are usually squatting in front of the massage parlors like 4 or 5 of them. The way they look and dress, if I went in there and there WASN'T any action, I'd go wreck it Ralph. Just be warned that the menu's stupid expensive if you want anything beyond a plus massage. You're far better off taking a taxi to Sanur and visit an X-house. Read the prior posts as they're very helpful.

[Eszpresszo]

Hi guys,

I'm going to Bali for the first time on Friday.

In reading up on Kuta, I keep hearing that in the back streets there are women who approach you for 'massage'.

Are these massages legit, or sexual?

I'm sure there are some legit, but what I'm asking is, is it possible to get sexual massages around those areas of Kuta?

They are scams. Don't bite.

[Smoothy]

The band at Hard Rock Cafe Bali now called The Kings is pretty darn good (if you like fairly heavy rock). Best true rock cover band (Metallica, AC / DC, etc.) I have seen in Indo in a while. I may have been influenced by the hot young Russian girl dancing wildly on the dance floor when they played Nirvana, but even without her dancing entertainment they were damn good.

[Smoothy]

No I've flown in from CGK Jakarta and the mafias still got me at 130 k to 150 k just to head to Legian or Kuta.

I just flew into Bali last Friday and there is a taxi stand there (after a fairly lengthy walk). The taxi used the meter, but minimum charge was 90 k. I went to Hotel Padma in Legian and the meter was just over 40 k, so I gave the taxi 90 k.

[Rob Jones]

No I've flown in from CGK Jakarta and the mafias still got me at 130 k to 150 k just to head to Legian or Kuta.

Expensive compared to Bluebird but considering Airport cost are more expensive compared to outside of Airport not a biggie. I wouldn't let 60,000 ruin your holiday.