Looking for a non-Bogan Bali experience

[offshore171]

Cook Islands or Tahiti

 

[Buzzard]

Jimbaran Bay is where we stayed.
Flew SQ J.
No bogans encountered until we went to the Aussie bar in Kuta.
We would go back to Bali anytime, don't listen to the snobs just pick carefully.

 

[jase05]

We have been to Bali more times than I can remember but the last few year we have been going less and less more due to spreading out over other parts of Asia than not wanting to go to Bali. For newbies to Bali I always recommend avoiding Kuta and head to Legian or Seminyak where it is far quieter and more relaxed. As a rule we stay in a Villa at Seminyak and just head into Kuta to visit a couple of our favourite bars.
Plenty of nice areas to stay in Bali depending on what you want to do, Sanur and Nusa Dua are nice to relax in and Ubud is great but can get hectic if you time it wrong. If you want an even more relaxing experience than head over to Lombok which I think has much more stunning scenery and a lot slower pace

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

We found Sanur very relaxing and will gladly go back.

 

[ALH]

I have to accept the fact that I can't really avoid it on the flights, was more concerned when I land. Thanks for the suggestions.

You can definitely avoid it on the flights. We never have an issue in J.

Club Intercontinental at Jimbaran is fabulous (with chauffeur drive included). Incredibly relaxing and wonderful food.

I’ve been going to Bali since my first visit in 1974, when surfing and horse riding were my priorities.

As “grown ups” we now only stay in Private Villas or Resort Hotels and really enjoy ourselves. Have met some wonderful people at both.

I took a daughter to Kuta one afternoon just to show her how horrible it is. She was shocked to experience the “other” Bali. Especially after 10 days in Ubud and Ungasan.

Also be aware that a lot of the hawkers and aggressive behaviour is not from the Balinese. More likely from other islands.

As @GPH mentioned, we now prefer Lombok. Much slower pace and more relaxing.

Perhaps you could also look at the Gili Islands.

 

[Pushka]

You can definitely avoid it on the flights. We never have an issue in J.

Club Intercontinental at Jimbaran is fabulous (with chauffeur drive included). Incredibly relaxing and wonderful food.

I’ve been going to Bali since my first visit in 1974, when surfing and horse riding were my priorities.

As “grown ups” we now only stay in Private Villas or Resort Hotels and really enjoy ourselves. Have met some wonderful people at both.

I took a daughter to Kuta one afternoon just to show her how horrible it is. She was shocked to experience the “other” Bali. Especially after 10 days in Ubud and Ungasan.

Also be aware that a lot of the hawkers and aggressive behaviour is not from the Balinese. More likely from other islands.

As @GPH mentioned, we now prefer Lombok. Much slower pace and more relaxing.

Perhaps you could also look at the Gili Islands.

Gili Islands are stunning but some of the crowd is a bit manky. Not so much the alcohol but perfumed air! Dreadlocks. Nice for a day trip though which we did from Lombok.

 

[ozzguy]

Why the insistence on Bali? You can try to avoid bogans, but they'll still be on the plane.

Heaps of other places to go in SEA with cheap airfares, good culture, great food, and a very low bogan ratio. KL, Saigon, Bangkok, Singapore.

Thanks for the other suggestions. Just came back from Singapore and KL and been to other SEA locations, so just looking for another location to ecplore.

 

[ozzguy]

Do you SCUBA Dive?

Kubu can be nice, Also Amed.

Villa Alba is lovely accomodation just out of Tulamben and not far from Kubu, lovely resort and owners. Alway been free from bogans in my experience.

Unfortunately neither of us SCUBA. We can snorkel though.

 

[ozzguy]

Yes.

I use that strategy in Europe to avoid the Gypsy’s.

Yes "Me no speak English" has helped in other countries.

 

[ozzguy]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions, you were all a great help. Time to do a bit more research. Will definitely avoid staying in Kuta and no Bintang singlet for me.

 

[ozzguy]

Head to Ubud. I stayed at the Arma museum and resort last year. It’s owned and run by the David Walsh of Ubud. For a reasonable fee he’ll take you on a private tour at dawn (an easy hour if you’re travelling from AEST) of the ancient temples in the forest surrounding Ubud. The museum is terrific and they have free art, music and dance classes for the local kids as a way of keeping the traditional culture alive. By staying there you help contribute to these programs. The grounds are beautifully landscaped with sculptures and winding paths throughout. I can’t wait to go back.

Wow. This sounds great culturally and helps by giving back to the local communites.

 

[bPeteb]

My one and only trip to Bali now nearly five years ago involved three different locations. We started at Lovina. It was quite a long drive up from the airport but once there it was just nothing but peace and quiet. Big resort on the coast with hardly anyone there and def no bogans.
We then moved to Ubud. I wasn't a fan. Again nice hotel (the one I'd booked with wrong dates was much nicer but further out...) and no obvious bogans (lots of Europeans) but Ubud was crowded and just not that great.
Finished in a private villa in Seminyak in a small complex just off the main road.
Loved Bali. Enjoyed where we stayed, where we visited, what we ate. Didn't go near Kuta.
We're looking at a Luxury Escapes deal at the moment for October at Candidasa. It's on the east coast and again quiet and away from the yobs (hopefully).

Link to travelark trip report - aussiepanda's Trip: The Melbourne long weekend, in Bali

 

[SOPOOR]

Hey everyone. I've got a spare week of leave mid-year 2020 and looking to pop up to Bali. Never been before (but flown over Indonesia many times). I'm trying to avoid the stereotypical Bogan Aussie experience that Kuta/Southern Bali is (in)famous for. Should I be looking at Nothern Bali regions (Lovina or Kubu), or one of the nearby islands like Penida or Nusa Lembongan instead? Looking for a bit of relax time and a but of cultural experience/scenery. Any suggestions?

do you want to avoid as in not even come within 100m of a bogan?

kuta is bogan central, but its quite fun spending a day or half a day walkabouts and seeing what central kuta is all about

you dont get drunk bogans in bintang singlets, braided hair, gladwrapped tattoos, screaming "OI, OI OI GUDDAY" every 2 mins.....

that only happens at night and every 5 mins!

 

[aginact123]

Hey everyone. I've got a spare week of leave mid-year 2020 and looking to pop up to Bali. Never been before (but flown over Indonesia many times). I'm trying to avoid the stereotypical Bogan Aussie experience that Kuta/Southern Bali is (in)famous for. Should I be looking at Nothern Bali regions (Lovina or Kubu), or one of the nearby islands like Penida or Nusa Lembongan instead? Looking for a bit of relax time and a but of cultural experience/scenery. Any suggestions?

Try Ubud Private Villas in Penestanan village just far enough out of the town to enjoy the serenity but close enough to walk to enjoy the great restaurants. Plenty of places to eat in the village too

 

[Tallfont]

My wife and I visited Bali a couple of years ago for the first time. I will admit that we had held off for years mainly due to the stories on the media and the general "bogan" reputation.

We had a fantastic time. Like a few others have mentioned we stayed at the Intercontinental, Jimbaran Bay. Magnificent hotel. Great facilities, plenty of good restaurants and a short walk up the beach to a range of beachside seafood restaurants if you wanted a change. And the club lounge is rather special at the Intercon.
Had a great driver on the recommendation of a colleague. Did day trips to Ubud and Nusa Dua. Had one trip into Kuta and it was pretty much everything I thought it would be! Shopping was quite good however but a few hours was enough.

I believe that you could have a great "non-bogan" Bali experience. I would go back tomorrow to the Intercon. Mrs Tallfont isn't so keen so it's probably off the travel plans!

 

[JKH]

Hey everyone. I've got a spare week of leave mid-year 2020 and looking to pop up to Bali. Never been before (but flown over Indonesia many times). I'm trying to avoid the stereotypical Bogan Aussie experience that Kuta/Southern Bali is (in)famous for. Should I be looking at Nothern Bali regions (Lovina or Kubu), or one of the nearby islands like Penida or Nusa Lembongan instead? Looking for a bit of relax time and a but of cultural experience/scenery. Any suggestions?

Travel in J and never, ever on JQ. Avoid the Kuta/Legian side of the island. Avoid most tours, especially if they involve groups/others and the usual tourist traps. Nusa Dua. Up-market hotels/resorts only. Book a top end villa with full service/housekeeping. We did this up north in Tejakula and apart from going to a small resort next door for the odd drink/meal, never had to leave our beachfront property.

 

[ish]

Bali doesn't have to be bogan at all - just get a villa and lock out the rest of the world. You only have to interact with bogans when you venture out for food and drinks, and if you choose the right area that interaction can be minimised. Plenty of lovely villas around Seminyak and further west (Canggu, etc) as others have mentioned. Research restaurants and bars online, plus book ahead for the best places. Enjoy!

 

[robtemt]

I've seen others mention Jimbaran Bay, I agree, it was lovely. Not a bogan to be seen.

We stayed at the Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay, and it was amazing. We didn't leave the property for 4 nights. It was perfect! We have added FS Ubud for our next trip though, probably splitting our time between the two properties). We were picked up inside the airport by a FS driver, who drove us in an SUV (with cold towels and ice water) to the resort. Not a worry from the minute we exited customs/baggage claim.

We then met up with our friends and their two kids (our Godchildren) at a private Villa about an hours drive away (Red Door Villa Bali). It had two bedrooms in the main house, and two seperate private bedrooms with ensuites. It backed to a river, and was totally peaceful and quiet. Nowhere near the beach, we actually overlooked a rice paddy across the river (with a frightening looking scare crow that we told the kids they had to go sleep there if they acted up). The pool was great, the house all open air except the bedrooms, and a cook to cook all your meals, you just reimburse groceries, that they give you receipts for.

 

[Mr Bill]

Hey everyone. I've got a spare week of leave mid-year 2020 and looking to pop up to Bali. Never been before (but flown over Indonesia many times). I'm trying to avoid the stereotypical Bogan Aussie experience that Kuta/Southern Bali is (in)famous for. Should I be looking at Nothern Bali regions (Lovina or Kubu), or one of the nearby islands like Penida or Nusa Lembongan instead? Looking for a bit of relax time and a but of cultural experience/scenery. Any suggestions?

Investigate Lombok. Fly or fast ferry gets you there.

 

[Philjbod101]

"Looking for a non bogan experience"

We all want the impossible.

Not at all, my partner and I both wanted the same experience, we found it in Ubud and Sanur (one in the mountains, one at the beach) we’ve been back twice since and are taking our grown up children next Xmas... so as long as he avoids December