Travel Talk

Month in Bali for ~$500US Budget

Surfing in Kuta Bali and great beaches

Greetings ladies and gentlemen,

***UPDATE: I went back in Fall of 2013 and that room I speak of was now $12 a night with wifi! These prices will give you an idea and Bali is still inexpensive but it’s not like it was in early 2010; obviously…***

Many people think traveling is expensive and it can be. That said, it does not have to be. It all depends on how you spend your day or most importantly, your night. I started chatting with a multitude of men and women about how much things *SHOULD COST*. I’ve spoke with a lot of people and come to a conclusion.

I’ve decided $15US a day is PLENTY to live here with $50 left for misc purchases you need separate from daily expenses for a grand total of a mere $500US for a month in Kuta, Bali. I will note that if you JUST START your trip and want to go out a lot boost it to $20-$25US.

1) Cheap Hotels in Bali: There are plenty cheap hotels in Kuta. I am in a decent one for $4.50 a night. That said, around the corner there are ones for $20+++. Get in first night and just suck it up, then next day “go on the hunt”. Don’t be surprised if they are totally full. There are more pricier options then cheap ones and when they get taken people tend to stay a while. If you are vigilant and a little big lucky, you’ll luck out, as I did. Also the people staying at my place are great, good times.

2) Food: You can easily get by on $5 a day or less. For breakfast I just had a fried egg on some veg fried rice with side of cucumber and tomato along with a mixed fruit shake for ~$1.80US. Tomorrow I’ll just get a water and the fruit platter which is huge and only $1.

3) Leisure and Random Crap: So, now we’re up to ~$10 a day, other $5 is to just do whatever from renting a surfboard for the day ~20-40,000R or ~$2-4US. Buying random drinks for 50 cents here and there or going out and having some vodka redbulls $1 or just one large Bintan Beer for ~$2-3.50 depending where you go. You can also go on the internet for ~$1 an hour or get a massage from $3-$5US.

Kuta Bali beaches

That is ~$450 a month. The other $50 is if you need new flip flops, a towel etc… This is to live here and have a good time. If you want to rock out until the early hours of the evening regularly IT WILL cost you more, obviously.

You will also want to use the additional $50 wisely, below are some tips on bartering above the initial update I made called “Haggling 101 – How to Barter”.

The more I travel the more I realize it’s important to get a good idea of what things cost and then spend the appropriate amount of money.

I can’t believe you can live somewhere like this which is basically beach paradise for this little. It’s nuts and goes to show how back home, so many people waste ridiculous sums because it’s normal, yet that same $$$ which is basically just stored energy (You traded energy to get it right?) can go way further for those who dare venture far far far away from their back yards.

Oh if you split a room with someone, even cheaper, yes?

I am going to try this budget out starting today. Also, those reading may want to do something like this and may want to come to Bali… Might as well “fill you in” on how much things really cost, yes?

Awesome Kuta Bali beaches

So, today I’ve spent 45,000 on a room and 17,000 on breakfast which tomorrow will be 10,000.

That’s, 62,000R spent already and my hotel is already included in that, crazy! This internet session will probably be 15,000R ~2 hours or so. which will leave me at ~half my day’s budget and all I really need to do is have something to eat later.

Update: The day is coming to a close with ~1.5 hours of being online now. Spent ~150,000R and lived very well. Just found a place that has a good dinner for 6,000R. I paid 20,000R for mixed vegetables and an assortment of sea food (calamari & shrimps) on rice and 6,000 for a fantana. Same place has fried chicken for 4,000Ru. This place is beyond affordable.

Today:

45,000 = Room
17,000 = Breakfast (Shake + Fried Egg on Veg Fried Rice)
10,000 = Another Shake
10,000 = Assorted Fruit platter
30,000 = 3 hours online
26,000 = Dinner described above.
3,500 = 1.5L bottle of water
4,000 = Piece of Fried Chicken
6,000 = 2 spring rolls.
0,000 = Hanging out on the beach and meeting cool people

Total ~151,500Ru

Yes, it is totally doable and didn’t feel any different today than any other day really. Not sure if I’ll keep to this strictly but wanted to give you an idea of how much things cost here.

Update 2: Next day, instead of lazing around eating and playing online, I actually did what you’re supposed to do in Bali and spent an astonishing $9.40US, hotel included if I were to go to bed right now. It’s 9PM so it’s possible but chances are I’ll be up for a bit…

If you like this, check out the $500US a month Budget in Bangkok.

Good day,

P.S The traffic here on these tiny lanes are nuts. Always be weary and look around. It’s easy to look behind you watching a few pass by, going to step out and having one directly in front of you going other way. Rip your knee apart or something of that nature. That said, make sure you have travel insurance as I see a lot of battered souls and if you do get injured, BIMC Hospital is the place you want to go.  Bali is a great place, just really far from North America.

Kuta Bali Streets Traffic

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