Hotel Selection Guide to Bali
Bali is large, spread out, and each area feels like a different island.
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HOW TO CHOOSE A HOTEL IN Bali
HOW IMPORTANT IS
THE LOCATION?
Bali is only 145 km wide, but traffic in the southern corridor turns a 10 km drive into a 45-minute crawl. Seminyak to Ubud is 60–90 minutes on a clear road, double that during holidays.
Getting around takes planning. There is no useful public transport for tourists, so you rely on apps or a private driver.
- Public transport
Effectively non-existent for tourists. The Kura-Kura shuttle bus covers a few routes but runs too infrequently to rely on. - Walkability
Central Ubud, Seminyak's Eat Street strip, and the Nusa Dua promenade work on foot. Heat makes long walks uncomfortable by mid-morning. - Taxis / ride-hail
Grab and Gojek work well in the south. Coverage thins in Ubud and Canggu, where local taxi cooperatives restrict pickups. A private driver for a full day costs US$40–60.
TravJoy Tip
For a first visit of 5–7 nights, split between Seminyak (dining, beach, airport access) and Ubud (rice terraces, temples, spa). This covers both sides of Bali without excessive back-and-forth.
