Sanur Bali Tips

Sanur Bali tips are all about answering your most pressing questions about Sanur and Bali. We’ve been travelling to Bali for over 25 years and Sanur for many years so we know we can help you plan your trip to Bali.

There’s nothing like a few good insider tips about a place you are thinking of visiting or about to visit. Questions like

• what is the best Sanur accommodation?
• What are the best things to do in Sanur?
• What are the best restaurants in Sanur?
• Which is the best Sanur beach?

We can answer the questions you have, but if the answer isn’t here, you can always join the Sanur Bali Tribe in our Facebook group by clicking here and asking there.

We’ll keep updating this page as more questions come in that we haven’t covered, so be sure to bookmark it and check back often.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sanur And Bali

Where is Bali?

Bali is part of South East Asia. It is an island of Indonesia located eight degrees from the equator in the sea of Java, or Java Sea.

Bali sits in between Java and Lombok and is approximately 4500 km away from Australia’s closest coastline. This proximity to Australia makes it an easy and popular destination for Australians.

How Big Is Bali?

Bali is approximately 153 km (95 miles) wide (west to east) and 112 km (69 miles) long (north to south). If you were to drive around Bali, it is approximately 370 km (230 miles).

Bali is smaller than the state of Tasmania of Australia, and around the same size as Brunei.  

Is Sanur Worth Visiting?

We think Sanur is worth visiting, especially if you want a relaxed, chilled vibe.

With stunning sunrises to start your days and an abundance of great cafes, restaurants, warungs, and bars, we think Sanur is the number one choice for couples and families.

You can use Sanur as a base to visit other parts of Bali and take day trips from Sanur. 

What Does Sanur Mean?

Sanur Bali is affectionally known as S-nore due to its quietness and quaint village atmosphere. While Sanur is growing and expanding it isn’t nearly as busy as the “dark side” as some travellers call the western coastal Bali towns of Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and Canggu.

While there is no set meaning to the word Sanur (pronounced Sah-noor), we’ll keep digging and report back one further findings as they come in.

When Is The Best Time To Visit Sanur?

Most people will tell you the “best” time to visit Sanur is in the dry season when it’s cooler. These are the months from April to October.

We visited in September one year, and it was quite cool, to the point that if I had packed jeans (which I never do) I would have worn them at night. It was unusually cool and windy—great for kite flying and windsurfing!

During the wet or rainy season from November to March, when it’s hot and humid. We always cope with the humidity by swimming in a pool and a cool Bintang or cocktail not far away to cool things down.

What Is The Cheapest Time Of The Year To Visit Sanur?

We’ve always found that February is the cheapest time to visit Sanur due to the cheapest flights available at this time of year. We generally book our flights on this website 

Australian school holidays, Easter and Christmas times are always the dearest time to visit Bali: higher flight prices and higher accommodation prices in these peak times.

Is Sanur Expensive?

You’ll probably find some Sanur accommodation a little more expensive in Sanur than Kuta and Legian. Accommodation in Sanur is cheaper than in Seminyak and Canggu.

We don’t find the food or drinks expensive in Sanur. However, you can dine in some restaurants that charge the equivalent of what you would pay in your home country.

Day Spa’s treatments in Sanur have comparable costs to other parts of Bali.

How Do I Say Hello In Bali?

Depending on the time of day the formal greetings are;

Selamat Pagi (pah-gee) – Good morning
Selamat siang (see-ahng) – Good day
Selamat sore (sor-eee)- Good afternoon 
Selamat malam (ma-lahm) – Good evening

Don’t worry if you don’t pronounce the words correctly. The Balinese love the effort you are making to connect and communicate with them.

Do I Need Vaccinations To Visit Sanur Bali?

The short answer is no. It is not mandatory to have vaccinations to visit Bali. It’s a matter of personal choice.

The main concerns for health hazards in Bali are Tetanus (as it is in all countries), Measles (as it is with outbreaks in Asia in late 2019), Typhoid, as it’s linked to Salmonella Typhi and Hepatitis A, as it’s related to food hygiene.

In early 2020, we saw the coronavirus COVID-19 emerge from China. Indonesia quickly stopped flights from China, and flights to Bali from China also ceased.

Restaurant and Warung hygiene standards have improved immensely during the 20 years we’ve been travelling to Bali, so the likelihood of being sick from food in Bali is slim.

However, you can become ill with the notorious Bali Belly if you happen to drink the water straight from the tap or consume too much alcohol. Just a change in bottled water and adding the odd chilli here and there is enough to upset some people’s stomachs.

There is very little Malaria in Bali mainly in the mountainous areas. You would be highly unlikely to get Malaria from staying in a resort or villa in Bali.

Personally, we haven’t had vaccinations before travelling, and we are not likely to in the future either. In fact, I haven’t had a vaccination since living in Africa in the ’80s.

We’ve visited several Asian and European countries and haven’t had vaccinations. However, that is us, and you may have a different view and personal beliefs, so do what is best for you and your family.

Do I Need Travel Insurance For Bali?

The short answer is yes. Travel insurance is always a good thing when flying and holidaying in a foreign country.
If not for your health and safety’s sake, then for the delays, lost luggage and other travel mishaps.

Quite often in the past, we’ve relied on our credit card insurance. Now we use and recommend Cover More Insurance as we think it’s the best travel insurance for Bali. Click here to get a quote for your travel insurance.

Remember to always compare apples with apples and include extras such as scuba diving and Mother Nature insurance just in case the majestic Mount Agung decides it’s time to erupt again.

Click here for more information and to obtain an insurance quote.

Bali Currency – Money In Bali

The currency of Indonesia is the Rupiah. We use this website to keep track of current exchange rates.

When travelling to Sanur and Bali, we always take cash. I like to take crisp one hundred dollar bills, although if I can’t make it into a bank branch, I’ll happily take fifty dollar notes too.

The reason for the crisp dollar bills is that years ago, they were preferred by money changers, and sometimes, the bills also attracted a slightly higher rate. They are also less to carry.

We’ve found if we exchange $300+ more at a time, they will give you a slightly higher rate. They won’t volunteer this, of course; you will have to ask. 🙂 

Money changers are everywhere in Sanur and throughout Bali. There are some great, above-board money changers, and some are crooked and purely rip-off merchants.

If you stick with money changers who do nothing other than change money, I’d be very surprised if you encounter any problems. If you venture off the main street, down an alleyway, or exchange at a tour desk or similar, I’d be very surprised if you didn’t encounter a problem.

Sure they will entice you with a (slightly) high exchange rate, however, I’ll guarantee you’ll walk away with less money and you won’t be aware that you have. And if you discover later on you have been ripped off you’ll have no clue when it took place. They are that good!

You can read more about exchanging money and money changers in Sanur here.

How Much Spending Money Do I Take To Bali?

If you are wondering how much money to take to Bali, it really depends on many different factors.

Are you planning any day trips? How much do you drink, and if you drink wine? Wine is expensive in comparison to other beverages in Bali. Are you a keen shopper? Do you play golf or scuba dive as these sports are as expensive in Bali as other parts of the world? Are you travelling as a couple or with a family?

During our past visits to Sanur and other parts of Bali, we’ve found that we budget for a hundred dollars per day per adult. That said, we often take $1500 for a fortnight each and usually return home with $300-400 in our pockets each.

As we’ve travelled to Bali many times and spent a month driving around the island, we are more than happy to have a flop-and-drop kind of holiday rather than tear around and see everything.

I’m not much of a shopper either like I was when I first visited Bali. So I’m not having leather jackets, handbags and boots made as I have in the past. I’d rather spend money on an experience or a good meal.

A reasonable Bali budget per day is AUD $100 per adult.

How Much Should I Tip In Bali?

Tipping in Bali is not expected, but it is highly appreciated by the Balinese.

To gain a little perspective, the average monthly wage in Bali is between Rp. 1.5 and 2 million per month. In Aussie dollars, that’s roughly between $150 and $200 per month. So you can see why the Balinese love a tip!

Anywhere between 5% – 20% is acceptable. Or nothing if you don’t feel you’ve received the service you expected. The Balinese will still be polite when you leave.

This applies to all service staff in cafes, bars and restaurants, including room or villa attendants. Most travellers will also invite their driver to lunch if they are out all day, although don’t be surprised if they decline. They might prefer Balinese food from a local cart or warung instead. We have had this happen several times.

What To Pack For Bali?

Your Bali packing list should be a relatively simple affair.

When you are packing for Bali, light cotton is your best option, as any synthetic will stick to you in the high humidity. It is unbearably uncomfortable, especially if you decide to hit the streets and walk everywhere. As mentioned previously, we cycle everywhere in Sanur. It’s the only way to travel in the heat, and we highly recommend it.

Bali Packing List For Ladies

Shorts
T-shirts
Hats
Cotton sundresses or skirts (for evenings)
3 pairs of togs/bathers/swimmers (1 pair is always wet!)
Sarongs (or buy them there)
Sandals (no heels, you won’t wear them)
Thongs – that’s flip flops, in case you are wondering 🙂
Which reminds me, underwear!
Toiletries, but you could safely leave the eyeshadow palette at home!
Medication and prescription (if needed)
Cash

Bali Packing List For Men

Boardshorts
Shirts
T-shirts
Underwear
3 pairs of togs/bathers/swimmers
Thongs (see above for explanation)
Casual sandals
Medication and prescription (if needed)
Stubbie cooler
Cash

I ALWAYS take my own blowdryer because I’m a self-confessed blowdryer snob, as I mentioned in this post.

If you are a coffee snob, you might want to bring your own coffee for your room. However, you might be pleasantly surprised at the coffee culture that has developed in Bali. They have some great coffee and cafes in Sanur and other parts of Bali.

Even if you are travelling, I would only pack for a week as there is laundry on most streets, and you can always buy clothes there if you really need them.

Due to the expensive cost, things you definitely need to pack for Bali are sunscreen and sanitary products, especially tampons. Even if you are travelling, I would only pack for a week as there is laundry on most streets, and you can always buy clothes there if you really need them.

Other items we take include
Power Boards
Power Banks
Adapters
Luggage Scales
Lightweight Shopping Bag as Sanur and Bali are plastic bag-free
Mini Handheld Torch (although we use an app on our phones)
Dental Floss – it’s expensive too!

How To Get To Bali

Which Are The Best Flights To Bali?

I’d say the ones at the best price and on sale 😀 followed closely by direct flights to Bali.

When we lived on the Gold Coast, with Coolangatta airport a short 40-minute drive away, there were no direct flights to Bali. Instead, we would have to fly to Sydney or Melbourne and change planes.

Or we could fly to Singapore. No thanks, that takes too long.

So we opted to drive or train it to Brisbane, depending on the time of day and fly directly to Denpasar airport (Bali airport). It’s a short 6-hour flight. A couple of movies and we are there!

To keep an eye out for the best deals and flight prices, we sign up for email blasts that tell us about price drops and sales. We use Skyscanner and Aunt Betty for our flights to Bali. Then we are across all airlines, not just one or two.

Denpasar Airport – Landing In Bali

The airport on Bali is called Denpasar Airport or as it’s officially known, Ngurah Rai International Airport.

Arrivals Denpasar airport take place from your plane via airport buses to reach the immigration terminal. Unless you are flying Garuda Airlines or a Tier one airline then you’ll disembark via an aerobridge.

The old visa on arrival was abolished when landing in Bali, as it’s included in the fees and charges on your airline ticket. Now you will have to pay the visa fee at the counter as you pass through immigration.

The Immigration hall is housed in a vast area. Walk across the hall, where you will find the queue to join for immigration processing.

If you are fortunate, your plane might be the only one that has just landed, and you’ll move through immigration quickly. If there are a number of other planes landing at the same time as yours, the wait in the queue could be in excess of an hour.

Don’t want to wait in the immigration queue? Then you can skip the queue with this service, click here for more information and pricing.

If you are over 60 or travelling with kids to Bali, there is a special counter for travellers over 60+ and families.

This counter is on the left-hand side of the immigration counters. We passed through one last year when we flew back to Bali for a holiday. There are signs that will direct you, or you can always ask one of the friendly immigration officials.

The time we travelled to Bali in February/March 2020, the over-60s or travelling with kids section was a new addition to the arrivals hall, and there was no queue. Mr SBG has only just turned 60; however, as we travel together, the immigration official happily stamped my passport too.

Luggage Collection Bali Airport

Once you have cleared immigration, you’ll find the luggage collection hall.

In past visits to Bali, we’ve cleared immigration quickly and had to wait for our luggage, sometimes up to forty-five minutes.

Again, it’s the luck of the draw as to how many planes have landed at the time.

Unless, of course, you use the fast-track service that I mentioned previously. Not only will they process you through immigration quickly, but they’ll also collect your luggage. Click here for further information and pricing.

Customs Bali Airport

If in doubt, declare it. Customs officers will soon let you know whether you have to declare an item.

Always ask an official for more information on declaring goods going into Bali. Visit the Indonesian Embassy or Consulate website in your country. Click here for information for Australians.

Click here for information about what you can take into Bali.

Always do your research and don’t just rely on “hearsay” in Facebook groups or media stories and reporting. The media often sensationalise an incident just for a “good” story.

How To Get From Denpasar Airport To Sanur

You’ve made it through Immigration, collected your luggage and cleared customs.

Now to get from the airport to your accommodation in Sanur.

The best way we have found (and always have done it this way) is to book a private driver before you leave your home country. Then you can relax and enjoy your journey without the hassle of finding a taxi once you arrive.

Trust me, you’ll be glad you did.

Once you walk through the duty-free section and out onto the concourse, it can be pretty daunting, especially for Bali first-timers. The humidity will kick in, it’s crowded with travellers, and the noise from the drivers and taxis calling out to you might be a little overwhelming. All you’ll have to do is look for your driver holding your name up.

Click here for more information and to book your private driver here.

Once you find your driver, or he or she finds you, they’ll take you to the carpark where you’ll be asked to wait while they collect their car.

By the time they reach you, the airconditioning will be cranked up, and you’ll enjoy your ride in comfort to your resort, hotel or villa in Sanur.

Make sure your driver takes you via the Bypass Road to Sanur. It’s also known as Bali Mandara Toll Road, costs Rp 11,000 (approx $1.10 Aussie) and shaves a good half hour off your trip. Depending on the traffic at the time, it could be more!

Click here for more information and to book your private driver here.

Sanur Accommodation

Where To Stay In Sanur

We think Sanur is one of the best places to stay in Bali. We believe this for many reasons: it’s quieter, there is less traffic, it’s easy to get around, there is lots to see and do, and Sanur has some of the best accommodation in Bali.

There are three main areas to stay in Sanur: the northern end, the southern end, and central, the area between north and south.

Travellers to Sanur tend to refer to and divide areas like this due to the layout of Sanur. Sanur is one long stretch of beach, around 9kms long, with a bypass running parallel to the coastline. The best areas to stay in Sanur are east of the bypass, Jalan Ngurah Rai Bypass.

Some of the best Sanur accommodation on the beach are five-star resorts. You will also discover three-star and family resorts too. Sanur accommodation caters for families, couples, solo travellers, groups and backpackers.

Sanur has everything from Five-Star Resorts, Hotels, Sanur villas, Guesthouses, Inns, Losmens, and Homestays to Hostels.

We’ve stayed predominantly in the south Sanur, however, for an upcoming trip we are staying in central Sanur. This is to get a feel for the areas for when we move to Sanur in the near future that I mention here.

Where Is The Best Resort In Sanur?

We prefer a resort right on the beachfront, and Sanur definitely has some of the best resorts in Bali right on Sanur beach.

We’ve stayed at the Fairmont, now known as the Intercontinental Sanur Bali Resort, a couple of times and there is also the re-opened Hyatt Regency and Maya Resort and Spa, all located on the Sanur beachfront.

We stayed at the Maya Resort and Spa in a beach-view villa and highly recommend it. It is Balinese owned and the attention to detail and customer service is outstanding.

We have a couple of posts about Sanur Resorts that you can read by clicking here and here.

Things To Do In Sanur

What To Do In Sanur

There are lots of things to do in Sanur, especially if you like watersports.

You can learn to stand-up paddleboard, go kayaking, surf on the outer reefs, windsurf and foil in the windy months, and boat. Scuba diving and snorkelling are also on offer just off the Sanur coast.

Cultural experiences, cooking schools, market tours, plus a trip to the famous night markets are a must as is a trip to the Day Spa.

You could spend the day hiring a pushbike and riding the length of the Sanur promenade, stopping, exploring, and discovering as you go.

For a comprehensive guide of things to do in Sanur, click here.

Where Are The Night Markets In Sanur?

The Night Markets in Sanur are held at the Sindu Markets in the northern end of Sanur. The official address is Jl. Pungutan No.2, Sanur.

Click here to read the post about Sanur Night Market.

Sindu Markets also holds morning markets, which are well worth the visit. Most cooking schools will take you for a tour if you are doing their morning cooking class.

What Are The Best Things To Eat At The Night Market Sanur?

When we visited the night markets, we loved the classic Balinese food: chicken satays and nasi goreng. Both were cooked fresh in front of us.

Another popular dish is Martabak. A type of flatbread/pancake filled with an egg filling and fried in oil on a flat plate.

You’ll find a variety of dishes to eat from the food carts. Everything from vegetarian to fresh seafood, all cooked freshly before you.

The Night Markets are a must-visit.

What Is There To Do In Sanur With Kids?

You have quite a few options of things to do in Sanur with kids.

Kids love the Big Garden Garden Corner so you could easily spend a morning or afternoon there. Click here for more information.

Some cooking schools allow kids to participate, so you could take a cooking class together.

Hire pushbikes and ride the Sanur promenade along the coastline.

Spend the day at the Bali Wake Park or Aqualand. Click here for more information and to book.

Or any of the day trips from Sanur that I’ve written about here if your kids are of a suitable age.

Where To Eat In Sanur

Sanur Restaurants

Sanur restaurants, cafes, bars, and warungs are dotted along the beachfront, along Jl Danau Tamblingan and Jl Danau Poso. Every time we visit, a new eatery has opened since our previous visit.

Every cuisine is available at restaurants in Sanur, and the coffee scene is alive and kicking, too. You can also enjoy traditional Bali food at the many warungs and food carts.

Most eateries will entice you with their “happy hour” (which normally lasts more than an hour) by offering a deal on drinks, e.g., 2 for 1 cocktail or ½ price drinks.

Sanur Weather

What is the weather like in Sanur?

Generally, Sanur weather is beautiful, with sunny days and clear blue skies. That’s not to say the weather doesn’t fluctuate, because it does.
Because the Island of the Gods is in the tropics, it is hot, very hot and humid for most of the year. Temperatures range from 20 to 33 degrees Celcius (63 – 98F).

The wet or rainy season is between November and March. Don’t be too alarmed by the description, though. We’ve found that if it rains, it’s either overnight or comes and departs just as quickly as it arrived during the afternoon.

That said, we were in Sanur in mid-February and early March 2020, and some nights, it poured! Both times when the heavens opened, we were comfortably seated in restaurants, so quite happy to sit and watch the storm come and go. Both nights, we still rode our pushbikes home. 😀

Typically, the warmest month of the year is November, and the coolest is July. The fluctuation in temperatures is a vast 2.5 degrees Celcius or 11 Fahrenheit. The main volatility we have found is in the humidity.

Sanur Beach

What is the best beach in Sanur?

Sanur beach or the coastline of Sanur stretches for 7-9 km, depending on who you speak to in Sanur. It is one long, continuous beach broken up and named for the appropriate area.

There are seven main beaches in Sanur. All are protected from the outer lying islands, and from all beaches, you can see the mighty Mount Agung. That is IF she isn’t cloaked in clouds or it is a hazy day.

All beaches in Sanur are public, so anyone can swim or walk along the shores. Resorts along the coast in Sanur have their attendants for bar and food service. However, hawkers will still try to sell you their wares if you sit on the beach or in one of the many restaurants, cafes or warungs dotted along the coastline.

The best beach in Sanur is mainly chosen based on where a person stays. We prefer the central and southern beaches of Sanur as they are quieter.

Mertasari Beach

Mertasari Beach is in the southern end of Sanur. It is the area used in the windy season for foiling and windsurfing.
It runs from the most southern point of Sanur up to where Jl. Kusuma Sari meets the ocean.

Sanur Beach

The ‘official’ Sanur Beach runs from Jl. Kusuma Sari up the coastline to Jl. Pantai Patu Jimbar.

Pantai means beach in Balinese. So you may see signs with Pantai Sanur or Pantai Patu Jimbar, etc, written on them. You will know the area you are in and that it is the beach.

Sanur beach is home to some of the luxury resorts in Sanur. The International Sanur Bali Resort (previously the Sanur Fairmont) and the Hyatt Regency Bali are right on Sanur Beach.

Pantai Patu Jimbar

This beach runs from Pantai Sanur to Jl. Pantai Karang.
As with most of the Sanur beaches, all types of accommodation, bars, restaurants and warungs are dotted along the coastline.

Karang Beach

Karang beach stretches from Jl. Pantai Karang turns into Werdapura beach and onto Sindhu beach.
You’ll find the much talked about Soul on the Beach, Kayumanis and Benno’s eateries right on the beach in this area.

Sindu Beach

Famous for it’s Sindhu beach markets this is a busy area on the coastline for locals.

Especially on “Family Day” in Bali which is Sunday. The once tranquil beaches during the week turn into a hive of activity on Sunday. Parents take their kids to the beach on Sundays, grab some food from the many warungs or food carts and generally just have fun, socialise and relax.

The Sindhu Beach Markets are very popular for some of the fixed price stores. Unlike the market stalls, they are air-conditioned and all the goods are at a fixed price. No haggling allowed. Some tourists prefer just to pay a price rather than partake in the national sport of bargaining.

Segara Ayu Beach

Pantai Segara is the next area of coastline heading north up the coastline.
There is a reef about 300m from the shore that runs parallel with the beach, it’s worth a snorkel.
You’ll see lots of locals at this beach.

Matahari Beach

From Segara beach to Matahari beach there is another beach called Sanur beach on the map. Confusing right?

Between Matahari beach and this Sanur beach is home to the newly built Sanur Jetty. The Sanur Jetty is where you will depart if you are taking a fast boat to Lembongan Island, Lombok and the Gilli Islands.

This stretch is also home to Museum Le Mayeur.

How many beaches In Sanur?

There is one long beach in Sanur with seven different beach areas. The areas aren’t separate, merely named differently due to the area where they are located.

What Is The Best Swimming Beach In Sanur?

From the north to south, Sanur has one long, continuous coastline, as I mentioned previously. You can swim at all the beaches, so it is a personal preference for the best swimming beaches.

The southern beaches are quieter than the northern beaches of Sanur.

Sanur Shopping – Where To Go Shopping In Sanur?

Just like Sanur itself, shopping Sanur is a laidback and quiet affair. It doesn’t have the frantic pace of other shopping areas in Bali.

There are no set shopping areas in Sanur. There is a variety of shops dotted along the main street of Sanur, Jl Danau Tamblingan.

When were in Sanur last year the building of the new shopping centre had commenced.

In the northern end of Sanur on the beachfront, you’ll find Sindhu Beach Market. This is where the fixed-price stores of Tootsie Art Shop, Siki Shop and Monica’s. You can buy anything from clothing to luggage to Balinese souvenirs., and Monica’s are located.

Where is Hardys Sanur?

Hardy’s Sanur is now called Arta Sedana Sanur or you may see it written as ArtaSedana.

Arta Sedana is located mid-way up Jl Danua Tamblingan or central Sanur.

Most travellers to Sanur who have been several times will probably always call this store Hardy’s and reference it as such.

If they are describing where a restaurant or store is, they will probably say that it is either north of Hardy’s or south of Hardy’s. This is because the store has been used as a reference point or landmark for years.

Supermarket Sanur

Apart from Hardys supermarket or Arta Sedana, Sanur’s largest supermarket as it’s now known, there are also other supermarkets in Sanur where you can buy your supplies.

Coco supermarket is at 122 Jl Danau Tambingan.
Popular supermarket is at 27 Jl Cemara.
Popular Express is at 114 Jl Danau Tamblingan.
Kitta is at 102 Jl Danau Poso.
Circle K is a small store at 28 102 Jl Danau Poso.
Coco Express is another smaller store at 17 Jl Danau Tobo.

There are also other convenience stores scattered throughout on the Jl Bypass Ngurah Rai.
Komodo Minimart is at 82  Jl Danau Tambingan.

Getting Around Bali And Getting Around Sanur

Getting around in Bali and Sanur is pretty easy for Bali transport. You can hire taxis, private drivers, a Bali motorbike, or look into a Bali car rental if you are travelling around the island.

We’ll look at each and some of the risks involved with some of them.

Sanur Bali Scooter Rental

Before you consider hiring a Bali motorbike, look into whether your insurance covers you. For Australians, you have to carry an Australian Motorbike Licence; otherwise, your insurance will not cover you in the event of an accident.

For all motorbike riders, you must also carry an International Drivers Licence with you at all times.

I’d also suggest you carry Rp 50,000 separately from your other money. The Police in Bali have a habit of pulling tourists over on motorbikes or scooters or booking or threatening to book them.

You can offer to “pay a fine, on-the-spot” commonly known as a bribe. 

The Police haven’t pulled us over. However, we have relatives and friends who have. If you have all your money together and the Police see it, you will pay a higher “on-the-spot fine.” 

There are plenty of places you can rent a scooter, however, check if they provide helmets and insurance. Will they deliver your scooter to you or do you have to pick it up from them?

Click here for more information and prices to hire a scooter. 

Bali Car Rental

We hired a car in Bali and drove around the whole island of Bali for a month.

It’s an easy process. You can book online, just like in your home country or any other country that you visit, and pick the car up at your requested time.

As you would any other car rental, ensure you check and photograph any damage on the car before you drive away. Always have insurance to cover you.

Is It Safe To Drive In Bali?

We found it perfectly safe to drive in Bali.

Yes, you have to have your wits about you and know the road rules. The Balinese road rules.

They follow only one rule: take care of the person (or car, truck or motorbike) in front of them!
Simple!

When you first land in Bali, it looks like chaos on the roads. However, the drivers in Bali know what they are doing to navigate the chaos, are very patient and very courteous, and are very patient with tourists on their roads.

Which Side Of The Road Do They Drive On In Bali?

The rule is to drive on the left-hand side of the road in Bali.

Don’t be alarmed or surprised if you see an oncoming truck, car or motorbike travelling in the opposite direction on your side of the road!

It comes back to the one rule that I mentioned earlier: They take care of the person in front of them.

That also goes for footpaths. Yes, footpaths!

Of course trucks and cars don’t drive down a footpath (I haven’t seen that yet!), but motorbikes certainly do, especially in the congested, busy areas of Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak.

When caught in traffic, we’ve done this ourselves on a motorbike in Seminyak.

Bali Bluebird Taxi

The best way to travel in Bali for some people is grabbing a Bluebird taxi. Bali taxi prices are cheap and Blue Bird cabs are air-conditioned.

All the Bluebird drivers are licensed and insured.

For the taxi cost in Bali, how it’s calculated and all other information related to Blue Bird Bali this post covers extensive information about Bluebird taxies.

Sanur Bali Driver

If you want to take a day trip from Sanur or hire a driver in Bali to show you other parts of the island, you can easily hire a Bali driver.

You could leave your accommodation in Sanur, and trust me, they will find you before you see them!

You can easily hire them off the street, as I’ve just suggested or you can book your private Bali driver here.

Hiring a driver off the street will require haggling skills as they will want you to pay top dollar, and you will want the best price.
If haggling isn’t your bag then,click here to hire a driver for a set price.

Sanur Bali Bus

A Twelve and fifteen-seat bus runs in Sanur on Line 5. the line also connects to Ubud, Nusa Dua, a few attractions and shopping areas.

The buses are air-conditioned, have free Wi-Fi, and have power points.

Most Bali buses run between 9 am and 11 pm daily, however, it always pays to check. Weather, ceremonies and road closures always impact the running of the buses.

The bus in Sanur runs down the main street of Jl. Tamblingan. You can’t miss it;. It’s bright lime green and yellow.

Click here to find out more about the Sanur Bali bus service your Bus Pass and getting around Bali by bus.

Bemos in Sanur

Bemos are everywhere in Sanur and Bali. You’ll recognise them as they all look very similar.

What is a Bemo? It’s a faded green paint on a beat-up-looking van that carries about 8-10 passengers—a common method of transport in Bali for locals and tourists alike.

Some have windows, and some don’t. I haven’t seen any with a door.

Apparently, there are set pick-up points—if you only knew where they were! So it’s best to call out or signal the driver, and he will stop. That’s if he hasn’t tooted his horn first to ask if you need a ride.

The cost of riding in a Bemo is cheap. it will set you back Rp 5,000, about 50c, depending on the length of your trip and time of day.

A ride in a Bemo at least once is a must when you visit Sanur!

Final Thoughts

Have we covered all your questions in this post about Sanur Bali tips? Is there something we’ve missed that you feel should be included that would help your fellow travellers? Let us know in the comments and we’ll update the post. Or you can contact us here.

Be sure to bookmark this page and check back often. The more experience we gain travelling to Sanur and the more information we have we will update this post on Sanur Bali Tips.