And that leaves enough for a couple of ice-cold Bali Hai beers and a souvenir carved bamboo cockatoo at the airport send off. Indonesia's financial tailspin reached a crescendo with the departure from office of the little-loved President Suharto in May 1998, but all the flap had little direct bearing on life and tourism on Bali. Moreover, there hasn't been so much of a ripple of public unrest on Bali. Of course, it turned out to be far more than I ever could have hoped to spend. Getting the best rates for decent hotels on Bali requires a bit of effort.
Most establishments are naturally reluctant to offer their best rates up front.
If you have more than 3-4 days to spare for Bali, I'd recommend splitting your time between the beaches and upland villages in Ubud. UBUD Ubud is one of those rare spots in the world where arriving stressed out or emotionally drained is a distinct advantage. Ubud is lush and serene, steeped in ethnicity and colorful, distracting traditions. The most prized spots have views of nothing but emerald-green rice paddies, thick overgrown forests sprinkled with pink and orange orchids, deep gorges sliced by rushing streams and cascades. The vistas improve as you move further from the cluster of craft shops and eateries that serve as Ubud's center.