Denpasar travel guide

Ins and outs

Getting there

There are fixed-price taxis from the airport, currently at US$4.40; US$5 to Kuta 2 (in practice, anywhere past bemo corner is charged at the second rate); US$5.50 to Legian; US$19 to Ubud; US$31 to Padangbai and US$31 to Candi Dasa. Alternatively, catch a cab just after it has dropped someone off at the international departures area. This is a little cheeky, but the drivers use the meter and the cost of the drive to Kuta is around US$3. Some hardened souls walk all the way along the beach towards Tuban or Kuta.

Denpasar

As Denpasar is the transport hub of the island, it’s easy to get to most of the main towns, beaches and sights from here.

Air

There are plenty of airline offices outside the domestic departures area of the airport, including Air Asia (T08041333333, 0900- 1700) Garuda (T08041807807, 0600-0130), Mandala (T0361 222751, 0600-2200) and Merpati (T0361 751011, 0600-1830) Transnusa (T0361 7877555, 0600-1800).

Airline offices

Batavia, Jl Teuku Umar 208-210, T0361 254947; Garuda, Jl Sugianyar 5, T0361 254747; Mandala, Jl P Diponegoro 98 Kompl Pert Kerthawijaya BI D/23, T0361 263388; Merpati, Jl Melati 51, T0361 235358.

Bemo

A few of the original, rickety and under- powered 3-wheeler bemos still travel between the main bemo terminals (5000Rp), criss-crossing town, although much more common these days are Japanese-built minibuses. It is also possible to charter these bemos for trips around town. From the terminals, of which there are several, bemos travel to all of Bali’s main towns: the Ubung terminal, north of town on Jl Cokroaminoto for trips to West Bali, North Bali and Java; Tegal terminal, west of town, near the intersection of Jl Imam Bonjol and Jl G Wilis, for journeys to South Bali; Suci terminal, near the intersection of Jl Diponegoro and Jl Hasanuddin, for Benoa Port; Kereneng terminal, at the east edge of town off Jl Kamboja (Jl Hayam Wuruk), for destinations around town and for Sanur; and Batubulan terminal, east of town just before the village of Batubulan on the road to Gianyar, for buses running east and to central Bali. Tegal, the bemo terminal for Kuta, used to be a thriving place with crowded bemos leaving regularly. Nowadays, however, it is a shadow of its former self and you might find yourself waiting around for a while before your bemo is ready to leave. Getting the correct fare can be a challenge. Try to ask one of the guys at the entrance to the station who record each departure. Fares from Tegal include Kuta, 7000Rp; Sanur, 7000Rp; and the airport, 10000Rp. Beware of pickpockets on bemos.

Due to terrible traffic congestion, bemos have been banned from Jl Legian and the road from Kuta to Seminyak is mercifully free of them. Bemos run from Denpasar’s Tegal terminal to Bemo Corner at the edge of Kuta (7000Rp).

Bus

There are also bus connections with Java from the Ubung terminal, just north of Denpasar on Jl Cokroaminoto.

Express and night bus offices are concentrated near the intersection of Jl Diponegoro and Jl Hasanuddin; for example, Safari Dharma Raya, Jl Diponegoro 110, T0361 231206. Journey time and fares for night and express buses to: Jakarta, 24 hrs, US$33; Solo, 18 hrs, US$22; to Yogyakarta, 18 hrs, US$22, to Probolinggo, 8hrs US$13.

Car hire

Arrange car hire through hotels, or one of the rental agencies in town, for approximately US$11 per day. There are also private cars (with drivers) that can be chartered by the hour or day, or for specific journeys. Bargain hard, expect to pay about US$19 per day (car plus driver). Drivers can be found around Bemo Corner and Jl Legian with their constant offers of transport.

Motorbike hire

Arrange hire through travel agents, hotels or from operations on the street, from 40,000Rp per day. Artha Guna, T0361753431, arthaguna_rc@yahoo.co.id, has fair rates and is used by some hotels.

Ojek

Motorbike taxis, the fastest way around town, are identified by the riders’ red jackets (4000Rp min).

Taxi

Numerous un-metered cars that can be chartered by the hour or day, or which can be hired for specific journeys. Bargain hard. Also some metered taxis. Like Kuta and Legian, the best company to use is the blue Bali Taxi, T0361 701111. Praja Bali Taxi, pale blue taxis, also operate with meters and make no extra charge for call-out service, T0361 289090.

Banks

BCA, Jl Mohammad Yasin, T0361 235092; Mandiri, Jl Suroprati 15, T0361 238083.

Embassies and consulates

Australia (also represents Canada, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea), Jl Hayam Wuruk 88, T0361 241118, bali@congen.dfat.gov.au. Japan, Jl Raya Puputan, Renon Denpasar 170, T0361 227628, F0361 231308, konjdps@indo.net.id. USA, Jl Hayam Wuruk 188, T0361 233605, F0361 222426, amcobali@indo.net.id.

Language schools

IALF, Jl Raya Sesetan 190, T0361 225245, ialfbali@ialf.edu. Bahasa Indonesia courses mainly suited to expats. However, they have a 2-week homestay programme combining language studies with cultural studies for A$1120.

Medical services

Emergency dental clinic: Jl Pattimura 19, T0361 222445. Hospitals: Sanglah Public Hospital, Jl Kesehatan Selatan 1, T0361 227911. Wangaya Hospital, Jl Kartini, T0361 222141; 24 hr on-call doctor and ambulance, Jl Cokroaminoto 28, T0361 426393. Main hospital with best emergency service. Some staff speak English. Bali’s only decompression chamber for divers is located here. Bear in mind that medical facilities are not up to Western standards. For any serious medical problem, Singapore is the best place to go.

Post office

Jl Raya Puputan, Renon. Open 0800-1400 Mon-Thu, 0800-1200 Fri, 0800-1300 Sat. Poste restante available.