Good to know about Seminyak in Bali
Seminyak is more upmarket. The atmosphere is much more laid-back than Kuta, and the beach in particular is quieter during the day. Seminyak is also the spa & boutique shopping capital of Bali.
Seminyak is one of the most popular areas to stay in Bali. Brimming with delicious restaurants, beach bars, boutique shops, beaches and not to far from the Airport, it’s easy to see why. All this brings the crowds, so on the other side expect lots of tourists and busy streets.
Seminyak is located on the southwest coast of Bali in the extension north of Kuta and Legian.
Excellent destination for honeymooners, more snobbish and luxurious than these two neighbors, this small town is attracting more and more tourists. This is why, we are going to find out what are the interests and the faults of this place…
It is a very happening area with many attractions, restaurants, bars, various shops, spas or even nightclubs. Close to all amenities and places to relax and have fun, the beaches are accessible even on foot which makes this area very attractive!
It is also where Seminyak Square is located where you can stroll and get souvenirs of Bali. You will also be very close to the beach and the various Beach Clubs along the coast.
That’s not to say that you can’t find your little piece of tranquility in Seminyak, and one of the best ways to do this is to stay alittle bit away from Jalan Kayu Aya, like our Villa Carissa, where it’s is located.
How to go to Seminyak?
- By air
FROM Ngurah Rai DPS Airport to our villa Carissa.
Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS), is the only airport in Bali, it has an international and domestic terminals. It is sometimes referred to internationally as Denpasar or on some internet flight-booking sites as Bali.
Approximately 15.0 km/9.32 miles from the airport to Seminyak. It’ll take around 25-45 mn (depending on traffic).
Public taxi airport fee: around 150,000 – 200,000 IDR.
Taxi booths are abundant at the arrival terminals. Book and pay for your taxi in advance at an official taxi company counter and you will be immediately escorted to a designated cab at the exit.
Option 2: Grab Lounge is a location for pick-up the passengers who use the Grab application service. Located in the International & Domestic arrival terminal Pick Up Zone.
NOTE: To order a GRAB with the app, you will have to have the GRAB app already installed and set-up on your phone and have the ability to use your phone in Bali. Bali airport has a free WiFi. Yes, you can also buy a SIM card at the airport to set this up.
- By car
Seminyak is part of the main west coast conurbation in South Bali and it can get very congested with traffic. There are 2 main routes in. From Kuta & Legian, Jalan Legian runs parallel with the beach and at its western limit, becomes Jalan Seminyak. If at all possible try to avoid this road though, and take instead the eastern bypass called Jalan Sunset. This is almost invariably the quicker route from Kuta and Legian into Seminyak, although it is actually further in distance.
Most hotels do provide a shuttle service. A prepaid taxi from the airport to Seminyak costs a fixed Rp 60,000. Trips to or from Kuta cost around Rp 30,000 and from Legian about Rp 15,000. (At odd hours, you may find yourself being asked to pay significantly more. There is room to negotiate down). Please note that prices may be changed without prior notice.
- By boat
If arriving from the Gili islands, the closest port would be located in Benoa; 30 minutes drive to the South-East. As of Sep 2017; travelling on the Patagonia Xpress from Gili Air, a free shuttle service to any location surrounding Seminyak/Kuta/Denpasar was available. It took around 1 hour to arrive at the accommodation due to the number of drop-offs to other passenger’s locations.
- Benoa Harbor
Travel Distance: Approximately 22.0 km/13.67 miles. It’ll take around 35-45 mn (depending on traffic).
Public taxi fee: around IDR 145,000.
Taxis are abundant at the entrance to the port—be sure to use a licensed and preferably metered taxi to avoid having to negotiate for a reasonable fare.
What to see and do in Seminyak?
Seminyak Beach and Petitenget Beach is a continuous expanse of grey sand stretching in both directions as far as the eye can see. To the south it becomes Legian Beach and then Kuta Beach, but is noticeably quieter than both. The sunsets here are very famous, and opportunites abound to mix with the glitterati who frequent the high end beach front estalilshments such as Ku De Ta. Easy access points to the beach are at the end of Jalan Dhyana Pura, and from the large public car park (Rp 2,000) between Petitenget Temple and La Luciola restaurant.
- Pura Petitenget at the beachside off Jl Petitenget is a compact, pretty Balinese temple, which is known for particularly spectacular beach-side ceremonies. There has been a temple here since at least the 16th century, and although this is not one of the key 9 directional temples of Bali, it is an important link in the series of west coast temples between Pura Uluwatu and Pura Tanah Lot.
- Seminyak Beach, at Jalan Raya Seminyak. Seminyak Beach is a beautiful white sandy beach situated in north of Legian Beach. The white sand stretch 3 km from Tuban Area has made it as a fascination for tourist to visit this place. Seminyak Beach is favored by the great wave that is ideally for surfing adventures hence many surfers visit this beach to conquer the waves and enjoy the surf adventures. This beach is also featured by beautiful panorama to the Indian Ocean, the wide white sand, complete public facilities, the world class hotels, international restaurant and more.
- Kudeta a highly acclaimed beachfront destination that has opened its doors to sun-seeking travelers from around the globe for more than a decade. Set on the Southern Coast of the island, Ku De Ta’s idyllic tropical setting is an excuse to visit at any time of the year, as sunshine reigns all year round. Surrounded by the fragrance of fresh ocean water, Ku De Ta’s elegantly designed spaces seamlessly transition into a lively backdrop for music, dancing, lounging and dining as the sun sets into the evening. Whether over a meal or casual cocktails, Ku De Ta’s picturesque setting provides setting provides sweeping views of the cerulean Indian Ocean that will simply take your breath away.
- Best Temples in Bali not to miss Tannah Lot, Uluwatu, Saraswati (Ubud), Purah Besakih (The Mother Temple), Ulun Danu Beratan, Tirta Empul Temple.
- Most Beautiful Rice Fields in Bali Tegallalang Rice Fields Ubud, panoramic views from Mahagiri Restaurant, Jatiluwih, Belimbing.
- Top Waterfalls in Bali Tegenungan (Ubud), Secret Waterfall (Tukad Cepung), Aling Aling, Gitgit, Sekumpul.
- Yoga classes The Yoga Barn, Radiantly Alive.
- Shopping Areas in Bali Seminyak is great for trendy boutiques and stylish finds. Ubud Market has an amazing selection of local arts, crafts, souvenirs and cheap finds for clothing & accessories.
- Massages You can get cheap massages literally everywhere in Bali. There are loads of spas on every street and prices start from as low as US$8 for a 1 hour massage.
- Volcano trekking in Bali Watching the sunrise from Mount Batur is an incredible experience. The hike will take approximately 2 hours uphill and another 2.5 hours downhill, but it’s well worth it. You will also have to wake up in the middle of the night at 2AM to start your journey and catch the sunrise on time. It’s best to book a tour ahead of time.
- Top beaches in Bali Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Jimbaran, Benoa Beach (for water sports).
- Best beach clubs in Bali Ku De Ta, Potato Head Beach Club, Finn’s Beach Club, Sundays Beach Club, The Lawn.
- Bali breakfast spots & coffee shops Revolver, Sea Circus, Nalu Bowls, Bali Bowls, Strawberry Fields, Milk & Madu, Livingstone, The Loft.
- Bali’s Best Lunch Spots Nook, Peloton Supershop (Vegan), La Finca, Deus Ex Machina, Betelnut, The Bistrot, Sari Organik, Cafe Pomegranate.
- Top dinner restaurants in Bali Mamasan, Bambu, Merah Putih, Sardine, Ginger Moon, Motel Mexicola (book in advance for these popular dinner spots)
- Sunset spots Seminyak Beach (several beach bars with bean bags), La Laguna, Woobar, Old Man’s, Rock Bar
This article is brought to you by Villa Carissa Seminyak
You can book this villa at Booking.com or Air B&B. Official website: www.villacarissabali.com
Good tips while you’re in Seminyak – Bali
– There will not be any public transportation close to our villa. However, you may download Grab or Go-Jek click the option “Go Car” apps (like Uber): to go around. Please note that if you go to Canggu area (for example Fins beach), they can only drop you of at Fins beach, but pick up with Grab is not allowed.
– If you want to use Grab app (like Uber) to find Villa Carissa: type the address: Villa Carissa Seminyak Bali and it’ll appear our villa.
If not, you can type: villa Penelopy (it’s just the opposite of Complex Villa Taman Sekar 1, where Villa Carissa is situated.
– Use only BLUEBIRD taxi. They earned a reputation for being the most reliable and they use their meter. They have an app too, called My Bluebird. Just be aware there are other blue taxis that look like bluebird but aren’t. The bluebird taxis will have the word Bluebird written on them.
– Some people like to get around by scooters and we’ll be happy to help you if you’d like to rent a scooter during your stay in Seminyak. Scooter rental is normally starting from IDR60,000/day depending on the type of the scooter. If you give us a head’s up, we’ll be able to arrange the scooters to be ready upon your arrival. Before getting a scooter, make sure your international driving licence is valid and you’re covered to do so in your travel insurance.
– You can hire a car with a driver in Bali for around 8-10 hours for approximately IDR 500 000 depending on the type/class of the car.
This is the best and most convenient way to get around a specific region of the island.
They are yours for the day and will take you where you need to go and pick you up too.
It’s a good idea for sightseeing and if you want to move at your own pace without the added effort of finding taxis.
– On foot:
Concept restaurants, chic cocktail bars, sizzling clubs, designer boutiques, eclectic art galleries and the beautiful Seminyak shore—they’re hot to trot and there’s no better way to get intimately acquainted with them all then strolling at your leisure. If you’re walking away into that famous Bali sunset, don’t forget to come back!
Traveler advice
Ways to save
How to avoid money exchange scams in Bali?
Make sure to exchange your money only in “authorized” money exchanges that have cameras installed inside, because there are loads of unauthorized places that can scam you right in from of your eyes. The exchanges all look similar, but authorized ones have cameras and will always give you a receipt.
There is a very popular money scam in Bali, where the person in the exchange would be counting your money in front of you, but secretly throwing a few bills into their drawer. Becareful, they count the money so fast that you cannot see it. When you receive the money, please COUNT TWICE infront of the person.
Getting around
Local taxi driver
This is undoubtedly the most common scam and affects all travelers who take a Taxi. You stop a taxi in the street, you get in the taxi, give your destination and, surprise, the driver does not start the meter but announces a fixed price to you.
You think the driver is honest and gives you the usual fare and accepts. But in reality you paid 3, 5 or 10 times the normal rate. You do not know the distances, the prices and therefore accept, powerless… local taxi driver don’t like the “online” transportation apps (like Gojek and Grab).
Metered taxis “Bluebird”
Metered taxis: these are blue cars that you can find on the street with the name “Bluebird”. Just make sure the drivers turn on the meter, because a lot of them will try to ask for a fixed price which is usually much more than what you would pay for a metered fare.
Order a Blue Bird Taxi
Website: www.bluebirdgroup.com
Email: customercare@bluebirdgroup.com
Order by Phone (24 hours): +62361701111
Official MyBluebird Mobile Apps for Android and iOS
Transportation apps Go-Jek & Grab
Go-Jek & Grab (like uber) both have taxi options, but local taxi drivers don’t like the online apps & have banned them in a lot of areas such as central Canggu or Seminyak. There is also the Go Jek app which offers transport by car or scooter (cheaper). Online apps are so much cheaper (normally 1/3 of the price), so you might see signs in different places saying “No Grab or Go-Jek”. You can still try ordering the Go-Jek & Grab, but the driver might call you and tell you to avoid looking at your phone when he’s picking you up so that the local drivers don’t notice what you’re doing.
Tips: Don’t order a Gojek or Grab in front of a restaurant or hotel that doesn’t allow it. Walk a few steps or blocks until you pass the “No Gojek and Grab” sign, and then order it. There are several areas in Bali where Gojek and Grab are prohibited from picking up passengers, namely Ubud and places close to the beach and crowded with tourists around Kuta, Legian, some Seminyak areas, Canggu or Nusa Dua. The bus terminal is usually already controlled by local taxis, but if we walk for a few minutes out of the terminal area, beaches, restaurants… we can still order. Based on people experiences, if it’s not close to hotels/restaurants that are on the beach or crowded with tourists, that’s okay.
Ways to save
See and Do
You will find a number of freebee activities in Bali. It won’t cost you to spend the day on one of Bali’s stunning beaches. You’ll find natural vistas of mountain panoramas and rice fields that you can visit as well as temples and royal palaces that have little to no entrance fee. Once you leave the tourist spots you will find Banjar community halls where villagers rehearse their dance performances or colourful processions on the street for ceremonies and funerals. Behind the Denpasar Arts Institute there is an amphitheater where you are sure to find regular performances by students.
Helpful?
Useful Indonesian phrases
Halo: hello.
Selamat Pagi: Good morning.
Selamat siang: Good afternoon.
Selamat sore: Good evening.
Selamat tidur: Good night.
Nama saya: My name is.
Apa kabar? How are you? – Kabar baik I’m good.
Terima kasih: Thank you. Sama sama: You’re welcome.
Yes/No: Ya/ Tidak.
Murah: Cheap.
Mahal: Expensive.
Pedas: Spicy (Tidak pedas: No spicy).
Information: prices and visiting hours may be changed at any time without further notice.
Sources: Villa Carissa Bali, PinterPandai
Have you booked your private villa in Seminyak center?
Located in Seminyak Center – Bali, Villa Carissa offers a private swimming pool and enclosed garden to guarantee your privacy. You can book your private pool villa here with us.
Whether you’re traveling with family, friends, or on a romantic getaway, villa Carissa in Seminyak center offers the perfect base for exploring Bali’s many attractions and enjoying a relaxing vacation.
