From Wikitravel

Denpasar [1]is the largest city and capital of the island of Bali, Indonesia.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By plane

Departure taxes As of October 2005, departure taxes of Rp 150,000 for international and Rp 30,000 for domestic flights are charged, payable in rupiah cash only.

Ngurah Rai Airport (DPS) [2] is Bali's only airport and the second-busiest in all Indonesia, serving not only domestic destinations but major cities throughout Asia and Australia as well. It's a fairly modern and clean, if not exactly exciting, place and is equipped with most facilities a traveler would need. There are two separate terminals for international and domestic flights, but they're within walking distance of each other. Beware of the porters, who will grab your bags off the belt, accompany you to the money changer and expect to get paid for the "service".

Despite the name, Denpasar airport is actually located south of Kuta, some 20 kilometers away. The most hassle-free, though the most expensive way to get from the airport to your destination anywhere on Bali is to either arrange a pick-up or use the prepaid Airport Taxi Service. If you take a normal taxi outside, check the posted fares for an estimate and insist on the meter. If you can take a one from the company Bali Taksi (Tel: +62 361 701-111) as they are the most reliable and they always use the meter. Buses to Tegal bus station in central Denpasar take about 50 minutes.

[edit] By bemo

Denpasar is the bemo hub of Bali. Inconveniently, bemo terminals are scattered all around town, and transfers between them can be time-consuming. The major ones are:

• Batubulan, 6 km northeast, for points central and east (Kintamani, Tampaksiring, Ubud)
• Tegal, to the west, for southern Bali (Kuta, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua)
• Ubung, to the north, for points north and west (Gilimanuk, Singaraja)

[edit] Get around

Taxi fares should run to about Rp.5000 for the first 2 km and Rp. 2000 per km afterward. If you have a group of people, you may want to negotiate a bemo (small van) for a set rate to your destination. Remember that pricing is negotiable. Indonesians are great people, however, they won't think twice about overcharging you if they can, as would happen anywhere else.

[edit][add listing] See

Don't believe those travel guides saying that Denpasar has nothing to offer. The opposite is true, Denpasar is bristling with temples, palaces, mansions and its occupants are outstandingly friendly. You will be off the beaten tourist track, so bring lots of time for a chat with the locals and a decent map of town (available at the tourist office). You can see all the sights comfortably on foot.

• Puputan Square has the famous Catur Mukha Statue.
• Pasar Badang has a wide choice of foods, curios and artwork, on five floors.
• Pura Jagatnata Temple famous for its steel.
• Pura Maospahit Temple is an oasis of quietness.
• Palace of Pemekutan is an elaborate palace with many caged animals.
• Palace of Satria is the royal palace of the King of Denpasar.
• The Royal Temples, next to the palace of Satria, are Denpasars most elaborate temples, made of bricks without mortar and wonderfully carved. Next to it is the bird market, where all kinds of pets are sold, from Beos to parrots to guineapigs, rabbits, iguanas and monkeys.

[edit][add listing] Do

Go to the beach! The waves are a lot of fun and quite large.

Be careful when changing money. There are some great cons. Always know exactly how much you should be getting in trade for your currency before you go to exchange it. Once you are at the desk make sure that you count the money more than twice, and always be sure that you are the last one to "touch" it and count it. If they see that you are not going to be easily fooled, often they will change the exchange rate and/or act like you are being difficult and call off the transaction. This is fine, as there are hundreds of exchange places. There are very legitimate ones that will do a straight deal. The Central Kuta chain is across the island and is honest and reliable, and have the same rates as the dishonest ones. Tips: Do not let them rush you. Negotiate how much RP per your currency before you begin counting. Ask for larger bills. This makes it harder for them to trick you. You can be pretty safe if you know exactly how much you should get in RP before you even walk in the door. Don't accept torn or old bills and remember the RP10.000 notes look very much like the RP100.000 notes. If they pull one over on you, do not let it get to you. Just tell yourself with the exchange rate it really wasn't that much. Avoid the money changers down little gang (alleys), or ones that are a part of another shop, for example a camera shop or leather shop and you will generally be fine. The island is a whole lot of fun.

• Diving (Bali Diving), Ngurah Rai 46E Sanur, ☎ 62361270791, [3]. Bali is The Island of the Gods, is certainly a diving place to get your gear on and go for a dive Bali. The diversity of marine life and dive sites is exceptional. One day can be filled with the magnificent Oceanic Sunfish, or Mola Mola, around the waters of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida, whilst the next you can be searching for pigmy seahorses near Tepekong / Mimpang The diversity of soft and hard corals in Bali, and Indonesia, is unmatched anywhere else in the world.  edit

[edit][add listing] Buy

• Wayan, Jimbaran, [4]. Beautiful Balinese furniture, wood carving, handicraft, carved stone, and many other Balinese arts. Offers unique, original, high quality, products designed with attention to details by Balinese artists, American, and Asian.  edit

[edit][add listing] Eat

[edit][add listing] Drink

You can get the Heineken-produced Bintang beer at most convenience stores. If you know some locals, ask them to get you some Arak. It is a traditional and cheap palm liquor that the Balinese youth often enjoy.

[edit][add listing] Sleep

• Adi Yasa Hotel, 23 Jalan Nakula, Tel.: +62 361 222-679. Doubles from Rp. 35000, huge and friendly rooms with private bath rooms, friendly management, off the tourist traps. Near cheap eats and internet.
• Harris Hotel Tuban - Bali, Jl Dewi Sartika, Tuban - Bali, Tel.: +62 361 765-255. Website: Harris Hotel Tuban - Bali. Ideally located only 5 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport and Tuban Beach. Also close to main shopping areas and nightlife spots as it's only 10 minutes from Kuta Beach. Harris Hotel Tuban Bali offers 66 rooms and suites. The perfect hotel for families and business purposes

[edit] Get out

Virtually all of Bali can be accessed easily from Denpasar.

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