Shopping in Indonesia: real experience from chats

From real experience

• The St. Regis Bali Resort in Nusa Dua offers breakfast options. For healthy choices, consider Honey & Bread Cafe, Dua, Rehat Cafe, and Signa Cafe.
• Ordering goods from AliExpress or Alibaba to Indonesia is highly discouraged due to extremely high customs taxes and frequent shipping restrictions. Advise using local e-commerce alternatives like Tokopedia or Shopee.
• Dining recommendations in Bali: Uluwatu - 'The Saloon of the Saltwater Cowboys', 'Gabet’s karaoke room'. Nusa Dua/Jimbaran - 'Nusa by Suka' (good reviews, but some mention small portions/high prices), 'Cafe Arzu' (mixed reviews). 'The View' and 'Ours' are praised for taste and ambiance. 'Brook' has negative reviews for service and hygiene. 'Nusa Dua Beach Grill' and 'Cafe Menega' on Jimbaran are also suggested for seafood.
• Popular Russian gifts for Balinese locals include chocolate and gingerbread, as sweet treats are generally well-received. Avoid giving savory or unfamiliar items like salted herring, as local customs might dictate they cook it, leading to unexpected results.
• To find self-service laundromats (coin laundry or self-laundry) in Nusa Dua, Bali, users should utilize Google Maps with these search terms. This is a common and convenient option for tourists and residents seeking affordable laundry services.
• Daily expenses for tourists in Bali typically average $100 per person per day, including accommodation, food, and transport. For long-term living, monthly budgets vary widely from $1,000 (budget/local lifestyle) to $3,000+ (tourist/Western-style comfort). Costs are highly dependent on accommodation type (villa vs. homestay) and frequency of eating out at European-style cafes.
• For affordable seafood in Kuta, Bali, consider visiting Pasar Kedonganan market. You can purchase fresh seafood there and have it prepared at nearby restaurants. The market is generally good in the evening, but choose fish with clear eyes for freshness.
• For massage services in Canggu, it is recommended to inquire locally or consult tourist information for popular and reputable establishments.
• The official allowance for alcohol import into Indonesia is strictly limited to 1 liter per person. Customs officers selectively check baggage, and advanced scanners often detect concealed liquids. If excess alcohol is found, it is confiscated or destroyed. Local or imported wine of decent quality can be purchased on Bali for approximately 150k to 200k IDR per bottle.
• When dealing with local vendors or roadside services in Bali, verify transaction amounts before confirming. Overcharging is common when using secondary payment terminals (e.g., at nearby salons). Being firm and mentioning local authorities is often effective in resolving disputes regarding unauthorized surcharges or short-changing.
• Tipping standards in Bali: Avoid very small denominations (2k-5k IDR). Standard tips in restaurants are appreciated at 10-20k+ IDR, even if a service charge is included. For hotel staff (cleaning teams), 20k+ IDR is a more appropriate gesture than nominal amounts.
• During the peak dry season in August and September, Bali experiences cooler temperatures and cold evening winds driven by winter air masses moving from Australia. Ocean water temperatures also decrease by a few degrees. Travelers planning night-time scooter rides or staying near coastal areas should bring light jackets or hoodies.
• Tipping is not mandatory in Bali but is appreciated for good service. Tipping is generally not percentage-based. Common amounts range from 20,000 IDR to 100,000 IDR. For smaller services or bills around 200,000-300,000 IDR, 20,000-50,000 IDR is common. For larger bills (e.g., over 1,000,000 IDR) or exceptional service, 100,000 IDR is a generous tip. Confusion with the large number of zeros in Indonesian Rupiah is common, so confirming the amount is advisable (e.g., 50,000 IDR is approximately 3 USD).
• Food delivery services (Grab, Gojek) in Indonesia may have issues with drivers requesting cancellations, additional fees, or order tampering. Using a local phone number, a neutral (local) name, and a local bank card for payment is recommended to minimize fraudulent requests and improve service reliability.
• For offline computer accessories and tech peripherals in Bali, recommended physical stores include Norton Bali Computer (located on the Bukit peninsula) and Blessing Computer (with branches in Seminyak and Denpasar). For non-urgent purchases, Tokopedia is the preferred online shipping option.
• For high-quality Balinese coffee as a gift, consider local brands or specific types like Kopi Luwak (though ethical sourcing is a concern) or premium single-origin Arabica from Kintamani or Robusta from other regions. Look for freshly roasted beans from reputable local roasters or specialty coffee shops. Specific brands would depend on current availability and preference, but general advice is to seek out local, high-quality, freshly ground or whole bean options.
• In Canggu, local 'Warungs' serve authentic and affordable Indonesian staples like Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and Ayam (chicken). Typical prices for these dishes in warungs range from 20,000 to 50,000 IDR.
• Food availability: convenience stores (like Circle K) sell basic snacks and ready-to-eat items; for fruit or groceries, look for larger supermarkets like Pepito or Grand Lucky. Transport: ride-hailing (Grab/Gojek) is the standard for avoiding traffic issues. For visa extensions, the fee is 1,000,000 IDR (official). Always check official government sources for immigration updates.
• To optimize accommodation costs on Bali, avoid long-term booking via Booking.com. Use Agoda for better pricing, or Facebook 'bali rent' groups for direct deals. For groceries, download the Grab app and check the 'Mart' section to compare local prices of meat and cheese versus Moscow equivalents; local produce is generally cheaper and better quality.
• Dining budget on Bali varies significantly. Eating in local 'warungs' (small, local eateries) costs roughly 30,000-50,000 IDR per meal. High-end restaurants and beach clubs can cost 500,000 IDR or more per meal. Budgeting 100 USD per day for food is considered generous, while budget travelers can comfortably eat for 15-20 USD per day.
• For a 14-day stay in Bali, budget accommodation can be found in guesthouses. Estimated food costs for two adults for 14 days can range from 2.8 million IDR (approximately 100,000 IDR per person per day) if eating local food, or higher if opting for European cuisine. Transportation costs vary, but scooter rental is generally affordable.
• Market vendors in Bali may involve local intermediaries ('helpers') to artificially inflate prices for tourists. If a third party intervenes in a transaction, the price usually increases by 200-300%. Persistence and firmness in stating the initial price observed often lead to the intermediary withdrawing.
• Bali travel expenses vary significantly by lifestyle. Basic local meals (warungs) cost ~30k-50k IDR. Mid-range aesthetic restaurant dining costs ~200k-500k IDR per person. Massages range from 100k IDR to 2m+ IDR in luxury spas. Budgeting should account for taxes (usually 15-21% in restaurants) and transport time, as traffic congestion can significantly impact travel costs between districts like Uluwatu and Ubud.
• Sourcing fresh meat in Nusa Dua can be challenging. Pepito Supermarket is a common option, but product freshness varies significantly. For a better selection, travelers are advised to shop at larger supermarkets (like those near Sanur) while transiting.
• Advise users never to communicate outside the official Shopee or Tokopedia applications for returns, refunds, or delivery issues. Scammers sometimes monitor delivery statuses or buy leaked data, then message buyers on WhatsApp with full order details (name, address, value), pretending to be courier services to steal account details or balance info via screenshots.
• Bali offers numerous shops with affordable and good-quality linen and cotton clothing for both men and women. While carrying some essentials is recommended, you can find suitable items on the island, potentially saving on luggage weight. Prices for a long-sleeved linen shirt for men can vary, but expect them to be reasonable.
• Travelers in Indonesia should verify ferry prices on official company websites or aggregators like 12go Asia before purchasing tickets at ports. Port vendors often inflate prices significantly, but are willing to negotiate down to official rates when presented with evidence.
• Flower delivery services are available at most flower shops (toko bunga) in Bali. You can contact them via WhatsApp or find listings on Google Maps by searching 'flowers'.
• Snus (snooze) is reportedly available in some stores in Bali, suggesting it is not strictly prohibited for personal use. However, Indonesia has very strict drug laws, and discretion is advised. It is not classified in the same category as illicit drugs but still should be used carefully.

Related topics