Best Things To Do In Sideman Bali
Bali’s Sidemen (pronounced Si-da-men) is set over the most picturesque valley surrounded by rice terraces with the most magnificent backdrop of Mount Agung. The active volcano is the highest point in all of Bali. In this Sidemen travel guide, we will show you the best things to do in Sidemen village.
You will find the traditional Bali still unspoiled by mass tourism, and allows you to connect with traditional village life. Sidemen is the perfect place to relax and recharge away from everything.
Sidemen is a very traditional area and the locals are a little overwhelmed by the increasing tourists coming to visit this untouched paradise.
The valley has several small villages and you will find the most popular tourist spot with accommodation and restaurants around the village of Tabola.
It’s a cooler climate and you will find it gets chilly at night, this makes for perfect conditions when trekking.
How to Get to Sidemen Bali
Sidemen is located around a 90-minute drive from Ubud and two hours from Sanur. If you are going straight to Sidemen from Bali’s Ngurah airport it will take you around two hours depending on traffic conditions.
The easiest way to get to Sidemen is by car, but you could also hire a motorbike as we did. We hired our bike in Ubud and rode from Ubud to Sidemen.
Sidemen Bali What To Do
Hiking Sidemen Bali Rice Terraces
Ubud is not the only place in Bali to explore rice fields, and in Sidemen, you will find the most gorgeous rice paddies. You don’t have to travel far to experience the rice paddies as you will be surrounded by them everywhere.
While walking through the village there will be plenty of opportunities for the perfect photo. The landscape and surrounding is gorgeous and you will need to pinch yourself to see if it’s real because it’s just picture perfect.
You can book Sidemen trekking tours from all the hotels that offer trekking through the fields and these are great. You will gain a lot of knowledge about the local area and, learn about the crops and farming methods used.
Exploring Sidemen Village
One of our highlights was exploring Sidemen valley and watching the locals go about their day. You won’t find any fancy restaurants or boutique shopping.
Strolling along the main street we bought some street food and fresh juices, we then road down to a rice field and had a picnic which was one of the highlights of our entire Bali trip.
When we had our picnic we just watched the locals go about their day. Watching them getting fruit from the trees, as the children in their school uniform walked past on their way home from school. Everyone was so friendly and the atmosphere is very laid back.
Relax at Your Hotel in Sidemen Bali
One of the best things to do in Sidemen, is to just stay in the hotel and enjoy the stunning atmosphere and stunning scenery. We loved our stay at Abian Ayu villa and didn’t want to leave.
Set in the rice fields with Mount Agung as a backdrop, lounging around the infinity pool soaking up the views is pure perfection.
It was such a great experience and if you are looking to relax there is no better place. You can also treat yourself to a traditional Balinese massage that Sai had, and she highly recommends it.
Where to Eat in Sidemen Bali
If you are looking for nice Sidemen Bali restaurants there are lots of local warungs to choose from that offer local dishes. We didn’t come across a bad meal at any of them.
Our go-to restaurant for lunch was Warung Ida which serves really nice Balinese food and is set on rice fields off the main road.
Sai’s favorite dish was chicken in the pan, we had this three days in a row it was that good. The best restaurant for dinner we experienced was Joglo D’ Uma the specialty dish is suckling pig which was delicious.
Where to Stay in Sidemen Bali
Most of the hotels are around the village of Tabola, and you’re guaranteed spectacular views in Sidemen. Air-conditioners and fans are rare, but usually not needed in the cooler area of Bali.
Abian Ayu Villa Sidemen
Abian Ayu Villa – Abian Ayu Villa has the most breathtaking view of Mount Agung which could be the best view you will ever witness.
They offer a range of comfortable rooms situated around a stunning rice field. We absolutely loved our room it was so big and spacious and it even had its own outside bathroom which was just bliss listening to the sound of the stream running by.
The infinity pool also has an amazing view looking out over the rice fields and Mount Agung. They offered the biggest breakfast we had in all of Bali, and everything was delicious.
The place is only around $30USD per night which is a really good value for this place. This was our favorite Sidemen Bali accommodation we stayed in.
Check Rates and Availability: Abian Ayu Villa
Arta Nadi Villa Sidemen Bali
Arta Nadi Villa – Across the road from Abian Ayu we had to stay here because Abian Ayu was booked out for the extra days we wanted. It’s a good budget hotel with a nice pool and big rooms. If we had to choose which one was better we would definitely recommend Abian Ayu.
Check Rates and Availability: Arta Nadi Villa
Why Sidemen Should Be On Your List of Places To Visit In Bali
If you are wanting to experience the traditional Bali that still has the authentic side untouched, then you will want to add Sidemen to your Bali travel Itinerary. Sidemen’s natural breathtaking scenery and easygoing lifestyle will leave you wanting to go back over and over again. It’s still untouched and one of Bali’s secret locations and was definitely our favorite spot in all of Bali.
The Best way to save money on Accommodation in Sidemen is by staying at an Airbnb! Get a FREE $46 Airbnb Coupon by using my code when you book!
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Gili Meno Travel Guide
Gili Meno is a small island off Lombok, Indonesia and is the island between Gili Trawangan and Gili Air. There are three islands that make up the Gili Islands and each of them has a totally different vibe. Gili Islands are known for 3 things: Partying, diving, and snorkeling. But there is plenty of other things to do in Gili Meno, and in this Gili Meno travel guide, I will share what we did while on the small Gili Island.
How to get to the Gili Islands
The Gili Islands can easily be reached from Bali or Lombok. If you are coming from Bali taking the speedboat is recommended. It’s best to book this online and it takes around 2 hours to get from Bali to the Gili Islands. You can also book from a local vendor.
How to get from Gili Trawangan to Gili Meno: The ferry from Gili Meno to Gili Trawangan leaves daily and you can go to the port and purchase the tickets directly. It takes 15 minutes and only costs $3.50 USD.
THE GILI MENO TRAVEL GUIDE
THE THREE GILI ISLANDS
Chill-out island: Gili Meno
Party island: Gili Trawangan
Romantic, Couples island: Gili Air
We stayed two nights on Gili Meno and it has a relaxing vibe, you will feel detached from the rest of the world. It’s slow-paced and not much is going on around the island. If you are looking for a quiet island this is the one for you, if you like more action and nightlife you would be better off going to Gili Trawangan.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN GILI MENO
Gili Meno Underwater Statues
The Gili Meno statues have quickly become a snorkeling and diving hotspot of the Gili Islands. The 48 life-sized statues that are situated in a circle lay just off the shore of Gili Meno and can be accessed from the shore. The unique sculptures were made from the casts of real people which makes them even more intriguing.
Gili Meno Statue location: The Gili Meno statues are located on the west side of the island out front of the BASK resort. From the Gili Meno port, it’s a 15-minute walk to the other side of the island. Look for the big BASK sign and you can swim out from there, it’s only about 100 meters from shore. You can pretty much walk the whole way and then it drops off just before you reach the statues. The water is only around 3-4 meters deep so it’s perfect for both divers and snorkeling.
Visit The Turtle Sanctuary on Gili Meno
At Bolong’s turtle sanctuary the turtle eggs are collected and incubated. The turtles are raised in the pools they have set up before they are released back into the wild. You can leave a donation to support their work, so the turtles don’t become extinct. You can even release a turtle onto the beach yourself for a donation of 100,000 Rupiah.
GILI MENO LAKE
Inside of Gili Island is a mangrove forest and saltwater lake that should be on your itinerary to visit. There is a collection of flora and fauna which is remarkable for such a tiny island. The salt lake is also home to enormous monitor lizards.
TRANSPORT ON GILI MENO ISLAND
There aren’t any cars or scooters on the island. The only transport is horse and carriage and riding a bicycle. We rented a bike while on Gili Trawangan but decided not to do this while here and chose to walk everywhere. The roads are not the best on Gili Meno so if you do rent a bike you will find yourself pushing it along a lot of the time. You can rent bikes all over the island and you will find your hotel should offer that service for around $4USD per day.
WHERE TO STAY IN GILI MENO
Meno Colanta: We stayed in this small private cabin that is 5 minutes walk from the beach. Meno Colanto only costs $9USD per night and comes with breakfast.
We spend a lot of time out of the room filming our videos so we don’t spend much on accommodation unless we are wanting to do hotel reviews, or we are having some time off filming and want to book a place with all the luxuries. If you are on a budget this place is perfect, and is the cheapest accommodation in Gili Meno.
Check Rates and Availability: Meno Colanta
Avia Villa Resort – Avia Villa is a beautiful luxury hotel on Gili Meno. It’s located right on the beach complete with a swimming pool and cute wooden style rooms. The place is only around $60USD per night which is a really good value for this place.
Check Rates and Availability: Avia Villa Resort
BEST GILI MENO RESTAURANTS
Pak Man Warung Gili Meno: Located in the middle of the island this local restaurant makes a perfect place to grab a cheap lunch. You can get pre-made food that has already been cooked, or you can order from the menu and have the meal cooked fresh. The owner Pak Man is such a nice guy and makes some great local food.
Semasa Cafe, Gili Meno When searching for the best restaurants to eat at we found this gem of a place, rated 5 stars on Google. It’s away from the main strip and will take a bit of a walk to get there but that’s all part of the fun. Located right on the beach they have small platforms you can sit on and relax while you take in the beautiful views.
You can choose what fish you would like and they will BBQ it on the coals. The flavors are amazing and this was the best meal we had on the island, and only set us back $20USD.
Coron Island Hopping – Everything You Need To Know Before Going
Coron Island hopping is the major drawcard for people visiting Coron and is quickly becoming one of the most popular places to visit in the Philippines. It’s the perfect destination for those seeking crystal clear water, and untouched natural beauty. Coron island has long been popular with local tourist and backpackers looking for budget-friendly destinations in the Philippines.
We spent four days in Coron and would have loved to stay longer. The first day we stayed there we rented a scooter and visited some of the best places to visit in Coron. After doing the Island Hopping tour in El Nido we were excited to see how it compares to Coron Islands.
What Coron Island Hopping Tours To Do?
If you go on a private boat tour you can choose what locations you want to visit. There are many different group tours with the most popular being the Ultimate Island Hopping Tour in Coron and the Coron Island Escapade Tour. These are al full-day tours starting at 9 am with a return time of 5 pm.
The following destinations are the ones we attended and would recommend all these places.
Twin Lagoon – 200 pesos
This is the most popular destination for island hopping in Coron and every tour will visit the Lagoons. Entry is 200 pesos and if you arrive there early then you will get to see it at its beauty. It takes time to explore there is a lot of swimming involved from one lagoon to the next.
Kayangan Lake – 300 pesos
The second most popular place to visit while doing Coron island hopping is Kayangan lake. This lake is made of brackish water which is a combination of salt and fresh water mixed together.
Just like in the Twin Lagoon you are required to wear a life jacket when swimming in Kayangan Lake.
Barracuda Lake – 200 pesos
If you are lucky enough like we where there is a chance you can have Barracuda Lake to yourself if the timing is right between tour boats. We did go later in the day so I think most of the tour boats had already left so we got to see the Lake in its full glory. It’s not as popular as the first two destinations but if you have it to yourself it’s a surreal experience.
Skeleton Wreck – 150 pesos
Was definitely the highlight of our trip with a WWII shipwreck you can swim to, unlike other shipwrecks where you need diving gear. There is an abundance to see with so many fish swimming around you.
When the boat rolls up to the location you couldn’t see much from the surface but as soon as we entered the crystal clear water we could see the ship resting at the bottom of the sea.
Skeleton Wreck is a 25m Japanese ship that got hit by an Airstrike in WWII by the US airforce. It’s an awesome spot for snorkeling as the ship rests at a depth of around 5m to 22m at its deepest, it’s truly amazing to be able to experience a WWII shipwreck.
Private Island Hopping Tours vs Group Tours
In El Nido, we went on the group tour which was great but we opted for a private tour for the island hopping in Coron. We were lucky enough to meet a family wanting to do the same tour so we shared the costs and this is a much cheaper way of doing private island hopping tours.
The biggest benefit of the private tour is you can choose the exact destinations you want to visit. You can also dictate how long you want to spend at each place. When you take the group tour everything is on a schedule and you will most likely be visiting the same places as all the other tour boats at the same time.
If you are traveling solo or with a partner group tours work out much cheaper as they include all the entrance fees and costs built into the package. When you take a private boat you still need to pay the entrance fees to each location you visit. All up we paid around 2500 pesos for the private tour and you can get group tours for 1500 pesos.
What You Will Need on Your Island Hopping Tour
If you choose a group tour food and drinks will be provided, but if you are going on a private tour as we did then you will need to bring your own food. We went to the market in the morning and bought fish and pork and they cooked it on the boat for us.
Bring your own snacks as it’s a long day and it’s good to have them on hand. Before you leave there is a little shop that sells snack like nuts and dried fruit. Some of the islands you visit will also sell coconuts and snacks but don’t rely on this.
If you are taking a private tour you will also need snorkeling equipment which can be rented. We rented ours from the hotel we stayed at for around 150 pesos.
Coron is a nature lover’s paradise! It has some of the clearest water you will find with corals, diverse sea life and scattered shipwrecks around the islands. This is a pure slice of heaven in the Philippines and is a must-visit destination.
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Things To Do And See In Coron Palawan Philippines
The islands commonly known as Coron is one of our favorite places in the world. There is something really special about Coron Palawan Philippines.
It is most known for the handful of WWII shipwrecks that lay off the shores of Coron Palawan Philippines. Most people come to Coron to experience the island hopping tours, but there is so much more to Coron than that.
Here is everything you need to know to plan the perfect day in Coron Palawan Philippines before arriving.
How Do You Get To Coron Philippines
Coron does have an airport or if you are coming from El Nido to Coron as we did you can take the fast ferry. The fast ferry from El Nido to Coron takes 4 hours and was rather comfy. a
[timetable agent=”3482318″ from=”El Nido” to=”Coron” lang=”EN” curr=”USD”]What To Do In Coron
The best thing to do in Coron is renting a scooter and escaping Coron Town. Most of the best things to do on the island are out of town, so get a bike and get outta there.
Don’t worry, scooters are easy to drive and there is no traffic once you get out of town and on the open road. We recommend this as its the best way to see more places, and its cheap $8-10/day.
Bella Louise Lodging House
Our first stop was at Bella Louise Lodging House which is a nice little restaurant that looks over the water, and is the perfect place to stop and have lunch. The venue also has basic bungalows available that are located over the water. If you are visiting try the pork sisig it was to die for.
Ocam Ocam Beach
Ocam Ocam is off-the-beaten-path literally, only go if you’re confident riding a motorbike as it is a little challenging. This Coron beach is an untouched paradise and you are likely to be the only tourist there.
Once you arrive you will need to take a five-minute walk through the jungle to reach the beachfront. There is a lady who sells fresh coconuts and refreshments on the beach so make sure you try one of those fresh coconuts.
Where To Stay In Coron
For A Waterfront oasis, we recommend The Bay Area.
The Bay Area Coron
This is the highest-rated waterfront hotel you will find in Coron, and the service is exceptional. The hotel has friendly staff and a perfect location for travelers wanting to relax but be close to all the amenities. With rooms as low as $39 USD, its exceptional value.
Check availability and reserve without a credit card and with free cancellations by clicking here
Sunburn Rooftop Lounge
The perfect place to finish the day watching the sunset with views over Coron Town, make sure you get there early to reserve your spot as it does get busy. The rooftop bar doesn’t serve food just-drinks and is reasonably priced for a touristy area. The Sunburn rooftop bar is definitely the best in Coron Palawan and is the perfect way to chill and unwind after a day on the bike.
Travel Insurance
- Never travel without reliable travel insurance. You never know when you will need it, so it’s better to be safe than sorry! Get your quote here.
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EL NIDO ISLAND HOPPING – EL NIDO TOUR A
Island Hopping from El Nido is an absolute must-do when visiting Palawan in the Philippines. There are four different El Nido island hopping tours available to take. Read everything you need to know before going.
How many islands are there in El Nido?
The main reason most people visit El Nido is to go island-hopping around Bacuit archipelago, it consists of 45 limestone islands that belong to the most beautiful destination in the world. There are four different tours you can do that will take you to different islands.
Tours generally start from 9am-4pm and the prices only differ slightly depending on which tour operator you choose.
Island Hopping From El Nido
All the El Nido tours include drinking water, snorkel gear, environmental tax, and a delicious lunch. The lunch will usually consist of fish, fried pork and chicken with rice, a few different salads, and a fresh fruit platter.
There are four different tours offered a,b,c,d with Tour A being one of the most popular island hopping tours in El Nido. Tours generally start from 9am-4pm and the prices only differ slightly depending on which tour operator you choose. Prices will vary between tours from 1200-1500 Php depending on which one you choose. During the 7 hour tour, you will discover beautiful lagoons, beaches, and snorkeling spots where you can admire corals and hundreds of fish species.
Tour A is one of the best and most popular island hopping tours in El Nido. During the day, you will discover beautiful lagoons, beaches and snorkeling spots where you can swim and admire the corals, the colorful fauna and its hundred of fishes species. Price is of only P1200 and you can
El Nido Tour A
Tour A is the most popular island hopping tour in El Nido as it visits some of the most popular destinations. The tour will bring you to the Small Lagoon, Big lagoon, and Secret lagoon.
El Nido tour A will then take you to Shimizu island, where you can relax on the white sand beach or snorkel. Most of the tours will use this island will use this as the place where they will have lunch. On the day we went we didn’t go to the island but had our lunch just off it because there where too many boats already docked.
The last stop to complete the El Nido tour is 7 Commando beach, which has a beautiful white sand beach and little bars selling refreshments. We had so much fun on this island as it had a volleyball and basketball court which was a fun way to finish the day.
El Nido Big Lagoon
The big lagoon is El Nido’s must-see attraction along with Nacpan beach. We rented a Kayak which was an additional cost and recommend this so you can see the entire lagoon. Swimming and snorkeling there is just amazing with the clear water and amount of fish you will see.
El Nido Tour Packages
Since new regulations in early 2019, there are a limited amount of people per day that can enter Bacuit Bay. We recommend booking in advance to be sure you have a spot.
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