Tours in Bali: 25 Helpful Booking Tips!

When visiting Bali it is lucky that all locations can either be covered by car or a short boat trip (no flights), with tours in Bali a popular option for visitors. A private day tour with a car and driver is definitely the best way to see Bali Island, particularly new areas for tourism and destinations that are in high demand.

Of Bali’s 238 tourist villages; the most popular is Ubud and Bangli areas as here they offer adventure tourism experiences like white water rafting, mountain treking, cycling, waterfall jumping, tubing and hiking. With so much on offer, it really is a case of choosing your own adventure!

So the Number 1 Tours in Bali Tip – For activities and sightseeing in the Ubud area and further north stay in Ubud. Don’t plan to visit Ubud and do the activities in this area in day trips. Best idea is to stay in Ubud and do all the activities and touring in this area and further north with Ubud as a base. There are more than 50 attractions in Ubud and its surrounding areas.

Same as with flights and accommodation if you prebook your tours in Bali the price will be confirmed. And in these times of increasing petrol costs, this will prove good for your holiday budget. Prices definitely increase when booking last minute during peak times.
The best go first, so best driver, best car and best activities will always get booked up in advance.
Bookng in advance assures no errors due to miscommunication or oversights because the booking was rushed.
Families take the hassle (and family arguments 😉) about where, what and when you are visiting. Prebooked tours can be changed or cancelled if not feeling well.
Why spend valuable holiday time booking tours when it can be all complete and you just need to enjoy your time with friends and family. Very often travelers sit in cafe’s not talking to each other or enjoying the food because they are scrolling on phones trying to plan a tour itinerary.
Pay attention if you are getting a driver, a guide or both. What is the difference? A driver simply drives you to the sites, he does not accompany you after arriving. He will wait in the car parking area until guest exit. A driver who is also a guide will drive, enter the locations, provide explanation and answer questions. So this is how you will really learn about Bali, its people, traditions and culture.
Guides not only know the history but will also have insider tips (eg where the good toilets are located) and help you when needed. Example; some areas can have aggressive street sellers, a guide wont desert you. He will help bargain or assist if you are not interested as guides know the correct cultural etiquette and of course the language !!
So don’t scrimp money by not paying extra to have a guide, after all you spent a lot money getting to Bali. If booking with a 5 star hotel or luxury agent the driver and guide will be two separate people but the Balinese people are so talented that there are many drivers that can also be a guide.
Prices may be more but you will be getting more experienced driver and guide confirmed plus includes all entrance tickets etc. Non prebooked tours usually don’t include entrance tickets.
Don’t be fooled, the distance on the map may not be far but consider Bali mostly has single lane roads so if you get stuck behind a truck travelling time will be more…and then there’s roadworks and road closures due to ceremonies. On most roads in tourist areas you will not drive more than 40kmph.
Due to reasonably price, there are no group tours. This is also because Bali’s roads are narrow and cannot handle buses well. Activities eg. Cooking class, Quad Biking and Whitewater Rafting you join with others as group. This is great for solo travelers and there is no extra charge for one person bookings. Private activities can be booked, often at not much more cost. Please contact us for price.

About Bisma Cottages Tours in Bali

Bisma Cottages Tours are all tried and tested – We only promote areas and places we have personally visited and enjoyed.
Lunch stops are carefully selected based on location, food variety and quality.
Cars are clean, good quality, have working AC and a first aid kit.
Drivers are all guides also and are Ubud locals so have expert knowledge about Ubud and surrounding areas.
Drivers/Guides all speak very good English. They are happy to have conversations and talk with guests about Bali life.
They are great with kids.
The most experienced driver and guide previously worked at Ritz Carlton so we are very grateful to have him work with Bisma Cottages now.
Our team are reliable and don’t cancel at last minute or change driver
Drivers are safe and know how to drive for maximum guest comfort. We can now offer a luxury car for an even smoother ride with a full sunroof.
Itineraries are carefully planned with the best order to see sights, minimize travelling time, traffic and avoid crowds.
We break up the day so you can stretch your legs and lessen car sickness.
Driver don’t just follow google maps which give the quickest route, not the most scenic.
Include a combination of must see sights plus some lesser known, less crowded locations.
By booking with us you will always have a contact if something is forgotten in the car….you wont believe how many people do forget valuables.
We want you to have best experience, so will not rush onto move to next location.
We Love Bali and want you to love it too.

Travelling and doing the tours with the Balinese guide was incredibly beneficial and an enriching experience for me. it felt like a more authentic experience. i felt like a traveller rather than a tourist. it was a beautiful experience to let them welcome me into their culture and it felt so personalized because i was by myself.

You also get the advantage of a unique perspective. Doing these activities with a Balinese guide allowed me to broaden my horizons by hearing personal stories along the way of these experiences.

I saw the community in a different light.

it was also a nice for cultural exchange! i enjoyed sharing my own personal experiences and knowledge while learning about his :)

A sense of connection is made even though we come from such different backgrounds!

The whole experience is so personalized and made me grow in ways i didn’t even think possible just from doing these activities!
Brooke, Canada, March 2023

Have questions or need help planning your Ubud stay and your tours in Bali ?