As you can tell from my growing number of posts in this forum, I travel to Bali extensively. Just came back from my 10th visit in the last 2 years and will be back in 8 days (hopefully).
I have used three different well known and respected drivers in Bali; but, for the last 7 journeys I have exclusively used Dewa Marco. He has been an essential element in my success, enjoyment and experience of Bali.
VERY knowledgable, accommodating and excellent in communication, planning and promptness. For business or pleasure, Dewa will be a huge asset in making your journey a success.
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I just used Dewa Marco for five day trips in Bali and he was a very pleasant driver. He was unable to accompany me into some of the temples to help me fend off monkeys and touts because he had a child recently and is therefore considered "unclean" for the next few days. He taught me some very important Indonesian phrases such as "Saya Tidak Mau" -- "I don't want it." I am currently at the Premier lounge at DPS awaiting my SQ flight to SIN and the customs officer broke out in laughter when he saw the phrase pinned to the front of my shirt. When anyone in Bali asks where I am from, Dewa suggested that I say "Bangli," which is the local mental insitution.
Bali villa or guest house recs for family in late June
Can those of you who are Bali veterans give some tips to a newbie? We are going to be in Bali for 2 weeks with our 11 year old and 22 year old. Looking for great villas or guest houses at reasonable prices - probably Ubud area most of the time and maybe beach a few days?? Not interested in nightlife or toursity places - more interested in local culture. thanks
Quote:
Originally Posted by mjcasta
Hi Everone,
As you can tell from my growing number of posts in this forum, I travel to Bali extensively. Just came back from my 10th visit in the last 2 years and will be back in 8 days (hopefully).
I have used three different well known and respected drivers in Bali; but, for the last 7 journeys I have exclusively used Dewa Marco. He has been an essential element in my success, enjoyment and experience of Bali.
VERY knowledgable, accommodating and excellent in communication, planning and promptness. For business or pleasure, Dewa will be a huge asset in making your journey a success.
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One more driver/guide for your planning...
For those planning to visit Ubud and the upcountry, I wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommend Wayan Sueta (sueta@hiddenbali.com.) We spent several days with Wayan, exploring Ubud, the mountain and lakes district, etc. He was serious and welcoming, speaks excellent English, is a most reliable driver with reliable and well kept-up air conditioned transport, and he introduced us to his family, artisans, etc. as well as showing us several sites many visitors never see - not to mention helped us with sudden surprises like parades and ceremonies we encountered on the road. We also used him for transport between the Kuta and Ubud areas.
Wayan Sueta (officially Suetayasa, but many Indonesians simplify their last names)
+62-(0)81-239-29762 sueta@hiddenbali.com
Rates for a full day, bi+lingual driver/guide, private vehicle, fuel, packed lunch, sarong if necessary to access temple, entrance fees, pickup / dropoff at hotel, 175,000 - 260,000 Rupiah. Trekking available as well. (IDR = 9,430 when this is written.)
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I used Wayan Sueta, liked him alot, but he actually didn't show the day we had scheduled, he wrote down the wrong day even though I reconfirmed with him twice. We just rescheduled for the next day. Had one heckuva time on the return drive, his windshield wipers kept breaking down in the rain and he had to pull over, probably doubled our drive time.
But he is a good guy and many FTers have had excellent experiences with him.
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Not doing super budget but not luxury either.
Would love something like Alam Indah in ubud but they are booked.
Would like feedback on Sanur places - some sound sort of shady.
Can those of you who are Bali veterans give some tips to a newbie? We are going to be in Bali for 2 weeks with our 11 year old and 22 year old. Looking for great villas or guest houses at reasonable prices - probably Ubud area most of the time and maybe beach a few days?? Not interested in nightlife or toursity places - more interested in local culture. thanks
A bit off topic, but if you're trying to avoid touristy places, why pick Ubud? The place is lousy with tourists!
(We really enjoyed Ubud, and recommend it, but there are probably better places to be if you want to avoid tourists and touristy places.)
We also spent several days on a beach in Amed, several hours drive east of Denpasar. I'm not sure it was exactly local culture, but there were hardly any other Westerners around when we were there in October. Definitely a different scene than Kuta!
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I'm just back from Bali. On our last visit two years ago, we reserved with Wayan Sueta and found him a very knowledgeable guide a good driver. We spent two and a half days with him. The budget was nowhere near "175,000 - 260,000 Rupiah" though. Back then, it was about 400,000 for a full day. Perhaps we overpaid. But at about $45 per days, I don't think so. I don't know what his current rates are, but they're likely higher given the current hikes in fuel prices.
Unfortunately, I tried to contact Wayan for the most recent trip and could not get any emails to go through. It turned out just fine in the end: I contacted Dewa Marco at practically the last minute and was able to book in with him. Marco's perfectly competent and pleasant cousin Dewa Pablo drove on the first day (a half-day starting at 1pm shopping for art around Ubud) and the second day (a full day in East Bali, from 9:30 to 3:30). Dewa Marco drove for the third day (a half day around Seminyak and Ubud, starting at 3:00 til 8:30 pm). And Dewa Marco took us to the airport on our last day. On this visit, we were pretty familiar with things and knew what we wanted to do, so didn't rely on Pablo or Marco for advice as much as a first-time visitor might. But they were still excellent and I would heartily recommend them to anyone. Rates range from about 350,000 IDR for a half-day to 450,000 for a full day. It's worth it and a very good value, actually, even if you rely on them solely for transport, not guide services.
Dewa Marco now lives near Kuta, though his family is from Ubud. Dewa Pablo still lives near Ubud. Don't let their locations, though, prevent you from calling them. No matter where you're staying in Bali, I'm sure they will work with you if their schedules permits.
Contacted him and he quoted us 550,000 !!
Makes me question whether he is someone we could trust.
Any idea why rate would be double what you just paid??
Quote:
Originally Posted by JDiver
For those planning to visit Ubud and the upcountry, I wholeheartedly and unreservedly recommend Wayan Sueta (sueta@hiddenbali.com.) We spent several days with Wayan, exploring Ubud, the mountain and lakes district, etc. He was serious and welcoming, speaks excellent English, is a most reliable driver with reliable and well kept-up air conditioned transport, and he introduced us to his family, artisans, etc. as well as showing us several sites many visitors never see - not to mention helped us with sudden surprises like parades and ceremonies we encountered on the road. We also used him for transport between the Kuta and Ubud areas.
Wayan Sueta (officially Suetayasa, but many Indonesians simplify their last names)
+62-(0)81-239-29762 sueta@hiddenbali.com
Rates for a full day, bi+lingual driver/guide, private vehicle, fuel, packed lunch, sarong if necessary to access temple, entrance fees, pickup / dropoff at hotel, 175,000 - 260,000 Rupiah. Trekking available as well. (IDR = 9,430 when this is written.)
He taught me some very important Indonesian phrases such as "Saya Tidak Mau" -- "I don't want it." I am currently at the Premier lounge at DPS awaiting my SQ flight to SIN and the customs officer broke out in laughter when he saw the phrase pinned to the front of my shirt. 
When anyone in Bali asks where I am from, Dewa suggested that I say "Bangli," which is the local mental insitution. 
