Q: We are planning our honeymoon in February 2018. We have a budget of ₹1.5 lakh and about a week in hand. We were thinking of Bali as it’s said to be laidback and fun. Will February be a good time to visit? Should we book through a travel operator (as available on traveltriangle.com, or if you could suggest a local tour operator whom we should contact) to avoid the hassles? Please help us with an itinerary and good accommodation. Also, please suggest whether we need to carry cash in dollars or rupees and where we can get it converted into Indonesian rupiah. As there aren’t any direct flights from Kolkata to Bali, the cheapest ones are on Air Asia with a connecting flight at Kuala Lumpur. Will we require a transit visa at KL airport? If February is unsuitable for a Bali trip, please suggest any other place within the said budget with top attractions, visa formalities and a local agent whom we should contact. We are interested in sightseeing and enjoying nature, rather than visiting overcrowded tourist spots.
Marco Says: While Bali is popular all year round, February actually is part of the ‘low season’. October to March is rainy in Bali (visibility is low), so if you’re keen on a lot of water sports, February may not be the best time to visit. If, on the other hand, you’re looking for some romantic alone time and happy to mix up your experiences (beach, culture, hills, etc), this is a very good time to negotiate great deals. Frequent travellers advise that hotel rooms usually go for much less than the ‘rack rate’ published on hotel websites and so on.
Money: Despite its highly developed tourist economy, cash continues to rule in Bali. I’d suggest that you carry adequate US dollars with you and then change at the foreign exchange counters when you reach Bali. Of course, there’s a degree of loss with the double exchange, but that’s still preferable to the risky business of trying to change Indian rupees, which is unlikely to be available widely. Money exchange can be done at several counters at the airport itself, after Customs. Else, try and do so at a bank in town or a reputable foreign exchange shop. Hotels typically offer the lowest exchange rates, so that should be a last resort.
Visa: If you have a fly-through air ticket and your connecting flight is from the same terminal, you will not need a transit visa for Kuala Lumpur airport. But do crosscheck with the airline: if by some chance your taking a connecting flight involves a change of terminal, you will need a transit visa.
Finally, on the question of whether you should book through a travel agent to save yourself hassle, by all means do so. Some travellers actually enjoy what you call ‘hassles’—independent arrangements work best for them. But if you’re a travel agent-reliant type, traveltriangle.com is a good choice. They have several week-long honeymoon packages for Bali. Their Bali Honeymoon Package–CruiseSpecial (8D/7N), for instance, is priced at ₹31,799 per person, and seems like pretty good value for money to me. It includes airport transfers, watersports, safari and marine park visits and entry fees to both, a couple’s spa treatment, sightseeing, a day-long cruise to nearby islands, and several meals. Opting for this package means that you will have a tidy little sum left over for shopping and miscellaneous expenses, over and above flights. Go for it.
Bali
honeymoon package
Indonesia