When you want to go on a tropical vacation on the heavenly island of Bali, the choices are plenty. Tourist destinations like Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud are just a few places known worldwide. Among those places, there is an underrated destination called Nusa Dua, and here is a Nusa Dua tour guide just for you.
Why Do You Have to Visit Nusa Dua?
One thing Nusa Dua is different than other popular Bali tourist destinations is the quietness. Some people might think that it is not crowded because the area is dull, but that is definitely not true. It might not be better compared to crowded places like Kuta and Seminyak, but fewer visitors mean more enjoyable vacations.
Nusa Dua is a perfect place for a relaxingly quiet and secluded tropical vacation, especially on the worldly-popular island of Bali. Of its popularity, it seems impossible to find a worthy tourist destination that is not crowded with tourists from all over the world. That is why Nusa Dua shines brightly.
Nusa Dua is also best for enjoying a luxury vacation. The place has a lot of luxury resorts with worthy services. The beaches are also great for swimming, and being placed on the east coast, it is one of the best places on the island to enjoy the sunrise.
The quietness of Nusa Dua is due to several things. A couple of decades ago, the region actually did not have paved roads as it does currently. It was a hidden paradise that was founded many times ago, but the path was challenging.
Nowadays, there are a lot of places full of luxury in Nusa Dua, but it is still not as crowded as other places in Bali. Some people think that being in Nusa Dua does not feel like being in Bali because of its characteristics that can be found in other regions. Still, this place can not please everyone but will give the best experience for others.
Nusa Dua Travel Guide on What to Do There
One of the highlights of Nusa Dua is its white beaches, similar to other tropical tourist destinations, albeit having some one-of-a-kind specialties. You can walk along the beaches to feel the sand and the clear water or just relax there. As explained above, the beaches are both beautiful and quiet.
The beaches of Nusa Dua also have a reef protecting them, which means you can see a lot of snorkelers, swimmers, kayakers, and windsurfers that you can join as well. The calmness of the water makes the beaches kind for families, but a little further, there are some spots where you can surf or learn it with professionals there.
Along the beachfront of Nusa Dua, there is a pathway perfect for cycling, jogging, or walking. To continue, do not forget to explore the two islands that give the place its name. If translated into English, Nusa Dua means two islands, and the islands have become peninsulas, so they can be explored without swimming or sailing.
Since it is quieter than other Bali tourist destinations, getting around Nusa Dua is definitely easier. It is important as there are some interesting attractions that can be visited to do different things in the area. One of the best things to do is enjoy some water sports, such as jet skiing, parasailing, and banana boating in Tanjung Benoa.
It does not feel complete to go on a vacation without bringing something back home from the vacation place. It is much better to not miss shopping in Nusa Dua as there are many things to be purchased, but unlike bargaining markets you can find in most places, shopping in the area is more for the high-end stuff.
When you are getting tired already from all those outside activities, it is time for you to settle down and enjoy the services of some luxurious resorts in Nusa Dua. They have the island’s best spas, such as massages and body treatments that you can find. For the more good news, you do not have to stay at the resorts to enjoy the spas.
The Perfect Time to Visit Nusa Dua
Indonesia is a country with tropical weather, so it only has two seasons, namely the dry season and the rainy season. It is obviously the same case for Nusa Dua, which is great to be visited at any time of all year. The temperature is not too cold or too hot, with it averages between 24 to 31 degrees Celsius every season.
Nevertheless, even though it is great to visit Nusa Dua all year round, there is still some particular time that is perfect for your vacation there. That time is between May and September, during Indonesia’s dry season. There are few things better than a beach vacation in the dry season.
In contrast, during the rainy season between November and March, visiting Nusa Dua is still great, albeit not as perfect, considering the air humidity and the rain that might fall without warning. Still, if you do not care about such things, visiting in the rainy season is probably a bit better as the area might host fewer tourists.
How to Get to Nusa Dua?
At the southern tip of Bali, there is the Bukit peninsula. It is the home of several famous tourist destinations on the heavenly island, such as Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, Jimbaran, Uluwatu, Pandawa Beach, and, of course, Nusa Dua, among others.
Nusa Dua is located on the eastern part of the peninsula, and getting there is as easy as it can be since it is at the end of the Bypass Ngurah Rai highway. The highway connects the area directly with Bali’s main international airport, Ngurah Rai, and the Bali Mandara Toll Road.
If you get to Nusa Dua from Ngurah Rai International Airport, as most tourists do, it takes about half an hour journey via Bypass Ngurah Rai, depending on the traffic. However, you can also use Bali Mandara Toll Road if you do not want to deal with the possible heavy traffic, which cuts about half of your journey time.
Nusa Dua is also not too far from the city center of Bali’s capital, Denpasar, which is just approximately 20 kilometers away. Similar to getting there from Ngurah Rai International Airport, you can use either Bypass Ngurah Rai or Bali Mandara Toll Road.
You can also come to Nusa Dua directly from Indonesia’s most populated island, Java. From the island, take a ferry toward Gilimanuk in Bali. After that, take a four-hour journey toward Denpasar via the main highway, and the tourist destination area is not as far as mentioned above.
Great Accommodation in Nusa Dua
If you are from outside of Bali, like most tourists do, you will need a place to stay with the help of this Nusa Dua travel guide. You can stay freely at your relative’s place if you know someone who lives in Bali, but you will miss the luxury accommodation that the area offers.
Accommodation in Nusa Dua can be enjoyed as a vacation by itself, so it is way better not to be missed. However, some accommodations are not recommended for backpackers or someone who goes on a budget due to their reasonably high price. Still, you will get all of your money back in the form of a pleasant feeling.
There are a lot of luxury places to stay in Nusa Dua, and the biggest one is Mulia Bali. It is possible for Mulia Bali to be not only the biggest in Nusa Dua but also one of Bali’s biggest resorts. The resort offers plenty of villas and a beach view swimming pool that you can enjoy.
Although Mulia Bali is the biggest, it is not the original resort in Nusa Dua. That title is owned by Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa, as can be seen from its name. Being the original resort with excellent service, it has been the choice of accommodation for world leaders who have come to Nusa Dua.
Being the biggest and the original resorts, both the Mulia Bali and Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and Spa still cannot beat Grand Hyatt Bali to be the tourists’ favorite. It has become the favorite due to many reasons, some of which are its strategic location with the best view and the stunning gardens surrounding the resort.
In Bali’s water sports capital of Tanjung Benoa, there is also a recommended accommodation named Amnaya Resort Benoa. It does not have a great view like other resorts in Nusa Dua, but it has one of Bali’s best spas. Getting those spas burned out by water sports is one of the best feelings that you can get.
For a more intimate and private stay, St Regis is the best one. It is smaller and quieter than other resorts in Nusa Dua. Another resort that is great for families is the Westin, which was purposely built for them to stay.
The other remaining great accommodation in Nusa Dua is the Laguna, the Hilton Bali, and the Apurva Kempinski. Like its name, the Laguna is surrounded by lagoons where you can swim at. The other two are located on top of a cliff, so they have great views and facilities.
Those accommodations are among the most luxurious ones, so you have to pay the price a bit more. Nevertheless, Nusa Dua also has cheaper and more budget-friendly accommodation for you who just need to stay. But remember, you will not get the luxury like from the places above.
Best Places to Eat in Nusa Dua
Just like the accommodation mentioned in this Nusa Dua travel guide, the restaurants are also full of luxury. Some restaurants serve the world’s cooking to make foreign tourists feel at home. Not only that, but some native and traditional Indonesian cuisines are also available for tourists to try.
These foods in these resort restaurants are not cheap, so you have to be prepared. However, those expensive prices are worthy of being purchased considering the quality of the foods and the setting of the restaurants that are worth every penny.
For more affordable options, it is better for you to go somewhere like Jimbaran, which is only about a 20-minute drive. In that area, you can eat at one of the famous seafood restaurants, where you can also feel some sand between your toes.
Recommendation for Getting Around Nusa Dua
You can just walk to get around Nusa Dua if you only want to cover small distances. There are some great waterfront pathways that can be enjoyed in the area. Optionally, you can also rent a bicycle to go around. Whether you use a bicycle or on foot, both options are the best for nearby activities.
However, if you want to go to a place that is too far to walk to, you can choose some options between a taxi or a rental vehicle. Traditional taxis are still available, but online taxis are preferable in Indonesia as they are more convenient and reasonably cheaper. There are cars and motorcycles online taxis to be chosen.
For a rental vehicle, there are always some great car and motorcycle rental companies in the area. A rental car is a perfect choice if you go around Nusa Dua with some friends or family, but if you are alone or just with another person, a rental motorcycle is better as it is more flexible and quicker to go around streets with traffic.
Both taxis and rental vehicles can give you a similar experience on going around Nusa Dua for more than walking distances. If you just want to go one or two places, ordering some online taxis is the easiest option. On the other hand, if you plan to go to more places, renting a vehicle for a day or half is cheaper and more practical.
Local Costs that You Need to Prepare
Doing a vacation in Nusa Dua is unlike any other vacation in Bali. For that specialty and luxury, you need to prepare more money to experience all of it. Therefore, this Nusa Dua travel guide is perfect for you, so you can spend much of your money that you will never regret.
