Vacationing in Bali has become a routine since I discovered the world of travel. There’s always a sense of longing, and I find myself wanting to visit again. Interestingly, without realizing it, I’ve been traveling to Bali every March, or during the Nyepi holiday. The first time was in March 2022, except for 2023. However, since 2024, I’ve made it a point to visit Bali every year in March.
Usually, I only visit one or two areas. For example, on my first trip to Bali, I stayed in the Kuta and Padang Bai areas. During my second trip, I only stayed in Kuta. On my next vacation, I went to Kuta and Kerobokan. Since I only visited one or two areas each time, I never rented a motorbike.
I was a little scared to ride a motorbike in unfamiliar places. But for my next trip to Bali, I challenged myself to try riding a motorbike during my stay. I gathered the courage after riding a motorbike during a vacation in Anambas with friends.
This time, I visited several areas in Bali. Kuta was still on the list, even at the top. In addition to Kuta, I planned to visit Sanur, Nusa Penida, Ubud, and Canggu.
Before going to Bali, I searched for motorbike rentals on Google. However, I didn’t rent one in Kuta since I was only staying for one night. From there, I planned to head to Sanur to catch a ferry to Nusa Penida.
I planned to rent motorbikes in Nusa Penida, Sanur, Ubud, and Canggu. I found a few rental places and noted their contact numbers. I didn’t contact them right away. Instead, I read reviews from other tourists. Some reviews were not good, so I made sure to choose the one with the best feedback.
Once I arrived in Bali, I contacted one of the motorbike rentals in Nusa Penida, Supitour. They were easy to reach on WhatsApp, and their response was quick. In addition to WhatsApp, they also have an Instagram account @sewamotornusapenida.
The rental price was IDR 65,000 per day, the cheapest option among the various motorbikes they offered. The motorbike could be picked up at the Nusa Penida ferry port upon arrival. I rented it for three days and was asked to pay a deposit, with the balance to be paid when I picked up the motorbike.
The next day, after spending some time at Kuta Beach, I headed to the Sanur Port to take the ferry to Nusa Penida. By the way, I also got my ferry ticket from Supitour. It cost IDR 75,000 one way. I picked up the ticket at the designated counter in Sanur Port. Supitour sent me a photo of the counter, so it was easy to find.
Upon arriving at Nusa Penida Port, I contacted Supitour. The owner of the motorbike was already waiting. So as soon as I got off the ferry, I took the motorbike and inspected its condition. I took videos and photos to have evidence in case anything happened later.
From Nusa Penida Port, I immediately headed to the main road and looked for a gas station. The motorbike rental didn’t include fuel, so I had to buy it myself. I found a Pertamini gas station at the intersection after leaving the port area. I filled up the tank with premium gas, then stopped at a minimarket to buy drinking water and some snacks.
The motorbike journey began. I headed to the accommodation I had booked, which was a bit far from the port but not far from Crystal Bay. The road to the accommodation was a bit challenging for me since it was winding, with both uphill and downhill stretches. I’m used to straight and wide roads in Batam, so I was a bit cautious while riding.
Still, I enjoyed the ride, especially since the roads were relatively quiet. Occasionally, I stopped to check Google Maps or admire the interesting views. Before I knew it, I arrived at the accommodation. After checking in and resting for a bit, I took the motorbike to Crystal Bay.
I spent time at Crystal Bay until sunset. It felt amazing to be riding my own motorbike while on vacation. It gave me a special sense of accomplishment. I thought to myself, “Finally, I did it and felt like a tourist abroad.” The great thing about renting a motorbike on vacation is the freedom to go wherever you want.
During my three days in Nusa Penida, I almost explored half of the island by motorbike. The tourist spots I visited have already been shared in previous posts. Thankfully, the motorbike never had any problems during my trip around Nusa Penida. The fuel lasted until it was time to leave Nusa Penida.
Riding a Motorbike to Ubud
I left my motorbike at the Nusa Penida Port as per the owner’s request before crossing back to Sanur. I placed the keys in the basket, and the owner assured me that the motorbike wouldn’t be stolen. Just to be safe, I took photos of the motorbike and sent them to Supitour via WhatsApp. I also thanked them because my vacation had been memorable.
From Nusa Penida, I spent one night in Sanur before heading to Ubud. I didn’t rent a motorbike here since I wasn’t planning to go far. I stayed near Sanur Beach and just wanted to relax by the beach to recharge. While relaxing, I contacted a motorbike rental for my trip to Ubud the following day.
There was one rental nearby. I contacted them via WhatsApp, and their response was prompt. The rental was called Dual Rental Motor Sanur. The price was IDR 75,000 per day, but I negotiated for IDR 70,000, explaining that I would rent it for two days or more. To rent the motorbike, they asked for my ID as collateral.
I picked up the motorbike just before heading to Ubud. As with the previous rental, I filmed the condition of the motorbike. The owner mentioned that I seemed experienced with renting motorbikes. I just laughed. I then said goodbye and immediately left for Ubud.
The distance was only 23 kilometers, but it took me almost an hour. I stopped several times to check Google Maps, worried I might take a wrong turn and get lost. I also stopped for a while because it started raining. I took shelter at a newly opened bakso (meatball soup) stall, run by a Javanese owner.
It was so delicious, especially in the rain. By the time I finished my last bite, the rain stopped. I waited a moment to make sure it wouldn’t rain again, paid for the food, and said goodbye to the vendor.
I didn’t stop again after that because the road to Ubud was straightforward. Riding after the rain was so peaceful. The air felt fresh, especially passing through green roads with views of rice fields.
I arrived in Ubud late in the afternoon. After checking in, I just wandered around the center of Ubud, taking in the atmosphere of the Ubud Art Market and the Ubud Royal Palace across from it. At the market, which sold many souvenirs and fabrics, I “fell into the trap” and bought some pants and shirts out of sympathy for the vendor.
Initially, I had planned to stay only two days in Ubud. On the second day, I planned to visit Tegalalang and Goa Gajah. However, it rained in the morning, so my plans were delayed. After waiting for a few hours, I revved up the motorbike and headed to Tegalalang. The road to Tegalalang is along the way to Kintamani.
It’s about a 20-30 minute ride from central Ubud, depending on your speed. I rode a bit slowly, mainly because I was enjoying the views along the way. From Tegalalang, I headed back towards Ubud to visit Goa Gajah. This is another must-visit tourist attraction when traveling in Bali.
Goa Gajah has a parking area for visitors. Just as I entered the Goa Gajah area, it started raining heavily. I took shelter under a pavilion near the bathing pools. I waited for almost an hour until the rain stopped. I spent over an hour exploring the entire area of Goa Gajah.
By the time I was done, the sun was setting. The scent of rain filled the air as I rode my motorbike back to the accommodation. That evening, I sent a message to the motorbike rental owner to extend my rental. They agreed, and the price stayed the same, to be paid after I returned the motorbike.
Motorbike Rental in Canggu
Three days in Ubud felt satisfying. After visiting the Monkey Forest, I left Ubud and headed back to Sanur before my motorbike rental expired. The return trip was faster because I knew the route. At the rental place, I paid the remaining balance, and they returned my ID.
From Sanur, I took a bus to Kuta and got off in front of Mall Galleria. From there, I took a motorcycle taxi to Canggu. Once I arrived in Canggu, I immediately contacted the nearest motorbike rental to my accommodation. It was called Fajar Bali Rental. This is one of the recommended places if you’re vacationing in Bali.
They offer delivery service to your accommodation around Canggu. It was a perfect match for me. The rates start at IDR 60,000 per day. I chose the cheaper option since I’d only be using it around Canggu. Plus, with Nyepi coming up, I planned to stay at my accommodation during the holiday.
I rented the motorbike for two days and paid in cash when it was delivered. They didn’t ask for my ID as collateral but only took a photo of it. Before receiving the motorbike, I filmed its condition again. I used the motorbike to go everywhere in Canggu, just like the nomadic tourists who stay for months.
As Nyepi approached, I planned to return the motorbike and extend the rental after the holiday. Fortunately, the owner was very kind. I was allowed to keep the motorbike at my accommodation. So, I got an extra day even though my rental period had ended.
I rented the motorbike for another two days at the same price. They didn’t ask for payment upfront but only when I returned the motorbike. It felt so satisfying to travel around Bali on a motorbike. The freedom to go wherever and whenever I wanted was unbeatable.