The cost of bike rent in Bali is cheap. It is as low as Rp. 20,000/day to as high as Rp. 50,000/day depending on the type of the bicycle and its age. I have stayed in Ubud town of Bali for nearly two months now and I like exploring the villages by riding a mountain bike. For me, riding a bicycle around Ubud is the cheapest way to enjoy the scenic view of the rice terraces in the mornings or in the afternoons. Because much of the shopping centers, art galleries, cafes and restaurants are located along the main street of Ubud and its tributary streets, travelers will not find any difficulties in reaching them both on foot or by bike.

Every time I want to do some shopping, I will ride my mountain bike to Coco Supermarket or Alfamart. Mountain bike that I use was manufactured by Wimcycle - an Indonesian bicycle manufacturer. It does not have front and rear lamps, so, I had to buy a pair of the lamps to help me ride it at nights. The cost of the bicycle lamps was Rp. 50,000. Night riding in Bali without lamps will be very dangerous because of heavy traffic, narrow roads, and steep slopes my pose potential accident to riders and pedestrians.

Mountain bike is the most suitable bicycle that tourists should rent for exploring Ubud. The slopes in Ubud can easily be overcome when we change rear gear to the bigger one and the front gear to the smaller one. Most of the mountain bikes that are manufactured in Indonesia use Shimano gears.

During busy hours, traffic congestion occurs on Ubud main street particularly near the market. Big buses that carry hundreds Chinese tourists arrive and leave the main market block the traffic. To avoid such congestion, riding a bicycle or walking is highly recommended. The market of Ubud is a famous tourist destination. There, travelers can find handicrafts such as oil paintings, batik clothing and wooden carvings. Don't forget to bargain.

Renting a motor bike

A lot of tourists rent motorcycles to travel around Bali. The cost is between Rp, 40,000 and Rp. 80,000/bike/day - again depending on the type of the motor bike, its power and its age. Traveling by motorcycles is more convenient than riding bicycles during especially sunny days when the outdoor temperature is really hot.

Exploring Bali a whole day will make your body feel exhausted. To relax it, you can try massage service that is provided in numerous day spas of the tropical island. by Charles Roring