Shop hop

To some, shopping is a serious hobby. Where better to practise your bargaining skills than Bali? Not quite "The Mall of America", in Minneapolis, but exciting all the same. 01

In Bali, unless the product is price-tagged, bargaining is the "norm". Try not to accept the first price that you are asked, as most vendors add on anything between 30%50% extra. You'll get more for your money if you are prepared to spend time and a smile whilst bargaining. Although tempting, try not to make any major purchases for the first few days. Look around, take your time, bargain hard, and then buy..

... and so to shopping. Where and what to buy is the next step. Bali Plus bas tried to simplify this task by classifying product and area. However, in the tourist hubs of Kuta/ Legian and Ubud, nearly anything you would want to buy is available. Many small villages specialize in certain crafts, and to see the craftsmen at work, makes whatever you're buying that much more special. A definite must for all shoppers is the Denpasar to Ubud road, a 20 cm stretch of antiques, stone and wood carvings to name just a few items! (Own transport recommended.)

Kuta/Legian & Seminyak

See Kuta Fold-Out Map

For those of you that don't want to wander too far from the beach Kuta and Legian have more than enough to appease any shopper's withdrawal symptoms.

Choose from two modem shopping areas, Kuta Square, and Kuta Centre, where bargaining is out of the question. Alternatively, JI. Legian, running parallel to the beach, has a shop in almost every doorway. Also the streets that run perpendicular to the sea, and those that run parallel to JI. Legian, have a number of smaller, market-style-shops where you can bargain hard for a better price! Here you can buy everything from sarongs to sandals, wooden statues to Javanese puppets, silver to surf boards... there is definitely something for every one.

At the far end of JI. Legian, which becomes JI. Seminyak, you can find designer boutiques, offering reasonably priced "designer/label-wear" (eg.Komodo, Biasa, Iccha, Heboh), some of Bali's more eco-friendly shops, and many antique and interior-design shops. 

Sanur 

See Sanur Fold-OutMap

Most shops are located along JI. Danau Tamblingan, as is the Sanur Art Market (Pasar Seni). The Sanur Beach Market is at the beach-end of JI. Danau Toba. These shops sell a wide range of Balinese handicrafts, in some, the "souvenir" is actually carved or made on the premiseg. Between Sanur and Denpasar you can fined Sanggraha Kriya Asti, a government-managed handicraft centre; transport is usually free from most hotels.

Denpasar

Two good department stores serve the local community. JI. Gajah Mada bas many handicraft and souvenir shops that stock similar items as round elsewhere on the island.

Nusa Dua  

See Nusa Dua Fold-Out Map.
 
Galeria Nusa Dua offers the whole range of Balinese goods in one complex free from the hassle of street vendors. Around the perimeter of Nusa Dua, you can find a number of small shops selling sarongs & souvenirs. For a real treasure trove of antiques, visit Jimbaran Gallery on Nusa Dua Bypass. See Nusa Dua Map *E3 for location.

Ubud 

See Ubud Fold-Out Map

Famous for Art and Painting, Ubud is the place to go if you want to take back a unique canvas or two. The first recommendation to those of you looking to purchase a work of art, is a visit to one or all of the three museums to learn all you can about styles (See Arts & Artists Chapter), then buy at one of the numerous Gallery/Art shops. Ubud also caters to those of you who are not necessarily looking for a Balinese masterpiece. Shops stretch out along JI. Raya Ubud, and also along Monkey Forest Rd. With the exception of surf boards, you can find just as much variety here as you can in Kuta.