Bali, Indonesia Hotels and City Guide

Bali - Shopping

Shopping

Shopping in Bali can be a bargain hunters dream - many of the shops and stalls do not display fixed prices hence bargaining for a price you are both happy with is expected. Decorators will love the variety of Balinese arts, handicrafts and textiles available, while fashionistas will enjoy the selection of clothing, ranging from cheap Western bikinis, surfing gear and designer knock-offs to Balinese-style garments. There are also several tailors who will be able to create your ideal suit or dress for a nominal price.

Shops by Area

Kuta
Kuta is indeed a shopper paradise as it has a selection of markets, roadside stalls and shopping malls. Kuta Square is a boulevard-style mall which has many international brands, with many surf labels. It also has a restaurant area and grocery store. Nextdoor you will find Kuta Market - a great source of locally-produced arts and crafts. Don't be afraid to haggle for your goods here, but always be polite and friendly, and bear in mind that a five Rupiah difference is worth much more to the seller than it is to you. Discovery Shopping Mall, situated on the beachfront, is a great place to go to escape the midday sun and have a bite to eat. It has the usual mall stores - banks, cafes, bookstores and pharmacies, as well as several designer outlets.

Ubud
Centrally located Ubud is an excellent place to find arts and crafts from each of the island's different villages and regencies. Popular craft markets include the Sukawati Art Market (which is one of the biggest in Bali) and Ubud Market. The nearby vilages of Tegallalang and Mas are reknown for their woodcarvings, while Celuk has excellent gold and silversmiths.

Monkey Forest Road is a bit of a tourist mecca and has an array of international surf and clothing brands, as well as cafes, bars and homestays.

Nusa Dua
Nusa Dua, one of the more elite resorts of Bali, boasts the largest shopping complex slash outlet centre in Bali - The Bali Collection. Do not expect to be able to bargain here - prices are fixed in the Western-style stores, and products range from designer clothing and jewellery to local art and collectibles.

Legian
Legian High Street offers 3km worth of art stores and local fashion boutiques, and is a haven for shoppers and bargain hunters. Bargaining is once again the norm here, and there are many side roads leading off the main road where even cheaper prices can be found.

Lombok
Lombok is an excellent place to find beautifully-made local crafts, including pottery and ceramics, furniture, textiles and jewellery. The pottery from this region is highly regarded, as are the freshwater pearls.

Tax Refunds

While it is possible to claim a tax refund for shopping in Bali, this is a new process and is still quite limited. In order to qualify for a refund you must have spent over Rp5 million (approximately $550) and excludes food and drinks. Also, tourists staying in the country for over two months are exempt.

Refunds will be given at the airport in cash (for refunds worth up to Rp5 million) and as a bank transfer (for anything over Rp5 million). You will be required to present a refund invoice, which you can obtain when you make your purchase by showing your passport.

Hotels in Bali, Indonesia