Bali & Lombok

by Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Iain Stewart, Lonely Planet

Offers coverage of Kuta and Seminyak (popular destinations in Bali). This book provides information on spas and massage, as well as surfing, diving, snorkelling and trekking. It features a food and drink chapter by a local culinary guru, an architecture chapter providing insight on Bali's ancient temples and monuments, and more.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Reference, Guidebook

396 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1986

About the author

Ryan Ver Berkmoes is an accomplished travel writer who has contributed to several Lonely Planet guides. His portfolio includes Lonely Planet Poland Travel Guide, Lonely Planet USA Travel Guide, Walking Chicago, Lonely Planet Sri Lanka Travel Guide and Lonely Planet Bali & Lombok Travel Guide.

Reviews

[platkat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Although full of information about hundreds of restaurants, hotels, and goings-on in Bali and Lombok, this book fell short in several crucial instances. My two-night stay at the grubby Hotel Sayang in one of the more heavily trafficked areas of Bali was an instant indicator that my idea of "clean and comfortable, a good value" is quite different from that of the authors.

It was also kind of annoying that the authors' "Our Pick" hotel or restaurant was always the most expensive thing. I was okay with dropping some cash to get the most out of my nearly two-week stay in Indonesia, but I would expect the more expensive places to have better food, accommodations, etc. I was hoping to get some insider info about good, cheap food and surprisingly great bargains. The prices I got in a lot of places were more than book quoted. White-girl-traveling-alone tax, I guess?

All in all, this book was more of a security blanket containing useful maps and summaries different hotspots, but not a full-on guide.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure how to rate Lonely Planets, but...weee, Bali sounds like fuuuun.

[patrycja polczyk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good, as for guidebook. Good background info about history and culture.

[Jonathan Norbiato · Rating 3 out of 5]

We used the last edition (2017) in september 2019.

We really like Lonely planet when used in Europe.
We were quite disappointed with this edition for our first time outside Europe.

The island of Bali changed so much in 2 years, that many places given in the book were either not existing or became very mainstream and not as good as described. Also many places given we could guess were paid ad but it was not written or indicated ! There was a clear lack of independance in writing this book !

Some hints were very usefull and we avoided some tourists traps. But mostly, it lacked of the main attractions "must do" in Bali, the one given were too much touristics and some very nice places were lost in all the places given...

So it is a book that is only partly reliable.

It was more like a map of Bali not updated than a real guide as we are used to.

[Carla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would have liked to have a bit more info on the Nusa and Gili islands...

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book should be bought in tandem with the Eyewitness Guide to Bali (great for planning which areas you'd like to see) and the Periplus Bali guide (a true understanding of the culture and history of Bali). Each book offers something valuable to help inform a great experience in Bali.

The Lonely Planet buide is a perfect Yelp substitute to Bali. You'll find great suggestions for beaches, restaurants and hotels (but really trip advisor is best for that these days). However, when you arrive at a location, read the whole chapter about the area and you'll find some hidden gems in there along with getting a good lay of the land.

This book also has the best chapters though on practical tips (how to pack, what to prepare for in customs, what to expect when you are traveling, etc) and should be read just for that alone.

[Bookworm Amir · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wouldn't have gone anywhere without this book! While yes at most parts we found accommodation or places of interest by hearsay and with the help of locals, the book gave us an invaluable wealth of information on what to do and where to go (which otherwise we wouldn't know what to have been doing!).

The only complaints we could give was the maps - its such a hassle to use the maps and it is not as detailed as it can be (its still best to buy local street maps if you plan to use them for road travel). Also it does not list Bedbunkers in to the 'accommodations' list in Kuta...I am shocked! For such a highly rated hostel how can it not be placed in this guide.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gave this book a five star rating because it was way more useful and informative than the DK Eyewitness guide (which was disappointing in comparison). If you have to choose between the two, this one is a better bet for Bali and Lombok. There is more interesting detail about the regions, where to go and where to eat for example.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book, great if you are wanting to plan a trip around the whole island staying at each little town for a couple of nights. I loved reading about the architecture, rituals, environment, etc.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the information that Lonely Planet gives. I wish there were more hotels in the price range of hostels and the like but what can a girl do. It's still a great read. It's helping a lot with my upcoming trip

[Mrs. · Rating 4 out of 5]

best than locals . they could even find a hiding - no road to - no electricity - hippies veggie haven on top of the mountain in lombok where the view just..stunning! I am impressed with the depth of research the writers have done for this book!!

[Sabeen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Of all the guides out there, this one is surface level with places name- dropped but clearly not visited, itineraries that are good in theory but not helpful otherwise. Superficial and not helpful in planning.

[Mailene]

goin' here..

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

good starting point... as always... better to get local advice but glad i had this during my one month travels in bali

[Aaron Wong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maybe I'll appreciate this more when I'm there.

[Wakakanunu · Rating 4 out of 5]

great book. It helped a lot when planning for my 1st time bali trip. We've tried some recommended restaurants in the book. And they were not disappointing.

[Saif · Rating 5 out of 5]

It help me completed my Bali trip.