10 Reasons to Travel to Vietnam

Everyone who loves to explore should put Vietnam in the first place in their travel program. Vietnam is really an authentic country, with impressive landscapes, colorful and dynamic cities, warm and gentle people, and a good blend of old and new.

1. Vietnam is relatively unspoiled by tourism

After hundreds of years of struggle, under the invasion of foreign states and lived in poverty, Vietnam, today opened its doors to foreigners, tourists and investors, welcoming them with a glamorous face and hospitality.

Vietnam is a new country in terms of tourism. Unlike Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, you will see smaller number of tourists walking around the streets. Vietnam is not as spoiled as the countries with more tourists. Local people are genuinely interested in tourists. They want to chat to you with their little English.

2. Vietnam is safe

Vietnam is a pretty safe country to visit even for women traveling alone. Actually, I can say from my own perspective that I have not felt unsafe anywhere in South Asia. Usually the countries with majority Buddhist population are safe.

Most of the Vietnamese were farmers and most of them were born in the villages. The communist government seems to have done its utmost to make the premise a safe place. Considering the recent history of the country, there is a warm attitude to many tourists, especially Americans. They will wrap up the pain of the past, look into the future.

3. Vietnam is relatively cheap to travel

Vietnam, offering super luxurious travel comfort, offers the possibility to travel with a very low budget. It is possible to eat for 1 Dollar at a stall on the street, and even if you go to super luxurious restaurants, the prices are still reasonable.

It is possible to travel in Vietnam, a favorite country for backpack travelers, with a daily budget of $ 15. Almost everywhere in the country there are convenient hotels, guest houses and hostels. For example, the 4-star Sunway Hotel Hanoi in Hanoi costs $ 49 per night for 2 people.

4. Ha Long Bay

Imagine over 2,000 limestone cliffs rising from the emerald waters of Tonkin Gulf to the sky! This is Halong Bay, Vietnam's most popular tourist destination in the world. According to the, Vietnam remains in a difficult situation with the Chinese, and the gods send a dragon for help. This dragon spouts jade and jewels from its mouth and forms the limestone rocks that we see today, and through these obstacles the Chinese can not enter.

Cruise ship experience among these interesting limestone cliffs is a unique experience. Halong Bay is beautiful and charming and this place is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. It is located 4 hours from Hanoi, the beautiful capital city in the north of the country.

Ha Long Bay

5. Unique Vietnam Culture

Vietnam has one of the oldest cultural heritage in South East Asia. History of Vietnam goes back to the Bronze Age, and the area was more than 1,000 years in Chinese domination. Therefore, the influence of Chinese culture on the culture of the country is great.

Following the independence from China, Vietnam was under the influence of the Khmer empire for a while. In the French colonial period, European culture interacted. In Vietnam, where the Latin alphabet is used, the values ​​of old, atelier, social and family values, handicrafts and labor are of great importance. Also in this exotic culture of Far East, where we are a stranger, dragons and turtles have an important place. In addition, the bamboo plant and lotus flower are considered sacred.

6. Vietnamese people are warm and friendly

Like many neighboring countries in Southeast Asia, Vietnamese people are friendly, gentle and friendly. When you look at your eyes, a smile appears in their faces, they are very elegant and sweet. I have not encountered anyone who is trying to attract people and to sell something in shopping places and markets. The same is true when you walk around the historic district of Hanoi's tradesmen. Everyone is busy engaging in performing arts and taking care of incoming customers.

When visiting historical sites and temples, everyone respects and respects the rules without loud noise. You can easily start chatting with whatever you want in almost everywhere. The farmers living around the Mekong Delta are very impressive with their productivity and hard work. It's also amazing to play crafts and instruments.

7. Mekong

The Mekong River is a river that is the lifeblood of Southeast Asia with a length of about 4350 km. The adventure of a dive starts from Tibet in the eastern Himalayan Mountains at an altitude of 5,224 meters and flows into the South China Sea beyond 6 Southeast Asian countries like Yunnan (China), Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta, which the Mekong River meets with the sea on Vietnam soil, makes this geographical region of more than 7 million people unique. With white sandy beaches, tropical forests, small villages and towns scattered among the waterfalls, this is a very interesting and rich geography.

8.Vietnamese Coffee

If you're a coffee lover like me, I'm sure you'll love Vietnam's coffee culture. Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world, though not very well known. So it has an important place in the culture of the country. Although I usually drink milk and sugar, I prefer the simple one (ca phe den).

It is possible to have delicious coffee and sit in a tree shade or park even on street benches. Try the ice-cold cup. Take care of the addresses Café Mai (79 Le Van Huu, Hanoi) or Highland Coffee (26 Le Loi, Ho Chi Minh City).

9. Extraordinary caves

I like caves, and in every country I go, I like to visit immediately when I hear that you are a cave. Vietnam is one of the largest and most impressive caves in the world. Think of a geography, you are discovering the world's greatest cave more recently. This is Vietnam. Sơn Đong Cave was discovered in 2009 yet.

After Phong Nha Cave, 44.5 km long, which is the other famous cave of the country, Sơn Đong Cave was located in the world press. The width of some rooms of Sơn Đòng Cave is 5 km. Imagine how many airplanes you can imagine! Those who go to Ha Long Bay know the beauty of Surprise Cave cave.

10. Vietnamese cuisine and tropical fruits

Whether you like to eat fruit or not, Everybody gets to know the tropical fruits that make a different sensation other than a taste that is known before. This is my testimony. Mangosten, dragon fruit, rambutan are my favorites.

Today it is possible to see Vietnamese restaurants in many cities of the world. The development of the culinary culture and the diversity of delicacies. Seafood, chicken and meat have an important place in the Vietnamese cuisine where fresh vegetables are often used. If you love Hele seafood, South East Asia is already in heaven itself! Although we are very conservative in taste, coming to taste without local tastes makes the trip incomplete. At least enjoy a Pho soup.

Patio Pacific Resort Boracay Island

Boracay Island is one of the world's and South East Asia's most beautiful and famous islands. White Beach in Boracay is one of the most beautiful beaches in the world and its stunning 4 kms of whiteness is absolutely gorgeous. This beach is also one of the most happening places on the island with most of the colorful Boracay night life, entertainment, boat tours, sports activities and shopping opportunities are here.

Patio Pacific Resort is located on Station 1, the most vibrant and popular area of ​​White Beach. Opened in 1990, the Patio Pacific started with only 8 rooms and was called the Pink Patio then. Although it does not have a sea view, it now has 65 rooms, but it has a very good location only a 1-2 minute walk to White Beach.

Resort has the Ecology and Economy Specialist Award from the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Tourism. The hotel has three floors, deluxe, premiere deluxe, family rooms and suites.

Spacious and all-inclusive, Patio Pacific Resort rooms feature wifi, cable television, mini bar, complimentary tea and coffee, water, table, coffee table and comfortable bed. The Deluxe rooms overlook the Garden Cafe, which is open all day and overlooks the Garden Cafe, which is located in the hotel's own garden, while the other rooms overlook the pool where hotel guests are free to use. Deluxe rooms have a double bed and a sofa that can turn into a bed. Premier Deluxe rooms have the same bed option plus bathtub.

Patio Pacific Resort offers guests a buffet breakfast. There is plenty of choice in the buffet breakfast, where you can also enjoy the Philippine breakfast. Refreshed breakfast in the Garden Cafe or in the hotel garden is included in room rates starting from 4000 pesos with taxes.

There is a small bar next to the hotel's pool and a climbing wall where guests can use again free of charge. There are a lot of tropical plants and flowers in the garden, and the ambiance that I created reminds me of Bali. A carefully crafted camellia in this garden is intended for romantic couples.

The pool is huge enough, but there may be a problem with the number of sunbeds. Lovely pool with scrumptious sea and fine sandy beach whatever you do! But maybe some people like it from the pool.

For more information on Boracay accomodation, you can check our where to stay in Boracay page.

AirAsia flights departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport

Malaysian low-cost airline AirAsia currently operates scheduled domestic and international flights to more than 165 destinations around 25 countries. Its main hub is Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Here is the list of these destinations offered by AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur:

From Kuala Lumpur to Alor Setar	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Bali	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Balikpapan	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Banda Aceh	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Bandung	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok - Don Mueang	- 7 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Bangalore	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Bintulu	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Brunei	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Cebu	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Chennai	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Chiang Mai	- 4 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Clark	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Da Nang	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Guilin	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Hanoi	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Hat Yai	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Ho Chi Minh City	- 5 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong	- 5 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Jakarta	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Johor Bahru	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Kalibo	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Kochi	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Kolkata	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu	- 8 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Kota Kinabalu	- 14 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Krabi	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Terengganu	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Kuching	- 12 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Kunming	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Labuan	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Langkawi	- 11 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Lombok	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Macau	- 4 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Makassar	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Medan - Kualanamu	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Miri	- 5 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Nanning	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Padang	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Palembang	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Pekanbaru	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Penang	- 10 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Phnom Penh	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Phuket	- 4 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Sandakan	- 4 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Semarang	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Shenzhen	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Sibu	- 6 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Siem Reap	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Singapore	- 13 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Solo	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Surabaya	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Surat Thani	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Tawau	- 5 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Tiruchirappalli	- 3 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane	- 1 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Yangon	- 2 x Daily	Direct
From Kuala Lumpur to Yogyakarta	- 2 x Daily	Direct

Japan Tomei Expressway Accident Video

The video of a horrific car accident in Japan's Tomei Expressway is released, showing the horror lived in a bus on which a car flew and crashed.

In the 37 second video recording, a car is seen swerving and flipping from the opposite direction across a Japanese highway and crashing into a bus in the oncoming lane. The video is taken by a camera mounted on the bus.

The driver of the car, a 62 years old man, died in the crash while 45 people on the bus were injured. The driver was the only passenger in the car.

dramatic footage of the car soaring from the other side of the highway and 

slamming against a buses windshield

Below is the aftermath of the accident.

Where to stay in Krabi?

Receiving tens of thousands of visitors, Krabi Province along southern Thailand’s Andaman shores is not as famous as Phuket but ıt is as beautiful as Phuket. Krabi features idyllic palm-fringed beaches, sparkling waters dotted with exotic islands, elephant trekking, rock climbing, fantastic dive sites, many water sports activities, a wide range of hotels and resorts and Thai and western dining. In terms of a travel destination in Thailand Krabi is fairly new, and this is one of its main advantage. It is less developed and spoilt compared to Phuket.

Not many people know that the iconic Phi Phi Islands are within Krabi Province’s jurisdiction. Phi Phi offers not only breathtaking beauty, but hedonistic nightlife, and great scuba diving and snorkeling as well. But Phi Phi just one of many great holiday destinations in Krabi. The 160 km coastline is a veritable treasure trove of natural delights, and even Krabi Town itself has a quirky attraction to it. You can find a colorful night life in Ao Nang and Koh Phi while Railay Beach is a must-visit experience.

Here we will look at some places you can stay in Krabi. Instead of going to individual Krabi hotel recommendation, we will look at some major towns, beaches and islands you can stay in Krabi.

Krabi Town

Krabi, a modest-sized town of about 20,000 inhabitants, is one of the oldest settlements in Thailand, with roots going back thousands of years to when it was a ‘kraal’ containing mainly elephants. Of course the only reminders of this rich history are natural sites such as Tiger Cave, but the town itself retains an undeniable, almost timeless rural charm. The Krabi River, running through the town, also adds to the allure with a riverside market, guesthouses, restaurants and atmospheric cafés. For shopping, Krabi Town does not particularly shine, but it does have interesting textile shops, fresh markets and several large stores on its outskirts. An early evening relaxing stroll through its streets will reveal its laid-back and unassuming personality.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Krabi hotels page.

Krabi Map

Ao Nang

Beachside, bustling and directly aimed at the tourist market, Ao Nang is changing monthly. By road, Ao Nang is 20 minutes from Krabi Town and Klong Muang Beach, and a minute or two from Noppharat Thara Beach. Via the sea, Railay’s beaches (including Ton Sai) and a grab bag of small intimate islands are mere minutes away. Ao Nang has a decent nightlife and quite a few reputable restaurants, and it’s possible to walk from one end of town to the other. Several clusters of bars provide different ambience, with the newly renovated Center Point on Beach Road at the town’s nightlife nexus. Shopping is a relaxed affair here, with good boutiques lining the road out to Noppharat Thara Beach.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Krabi Ao Nang hotels page.

Railay Beach

One of the most famous beaches in Thailand, Railay’s distinct craggy and striking appearance is etched on many a visitors’ memory. The distinctive limestone cliffs that form the boundaries of the beach are excellent for rock climbing and the area plays host to many climbing schools. In just one small peninsula, you’ll find gorgeous white-sand beaches, soaring limestone cliffs, viewpoints, caves and a lagoon hidden inside the cliffs, shaped and fed by the changing tides. And all within walking distance. Because it is only accessible from the sea, the area has a mysterious allure that is only heightened come sunset. Railay is not a shopping destination and the only vehicles you’ll encounter there are bicycles and hotel golf buggies.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Krabi Railay Beach hotels page.

Railay Beach Krabi Thailand

Koh Phi Phi

Iconic, unique and an idyllic party hub, Koh Phi Phi is a love-it-or-hate-it sort of place. Its undeniable beauty belies the fact that the place turns into party central at night, with groups of inebriated (and usually young) visitors on noisy pub crawls. By day, however, its beaches are iconic, with nodding palms providing shade, by turquoise waters and talcum-white sand. The island’s many day visitors tend to lend the illusion that the place is busier than it really is and at night, away from the nightlife areas, Phi Phi is a place where you could be tempted to spend the rest of your days. A major scuba diving departure point, and featuring good restaurants and colourful shopping, Phi Phi is certainly an unforgettable holiday experience.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Koh Phi Phi hotels page.

Nopparat Thara Beach

Nopparat Thara Beach is located 18km west of Krabi Town and is adjacent to Ao Nang. This quiet beach lies within the Hat Noppharat Thara-Koh Phi Phi National Park and features a three-kilometre long sandy stretch lined by casuarina trees. Like most of Krabi’s beaches, you won’t find miles of deckchairs and beach umbrellas, so buy a beach mat and find the perfect spot. It’s also possible at low tide to walk from the beach across to Koh Kao Pak Klong Island in the bay. It’s popular with local Thai picnickers and those who like to swim eat and laze in the sun. The northern end has good seafood restaurants, while the southern extreme, bordering Ao Nang, has some nightlife.

For hotels with their prices, customer reviews and available discounted room rates, you can visit Krabi Nopparat Thara Beach hotels page.

Klong Muang and Tubkaak Beaches

Klong Muang Beach is situated 12km north of Ao Nang and is, to say the least, a tranquil hideaway. Its natural rustic beauty marries well with the tranquility of the area, and for a slice of ‘real’ Thailand it is hard to beat. Shopping, dining and nightlife here are all decidedly modest but that’s the very charm of the place. Tubkaak Beach, a 20-minute drive from Ao Nang and 30km from Krabi Town, is even more remote and enjoys soft white sand and a sense of peacefulness that is hard to imagine without actually experiencing it. The islands that make up the fantastic Koh Hong archipelago can be seen from the beach. You can get a
closer look on a daytrip around the islands. There is no nightlife or shopping at Tubkaak Beach.

Where to stay in Bangkok?

Cultural phenomenon, shopping haven and tourist treasure Bangkok is one of the most cosmopolitan, contrasting and, above all, compelling of Asian cities. A steamy, pulsating, yet smiling metropolis of more than ten million souls – intense at first, but addictive as anything. You can find your niche among dazzling temples, hotels of every type and size, eclectic markets, gleaming palaces, ritzy shopping malls, a famous
nightlife and the many things in between. Enjoy a memorable dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River. Bask in the city’s warm, affluent glow at a skyscraping rooftop bar. Experience all the things – a tuk-tuk ride, a ladyboy show, Muay Thai (kickboxing) match, Thai massage – everyone always comes home talking about.

Bangkok has a tropical monsoon climate and holds claim to being the hottest city in the world. Sitting close to the equator, it is both hot and humid in equal measure, is unrelenting simply because it doesn't cool
significantly at night. The period between April and May is the steamiest (avg. 25-35° C). The Southwest monsoons arrive between May and October, and with it pouring rain and thunderstorms – for many, though, this is a welcome respite.

We will answer where to stay in Bangkok by introducing them main areas people stay in the city. Most popular and convenient are the areas around rail based public transportation stations like BTS Skytrain because the traffic in the city is just awful.

Bangkok

Sukhumvit

The longest road in Thailand, both it and its many adjoining 'sois' (sub-streets) are poor on traditional tourist attractions but rich in of-the-minute shopping, eating and nightlife. While there are touches of 'Thai-ness' on every corner, the many fashionable restaurants, bars, air-conditioned malls, luxury hotels and hip clubs give the area a distinctly modern, cosmopolitan, aspirational flavour. Some of the city's most ‘sinful’ spots, red-light districts Nana Plaza (Soi 4) and Soi Cowboy (off Soi 23) are also found here. The elevated Skytrain (BTS) helps make exploring its daunting options incredibly easy.

For hotels in Sukhumvit, their room prices, customer reviews as well as deals and discounts check Bangkok Sukhumvit Hotel page.

Bangkok Sukhumvit

Siam

Siam is the place which is nearest to be considered as central Bangkok. It is also unquestionably the centre of shopping in Bangkok, home to some of the city's most popular and important shopping centres like MBK Center, Siam Discovery Center, Siam Center, and Siam Paragon. Within Siam Square itself, there is a wide range of shops and services, including restaurants, cafés, designer clothing boutiques, record stores, cinemas, bookshops, a Hard Rock Cafe, hotels and banks. Shoppers vary, from young-aged school and college students to office workers, trend-setting city dwellers and, of course, throngs of tourists.

For hotels in Siam, their room prices, customer reviews as well as deals and discounts check Bangkok Siam Hotel page.

Bangkok MBK Center

Silom

Silom means windmill. This area was a largem empty, swamp-like field with a tall windmill in the middle. Today, Silom is one of the city's most important financial districts with many bank headquarters, financial institutions and office buildings. Fine hotels, smaller type malls and great restaurants abound in the area too -and then of course there's the infamous nightlife scene of Patpong.

For hotels in Silom, their room prices, customer reviews as well as deals and discounts check Bangkok Silom Hotel page.

Riverside

Bangkok's riverside is where its historic roots lie; the traditional heartland of this magical city with origins that read like an epic novel – complete with fallen and rising Kingdoms, heroes and traitors. One of the most fascinating and scenic areas of Bangkok, the riverside reflects a constantly changing scene day and night; water-taxis ferrying commuters and heavily laden rice barges chugging upstream, set against a backdrop of glittering temples and palaces, historical landmarks and luxury, five-star hotels. Despite some condominiums and corporate towers that have risen from the river banks over the past decade or so, the area has retained its unique identity, exclusiveness and seductive charm.

For hotels in Riverside, their room prices, customer reviews as well as deals and discounts check Bangkok Riverside Hotel page.

Khao San and Old City

The Old City (Rattanakosin) is where you'll find Bangkok's most spectacular and revered historical attractions, among them The Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Pho. Not only part of the Kingdom's rich past, but intrinsic to it, a day or two spent exploring here will give you a deep insight into the heart, soul and psyche of the Thai people. Part of the Old City, Khao San’s 500-metre long strip – dubbed backpacker’s street – is jam-packed with budget guesthouses, internet cafés, swanky bars and clubs, restaurants, massage parlours, travel agents, bookshops, market stalls, tattoo shops and much, much more. Once, Khao San was one of the 3 "K"s only adventurous visitors came in the Far East : Khao San, Katmandu and Kuta (Bali).

For hotels in Khao San and Old City, their room prices, customer reviews as well as deals and discounts check Bangkok Khao San Road Hotel and Rattanakosin Hotels page.

Rattanakosin

Chinatown

Packed with market stalls, street-side restaurants, shrines, Chinese medicine stores and probably the greatest concentration of gold shops in the city, Chinatown is an experience not to miss. After sunset, the entire strip becomes a food haven for new-generation gourmands who flock here to explore the vibrant street-side cuisine. The energy that oozes from its endless rows of wooden shop-houses is plain contagious – it will keep you wanting to come back for more. Plan your visit during major festivals, like Chinese New Year and the annual vegetarian festival in October, and you will see Bangkok Chinatown at its best.

For hotels in Chinatown, their room prices, customer reviews as well as deals and discounts check Bangkok Chinatown Hotel page.

Where to stay in Boracay?

Boracay is one of the most popular holiday destination in Philippines. Regarded as one of the most beautiful islands in the world, Boracay offers white sandy beaches, clear waters, good accommodation, water sports,  great diving locations, good food and a decent night life.

Before going into where to stay in Boracay question, let’s sound a warning here. Boracay is famous with a hotel scam. There are agents (mostly in Manila) which behave like a representative of a specific resort or a hotel in Boracay (can even have a hotel web site). If you book through these agents, you usually pay double or triple the price. When you arrive and realize that you have overpaid, the hotel or resort cannot do anything. Because they have no connection with the so-called representative of the hotel. If you would book in advance, try to book online or call the hotel directly.

It is also advisable to book a hotel in advance during holiday seasons like Holy Week , Christmas and New Year. Boracay is a very popular tourist destination for Philippians and can be very crowded during holidays.

Boracay Map

White Beach

This 4 kilometer long white sandy beach on the west coast of Boracay Island is the most developed and popular destination on the island. White Beach is also where the Boracay night life is so if you are looking for a calm atmosphere, try to avoid the middle section of White Beach.

White Beach offers all types of accommodations from rooms you can rent from residents to luxury hotels. Since the major dinning, night life and shopping options of the island are here, most visitors to Boracay stays in a hotel in White Beach.

If you are looking for a nice luxury Boracay hotel, most are to the north of boat station 1. To the south of boat station 3, you will find more budget accommodation alternatives.

For hotels in White Beach as well as details like room prices, room types, facilities and guest reviews, visit Boracay White Beach hotels pages.

White Beach is the most popular and crowded area in Boracay Island.

Bulabog Beach

Another popular place to stay in Boracay is Bulabog Beach on the east coast. Although the beach is on the other side of the island, because Boracay is long and narrow (see the map below) it is only a 20 minutes walk away from the more popular White Beach.

Bulabog Beach is famous with its winds and a popular destination for sports like wind surfing or kite surfing. From November to April, the wind is good for these sports (it is best between December and February) and Bulabog is full with people of these sports.

For hotels in Bulabog Beach as well as details like room prices, room types, facilities and guest reviews, visit Boracay Bulabog Beach hotels pages.

Other Beaches in Boracay

Diniwid Beach just to the north of White Beach is a nice and calmer place mostly with budget accommodation. Balinghai Beach to the further north is more secluded but there is almost nothing here except a bar belonging to a resort on the beach. For a really peaceful, quiet and quite secluded place to stay in Boracay, you can try Puka Beach on the northern tip of the island.

How to get to Boracay Island?

Boracay does not have an airport and you need to take a jetty to the island. The nearest airport to Boracay is Caticlan Airport. You can fly from Manila, Cebu or some neighbouring countries like Singapore to Caticlan Airport.  From the Caticlan Airport, a van ride will only take you 5 minutes going to the Caticlan Jetty Port. A pumpboat ride from the Caticlan port to Boracay port will take at about 15 minutes.

Puka Beach can be accessed by land through the main road going to Puka Grande.

Where to stay in Phuket?

Phuket is a large island in Thailand and offers a lot of places on the beach front to stay (unlike Bali, Phuket does not have places to stay inland). Most of the popular tourist destinations are on the west coast of Phuket and Phuket’s biggest resort town Patong is also on the west coast. Since many will visit Patong, many either stay in Patong or on the beaches near Patong.

On the east coast of Phuket there are also some fantastic resorts and hotels. But these are quite far from Patong and are for those who like meditative quiteness and relaxed environment. And beyond Phuket towards Krabi, there are some small islands with some fantastic resorts and beaches on them.

If you ask us an advise on where to stay in Phuket, we would recommend you to stay on the west coast in beaches near Patong. This will allow you to avoid Patong’s noise and dust but also keep you near its offerings. Kata Yai, Karon or Kamala Beach areas are recommendations. But of course Phuket is not limited to these and there are many other places to stay on the island. For those looking for calm, less developed and more natural places, the smaller islands between Phuket and Krabi are offering better accomodation options than Phuket itself.

Patong Beach

Patong is the town on the west coast of Phuket and is the main tourist resort. The Phuket Night Life with its all “naughty” elements are here as well as a lot of hotels, dinning and shopping. Patong Beach is a long white sandy beach which is quite popular among tourists.

A typical tourist stays here on his/her first time in Phuket. Although Phuket’s sex tourism is mostly in Patong and is quite openly traded, if you stay clear away from Bangla Road, Phuket’s Red Light District, you can stay completely away from this internationally known side of Phuket.

If you plan to stay in Phuket, read hotel reviews before booking because some hotels in Patong are quite near the clubs and are very noisy in the night.

For a comprehensive list of hotels in Patong, as well as room prices and customer reviews, you can check Phuket Patong Hotels page.

Phuket Map and main Phuket beaches

Karon Beach

The second most popular beach in Phuket is Karon Beach which is 5 kilometer to the south of Patong Beach. Karon does not have the best beach in Phuket but it is near enough to Patong to be near colorful dinning and night life of Phuket and far enough to be away from Patong’s naughty side.

For the list of hotels in Karon, as well as room prices and customer reviews, you can check Phuket Karon Beach Hotels page.

Kamala Beach

This is our second most favorite beach in Phuket. The first beach to the north of Patong, Kamala is near PAtong for shopping and dinning but far away from its hussle and bustle. Kamala has a small village atmosphere, nice pubs and restaurants towards to south end, a very nice beach and several good hotels.

We find Kamala Beach quite family friendly too. Beach Road to the south of Kamala Beach is where you can call its center. Quite, calm and relaxing Kamala is not as famous as Karon but in our opinion it is a better alternative to it.

Our favorite hotel in Kamala Beach is The Palms on Kamala Beach Hotel Phuket.

For hotels in Kamala Beach as well as the best and cheapers room prices and guest reviews, visit Phuket Kamala Beach hotels page.

Kata Beach

Kata has two beaches: Kata Yai and Kata Noi. And Kata Yai is our most favorite area to stay in Phuket. Perfect for families and tourists who are in Phuket to relax in a quite environment. This long beach has everything a Phuket traveler needs: a small center, a long sandy beach, clear waters, plenty of restaurants and pubs. Here our favorite is Phuket Orchidacea Resort overlooking Kata Yai. You can refer to our hotel review for this resort here : Phuket Kata Beach Orchidacea Resort

For hotels in Kata Beach as well as the best and cheaper room prices and guest reviews, visit Phuket Kata Beach hotels page.

Kata Yai Beach from Orchidecia Resort

Surin Beach

Pansea Bay at the northern end of Surin Beach is known as millionaire’s row thanks to its high end villas on the tropical hills overlooking the Andaman Sea. Rich, famous and VIP stays in Pansea Bay and the place has very few shops and restaurants.

For hotels in this area, you can check Pansea Bay or Phuket Surin Beach hotels pages.

Bang Thao

A large open bay, Bang Thao houses Laguna Phuket with its 7 luxury resorts spanning 1,000 acres of tropical parkland. We have covered this fantastic Phuket resort location in a previous post in this blog : Laguna Phuket Resort Destination.

Laguna Phuket Aeriel from Sea

Mai Khao and Nai Yang Beach

These north-west Phuket beaches are also the nearest to Phuket Airport. Mai Khao is the longest beach in Phuket (17 kilometers) and is in natural park area. But the area is not as “untouched” as it is heavily marketed by the hotels and resorts here. These are quite far to Patong and needs a relatively long taxi ride to reach there.

Beyond Phuket: Ko Yao and Phi Phi

There are some nice islands between Phuket and Krabi which also has accomodation. Recently, people who are tired of Phuket’s over-developed and noisy mass tourism environment, started to escape to these islands some of which has exclusive luxurious resorts.

Phi Phi needs no introduction. This is a must see in Phuket and most goes to Phi Phi on a day tour. But the large island of Phi Phi Don (Phi Phi is composed of 6 islands) has some hotels on it to stay. Tonsai and Loh Dalum Bays on Phi Phi has some budget hotels and hostels and north east part of Phi Phi Don has some luxury hotels like 4.5 star Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort & Spa and Zeavola Hotel.

For hotels in the paradise island of Ko Yao, refer to Thailand Ko Yao Hotels page.

Six Senses Yao Noi Resort, Thailand

Where to stay in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is a popular tourist destination where East truly blends with West. With its impressive skyline, fantastic Cantonese cuisine, world class night life and shopping experience, Hong Kong offers something to every taste and budget. Hong Kong draws people from all around to travel, live and work in the city and fully deserves its nickname : Asia’s World City.

Hong Kong has been under British rule for 150 years until 1997. Although it is now a part of China, its political system, economy and social life resembles more West then China.

Although people think an ultra crowded city where futuristic skyscraper littered skyline meets neon sign filled narrow streets when they hear about Hong Kong, most of Hong Kong is rural. The area takes its name from Hong Kong Island which is not the largest part of Hong Kong but is the main interest area for visitors. Central Hong Kong is on the North West part of Hong Kong Island but majority lives on mainland in the northern area.

So, Where to stay in Hong Kong? For most tourists, Hong Kong means the north of Hong Kong Island and the south of Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the cleanest part of Hong Kong and is also the most expensive. Impressive finance and business center of Hong Kong is here. Most high class shopping, night life and neighborhoods are also here.

Kowloon is one of the most population dense area on the planet. As you travel from south to north (towards New Territories), the city gets dirtier and worn-out. Still, it offers infinite food, shopping and culture shock opportunities as you travel inland.

When choosing accommodation in Hong Kong you need to know several things : Hong Kong is very safe (almost as safe as Singapore and Tokyo). It also has an excellent public transportation network which allows you to arrive any important place in the city easily. And Hong Kong hotels are very expensive. So based on your budget, you can get away from central Hong Kong to save money without sacrificing so much safety and convenience. Choose hotels near major subway stations or bus routes.

Hong Kong map and major districts of Hong Kong. For many visitors, Hong Kong means the north of Hong Kong Island, and the south of Kowloon. You can find almost all Hong Kong tourist attractions in this central places. Map of Hong Kong is from Wikitravel Hong Kong Travel Guide.

Central Hong Kong

Central area is the north west of Hong Kong Island and is the place which comes to mind when you think Hong Kong. This is the main tourist attraction full of skyscrapers and shopping centers. Lan Kwai Fong (蘭桂坊) near Central MRT Station is one of the most popular night life center in Hong Kong. Soho (荷南美食區) is an area between Hollywood Road and Bonham Road-Caine Road and is a very famous entertainment district full of bars, night clubs, shops and art galleries. From here if you go to IFC Shopping Mall, you will see the escalators going uphill. Before Victoria Peak, you will find The Mid-Levels (半山區) and a little below it Sheung Wan (上環) with its colonial era buildings and shops.

Victoria Peak (太平山) is the most upper class area in Hong Kong. The view overlooking central and Victoria Harbour (see below) makes it a must visit place for every tourist to Hong Kong.

Central Hong Kong is the best place to stay in Hong Kong if you can afford it. If you plan to stay here, it saves a lot to check online room prices and find the best deals. For hotels in this area you can check Hong Kong Central Hotels pages.

Hong Kong Skyline viewed from Victoria Peak on Hong Kong Island. The place full of skyscrapers is Central Hong Kong and is the north of Hong Kong Island. The other side of the strait is Kowloon.

Wan Chai

The eastern region of Central area is Admirality. Towards east of Admirality lies Wan Chai, one of the most colorful areas in Hong Kong. Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, Hong Kong Arts Centre, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre are here. The area to the west of Lockhart Road is one of the largest bar strips of Hong Kong. Once the area was exclusively Hong Kong’s Red Light District but now offers much extended range of entertainment. But you can still see “working women” from Thailand and Philippines in the area.

The tallest building in Hong Kong, Central Plaza, is also in Wan Chai. There are many shops and restaurants in the area for all budgets and tastes. It is a popular place to stay with its proximity to central Hong Kong. For hotels here visit Hong Kong Wan Chai Hotels pages.

Causeway Bay

Further east, you will find one of the most popular shopping areas in Hong Kong, Causeway Bay. Popular department stores of Seibu and Sogo are here with gigantic Times Square Shopping Mall. The largest green area in Hong Kong, Victoria Park is also here. If you have time and can wake up early, visit the park in very early morning to watch masses doing Tai Chi.

Causeway Bay is quite a popular area to stay in Hong Kong. For hotels and serviced apartments here, visit Hong Kong Causeway Bay Hotels pages.

Tsim Sha Tsui

To the north of Hong Kong Island, you can find Tsim Sha Tsui, the southernmost tip of Kowloon District. This area around Star Ferry Pier is one of the most popular tourist areas in Hong Kong and offers a fantastic view of skyscraper filled Central Hong Kong. Taking a photo here is a must. This area is the best place to watch Christmas light show on skyscrapers. The rooftop bars and restaurants here also offers fantastic Hong Kong view. Walk a little inside and you will find Nathan Road full of electronic, jewellery, clothing and tailor shops.

Tsim Sha Tsui is another central area to stay in Hong Kong. Visit our Hong Kong Tsim Sha Tsui Hotels page for details.

View of Hong Kong from Tsim Sha Tsui

Jordan & Mong Kok

If you are more adventurous from a typical tourist, head deep into Kowloon to see how actual Hong Kong residents live. Jordan is a microcosm of working class Hong Kong and offers countless shops, restaurants, hotels and residential buildings with authentic Far East city life. Jordon is also a place where you can find nice and cheap Hong Kong hotels. Fro here, it is still very easy to access Tsim Sha Tsui and Hong Kong Island. This makes Jordon one of the best places to stay in Hong Kong for budget conscious travellers.

Mong Kok has 130,000 people per square kilometer and is a tourist attraction in itself for those eager to experience the most populous area on the planet. Outside tourist regions, Mong Kok offers traditional shops and restaurants. The neon Chinese sign forests of the streets here are must visit.

For hotels in Jordan and Mong Kok, visit Hong Kong Jordon hotels and Mong Kok hotels pages.

Hong Kong Mong Kok

Where to stay in Maldives?

With 1,192 coral islands distributed to 26 atols in the middle of Indian Ocean, Maldives is probably the most beautiful and romantic holiday destination in the world. It offers perfect honeymoon resorts, water sports, diving and snorkeling opportunities as well as lots of relaxation. With its resorts owning their own islands, it is a fantastic place to do nothing.

Travelers arrive to Maldives by plane and the Male International Airport is the point of entry. You can reach your resort by a speed-boat if it is on a nearby atoll. If not, you need an air-taxi which offers a nice but expensive transportation option. So, since these are pretty much the only options for you to arrive to your resort (there are no hotels in Maldives except in capital city, Male), you need to consider transportation method and time when you are choosing a hotel. Since boats and planes do not work after an hour, a mismatch in arrival – departure time and transport options will make you spend valuable hours in the airport.

So where to stay in Maldives? We will offer some specific hotel recommendations while introducing the atolls and the resort types so you can choose wisely. In Maldives, the distance between Atolls are quite huge and it is important to introduce the most popular once and the reason for their popularity so that you can make a good decision. So before going into the answer, we will first introduce the Atolls of Maldives.

Atolls of Maldives

Maldives has 26 atolls. Atolls of Maldives are large and complex. Just take a look at the North Male Atoll (Kaafu) map below.  It is composed of many islands and has a large diameter.

North Male Atoll (Kaafu) Map

And now look at all the atolls of Maldives below. You will get an idea of the orientation in the country. North Male Atoll is somewhere in the middle. It is important to know the distance of the atoll to this central atoll since airport is here. Some Maldives resorts are on the atolls far away from the airport and they will require a sea plane journey. Since this air taxi does not work in the night, if your plane arrives to Maldives in the night and your resort requires air-taxi travel, you may end up spending a whole day in Maldives airport.

Not all 26 atolls of Maldives are open to tourism. Let’s now look at some of the popular the atolls in detail.

Atolls of the Maldives

Kaafu (North Male Atoll and South Male Atoll)

The most popular tourist destination in Maldives is the Kaafu which is composed of North Male Atoll and South Male Atoll. Hulhule Island is home to capital Male and Male International Airport. Majority of the Maldives Resorts are also here. The advantage of staying in Kaafu is the transportation : All Maldives resorts in Kaafu are within 1 hour speed-boat journey and 15 minutes seaplane journey. Another advantage is proximity to Male: many resorts here offer shopping and sightseeing tours to Male. For those with health problems, being closed to capital city with its medical capacity is safer than being far far away in a remote atoll.

So if you are an average tourist, Kaafu is best place to stay in Maldives for you. Some popular resorts here are Anantara Dhigu Resort and Spa in South Male Atoll (35 minutes from the airport by boat and equipped with a fantastic SPA and restaurant – 480 USD ++) and Kurumba Maldives Resort (10 minutes from airport by boat and is a very popular luxury Maldives resort). If you are looking for a cheaper Maldives resort, Helengeli Island Resort (160 USD++) and Thulhagiri Island Resort in Kaafu are two good alternatives for you.

For a complete list of North Male and South Male Atoll Resorts, you can check Kaafu Maldives Resorts and Hotels pages.

Ari (North Ari (Alif Alif) and South Ari (Alif Dhaal))

Ari is a two atoll area to do west of Kaafu and is the second most popular place to stay in Maldives. From airport, air taxi to Ari resorts takes 25 – 30 minutes. You also have speed boat option but this mode of transportation will take hours in one way to reach your resort.

Nevertheless, Ari is host to many popular Maldives resorts such as stunning Conrad Maldives and highly raqted Mirihi Ari. Another popular resort here is Vakarufalhi Island Resort. This resort is very popular among divers and is on a circle shaped island. ProDivers here is a popular diving organizer.

For Maldives resorts in this region, check North Ari Resorts and South Ari Resorts pages.

A typical luxury Maldives resort on its own small island (Conrad Maldives)

Types of Maldives Resorts

There are many types of resorts in Maldives but most resorts fall into one of 3 categories : Diving resorts with limited above water facilities but many underwater opportunities and beauties (also tend to be in isolated areas of Maldives), holiday resorts designed mainly for families with relatively less luxury (quite crowded and noisy for honeymoon couples) and luxury resorts for romantic escapes, perfect honeymoons and with very high room prices.

Over water bungalows

Maldives holiday mean over water bungalows to many. These poster child of Maldives Resorts look perfect in the postcards but there are several drawbacks of staying in one of them so you choose one wisely. Most over water bungalows are quite crowded with little privacy. In a day with a gentle breeze they are quite nice but become very scary during strong winds. In low tide, there may be no water body around them to swim. And they are quite far away from the main facilities of the resorts.

Not all Maldives over water bungalows are same so choose a good one if you want to stay in one of these. You can read guest comments about the Maldives resort in your mind to get some idea about these bungalows.

Over water bungalows in Maldives

Cheap Hotels in Maldives

Maldives is a luxury holiday destination but there are still cheap hotels in the country to stay. There are some hostels and B&B’s in larger and crowded atolls. Equator Village in Addu Atoll has 78 rooms and offers 100 – 150 USD per night accomodation. Keyodhoo Guest House offers 20 USD per night accomodation. These hotels are located in cities in Maldives where local population is conservative Muslims. So you may not be able to swim with bikini near these hotels.

Where to stay in Koh Samui?

Koh Samui is one of the coolest tropical holiday destinations in Thailand and in the world. This is a cosmopolitan melting pot, attracting budget travellers that sometimes stay for a month or two in simple beachside bungalows as well as the mega rich, dropping by for a weekend at a luxury resort or beach villa. Koh Samui is unique among Thailand’s islands in maintaining a broad appeal to everyone. This helps to foster the distinctive relaxed atmosphere that sets it apart.

Samui has a wide range of accommodation, great nightlife, action sports, and beautiful scenery. Experience first-class spas, holistic activities, ladyboy shows, Muay Thai (kickboxing) matches, Thai massage – it’s all here.

Koh Samui has a tropical monsoon climate. Humidity is high and temperatures average around 28°C and the one thing you will rarely feel is cold. The island offers world-class diving sites with optimum conditions between March and August. The hottest time is between March and April (avg. 30° C plus). September till November sees the heaviest rainfall and the weather can be unpredictable. The best time to go to Koh Samui is December to February, for cooler temperatures, little rain, calm seas, and light winds.

Most difficult part of choosing where to stay in Koh Samui is to choose which beach you would like to stay in. If you’re into nightlife, Chaweng and Lamai are definitely the places to go. If you’re in for a quieter beach experience, try Mae Nam or the South Coast. A good compromise is Bophut. Choeng Mon is a good choice if you’re looking for a quiet hideaway retreat. Nathon is in the central part of the island.

Koh Samui map and beaches

Chaweng Beach

Chaweng is not only the biggest but the most exciting and developed town on the island. Located on the east coast, its sandy beach is popular for all kinds of fun activities including banana boat riding and parasailing. Visitors can find just about everything here within easy enough walking distance so expect to see the usual business setups in the neighborhood such as dive shops, souvenir shops, internet cafés and tour companies. On top of that, Chaweng has the biggest selection of accommodation, spas, restaurants, bars and nightlife entertainments in Samui.

For resorts and hotels in Chaweng Beach, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Koh Samui Chaweng Beach hotels page.

Chaweng Beach, Koh Samui

Lamai Beach

In the past, Lamai was a favourite location for backpackers with its beautiful beach, cosy and easy-going ambience and many budget and cheap accommodations scattered here and there, but that’s not the case anymore. As the second-largest beach on the island, Lamai is still quieter than Chaweng but lately there have been more sophisticated businesses opening up including luxury resorts and trendy cafés and restaurants. Visitors can enjoy much better nightlife and shopping opportunities than in the past, too. It is easy to visit some of Samui’s top attractions from Lamai Beach. Among them are Wat Khunaram and the
Grandma and Grandpa rocks.

For resorts and hotels in Lamai Beach, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Koh Samui Lamai Beach hotels page.

Koh Samui Lamai Beach

Bophut

On northern coast of Samui lies Bophut, made up of two places: Bophut Beach, which stretches several kilometres between Big Buddha and Maenam beaches and the well-preserved Fisherman’s Village situated in the middle section of the beach. The undeniable charm of this picturesque village features old wooden Chinese shop-houses and fishing boats coming and going day after day. Bophut presents not only a glimpse of the past but modern comfort too. It features accommodations of all sizes and budgets. The beauty is that
the old and the new are blended well together and offer a peaceful alternative to visitors.

For resorts and hotels in Bophut, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Koh Samui Bophut hotels page.

Bophut Beach

Maenam Beach

Visitors who desire a long powdery beach fringed by swaying palms should look no further than Maenam Beach. Located north of Chaweng and Bophut, Maenam is considered a haven for all, whether you are on a budget or have some cash to spend. Here you can check in to a very simple style room with fan or a luxury five-star pool villa or something in between, the choices are there! A stop at the pier in the middle of the beach can be interesting because this is where people head to for catching a ferry to Koh Phangan, famous for its Full Moon Party. Restaurants, tour and dive shops nearby the pier all add to the colourful scene at
Maenam Beach.

For resorts and hotels in Maenam Beach, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Koh Samui Maenam Beach hotels page.

Koh Samui Maenam Beach

East and South Coasts

Travelers who would like to learn more about the island away from the usual touristy spots should explore Samui’s east and south coasts as the majority of these areas still maintain their exotic charm and a small-town atmosphere. You will also find interesting small beaches or in some cases the rocky bays looking out to beautiful islets nearby. Chaweng Noi Beach and Coral Cove on the east coast are actually quite close to the famous Chaweng and Lamai beaches. In the south, there are for example Hua Thanon, Laem Set and Thong Tanote beaches. Interestingly, many of the more upper-market resorts can be found here.

For resorts and hotels in East and South Coasts, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Koh Samui Chaweng Noi Beach hotels,Coral Cove hotels and Hua Thanon beach hotels pages.

A Koh Samui Villa near Chaweng Noi Beach

Koh Phangan and Koh Tao

It’s true that you can’t separate the world-famous full moon party from Koh Phangan’s image but that’s not all that the island has to offer. Located north of Samui, Phangan has what it takes to become an incredible holiday destination with lovely beaches, tropical surrounding along with modern comforts. For those who are looking for more, a trip to Koh Tao (or Turtle Island) will suit you just fine. Koh Tao is a more peaceful, laid back and much less developed island than the better-known Samui and Phangan islands. Encompassed by rocky bays, beaches and plentiful coconut trees, Koh Tao is Thailand’s prime destination for scuba diving and a ‘secret’ paradise for many world travelers.

For resorts and hotels in Koh Phangan and Koh Tao, their room prices, latest deals and discounts as well as customer reviews refer to Koh Phangan hotels and Koh Tao hotels pages.

Koh Phangan (Phangan Island)

Where to stay in Bali?

Bali, Island of Gods, is one of the most beautiful islands on the planet which combines fascinating sea and beaches with beautiful rainforests, lakes and a mystical culture. Bali Island offers something for every budget and taste. Whether you are a backpacker or a billionaire, you will find something for you here.

Bali is one of the 1,700 islands of Indonesia but it is the most popular tourist destination in the country: 80% of the tourists coming to Indonesia are visiting Bali and only Bali! But this popularity also has it's problems: places like Kuta, the most popular tourist town in the South, are becoming concrete jungle, tourists touts are annoyingly frequent and some places are really crowded.

Bali is quite accessible with many flights operating to the island from around the world. If you live in relatively nearby countries like Singapore, Malaysia or Australia you also have many budget airline options flying regularly to Bali.

Where to stay in Bali? The answer to this question depends on your budget and what you would like to do in Bali. Bali is a huge island and the bikini and alcohol soaked beaches of the south are quite different than cool and forested mountain lakes. By far the most popular region of Bali is the south, especially Southern coastal towns and villages near Kuta.

There is a reason Kuta is quite famous. Kuta was the first place discovered in Bali as a tourist destination. Until late 1980s, only a few backpackers knew the place and Kuta was one of the 3 backpacker heaven "K"s of far east: Katmandu, Khao San Road and Kuta.

South Bali (Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbalan, Legian, Nusa Dua)
The southern coast line of Bali is the most popular tourist destination of the island. Bali is governed from Denpasar town here (which has the airport but offers almost nothing to tourists). Bali's entertainment, night life and partying center Kuta is here. Seminyak, a calmer and more expensive destination and Legian in between Kuta and Seminyak is also here (Legian caters to older tourists). Bali Denpasar Airport is also in the south.

Kuta largely caters to budget to middle level tourists. Although it is popular with almost all nations, in peak seasons Kuta is largely full of Australian youth. The city looks like a mass and is ultra chaotic but it some how works and is still very popular. The main reason for its popularity is its night life and 5 kilometer sandy beach, one of the best beaches in Bali.

Kuta is not a place to enjoy luxury Bali villa stay. Calmer and more luxury hotels and resorts are in Seminyak and Nusa Dua. Especially Seminyak is highly popular with its luxury villa resorts, luxury SPAs and calmer environment. Seminyak was just a sleepy fishing village a decade ago and now is one of the most important tourist destinations in Bali.

If you want to stay in Kuta, Seminyak or Nusa Dua, you can visit Bali Kuta hotels, Seminyak hotels and Nusa Dua hotels pages.

Bali regions map. South Bali is the most popular tourist destination in Bali and houses Kuta, Seminyak,
Legian, Nusa Dua, Denpasar ... Courtesy of WikiTravel.org.

Central Bali (Ubud, Tabanan ve Bedugul)
South Bali is a beach resort destination and Bali is quite well known for this type of holiday making. Central Bali offers a very different holiday experience. Far from the beaches and in the mountains, Central Bali is the ciultural and art center of Bali and offers a mystical, magical and cool (literally, it is in the mountains) holiday.

Ubud is probably the most famous town in Central Bali offering a Zen holiday in Bali. Made more famous by famous book and movie "Eat, Pray, Love", the place offers a cool retreat for the people living in the tropics and a cool, tropical mountain holiday for all. If you will stay in Central Bali, try staying outside major towns like Ubud and select hotels and resorts overlooking rice fields, terraced hills and majestic rainforests.

Ubud Viceroy Bali Hotel pool. In Central Bali, select hotels outside major towns and on hills overlooking forest,
terraced hills and rice fields.

In the north of Central Bali, you will find magical Bedugul offering a fantastic nature. The area is 700 - 2000 meter high above sea level and can be quite cool in the night. Even if you do not stay here, take time to rent a car with driver and spend a day trip to this fascinating area in Bali. One of the most famous symbols of Bali, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple is right next to Beratan Lake in this region.

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple Beratan Lake Bali

Southeastern Islands of Bali (Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida ve Nusa Ceningan)

Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida and Nusa Ceningan Islands are perfect  places foir divers (actually the smallest of these, Nusa Ceningan, is a better place for surfing and snorkeling than diving). These islands are 15 kilometers off Bali and offers clear waters with rich marine life and fantastic beaches.

Nusa Penida is the largest of all these islands but almost all the accomodation is on  Nusa Lembongan.

North Bali
North Bali is not as popular as the south and it is far from souths crowds. In the past, when Dutched ruled the island, north was the capital. Today Lovina in North is a popular tourist destinations for budget and mid-level accomodation seekers also looking for a calm place to relax and find bargain prices to stay.