Shop ‘til you drop!
Amongst the many attractions to be found in Bali is the shopping. There is so much to choose from for the discerning shopper and the bargain hunter there is much to be found. Shopping in Bali is extremely varied and it is impossible to come away empty handed! There is so much to be found from antiques to cheap souvenirs to take home for family and friends.
The craftsmanship of the Balinese is unsurpassed, as many crafts are handed down from generation to generation and preserved in wood and stone.
Places to shop are Kuta, Legian, Seminyak and the artistic centres of Ubud and Galanan. And expect to bargain, stalls at the side of the road will give you a price and stall keepers will expect you to haggle with them until you both find a ‘happy’ price.
Art: Ubud is named as the cultural centre of Bali where you will find beautiful artwork and carvings at prices that are tempting and affordable. Local artists are talented, and will be happy to paint a portrait from a picture and ship it to your home address.
We have an Ubud tour in each Women’s Retreat package where you can enjoy browsing the many interesting stores, shops and market places on offer. Each area offers it’s own unique mode of shopping, whether you want to enjoy feasting your eyes on the exotic items on display, take home souvenirs or buy something memorable to remind you of your trip, there is something to suit everybody’s taste.
Clothes: there is so much to choose from in Bali that it is difficult to know where to start. Try bargain shopping at the many beach front and roadside market shops where they stock everything from uniquely fashionable Bali designs to well known brand labels. Or perhaps try something a little more personalized and visit one of the many tailors who will make your chosen outfit to measure.
Places to Shop
Denpasar is the capital of Bali and like cities around the World it is busy and teeming with activity. There are many shopping activities to choose from in Denpasar, from the local market where you can watch and enjoy the local’s shopping, to the gold market where it is possible to get cut price gold jewelry. Sulewesi street has fantastic bargains for fabric shopping. It is possible to pick up cotton batik, or beautiful silks from India and woven locally.
Kuta is geared for tourists and the shops and markets are filled to the brim with clothes, carvings, handbags and leather items and even furniture, and, of course, many bargains.
Celak is the meka that people, tourists, locals and jewelry designers, go to buy silver. It is possible to buy silver in all its forms such as ready made jewelry, silver cutlery and ornaments, or the pieces to make your own designs. Jewelers here are extremely talented, and if you have had a particular design or dream piece of jewelry that you would love to own, then Celak is the place to go in order to have the piece made at a bargain price.
Legian and Seminyak are the main shopping areas in Bali where it is possible to buy anything you are looking for, from furniture, to clothes, lampshades, shoes – too much to describe. It is possible to bargain in Seminyak and Legian, but most shops are fixed price, although often you can find bargains here. It is a colorful and interesting shopping place, scattered with restaurants and cafes where you can stop, take the strain from your feet and watch Bali go by!
