December 7 - 14, 2024
SoulShine Bali Yoga Retreat
Retreat FAQs
VISA on Arrival (VoA) / Electronic VISA on Arrival (E-VoA)
We all need a VISA to enter Bali. If you do hold a passport of ASEAN countries and Columbia, you will be exempt.
VoA can be done at the airport. Read the signs carefully so that you don't accidentally line up in the wrong place and then get turned around to line up at the other. You have to pay for your VoA first at the VoA counter. There have been times that the credit card machine doesn't work and thankfully I had cash on hand to pay. So be sure that you either have IDR or USD on hand. Otherwise, you will be sent to the money changers to exchange money first which is another line-up and an added fee.
E-VoA is newer and I have never done this before. I have to research this a bit more but know that it only requires 3-5 business days before arrival. The E-VoA will also allow you to bypass the big lines and you go straight to the E-Gates to scan your passport and clear immigration in 2-5 minutes. I will send an email with more details once I research and double check the websites to apply for the E-VoA as there are lots of scam websites too.
Do I need certain vaccines to enter Bali?
What time should I arrive to Soulshine?
You are free to arrive at any time December 7 but if you come before 3:00pm, please know that if your room had people in it from the previous retreat, that it might not be ready yet. However, you are welcome to grab your swim suit and splash around in the pool, you can inquire if there are spa treatments available when you arrive, and you can also order off the menu for snacks or a meal.
Our retreat officially begins at Check in time, which starts at 3:00pm and most rooms will be available at that time to go in.
But sometimes, there could be delays as the previous retreat will be checking out at 11:00am and if there are stragglers in their rooms, it delays the SoulShine team from flipping the room. Thank you in advance for your patience as the SoulShine team works really hard all the time.
How do I get to SoulShine?
Soulshine has drivers on hand and you can request a driver any time. This is the most pricey option but easy to organize. They can pick you up from the airport or anywhere you might be on the island and transport you directly to Soulshine.
Grab and Gojek are two apps that are the equivalent of Uber / Lyft. It is safe, and the cheapest option as your ride is tracked just like our ride share apps in North America. If you have lots of baggage, you can hire a car (and I'd defintiely encourage that option over a scooter with your bags).
I have some other drivers that I have used in the past and would be happy to share their information as well.
I'm arriving early / staying on, where should I stay?
When you land into Denpensar (DPS) airport, please note that Ubud is ~33km away. But depending on traffic, getting into Ubud can be anywhere from 45 minutes to 2 hours during rush hour.
Generally, the first day in Bali and the last day in Bali, I stay in Kuta / Seminyak area as this is only 10-15 minutes away from the airport. Which makes it nice to land, drop your bags, shower, and go find something to eat and watch a sunset. I also like being close to the airport when it's time to fly out so that I don't have to worry about the traffic getting to the airport... and I never miss eating at Mamasan when I'm in Bali.
If you hire a driver, they will know what time you should leave to get to the airport.
Should I bring Indonesia Rupiah (IDR) cash? How much?
Smaller shops and the market will accept cash only.
I would recommend having ~$100 - $200 worth of IDR to go to Bali.
Depending on how many souvinirs or gifts you'd like to bring home.
Should I bring a yoga mat?
SoulShine Bali is fully stocked with yoga mats, yoga mat cleaner, bolsters, straps, and blocks.
If you prefer to use your own mat, you are welcome to bring it. But if you're ok with using public mats, then you can save some room in your luggage and use the ones at SoulShine. ◡̈
Is there laundry service?
Yes, SoulShine offers laundry at a price. They charge according to the item (pants, bra, shirt, undergarments). This is convenient but can get pricey. But they really go all out and everything will be washed, pressed, and folded and left on your bed by the SoulShine team. I don't recall the price list but do remember it was about $15-20 USD for a bag of laundry.
There are also local Balinese laundry services close to SoulShine as well or just a scooter ride away that will charge much less, closer to $5 CAD.
I usually pack some laundry detergent with my liquids and just do hand washing during the week and then a load properly laundered before I continue onwards in travel.
What's the schedule like?
Above all else, this is still your vacation time and you are welcome, invited, and cherished in every offering but you’re welcome to have a sleep in, head out for adventures, etc…
In the morning, the SoulShine team will have tea / coffee at the ready for all of you and some cut fruit for you to have before morning practice.
The exact times are tentative and if the group decides earlier or later, I am happy to accommodate.
Every day, morning practice will go from 0800-0930. The breakfast buffet will be ready for all of us right after practice.
And then essentially it’s free time!
- go into Ubud town centre
- Go explore Monkey Forest
- Hang out in the pool (retreat participants do not have to pay for the cabanas)
- Journal, reflect, walk, and be quietude around SoulShine grounds
- Book a spa treatment or a whole day (4-handed massages are my fave)
- Take a day trip to other towns / sites (ex. Sunrise on Mount Agung hike, Canggu, other temple complexes, the famous Bali rice fields)
Peppered here and there will be 1 hr afternoon workshops. Gods & Goddesses, hand balancing, and a hand stand building workshop by circus artist and performer, Renée Mak.
These afternoon workshops are largely dependent on weather because the Water Temple outing will be on a nice sunny day and will be scheduled when we have a better idea of the forecast but also everybody’s availability. If a bunch of you are going on a day trip, we’ll organize so the majority of those interested can attend.
Dinner will be at 6:00pm but waiting on confirmation from Soulshine.
Dreamy yin under the stars will also be peppered in after dinner with bolsters and story time.
Do we have time to explore?
Absolutely.
Once we arrive and conversations start flowing, some of you might want to go in on hiring a driver to take you to other parts of the island or excursions (ie. Rafting).
Every single day, there's free time for you. ◡̈
Remember, this is your vacation too!
Do we have internet access?
The Wi-Fi all over Soulshine with some areas stronger than others because of their proximity to the routers. These areas are generally where most of the public will congregate and gather.
Strong and good Wi-Fi in the town is pretty common in most of the larger cafés and restaurants.You just have to ask for their password.
Can I use my debit card / credit cards?
Larger shops and restaurants will take cards but smaller shops and restaurants wil not have the capacity to accept cards. Having IDR or USD is handy. Canadian dollars aren't generally accepted but you can use CAD at money changers all over Bali. ** Be careful and research before you get there how much IDR you should be recieving and count your money before you leave. Sometimes, they'll try to short you some IDR and because the denominations are so big it's easy to get confused. ($1 CAD = 11,348.59 IDR).
There are about 5 ATMs in Ubud if you want to pull money out of your bank account but I have to warn you about card skimmers. Every time (literally 100% of the time), I have used my card in an ATM in Ubud, my card gets skimmed. North American cards are generally quite good at stopping illegal withdrawals by texting you to ask if you are currently trying to take out "x" amount but the hassle is if it's not you, sometimes they will cancel the card and you will need to wait for a new one. They've never been successful in running any transactions or taking money out of my account, but my cards have definitely been voided.
Is it safe?
I have been to Bali almost 15 times and have never questioned my safety.
But with all travel, it's important to have your wits sharp and to notice your surroundings and to keep careful watch of your bags when you're sat at a restaurant or cafe for pickpocketers. I have never personally heard of any retreat clients getting pickpocketed.
Additionally with traveling, to be aware that you're taking official taxis, or hiring Grab/Gojek drivers (which are tracked in the app just like Uber / Lyft), and not to accept rides from unmarked cars and freelance drivers (especially at night).
Will my phone work?
Yes.
Please be mindful of the roaming charges your phone provider might charge you for using your cellphone abroad. Usually this is an additional ~$15/day but that will add up over the week. If you do not want to roam, be sure to toggle OFF the roaming option on your cellphone.
I suggest that everybody migrate over to using WhatsApp during their time abroad so that when you text iphones / androids, that you'll be using wifi or a data package that you purchased through an app like Nomad or Airalo. One time, I did have roaming disabled but was texting an android number abroad using regular messaging app and my laptop messaging, and they tried to charge me an additional $120 because I was "roaming". WhatsApp will negate all of that confusion. Plus, it's what most Balinese people use (drivers, guides, healers, etc...) and if you need to get in touch with SoulShine's team for emergencies or help booking things, it's a WhatsApp numer.
Should I hire a driver?
It really depends on what your needs are and your comfortability.
If you are doing a day trip to other parts of the island, then a driver is the best bet because they charge a flat rate for a day. The driver culture in Bali is that they will drive you to where you want to go (sites, excursions, activities, dinner, lunch, etc...), and they wait in the parking lot with other drivers for you to finish. And then they can take you to another location, and again will wait for you.
Even though paying the flat rate will be enough, tips are highly appreciated as average salaries are about $800-$1000/month.
