Nusa Penida
Currency
Nusa Penida has the Indonesian Rupiah (RP or IDR) just like the rest of Indonesia. 1 Euro is equal to 17,000 IDR and 1 US Dollar is equal to 14,500 IDR. ATMs are limited on the island so bringing cash is advisable.
Weather
The weather in Nusa Penida is hot and dry from April to October and rainy from November to March. You’ll encounter fewer tourists on the island during this time.
Language
Both the Balinese and Indonesian languages are spoken on Nusa Penida and English is wide-spread in tourist areas. Nusa Penida also has its own distinct dialect which can almost be considered its own language.
Quick Facts
Nusa Penida used to be just another island off the coast of Bali, but it seemingly exploded with tourism over the last few years. Nusa Penida is known as an Instagram-island as much of its fame came from iconic spots like Kelingking Beach or Diamond Beach which were often featured in viral photos. The island’s infrastructure, however, hasn’t had time to catch up to the crowds of tourists that no visit every day. The road system is disastrous and it takes a long time to get from one end of the island to the other despite the fact that it’s quite small. Nusa Penida will definitely change a lot in the coming years with new construction popping up everywhere. It’s highly recommended to see it sooner rather than later.
When to go
The best time to visit Nusa Penida is during the dry season which ranges from April to October. The months of June and July are by far the best choice for warm and dry weather although it can get quite hot on the island during mid-day. This is the most popular time for tourism meaning the attractions in Nusa Penida will be very crowded. If you’re visiting during these months, definitely come early to get the best possible experience. The rainy season from November to March is far quieter but the weather won’t be as good. It rains quite often during this time and the sky will frequently be overcast. While it’ll still be hot and humid you won’t have to worry so much about the sun and prices tend to be cheaper on the island.
Where to stay
Large stretches of Nusa Penida are uninhabited and you should definitely stick to the north of the island when you’re looking for a place to stay. Always pick a hotel or hostel close to the coast so you’ll be within walking distance of restaurants and small shops. There is no public transport on the island and if you don’t have a scooter you’ll have trouble getting to places. The beach on this coast is quite beautiful so you’ll want to be close by. The further inland you go the less things there are to do so don’t fall for affordable prices. Try to find somewhere close to either Banjar Nyuh or Toya Pakeh Harbour which is where you’ll find a decent selection of restaurants and bars. Close to Kutampi Beach is another good choice. Try to avoid staying in the western or eastern parts of Nusa Penida unless you’re staying at a special hotel like the Rumah Pohon Treehouse which can be an incredible experience for a night.
How to get around
Nusa Penida’s road system is disastrous although it’s being improved gradually. Most roads are single-lane, and some are unpaved. The island is very mountainous, so the roads are steep and winding. A wide range of inexperienced tourists on scooters and local drivers who like to drive fast populate the island, so traffic accidents are common. Only rent a scooter in Nusa Penida if you’re highly experienced and comfortable riding it. It can be dangerous to drive here so a much safer option is to hire a driver for the day. This is decently affordable and will get you where you need to go comfortably.
How long should you stay in Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida may not be the largest island but it takes a long time to get from one place to another. We’d recommend that you spend at least three days here as an absolute minimum. A lot of tourists visit Nusa Penida on a day-trip from Bali but that means you’ll only see a handful of places and most likely during mid-day when the crowds are the worst. Spending three to five days here is a much better choice and will let you truly enjoy the island.
Top Things to do
Diamond Beach
Kelingking Beach
Tembeling Beach and Pools
Rumah Pohon Treehouse
Goa Giri Putri Cave
Broken Beach
Angel’s Billabong
Thousand Island Viewpoint
Atuh Beach
Crystal Bay
Hi, I'm Victoria
Welcome to Guide your Travel – a blog about South East Asia and how to travel on a budget.
I’m a blogger, writer and photographer and love to introduce my favourite destinations to others and encourage them to see the world.
I’m originally from Germany but spent four years living in the UK, quite a bit of time in Spain and Malaysia, and am now travelling full time with a home base in Bali, Indonesia.
