Nusa Penida – Nusa Garden Bungalow: Balinese Style Bungalow At A Cheap Price

Booking accommodation in a hurry is a bad idea.  

I was looking for accommodation in Nusa Penida for a night, mainly intended to base myself as close to the places of interest as possible. I shortlisted my options to several hotels, with several budget ones and several pretty ones (but slightly more expensive). While discussing with Terry over the phone on which one to book, the distance to the places we intended to visit was forgotten and I finally booked the cheapest one in my shortlist – Nusa Garden Bungalow. This was where I screwed up, because it’s located at the northeastern side of the island but the area we were going to focus on are in the western side of the island.

Main entrance

Entrance to the bungalows

Unfortunately, payment was made already made upon booking (this is the only one requiring payment upon booking) and cancellation is not allowed. However, this place isn’t too far away from the attractions on the east such as Atuh Beach (which we planned to visit if we had enough time) and after all, the island is huge, so it doesn’t really make a big difference if we were to cover the places in both east and west. Unfortunately, we didn’t manage to cover Atuh Beach and Pulau Seribu on the east side of Nusa Penida. For all of you who are only concentrating on the main attractions on the west of Nusa Penida – Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach and Angel’s Billabong, Crystal Bay, and Banah Cliff.

Except this one bungalow which is right next to the main entrance

Similar to Bungalow No. 7, Nusa Garden Bungalow also has a tropical garden within its compound. The front door is a Balinese-style gate which resembles the one we can find in Balinese temples. There is however no swimming pool. The rooms here also don’t have air-conditioning, but if fitted with fan and mosquito net. For only RP 45,000 more, I’d say Bungalow No. 7 is a better deal as it comes with a pool and air-conditioning. The room is also more spacious. The bathroom here in Nusa Garden however, is far cleaner than the former.

The cheapest bungalow of the entire premise but was already booked during our stay

Like Bungalow No. 7, Nusa Garden Bungalow also provides the following services though we did not take any of them:

1. Boat transfers

2. Scooter rental

3. Snorkelling packages

4. Diving packages

5. Island tour

6. Motor taxi service

7. Laundry service

A small temple/shrine next to it

We took the 12.30pm boat from Nusa Lembongan and reached Toya Pakeh beach around 12.45pm. From there, we rented a scooter for RP 80,000 a day and rode 20 minutes to Nusa Garden Bungalow for check-in. After a quick shower, we then headed out to Kelingking Beach. Lombok was having their third earthquake that day, and while in the shower, I noticed myself shaking along with the bungalow. If this is what I could felt in Nusa Penida, I couldn’t imagine how it is for the people of Lombok. I heard that the damage at Lombok was really bad where many people lost their homes. Hopefully, things would get better soon. *fingers crossed*

Reception area

Room Rates

We paid SGD29 / RM86 / RP 305,000 per night for a bungalow for 2 persons. Breakfast not included. 

This bungalow is less than RM50 per night

How to get there

Nusa Garden Bungalow is about 20 minutes away from Toya Pakeh beach, on the northeastern side of the island. From the hotel, it is 1 hour ride to Kelingking Beach and Broken Beach, 40 minutes to Crystal Bay and 1 hour to Atuh Beach. 

If you’re travelling over from Nusa Ceningan / Nusa Lembongan, you’ll most likely arrive at Toya Pakeh beach in Nusa Penida. If you are travelling from Bali, you’ll most probably arrive at Toya Pakeh harbour which is several hundred meters away. From either locations or anyway in the island, you can rent a scooter for around RP 80,000 per day. Coming in a big group? You can also hire a driver to drive you around for about RP 500,000 to RP 600,000. Staying in Bali but still want to do a day trip to Nusa Penida? Fret not, as there are also tour package available which includes return speedboat to Nusa Penida, driver and guide as well as hotel pick up and drop off. This can be easily arranged through your hotel in Bali. 

Even though Nusa Penida is huge, the roads are generally narrow and rocky, making the journey by car not any much faster than riding a scooter. Every attractions on the island is 40-60 minutes away, but exploring the island with a scooter would still be my most recommended option.

Click HERE for A Complete Guide To Planning Your Trip to Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Penida.

Epilogue

Nusa Garden Bungalow isn’t the most value for money hotel you can find in Nusa Penida. The cheap price comes with a cost of not getting air-conditioner and a rather small and run-down property. There are plenty of other accommodations around the area as it is near the town area where you can find convenience stalls, atms, restaurants and local warungs. Good luck hunting for a good deal!