Elephant Park & Waterbom Park
We had no idea that Bali has 2 Elephant Parks!!! So I apologise to anyone I have given information to about them – assuming that they would visit the same one.
On our last trip we visited the Bali Adventure Tour Elephant Park – situated north of Ubud. This was a first class facility and featured amazing grounds and a museum with a full mammoth skeleton. I know we paid a lot for entry and a ride – but felt that it was worth every cent.
This time we went to Balinese run park – called Bakas. They also have white water rafting their too. It is about an hour from Kuta – so much closer. Cost was $40US child $50US adult including transport, ride and lunch. We seemed to get a cheaper rate as it was arranged through our hotel, people arriving there independently seemed to being charged more.
In comparison to the adventure tour park – it was a great dissapointment. The grounds were ramshackled, they had run out of bamboo shoots so we couldn't feed our elephant, the food looked liked an open invitation for Bali Belly. Our elephant was nice but I definitely found the experience a poor comparison to the other establishment.
Waterbom Park is an ongoing favorite of my kids. $50US for a family pass and then once inside you can by an extra day for $5.50US adult and $3 child. We went back twice. They appear to be building more features and slides.
On our third visit, it was my daughter's birthday. We reserved a pool side cabana complete with birthday balloons. I found that the Balinese businesses are very accommodating for celebrations. We also did the bungy which was 35 000Rp for children for about 10 minutes. I did it too.... And wondered why the next day by tummy muscles were stiff and sore. Far too many backflips I think!!! Glad no one had video camera about!!
For those who haven't been. You can hire towels and lockers, however, we always bring our own towels. The stairs are a killer to the slides – but as I lost 2 kilos on this trip – it's a great form of exercise. Drinks are pretty expensive inside and you cant bring any food or drink in, but you can buy corn on the cob for 5000Rp which was my youngest daughter's favourite snack while in Bali. We also tried the pizza and calamari – which were both delicious.
They take candid shots and sell them for 20 000Rp on the way out, they are a great souvenir if you can get one.