In Reply to: Ubud day trip - how much? posted by Capacious on Sunday, 24. April 2011 at 11:14 Bali Time:
all of the posts below are from local boys who have latched on to this forum to promote themselves and their tour guide services. They are masquerading as forumites with supposedly good info on tour guides and are trying to drum up business.
Ignore them.
Not because they're not good tour guides, but because they're not allowed to do that here and you'll only encourage them if you reply.
It is perfectly acceptable to hire the services of a tour guide/driver from outside the front of your hotel. In fact, it's the best way.
They will invariably be cheaper than anything booked through your hotel depending on your bargaining skills of course, and if you're happy with him as a tour guide, he's not hard to find if you want to do some more tours (usually for the same price).
Don't pay any more than Rp250,000 for a half day tour (up to 5 hours) and Rp450,000 for a full day tour (up to 10 hours)
Always negotiate (and agree on) the price before you set off. Agree on how long you want to drive around for and what sights you want to take in. Try not to let him talk you into going to his cousins/friends shop for the 'best prices in town'.
Remember, DO NOT pay him any money upfront.
All drivers should be happy to be paid at the end of the tour and you should be wary if they want any payment beforehand.
Finally, all drivers will have their business card sitting somewhere in the centre console.
At the first opportunity, write his car rego number down on the back of his card, just in case.
Hope this helps.