As a solo female traveller, I was initially nervous about staying here because there seemed to be no other guests. But the hotel staff were very friendly and attentive, they helped me feel comfortable and make the most of my stay. The rooms were comfortable and spacious, and while the pool was cold (understandable because it was low season), I still enjoyed my swim.
I had trouble accessing the Shankara website and I also was unable to call them, so let me help you plan your trip:
- Don't book any activities ahead of your arrival, the staff will help you plan your excursions with a local guide/driver, and these services will be much more affordable than the ones you book ahead online (those ones are expensive because they cover transfers to and from the south/centre of the island)
- Bring cash!!! Shankara only do transactions in cash - that means you pay your local, your driver (if you're going out to dinner) and any entry fees to waterfalls all in cash. It's very expensive to get cash out at the ATMs in Munduk (and hard to find functioning ATMs), so be prepared. In low season, it's about 30,000IDR to get a driver to take you to one of the local restaurants and back (not very affordable for solo travellers), approx 500,000IDR for activities with local guide (not including food/entry fees), and approx 650,000IDR for return transfer out of Munduk with a local guide you may spend 100,000-200,000IDR per person per meal within the hotel
- Grab/Gojek are not available in Munduk
