I remember helping a family from Australia last month — two parents and their teenage kids — who landed on Nusa Penida with only a phrasebook and big smiles. They wanted cheap local food, scooter days, and to connect with locals without getting ripped off. By the third day they were ordering warung nasi campur confidently, negotiating a scooter price with Pak Made, and laughing with Bu Sari over pronunciation at a sunset warung. This guide is the practical, budget-focused Bahasa Indonesia course I taught them on the island — the exact phrases, timings, GPS points, prices and insider tricks that saved them money and made their trip genuinely local.

Why learn basic Bahasa Indonesia for Nusa Penida (budget reasons)

On Nusa Penida, English is common in tourist hubs, but most bargains, best warung meals, and last-minute local deals happen when you speak just a little Bahasa. Saying simple things like "Berapa?" (How much?) or "Nasi bungkus, ya" (Wrap the rice to go) can save IDR 20,000–50,000 ($1.50–$3.50) per transaction — and open doors to cheaper homestays and local rides with Pak Made or Bu Sari. For the family I helped, this knocked about IDR 600,000 (~$40) off their week’s budget simply by avoiding tourist markup.

How I structured the family's crash course (step-by-step)

Day 1: Essentials at the harbor

• Meet at Toya Pakeh Harbor (GPS: -8.7090, 115.4870) when their speedboat arrived at 09:30. I taught greetings and numbers en route to their guesthouse.
• Key phrases: "Halo" (HAH-lo), "Terima kasih" (teh-REE-mah KAH-see), "Tolong" (TOH-long) — practice until comfortable.
• Tip: buy a SIM at Toya Pakeh kiosk — IDR 50,000 (~$3.50) for 10 GB (prepaid Telkomsel XL options vary). I showed them the kiosk at the harbor (open 07:00–19:00).

Day 2: Warung bargaining and ordering food

• We visited Warung Sunrise (GPS: -8.7372, 115.4705, open 07:00–21:00). I taught them "Berapa harganya?" (How much is it?) and "Tanpa MSG, ya" (No MSG please).
• Saved money: choose nasi campur (IDR 20,000–30,000 ≈ $1.50–$2.00) vs restaurant meals IDR 70,000+.

Key phrases to learn (with pronunciation)

• Halo — HAH-lo (Hello)
• Selamat pagi — seh-LA-mat PA-gee (Good morning)
• Terima kasih — teh-REE-mah KAH-see (Thank you)
• Berapa harganya? — BEH-rah-pah HAR-gah-nya (How much?)
• Boleh saya coba? — BOH-leh SA-yah CHO-bah (Can I try / taste?)
• Nasi bungkus, ya — NA-see BOONG-koos, yah (Rice to go please)
• Di mana ATM / Puskesmas? — dee MAH-nah ATM / POOS-kes-mahs? (Where is the ATM / health clinic?)
• Hati-hati — HA-tee HA-tee (Be careful)

Where to practice: cheap, real places I recommend

• Warung Sunrise (breakfast and cheap dinner): GPS -8.7372, 115.4705. Meals IDR 20k–40k (US$1.50–$3).
• Bu Sari’s Bahasa pop-up classes — small group slots 09:00 & 16:00 weekdays, IDR 75,000 (~$5) per person for 60 minutes; meeting point Warung Sunrise. Book in person or message Bu Sari on WhatsApp (I introduced the family, she’s very flexible).
• Pak Made’s Scooter Rental — near Sampalan Harbor (GPS: -8.7270, 115.4350). Prices: IDR 70,000/day (manual) or IDR 120,000/day (automatic) (~$4.50/$8). Helmets included but check condition.
• Cheap homestay: Penginapan Pak Made — basic double IDR 250,000/night (~$17) including breakfast; family room if available IDR 400,000 (~$27). Book locally for best price; online markups are common.

Price comparison (language practice options)

Option	Typical Cost (IDR)	USD Approx	Pros	Cons
Practice at warungs (free)	Pay for food (IDR 20k–50k)	$1.50–$3.50	Authentic, free immersion	Slow learning curve
Bu Sari pop-up class	IDR 75,000	$5	Quick, local-focused	Limited slots
Private tutor (2 hours)	IDR 200,000	$13–$14	Personalized, fast	More expensive

Timing and seasonal notes

• Low season (Jan–Mar): quieter, better chances to haggle small prices, tutors more available. Ferry cancellations increase in heavy rain — always have a buffer day.
• High season (Jul–Aug, Dec): book scooter and homestays 2–7 days ahead. The Australian family arrived in May (shoulder season) and found great mid-week deals.
• Daily schedule I recommend: language practice at breakfast (07:00–09:00), short class or warung phrases midday (11:00–13:00), market bargaining practice late afternoon (15:00–17:00) around Sampalan fish market.

Insider tips that save money and time

• Always start bargaining with 20% less than the first price — friendly tone works. When Pak Made quoted IDR 100k for a scooter pickup, I told the family to offer IDR 80k and the driver accepted IDR 85k.
• Bring exact cash in small notes. Many warungs don’t have change for IDR 100,000 notes. Carry IDR 20k, 10k notes.
• Learn "nasi bungkus" and "minta bungkus" (ask to pack food to go) — cheaper than restaurants at night and helpful for long scooter days.
• Free Wi‑fi spots: Warung Sunrise and some homestays — download offline maps and phrase lists before heading to remote beaches like Atuh.

Safety warnings and real incidents I've seen

I witnessed two scooter crashes last year caused by gravel on the Atuh Road descent (GPS: -8.8020, 115.5230). Always say "Hati-hati di jalan" (be careful on the road) and check tires/ brakes. Wear a helmet — the fines are low but injuries are not. If you need urgent help: Indonesian emergency 112, police 110, ambulance 119. The nearest community clinic is Puskesmas Sampalan (GPS: -8.7273, 115.4347); keep a physical address in Bahasa to show drivers: "Puskesmas Sampalan, Jalan Pelabuhan Sampalan."

Cultural etiquette you must know

• Use "Pak" (for men) and "Bu" (for women) before names — e.g., "Pak Made" — it's polite and opens warm conversation.
• When entering a warung or home: remove shoes if asked. Say "Permisi" (may I come in) and "Terima kasih" on leaving.
• Don’t point with one finger — use your whole hand. Dress modestly when visiting local temples; sarongs are available near many sites for around IDR 20,000.

Photography & Instagram tips while practicing language

• Golden hour at Kelingking viewpoint (GPS: -8.7343, 115.4452) is 17:30–18:15 in dry season. Use interaction: ask a local "Boleh foto di sini?" (Can I take a photo here?) — they often offer better angles.
• Ask permission before photographing people; a quick "Boleh foto?" warms them up and often earns a smile or posed shot.
• Battery charging in homestays: ask "Boleh charge HP di sini?" Some warungs charge IDR 5k–10k per charge — agree upfront.

Troubleshooting common problems

• Ferry cancellations: ask staff to text you or use WhatsApp groups. If canceled, get a refund at counter or rebook for next morning; I helped the family catch a 08:00 reschedule and arranged cheap homestay for IDR 200k night.
• No ATM nearby: Sampalan has one ATM near the harbor (usually limited cash). Bring IDR 500k–1,000k in cash for four people for 3 days on a tight budget.

Conclusion — what I recommend for budget travelers

Spend two full days learning and practicing these basics — one day immersive (warungs, markets) and one day with a local teacher (Bu Sari or a private tutor). Start small: memorize five phrases and numbers 1–20, then build. For budget travelers like the Australian family I helped, this approach saved money, created authentic connections (they were invited to a mini-family dinner by Pak Made), and made for the best photos and stories. Nusa Penida rewards curiosity and humility — a few words in Bahasa go a very long way.

Quick checklist to bring: small IDR notes (10k, 20k), portable charger, helmet (if you prefer your own), offline phrase list, and a reusable bottle. If you want, message me beforehand and I’ll introduce you to Bu Sari or Pak Made if they’re available — locals love teaching visitors who try.