Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and there is no debate as to why. The Indonesian island is home to some of the most stunning white sand beaches, massive waterfalls, and kind-hearted people. Although there is much more to see in Indonesia, if you’re only able to make it to Bali, here is a loose itinerary for you!
Transportation Options
Shuttle/Taxi: Shuttles organized by your accommodation tend to be the easiest method of transportation in Bali. When you organize through your accommodation, the ride will usually be a flat rate while taxis will oftentimes have meters. Another resource for booking shuttles is 12Go.asia!
Grab or Gojek: These are the Ubers of Southeast Asia and very trustworthy. They can often be cheaper than taxis or shuttles depending on where you are heading. These are also good for shorter distances if you don’t want to rent a motorbike for yourself.
Motorbike Rental: Motorbike rentals are quite cheap and good options for day trips. They often cost about 150,000 IDR ($10 USD) for a single day. If you’re keeping one for several days, you can usually get a smaller price.
When to Go
Bali has a tropical climate year-round with their dry season being between April and October and their wet season being between November and March. It is definitely best to go during the dry season for better weather, but any time of year will be nice and warm!
Denpasar
If you are flying into Bali, you will most likely land in Denpasar. Denpasar is not very popular for tourists and can be a bit overwhelming with people and traffic. Not many people stay in the city long, but there’s definitely things to see and do if you decide to stay for a bit longer than the average traveler.
Things to do: Denpasar is home to various museums and monuments, including the Bali Museum or the Bajra Sandhi Monument. There are also a variety of markets and cafes to explore as it is Bali’s largest city.
Getting Around: I mainly stuck with hostel-organized shuttles as the price was always agreed upon beforehand and there was a slim chance of any scams occurring. Grabs and Gojeks are widely available in Denpasar as well.
Recommended Length: 1 day
Recommended Budget: $20 per day
Where to Stay:
- Ratih Bali Hostel – $13 USD
- Serangan Turtle Island Homestay – $10 USD
Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is absolute paradise. Many people take a 1-2 day tour to the island, but I do not recommend this. I stayed on the island and rented a motor bike so I could explore at my own pace, making my experience of the island a million times better.
Things to do: Where to even begin? Between stunning beaches, insane cliffsides, snorkeling with manta rays, yummy warungs, and kind hearted people, this is my favorite Balinese destination. The other Nusa Islands have a variety of snorkeling experiences and beaches too, but Nusa Penida is the most famous of the three.
Find more things to do in my blog post about Nusa Penida HERE
Getting Around: You will want to rent a motor bike on this island. The roads are slim and private shuttles can get expensive after a while, so take this time to practice your motor biking skills! Some paths can be a little bumpy or treacherous so really gage your abilities and stay safe wherever you decide to go.
Getting to Nusa Penida is quite easy. There are fast boats that regularly leave from Sanur Harbor that you can organize at the port or with your accommodation beforehand.
Recommended Length: 3-4 days
Recommended Budget: $25 USD per day
Where to Stay:
- Bagia Bungalows – $32 USD per night for a private bungalow (note: this is where I stayed and the owner/workers are the kindest people ever! I found this spot on Air BnB HERE. Prices do vary but for a private bungalow in Bali, this is very affordable!)
- Lushy Hostel Nusa Penida – $12 USD per night
Canggu
Canggu is a tourist hot spot, but for good reasons! Home to the partiers and holistic folks alike, this beach town is the ultimate vacation destination. You honestly can’t miss this spot in Bali!
Things to do: Jump headfirst into whatever lifestyle suits you best! Take yoga classes morning, noon, and night, eat smoothie bowls, take a surfing lesson, and shop or head to the many beach clubs for some “light” day drinking, or at least enough to make tacos & tattoos sound like a good idea!
Find more things to do in my blog post about Canggu HERE
Getting Around: This is the spot to use Grab or Gojek, ESPECIALLY if you are partying away. Canggu is traffic central and can be overwhelming for motor bike newbies. I found it manageable, so if you’re looking to rent a motor bike for freedom’s sake, then go for it, but please please do not drink and drive!
Recommended Length: 3-5 days
Recommended Budget: $35-40 USD per day
Where to Stay:
- The Tipsy Gypsy Hostel – $12 USD
- The Farm Hostel – $13 USD
- Castaway Hostel – $10 USD
Ubud
Ubud is worth the majority of your time in Bali. Centrally located, it is the perfect spot for jumping into various day trips or simply enjoying the city itself. Ubud is surrounded by stunning scenery from jungle, to farmland, to giant waterfalls, it’s seriously impossible not to have a good time here.
Things to do: Within Ubud are a ton of delicious restaurants, massage spas, and shops. There are several museums to check out and the Sacred Monkey Forest is something you cannot miss. Get out of Ubud for some day trips like a sunrise hike up Mount Batur, waterfall/temple chasing, and wandering through beautiful rice terraces.
Find more things to do in my blog post about Ubud HERE
Getting Around: You can go for a Grab or Gojek ride here, but I definitely recommend simply renting your own motor bike. Once out of the city, there is very little traffic to worry about and the roads are easy for beginners. You can hire a private tour guide if you would like (this is a must for hiking Mount Batur), but that can get expensive after a while.
Recommended Length: 5-7 days
Recommended Budget: $40 USD per day
Where to Stay:
- bamboo Ubud Hostel – $8 USD
- WW Backpackers – $8 USD
- Bali Bamboo Jungle Huts and Hostel – $9 USD (note: this is outside of Ubud, which is something I wouldn’t recommend but this place is sick, you will spend more money on transportation by staying here keep in mind)
Uluwatu
To be utterly transparent, I did not do much in Uluwatu other than eat the amazing food shown above and go to the beach. But, it is definitely worth a stop, if not simply as an alternative to staying in Denpasar before flying out of Bali. Uluwatu is known to be on the more luxurious side of things, but there are definitely activities for everyone here.
Things to do: There are some insane restaurants and beaches to enjoy in Uluwatu. Pick up a surf board or roam the streets and you’re bound to find something that piques your interest. The Loft is where I got the yummy food above, but there’s also Shaka Tacos, The Mango Tree Cafe, and the Banana Lounge to check out. Take a day trip to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park or to the luxury Pyramid Spa.
Getting Around: Uluwatu is quite spread out in spots so it is nice to rent a motor bike to get from one place to another. Grab, Gojek and shuttles are available as well.
Recommended Length: 2 days
Recommended Budget: $40 USD per day
Where to Stay:
- Karma Backpacker – $19 USD
More!
This Itinerary hits all of Bali’s tourist hotspots, however, there is so much more to see and do than just these places. If you have extra time, try to see more temples in Eastern Bali or explore more of the waterfalls in Northern Bali! Hopefully I’ll end up back on the island eventually and get to experience even more of this fun filled, bucket list destination!
AND if you have even more time… see more of Indonesia too! The Gili Islands are a quick Fastboat ride from Bali, you can do a four day tour from Lombok to Komodo Island, hike volcanoes and waterfalls in Java, or ride horses on Sumba. There is so much more to Indonesia than just Bali, and one day it’ll all be right in this blog!
Other Tips
- Talk to your accommodation! If you’re going to be late, if you need transportation, if you have questions, do not hesitate to contact your accommodation owners or hosts. Their job is to help confused tourists and they are good at it! Travel days will honestly feel like a breeze if you just communicate with your accommodation to get you there.
- Eat at local warungs. I know it’s easy to go for what you know, but local Indonesian warungs (restaurants) are going to be the cheapest meals you find. Western food is often more expensive so if you’re on a tight budget, find some delicious Indonesian buffets!
- Talk to Balinese locals. Balinese people are some of the kindest people I have ever interacted with. They are so willing to give recommendations, help you get where you’re going, or even show you amazing parts of their own lives!
- Have Fun!
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