Bali, Indonesia
Bali was a place that was on my bucket list for so long. I had a week to spend here but wanted to see as much as I could so I fit in all sides of the island. If you want a relaxing trip don’t do what I did- pick a spot or two and stay there. However, if you want to squeeze in all the beauty of the island and meet some great people along the way message me for my recommendation for photographers and the best driver.
Where To Stay
Staying in Ubud really is the best option in my opinion, if you plan on seeing a lot of the island on a tight timeline. However, another option is staying in different places and backpacking the island so you don’t need to drive back each night. For some of these places you can expect to spend 2 hours in the car coming back. So it really depends on your goals. I’d be happy to help you find a hotel that matches your wants and plan out the best way for you to see Bali. If you want to do it the way I did, which I still highly recommend, Element Hotel is the way to go. They are very reasonably priced, central to everything, the staff is incredible, and the food is amazing. I like that they stay true to local dishes and you can experience the food and culture at this hotel without having to be fearful of Bali Belly.
Things To Do so if you want a really aggressive itinerary where you see as much as you can in a little bit of time you’ve come to the right place. See below for the best highlights in each place. I’d recommend doing this in more than 5 days to get maximum enjoyment and not be totally exhausted but if you’re on a time crunch it can be done!
Day 1: Ubud
Day 2: UNESCO Sites
Day 3: East Bali
Day 4: Nusa Penida
Day 5: Uluwata
Day 1: Ubud
Geographically think of this as your central city, you’re nestled right in the heart of the jungle. If you want to branch out and see multiple cities this is a perfect city to stay in, because it will give you a shorter distance to other areas.
Now what are we going to do in Ubud? I’m sure you’ve heard of the Monkey forest. This is a beautiful forrest with monkeys, fig trees, and ancient temples. Visit the local markets, Saraswati Temple, Ubud Palace, Tegalang Rice Terraces, and the Tibumana Waterfall.
Day 2: UNESCO Sites
Think of these sites as the photos you see all over social media, this is where we see the iconic sites. Tanah Temple, Jatilwih Rice Terraces, Bali Handara Gate, Taman Ayun Temple, and Ulun Dani Beratan Temple.
Day 3: East Bali
East Bali is famous for its quiet beaches, lush rice fields and volcanic backdrops. It feels like a nice escape away from the hustle and bustle of Ubud. Here you can visit, Virgin Beach, Goa Lawah Temple, Tirta Gangga, Lempuyang Temple, and Lahangan Sweet.
Day 4: Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a beautiful little island you’ll need to take a ferry to visit. For a day visit you should be able to squeeze in the following spots: Diamond Beach, Kelingking Beach, Broken Beach, and Angel’s Bilibong, or you can skip Diamond Beach and do a bit of snorkeling around Gamat Bay, Wallpoint, Manta Bay, and Gt Point.
Day 5: Uluwatu
Take some much needed time to rest. Spend your last day visiting beaches and experience the Uluwatu Kecak Dance just before sunset. To experience culture start your day off at Garuda Wisnu Kenyan, then check out Padang- Padang Beach and Sultan beach. Don’t forget to grab a drink at Single Fin and experience the breathtaking cliffs.
Got questions?
Feel free to reach out.