Bali is known for its lush rice terraces, stunning beaches, serene temples and scenic waterfalls, wild. Therefore it has become one of the worlds most visited and popular top hotspots! I’ve put together the ultimate travel guide to Bali!
I've spent a total of 19 days on the island and here I'll share the top things to do!
As I want to share my honest experience, I have to say that I did not enjoy Bali at all. It has been way too touristy and unfortunately I just did not fall in love with this island as I expected to.
READ MORE: TOP THINGS TO DO ON NUSA PENIDA
The Ultimate Bali Itinerary
The way I’ve set up this 10-day itinerary is that it’s all focused on Bali, but if you do have more time, I’ve created a separate blogpost on traveling Nusa Penida!
Here’s an overview of my recommended route. I think it’s best to do it this way, because when you book round-trip boat transfers to Nusa Penida, you can actually catch the bus from the ferry in Sanur to Bedugul.
- Canggu (3 Nights)
- Nusa Penida (3 nights)
- Bedugul (2 nights)
- Ubud (4 Nights)
WHERE TO STAY ON THIS BALI ITINERARY
Bali is home to some of the world’s most gorgeous luxury resorts and private villas, but also has an extremely wide variety of mid-range hotels and backpacker hostels! It really just depends on your budget, and how much you’re looking to spend!
I've decided to always stay in backpacker hostels as I've travelled alone therefore been able to meet a lot of likeminded travelers there!
Where to stay in Canggu
KosOne Hostel
Pantai Batu Bolong St No.78, Canggu
Where to stay on Nusa Penida
Nuansa Penida Hostel
Jl. Banjar Anyar - Sebunibus Nusa Penida
Where to stay in Bedugul
Chakra Backpacker Hostel
Candikuning, Baturiti, Tabanan Regency, Bali
Where to stay in Ubud
Puri Garden Hotel
Jl. Pengosekan, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud
ARRIVING AT THE DENPASAR AIRPORT
Arriving at Bali Airport after a long flight can be stressful.
Your aim should be to get to the immigration queue as quickly as possible after landing. Depending on the time of day the queues can be very long - with waiting times that be longer than 1 hour. And make sure you have already completed your immigration arrival form on the plane.
Be advised that the checked luggage will come out onto the conveyors painfully slowly! Waiting for an hour is considered normal.
After exiting customs I highly recommend that you stop and either withdraw local currency from the ATM as these are safe to use or go to the bank branches to exchange your cash.
I also already bought a local sim-card at the airport. I don't know if it was more expensive there but I wanted to have full-time reliable internet connectivity right away. There are a couple of kiosks selling local SIM cards and they are pretty cheap.
Leaving the airport there are a number of touts which will start harassing you for a taxi fare. These are never a good idea to accept. At my last arrival, I ignored all the taxi and transport drivers and organized a taxi through the bluebird app to get to Canggu. I walked a few minutes to a main street and waited there for the taxi.
The best idea would actually be to arrange a private car and driver to meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel or villa.
CANGGU (3+ NIGHTS)
Echo Beach
Echo Beach Bali is one of the most popular spots in Canggu - not only for surfing. If you're staying in Canggu, it’s walkable from the main street of Batu Bolong. It’s a black sand beach so definitely not the most beautiful one, nevertheless there are sun loungers scattered all the way along Echo Beach with lots of tourists chilling at the beach. Some of the best sunsets in Bali can be caught at Echo Beach so be sure to check it out!
Tanah Lot Temple
Pura Tanah Lot is one of the most popular iconic features of Bali and therefore a hugely popular tourist destination - especially for the overhyped sunsets. You can walk over to the temple itself at low tide, but are not allowed to enter. You may want to try getting there early in the morning, so that there will be less crowds and a better chance to have a serene image of the temple.
BEDUGUL (2+ NIGHTS)
Jatiluwih Rice Terrace
The area might not be easy to get to, therefore I recommend staying in Bedugul for a couple of nights and renting a scooter! These rice terraces are stunning and there are only a few people walking through the rice fields. In my opinion they are way more beautiful than the famous Tegallalang Rice Terraces close to Ubud!
Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfalls
Banyu Wana Amertha Waterfall in Bedugul are one of the most untouched and underrated waterfalls in Bali - this place is pure magic! I've been there around 10am and I had everything to myself! It was amazing to escape the crowds for a bit. The falls are among the best on Bali and it's only a 15-minute walk from the car park. They are the best secret waterfalls in Bali so you definitely have to check them out before they become more popular and crowded!
Wanagiri Hidden Hills
The Wanagiri Hidden Hills is an epic viewpoint in Bedugul. I'm pretty sure it's already been popping up on your Instagram feed! All of the installations face out to the Twin Lakes with Mount Lesung and Mount Batukaru in the background, which give you absolutely beautifully shots. If you’re a solo traveler just like me the staff are super helpful. They also look to get you the perfect lighting, by using reflective boards to ‘light’ up your shots!
Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
Pure Bratan - also known as Floating Temple - is a major water temple on Bali. If you want to avoid the tourist crowds you should come to the temple early in the morning. I've been there in the late afternoon and I didn't enjoy it at all. It was sooo crowded, therefore I'm actually not sure if I would recommend going there. The famous water temple is visited by many tourists and large coaches, but still offers you a beautiful and picturesque scenery directly at Lake Bratan. You have to decide yourself if it's worth a visit.
Handara Gate
The Bali Gates can be found at the entrance to the Handara Golf and Resort Bali located in the village of Bedugul and are one of the most iconic Bali photos. I drove there early in the morning and only had one couple standing in line in front of me! I was pretty surprised as it has become a pretty popular Instagram spot as well. Other than taking a few photos, there isn’t much to do at the Handara Gate.
Tamblingan Lake Temple
The short entrance drive to Tamblingan Lake leads through a forrest and pops out directly in front of the temple. It's a quiet haven and one of the most scenic temples. I've been there completely alone - no one else was there, which is probably the main reason why I enjoyed this temple so much.
Ubud
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The Tegallalang rice terrace near Ubud are one of the most famous attractions in Bali and full of Instagrammers looking for the perfect spot- The Rice Terraces are famous for their beautiful scenes of rice paddles and their innovative irrigation system. Make sure to take plenty of water as it can get quite hot walking around the terraces!
Ridge Walk
Most bloggers state hiking the Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud as a true must-do. Honestly, I was completely disappointed. It is a free and easy short walk along a block pathway but nothing special.
Ubud Art Market
The Ubud Art Market is the most popular tourist market in Bali. It is a great place to find beautiful silk scarves, lightweight shirts or handmade woven bags. Basically, everything you need. If you decide to go in the afternoon it can become quite hectic and overwhelming!
Day Trip From Ubud:
Tukad Cepung Waterfall
The Tukad Cepung waterfall is just one of all the best Ubud waterfalls. It still is a hidden gem but it's becoming a hotspot amongst tourists - again because of Instagram. Located just outside of Ubud, I visited Tukad Cepung Waterfall after the trip to Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang and Tirta Gangga Water Palace. The walk to get down was straight forward and pretty easy but on the last view meters you have to wade through a knee- high river and over a few rocks.
Pura Penataran Agung Lempuyang
Pura Penataran Aung Lempuyang is a Balinese Hindu temple located in the slope of Mount Lempuyang. It is one of the oldest and most sacred temples on the island and thanks to Instagram it became pretty famous and is also known as "the gateway to heaven". Depending on the time of day you plan to go you might have to wait for hours until you can take the perfect photo with the fake water reflection. Once you arrive at the gates you will be handed a number and I eventually ended up waiting for more than three hours. If I had went there alone I would have skipped this temple. There is nothing else to do there so you just wait for your turn and waste the time.
Tirta Gangga
The Tirta Gangga Water Palace Bali has always been a tourist destination to those visiting the island but it became even more popular because of social media. On the insta famous stepping stones that leads around the centre piece you can feed the fish in the water and capture a perfect photo at Tirta Gangga. I arrived in the afternoon and the crowds were pretty bad. It's a huge complex and a nice spot but everyone stood on the stepping stones waiting for their turn to take a picture.
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xx
Nina