Best of Bali Guide
Dreaming of Bali…
There is a trend around the internet called #armchairtravel. It means that by sharing content and stories people can be transported to faraway places without ever leaving their homes. It’s far from a new idea; it’s the reason we love to read books, watch TV, or scroll on Instagram. As good as life can be, sometimes we are all looking for an escape to another reality!
In 2020 I’ve done a lot of #armchairtravel - scrolling through other peoples photos of places I’ve never been and dreaming that I’ll one day get there myself. Living vicariously through unbelievable travel pictures, surreal adventures, and once in a lifetime vacations that simultaneously make me ragingly jealous and peacefully hopeful. We all do it, right?
One trip I often find myself mentally escaping to is a vacation to Bali in 2017. It was one stop on an adventure that three of my best friends and I took through Southeast Asia. We traveled to Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and ended in Indonesia.
Our four days in Bali were amazing, we only wish we would’ve had more time. We had a long list of things we wanted to do, places to see, restaurants to try. We were women on the go! Trying to make the most of the days we had there.
So you can trust this guide is giving you all the highlights of the island!
I used to think that there was a laidback relaxed lifestyle in Bali. Something out of Eat Pray Love where life is so simple: surf in the sunshine and hang by bonfire at night. But then Instagram made me believe it was actually a place that beautiful people go to eat pretty vegan food, and mingle in beach clubs.
The truth is it’s all of these things - it has a little bit to offer to everyone.
I’m so excited to share with you what my own experience in Bali was like. And I hope to show how beautiful and dynamic the island is. From gorgeous beaches and clear blue waters, to lush jungles and the greenest dense forest, to the volcanoes and rocky cliffs.
Ok people - let’s get started on this journey through Bali!!!
Planning Your Trip to Bali
Brace yourself - but the average flight time from New York to Bali is 22 HOURS.
Bali wasn’t my first stop, and while you’re on the other side of the world you might as well turn your layovers into an adventure too! Common stops are Shanghai, Singapore, Hong Kong. All amazing destinations!
We took a short flight from Kuala Lumpur and flew directly into Denpasar in Bali, a pretty small airport. Many flights take a puddle jumper from Jakarta or another international airport.
There is a lot to explore in Bali, but I suggest breaking up the trip into 3 key areas.
Seminyak
Uluwatu
Ubud
These are all pretty central tourist locations with a lot to do. None are far from the airport, but can still each feel very remote (especially Ubud) which is something that draws people to the island.
I will breakdown things to do in each of these areas!
Getting Around
I highly recommend hiring a driver to get around Bali. It is not very expensive, especially if shared with a group of people. It’s definitely worth the investment to have a safe and efficient route around the island planned!
It’s also helpful for the Bali tourism industry that we use local tour guides rather than big tour companies. I highly recommend the Professional Guide that I used and can refer you to him! He was informative, helpful, knew the best routes, and always got us to our destination safely. And he was so kind and friendly!
If you’re looking for more help, please fill out my trip itinerary request form and I’m happy to provide a more custom guide!
Seminyak, Bali
Seminyak is a gorgeous central beach town in Bali, nestled between the popular areas of Canggu and Legian Beach! People come here looking to enjoy the beach clubs, bars, and all the fantastic dining.
There actually aren’t too many attractions in Seminyak! It’s a great area for relaxing on the beach, partying, golfing, surfing, or hanging at the spa!
If you are looking for an adventure, ride a scooter up to Tanah Lot Temple at sunset!
Where We Stayed: Villa Kailysa Indah
For just a few hundred dollars we were able to rent a stunning private villa in Seminyak, called Kailysa Indah! Most of our trip through Southeast Asia was spent squeezed together in small hotel rooms, a small price to pay for traveling to the other side of the world with your besties! We were even growing used to it.
But our stay in Seminyak was very different. We found a beautiful villa, with so much room! Two bedrooms, a private pool, and a huge living space. It was also in an excellent location, just a short walking distance to the beach and shopping districts.
Welcome Home! The gated entrance to the villa felt safe and protected.
The unbelievable indoor/outdoor living space. Large fans provided some air circulation which was a much-welcomed break from the humidity in Bali!
The best part of this home was the incredible pool. It was flooded with sunshine and such a nice place to cool off when the afternoon heat was setting in!
The beautiful open-air kitchen. We didn’t make any meals here, but we devoured all of the fresh fruit that was complimentary.
While there are many wonderful accommodations in Seminyak, I highly recommend renting a private villa because you get so much for your money! Hotels are not over priced like you may think they would be. But for the comfort and safety they are a really nice, yet slightly more expensive, option in Seminyak!
Here are some of the best hotels in the area:
Check out Tripadvisor or Booking.com for find more Villas in Seminyak!
When I imagined being in Bali I pictured lots of beach time. But our ‘beach house’ in Seminyak was almost too nice to leave! We had so much fun using our own pool that we ended up not spending too much time at the beach here.
Shopping in Seminyak
The shopping in Bali is amazing! We bought a lot of gifts to take home for ourselves and our families. There are so many wonderful cute home decor stores and clothing boutiques. I recommend spending some time walking around town!
One of my favorite stores was Kim Soo! This is where I found the cutest straw crossbody bag that I still use in the summers.
Bungalow Living
Another amazing home decor shop in local Canggu was Bungalow Living! I got an amazing floral pillow cover here that I brought home from Bali. It’s high quality, and it makes me think so fondly of my trip.
They have a ton of products on their website if you want to check it out!
Here are a few other great shops in the area! Be sure to explore the boutiques along the main roads like Jalan Laksmana! I especially love all the Australian brands that are in Bali, that we don’t get in the U.S!
The busy streets of Bali, with so many people zooming by on mopeds.
Bars & Restaurants in Seminyak
I’m not kidding when I say it….. there is a crazy restaurant scene in Seminyak! Each restaurant has its own theme, personality, and amazing ambiance. Not only are the vibes good, but the food is delicious! It’s a melting pot of so many different cuisines, as the Bali expats are bringing their own cultures to Seminyak!
I also love that there is always a little hint of something tropical in every place! Below are some of my favorites.
Moonlite Bar & Kitchen
One of my favorite happy hours in Bali was at the Moonlite Bar in Seminyak, located at the gorgeous Anantara hotel. Since the restaurant is located on the rooftop it has some really gorgeous sunset views overlooking the pool, property, and beach.
Aside from the views, and the snacks, we also played some pool and darts inside. It was a really fun spot! The hotel is nestled on Seminyak beach, just north of Double Six beach, so it’s easy to get to and fun to bar hop in this area.
KU DE TA
Ku De Ta was our one fine dining experience while in Bali, and it was a such a treat! Food presentation was kind of amazing, and everything we tried was delicious.
This is a beach club in Seminyak that specializes in dining and events. You can get a day pass to enjoy it all, or just make reservations for a meal like we did.
Nalu Bowls
Nalu Bowls is one of the cutest cafe’s in Seminyak in my opinion! And Seminyak is known for its cute cafe’s.
It has an awesome menu with a mix of healthy smoothies, juices, and sweet coffees as well as hearty breakfast and lunch options. Nalu Bowls is known for its colorful smoothie bowl creations, topped with some seriously beautiful fruit patterns.
The cutest beachy vibe.
Potato Head Beach Club
We spent a great afternoon sipping cocktails at Potato Head Beach Club! We reserved a daybed, enjoyed some lunch, and hopped between the pools and beach.
On the weekends this becomes a really fun beach bar with a DJ and full out pool party. A fun spot in Seminyak if you are looking to mingle and make some friends!
Sea Circus, Seminyak
One of my favorite restaurants ever! I had always seen Sea Circus on Instagram before going to Bali and I couldn’t wait to see if it was as incredible in person. IT WAS!
We actually ended up going twice while we were in Seminyak, because the iced coffee was that addicting! The Aussie style caffeinated drink literally has ice cream in it.
Sea Circus is just a place you never want to leave. From the bright paint outside, to the colorful walls inside, to the cheery staff, and an amazing playlist. I think of it all the time.. more than I care to admit.
La Plancha Beach
Another really cool beach happy hour spot in Seminyak is La Plancha! These colorful beach umbrellas and bean bag chairs make for such a fun environment to watch the sun go down. Sort of feels like paradise!
Drink menu is large and all the cocktails were delicious.
Saved the sweetest spot for last! Stop by Madpops for delicious vegan popsicles and ice cream right in the shopping district in Seminyak.
Doesn’t Stop There!
Here are some of the best restaurants in Seminyak:
Mamasan - Ate here one night and the food was INSANE. Asian fusion style tapas. My photos are dark and blurry, so you have to trust me :/
Neon Palms - same owners as Sea Circus so duh!!
Best Cafe’s & Coffee in Seminyak:
Uluwatu
This town of Uluwatu is in the bottom tip of the island, called the Bukit peninsula. The beaches here are not the same shores as Seminyak. They are slivers of sand along rocky coasts, at the bottom of tall cliffs. But the views are incredible, and I promise that its always worth the descent, and climb!
We spent a beautiful day exploring Uluwatu, but it’s also a great place to stay for a few days on your trip! If you are looking to spend a few days, then you have to check out some of the awesome resort properties.
Best hotels in Uluwatu: (especially for you honeymooning folks)
The Bukit Peninsula is full of sites and things to do, from Nusa Dua to Jimbaran to Uluwatu and beyond. Here are some of the stops we made!
Green Bowl Beach
It’s a bit of a hike to get to, but worth the trip to see this beautiful beach! Unfortunately the tide was high when we arrived and we couldn’t easily access the sand or caves here.
Pictures do not do this place justice. After climbing down staircases through a thick green jungle, the trees parted to reveal the bluest ocean water I had ever seen.
Magical!
Padang Padang Beach
This beach became famous after scenes from the Julia Roberts movie Eat Pray Love were filmed here. It was known to be a secret beach (not easy to access) but the secret is out! There was quite a few people there when we visited, and even some vendors selling concessions! Just no bathrooms - so plan accordingly. We enjoyed some beers and snacks.
Make sure you swim over to the caves! You can only access by the water.
It was such a fun afternoon, 10/10!
Beach Beers are the best beers!
Uluwatu Temple
The Uluwatu temple is one of Bali's six key temples. It is called Pura Luhur Uluwatu by the locals and apparently Luhur means 'something of divine origin'.
Note that there is a dress code, as its a holy place. So if you’re wearing shorts or a skirt (which is likely given how hot it is in Bali) you may need to buy a sarong to cover your legs. Not a hardship - it was just a few dollars, and sort of cute!
The cliff is perched almost 230 feet above the sea. It feels super high when you’re walking along the edge. Here you can see the hanging temple above the cliffs.
Another important note - there are a TON of monkeys that live on the grounds. Apparently they are the guards of the temple! They are unafraid of people, and will steal your earrings, sunglasses, or purse so HAVE YOUR WITS ABOUT YOU.
Suluban Secret Beach + Single Fin
Suluban beach is kind of incredible at sunset, which is probably why I saw so many photos of this spot before going to Bali. It’s apparently a favorite location for photographers!
It’s also a popular surfing spot, and it can sometimes be inaccessible depending on the tide. But when low tide goes out, you can access Suluban through some caves and a set of rocky staircases.
Once you get down to the beach you can watch the moon rise as the sun sets over the ocean.
Then climb the staircase back to the towering limestone cliffs above you before it gets too dark!
Don’t be surprised to see other people at Suluban enjoying sunset too!
If you are looking for panoramic sunset views, then plan to have happy hour at Single Fin. They have so many patios, so there is a view from every table. Enjoy the live music and the fun crowd here!
Happy Hour & Shopping at Single Finn
We ended up spending a while shopping around here. I found some cool surfing tanks for Ryan and some souvenirs for my family.
Rock Bar, Bali
Rock Bar at the Ayana resort in Jimbaran is known to be one of the worlds’s best bars so I had to check it out! Perched on a cliff over the ocean in Uluwatu, its famously photographed at sunset. Here are some professional photos from the hotel website, if you want your jaw to drop.
Unfortunately my own pictures from Rock Bar were pretty dark and glowy!
We also enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Ayana resort, at a Mexican restaurant called Unique. (Get the nachos!)
I highly recommend staying at the Ayana resort, or booking a meal here just to make sure you can explore the property! From the main lobby you can get a shuttle to the various other buildings like Rock Bar.
Here are some other top restaurants and beach clubs in the area:
Ubud, Bali
When traveling to Ubud, be prepared to leave the beaches and enter the jungle. It’s a completely different experience than Seminyak or Uluwatu!
I’ve never been in a real jungle before, so my references were pretty limited. Whats that line from Jumanji? “In the jungle you must wait until the dice rolls 5 or 8!” Irrelevant, but the point is I have never been anywhere like this before.
But Ubud is a MUST if you are going to Bali.
It feels like a remote drive, and with every mile you are leaving civilization behind! But it’s surprisingly still under an hour from the airport. Ubud is far from boring - the city has a lot to see and do, and some great dining!
I’ll share some of the best spots we explored!
Where We Stayed: Pondok Sebatu Villas
When you arrive to Pondok Sebatu you will feel a million miles away from the busy city of Denpasar or buzzing streets of Seminyak.
This was a bit of a random hotel selection for us. It was a quiet property in the middle of nowhere… we may have been the only guests there! But the staff treated well, and I would say it’s a good choice if you want to feel like your balling out (but on a budget).
We wanted to end the trip on a high note so we selected a hotel where we could have our own two bedroom villa with a private pool!
The accommodations were surprisingly affordable, and this was actually the only hotel we had in South East Asia where we all had our own beds! We felt like Queens.
On the last day we decided to treat ourselves to balinese massages at the hotel, which was so nice.
I’d recommend doing a proper spa day at one of the big hotels in the area. Some of the Spa’s in Ubud are the best in the world. Especially if you are on your honeymoon. It would be such a cool experience!
On our last night in Bali after a long day of exploring we decided to enjoy dinner at the hotel! We picked at some traditional balinese dishes, and listened to the rain pour down on the thatched roof above us. We sat there for hours, until the place literally ran out of wine. Think thats a sign of a good night!
Playing with Elephants
One of our first stops was to visit the Bali Zoo! I know that people say the way the animals are treated in captivity isn’t humane, and so I feel badly about the environment in which we got to see these beautiful environments. But our local guide brought us here and recommended the experience, so we trusted this was safe!
As a kid I always loved the zoo and getting to see and touch animals from the other side of the world. It was a huge gift to be able to pet and play with the elephants, and one of my favorite activities from the entire trip.
Me and my pals! I spent a long time playing with these guys.
We also got to see some of the other animals around the park like tigers, parrots, and giraffes.
Tegallalang Rice Fields
This is one of the most popular attractions in Bali, and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The famous terraced rice fields of Tegallalang!
It’s a short trip north of the center of Ubud, and worth the drive. You can spend a long time exploring the fields.
Warning! When climbing around these green grassy rice paddies you may get a bit muddy! Veronica stepped in some muddy puddles (twice hehe)
Tenengun Waterfall
It was exciting to see this natural beauty in Ubud. You don’t have to walk all the way down to the bottom of the waterfall, the view from the top is great too! But we were able to descend the cliffs at Tenengun until we reached the bottom. It felt even larger in person!
Hold on tight, and don’t look down!
Luwak Coffee Plantation
Another popular activity in Ubud is taking a tour of a Luwak Coffee plantation. It was a pretty neat experience seeing how some of the “world’s best coffee” is made.
Before this, I hadn’t realized that this Luwak coffee is the result of an animal called a civet eating coffee beans and then pooping it out. Then the coffee is made from the partially digested coffee beans. Sounds really gross! But when in Rome…
I brought a few bags home and my Mom wouldn’t make the coffee. But at the time I thought the coffee tasted really good! Or was that the caffeine rush? Either way, I enjoyed the experience.
We participated in a proper coffee tasting, so that we could sample all of the different kinds that they had.
Staying in Ubud
We only spent one night in Ubud before flying home, but there are some really incredible hotels in the area if you plan on staying longer!
If you want to really live vicariously and pretend your in Bali, start following these hotels on Instagram! You’ll have some serious bedroom envy.
Other Top Attractions in Ubud
Day trip to Mount Batur, hike a volcano and watch the sunrise over Mount Agung from the top!
Get assaulted by small primates at the Ubud Sacred Monkey Forest
Take a Hike at Campuhan Ridge Walk
Take a photo at Heaven’s Gate, or Lempuyang Temple or the Big Swing!
Dip into holy water at Tirta Empul Temple
Best Restaurants in Ubud
Mosaic: fine dining for a special meal!
Cascades: breathtaking views!
Locavore: locally sourced food
Bali Buddha: cute cafe!
Naughty Nuri’s: casual outdoor cooking
Best Food in Bali
There is an incredible restaurant scene in Bali, especially in the more populated tourist areas like Seminyak, Uluwatu, and Ubud. We wanted to try the best restaurants that the country had to offer, so we ended up having many different styles of food like Mexican, Australian, and Asian fusion.
But Indonesian food is so delicious, and I highly recommend making reservations at a more traditional restaurant in order to experience it. There are some casual spots and local guides each have their favorites that they can bring you to.
Give the balinese food a try!
Boat Trips from Bali
If you have more than a week here, then you must explore the nearby islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida.
You may recognize some of these famous viewpoints on the islands:
Kelingking Beach
Broken Beach
Mangrove Forest
Blue Lagoon Nusa Ceningan
I hope you enjoyed this visual vacation to Bali. The last thing I’ll leave you with - is that I would 100% recommend traveling here, it really is the trip of a lifetime.
The first taste I had of this island was incredible, and I do hope to go back one day. If anything, I think it would be damn good place to retire for a bit!!
I hope this made you love Bali too, and that you add it to your bucket list!
Xx Gab
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