Bali! A dream-like, tropical paradise filled with culture, beaches, amazing food, ice cold Bintang annnnnnnnd "Instagram models." We traveled right before the busy season so the Instagram models were still hibernating for the most part.
Alright, alright, much love even if you do hike Mt. Batur with your high-heels in tow to have a photo shoot at the top or wait two hours in a queue for a photo at the Gates of Heaven, that just isn't us.
Sit tight, this is going to be a long one but we promise it's filled with valuable information and the perfect 2 week itinerary for all, or part of your Bali trip. Derek and I traveled to Bali for our honeymoon but please don't let that fool you. We're not the type of travelers that sit on a beach for two weeks drinking watered down, all inclusive beverages and calling ourselves cultured because we swam in the Indiana Ocean twice.
We traveled to Bali from June 7th to June 23rd. Right before the busy season and a highly recommended time. Since we are based in the United States, travel time was pretty significant. Plan for about 22 hours of air time and the time zone difference. It sounds like a lot, because, well, it is, but it's absolutely worth it.
Nusa Dua
Bali's upscale resort area with stunning cliff side beaches and white sand. We started off here to indulge in ultimate relaxation after planning our wedding. Not normally our style but sometimes you have to treat yourself.
We stayed four nights at Samabe Suites & Villas which was nothing short of amazing. We opted for the all inclusive option, mainly because we love to eat. It was nice to be able to enjoy beer, cocktails and juice as well. In addition, you get one premium activity per day! We chose the Uluwatu Temple Tour, dinner in a beach front cave, and two spa treatments. The food was to die for and the staff provided the absolute best service. You even get a personal butler. We felt totally weird having another human do things for us that we could do ourselves so we definitely didn't take full advantage of this. The spa is peaceful and you get access to the resort's private beach.
While we spent most of our four days doing activities at the resort and relaxing, we did head to Uluwatu to catch the sunset. Uluwatu is a sea temple located on dramatic cliff side beaches which house beautiful sunsets over huge waves and white sand. You can catch cultural dances here and enjoy walking around the grounds. Heed our warning, be aware of the monkeys. They will steal your stuff and they are aggressive. Who can blame them though? A bunch of tourists invaded their home to watch the sunset.
Canggu Our next destination was Canggu for two nights. We had gone back and forth countless times about where our beach town stay would be. I'm sure you've heard of the popular destinations such as Seminyak and Kuta. These areas are best known for their beachy party vibes with endless shopping. With those things, comes endless amounts of people. We're not much for partying until the sun comes up anymore so we opted for Canggu and it was a fabulous decision. We stayed in the most adorable AirBnB outside of the main area. A beautiful villa with a private pool surrounded by rice fields and what became our favorite cafe. Secret Spot is a short walk down the street and it has the most amazing vegan food, (we aren't even vegan!) you must check it out while in Canggu. Another cafe worth mentioning is Milk and Madu. They have two locations, one in Canggu and one in Ubud. We went to both. They have amazing frozen coffees and pizza. Our favorite was their Hawaiian pizza (yes, pineapple does belong on pizza).
Since we were more than walking distance from the main street, Batu Bolong, we used a driver to take us in. This was the best way to get around since we didn't have a motorbike. Hiring a local driver is a great way to get around and help employ local people. We communicated with them via Whatsapp and it worked out very well. Send us a message on Instagram if you need a number of a driver, we'd be more than happy to share who we used.
We started at the beginning of Batu Bolong (the main street) and made our way to the end where we were greeted with beach, endless surfing, beach clubs and the famous Old Man's beach bar. All along the street on the way to the beach you'll find cafes, bars and boutique shopping. Make sure to swing by Love Anchor, a large indoor arts market. I would also highly recommend taking a surf lesson (major regrets not doing it). You can choose from hundreds of vendors looking to offer lessons. Watching everyone learn to surf is entertaining too.
Next, we grabbed a drink at the beach bar to the right at the end of Batu Bolong (I cannot remember the name of it). Great for happy hour, food was average, bean bags were comfy. This allowed us to head right to the beach for a quick swim in the ocean and to grab a spot on the sand to watch the sunset. Definitely top ten sunsets we've seen. We ended the night at Old Man's, had a few beers, took in the vibe and ate some amazing corn on the cob from a street vendor across the way. We hear it gets a little wild there so an 11pm (2300) pick-up was perfect for us. Plus, we had an early morning heading to Ubud!
Ubud
The heart of Bali, located in the center of the island, filled with culture, art, beautiful landscapes and rice fields. We chose to spend a full week in Ubud because we had many day trips planned and it was a central location with so much to see and do. We stayed at Anusara Luxury Villas just outside of Ubud central. We enjoyed a private pool with a jungle view, free breakfast and a complimentary shuttle to the downtown area. Luxury without the price tag! The staff even packed breakfast for us on the day we headed out at 3am to hike Mt. Batur!
Here are the things we did while in Ubud. To get around, we used drivers and AirBnB Experience to plan some of our day trips.
1. Explore downtown Ubud
Put on good walking shoes and explore the area by foot! Enjoy endless cafes, bars, restaurants, shops, spas and take some time to absorb all of the culture. The Ubud Arts Market was top on our list. It's a huge outdoor/indoor market with hundreds of vendors selling clothing, housewares, arts and pretty much any Bali inspired item you would like to bring home with you. Everything is so cheap and if you head there about an hour before closing, you can find the best deals. Don't forget to sharpen up on your bargaining skills, you'll never have to pay full price.
Head in to one of the street spas. Okay, if you've never been to South East Asia before, we understand your hesitance. Many of these spas look like they are going to take you through the darkest back alley (some of them do) and you'll never see daylight again. However, many spas are attached to a local's home so it's not always visible at street level. We got a 30 minute foot massage for about $6 USD. Take your pick (they are all over the place) and go for it!
You can access the Monkey Forest and watch a sunset cultural dance as well. We opted to skip out on these things but if you have the time or the desire, check them out.
Restaurants worth checking out
Spice- modern Indonesian food with craft cocktails and friendly service Fair Warung Bale- a traditional Indonesian warung in a cozy atmosphere Milk & Madu- this is the place we talked about in Canggu. Check out their Ubud location Watercress Cafe- good food, happy hour and live music Tutmak Warung Kopi- right across from the arts market, relaxed airy atmosphere, Indonesian fusion
2. Go on a waterfall tour
We used AirBnb Experience to book a waterfall tour. The waterfalls are spread out so you'll need some sort of transportation. With our experience, we had a driver who was also a guide. He was a local who knew the area well. He always asked how much "guiding" we actually wanted which was great because we're not huge fans of traveling with tour guides or groups. He kept our belongings safe, took photos for us and provided us with wonderful information about the Balinese culture.
We visited the Tukad Cepung Hidden Waterfall, Tegenungan Waterfall, Tibumana Waterfall and Kanto Lampo Waterfall. Start your tour as early as possible to help beat the crowds. Be prepared to get wet so pack the appropriate gear.
3. Hike Mt. Batur at sunrise
This was our all time favorite thing we did while in Bali! We highly recommend it but please know that it is not considered an easy hike and you should be in good physical health to do so. Again, we booked a guide/driver through AirBnB Experience. This was an easy way to have the ticket paid for, a driver, a guide, a head lamp and breakfast cooked for us once we reached the top. We had eggs cooked from the volcanic steam! It takes about 1.5-2 hours to reach the summit. Bring something warm to wear because it's cold at the top. We've never seen a more stunning view of the sunrise, if we could recommend one thing while in Bali, this is it.
4. Visit the rice Terraces
We're sure you've heard of the famous Tegallaland Rice Terraces before and yes, they are magical. Do yourself a favor though, arrive right when they open. You'll have about an hour with the place practically to yourself. It gets muddy, just something to think about when choosing footwear. There is something so very peaceful about navigating the rice paddies and their irrigation system. The sun shines through in the morning and makes for the best crowd free photos. The entrance fee is a donation.
5. Stroll around Campuhan Ridge Walk
Located in downtown Ubud is a lovely stretch of walking trail known as the Campuhan Ridge Walk. It's a lush, green oasis that is tucked away from the busyness of central Ubud. The trail is about 1 mile (1.5 km) and would be considered easy. When first accessing the trail from the street, it is steep and a bit hidden.
6. Take a boat to Nusa Penida
The home of breathtaking landscapes, cliff side beaches and crystal clear water. To be honest, Nusa Penida doesn't even feel real, it's like something out of a carefully crafted Avatar movie. That being said, nothing magical is easy to get to. You'll first need to book a ticket for a boat ride to and from the island. There are countless companies offering this, you just have to find the one that is right for you. Once you arrive (it takes about 30-45 minutes) you'll need some sort of transportation while there. Again, we booked through AirBnB Experience so all of this was taken care of for us. After that, it's time to explore this amazing island. The roads are horrid, we've never experienced anything quite like it so be prepared for that. For you motion sick travelers, like me, be prepared to break out all things to prevent and help nausea. Sea bands, Dramamine, ginger chews, essential oils, a good old trusty vomit bag, whatever it takes. I promise, the trip is worth it.
With our tour, we opted for
Angel's Billabong
A crystal clear tide pool with jagged cliff sides that's fed by the surrounding sea. Unfortunately when we visited, the tide was way too strong to do any swimming.
Broken Beach
A beautiful view point with a naturally occurring bridge. We watched someone jump off the bridge and all of the guides starting freaking out because they had never seen anyone do it. Turns out, the guy was basically a beast of a human and managed to swim his way to a cliff and climb up unhurt. Probably not recommended for your average Joe.
Kelingking Beach (T-rex head)
The most Instagram-ed spot on Nusa Penida and trust us, it's not at all overrated. It's frequently referred to as the T-rex head because it looks just like one. If you ever want nature to make you feel small, this is your place. The overlook is beautiful and the decline down is steep. I wish we would have had more time (this is why you should spend the night) to hike our way down to the pristine beach below.
Crystal Bay Beach
We ended our day with some time to relax at Crystal Bay Beach. This area can get touristy so that's the only downfall. Locals set up little stands selling snacks and beer to enjoy. This is a great area to snorkel and enjoy the surrounding gigantic palm trees. The water is clear, warm, calm and it's perfect for watching the sunset.
Many spots on the island have small parking fees so if you're driving yourself make sure you have some small bills on you.
We did a day trip from Bali but if we could do it over again we would stay a night or two; there's just so much to see.
7. Enjoy some time at your villa
Last but certainty not least, enjoy some time relaxing at your villa. Swim in the pool, get a spa treatment, order room service or take a nap. Bali villas are incredibly tranquil and some down time is the perfect way to end your adventurous trip.
Our last recommendation would be to schedule yourself a full day layover somewhere you've been meaning to check off your bucket list! We opted for 8 hours in Singapore on our way home. If you haven't been to Singapore you should know that it might be one of the cleanest and most efficient cities we have ever been to. We got off of our flight, went through immigration and customs in under 45 minutes and headed right for the taxi queue so we could head to Gardens By The Bay. The taxi queues in Singapore are some sort of miraculous, well organized system that does not exist anywhere else. It was a short ride from the airport and we spent the afternoon walking around the gardens. The outdoor gardens are completely free to the public, while the inside attractions and the sky deck require a ticket. They put on an incredible light show every night as well. We were there in June and I believe it started at 745pm (1945). We happened to be there when the show was Toy Story themed so that was quite the experience. Children came up to me to say hello because they thought I looked like Elsa (you have blonde hair? you're automatically Elsa, nothing else matters). I should have stayed and started a side hustle.
Anywayyyyyy, we hope this was helpful for planning your trip to Bali! Please send us an Instagram message if you have any questions!
Safe travels,
Meg & Derek