The dry season. Lower peak tourist season. Two weeks off from work. Affordable. My birthday month. The list goes on… How could I not travel the 14 hours from London to Indonesia to check this destination off my bucket list? The answer: I couldn’t. So let’s get into it.
Uluwatu
Where to stay: PinkCoco Hotel
This beautiful, all pink everything boutique hotel is an Instagrammable spot for first-timers in Bali. It’s also quite central and a walk to beach only takes about 10-15 minutes. The staff were lovely and I recommend Nasi Goreng – a traditional Balinese dish – for breakfast.
What to do: Sunbathing & surfing: There are several beaches in Uluwatu that are great for water sports, sunbathing or sipping a Bintang while watching the waves or the sunset. Try a new one each day. Also, Uluwatu is near to a ferry port that could take you to Nusa Dua, a popular remote island east of Bali.
Eat local – I didn’t have a bad meal while in Bali, so you can’t mess this up. A lot of typical Balinese style restaurants are actually buffet style where you choose from a series of dishes. Obviously cost varies depending on how much or little you’re eating. But a full plate only costs a few dollars/pounds. Look for the word ”warung” on the sign. This is local.
Kecak fire dance – The Kecak Dance is a group of performers who tell a story solely through noise and movement. There’s no dialogue to the storytelling, but don’t worry, a pamphlet will help keep you in the loop. The dance always happens at sunset – for full fire effect, of course. And while you can find these type of performance all over Bali, it’s the most famous in Uluwatu. The performance arena is cliffside, so you’ll also get a nice view of sunset.
Pro tip – Be careful around the monkeys. They’re cheeky and will have no hesitation to take sunglasses off your head or a phone out of your hand. Knees must be covered in the temple.
Canggu
Where to stay: The Palms
A lovely little hotel tucked away on a side street in Canggu. All rooms at the Palms are pool facing as there are maybe 12 in total. There’s a communal kitchen and seating area, also poolside. To get to the main road, you may want to call a motorbike*. The through street has no sidewalk and traffic can get busy but it is walkable – motorbikes are just A LOT more fun, in my opinion.
Motorbike tip: Buy a local sim in Bali at the airport, so you can download and use apps like GoJek, which allows you to call a car or motorbike.
What to do: Balong Beach – Balong is at the very end of the main road that runs through Canggu. The beach itself goes on for miles and is lined with restaurants and cafes. It’s a popular spot for surfing & sunset viewing. If you plan to watch the sunset, get their early to snag a spot at one of the restos and enjoy food and/or drink.
Boutique shopping – I’m only going to say one thing, treat yourself.
Spa day – Spas in Bali are top tier, so take an afternoon – or several – and book in a Balinese massage and facial.
Ubud
Where to stay: The Udaya Resort & Spa
A 10-minute drive to the city-centre Udaya is a stunning oasis in Ubud with an infinity pool, restaurant and spa. While you can stay in Bali for next to nothing, I splurged in Ubud as it was my birthday week. The staff were so thoughtful and even made me a cake on my birthday. Who doesn’t love cake for breakfast?
The hotel has a shuttle that runs every hour, so there’s no need to pay for transportation.
What to do: Tegallalang Rice Fields* – STUNNING. When the most beautiful farming comes together to showcase irrigation and natural architecture, you have Tegallalang Rice Fields. There are photo opps, restaurants, walking paths (be careful), the Bali swing and even zip lining across the fields.
Waterfalls* – Excursions abound for those that want to see Bali by waterfall. I did not pick this type of excursion because I was a few months post knee-surgery and areas around waterfalls can get quite slick. – though I did see a waterfall. Bring water shoes, swimwear and trainers with good grip. Do not drink the water.
Monkey Forest* – Go wild. Monkey Forest is a protected area of land where monkeys rule. Luckily they’re used to humans, so it’s not dangerous. Staff are there to keep an eye on the cheeky mammals & can help you get a photo with one, if that interests you. Be careful with personal items.
Saraswati Temple – a beautiful temple in the city-centre of Ubud. It’s right behind a Starbucks, so if you have any issues finding it – and your map definitely will – that detail will help.
Pura Tira Temple* – My favourite Bali experience was at Pura Tira Temple, where you can be cleansed in the holy water. You’ll first have to make an offering – which my guide brought for me. And then you’re allowed to bathe in several holy water fountains.
Open market – Ubud has a great market that’s open until after dark with loads of locally made products. A lot of the stands have the same or similar items so shop around a bit and then barter to your heart’s content. I bought myself a handmade beaded bag and crocheted top.
*To see four of these top attractions with ease, book a guided tour via TripAdvisor. As a Bali native, my guide was so knowledgable and made seeing the sites stress-free. All entry costs, lunch and transportation are taken care of.
Additionally, for my ladies: I never felt unsafe in Bali while solo travelling. I took precautions, per usual, but it felt easy to be on the island by myself.
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