So you’re thinking about a trip to Bali, or at least a way to vicariously live through a fantasy trip, but you aren’t sure what you’ll have the time or money to do there. Well, we’ve just returned from an unforgettable trip in Bali, and we managed to do everything we dreamed of and more, without breaking the bank!

If you have ten days in Bali, this is the place for you! If you have less time, you can use the information here to pick and choose what you want to see. If you have more time, well, take it a bit more slowly!

One more note: This is just the order we happened to do things based on internet research, suggestions from locals, and weather. Your itinerary could be in a completely different order! I have to say though, that this trip worked out perfectly for us and there isn’t much we would change, given another chance.

Day 1:

Overview: This day was primarily arrival, resting up, and planning the next 10 days.

Ngurah Rai International Airport, Denpasar:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y85v9y3u

More info: https://www.baliairport.com

Personal tips: Pretty easy airport to get out of. Grab a $5 SIM card, fire up Uber, and get where you’re going for cheap. Don’t take rides from random taxis unless you want to pay more than double the price. Alternatively, arrange to be picked up with your hotel or even AirBnB. We got this service for less than $15 for three people. It’s more expensive but gives you peace of mind.

Planning: We spent most of this day planning the rest of our busy trip. Read on to see the results!

Day 2:

Overview: The night before, we’d hired a private taxi driver who had picked us up the previous night. He charged us 500,000 Rupaih ($35 USD) for an entire 8-hour day of driving us wherever we wanted to go. He was very nice, trustworthy, had many suggestions, and the best thing about it was being able to leave our things in the car while we were out sightseeing. Don’t pay your driver until the end of the day, just to be sure! And if you use a private driver, be sure to get their phone number so you can find them after each activity.

Recommended: Bosono +62 822-8205-1311

Barong Dance:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yc4vtuol

More info: https://tinyurl.com/yb9keexj

Personal tips: Must see while in Bali. A very interesting cultural experience, complete with slapstick comic relief. Entry fee RM 100,000 ($7 USD).

Sea Walker Experience:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yahstck3

More info: https://www.water-sports-bali.com

Personal tips: They asked us initially for $90 per person, but we showed them a website that was much cheaper on our phones. We managed to get them down to RM 500,000 per person, about $35 each. The experience was amazing and can’t be described in words, so check out the above YouTube link!

Tohpati Batik Village:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yb6txvzo

More info: https://tinyurl.com/y8y3s9u8

Personal tips: They will offer to batik a quick design on your clothes, so be sure to decline if you’re wearing anything expensive. Inside, you can buy lots of batik good for very reasonable prices.

Celuk Gold and Silver Village:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/ybxewlw9 (Celuk Village)

More info: https://tinyurl.com/y88qkecv

Personal tips: A bit depressing to see the conditions these people work in, but still interesting to see how jewelry is made. If you plan on buying anything, start by offering 50% of the asking price and go from there.

Coffee Plantation:

Google Maps: All over the place, including right next to the Gold and Silver Village

More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kopi_Luwak

Personal tips: To be honest we didn’t note the name of this plantation, but they are everywhere. Just tell your driver you want to try Luwak Coffee and they’ll take you to the nearest one. Generally they offer free tasting of all the different kinds of coffee! We bought some to take home; it was delicious! We gave the actual Luwak coffee a miss though, because of the inhumane exploitation of the animals.

Painting “Village”:

Google Maps: All over the place

More info: http://www.whatsnewbali.com/must-visit-traditional-villages-in-bali/

Personal tips: These art markets are also everywhere. Just tell your driver to take you to a painting market. If you want to buy something, be prepared to haggle!

Uluwatu Temple:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/ycb2mxsc

More info: https://tinyurl.com/ya356eop

Personal tips: Best view of the sunset in Bali, possibly in the world. Don’t miss out on this amazing chance. BE CAREFUL OF THE MONKEYS! One of them stole my glasses and threatened to break them. Fortunately there are local ladies nearby who accept 20,000 RM to bribe the monkeys with fruit to get your stuff back. Keep your hat and glasses in your bag, and your bags closed.

Day 3:

Overview: We hired Bosono again for the day, and it was well worth the price!

Kemuneh Butterfly Garden:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yah2hgpx

More info: http://www.kemenuhbutterflypark.com

Personal Tips: Probably the best butterfly garden we’ve ever been to. Very humane conditions, helpful and informative staff, and overall good vibe. You can even hold giant moths and stick insects!

Tegenungan Waterfall:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yabqmbhm

More info: https://tinyurl.com/ybgt3hjo

Personal Tips: Be prepared for lots of stairs and an amazing view. If it’s the middle of the day, use sun screen and a hat, and bring some water.

Batuan Temple:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y8lcj3ss

More info: https://tinyurl.com/y9rnzm9b

Personal Tips: Beautiful 10^th century temple complex, small donation suggestion for renting a sarong.

Two Guns Tattoo Studio:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y7ecyhy3

More info: https://www.facebook.com/TwoGunsTattooStudioBali/

Personal Tips: Best tattoo shop in Bali! We paid 1.2 million ($80 USD) for a small tattoo (Australian cleanliness standards). This is the minimum price and it goes up from there.

Tanah Lot Temple:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yd94z5qc

More info: https://tinyurl.com/h6jh2ff

Personal Tips: We honestly enjoyed Uluwatu more for the sunset but it could have been because of the weather. It was quite crowded, cloudy, and very windy. I’m sure it would be nicer in better weather, so definitely don’t pass this up. For the sunset, head up the stairs to one of the many restaurants and grab a cheap beer.

Ubud: Our next stop was the town of Ubud, which is a great central location for all activities in Bali.

Day 4

Overview: Money forest and massage!

Monkey Forest:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y9kmmn2l

More info: https://www.monkeyforestubud.com

Personal Tips: Walkable from almost anywhere in Ubud. Remember that you’re a guest in the monkeys’ house, and be nice to them! The walk through the forest is beautiful, and the monkeys are much friendlier than at Uluwatu Temple.

Massage: Google Maps: Anywhere

Personal Tips: Get yourself a massage at any of the various spas in Ubud. We paid RM 100,000 ($7) for a one-hour deep-tissue massage. Perfect midway through a busy trip!

We went to bed early, because the next day started at 2 AM!

Day 5

Overview: Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking!

Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking:

Google Maps (Mountain itself): https://tinyurl.com/y73pcu82

More info: https://tinyurl.com/yaobh3ca

Personal Tips: Don’t bother booking in advance because the weather is unpredictable and the price is higher online. Just ask the staff at your accommodation for the best and cheapest tour. Whether AirBnB, a hostel or hotel, they will point you in the right direction.

The rest of the day you may want to just relax, because you’ll be tired from the trek. We grabbed a bottle of wine from Coco supermarket and relaxed on our porch =)

Day 6:

Overview: We hired the host of our AirBnB to drive us around. RM 400,000 ($28 USD) for the whole day.

Tegallalang Rice Terrace:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yd4o8cj7

More info: https://tinyurl.com/gpgv7sw

Personal Tips: Try the nearby swing for a thrilling view of the terraces! Grab lunch at one of the many cheap eateries while enjoying the view.

Tirta Empul Temple:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y7f7tuxv

More info: https://tinyurl.com/jajdo7f

Personal Tips: Pack a bathing suit and purify yourself in the holy spring. Remember to be respectful of the religious customs. Definitely a spiritually rewarding experience, even if you are not religious. Don’t get the outdoor sarong wet! Rent the special green one for the water.

Gunung Kawi Temple:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y8ebjvbp

More info: https://tinyurl.com/hmvnjay

Personal Tips: Be prepared to climb a lot of stairs, but it’s worth it. When you finish, get a coffee from one of the shops at the top overlooking the rice terraces. We had a rainy day, but it was still magical.

Day 7:

Overview: We spent this day touring the Tamblingan Twin Lakes region! We used Bali Dynasty Tours, and their price and service can’t be beat: https://tinyurl.com/y9qzzfgh. 650,000 for a driver for the day plus 600,000 for the tour of the lakes. Overall, around $27 USD per person for the day! They do offer an all-inclusive tour that includes Lunch and entrance fees, but we went with just the driver.

Tamblingan Twin Lakes Tour:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/ybu4q637

Personal Tips: Go with the agency listed above. Our guide was amazing, took us to the best spots, and the price was very good. They took us to Ulundanu Temple, Banyumala Twin Waterfall, Ulun Danu Temple, and the Bali Botanical Gardens. Oh, and on that note:

Botanical Gardens:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y9lpq59o

More info: https://tinyurl.com/y92n89v5

Personal Tips: Don’t go here at the end of the day. It was beautiful and seemed to have a lot to offer, but it was closing when we arrived at 4:30. If you want to go here, set aside at least half a day. Allegedly, this garden is home to the famously aromatic “Corpse Flower!”

Day 8:

Overview: We left our awesome accommodation in Ubud for an equally awesome one in Sanur: Pondok Nuri Homestay. We spent most of the day at the beach!

Beach, Pantai Matahari Terbit:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yayzknhu

Personal Tips: Much less busy than Sanur beach and lots of cheap shopping in the area. You can also catch a ferry from here to the nearby island of Nusa Penida, but we decided it wasn’t worth the 300,000 RM each for just a day-trip. If you have an extra night, we hear it’s a great stopover!

Day 9:

Overview: Hidden Canyon, Uluwatu Part 2!

Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y78p45pd

More info: https://tinyurl.com/yb7bljf3

Personal Tips: Not for the faint of heart! Be ready to climb, balance, and swim against strong currents. If you’re physically fit and adventurous, don’t miss out on this amazing place. Be sure to call ahead to make sure they are open though! They often close it off after heavy rain. +62 857-3727-0288

Uluwatu Temple Kecak Dance:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/ycb2mxsc

More info: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kecak

Personal Tips: We only went to Uluwatu a second time because the tickets for the Kecak dance had been sold out the first time. Be sure to arrive by 4 to get tickets and a good seat for this amazing show!

Day 10:

Overview: Just the beach today!

Sanur Beach:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y9plfggh

More info: http://www.bali-indonesia.com/sanur/

Personal Tips: It was our last day, so we stayed here all day. Good shopping in the area, lots of food and cheap drinks, white sands, and a nice view. We paid a small fee to use beach chairs and umbrellas. We even rented a jet ski in the area! We paid 380,000 for 15 minutes.

Day 11:

Pack your bags and head to the airport. Uber will get you there for very cheap!

Accommodation:

Family Room Denpasar – Moslem village – AirBnB:

More info: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/19789795

Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/y7H5efYR9Un

Personal Tips: $4 a night per person. Incredible price. But, bring earplugs if you stay here because the nearby mosque has a loud call to prayer every day at 5 AM. Aside from that, it was amazing. Good location and friendly house-sitter.

Tutde’s Place – AirBnB:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/ya2nxzv3

More info: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/15332469

Personal Tips: if you come to Ubud, stay here. It’s awesome. That is all.

Pondok Nuri Homestay, Sanur:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/ya8szp8m

More info: https://tinyurl.com/y8cm33zl

Personal Tips: Clean rooms, good price, nice host, perfect location, can’t complain!

Food:

Loving Hut, Denpasar:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/ycobpqot

Website: http://www.lovinghut.co.id

Personal Tips: Great place to go for vegan food! Even if you’re not vegan, the food is amazing and cheap.

Happy Buddha, Denpasar:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/y73mt3nx

More info: https://tinyurl.com/y78kztzj

Personal Tips: More awesome vegan food in Denpasar, with a very kind lady running the place.

Veggie Karma, Ubud:

Google Maps: https://tinyurl.com/yakftjbf

More info: https://tinyurl.com/yba34vry

Personal Tips: ALL YOU CAN EAT for under $4! All vegan food! Even if you’re not vegan, don’t even THINK about not eating here at least once. We ate here three times and could barely walk afterwards. Also, there’s a similar place next door that offers the same price, and they even have coconut milk ice cream! In short, Ubud is a haven for vegans.

Street food and cafes:

Personal Tips: There are cafes and street food everywhere! Enjoy the cheap food in Bali!

And that’s it! We hope you found this itinerary useful for your planning! Don’t over-plan though, because life in Bali can be unpredictable! If you have your own experiences, please comment!