The Perfect 10 Day Bali Itinerary for Your First Visit

Q: What's The Best Time of Year to Go to Bali?

The dry season is the best time to visit Bali (for obvious reasons). It usually runs from around April to October, with July and August being peak season.

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If you’ve never been to Bali before, figuring out where to go can feel like you’ve opened 37 tabs on Google and somehow made less progress.

If you’ve got 10 days in Bali and it’s your first trip, I’d spend 3 days in Canggu, 3 days in Ubud, and 4 days on Nusa Lembongan, with a day trip to Nusa Penida if you’re feeling adventurous.

It gives you a bit of everything: beaches, culture, rice fields, waterfalls and island life, without spending half your holiday stuck in traffic or dragging your suitcase to a new hotel every other night.

I’ve spent over 3 months in Bali across multiple trips, stayed all over the island, and drunk more Bintangs than I’d probably care to admit. So this itinerary is based on what actually works, not just what looks good on a map.

In this guide, I’ll show you how many nights to spend where, what to do each day (with options, of course), and the easiest ways to get between them.

You’ll have three main bases, minimal travel days, and enough time to actually enjoy each place without needing to scooter the whole island to make it work.

Bali Route Map

Day 1: Arrive In Canggu

Now Canggu gets a bit of an eye-roll sometimes, but I actually love starting my trips here. It’s a great base for your first few days in Bali.

You’ve got beaches, trendy cafés, and a few rice paddies dotted around, so you get a little taste of everything straight away. It’s also super social, so if you’re travelling solo, it’s one of the easiest places to meet other travellers without having to try too hard.

When you first arrive in Bali, the first thing you’ll need to tackle is getting out of the airport without getting rinsed.

There’s no Uber in Bali, and once you walk through arrivals, it can be really overstimulating! Taxi drivers are everywhere, all offering “good price” (spoiler: it’s rarely a good price). And honestly, every time I’ve grabbed a random cab on arrival, I’ve been massively overcharged.

I’d do 1 of these instead:

Arrange a pickup through your accommodation (easiest + least stress).
Or head to the Grab lounge (closest thing to Uber). Download the app in advance and use the airport Wi-Fi if you don’t have a SIM yet.

Once you’ve finally made it to Canggu, checked in, and dumped your bags, my advice is: don’t overdo it.

Grab a sunset drink on the beach, order some food through Grab or Gojek (basically Bali’s version of Uber Eats), and get some proper rest. You’ve got plenty of time to explore tomorrow.

Woman sitting at a table holding a smoothie bowl topped with banana strawberries and granola. The word BALI is spelled out with fruit on top against a pink wall with painted leaves.

Day 2: Beach Club or Cafés + Shopping

Today’s a good day to go a bit boozy if you fancy it, because you’ve still got tomorrow in Canggu to recover.

If you’re in the mood for a proper beach club day, you’re spoilt for choice around Canggu (and neighbouring Seminyak). Just know they can be a bit spendy, so it’s worth checking minimum spends before you commit. My main picks are:

Finns – James and I had such a laugh when we went, and we literally spent the whole day there (we were battered by the end of it). There’s a pool overlooking the ocean, good music, and really fun vibes.
Potato Head (Seminyak) – an OG for a reason, with an infinity pool and more good music.
La Brisa – beautiful, rustic wooden beach club with a pool and ocean views. I still haven’t made it here yet, but it’s the first one I’m going to next time I’m back.

But if beach clubs aren’t your thing (or you just can’t be bothered with daybeds and minimum spends), do a slow Canggu day instead.

Start with a café, KYND Community is my favourite brekkie/brunch spot, then have a mooch around the boutiques and markets. Love Anchor is a Bazaar Market, and La Brisa Sunday Market is worth it if you’re here on the right day.

You can also wander the Canggu rice paddies (sadly, there aren’t as many as there used to be thanks to development, but they’re still there). A nice, easy spot to find some is around Shady Shack.

Then finish the day with sunset. Head over to Seminyak and grab a bean bag at La Plancha. James and I accidentally stumbled across it a few years back, and we always come back now.

The colourful umbrellas and bean bags are super cute, and it’s just a really easy place to sit and watch the sun go down.

Woman standing in a pool wearing a neon green bikini at FINNS beach club. A crowd gathers around the bar structure behind her.

Day 3: Tanah Lot + Beach Time

If you went a bit hard at a beach club yesterday and you’re feeling it today (most of us have been there), don’t stress, this day is easy to move around, depending on how rough you are.

Tanah Lot is only about 30 mins from Canggu (Bali traffic depending, obviously). It’s open 7am–7pm, and you’ve basically got 2 good options: go earlier in the day for fewer crowds, or go later for sunset.

When I went, we did sunset and dinner after. It was genuinely stunning… but oh my god, the crowds were insane. I know I was part of the crowd too, but I was pretty shocked! So it really comes down to what you care about more: sunset photos or a calmer visit.

Either way, you can’t come to Canggu and not do a proper beach day, so just build that around Tanah Lot. Canggu’s also known for its beginner-friendly waves, so if you’re up for it, book a surf lesson.

If you’re not in the mood for all that, Times Beach Warung has cosy bean bags right on the sand, which are perfect for sunbathing, swimming, and generally doing absolutely nothing (in the best way).

Coastal temple on a rocky outcrop surrounded by ocean at low tide. Large crowds walk across the exposed shoreline toward the temple.

Where to Stay in Canggu (By Vibe + Budget)

Canggu is massive, so where you stay matters. I usually stay a little inland because it’s quieter (and cheaper), and I just use Grab/Gojek to get around. It’s easy, and the rides are so reasonable.

Best Luxury Hotel: Desa Hay Canggu – If you want a boujee, calm stay tucked away in nature (and you’re not listening to someone’s speaker at the pool). It’s adults only too, so that calm is actually guaranteed.
Beautiful Villa: The Oasis Bali – Great if you want privacy and your own little slice of peace.
Best Mid-Range: Kalm – Stylish and comfy, and really good value. Not too far from Berawa Beach.
Rice Paddy Views: Puri Canggu Rooms 2 – If you want a quieter base with that green, Bali backdrop, this is a good shout (and you can Grab/Gojek your way to the beach bits).
Best Budget-Friendly Option: Kos One Hostel – Clean, social, and actually good value. Perfect if you want to meet people without ending up in a chaotic party dorm. It’s 18 and over too.

Hand holding a waffle cone with two scoops of ice cream in front of a tiled wall with a neon sign that reads Ice Ice Baby. Small potted plants and a toppings menu board sit on the counter in the background.

Where to Eat in Canggu (My Go-Tos)

I’m vegan, so everything on this list has vegan options (or is fully vegan). I’m also GF and had no issues finding awesome food.

KYND Community — still my favourite place to eat in Canggu. They’re veggie + vegan now (they used to be fully vegan), their aesthetics are to die for!
I Am Vegan Babe — fully vegan with so many options (they even do plant-based “eggs”).
Kasto — vegan Italian and honestly… the butter + sage ravioli is unreal… it’s not gluten free though (I risked the stomach ache, for me it was worth it, if you’re GF, don’t do as I do though).
Warung Dua Hati — local-style vegan dishes when you want something a bit more authentic and less “smoothie bowl.”
The Shady Shack — veggie but really vegan-friendly, and it’s right by the rice fields.
Mad Pops (Seminyak) — amazing vegan ice cream and worth the detour if you’re nearby. Their vegan mint choc chip is my weakness.
Yuki — beachfront, mostly meat/fish, but they do a few genuinely good vegan options (the watermelon “tuna” is so creative!).
Lacalita Bar y Cocina — Mexican with vegan-friendly bits and a banging margarita (a good marg always has me sold).

Couple sitting on the steps of a small thatched roof bungalow surrounded by tropical plants. The house has wooden doors and a garden lawn in front.

Day 4: Arrive in Ubud + Explore

I’ve done the Canggu to Ubud journey more times than I can count, and my biggest bit of advice is: leave early. Maps will swear it’s “about 1 hour,” but Bali traffic loves to humble you, and it can easily turn into double that (trust me, I’ve been there).

As for how to get there, I’d either arrange a transfer through your accommodation (easy and usually fairly priced), or book a private driver, this is the option I use most of the time.

Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali, with temples, local markets, and some seriously beautiful scenery around it. The area is ridiculously lush, with rice paddies, jungles and waterfalls everywhere.

Grab some breakfast in Canggu, get on the road, and you should arrive in Ubud late morning or early afternoon (traffic depending!).

Once you’ve dropped your bags, head into the centre for a wander. Ubud has this chilled, yogi reputation, but the town itself is actually pretty hectic, with scooters and people everywhere.

Start at Ubud Market. I’m not usually a big market person because they can feel overcrowded, but I’ve actually picked up a few cute bits here (I’m still obsessed with my little hamsa hand necklace from one of the stalls).

Nearby, you’ll also find Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati (the water temple) and Ubud Palace. They don’t take long to visit, but they’re both worth a quick stop.

For lunch, head to Fair Warung Bali, which is just around the corner. They serve a mix of local dishes and have some great vegan options too, obvs.

In the afternoon, make your way to the Campuhan Ridge Walk. It’s one of my favourite easy walks around Ubud, with lush green views and a break from the chaos of town.

Go later in the day though. We did it around midday once and absolutely roasted ourselves (plus forgot water… rookie mistake). There are a few cafés and shops at the start if you need supplies.

You might also have the Monkey Forest on your list, as it’s one of Ubud’s most popular attractions. I’m going to be honest though: I personally don’t feel comfortable recommending it from an ethical point of view. It’s marketed as a sanctuary, but the fact they sell tickets for monkey selfies doesn’t sit right with me.

I visited years ago, and I also saw plenty of monkeys grabbing phones and sunglasses from tourists, so for me, once was enough.

Baby monkey sitting on a stone path scattered with flower petals. Trees and greenery blur in the background.

Day 5: Waterfalls + Rice Terraces

One of my favourite things about Ubud is how much nature you can see nearby. You don’t have to go far to get waterfalls, jungle, and rice fields in the same day.

Go early if you can. These places get busy fast, so visit the one you care about most first. You’ll also want a driver for today (unless you’re genuinely comfortable on a scooter).

Waterfalls worth considering:

Tukad Cepung (45 mins from Ubud) — a cave waterfall with dramatic light rays. It’s about a 1 km walk from the car park and you’ll wade through a bit of river, so bring water shoes if you’ve got them (the rocks are sharp). We got there late morning and it was already busy.
Tibumana (30 mins from Ubud) — my favourite waterfall in the area. We went early and had it to ourselves (a rare Bali victory). By around 9am, people started turning up.
Tegenungan (20 mins from Ubud) — I still haven’t made it here, but it’s popular and there’s also a day club nearby if you want more of a chill-out afternoon.

Woman sitting on a rock in a pool beneath a tall jungle waterfall. Dense green foliage surrounds the cascading water.

Rice terraces:

Tegalalang — iconic sure, but it’s started feeling like an Instagram obstacle course. No shade if you love that, but it’s lost a lot of charm for me. I’ve also seen recent reviews saying there are caged luwaks now (that wasn’t a thing the last time I went as far as I knew), so it’s not somewhere I’d recommend spending your money.
If you still want the area without the circus and cruelty, I’ve heard typing “Ricefields Tegalang Real” into Google Maps takes you to a quieter section.
Mupu Rice Terrace — a family-run rice farm with proper rice fields, no big swings and no chaos. It’s free to enter, with a donation box to help maintain the fields, a much better place to support (and honestly, I think you’ll have a better time here anyway).

Day 6: Choose a Day Trip From Ubud

Ubud’s a great base for day trips because it sits more central, so you can see more of Bali without lugging your bags all over the island.

North Bali / Munduk — Best for: waterfalls, jungle views, cooler air, and a break from the chaos. Start early because it’s a longer day, but it’s worth it if you want more nature. If you’d rather not organise drivers and stops yourself, this North Bali day tour is a good shout.
Coffee plantations (but do it ethically) — Best for: a chilled day, learning something new and decent coffee… just skip anywhere pushing luwak coffee or keeping animals in cages. Eco Bike Coffee near Mount Batur is a solid option and they don’t mention luwak at all.
East Bali (temples + quieter scenery) — Best for: a calmer day with way less of the shitty tourist traps, especially if you want a slower vibe than the main Ubud loop. I’d hire a driver and explore near Sidemen. Views of Mount Agung, Gembleng Waterfall, and Tirta Gangga Water Palace.

Woman standing in a small outdoor pool surrounded by tropical plants in front of a bamboo villa. The round upper level of the bamboo house rises above the greenery.

Where to Stay in Ubud (By Vibe + Budget)

Ubud is really spread out, so where you stay depends on how close you want to be to the centre. I always choose somewhere a bit further out because I’d rather wake up to jungle and rice fields than scooters and honking.

Best Eco-Resort: Fivelements Retreat — This one’s on my Bali bucket list. It’s right by the Ayung River and the whole place looks ridiculously peaceful (they do flower baths too). They don’t take children under 12 either.
Best Luxury Hotel: Bisma Eight — I stayed here when it first opened, and it’s honestly unreal. Infinity pool looking out over the jungle, and the Japanese-style baths are such a vibe.
Rice Paddy Views: DITUJU Ubud — Private villas surrounded by rice fields, and it’s not far from Tegenungan Waterfall if you’re doing that side of Ubud.
Best Mid-Range Option: Ayu Duwur Beji — More rice paddy views, lovely staff, and about 15 mins outside Ubud so it feels calmer without being miles away.
Best Budget-Friendly Option: Joglo Organik Guesthouse — A peaceful little spot in a Javanese joglo house, set in organic gardens, with rooms looking straight out over rice paddies.

Where to Eat in Ubud (My Go-Tos)

As Ubud is the hub of wellness in Bali, loads of places are either fully plant-based or have genuinely good vegan options.

Bali Soul Ubud — really creative dishes (the banana flower + tempeh steak combo is unreal).
Sage — my favourite place to eat in Ubud. The tempeh bacon caesar and the cauli fritters are to die for.
Sawobali — vegan and gluten free all-you-can-eat Indonesian buffet, and it’s such good value.
Akasha — rice paddy views, a menu that works for mixed diets, and the dessert options are dangerous.
Wild — used to be fully vegan, now serves meat too, but it’s still great. You build your own plate from a menu of Indonesian dishes.
Siboghana Waroeng — fully vegan warung, really reasonably priced. It can take a bit longer, but that’s because everything’s made fresh.
Alchemy — fully plant-based, mostly gluten free, and some raw options too.

Woman relaxing on a beach chair in a light purple bikini with palm trees and turquoise ocean behind her. She is wearing sunglasses while sitting by the water.

Day 7: Travel to Nusa Lembongan + Settle In

After Ubud, it’s island time. If you’ve loved the islands in Thailand, you’ll probably love the Nusas too.

For this itinerary, I’d base yourself on Nusa Lembongan. It’s connected to Nusa Ceningan (so you can easily explore both), and it makes a day trip to Nusa Penida simple. That way, you get to see all three without dragging your bags from island to island.

To get there, you’ll need a driver to Sanur, then a fast boat over to Lembongan. Just be careful booking your tickets because this is where James and I learned a very expensive lesson.

We somehow bought a ferry ticket for a ferry that didn’t exist (not delayed, not cancelled… literally fictional), then paid about 8x the normal price for another one. Honestly, at this point, we were the problem.

Book your ferry online in advance and don’t be us.

The journey from Ubud to Nusa Lembongan takes a bit of time. You’re looking at around an hour in the car to Sanur (traffic depending), plus check-in and boat faff, then another 30–40 minutes on the fast boat.

If you get seasick, bring tablets. James really struggles with it and has been caught out a few times on this exact crossing.

You’ll probably arrive early afternoon, so don’t plan anything major. After a few busy days, this is your chance to slow down.

Either relax by the pool or head to Jungutbatu Beach and grab a spot by the water. There are loads of cafés along the beach, and Ginger & Jamu is a great option for food with a sea view.

Woman standing at a cliff viewpoint overlooking a steep rock island surrounded by bright turquoise ocean. Waves crash along the base of the cliffs below.

Day 8: Nusa Penida Day Trip (Scenic Drive or Snorkel)

I really think you’re going to love today, Nusa Penida is my favourite island for exploring (not so much for relaxing), because there’s literally so much to see. You won’t see it all in 1 day, so don’t even try. Pick what you’re most excited about and build the day around that.

You’ve basically got 2 ways to do Penida. Both are great, but it just depends what you’re most excited for.

If you want to really explore the island (cliffs, beaches, viewpoints), you can either book a pre-planned tour or hire a driver and build your own route. I prefer hiring a driver and choosing your own stops, but keep it realistic, 4 places max, because everything is spread out and the roads are… an experience.

If you enjoy exploring the underwater world, Penida is also a hotspot for manta rays and there’s even a spot literally called Manta Point. I haven’t done this one personally (yet), but if swimming with mantas is high on your list, this is where to do it.

Just don’t try and cram loads of land stops in afterwards, pick 1 (or 2 at a push), or just head back and chill.

Either way, you’ll work up an appetite. For yummy, wholesome food, Vegan Soul Kitchen is one of my faves on the island.

Woman standing on a narrow cliffside path with rope railing overlooking dramatic coastal rock formations and blue water. White waves roll onto the rocky beach below.

Scenic drive picks (choose 4):

Kelingking Beach — the famous “dinosaur” rock you’ve seen plastered all over Instagram. I first visited years ago before it blew up, and it’s still ridiculously beautiful, just be prepared for crowds. There was also a bit of drama recently where they started building a lift down (it’s a proper eyesore… I’m not sure what they were thinking). Last I heard it was being pulled down, but it’s worth knowing in case things look different when you go.
Tembeling Beach + Natural Pool — a more hidden beach with a natural pool. It’s still known, but because it’s harder to reach, it’s usually quieter than the Insta-famous spots. You can either do the 45 min walk down, or pay for a scooter ride down if you don’t fancy it.
Diamond Beach — the colour of the water here is unreal. It’s backed by a huge limestone cliff and it’s iconic for a reason. You’ve got a lot of stairs, and the last bit is more of a scramble, I ended up doing it barefoot because my flip flops were a getting in a tangle! Also: don’t swim here, the water can be really dangerous.
Atuh Beach — right next to Diamond Beach down a separate staircase, so you can do both if you’re already there. This one’s more set up for relaxing, with a few warungs and sun loungers.
Rumah Pohon Tree House — I’m including this because it might be on your list, but I’m going to be honest: it’s a tourist trap (in my opinion). The photos are cute, but that’s basically it. You walk down a steep path, you queue, you pay, you take the pic… and you leave.
Angel’s Billabong — a natural tide pool that looks gorgeous, but please be careful. You’re climbing down slippery rocks and you really need to watch the waves. I didn’t climb down because I don’t trust myself not to stack it, but James did and nearly got taken out when a huge wave crashed in (and there have been deaths here in recent years, sadly).
Crystal Bay — such a good sunset spot. We sat here with a Bintang (they aren’t GF but I sometimes make an exception, again, don’t follow my lead if you’re GF!) and watched the sun go down. The drive here is unbelievably pretty too, with loads of palm trees.

If you’re doing the manta day:

Do the snorkel/dive trip first, then keep the rest simple: grab lunch, then pick 1 or 2 land stops if you’ve still got energy (Crystal Bay is an easy one), or just head back to Lembongan and flop.

Woman standing in the doorway of a small white beach hut with turquoise trim and a thatched roof. A cushion rests on the wooden porch in front of her.

Day 9: Nusa Lembongan (Beaches + Snorkel Options)

After Penida yesterday, you might just fancy a chilled beach day, and honestly, there’s nothing wrong with that! Lembongan makes it very easy to do absolutely nothing without feeling guilty about it.

You’ve got loads of good beach options depending on the vibe: Tamarind Beach, Mushroom Beach, Jungutbatu Beach, and Dream Beach. Pick one, park up, and call it a day.

If you didn’t snorkel yesterday, or you just want more, there are loads of snorkel spots around Lembongan. You can rent gear and go straight from the beach, but it won’t be as good as hopping on a boat tour out to the reefs.

And if you’re a surfer, Lembongan has a really good surf scene too. There are a few solid spots: Playgrounds, Lacerations, and Shipwrecks.

If you do feel like hopping around a bit more, James and I actually rented a golf buggy (yes, literally a golf buggy!) for half a day, and it was such a fun way to get from place to place. We couldn’t stop giggling!

You can’t drive it across the Yellow Bridge, but we parked it nearby and walked over to Nusa Ceningan instead. On the way, we also detoured to Devil’s Tears, which is 100% worth a stop.

Once you’re over in Ceningan, it’s perfect for a beach bar afternoon. I love Sea Breeze, they’ve got some cute swings and hammocks literally in the ocean, and their smoothies are yum. Secret Point Beach is stunning too, and if you’re braver than me, you can cliff jump at Mahana Point.

Two smoothies in glass mason jars with straws on a table overlooking calm ocean water. Small boats float in the distance.

Day 10: Slow Beach Morning + Departure

Depending on what time you’ve booked your boat back to mainland Bali, you might have time for one last slow morning, either a final beach dip or a quick pool session.

Make sure you grab a proper breakfast first (and even lunch if your boat time allows), because once you’re on the move, it’s very easy to end up hungry and grumpy with all your luggage in tow.

If you’re going straight to the airport after you arrive in Sanur, I’d line up a taxi in advance so you’re not trying to sort it the second you step off the boat.

We’ve done this before, and it took ages to get a Grab because drivers kept cancelling, luckily we weren’t in a rush, but you don’t want to be stressing when you’ve got a flight to catch.

Where to Stay in Nusa Lembongan (By Vibe + Budget)

Best Luxury Accommodation: White Horse Resort— A proper treat! Sleek villas, loads of space, and close enough to the beach that you’re never far from a swim (or a sunset drink).
Best Mid-Range Accommodation: Jenggala Hill — The infinity pool views are the main character here. A great place to stay if you want that “wow” factor without splashing out on full luxury.
Best Beach Location: United Colors of Lembongan— If you want to roll out of bed and be straight on the sand (with cafés within easy wandering distance), this is the easy pick. Bonus points for the lush, tropical garden.
Best Budget Option: Kakiang Guesthouse— Really good value for what you get, and you’re in a handy spot: a short walk to Tamarind Beach and close to Devil’s Tears.
Best Adults Only Option: Le Pirate Beach Club – Over on Nusa Ceningan, just across the bridge. We stayed in one of their tiny beach huts, and you can step straight out into the infinity pool. It’s 16 and over.

Empty lounge chairs lined up beside a pool at sunset with palm trees nearby. The sun reflects off the water as it sets over the ocean.

Where to Eat in Nusa Lembongan (My Go-Tos)

Lembongan has a surprisingly good food scene, and you won’t be stuck eating a bowl of fries and a sad looking salad (unless you want to, obviously). Here are my go-tos:

Ginger & Jamu — right on Jungutbatu Beach with a huge menu and loads of options for different dietary needs. Fresh, healthy, and just super delicious.
The Deck Café & Bar — gorgeous views over the boats and water, and they grow around 75% of their ingredients in their hydroponic garden (so cool). Lots of plant-based options and swaps too.
Hai Bar & Grill — plenty of options for everyone, and they’ve got a handful of vegan dishes too, including a tempeh rendang (delish, as my Nan used to say!).
Ombak Café & Huts — close to Ginger & Jamu and very chilled. They’re committed to zero waste, and there are loads of vegan + GF options.
Soka Warung — cute little local warung with tasty dishes at a reasonable price when you want something simple and authentic.

Couple standing on a sandy beach with ocean waves behind them and a rocky island formation in the distance. The woman holds a camera at her side.

Easy Itinerary Swaps

Even though I think this is a really great itinerary for a first visit to Bali (it’s exactly what I’d tell my friends to do), you might already have somewhere else on your Bali bucket list.

Here are a few easy swaps depending on what kind of trip you want.

If You Want More Beach Time

If you want more beach time than just Canggu and the Nusa Islands, swap Ubud for Uluwatu. Uluwatu is down south, has some of the best beaches in Bali, and it’s great for surfers, just be ready for a lot of stairs (worth it, but your legs will feel it).

If You Want Somewhere Off the Beaten Path

If you want a quieter, less touristy version of Bali, I’d drop Canggu and start in Ubud, then add in Sidemen or Munduk before heading to the Nusa Islands.

Sidemen is my favourite area in Bali, it’s more rural, ridiculously peaceful, and you can stay in some gorgeous bamboo houses surrounded by rice fields.

Munduk is up in the mountains, and it’s much cooler than the beach towns. You’ve got some stunning views, waterfalls, and coffee plantations, and it just feels like a different side of Bali entirely.

If You Don’t Want to Ride a Scooter

Good news! This itinerary works really well without a scooter (I’ve never ridden one and got around fine). In Canggu and Ubud, it’s easy enough to use Grab or Gojek for short rides, and private drivers are very reasonably priced for longer days.

On Nusa Lembongan, hiring a golf buggy is a fun (and very low-effort) way to get around.

Woman sitting at the edge of an infinity pool at sunset with soft pink and blue sky in the background. Her reflection is visible in the still water.

Bali Trip FAQs

What’s The Best Time of Year to Go to Bali?

The dry season is the best time to visit Bali (for obvious reasons). It usually runs from around April to October, with July and August being peak season.

Do You Need a Scooter in Bali?

Nope. You don’t need a scooter in Bali. I don’t drive one, and I’ve never had an issue.

Is 10 Days in Bali Enough?

Yes, 10 days is enough to see a few main areas properly. The key is not cramming in too much. I spent 1 month here on one trip, and it still wasn’t enough to see everything, so don’t stress about doing it all.

What’s the Currency in Bali?

Bali uses the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). As a rough guide, it’s around £1 ≈ 22,700–22,900 IDR and $1 ≈ 16,800–16,900 IDR, but it changes all the time, so check the live rate before you go.

How do you get to Nusa Lembongan from Bali?

You’ll want a driver to Sanur, then a fast boat over, which is usually around 30–40 mins.

Ready to start planning your Bali adventure?

Hopefully this has saved you from tumbling down the Bali planning rabbit hole and made sorting your route a bit less painful.

Bali really is a special place, but it’s changed a lot over the years, and some of the more popular spots book up fast. So if there’s something you’ve got your heart set on, especially somewhere you want to stay, book it as far ahead as you can. I had to book our bamboo house in Sidemen about 6 months in advance!

I’ve also put together a downloadable 10-day Bali itinerary with this exact route, daily plans, and all the practical bits, so you can take it with you and spend less time comparing a million options and more time actually getting excited for your trip.