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<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\nI finally have the guide so many of you have been asking for. And no, this isn\u2019t the typical \u201c10 things to do in Bali in 5 days\u201d you\u2019ll find on every Pinterest blog. This is the guide I wish I\u2019d read before deciding to move here. The one that tells you the beautiful parts, yes, but also the practical ones. The uncomfortable ones. The things you only understand once you\u2019ve been on the island for more than a week.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
If you\u2019re thinking about traveling to Bali, I want to tell you about it from someone who actually lives here. Not from someone who came for seven days, took three photos on a swing, posted a reel with \u201cspiritual\u201d music, and left saying \u201cBali changed my life.\u201d \u00a0I mean yes, Bali\u00a0<\/span>can<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>change your life. But it can also frustrate you, confuse you, and teach you things you weren\u2019t expecting. And that, too, is part of the charm.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bali isn\u2019t a huge island\u2026 but it feels\u00a0<\/span>way<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>bigger than it actually is. For context: Costa Rica is almost nine times bigger than Bali. Yes, nine times. And still, Bali can feel endless because distances here aren\u2019t measured in kilometers. They\u2019re measured in traffic.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n Getting from the south to the north can easily take three to four hours. The roads aren\u2019t wide, straight highways. They\u2019re smaller roads packed with motorbikes, trucks, ceremonies that close streets, tropical rain that appears out of nowhere, and never-ending mountain curves. That trip Google Maps shows as \u201conly 60 km\u201d can turn into an entire day of transit very easily. That\u2019s why planning your route isn\u2019t optional. It\u2019s absolutely essential if you don\u2019t want to spend your whole trip inside a car.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When I first moved to Bali, I settled in Canggu. I know. I know. Before you judge me\u2026let me explain.<\/p>\n I’ve stayed here way longer than I ever planned. I built my little bubble: my routine, my favorite caf\u00e9s, my gym, my sunset walks by the ocean, the restaurants where they already knew my name and my order. It felt familiar. Safe. Mine. I know that\u2019s not very Sagittarian of me, but hey\u2026 people evolve (words by my nephew).<\/p>\n Canggu is predictable and very comfortable. It\u2019s practical. It\u2019s easy. It has everything you need to build a life here. A stable one. Even a glamorous one, if that\u2019s your vibe. And that\u2019s exactly why it\u2019s so easy to never leave. But the harsh reality is that Bali isn\u2019t just Canggu.<\/p>\n Yes, I did the usual weekend escapes everyone does \u2014 Uluwatu, Ubud \u2014 but nothing beyond that. Nothing that really pushed me out of the comfort zone I had created. At some point, I realized I was living in the international version of the island. The curated version. The one with smoothie bowls, coworking spaces, stunning pool villas, aesthetic gyms and Pilates studios, and sunset DJ sets.<\/p>\n And I had moved all the way to Indonesia\u2026 to experience a bubble that, in theory, could almost exist anywhere? (Although honestly, I don\u2019t think \u00a0there’s anything like it, but that\u2019s a debate for another time and a separate blog.) That\u2019s when I knew it was time to step beyond what was convenient and start discovering the side of the island that doesn\u2019t revolve around oat milk and beach or wellness clubs.<\/p>\n I knew it was something I needed to change, so I took three weeks with no rigid schedule, no itinerary, and most importantly no constant anxiety of \u201cI have to see everything.\u201d Just curiosity. Just the desire to step out of what I already knew. I traveled across the island from north to south and east to west, including some nearby islands. I stayed in areas I had never even considered before. I woke up to mist-covered volcano views.<\/p>\n I drove through rice fields, small villages, and mountain roads where the air felt completely different. Some days were turquoise water days. Other days were long walks through green landscapes without seeing almost anyone around. And I understood something very clearly: Bali isn\u2019t one thing. It\u2019s many. And depending on how you travel it, it can show itself in completely different ways. This guide comes from those three weeks, but also from my life here. From the mistakes I made in the beginning. From the places that surprised me. And from the ones that made me rethink what I thought \u201cBali\u201d was.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Bali has two very distinct seasons:<\/p>\n Personally, I recommend\u00a0May, June, and September. The weather is beautiful, there\u2019s sun almost every day, and you\u2019re not yet in the absolute chaos of July and August (European high season). Rainy season doesn\u2019t mean it rains all day. It\u2019s more like intense tropical storms that pour hard, then the sun comes back like nothing happened.<\/p>\n But if you\u2019re only coming for a few days and want to maximize beaches and road trips, try to avoid\u00a0January and February, which are usually the heaviest months of intense rain. Also, if your plan is to explore the north or mountainous areas, dry season makes everything much easier.<\/p>\n This depends on the country you\u2019re visiting from. Many Latin American countries do require a visa (for example, a Costa Rican passport), and you need to arrange it before arriving. Luckily for me, I also hold a Taiwanese passport, which makes things much easier. I\u2019m eligible for a 30-day Visa on Arrival, and I can extend it for another 30 days for around 750,000 IDR (roughly $45\u2013$50 USD).<\/p>\n The only catch? If you decide to extend, you\u2019ll need to pay the fee and usually visit an immigration office to take a photo and complete the process. It\u2019s not complicated, \u00a0just something to plan for.<\/p>\n If you need to extend, I recommend doing it through my agent because it saves you time and makes the process much easier. If you need to apply for your visa (because you\u2019re not eligible for visa on arrival), especially if it\u2019s your first time in Indonesia and you don\u2019t want to deal with the stress, I recommend using my agent<\/a>.<\/p>\n She\u2019s completely legitimate, works very professionally, and accepts online payments, which makes the process much easier if you\u2019re outside of Indonesia. It has worked very well for me, and I prefer recommending something I\u2019ve personally tried. She can also help you extend your visa if you decide to add more days to your trip.<\/p>\n You can sort this out right at the airport after you exit customs. As soon as you walk out, you\u2019ll see several eSim counters where you can set everything up in minutes. Yes, there are plenty of online companies where you can buy an eSIM before traveling (Holafly, Airalo, Maya Mobile). But honestly? I recommend getting a local eSIM instead. It usually offers better coverage, allows you to make local calls (which can be helpful in emergencies), the data plans tend to last longer, and most importantly \u00a0for me it\u2019s significantly cheaper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n I always use\u00a0<\/span>Telkomsel. It\u2019s much more affordable. To give you an idea of pricing: I paid\u00a0<\/span>500,000 IDR ($32)\u00a0<\/span>for a\u00a0<\/span>40 GB plan. Important tip: you can usually get your eSIM for the length of the visa you were given. If you\u2019re going to extend, get it for\u00a0<\/span>3 months\u00a0<\/span>right away. If you need more time than that, you\u2019ll have to do a process with immigration so they can give you a paper that allows the provider to sell you a longer plan.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Indonesia uses the\u00a0<\/span>Indonesian rupiah (IDR)\u00a0<\/span>and the first time you see the prices\u2026 you\u2019re going to feel like a millionaire!<\/p>\n Quick reference: 1 USD \u2248 15,000\u201316,000 IDR. So a bill of\u00a0<\/span>150,000 IDR\u00a0<\/span>sounds insane, but it\u2019s actually around\u00a0<\/span>$10 USD.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tip:<\/strong> withdraw cash from ATMs at major banks like BCA or Mandiri, and avoid sketchy exchange booths. Many ATMs have a withdrawal limit of 2\u20132.5 million IDR per transaction (around $125\u2013$165 USD), so if you need a larger amount, you\u2019ll likely have to make a few withdrawals. Personally, I almost never carry much cash so ATMs work perfectly for me. Most places across the island accept cards (and many also take Apple Pay), but you\u2019ll still want some cash for more local spots: small warungs, temple offerings, parking attendants, and sometimes tours or drivers where paying in cash can even be cheaper.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n First things first: download\u00a0<\/span>Grab<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>Gojek<\/strong>\u00a0<\/span>as soon as you land. They\u2019re the essential apps here. They work like Uber, but Southeast Asia version. You\u2019ll use them for everything: motorbike rides, cars, food delivery, groceries, even pharmacies. They make your life so much easier.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n As soon as you leave customs, you\u2019ll see official taxi companies offering rides. They work and they\u2019re not insanely expensive, but usually Grab or Gojek is cheaper. For context: a private taxi from the airport to Uluwatu can cost\u00a0<\/span>$25\u2013$30\u00a0<\/span>and normally takes about an hour\u2026 but with traffic it can be\u00a0<\/span>3\u20134 hours. To catch a Grab or Gojek, just walk out of arrivals and keep going to the end (after you pass the people holding signs), and you\u2019ll clearly see the sign that says: \u201cGrab \/ Gojek Pick Up Point.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Especially in the south (Canggu, Uluwatu, Ubud), motorbikes are the most practical. They\u2019re fast, cheap, and they move through traffic when cars are completely stuck. A 10\u201315 minute ride can cost\u00a0<\/span>$1\u2013$2. I personally don\u2019t drive a motorbike here, even though I know how. I just honestly don\u2019t want that stress. Driving in Bali is\u2026 a whole different world. There\u2019s no clear logic. Motorbikes come from everywhere, people cut in without signaling, they drive crazy, sidewalks aren\u2019t for walking\u2026 they\u2019re for motorbikes. It\u2019s its own ecosystem and, personally, it stresses me out. Seriously, driving in Bali is almost an art and I\u2019d rather trust that art to locals or drivers who do this all day. I\u2019m very happy in passenger princess mode.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Tip: <\/strong>always wear a helmet. I know. It\u2019s not the most aesthetic accessory for your Bali content (and yes, I know you\u2019re filming everything.. like \u00a0every Bali first-timer does). I get it. But I\u2019ve seen enough accidents here to say this clearly: you do not<\/em> want your trip to take a turn because you skipped a helmet for a cute video. One second is all it takes to change everything.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re planning longer routes from the south to the north, moving luggage, or doing a road trip around the island, hiring a driver can be one of the best decisions you make.<\/p>\n For my three-week trip, I hired a driver on several days, and it was one of the best choices. I didn\u2019t have to think about directions, traffic, or parking. I just looked out the window and enjoyed the scenery. And compared to other countries, hiring a driver in Bali is quite affordable, especially if you split the cost between several people. In my case, I did it solo, and for each route he charged me around $25\u2013$30, and we\u2019re talking about almost 2\u20134 hours of driving.<\/p>\n In my opinion comfort matters when you\u2019re spending hours on the road. If you\u2019d like the contact of the driver I used, I\u2019ll leave it here<\/a>. He was respectful, punctual, and the car was very spacious, air-conditioned, and comfortable. Never! Don\u2019t drink the tap water. I\u2019m serious.<\/strong><\/p>\n You can end up with the infamous \u201cBali Belly,\u201d a stomach infection that can send you straight to bed for several days. I only drink bottled water and I\u2019m careful with ice in very local places. In well-established restaurants it\u2019s generally fine, but it\u2019s still better to ask or avoid drinks with ice if you\u2019re unsure.<\/p>\n I\u2019ve been living in Bali for over a year and, thank God, I\u2019ve never had Bali Belly. I\u2019ve heard of people getting it from food as well, since many fruits and vegetables are washed with unfiltered water.<\/p>\n And something almost no one mentions (especially for the girls): the water in Bali is hardcore. It has a high mineral content, like calcium and magnesium, which can make your hair feel drier or rougher, increase frizz, and leave your skin feeling dry or textured. You\u2019ll notice it because hard water doesn\u2019t let shampoo lather as much and it leaves mineral residue on your hair.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re staying long-term, you\u2019ll definitely feel the difference. It can be quite drying. If you\u2019re booking a villa or Airbnb, ask whether they have a shower filter. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes a big difference.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n I\u2019m repeating this because it matters: if you\u2019re traveling to Bali, get travel medical insurance. You\u00a0<\/span>can<\/em>\u00a0<\/span>get treated here if something happens, but be ready to pay. Prices for foreigners can be high. A friend fell off a motorbike, injured her wrist, and just the consultation + medication was around\u00a0<\/span>$400 USD. Nothing serious. No hospitalization.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Between motorbike accidents, stomach viruses, or any unexpected situation, it\u2019s better to be safe. You don\u2019t want to be sick in Bali without coverage.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n This is another question I get all the time, and the real answer is: it depends entirely on your budget and the kind of experience you want. Something people don\u2019t understand until they arrive: in Bali you can find gorgeous hotels at prices that would be unthinkable elsewhere.<\/p>\n From\u00a0<\/span>$17 a night\u00a0<\/span>for really good, simple options\u2026 all the way to absolute luxury. And at the same time, there are incredible Airbnbs: private villas with pools, huge spaces, amazing design.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n If you\u2019re coming for a short trip: hotels are easier (daily service, zero hassle). If you\u2019re staying longer: Airbnb can work better, especially if you want more space or privacy. I\u2019ve done both. And honestly\u2026 it depends on the mood of the trip.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Indonesia is predominantly Muslim. Bali is the exception: most people here are Hindu.<\/p>\n And spirituality here isn\u2019t decoration. It\u2019s daily life. You\u2019ll see offerings every morning in front of homes, shops, and restaurants. They\u2019re sacred rituals. Watch where you step, if it happens by accident it\u2019s not dramatic, but being mindful is a sign of respect.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n There\u2019s also a very special day called\u00a0<\/span>Nyepi, the Day of Silence. It\u2019s the Balinese New Year, and the entire island literally shuts down for 24 hours. No flights, the airport closes (make sure you don\u2019t travel that day), you can\u2019t leave your hotel, no outside lights, no noise. It\u2019s a powerful experience, but you need to know if it overlaps with your dates because it usually falls around mid-March (the date changes every year based on the Balinese calendar).<\/p>\n And something important: even though Bali can feel very open-minded because of the amount of digital nomads, surfers, and foreigners living here, Indonesia is still a conservative country. Excessive public affection isn\u2019t well seen in local areas. Drug laws are extremely severe. And when visiting temples: wear a sarong, dress appropriately, and never touch or move offerings.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n When I decided to leave my bubble and explore Bali properly, I realized something: Bali isn\u2019t discovered in 5 days, and it\u2019s definitely not discovered from one single base. You discover it by moving. By changing landscapes. By letting each place shift your energy in a different way. This was my route and if you want a more complete Bali, this is the one I recommend:<\/p>\n A lot of people don\u2019t even include Canggu in their itinerary because they say \u201cit\u2019s not real Bali.\u201d And honestly? I\u00a0would <\/em>include it. Not because it\u2019s traditional Bali, \u00a0but because it\u2019s modern Bali. And if you want to understand the island today, you need to see it.<\/p>\n Canggu is where local culture and global culture collide, sometimes harmoniously, sometimes\u2026 not so much. It\u2019s digital nomads, influencers, online entrepreneurs, creatives, crypto dudes, gym rats, and travelers who come for a week and somehow stay for six months. It\u2019s a very specific mix.<\/p>\n The first time I came\u2026 I hated it. Like,\u00a0hated it<\/em> so much I literally left. I felt like it wasn\u2019t the Bali I imagined. Too much traffic, too much noise, too many people, too much posing. I left convinced that \u201cthis isn\u2019t Bali.\u201d And the funniest part? I live here now.<\/p>\n This is the Bali you see on Instagram: aesthetic caf\u00e9s, minimalist villas, $12 brunches, beach clubs, sunset DJ sets, and coworkings full of people \u201cworking\u201d at 10am. But it\u2019s also real traffic, constant construction, noise, dust\u2026 and somehow, it still has something.<\/p>\n What no one explains is that there\u2019s a huge difference between\u00a0visiting Canggu\u00a0and\u00a0living in Canggu. If you come for two days, it can feel superficial. Like everyone is performing life. Too international, too trendy. But if you stay a bit longer, you start to understand its purpose on the island.<\/p>\n This is where you find international-level gyms, yoga\/lagree\/pilates studios, padel clubs, healthy caf\u00e9s that are actually good, great restaurants (not just pretty), nice grocery stores, private clinics, coworkings, barbershops, concept stores, community… and everything is relatively close.<\/p>\n I recommend at least 2 days so you can feel the modern energy of Bali, eat really well, catch sunset at Batu Bolong or Echo Beach, do one or two beach clubs, and have a comfortable base before heading north or east.<\/p>\n Best areas to stay: Pererenan, Berawa Uluwatu is at the very south, on the Bukit Peninsula. It\u2019s still \u201cthe south,\u201d but it feels completely different from Canggu. The energy slows down. Less visual chaos, less constant traffic, less of that \u201ccreative city under construction\u201d feeling.<\/p>\n Yes, there are cute caf\u00e9s. Yes, there are amazing restaurants and beautiful yoga studios… but everything is more spread out. More spacious. More slow pace. Instead of rice fields and scooter-packed streets, you get dramatic cliffs dropping straight into the ocean, strong wind, powerful waves, and a rawer energy. It\u2019s a wilder Bali.<\/p>\n The first time I came to Bali, Uluwatu was the first place I visited \u00a0and honestly, it\u2019s what triggered my curiosity about the island. Those endless cliffs and that deep blue made me realize Bali wasn\u2019t just rice terraces and spirituality. Some of the most stunning beaches are here: Padang Padang, Bingin, Suluban and you literally go down through caves and steep stairs to reach them. These aren\u2019t \u201cflat walkway and calm swim\u201d beaches. Many depend completely on the tide. A lot are more for surfing than floating. And yes\u2026 the surfers are hot, \u00a0but there\u2019s also a real surf community here that\u2019s been coming to these waves for decades. Uluwatu isn\u2019t just aesthetic, it\u2019s surf culture.<\/p>\n You also have iconic spots like Savaya, one of the most famous beach clubs in Asia, built on a cliff with an endless view. It\u2019s dramatic, luxurious, very \u201cevent.\u201d But what makes Uluwatu special is that contrast between wild nature and modern development. And you can\u2019t leave without visiting Uluwatu Temple at sunset and watching the Kecak dance with the sun dropping behind the ocean.<\/p>\n Hoteles i love:<\/strong> Grun Uluwatu<\/a>, The Asa Maia<\/a>.<\/p>\n If there\u2019s one place that became the spiritual epicenter of Bali, it\u2019s Ubud. This is officially the HQ for yogis. People come here for retreats, yoga teacher trainings, cleansing rituals, breathwork, sound healing, cacao ceremonies, digital detox, physical detox, emotional detox\u2026 all of it.<\/p>\n If Canggu is social and modern, and Uluwatu is dramatic nature, Ubud is transformation.<\/p>\n And not in a superficial way. Spirituality is deeply part of Balinese culture but Ubud has also become a magnet for people from all over the world looking for something deeper. In my opinion (and I say this with love), it\u2019s a very intense yogi crowd. Super committed to their practice, very conscious, very aligned\u2026 and sometimes a little extreme. Lots of white linen, green smoothies, and \u201cI\u2019m healing ancestral patterns.\u201d Yes, it can feel clich\u00e9 from the outside, \u00a0but it\u2019s also beautiful to see so many people take their personal growth seriously.<\/p>\n After Eat Pray Love, spiritual tourism exploded and Ubud became\u00a0the<\/em> place to \u201cfind yourself.\u201d Beyond the international wellness vibe, Ubud is surrounded by jungle, rivers, endless rice fields, and ancient temples. It\u2019s humid-on-your-skin Bali. Deep green as far as you can see. The pace naturally slows down here. And there\u2019s so much to do because nature here is genuinely stunning. If you love nature, look at Ubud through that lens and I know<\/em>\u00a0you\u2019ll love it.<\/p>\n Hotels I love:<\/strong> Capella Ubud<\/a>, Wapa Di Ume Ubud<\/a>, Mandapa Reserve<\/a>.<\/p>\n Sidemen is what many people\u00a0think<\/em> Ubud is\u2026 but with a completely different feeling. It\u2019s in East Bali, surrounded by endless rice fields and open volcano views (Mount Agung on clear days). The landscape feels wider, rawer, more rural. No big avenues, no endless minimal caf\u00e9s. Just narrow roads between green fields, farmers working the land, and a kind of quiet that isn\u2019t that easy to find in Bali.<\/p>\n You won\u2019t find 20 \u201ccool\u201d restaurants or concept stores. There are some lovely places but the main character here is the landscape. You can stay somewhere like Wapa di Ume Sidemen<\/a> with incredible views of the Telaga Waja River and the surrounding rice fields or in one of the iconic bamboo house hotels in the area, like Veluvana<\/a>, \u00a0with a slide in the pool, hidden in the mountains where you wake up with mist floating right outside your window.<\/p>\n Amed is on the East Coast. Black volcanic sand, traditional fishing boats lined up along the shore, and Mount Agung rising in the background when the sky is clear. Tourism here is simpler. More divers, more slow travelers, less influencer posing. It feels less produced.<\/p>\n It\u2019s one of the best places in Bali for snorkeling and diving especially the famous USAT Liberty Shipwreck, a sunken ship that\u2019s now home to incredible marine life. Even if you don\u2019t dive, the snorkeling is amazing. And the sunrises in Amed are some of the most beautiful I saw on the island. The sun rises directly in front of the ocean and everything feels calmer, more grounded, more real.<\/p>\n Hotel I\u00a0reccomend:<\/span><\/strong> Angsa Villas<\/a> (villas frente al mar, espectaculares y s\u00faper espaciosas).<\/p>\n Before heading up to Munduk (or after Ubud), make a stop in Kintamani. The star here is Mount Batur. The landscape changes instantly: wide open views, volcanic terrain, cooler air, and a sense of space you won\u2019t find in the south. Waking up here feels different. The mornings are crisp, with soft mist over Lake Batur and the volcano shaping the horizon. You can hike Mount Batur at sunrise if you\u2019re up for the challenge (it means waking up very early, but the experience is worth it). Or you can simply enjoy the view from your hotel.<\/p>\n One of my favorite hotels is Desa Oculus<\/strong><\/a>, which has spectacular views and an infinity pool overlooking the landscape. There are also plenty of super aesthetic caf\u00e9s and restaurants with incredible views, like Paperhills<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Munduk is in the north, at elevation \u2014 and you feel the change the second you arrive. The climate turns mild, even cool\u2026 which you don\u2019t immediately associate with Bali. You\u2019re not constantly sweating like in the south. You\u2019ll want a light jacket in the mornings or at night. The fog rolls in early, floating through the mountains, and the green becomes even more intense. It\u2019s a completely different Bali.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a lot to do here: waterfalls, temples, hikes, including Munduk Waterfall, plus trails through plantations, coffee fields, and viewpoints with endless mountain landscapes. Yes: coffee fields. In the middle of the mist and green hills, you find small farms where the smell of freshly roasted coffee mixes with the cold mountain air.<\/p>\n It reminded me so much of Costa Rica , that combination of mountains, fresh humidity, deep green, highland coffee farms, and clean air that clears your mind. After days of beach heat, being up here feels purifying.<\/p>\n If you want a hotel recommendation without thinking twice:\u00a0Munduk Coffee Plantation<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s incredible. I\u2019m going to write a separate blog post just about it.<\/p>\n Driving down from Munduk to the North Coast, you reach Tejakula and the contrast is intense. The ocean here feels darker, deeper, more dramatic. Volcanic sand beaches, small villages, local rhythm. No beach clubs, no obvious social scene. It\u2019s raw and simple in the best way. Perfect if you want a boutique hotel by the sea and literally do nothing except read, swim, and listen to the waves.<\/p>\n Hotel I recommend :<\/strong> The Ting Villas<\/a> which have a red pool.<\/p>\n Lovina is known for the sunrise dolphin tours. Personally, it\u2019s not my favorite area in North Bali, but if you\u2019re already up there it can be worth spending a night \u2014 or at least stopping for the tour. Just research responsible operators. There are way too many boats chasing dolphins and it can feel invasive. I see Lovina more as a strategic stop in the route than a main destination.<\/p>\n If you look for a good hotel go to \u00a0The Damai<\/a>.<\/p>\n West Bali is a completely different story. Is a protected land, drier, less developed than the south. The landscape changes: different vegetation, more arid terrain in some areas, and a more raw, remote feeling. On clear days, you can even see Java across the sea including the volcanoes Ijen, Mount Merapi, and Mount Raung. It reminds you that Bali is just one small piece of Indonesia.<\/p>\n And here\u2019s what almost no one tells you: this is where you can see deer walking on the beach. Yes, deer literally near the ocean. In areas of the park and around Menjangan Island, they move calmly between the vegetation and coastline. It\u2019s surreal.<\/p>\n And Menjangan is also where you\u2019ll find some of the most turquoise water in the north \u2014 clear, calm, perfect for snorkeling and diving. One of the best spots to explore reefs that still feel untouched. This side of Bali isn\u2019t for everyone. No aesthetic caf\u00e9s on every corner, no nightlife. It\u2019s nature, quiet, open space \u2014 and that\u2019s why it feels so intact.<\/p>\n Hotel I love:<\/strong>\u00a0Menjangan Dynasty Resort<\/a>.<\/p>\n Further northwest, you reach Jembrana and here you really feel like you\u2019re off the typical Bali circuit. It\u2019s probably one of my favorite areas because it feels so peaceful. Long black-sand beaches, fishermen coming back with their catch, villages where life moves slowly. It feels like a different island, even though it\u2019s still Bali. Traditional, authentic, and very lightly touched by mass tourism.<\/p>\n If you want to step outside the classic south map, this area is so worth it.<\/p>\n This is by far one of y favorite hotels I have experience in Bali, is honestly a hidden gem: Kelapa Retreat & Spa<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s wow.<\/p>\n If you have time, they completely change the experience, but they do require logistics. The ferry matters. Some companies are great\u2026 and others feel like a social experiment. The cheaper and smaller the boat, the more likely the ride will be rough. I\u2019ve heard horror stories, even people losing luggage at sea. Read reviews and choose wisely.<\/p>\n I traveled with\u00a0Eka Jaya<\/strong><\/a> and it went well, \u00a0that\u2019s the one I recommend.<\/p>\n No airport. You reach it by boat from Sanur, Padang Bai, or Serangan. It\u2019s famous for Kelingking Beach (the T-Rex cliff) and the elevator you\u2019ve probably seen online. Most people do it as a day trip and that\u2019s the mistake.<\/p>\n Distances are long, roads are rough, and you end up rushing all day. But when the tours leave and the evening comes, the island changes. It becomes quieter and more special. Stay at least one night. In my opinion, it\u2019s so worth it.<\/p>\n Hotel I love:<\/strong>\u00a0Seven Dreams<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Gilis don\u2019t have an airport and technically aren\u2019t in Bali\u2026 but people include them because they\u2019re close and the vibe shifts completely.<\/p>\n There are three tiny islands, each with its own energy:<\/p>\n No cars. Only bicycles or horse carts. Turquoise water, pale sand, and that \u201ctime slows down\u201d feeling. The islands look similar, but the energy is completely different depending on what you\u2019re looking for.<\/p>\n I used\u00a0Gili T\u00a0as my base, and if you stay there I recommend\u00a0Cocana Resort<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 super cute, comfortable, and perfect to recharge.<\/p>\nThe first thing you need to understand (this is key)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nMy Canggu bubble…<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
The 3 weeks that changed my perspective<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nThings you need to know before booking your trip:<\/strong><\/h2>\n
When is the best time to visit?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Do I need a visa? <\/strong><\/h2>\n
Data \/ eSIM<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Local currency<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nHow do you get around Bali?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
From the airport<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
The most practical option: motorbikes<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
For long distances: hire a driver<\/strong><\/h3>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nCan you drink tap water?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
Medical insurance (don\u2019t ignore this)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00bfHotel or Airbnb?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nCulture and religion (this matters)<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\nMy 3-Week Bali Road Trip<\/strong><\/h2>\n
The route I recommend if you want to see Bali beyond Instagram<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Canggu – 2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\n<\/span><\/strong>Hoteles I love:<\/span><\/strong> The Bohemian<\/a>, El Barrio Bali<\/a>, Further Hotel<\/a>, Suenyo Bali<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\nUluwatu \u2013 2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nUbud \u2013 2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nSidemen \u2013 2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0Amed \u2013 1-2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nKintamani \u2013 2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nMunduk – 2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nTejakula or Lovina\u2013 1 night<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nWest Bali National Park – 2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nJembrana \u2013 1\u20132 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/p>\nNearby islands<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Nusa Penida \u2013 1\u20132 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/a><\/h2>\nGili Islands \u2013 2 nights<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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