Bali Solo Travel Guide with 5 Days Travel Itinerary

Last Updated on October 23, 2023 by Tina

Bali is a province of Indonesia located east of Java and west of Lombok. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia and even in Southeast Asia. The island caters to budget-savvy as well as luxury travelers. Bali has so much to offer to any type of traveler – from temples to beaches, lush green sceneries, yoga retreats, lively nightlife and so much more! Planning to travel to Bali soon? Let me share with you this Bali solo travel guide that might help you plan your holiday.

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Bali Travel Requirements

Mandatory quarantine and proof of vaccination are no longer required for tourists visiting Bali. As of my last visit last September 4, 2023, you need the following when visiting Bali:

Customs Declaration

All travelers must complete their Customs Declaration online. You can do this as early as 3 days before your arrival in Bali. You need to show the QR code when you exit Ngurah Rai International Airport. You can also do this when you arrive at the airport but I advise doing it in advance to avoid delays when you arrive.

Bali Visa Requirements and Immigration

Visa regulations are based on your passport/nationality. There used to be over 160 nationalities that were eligible for visa exemption (free entry) in Bali provided that the purpose of the visit was tourism and social visit only and you were staying for a maximum of 30 days. The day of arrival counts as day one and the day of departure counts as a full day. The penalty fee for overstaying is IDR 1,000,000* per day. However, due to the pandemic, visa rules have changed.

Citizens from Southeast Asian countries including the Philippines are eligible for the visa exemption arrangement for tourism purposes in Bali. It is valid for 30 days and cannot be extended. You just need to have a passport with at least 6 months of validity. (I have read in https://www.bali.com/visa-indonesia-entry-requirements-bali.html though that your passport must be valid for 12 months from the day of arrival.)

More than 50 countries are eligible for Visa on Arrival (VOA). It is valid for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days. VOA price is IDR 500,000 per person, including children, and payable upon arrival in Bali by Indonesian Rupiah cash or credit card (Mastercard and Visa). For the list of countries eligible for VOA, check here.

I was asked for a return/onward ticket at the immigration when I was there last time and for the others, they were not asked. But to be safe, it is better to have one just in case the immigration officer asks for it.

*The conversion rate when I was there last September 2023 was 1 USD = 14,800 IDR.

Best Months to Visit Bali

Bali has a tropical, warm, and humid climate all year round with just two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. The dry season is between April and September and the rainy season is from October to March. July and August, Easter Holiday, and Christmas/New Year is the high season for Bali. It is the time when it receives the most visitors. The best time to visit Bali is just before and just after the high season which is May, June, and September. During these months, it’s still the dry season, it is slightly less humid and the room prices are 30 to 50% cheaper than during the high season. Bali is not too crowded during these months, which means traffic is more bearable.

Additional Things to Consider When Planning Your Bali Trip

Another thing that you need to consider when planning your trip to Bali is the Nyepi or Balinese Day of Silence. It is a silent day that occurs for 24 hours in March, each year, following the new moon. During this day, hotels are asked to cover their windows, all shops are closed, no light or candle will be lit in any Balinese home, there are no cars on the road, no motorbikes, and no people.

Nyepi in Bali:

Year	Date	Caka Year
2019	Thursday, 7th March	1941
2020	Wednesday, 23rd March	1942
2021	Sunday, 14th March	1943
2022	Saturday, 3rd March	1944
2023	Wednesday, 22 March	1945
2024	Monday, 11th March	1946
2025	Saturday, 29th March	1947
2026	Thursday, 19th March	1948
2027	Monday, 08th March	1949
2028	Sunday, 26th March	1950
2029	Thursday, 15th March	1951
2030	Tuesday, 5th March	1952

Source: https://www.bali.com/nyepi-day-of-silence.html

How to Get to Bali from Manila, Philippines

Several airlines fly directly from Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Manila to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denpasar, Bali. The flight to Bali is less than four hours.

How to Get Out of Bali Airport

There are several options for getting out of the airport. You can hire local taxis at the airport, you can book a cab through Go Jek or Grab apps or you can book a private airport transfer through Klook. I wouldn’t advise the local taxis though as they charge way higher than Go Jek, Grab, and Klook. For safety and convenience, I highly recommend booking Klook’s airport transfer. It only costs IDR 107,500 (USD 6.79) for the Kuta area and the car is good for up to 4 passengers.

BOOK YOUR PRIVATE AIRPORT TRANSFER HERE

Tip: To save time and transportation costs if you are arriving in Bali in the morning, book a private car charter instead. For only IDR 564,935 (USD 35.59), you get 10 hours of full-day private car rental and the fee includes driver fees, and fuel and you can request to get picked up from the airport. From the airport, you can go sightseeing right away.

Where to Exchange Money in Bali

The Indonesian rupiah (IDR) is the official currency of Indonesia. There are money changers at the airport as well as at the city/town centers. Do not exchange all of your money at the airport. The exchange rate at the city/town center is way better. Exchange only enough IDR to make it to your accommodation and to last for a day. (When I was in Bali in 2019, the exchange rate for 1 USD was 13,500 IDR at the airport while at the city center, it was 14,070 IDR.)

If you are from the Philippines, it is better to bring USD to Bali and exchange it for IDR. Money changers change Php to IDR but the exchange rate is really low.

I have used ATMs too. There are ATMs at the airport as well as in the city center. From my experience, it is better to use an ATM if you have a bank card than to exchange Philippine pesos for IDR because they have better rates. There is a fee when you withdraw so I advise withdrawing the maximum allowable limit per transaction.

Internet Connection in Bali

Free Wi-Fi connection is available in hotels and hostels in Bali. If you want to stay connected to the internet all the time, you can either rent portable travel wifi, buy a local sim card, or an e-sim if your phone is e-sim compatible.

You can rent portable travel wifi at IDR 63,483 (USD 4) per day and can connect 5 devices at once.  A deposit of IDR 700,000 deposit is required for one portable modem. The device can be picked up at the airport upon arrival.

You can buy a SIM card at the airport but it costs around IDR 400,000. It is cheaper if you purchase it online through Klook. You can pick up the sim card at the airport upon arrival. You can also buy the sim card at the mall. My preferred network is Telkomsel. I was able to buy it for only IDR 150,000 at the mall and it comes with data that is valid for 30 days.

PURCHASE SIM CARD HERE

If your phone is e-sim compatible, you can purchase it online. With e-sim, you don’t need to get a physical SIM card. You can get it by simply downloading it through your phone. The e-sim will be registered automatically and will be usable once you arrive in Bali. You can download it and register in advance before arriving in Bali. It costs IDR 168,700 with Klook and comes with 18GB of data valid for 30 days.

Where to Stay in Bali

While planning your trip, you may have come across Kuta, Ubud, Canggu, etc, and probably wondered what these places are. To be honest, I had a hard time deciding where to book my accommodation that’s why I asked a friend who stayed in Bali for a few months for the best place to stay. He didn’t recommend a particular place because he said he didn’t know what I was looking for but he described each place to me. The different areas in Bali according to him:

Ubud

It is a small town in the middle of the island. It is mostly rainy; not too hot. No sea here and the taxi is very expensive. It is better to rent a motorbike (which is quite cheap in Bali, compared to many other Asian countries). Ubud is a nice place- rice fields, forests, waterfalls, and temples. A lot of artistic people (like singers, painters, designers, yoga, etc.) are in this place.

Amed

It is a small village in the northeast of the island. Calm water here (while almost everywhere there are big waves in Bali) so you can snorkel or even dive. Nice water, corals and there is a sunken ship on the bottom that is not so deep – it is possible to see it.

Canggu

It is a village (or small town?) in the south. Many foreigners live here. Not far from the sea with big waves. It is a good spot for surfing. Let me just add that the traffic here is really bad.

Denpasar

It is the main city of the island. You can find anything here- shops, services, and markets.

Sanur

Located southeast of the island. Big hotels can be found here. It has a nice sea where you can swim. Also, the jetty to Nusa Penida Island can be found here. In addition to that, I observed that the older crowds (those in their 60s and up) and families stay in this area.

Bukit

It is located south of the island. It is the peninsula where Uluwatu, Jimbaran, and Nusa Dua are located. They say this is the most expensive part of the island. One interesting thing to see here is the Uluwatu temple. Must visit to watch the sunset, a very impressive view. Nusa Dua is where most honeymooners stay.

Kuta

It is the most touristic place. A lot of foreigners are here that’s why everything’s expensive and crowded. (This comment was before the pandemic though). There are a lot of bars, cafes, clubs, etc.

During my trips to Bali this year, most of the time I stayed in Kuta and I didn’t find it crowded at all. I’ve been reading a lot of bad things about Kuta, to avoid it, etc. but I haven’t really seen or experienced anything bad there. I often stay at the part near the airport (Tuban area). I love it there because there are a lot of shops and restaurants, there’s a mall nearby and it is within walking distance to the beach.

Not mentioned by him were Seminyak and Legian. I stayed for 3 days in Seminyak and a friend I met on a tour stayed in Legian so I will try and describe these two also:

Seminyak

Somewhat similar to Kuta but I think this is like the tame version, quieter, more posh, and more expensive.

Legian

Located between Kuta and Seminyak and is very similar to Kuta. A friend I met in Bali in 2019 who loves to shop said it is cheaper to shop here than in Seminyak.

There are many different types of accommodations in Bali, from hotels to hostels and even villas. During my first trip to Bali, I stayed for 2 nights in Kuta and 3 nights in Seminyak. In Kuta, I stayed at H-Ostel Bali while in Seminyak I rented a room for a night in Villa Kampoeng Saya and two nights in Gelatik Bed and Breakfast. I highly recommend the three, especially Villa Kampoeng Saya. It is where we had my best friend’s bridal shower and she loved it a lot.

You can check out Agoda or Booking.com for hotels, hostels, and villas in Bali.

Related Post: How We Pulled Off a Surprise Bridal Shower in Bali for my Bestfriend

How to Get Around Bali

There are public transportations in Bali but if you have a limited time, taking it is not advisable because they wait to get full before leaving. For sightseeing, the most convenient way of getting around is by booking a private car charter. From my research, the cheapest is the private car charter from Klook. Rent a car for a whole day and just tell the driver where you want to go. If you have a limited budget, the cheapest way to get around would be by renting a scooter (that is if you know how to drive one and you have a driver’s license). Klook also offers scooter rental.

In going around the city (like if you are in Seminyak and you want to go to a restaurant in Seminyak or to Kuta or Canggu) and you can’t drive a scooter, you can book a Grab or Go Jek car or bike (cheaper and faster). There are also taxis but they are the most expensive. (We tried asking one and they charge four times the price of Grab or Go Jek).

Tip: Grab and Go Jek are banned in some areas due to the monopoly on taxi services. For this reason, even though you’ll be able to book a car from Grab or Go Jek, you will experience receiving a message from the driver telling you to cancel your request. This usually happens when you are in an area where there are a lot of local taxis parked waiting for passengers. What you could do is walk a little to a place where there are no taxis on standby and make your booking there.

Recommended Things to See and Do in Bali

Visit a Hindu Temple

While the majority of Indonesians practice Islam, almost 85% of the Balinese population follow the practices of Balinese Hinduism. Many Hindu temples are spread throughout the island, from mountains and hilltops to low-lying coastal areas. These temples feature magnificent centuries-old architecture and are great for photos. Some of the famous temples in Bali are Tirta Empul, Lempuyang, Uluwatu, Tanah Lot and Pura Ulun Danu Beratan Temple.

Do a sunrise hike to Mount Batur

Mount Batur is an active volcano. It is part of UNESCO’s Global Geopark Network. You will start really early to catch the sunrise but when you get to the top you will be rewarded with dramatic views of Bali’s mountainscapes. If you are alone you can book a join-in tour of the sunrise trek with Klook. Make sure to do this on your last day though because your body might get sore after the hike. If you do this at the start of your trip, you might not be able to enjoy the sightseeing because of a sore body.

Related Post: 14 Instagrammable Spots in Bali, Indonesia

Try surfing

One of the things that Bali is famous for is surfing. Bali has many surf spots, for beginners and experienced surfers. There are plenty of surf schools as well as board rentals on the island if you want to try this water sport.

Visit one of the rice terraces

There are several rice terraces on the island. They offer interesting insights into the local way of life. The largest of all in Bali, Jatiluwih, is recognized by UNESCO in its world cultural landscapes list.

Try one of the giant swings and have your picture taken in one of the bird’s nests

While you are browsing pictures on Instagram, you may have come across pictures of girls wearing colorful, flowy dresses on giant swings or doing a cute pose on a giant bird’s nest. Giant swings and bird’s nests are very famous in Bali. These are available in the rice terraces as well as in coffee plantations.

Take a trip to Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is not part of Bali but you can do a day trip to this island from Bali. This island is famous for its cerulean waters and cream-colored sands. There are so many amazing spots to visit on this island so if you have a longer time I recommend spending at least a night on this island rather than doing a day trip.

Popular Tours in Bali

Instagram Tour

The Instagram Tour visits some of the most picturesque locations in Bali, the ones that you often see on Instagram. The sites included in the tour are the Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Balinese Coffee Plantation, Tegalalang Rice Field, and an optional jungle swing activity.

Related Post: Our Instagram Tour Photoshoot with Insta Tours Bali

North Bali Tour

The North Bali Tour visits some of the most scenic locations in the northern part of Bali like Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, Banyumala Twin Waterfall, Handara Gate, Wanagiri Hidden Hills, and Buyan and Tamblingan Lake.

Ubud Tour

On this tour, you get to discover Ubud’s natural wonders and sacred temples. The sites visited in this tour are Ubud Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, Coffee Plantation, Tegalalang Rice Field with an option to do jungle swing activity, and Tirta Empul Temple.

Nusa Penida Tour

Nusa Penida is an island located southeast of Bali. From Bali, you can go on a day tour and visit several beaches around the island. You can either do the West Nusa Penida Tour which includes Angel Billabong, Broken Beach, Kelingking Beach, and Crystal Bay in the itinerary; or the East Nusa Penida Tour which includes Crystal Bay, Atuh Beach, Diamond Beach, Rumah Pohon Tree House, and Teletubbies Hills. What’s good with the Nusa Penida Day Tour of Klook is that it has the Join In option for solo travelers.

Uluwatu Temple Sunset and Kecak Fire Dance

This tour takes you to Padang-Padang Beach, one of Bali’s most famous surf spots. Afterward, you visit Uluwatu Temple, perched high above a sea cliff face. It is a good spot to watch the sunset. Do this while waiting for the start of Kecak Fire Dance, a traditional performance where performers act out a scene from the Ramayana with a mesmerizing trance chant, punctuated by exciting fire dances.

Sample 5 Days Bali Solo Travel Itinerary and Costs

This is a sample 5 days and 5 nights Bali solo travel itinerary with costs just to give an idea of how much you need for a trip to Bali. The costs can go down if you have someone to split it with. You can modify this depending on your budget and trip schedule. (Please note that the prices used here were based on the prices in 2019.)

Day 1: Arrival in Bali and West Bali Tour

For this tour, you can book a private car charter. It costs IDR 470,000 (USD 33.29 / PHP 1700) and is good for up to five passengers. You can request to be picked up at the airport and go sightseeing right away.

• Pura Luhur Batukaru- entrance fee IDR 40,000 IDR (~USD 2.85 / PHP 148)
• Jatiluwih Rice Terraces- entrance fee IDR 40,000 IDR (~USD 2.85 / PHP 148)
• Lunch at Gong Jatiluwih- a meal of Nasi Campur Gong with Coke plus service charge and tax costs IDR 108,900 (~USD 7.74 / 403)
• Pura Ulun Danu Bratan- entrance fee IDR 50,000 (~USD 3.55 / PHP 185)
• Hidden Garden Coffee Plantation- free coffee tasting

Dinner at one of the local restaurants near your hotel/hostel- a meal of Nasi Goreng Ayam and a bottle of Coke costs around IDR 35,000 (~USD 2.49 / PHP 130)

Accommodation: one dorm bed at Gelatik Bed and Breakfast costs IDR  124,000 (~USD 8.81 / PHP 458)

Total cost for the day: IDR 867,900 (~USD 61.58 / PHP 3172)

Day 2: Ubud Tour

You can also book a private car charter for this tour. Cost is IDR 470,000 (USD 33.29 / PHP 1700).

Breakfast: free at the hostel

• Ubud Monkey Forest- entrance fee IDR 80,000 (~USD 5.70 / PHP 296)
• Ubud Palace- free entrance
• Satria Coffee Plantation- free coffee tasting; IDR 50,000 (~USD 3.55 / PHP 185) if you want to try the Kopi Luwak; IDR 200,000 (~USD 14.21 / PHP 739) for the giant swing activity and IDR 50,000 (~USD 3.55 / PHP 185) if you want to take a picture at the three bird’s nest
• Lunch at d’ Alas- a meal with drinks plus tax and service charge costs around IDR 113,490 (~USD 8.07 / PHP 419)
• Tegalalang Rice Terraces- entrance fee IDR 20,000 (~USD 1.42 / PHP 74)
• Tirta Empul Temple- entrance fee IDR 15,000 (~USD 1.07 / PHP 56)

*after the tour, ask to be dropped off at La Plancha

Dinner at one of the restaurants in La Plancha- meals with drinks costs around IDR 120,000 (~USD 8.53 / PHP 443)

Grab bike/Go Jek bike to the hostel- IDR 10,000 (~USD 0.71 / PHP 37)

Accommodation: one dorm bed at Gelatik Bed and Breakfast costs IDR  124,000 (~USD 8.81 / PHP 458)

Total cost for the day: IDR 1,252,490 (~USD 88.91 / PHP 4592)

Day 3: West Nusa Penida Tour

It would be more convenient if you book this tour through Klook rather than doing a DIY. The tour costs IDR 610,000 (USD 43.19 / PHP 2206) and includes lunch at Warung Angel Billabong and a bottle of water.

Breakfast: free at the hostel

• Kelingking Beach
• Lunch at Warung Angel Billabong
• Angel Billabong
• Broken Beach
• Crystal Bay

Grab bike/Go Jek bike to Nostimo- IDR 7,000 (~USD 0.50 / PHP 26)

Dinner at Nostimo in Seminyak- a meal with drinks costs around IDR 130,000 (~USD 9.24 / PHP 480)

Grab bike/Go Jek bike to the hostel- IDR 7,000 (~USD 0.50 / PHP 26)

Accommodation: one dorm bed at Gelatik Bed and Breakfast costs IDR  124,000 (~USD 8.81 / PHP 458)

Total cost for the day: IDR 878,000 (~USD 62.24 / PHP 3196)

Day 4: East Bali Tour

East Bali is more than 2 hours drive from Kuta. It is not included in the service areas of the private car charter. You can book an East Bali Tour with Klook. The tour costs IDR 580,000 (USD 41.05 / PHP 2098) and includes all entrance fees and donations.

Breakfast: free at the hostel

• Goa Lawah Temple
• Virgin Beach
• Lunch in one of the restaurants in Virgin Beach- a meal with drinks costs around IDR 90,000 (~USD 6.40 / PHP 333)
• Lempuyang Temple
• Tirta Gangga Water Palace

Grab bike/Go Jek bike to Potato Head Beach Club- IDR 10,000 (~USD 0.71 / PHP 37)

Dinner at Potato Head Beach Club- a meal with drinks costs around IDR 200,000 (~USD 14.21 / PHP 739)

Grab bike/Go Jek bike to the hostel- IDR 10,000 (~USD 0.71 / PHP 37)

Accommodation: one dorm bed at Gelatik Bed and Breakfast costs IDR  124,000 (~USD 8.81 / PHP 458)

Total cost for the day: IDR 1,014,000 (~USD 71.89 / PHP 3702)

Day 5: Sunrise Trek at Mt. Batur and Uluwatu Temple Sunset and Kecak Fire Dance Tour

You can book a join-in tour for Mt. Batur Sunrise Trek with Klook. It costs IDR 558,900 (USD 39.55 / PHP 2022) and includes hotel pick up and drop off in Kuta, Tuban, Seminyak, Denpasar, Sanur, Ubud, and Nusa Dua, English speaking trekking guide, wooden trekking pole and flashlight, breakfast (egg and bread), water and entrance ticket to a coffee plantation.

For the Uluwatu Temple Sunset tour, you can contact Gusti through Whatsapp at +62 878 6060 0329. Private car charter with him to Padang-Padang Beach and Uluwatu Temple costs IDR 400,000 (USD 28.43 / PHP 1478).

• Mt. Batur Sunrise Trek
• Coffee plantation visit
• Lunch at a local restaurant- a meal with drinks costs around IDR 80,000 (~USD 5.69 / PHP 295.66)
• Padang-Padang Beach- entrance fee IDR 10,000 (~USD 0.71 / PHP 37)
• Luhur Uluwatu Temple- entrance fee IDR 30,000 (~USD 2.13 / PHP 111)
• Kecak Fire Dance Performance- entrance fee IDR 100,000 (~USD 7.11 / PHP 370)

*after the tour, you can ask Gusti to drop you off at a restaurant where you want to have dinner.

Dinner- a meal with drinks costs around IDR 80,000 (~USD 5.69 / PHP 295.66)

Grab bike/Go Jek bike to hostel- IDR 10,000 (~USD 0.71 / PHP 37)

Grab car to airport- IDR 80,000 (~USD 5.69 / PHP 295.66)

Total cost for the day: IDR 1,348,900 (~USD 95.71 / PHP 4941.98)

Total cost for 5 days: IDR 5,361,290 (~USD 380.33 / PHP 19603.98)

Other Bali Trip Related Costs

Airfare to Bali from Manila- around PHP 5600 (~USD 108) with Cebu Pacific if booked a month prior to the trip

Airfare to Manila from Bali- around PHP 6400 (~USD 123) with AirAsia if booked a month prior to the trip

Travel Tax- PHP 1620 (~USD 31)

Total: PHP 13620 (~USD 262)

Hope this guide will be helpful in planning your trip to Bali. If you have any questions, feel free to write them down in the comments section. Subscribe to my blog if you don’t want to miss any of my posts. And please follow my Facebook page @iwentanyways and like my Instagram accounts @iwentanyways and @tnadeperalta for updates. Happy travels!