Ultimate Bali Travel Guide with Expenses (4D3N)

DISCLAIMER: This article was updated on March 8th 2022. Attractions and experiences recommended in our guides may be affected. Please check local guidance before you travel.

Bali became the must-see place amongst backpackers around the world. With its stunning beaches, rich culture, beautiful temples, and tasty cuisine, you will never run out of things to explore. Indeed, Bali has it all.

Bali is Indonesia’s most popular tourist destination. It is known as “Land of the Gods” and still continues to attract tourists each year. As you can see in the map below, tourism is more concentrated in the lower part of the island.

There are two seasons in Bali: the wet season (November to March) and the dry season (April to October). The best month to visit Bali is between May and August when the weather is most settled and good.

PRE-TRAVEL GUIDE

1. No VISA required – Philippines passport holders can enter Indonesia visa-free and stay for a maximum of 30 days. Make sure that your passport has at least six (6) months validity left.

2. Several airlines fly directly in Bali – AirAsia, Cebu Pacific, and Philippine Airlines. To score a cheap flight ticket, make sure to turn on your notification for SEAT SALE or promos.

3. Prepare all your travel documents. Make sure to have a copy of your passport because some hotels require it before check-in.

4. Make a reservation for your accommodation ahead of time, at least a month before. Find the lowest price in Booking App or Airbnb.

5. To stay connected, you may rent pocket Wi-Fi via Klook App or reserve on the flytpack website. If you are traveling alone, much better to buy a SIM card in advance. Book here: https://flytpack.com/

6. Bali uses Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) as currency. 1 IDR = 0.0036 PHP. Change your Peso to Dollar here in the Philippines for better rate conversion.

CAN I VISIT BALI?

Indonesia has re-opened its international boarder to foreign tourist starting March 7. Visitors from 23 countries can get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) if they arrived directly in Bali and should be fully vaccinated.

List of 23 countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Netherlands, New Zealand, Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK, USA, Vietnam

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Click here for the latest update on Bali travel regulations and requirements.

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HOW TO GET AROUND IN BALI?

The best way to get around in Bali is to hire a private car and driver to take you to the best spots. It will cost you $40usd or approximately 500,000 IDR. It can accommodate up to 4 to 5 people, so it is much cheaper if you travel along with your friends or family. Package tours include airport transfer, hotel pick up, and drop off in most cases. Tour will usually take 8-10 hours. DIY is not advisable since the destinations are too far from each other and not accessible by public transportation.

Contact: Feel free to message Mr.Kadek Angga on Facebook.

WHERE TO STAY IN BALI?

There are a lot of hotels, rooms & villas are available in Bali. Villa is not applicable for us since we are trying to maximize our time.

We booked our accommodation via Booking.com and the property is located in Seminyak. Popular points of interest nearby include Ku De Ta, Potato Head Beach Club and Petitenget Street. The property is close to popular attractions like Oberoi Street, Seminyak Village and The Seminyak Square Shopping Mall. The price is cheaper, we only got this for PHP 4000 (4 days and 4 nights).

Link here: http://www.booking.com/Share-ifCuAa

THINGS TO DO IN BALI

We arrived at the airport around 9:00 AM and started the tour immediately to maximize our stay. You might want to checkout this itinerary below.

FIRST DAY: EXPLORE KUTA

Pandawa Beach

We head to our first stop, Pandawa Beach. The entrance fee is 25,000 IDR. You will witness the beautiful white sand and aqua blue water from the top of the cliff. Pandawa beach offers an incredible Indian ocean view, and the ambiance is very serene. When you arrive down at the beach, you will see the line of beach clubs, restaurants, and souvenir shops. There are also umbrellas and chairs, which you can rent for 50,000 IDR.

Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu Temple is one of many temples in Bali. It makes spectacular because you will see the overlooking waves of the Indian Ocean. When visiting Balinese temples, both men and women should wear a sarong, scarf, or sash tied around the waist. By the way, sarong and sash are provided in the Uluwatu temple, and you can use them for free.

There are also monkeys everywhere, so beware. I heard that monkeys stole gadgets & food from tourists, better to keep an eye on your things.

The Edge Bali

The Edge Bali was beyond amazing and will give 360 degrees breathtaking ocean views. We booked our pass two months before our flight. Please note that VIP admissions are only limited. The entrance fee is 650,000 IDR for VIP and 450,000 IDR for General admission. Both are inclusive of the consumable amount you can spend on foods and drinks.

Book here: https://www.oneeightybali.com/

SECOND DAY: EXPLORE NUSA PENIDA

West Nusa Penida is the most popular tour in Bali. We arrived in Sanur Beach around 9 am and ride a fast boat for 1hr & 30 mins. Island Tour consists of Angels Billabong, Broken Beach, Kelingking Beach, and Crystal Beach. 

The spectacular “Kelingking Beach” is also known as “T-Rex Cliffs” and is one of the most iconic viewpoints on the island of Nusa Penida. The best time to avoid the crowd is first thing in the morning. The path leading down to the shore is challenging and rocky. The steps are incredibly steep. The trek up and down may take 2 hours, and it’s scorching. To avoid sunburn, make sure to use sunscreen and do not forget to bring water to stay hydrated.

Angel’s Billabong is a natural infinity pool with crystal clear water framed by rock cliffs. The waves were quite strong when we went there, so it was not advisable to go down.

The Broken Beach is another popular destination in Nusa Penida. The spot was named Broken Beach, as the ocean flows through a naturally formed archway in the cliff.

Crystal Beach is a great spot to finish off your Nusa Penida trip. This incredible small beach is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and diving. The water is indeed crystal clear and the sand is quite dark. The place is a bit crowded and sad to see that rubbish is everywhere.

THIRD DAY: BEDUGUL AND SEMINYAK

Luwak Coffee Plantation in Bedugul

Most package tours include visiting the Luwak Coffee plantation. You might see civets on the plantation, and they will show you how beans are cleaned, dried, and roasted. You will get a chance to taste their local sample blends of coffee and tea. We were able to try their 12 samples of coffee and teas. We also bought 1 cup of Luwak Coffee (aka “poop coffee”) for 50,000 IDR.

Do you know that Luwak Coffee is the most expensive coffee globally?

Handara Gate

Handara has become a famous spot in Bali, and it’s actually an entrance to a golf resort. There was no entrance fee when I visited in 2019. However, due to its popularity driven on Instagram, an admission fee is now 30,000 IDR.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills

Wanagiri Hidden Hills is located in the Northern part of Bali, and it’s a short ride from Handara gate. Pay your entrance amounting to 100,000 IDR and enjoy taking unlimited photos inside. Each location has a lovely spot that includes a Bali nest, swing, and creative bamboo thing. You will also fall in love with the magnificent view on the top.

Ulun Danu Temple

The temple is situated in the middle of the lake. It is also known as a floating temple on Lake Beratan. The entrance fee is 30,000 IDR. Visitors can scroll in the area and rent a boat to go around the lake. The temple is well maintained and filled with colorful flowers and plants. Many shops sell handicrafts, and you’ll also find small restaurants that offer a buffet.

EXPLORE SEMINYAK

Kynd Community is a plant-based restaurant in Seminyak. The place is decorated with colorful murals, and the furniture is most likely boho style. The tropical vibes and great foods are the reason why Kynd Community should be added to your Bali trip. Don’t miss their smoothies & coolers.

Address: Jalan Petitenget No.12 Kerobokan Kelod, Seminyak

Motel Mexicola is another trendy restaurant in Seminyak, and they offer authentic Mexican cuisine. Every corner is snap-worthy, and the foods are pretty expensive. Our stomach is full, that’s why we didn’t eat inside.

Address: Jl. Kayu Jati Jl. Petitenget No.9X, Kerobokan Kelod, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali

Mad Pops is a vegan ice cream store, and all their ice cream is coconut-based. They have a generous scoop serving compared to other gelato shops. I had Salted Caramel on the cone, and the taste is superb. They also have a nice wall with neon lights perfect for your Instagram feed.

Address: Jl. Kayu Aya No. 48, Seminyak, Bali

La Plancha is a beachfront restaurant and bar. There are hundreds of bean bags where you can sit and drink. The beach is crowded, especially late afternoon, as people go here to catch the sunset.

Address: alan Mesari Beach, Seminyak, Kuta, Kabupaten Badung, Bali

FOURTH DAY: EXPLORE UBUD

Batuan Temple

Batuan Temple is a Hindu temple in the middle of Batuan Village. It is also known as Pura Puseh and temple intricate stone carvings. There is a small fee collected, which includes the use of sarong. Not too crowded and very peaceful inside the complex.

Yan Yuan Silver

Yan Yuan Silver is a place where you can see how to make jewelry pieces. A site is good if you’re looking for pasalubong.

The Art of Batik

Batik is a technique of producing colored designs on the cloth before dyeing them. I forgot the exact name of a place. But once you go there, you will see the entire process of the wax resist art.

Tegenungan Waterfall

Tegenungan Waterfall is one of the famous waterfalls in Bali. We didn’t climb down but you can still see its beauty on the top level. There are also many shops selling handicrafts and souvenirs.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

Tegalalang Rice Terraces is an agricultural icon on the cliffs of Tegalalang Village located in North Ubud and part of UNESCO World Heritage. It offers a scenic view of rice fields and is truly unique.

Tirta Empul Temple

Tirta Empul Temple is also known as Pura Tirta Empul. The place is very famous because of its holy spring water, where travelers around the globe go for ritual purification. Lots of shops here sell Bali bags, souvenirs, and many more. I bought my rattan bags at a meager price (80,000 IDR / 299 PHP) compared to Ubud Market. If you buy more than two rattan bags, you can use your haggling skills to score low prices.

I really wish this blog is helpful and useful! If you have any questions or things you want to share about Bali, feel free to comment down below.