Bali: Our 2 Week Itinerary You Can Totally Steal
After traveling to over 40-something countries, there are really only a few places that we talk about returning back to. Not because we haven’t loved every place we’ve visited, but we’ve become addicted to exploring new places and experiencing new cultures.
So why go back to a place we’ve been before?
Bali has become one of our favorite places to visit. We’ve stayed on the island long-term as digital nomads, but have also spent time in Bali on an ultimate 2-week trip.
From sea life in the Gilly Islands to the “find yourself” moment in Ubud, we’ve crafted a can’t miss itinerary for visiting Bali that you can totally steal.
1. Getting To Bali
Jungles, surfing, and living in swimsuits. Why not just visit Costa Rica or Hawaii? After all, Bali is that much farther for Americans to travel to. Just getting to and from Bali for Americans can easily eat up four days of a trip.
Why deal with over 40 hours of travel?
You just keep on reading.
A. FLYING INTO INDONESIA
Flying into Indonesia , you’re going to look to fly into Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar. This is the main gateway to Bali. There are no direct flights available into DPS, so plan on having at least one layover on your way there and back.
Layovers don’t have to be spent napping on airport floors.
If a layover is inevitable, make it a part of your itinerary. Opt for long layovers in Dubai or Bangkok for a way to make your layover a part of your trip!
If visiting Bali as an American, there is no need for to apply for a visa unless you are staying for more than 30 days. Digi-nomads? That tip is for you.
MUST-KNOWS ABOUT BALI
Island Life
Bali is an island region in the country of Indonesia. This region is twice the size of Maui making it an exciting place to visit with plenty to do and explore.
Transportation
The most common way to get around Bali is by renting a scooter. Not only is it an efficient way to get from A to B, it’s also fun! Make sure to get an international driver’s license if you plan on renting a scooter while in Bali.
Bali Belly
The very real, but not so fun part of travel. Bali Belly is a common traveler’s illness when visiting. Avoid tap water and unpeeled fruits to help your case. You can even ask your doctor for a prescription for antibiotics prior to traveling. If you do get it, you won’t be the only one, we promise.
2. Bali Regions At A Glance
Bali is a destination that has a little bit for everybody. Depending on what you’re wanting your trip to Bali to look like will make a difference in where you plan to visit. Each region of Bali is slightly different. Here is a bit of a glance into the in-and-outs of each region:
A. UBUD
Ubud is all about chilling with monkeys in the Sacred Monkey Forest, sipping on cool drinks in cafés, and trying fun cooking or yoga classes.
B. CANGGU
Made popular by digi-nomads, Canggu is a tourist haven where you won’t be far from a hostel or backpacker. End the day at one of the many sunset watching spots!
C. SEMINYAK
For less of a backpacker feel, Seminyak is a luxurious getaway. Trendy beach clubs, stylish boutiques, and upscale dining, coining the term “laid back luxury”.
D. KUTA
Kuta used to be the tourist hub of Bali. Still just as beautiful, but has become a less “trendy” region of Bali for visitors.
E. ULUWATU
Uluwatu is a surfer’s dream. Here you’ll find stunning cliffside views, renowned surf spots, and the iconic Uluwatu Temple.
F. GILI ISLANDS
The Gili Islands are three tiny, idyllic islands off Lombok's coast: Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and the laid-back Gili Air. Known for their crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and chill beach bars, the Gilis are perfect for those looking to dive, snorkel, or simply unwind.
G. NUSA PENIDA
The famous Instagram photo taken at Kelingking Beach is not actually on the island of Bali, but on the nearby island of Nusa Penida. This is a common day trip to take a tour to for the great view points or scubaing with manta rays if in season.
H. NUSA DUA
Here you’ll find top high end resorts (Ritz Carlton, etc) mostly because this region is close to the airport. There’s not a ton to do in this area and would require a long drive or day tour to see the sites.
Feeling jetlagged? Since you've likely had a TON of travel to get to Bali, you could take 48 hours here to unwind at a top luxury property and typically stay for under $400 USD per night. A steal compared to the fact that the same room in Maui would go for $2000!
I. SIDEMAN
For a traditional Balinese experience, pay a visit to Sideman. Beautiful rice paddies and rolling hills make this a nice escape from the busy tourist areas. Stay in a quaint boutique hotel with an infinity pool looking over the hills.
J. SANUR
This is the main port area for taking day trippers out to the nearby islands. While there are a few scuba trips that leave from here, we don’t recommend staying here for scuba or snorkeling.
K. JIMBARAN
Jimbaran is known for its stunning sunsets and pristine beaches. Enjoy fresh seafood and some larger resort-like accommodations.
L. UMALAS
This is the new Canggu for digital nomads. It’s charming but close enough to the action. After Canggu became more popular and expensive, people have chosen to stay in Umalas instead.
M. AMED
Feeling adventurous? For free-diving or scuba enthusiasts, Amed is for you. Spend a day at the coral reefs and the night in a laid back, boho town.
N. NORTH WEST BALI
For an “off-the-beaten-path” Bali experience, visit North West Bali where jungles meet black sand beaches. Relax in the hot springs or take a day trip to Menjangan Island.
O. NORTH BALI
The hub for day trippers, North Bali offers quite a few excursions. Although there are ethically ambiguous dolphin tours, you can also take motorbike tours to visit waterfalls or Lovina Beach.
P. CENTRAL BALI
The place to explore the volcanoes of Bali and take adventure day trips. Take yourself on a motorbike tour around and stay in an Instagrammable treehouse rental property.
3. 10-14 Day Bali Itinerary
Now that you’ve gotten to Bali and are a bit more familiar with the area, here’s a look at our ultimate 2-week Bali itinerary. Feel free to steal this guide to make the most of your trip, or use it as an outline for creating your own agenda!
A. 3-4 NIGHTS IN THE GILI ISLANDS
The Gili Islands are three islands located off the east side of Bali. They’re a great place to visit to really get the “island life” experience. We recommend doing the Gili Islands first because the ferries can sometimes be unreliable.
Day 1: Arrival and Explore Gili Air
To get to the Gili Islands, take the Bluewater Express from either Serangan Port or PadangBai Port. On Gili Air, we stayed at the Pink Hotel, which you can guess where it gets the name. This place is top ranked for a reason! It’s advertised as being for “cool adults only” and since you’ll be coming from this blog, we’re sure you’ll fit right in.
The Pink Hotel offers horse cart pick up from the harbor to the hotel. These horses used to be a part of the experience that was hard to be a part of because of the treatment of the horses. Thankfully, Horses of Gili, a local animal rescue nonprofit, has worked hard to improve the conditions of the horses one pony at a time.
We were so appreciative of the work that Horses of Gili has done that we wanted to support them. A portion of the ad revenue from our Ultimate Bali Travel Vlog was donated to supporting this organization.
Day 2: Manta Ray Diving
One of the main reasons we visit Bali is for the free diving and scuba diving. This day in the Gili Islands is for spending time in the water.
Whether you’re a seasoned scuba diver or just scratching the surface, try out Manta Dive Gili Air. They offer diving experiences for every level of scuba. While manta rays can be seen year round at the Gili Islands, the best time to be able to swim with the ray is from November to May.
After a long day in the water, pizza is an obvious way to end the night. Grab a pizza and enjoy the sunset on the beach at Mama’s Pizza.
Day 3: Gili Snorkeling Tour
We can’t recommend this portion of our trip to Gili Air enough. We took an amazing, 5-star snorkel tour with Gili Snorkeling Tour. This is some of the best snorkeling you can do in the world with a wide variety of fish and wildlife to view. We had a guide that was an incredible photographer that made sure that our expectations were exceeded and our Instagrams were covered.
If you haven’t noticed, sunset beach dinners are kind of our thing. Relax and enjoy a meal on the water at Mowie’s Gili Air.
B. 3-4 NIGHTS IN UBUD
After time on the Gili Islands, we recommend heading back to the main island of Bali to spend time in Ubud. If this isn’t your first rodeo in Bali, you may have already spent time in Ubud. If that’s the case, sub out your time in Ubud for time in Sideman for a new experience.
Treat yourself to a private villa stay at the top-rated Flora Natural Villa that is featured in Airbnb ads!
Day 4: Waterfall Hopping Bike Trip
The waterfalls of Bali can’t be missed. There are a few different ways to go around visiting the waterfalls of Ubud. Based on your own preferences, here are some recommendations:
For a guided version, there are day tours that will take your around to visit waterfalls. Get Your Guide is a great place to look for and book your tours.
Grab is another great way to find a ride to the waterfalls. Use Grab App similarly to Uber to find motorbike rides around Ubud.
Want to do things your own way? Drive yourself! We love renting a motorbike when visiting Bali for the independence and so that you’re on your own timeline.
If planning your own waterfall day trip, here are our recommendations and must-sees:
Morning: Tegenungan Waterfall
Start early from Ubud and head to Tegenungan Waterfall, located just outside Ubud. It's a popular spot, so getting there early helps avoid the crowds.
Late Morning: Kanto Lampo Waterfall
Next, ride to Kanto Lampo, a less crowded and stunning waterfall. This is a great place to stay for awhile, swim, and take in the veiws.
Lunch Break
Stop for lunch at a local warung restaurant to experience authentic Balinese cuisine.
Afternoon: Tibumana Waterfall
After lunch, head to Tibumana Waterfall, known for its crystal-clear water. It's relatively hidden and offers a quintessential Bali waterfall experience.
Day 5: Monkey Forest and Spa Day
While it may sound like these two itinerary items shouldn’t go together, visiting the Monkey Forest and ending with a spa experience is a great way to spend the day in Ubud.
The Sacred Monkey Forest is a must-do in Ubud. Here you’ll find hundreds and hundreds of monkeys roaming free around ancient temples and thick jungles. Let us warn you, this is a hands on experience. Just see for yourself with Tim and Fin’s lastest visit to Bali! It’s around 80,000ISD to enter the park which is less than 7USD.
After a morning hanging with the monkeys, relax (and clean off) at Hesa Wellness Spa. We opted for the 3-hour Balinese Bliss experience to really treat ourselves. The total experience was 66USD and after 3 hours of “traditional massage, invigorating scrubs, and rejuvenating care”, it was so worth it.
Day 6: Balinese Cooking Classes
For your last day in Ubud, dive into the culture of Balinese food by taking a cooking class. Food tours and cooking classes are something we like to do in most places we visit. It’s a great way to try new things and learn a bit about traditional culture.
Cooking Class
We opted for a shorter cooking class at Tangan Lokal Warehouse that we found on Airbnb Experience. We were greeted with a fresh green juice to start then led through a cooking class where we cooked with fresh ingredients and made a delicious traditional meal. Highly recommend this for an intimate cooking class option!
Cooking Tour
Calling all foodies! If you’re wanting a full food tour experience, you can opt for a 6-8 hour experience that includes going to a market, pulling fresh herbs, or even going to a rice paddy. You can find experiences like this on Airbnb or Viator where you’ll have an all day food excursion.
And that wraps up your time in Ubud!
C. 3-4 NIGHTS IN ULUWATU
Uluwatu is the ultimate surf town in Bali. Attracting tourists, surfers, and beach dwellers from all over the world, Uluwatu must be a stop on your trip.
Day 7: Travel Day and Single Fin
Travel days, especially with luggage, are things to plan ahead of time to make sure you know how you’re getting to each destination.
TIP: If you’re staying in an Airbnb, utilize the Airbnb Transfer service. Your driver will know exactly where you’re headed through the site which takes language and directions out of the equation.
Depending on when you arrive to Uluwatu, rest up on the beach or take a walk to get your bearings. End your night at the iconic Single Fin for a beach side club and restaurant scene. This place has been a must-stop for many tourists and is especially popular to visit on Wednesdays and Sundays.
Day 8: Surfing and Uluwatu Temple
As mentioned, Uluwatu is known for its incredible surfing. Before heading out to the waves, stop for an acai bowl that is begging to be posted on Instagram at Gooseberry or Kelly’s Warung on Bingin Beach.
There are tons of places to rent surf boards here. Typically you can find a full day rental for around 7USD. Take a lesson, or if you’re already a pro, grab your board and hit the waves for the day!
Need an accommodation recommendation? Take a look at Blue Dream VRBO for a private, beach-front experience.
In the afternoon, head to the Uluwatu Temple to watch the sunset Kecak Fire Dance. Note that there aren’t a ton of public transportation options to get back from the temple, so prearrange how you’ll be getting back or drive yourself.
The Uluwatu Temple is up on a cliff overlooking the water surrounding by beautiful gardens and statues. If you stay for sunset, you can watch the incredible Kecak Fire Dance that involves a unique chant, dance, and obviously, fire.
Day 9: Last Day in Uluwatu
Spend your final day in Uluwatu with more time surfing and enjoying the beach. To end the night, we recommend a night out at Savaya. Savaya is a trendy pool club that often has DJ sets as well. You do need a ticket to get in, but as long as it isn’t too busy of a night, you can buy the tickets at the door.
D. 3-4 IN CANGGU
Only an hours drive from Uluwatu is Canggu, your next stop on your ultimate Bali itinerary. This sleepy little surf village has grown so much in the last few years making it more and more popular. Canggu is the best place to catch a sunset in Bali which is a great way to end your trip on the island.
Check into your accommodations like the Villa Certaldo Airbnb that is right in the heart of Canggu.
Day 10: Arriving in Canggu
If you arrive early enough from Uluwatu, grab lunch at Sika Bar to take in your new sights. After checking into your accommodations, catch your first sunset of your stay in Canggu at La Brisa for a beach club with jungle vibes.
Day 11: A Health Day in Canggu
Start your day with all-day breakfast at Milk and Madu before heading out for your day. After a long two weeks of travel, it’s nice to get your body moving! Grab a day pass at the Body Factory to get a good workout in.
Feeling like having some R&R? Have a one-of-a-kind spa experience at Goldust Spa. Relax with a gold leaf facial or indulge in a pedicure.
In the evening, continue the “treat yourself” trend with a rooftop dinner at Santanera. You’ll find delicious, unique dishes and a view you can’t beat.
Day 12: Tanah Lot Temple
Although Canggu has grown and become a popular tourist destination, it is still rich with culture to explore. Take a break from the beach and visit the Tanah Lot Temple.
These temples are built upon rocks that are jutting into the ocean. Surrounding the temples are beautiful gardens and jungle for you to walk through. Enjoy the wildlife and learn about the rich Balinese culture. The entrance fee is about 6USD a person. We’ve only visited Tanah Lot Temple once, but you can see here, we give it 5 stars!
4. How to Pack for a Trip to Bali
With so much to see and do in Bali, you’re not going to want to be held back by your luggage. We recommend going carry-on only for your trip whether that is in a backpack or a small roller bag. This can sound daunting for some! But it is easier than you think.
See for yourself how using the Tripped Packing System can help you get to Bali in a carry-on!
Enjoy Bali!
So, there you have it – the ultimate 2-week Bali itinerary packed with adventures, relaxation, and unforgettable experiences that you can totally steal!
There’s a reason why we keep going back! Bali is a one-of-a-kind destination that we’re so excited you’re planning to visit! From exploring ancient temples, chasing waterfalls, or simply lounging on stunning beaches, Bali has something for everyone.
Get ready to embark on the trip of a lifetime in beautiful Bali!
