How To Explore Jimbaran On Your Solo Trip To Bali | Solo Female Travel
Are you someone who loves spending time at the beaches? And does the mention of delicious seafood make your stomach grumble? If yes, then Jimbaran in Bali is the right place for you!
Jimbaran is a small yet beautiful seaside town in Bali. It has golden sand beaches and is also famous for surfing. Along with the beaches, you will also find some amazing Balinese restaurants serving lip-smacking seafood. And word has it that the seafood at Jimbaran is to die for!
If you have planned your next solo trip to Bali, then a day or two in Jimbaran is a must. If not for the beaches, then definitely for the seafood restaurants. As I mentioned, this region has some of the best seafood restaurants in Bali, and then the foodie in you deserves a chance to try out as many seafood dishes here as possible!
This blog is like a mini-guide to exploring Jimbaran on your solo trip to Bali. So keep on reading to know more!
Best time to visit Jimbaran, Bali
Well, considering that Jimbaran is popular for its beaches, I would say that you visit here in the dry season, which lasts from April to October. This way, you can avoid the heavy rainfall, which pretty much ruins things related to beaches. And, you can also enjoy spending more time on the beaches and trying out water sports in Jimbaran during the dry season.
Remember that even during the dry season, you may experience a little bit of rainfall on some days. But it won’t be that severe, and you will still be able to leave your hotel and explore Jimbaran.
Read my blog on the best time to visit Bali for your next solo trip.
How to reach Jimbaran?
The nearest airport to Jimbaran is Ngurah Rai International Airport, at a distance of approximately 3 km. Once you land at the airport, you can take a cab from the airport itself. But make sure that you book a cab from genuine cab services. Unfortunately, there are way too many cab services that scam tourists.
Or, if you have a hired private driver in Bali, you can ask him/her to pick you up from the airport and drop you at your hotel!
Getting around in Jimbaran
Planning a solo trip requires a lot of effort. Between selecting the hotels, places to check out, and restaurants to visit, we always tend to ignore the transportation facilities. While public transportation is quite cheap in Bali, it is not all that comfortable. And it can turn out to be pretty time-consuming too!
In such a case, booking a taxi or cab may seem like a better option. But then again, it can get a little heavy on the pockets.
But Bali knows how to offer the best to its visitors. The island has the famous two-wheeled vehicle, known as a moped. Trust me, riding a moped and exploring the beautiful island is an experience in itself! If you are confident in your riding skills, I would recommend that you rent a moped when you visit Bali on your next solo trip. Not only is the moped extremely convenient, but it is also very budget-friendly!
Accommodations in Jimbaran
Getting good and safe accommodation in any country is extremely important. And luckily, Jimbaran has some really good hotels that you can consider staying in for your next solo trip. Here are my top picks for hotels in Jimbaran, Bali.
Zuri Express Jimbaran
If you are someone who loves a spacious, simple hotel room, then Zuri Express Jimbaran has got you covered. The interiors of the hotel look so aesthetic with main whites and a dash of pop colours here and there!
In your room, you will get access to free WiFi, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, an air-conditioner, desk, free toiletries, a kettle, a toaster, and stunning views of the garden from the balcony.
You can check out their breakfast menu, which serves American and continental food options.
Room prices at Zuri Express Jimbaran per night – 211542 Indonesian Rupiah ($14.67)
Dream @ Jimbaran
A classy-looking modern hotel, Dream @ Jimbaran is a very budget-friendly hotel in Jimbaran. It is located at a 10-minute drive from the famous Jimbaran Bay. The best part about the hotel is that it offers a free parking space to its residents. So, if you end up renting a vehicle in Bali, you won’t have to constantly worry about parking space!
You get a flat-screen TV, an air-conditioner, free WiFi and toiletries in your room. In addition, you also get access to on-site laundry services.
For breakfast, the hotel offers Asian and American cuisine.
Room prices at Dream @ Jimbaran per night – 233855 Indonesian Rupiah ($16.22)
Fox Hotel Jimbaran Beach
This accommodation is located at a 2-minute walk from the famous Jimbaran Beach. You can imagine how beautiful the beach views must be from the Fox Hotel.
In your room, you will get an air-conditioner, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a hairdryer, free toiletries. Also, if you get lucky with the room you get, you might even be able to see the views of either the beach or the city from your balcony!
The Ngurah Rai International Airport is only at a distance of 6 km from the hotel.
Room prices at Fox Hotel Jimbaran Beach per night – 353363 Indonesian Rupiah ($24.50)
Disclaimer: The prices of the hotel rooms may vary depending on the time you book them.
Must-visit places in Jimbaran
Once you get settled in your hotel, it is time for you to get dressed and explore the beautiful Jimbaran. Here are my top picks for places that you must visit in Jimbaran.
Visiting the Iconic Jimbaran Beach
Jimbaran Beach is surely one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali. And it is the perfect place for a beach bum! You can try out the different water sports and other activities, such as scuba diving, that the beach hosts, or you can eat the delicious seafood served at the small restaurants and eateries at the beach.
Or, if you are looking to spend some time relaxing and sunbathing, well, Jimbaran Beach is perfect for that too! The crystal clear water and the gushing sound of the sea waves crashing at the shore make for the perfect background music while you sunbathe at the beach.
However, remember that the beach remains open only till 6 PM, and you will have to head out after you witness the magical sunset from Jimbaran beach!
Surfing at Suluban Beach
Suluban Beach is a bow-shaped beach which is nestled on the shores of the Indian Ocean. What makes this beach an ideal spot for surfing is its barrel waves of moderate velocity. If you have never tried out surfing before, doing it at Suluban Beach can be a perfect choice. And the instructors are quite experienced too, so be assured that you are in good hands. They will teach you the basics of surfing and ensure you have a lovely experience!
The best part about Suluban Beach is that it is kind of a hidden beach. Not many tourists know about it, and therefore, it remains a bit quiet and empty even during the high season. But hey, that’s just another advantage you can have while visiting this beach. Because how often do we get to go to a quiet beach?
Experience Rafting at the Telaga Waja River
Telaga Waja River is situated near the mighty Mount Agung. River rafting is one of the most famous adventure activities that you can try out in Bali. And the rafting session here extends up to 16 km and lasts for about three hours.
The rocky yet swift Telaga Waja River allows everyone, from beginners to experienced rafters, to have one of the best times in Bali.
If you have always wanted to check out this majestic river or even try your hand at river rafting, doing so in Jimbaran’s Telaga Waja would be a great opportunity!
Do a Golden Kirin Coffee Factory Tour
Are you someone who starts their mornings with coffee? Do your days feel incomplete without your everyday coffee? Well, if yes, then this Golden Kirin Coffee Factory Tour would be a great opportunity for you to spend time around a wide variety of coffee. Golden Kirin Coffee has a rich group of espresso mixes developed in Bali.
At the bordering trinket shop, you can even purchase souvenirs related to coffee, such as coffee beans or scented candles.
Visit the Pura Ulun Siwi Temple
Pura Ulun Siwi Temple is one of the most religious sites in Bali. The temple was built in the 18th century, and it stands on top of black rock. Although Pura Ulun Siwi Temple is not really the most-visited temple in Bali, it is definitely worth checking out once, mainly for its marvellous architecture.
Best seafood restaurants in Jimbaran
Seafood is the speciality of Jimbaran. Here are some amazing restaurants that serve delicious seafood.
Menega Cafe
Menega Cafe is one of the most popular restaurants for seafood in Jimbaran. When you enter here, you will see a large aquarium consisting of a wide variety of fish, shellfish, crab, and squid. Now, all these dishes at the restaurant are freshly grilled, so you may have to wait for a little while to get your order. But it is totally worth the wait! Their must-try seafood items are grilled fish, squid sticks, and jumbo prawns.
Bendesa Cafe
Bendesa Cafe offers one of the finest selections of seafood dishes to its customers. The aroma of the traditional Balinese cuisine and fresh local seafood is something that you can always expect from this restaurant. Some of their famous seafood items are boiled shellfish, grilled fish, and fried shrimp.
Bendesa Cafe is usually crowded, so you may have to wait for a while to get a table.
Warung Mami
Although Warung Mami looks like a general food store from the front, it certainly serves some of the best seafood in Jimbaran. The inside of the restaurant is clean, decent, and comfortable. There is no menu as such because Warung Mami only serves four items, grilled shrimp, shellfish, fish, and white rice. But they taste amazing and are worth every penny you spend here! The waiting time is quite long at this restaurant, but one cannot complain because seafood does require specific skills to get cooked in the right delicious way!
Lia Cafe
Lia Cafe is one of the popular restaurants that serve delicious seafood. It is located on Jimbaran Beach, and if you happen to be there, it only makes sense to check this one out too. It has an outdoor dining area, so you will have your meal on the beach, which is pretty cool, in my opinion. Not to forget the stunning beach views while having a meal!
New Moon Cafe
This restaurant is the perfect option if you want to have a delicious meal with sand beneath your feet and an umbrella over your head. The ambience is lovely, and the seafood is even better. Their famous dishes include fresh squid, mussels, king prawns, and a lot more!
While you have a lovely dinner at New Moon Cafe, don’t forget to wear your favourite dress and make the most of your night!
So, are you ready to explore Jimbaran in Bali?
Jimbaran is one of the best places for nightlife and “not-so-overwhelming” beach parties in Bali. So don’t be shy to explore a few clubs—you may end up making friends with fellow solo travellers!
There is so much to explore, and the best part is it is not that crowded, as compared to other tourist attractions in Bali like Ubud or Kuta.
To have a peaceful and calm time on your next solo trip to Bali, definitely add Jimbaran to your itinerary. If you are visiting Bali for the first time, here are some tips that can help make your trip a memorable one.
So, book your tickets, pack your bags and get ready to have one of the most memorable solo trips of your life!