My Ultimate Solo Travel Guide to Bali, Indonesia
When I plan my solo trip, I make sure I explore as many places as I could. I prepare an itinerary that covers all the significant places to explore and food items to devour. And I know it’s a little too ambitious, especially during a short trip.
The moment I had decided to visit Bali, I promised myself that I would make the best of it. So I did thorough research and jotted down everything that could be helpful for my trip. This included places I can stay at, beaches I can explore, and most importantly, the things I can do.
To help you avoid going through the trouble of figuring out the absolute best of everything, I have a very easy-to-understand solo travel guide to Bali. Yes, it has all the information you need to know before you pack your bags to get on this adventurous trip to Bali. Please keep reading to know everything about it.
How to get to Bali, Indonesia?
Getting to Bali from your home country is quite simple. You will land at the Denpasar International Airport, which is also known as Ngurah Rai International Airport. Most international flights connect to this airport, so finding a flight should not be difficult. However, sometimes, you may not get direct flights to Bali, so you will have to opt for a connecting one.
I could not get a direct flight to Bali either. My connecting flight had a layover in Malaysia. And the whole duration of travel took me about 10 hours (layover included). But the good thing was I got a window seat on the flight, which made the travel not very boring!
Best time to visit Bali
Well, there is no best time to visit Bali as such. Any time of the year you visit Bali, it will be a pleasant experience.
However, I would not recommend you visiting Bali in the wet season because the sunny days are usually much better than the gloomy ones. But, even if you do end up planning a visit to Bali in the wet season, it will not ruin your solo trip. Just that it might rain once a day, and that can affect any plans you might have on your day tours.
Best Places to Stay in Bali
For solo female travellers like you and me, safety is of the utmost importance. And it begins with staying in an affordable yet safe abode. If you are confused about where to stay in Bali, you can check out these places before finalising your decision.
1. Puri Garden Hotel and Hostel
If you are planning your stay in one of the popular areas of Bali, Ubud, then you should definitely check out the Puri Garden Hotel and Hostel. It is famous among the tourists for two reasons – affordable prices and free yoga classes! Yes, you get free yoga classes every morning at the hotel with your stay package.
Another advantage of this hotel is that it is within walking distance from the famous Ubud Monkey Forest. So if you plan on checking out the monkey forest (and I highly recommend you do!), then this hotel will be perfect for you. Some of the amenities that you get with this hotel include an onsite cafe, garden, cinema room, and pool.
The Puri Garden Hotel and Hostel also offers private dorm rooms for female travellers. So this can be the perfect opportunity for you to have your own space while also being able to meet other solo travellers in the common areas.
2. Swasti Eco Cottages
Another beautiful place to stay in Ubud, Swasti Eco Cottage, is perfect if you need to rejuvenate and wind down. The hospitality is top-notch, and the staff is extremely friendly. To make the most of your stay at the cottage, you can even experience the traditional massages, take part in the yoga classes or just relax in the outdoor pool.
3. Horison Seminyak
If you are looking for an affordable and beautiful place in Seminyak, then Horison Seminyak is something you can consider. Located in a good neighbourhood, the hotel has good connectivity to the rest of the city and is at walking distance from famous restaurants and shops nearby.
The hotel rooms have all the basic amenities like toiletries, a hairdryer, and room slippers. Another plus point is that Seminyak Beach is just five minutes away from the hotel, so you do not have to worry about public transport to get to the beach and back to your room.
4. Sholeh Silver Hostel
If you are on a tight budget and need decent accommodation in Canggu, then Sholeh Silver Hostel is the place to be. What I loved about this hotel is the friendly staff that helps you have a great stay and the sun terrace where you can relax and enjoy the free coffee or tea. You also get a kitchen to yourself, so you can try out cooking if you feel up for it. And the rooms are equipped with air conditioners, which is an absolute MUST if you visit Bali in the summer season.
Top Tourist Attractions to Explore in Bali
Once you figure out the perfect accommodation for your solo trip to Bali, you can now start exploring the island. Here are some of my top picks for places to explore in Bali.
1. Ubud Monkey Forest
I think Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the unique places to visit in Bali. And rightly so, the lush forest has more than 700 monkeys. Along with that, you will also see over 186 different species of flora and fauna. To make it even more interesting, the Monkey Forest has three revered Hindu temples that host a wide variety of festivals every year. These temples are quite famous among locals and tourists alike.
If you are staying in Ubud, then you should definitely check out the Ubud Monkey Forest. I must admit you have got to be a little braver when you visit this place because it can get intimidating with the monkeys.
2. Nusa Penida
For all the nature lovers out there, Nusa Penida should be on your list of things to do in Bali. It is a small yet gorgeous island separated from Bali via Badung Strait. This island is considered to be the unspoilt nature around Bali and houses a number of Hindu temples along with a lot of limestone formations. Apart from these things, Nusa Penida is also quite appealing to the eyes as it is surrounded by clear blue water.
An added advantage is the uninterrupted time you will get to spend on the island admiring its beauty. If you love photography, you will love this place even better!
3. Tanah Lot Temple
This is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Bali. The Tanah Lot Temple attracts a huge chunk of tourists from across the world every year. The temple has been beautifully built around the unique shoreline. And when the sun sets, the temple looks even more beautiful. You can also explore the cultural park to enjoy the Balinese dance performances.
Whether it is to admire the stunning architecture or witness the beautiful sunset from the temple, you should check out the Tanah Lot Temple on your solo trip to Bali.
4. Tukad Cepung Waterfall
Bali has got a huge number of gorgeous waterfalls. One of the most beautiful ones is the Tukad Cepung Waterfall. This waterfall is surrounded by huge gorges from all sides, which makes your experience of witnessing it even more surreal. During the day, you can even witness sun rays pouring through the spaces in the gorges, illuminating the whole of the waterfall.
If you have a thing for gorgeous waterfalls, then definitely check out Tukad Cepung Waterfall.
Top Beaches to Visit in Bali
When it comes to beaches, Bali has got a lot to offer. Here are my top recommendations of beaches that you can check out on your solo trip to Bali.
1. Kuta Beach
Kuta Beach is perfect if you want to have a relaxed day, or try out some adventure sports such as surfing, or do both. I have to say this is one of the crowded beaches in Bali, but the number of restaurants, bars, and eateries surrounding it gives a whole new touristy vibe!
2. Blue Point Beach
The Blue Point Beach, also known as the Suluban Beach, is a gorgeous beach located in Uluwatu in Bali. The scenic views from the beach look nothing short of heaven on earth! With the gazillion shades of blue in the sea, unique limestone formations, and coastal cliffs surrounded by green vegetation, this beach will give you serious photography goals!
3. Sanur Beach
Are you looking for a peaceful beach with a very minimal crowd? If yes, then head to Sanur Beach. Although it is located quite at a distance of 11 kilometres from Denpasar city, this beach does have a fair number of bars and small restaurants. There are plenty of things for you to do at Sanur Beach, like visiting the turtle convention center, sea walking, exploring the Le Mayeur Museum, or just gazing at the Bali sharks!
Best Markets to Shop in Bali
Your solo trip to Bali will probably be incomplete if you do not visit the famous Bali markets. There are a lot of unique things you can purchase from these markets. Make sure you check them out on your Bali trip.
1. Ubud Art Market
One of the most popular markets in Bali, Ubud Art Market, has got to be on your list of markets to visit on the island. It is the perfect place to buy some souvenirs for your loved ones. Along with souvenirs, this market is famous for its craftworks as well. You can check out the brass Buddha statuettes, quadruple-coloured bohemian satin skirts, Moroccan-style oil lamps, and quilt-stitched batik camisoles, among many other things.
2. Sukawati Art Market
From art-based paintings to wooden crafts, Sukawati Art Market has a variety of things for you to explore and shop. If you are looking for some handmade Balinese products and other handicrafts, definitely check out this art market. You can also purchase traditional clothes or handbags at the market.
While visiting these markets, here is a thing you need to keep in mind. The shopkeepers and store sellers may increase the price of the products to twice or thrice its original price for you. This mostly happens with tourists because they tend to think that you will pay whatever price they ask of you. So, to avoid this, you need to bargain a lot. And by a lot, I mean A LOT! If the shopkeepers or sellers do not reduce the price, I would recommend you walk away from the store or shop. In most cases, they will call you back and sell you the product at the price you ask (I have tried this, and it has worked at most times!).
Last but not least, Bali has some amazing finger-licking authentic food you must check out. You can read my blog on 13 food you MUST try while you’re in Bali.
Hoping you have a memorable solo trip to Bali…
Okay, so this concludes the blog. I know there is a lot more to Bali than these few accommodations, tourist attractions, beaches, and markets. But these are some of the best that I explored and visited on my Bali trip. I also know that visiting multiple beaches or art markets on one solo trip may not entirely be possible. But hey, there is always a second time, right? Honestly, even I could not explore every place there is on my first solo trip to Bali. But I have already decided to make another trip to this gorgeous island because I could not get enough of it!
If you do end up visiting Bali, do let me know in the comment section below. What is your favourite place or thing to do in Bali? I would love to hear all about your experience!