How to Plan the Perfect Bali Itinerary (Step-by-Step)

Planning a Bali itinerary can feel overwhelming. The island has dozens of distinct areas, hundreds of activities, and an almost unlimited number of ways to spend your time. Most travelers either over-plan (cramming too much in) or under-plan (winging it and missing the best experiences). This guide walks you through the process step by step so you end up with an itinerary that is realistic, balanced, and built around what you actually care about.

Step 1: Decide How Many Days You Have

This is the single most important factor in planning your itinerary. Bali rewards longer stays more than almost any destination, but you can have a great trip at any length.

3-4 days: Pick one base area and explore locally. You will not see all of Bali, but you can go deep in one region. Best bases for short trips: Ubud (culture and nature) or Seminyak (beach and dining).

5-7 days: The sweet spot for a first visit. Enough time to split between two areas — typically south coast + Ubud — and take 2-3 major day trips.

8-10 days: Enough to cover three areas comfortably. Add East Bali, North Bali, or a night or two on Nusa Penida.

11-14 days: The ideal first visit. You can see most of the island’s highlights without rushing, including the less-touristed north and east coasts.

15+ days: Now you can go really deep. Add West Bali, extended time in villages like Sidemen or Munduk, a surf camp, a yoga retreat, or a genuine slow-travel approach.

Step 2: Choose Your Base Area(s)

Bali’s areas have distinct personalities. Choosing the right base (or bases) is the foundation of a good itinerary.

Seminyak

Best for: Upscale dining, boutique shopping, beach clubs, sunset cocktails, couples Vibe: Polished, cosmopolitan, indulgent Stay here if: Food and nightlife are priorities and you want a premium beach-adjacent experience

Canggu

Best for: Surfing, cafe culture, digital nomads, younger travelers, fitness Vibe: Laid-back, creative, social Stay here if: You want a trendy atmosphere with surf breaks, great brunch spots, and a community feel

Ubud

Best for: Culture, nature, yoga, rice terraces, art, wellness Vibe: Spiritual, lush, artistic Stay here if: You want to immerse in Balinese culture, practice yoga, explore waterfalls and temples, and eat incredibly well

Uluwatu

Best for: Cliffs, surf, beach clubs, luxury resorts, dramatic scenery Vibe: Raw, dramatic, exclusive Stay here if: You want world-class surf, clifftop venues, and a more secluded feel than the bustling south coast

Pererenan

Best for: Quieter alternative to Canggu, rice field views, emerging restaurant scene Vibe: Peaceful, authentic, developing Stay here if: You want Canggu’s convenience without the crowds, and you value tranquility

Lovina

Best for: Dolphin watching, north coast exploration, quiet black sand beaches, slow travel Vibe: Relaxed, uncrowded, local Stay here if: You want to escape the southern tourist bubble entirely

Step 3: Allocate Your Days

Here is a framework for distributing your time. Adjust based on your priorities.

7-Day Example Itinerary

Days 1-2: Arrive + Settle into South Coast Base

Day 1: Arrive, settle in, explore your area on foot, sunset at the beach
Day 2: Beach day, spa treatment, explore local restaurants, ease into Bali time

Day 3: Ubud Day Trip

Private driver picks you up at 8 AM
Tegallalang Rice Terraces (early, before crowds)
Tirta Empul water temple
Lunch in Ubud town
Ubud Monkey Forest or art galleries
Return to base by late afternoon

Day 4: Adventure Day

Option A: Mount Batur sunrise trek (2 AM pickup, back by noon, pool afternoon)
Option B: White water rafting + waterfall combo
Option C: ATV quad biking + Bali swing + coffee plantation

Day 5: Move to Ubud (or Ubud Day Trip #2)

If splitting bases: check into Ubud accommodation, afternoon cooking class, evening walk along Campuhan Ridge
If staying south: Waterfall circuit day trip (Tibumana, Kanto Lampo, Tukad Cepung)

Day 6: South Bali Exploration

Uluwatu Temple + Kecak fire dance at sunset
Hidden beach in the morning (Padang Padang or Thomas Beach)
Beach club afternoon (Sundays, Savaya, or Single Fin)
Jimbaran Bay seafood dinner on the beach

Day 7: Flexible Day + Departure Prep

Nusa Penida day trip if energy allows
Or: return to favorite spots, last-minute shopping, final spa session
Pack and prepare for departure

10-Day Example Itinerary

Add to the 7-day plan:

Day 8: Nusa Penida

Full day island tour: Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Broken Beach, Crystal Bay
Snorkeling with manta rays

Day 9: East or North Bali

Option A: Tirta Gangga + Lempuyang Temple + Sidemen Valley
Option B: Jatiluwih Rice Terraces + Tanah Lot sunset
Option C: Drive to Lovina, dolphin watching next morning

Day 10: Recovery + Departure

Morning yoga or spa session
Leisurely brunch at your favorite spot
Airport transfer

Step 4: Book Your Must-Do Activities

Some activities should be booked in advance, especially during peak season (July-August, December-January). Others can be arranged on shorter notice.

Book in Advance

Mount Batur sunrise trek: Popular guides book out 3-5 days ahead in peak season
Nusa Penida day trip: Fast boat spots fill up; book 2-3 days ahead minimum
White water rafting: The better operators sell out in advance
Cooking classes: Popular classes in Ubud have limited spots
Kecak fire dance at Uluwatu: Tickets sell out on busy nights

Book 1-2 Days Ahead

Book Same Day

Private driver (though having a regular driver is better)
Drop-in yoga classes
Beach club entry (though reserving daybeds is smart)
Self-guided temple visits

Step 5: Plan Your Transport

Transport logistics can make or break a Bali itinerary. Here are the key principles:

Hire a private driver for day trips. At $40-60 for 8-10 hours, a private driver is the most efficient and stress-free way to see Bali. They handle navigation, parking, and traffic while you enjoy the scenery.

Account for travel times realistically. Bali is small on a map but slow on the road. Add buffer time to every journey:

Seminyak to Ubud: 1-1.5 hours
Seminyak to Uluwatu: 45 min-1.5 hours
Ubud to Kintamani (Mount Batur): 45 min-1 hour
Seminyak to Sanur (Nusa Penida boats): 30-45 min
Ubud to East Bali (Tirta Gangga): 1.5-2 hours

Avoid peak traffic windows. South Bali traffic is worst from 8-10 AM and 4-7 PM. Schedule departures before 7:30 AM or after 10 AM when possible.

Use Grab/Gojek for short evening trips. Going to dinner? Meeting friends at a bar? Ride-hailing apps are perfect for these.

Step 6: Build In Downtime

This is the mistake most first-time visitors make: scheduling activities for every hour of every day. Bali is not a city break — it is a place that rewards slowing down.

The 70% rule: Plan activities for about 70% of your available time. Leave 30% unstructured for:

Sleeping in after a sunrise trek
Discovering a place your driver recommends on the fly
Spending an extra hour at a waterfall because the swimming is too good to leave
An afternoon by the pool recovering from jet lag
Wandering through a village market you stumbled upon

Some of the best Bali experiences are unplanned. The temple ceremony you drive past. The warung a local recommends. The sunset that stops you in your tracks on a random back road.

Step 7: Handle the Practical Details

Visas

Most nationalities can get a Visa on Arrival (VOA) at Bali’s airport for 30 days (extendable once for another 30 days). The electronic VOA can be purchased online before arrival, which saves time in the immigration queue.

Money

ATMs are widely available. Use official bank ATMs (BCA, Mandiri, BRI) and avoid standalone machines.
Credit cards are accepted at hotels, upscale restaurants, and tourist-facing businesses.
Carry cash for warungs, temples, markets, and rural areas.
Tipping is appreciated but not expected. 10-15% at restaurants without a service charge.

Health

Drink bottled water only. Avoid ice in very small local warungs (larger restaurants use filtered ice).
Pack sunscreen, insect repellent, and basic medications (stomach remedies in particular).
Travel insurance is essential. Make sure it covers medical evacuation.

Packing Essentials

Sarong for temple visits (or buy one when you arrive)
Reef-safe sunscreen
Light rain jacket (even in dry season, brief showers happen)
Good walking shoes for treks and waterfalls
Swimwear (you will use it daily)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Trying to see everything. Bali has enough to fill a month. Trying to cram it into a week means you spend most of your time in a car.
Staying only on the south coast. Ubud, East Bali, and the northern highlands are where Bali’s soul lives. Do not skip them.
Not booking a driver. Navigating Bali independently is stressful and wastes time. A private driver transforms the experience.
Ignoring the seasons. Dry season (April-October) has better weather but bigger crowds. Wet season (November-March) has afternoon rain but fewer tourists and lower prices. Both are viable — just plan accordingly.
Skipping cultural experiences. The beaches and beach clubs are great, but the temple visits, ceremonies, and village walks are what make Bali different from every other tropical island.
Underestimating traffic. A distance that looks like 20 minutes on a map can take an hour in Bali traffic. Always add buffer time.
Only eating at tourist restaurants. Some of the best food in Bali is at simple warungs. Ask your driver where they eat — that is where the real food is.

Let Gede Plan It All for You

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