Favorite Spots in Bali
Bali is a special place for me. Either a commercial or it’s really something in the people, area, and atmosphere of the island that makes you come back every time. Even though I never stay more than 1–2 month there, I come back every time. It’s my “source”. Below things, I love the most about the island, places, and sights.
Your prerequisite to travel there is a mindset: most of the things won’t be as they are here, in the EU or the US. People are super friendly, but there are still bad and good people everywhere, so be careful with your expensive things. Make sure you have cash, most of the time you will need it (for tip/or to pay). Make sure you don’t drink water that is not from the bottle. And no one in the rush, even when everyone is. People are super friendly and respectful, make sure you show the same gratitude to them and to the island.
1st day & getting rest after your flight
1st day, right after airport Kuta. It’s close to the airport, considering you will always have a long flight to Bali, I don’t like to take a long drive after. Kuta is just 30 min away or less. I usually don’t book upfront the hotel and book it in connection. This way you will get 50% off. Nowadays, I would think the price is super low, so maybe upfront is good. You should keep your expectations: unless the hotel is the world chain, you will get a 5star experience. So some things might be off, I book 4/5 stars with the seafront. This one was bad at the start but great as I complained about a few issues in the room (room update to the top room). Sheraton Bali Kuta Resort is great & the food is awesome too, and it has a conveniently placed a small shopping mall just next to it, a hookah bar with a terrace.
The great thing to do in Kuta is just going to the beach as you arrive. Nothing is better than the sound of the short. There is a number of bars, which are mid-level, but the shore and their destination (right on the beach) make it all great. For the breakfast I have one favorite place, it’s quite a walk, 25 min I think, but nothing is so great as a walk along the Seminyak beach. It has really great breakfast, pancakes, granola & yogurt, the place is The Coffee Library, The Sand Beach Bar & Restaurant
From Kuta it’s easy to go to Tanah Lot, if that’s your first time — everyone does it 😂 so you should too. Be careful about the traffic, it’s super close, but sometimes traffic can be crazy (dnk about covid times, but still). It’s a good place to go at sunset, take pictures (together with thousands of other tourists), and drive back to get dinner in Seminyak. You don’t want to go too far, because it might just take too long to drive. We drove to something like Ma Joly, which has like 4.5 stars out of 5. It’s literally one of the top restaurants we have been to when talks about the food. Small portions, but very interesting and tasty menu. If you order up front, you can get a table on the beach with candles.
Transport and what to do next?
There is a bunch of blogs about the top Instagram places / top places in Bali, so I won’t list them. You can google that, my advice would be to explore the island and hire a local drive. You can text him, and he will pick you up and drive you to any location that you need. Then he’ll wait and take you back. It’s really not that expensive service (I think $30-$50 per day, but not 100%). Another option to take a bike, but Bali is a rocky road, so you should be a confident driver or have good insurance.
My top places
My fav places in Bali are Jimbaran (a thousand times), Nusa Penida, Uluwatu, and Ubud.
Ubud is a super artsy place, where you can enjoy yoga & spa and surrounding. Places to stay:
- https://www.glampingsandat.com/accommodations/
- https://www.instagram.com/kamandalu/
- https://www.instagram.com/mayaubud/
- https://www.instagram.com/adiwanaaryavilla/
- https://www.sunhousebali.com/room-villas/
Places to visit for work/coffee/your time:
And then these ones Lazy Cats, Hippie Fish, Watercress Cafe Ubud, Intuitive flow, Taksu Spa (the best spa ever).
After island exploration, I like to end up in Jimbaran & Uluwatu. In Jimbaran I love to stay in Mövenpick, it’s Condé Nast Hotel, it’s eco..and it’s super nice and comfortable, with okay / not 4 Seasons which are 😍 but way too expensive/ price.
Near Jimbaran there is a Rock Bar, my fav Dream Land beach, Uluwatu Temple, Ulu Cliffhouse beach club & bar, Above 11 (Mövenpick Resort), 4 Seasons Restaurant, Klapa Lounge, The edge Bali, Karsa Spa…that’s a lot of places 😁, also try the restaurants on a beach in Jimbaran — the best-grilled shrimps I ever had.
Some extra activities/beaches notes
For surfing — this is the school — https://www.instagram.com/surfdiscovery/, little advice be careful about going to the tour to see Mantas, I’ve got not the greatest experience. I would do it again, but you really need to keep your expectations super low (we didn’t get to see Manta 😐). Keep in mind, all of the above (i.e. beaches) might be not suitable for little kids. The shore is really strong, and usually, the kids' spot is the Nusa Due beach (opposite from Jimbaran), and the Jimbaran beach itself. But out of it, the Dream Land for example is only for surfing and not for a little one to swim.
