Should You Travel to Bali?

Bali, the beautiful island of Indonesia, is known for its exoticism, unique culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Many travelers wonder, should you travel to Bali, especially when vacation time is limited and the journey is long. My ten-day experience in Bali confirms that the island is worth visiting. Even if your time is limited, the answer to "Should you travel to Bali?" is definitely YES. In this blog, I'll explain why.

First Impressions and Arrival in Bali

Arriving in Bali was an exciting experience, knowing that a vacation filled with action and new experiences awaited me. Although traveling took two days, spending eight days in Bali allowed me to see a great deal.

First Stop: Sanur Beach Area

Upon arriving in Bali, I headed straight for the Sanur beach area, where I stayed at the four-star Puri Santrian Resort. Sanur is known for its calmer atmosphere compared to Bali's busier beach areas, such as Kuta. What makes the location special is also the lovely promenade, where you can bike or walk for miles. It is lined with excellent restaurants and boutiques. I chose Sanur as my beach destination specifically for its tranquility and the promenade. A driver I had booked in advance through Viator.com took me to the hotel. Everything went smoothly, and I received a warm welcome to the island.

The Wonderful Puri Santrian Resort & Spa

Puri Santrian Resort & Spa offered fabulous facilities for relaxation. The four-star hotel had comprehensive services, beautiful and clean rooms, several swimming pools, and excellent customer service, making my arrival at the accommodation very pleasant.

I also visited the hotel's Spa daily, which is definitely worth visiting. I had heard praises about the hotel's breakfast from my band's drummer, and I must say, they were accurate. On the first morning, I enjoyed breakfast at the beachfront restaurant on the hotel's own beach, and the perfect vacation vibe overwhelmed me instantly. More information about this accomodation, click here.

Activities in Sanur

Sanur has everything needed for the perfect beach holiday: clean beaches, great restaurants, plenty of shops, and massage parlors. Cycling on Sanur's beach promenade was one of the highlights of this trip. Sanur also offers convenient day trips to Nusa Penida Island and by taxi to other beaches, such as Kuta, if you're looking for more buzz.

Afternoon in Kuta

On the afternoon of the second day, I decided to take a taxi and explore the area of Kuta. If you like being surrounded by lots of people and action, countless shops, restaurants, and nightlife, head to Kuta. Unfortunately, it was disheartening to see the litter on Kuta's beach. Although this was visible elsewhere, Kuta's beach was particularly dirty and not inviting for swimming. However, it's still worth coming here to admire the sunset. The place is also popular among surfers.

An Active Day on Nusa Penida

On the third day, I participated in an organized trip to Nusa Penida, a smaller island southeast of Bali. Nusa Penida is famous for its dramatic cliffs and crystal-clear waters, making it a paradise for snorkelers and divers. During the trip, we visited several snorkeling spots where I saw colorful corals and tropical fish. Unfortunately, I didn't spot any manta rays this time, but that just gives me a reason to return to Nusa Penida. These alone are reasons enough to stop wondering should you travel to Bali and just go.

Culinary Delights and Culture

The food in Bali was one of the highlights of the trip—fresh ingredients, exotic spices, and diverse dishes made every meal special. Especially the seafood and traditional nasi goreng, fried rice, were my favorites. Several Japanese restaurants also left a lasting impression, the best of which was Shichirin Restaurant in Ubud.

Moving to Ubud and the Heart of Bali's Culture

On the morning of the fourth day, I headed towards Ubud, the cultural center of Bali, surrounded by rice paddies and temples. I took advantage of the move from Sanur to Ubud to do a sightseeing tour. We started our journey in the southern part of the island at Uluwatu, visiting Padang Padang Beach, a popular surfing spot and beautiful beach for relaxation. Afterwards, my driver suggested a great viewpoint, Karang Boma Cliff, which offered stunning views over the steep cliffs. After these sites, it was time to head to the inland towards Ubud.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces & the Holy Tirta Empul Temple

I visited the famous Tirta Empul Temple, where I participated in a holy water ritual. This spiritually cleansing experience gave me a deeper understanding of Balinese Hinduism and the island's spiritual life. On our way back to Ubud, we stopped at the Tegalalang Rice Terraces, famous for their stunning vistas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Definitely worth a visit! Unfortunately, I couldn't try the swings and challenge my fear of heights as they had closed by the time we arrived around six o'clock.

Marvelous Ubud and Excursion Destinations

From Ubud, I also went on trips to local waterfalls. I visited the two best ones: Tegenungan Waterfall, where you can also swim. The journey was sweaty up and down (165 steps), and at the next stop, Kanto Lampo Waterfall, I decided to admire the waterfalls from afar. The heat (+33°C) was simply too much for me at that moment. But I can recommend these two waterfalls.

Ubud Monkey Forest and Other Attractions

One of the places definitely worth visiting is Ubud's Monkey Forest. A beautiful rainforest where monkeys roam freely in their natural environment. Make sure to hold onto your belongings as these critters like to swipe things. Also, do not stare at the monkeys. They don't like it at all and can become aggressive. Udub was full of fabulous boutiques, restaurants, and temples.

Luxury Accommodation with a Private Pool

In Ubud, I stayed at Wana Bucu Villas, where I particularly enjoyed the privacy of the villa and its private pool. The breakfast I ordered was an amazing experience. It was brought to my room at the requested time each morning, and I could choose from a menu. I chose the Healthy menu, which turned out to be so good that I selected it every morning. The green smoothie from the menu was my favorite throughout the trip. I also ordered a Balinese massage to my room several evenings, which was a heavenly experience. More information about this wonderful accomodation click here.

The Relaxing Effect of Balinese Massage

One of the relaxing aspects of my trip was the daily Balinese massage. Massage in Bali is affordable and high quality, costing about 8-20 euros for a 90-minute session, and it provides the perfect way to alleviate the tiredness from traveling. The best experiences came from both accommodations.

Bali Belly or the Balinese Curse?

I was warned about Bali belly, which means honest gastroenteritis. This might even make one wonder should you travel to Bali at all if the likelihood of a stomach ailment is high.

I was almost completely spared from this ailment. Just before heading home, however, my stomach started to churn unpleasantly, but the actual illness did not come crashing down on me; I managed with mild stomach cramps. Additionally, I managed to catch a cold, which was probably due to the fact that I had set the air conditioning too cold at night. Therefore, be careful with the air conditioning.

Experiences and Feelings

Leaving Bali, I felt that despite the brief visit, I had gained a comprehensive picture of the experiences the island offers. During my trip, I engaged in diverse activities, enjoyed delicious food and fabulous culture, and had the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate. Although I traveled during the rainy season in February, it did not mean that it rained all the time. The weather was variable, but mostly partly cloudy and rain-free. The temperature was consistently around 31-33 degrees Celsius, and the humidity significantly added to the sensation of heat.

Recommendations

Even if time is limited, Bali offers something for everyone. Whether your interests lie in nature, culture, food, or relaxation, Bali will not disappoint your expectations and leaves no doubt about whether you should travel to Bali. I highly recommend combining different areas, such as the coast and the inland, to get a comprehensive view of the island's diversity. The culture, friendly people, and unforgettable landscapes make Bali a true paradise that deserves a place on every traveler's bucket list.

Do you want to join me and see what my trip to Bali was like? Below, you can find the vlog from the first part of my Bali journey, covering Kuta and Sanur. 

If you want to see more, you can find additional videos here.

Book Viator.com tours & transfers as well as accommodations in Sanur through Tripadvisor

Reserve your airport transfer from Bali airport to your hotel through this link. Airport transfer to your hotel

Book a 10-hour day trip with a driver through this link on Viator.com. 10-hour day trip in Bali

Book a day trip to Nusa Penida through this link on Viator.com. Day trip to Nusa Penida

Compare prices and book the cheapest option through this link to Puri Santrian Resort & Spa

I receive a small referral commission for bookings made through the above links, which helps support my channel. Note: The price is exactly the same. I have personally tested and found the above recommendations to be good and reliable.