The Ultimate Bali Highlights
Thinking of escaping to Bali? So many of you have asked me what itinerary you should do for your trip to Bali and what are the must-sees and must-do’s.
Honestly I thought that a four month trip would make it so much easier to determine how to piece together a shorter ‘highlight trip’ - but spending months getting to know this island only made it more difficult and that much more impossible to squish my favourite spots into a two-week trip.
I was there during rainy season - which I absolutely adored and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. It was less busy and more affordable than high season and I felt that if I didn’t want to be caught up in heavy tourism, it was easy enough not to. It didn’t rain everyday and was definitely sunny and glorious more than it rained.
But WHEN it rains out there, it absolutely pours, floods and pretty much everything stops.
There was only one period of time (during my four months) that it rained more than it didn’t over a two week period - so if you happened to be travelling during that window, it might have washed out a lot of your plans.
Fun Things To Do
Quad biking Ubud
This was booked for January and had been planned for months due to my birthday celebrations. The morning that we woke up, you could hear the roaring torrential downpour outside and my instant thought was to cancel the activity. Our driver had sorted us out a great deal with Green ATV Bali Adventure (who were fab!) and it was the only day that we could do it - so we decided to suck it up and get on the quad bikes. It turned out to be one of the most incredible highlights of my trip and the rain actually made it even more fun. Driving in mud through rice fields, waterfalls and the Balinese jungle whilst my wellies filled with rain was unforgettable and absolutely hilarious.
Bali swing
There are quite a few spots to do the traditional Bali Swing experience and they vary from a few minutes on a pretty swing, to romantic couple tandem swings all the way to full scale production photo shoots. I opted for a regular swing in the Tellangang Rice fields and it cost about £10. I paid a little extra to have a more ‘extreme’ version whereby the guide flung me with so much force and built up so much momentum in his pushing that both of his legs were dangling off the ground - I highly recommend!
Holy water temple
We got really lucky on this day as there happened to be a temple ceremony where the locals celebrated and honoured the dark moon and their ancestors. it was beautiful to watch and parts of the temple were still accessible for tourists. I hired a sarong so that I could do the temple blessing and our guide talked us through the process. It was a truly refreshing and calming experience no matter what your spiritual practices and preferences are.
Lenghahan Sweet
A spot that I found on Instagram - but the journey was a true Insta vs reality experience! Our driver had some award-winning clutch control and I felt my ears pop multiple times as we climbed up the narrow, mountain-side, jungle road. Where we reached a certain point, there were a group of locals who said that it was another mile or so to get to the top, and from this point we could either do a steep hike, get on the back of one of their scooters or ride in their 4x4. We opted for the the 4x4 option as there were three of us and we paid about £3 each for a return journey. The ride was like a rollercoaster, there was a steep cliff edge on one side and we drive past landslides on the other and the front bonnet of the car was tilted up at a terrifying angle.
But when we reached the top, it was insane! The view is super high up and looks right across at Mount Agung and down onto the most gorgeous, dense jungle and out at the sea. The area has around ‘Instagrammable’ installations if you want to frame the view for a nice picture. But the view alone is more than enough to take your breath away if the sheer height doesn’t.
Cafes and restaurants
The Cave Restaurant
A beautiful cave-turned-restaurant in Uluwatu. It’s a 7 course fine-dining set menu with the option to add on wine-pairing. The food was super fancy and some of it was definitely not my taste (ie foie gras) But the lobster, the teeny-tiny ahi tuna taco, the prime rib were all delicious! In between each course there was a light show projected onto the roof of the cave, it was a super magical evening and you even get the opportunity to explore original parts of the cave during the break.
Ramblas
This was my favourite solo dinner spot. A tiny tapas place that looked out onto the main road that served the creamiest, garlicky, smooth mashed potatoes, delicious and and yummy small plates.
Lovster
There’s two of these in Bali and the food is super tasty - a concept that I’m not sure would work anywhere else… Lovster is the only place I know that serves generously-stuffed lobster rolls to tipsy tourists at 3am in the morning. It’s open earlier in the day too - but it always fascinated me that it was a late night food spot. The food is beyond tasty!
La Favela
The upstairs serves as a restaurant until 10pm (I had my birthday meal here). The food and the drinks were tasty, but the venue is what makes this place even more unique. Inspired by Brazil, the venue is quirky with relentless theming and a great vibe. At 10pm the entire venue turns into a nightclub, so if you want to end the party after dinner, be sure to leave before then.
Spas and Self Care Hotspots
I had no idea that I was so obsessed with relaxation and self care until I went to Bali. What instantly became available to me upon arriving on this gorgeous island has now spoiled me for life. I lost count of massages, pedicures, flower baths and plunge pools that I experienced, but of course I have a few favourites that I wanted to share!! All of them offer a range of treatments and are incredibly priced for the quality, attention to detail and duration of the treatments. Tonic Day Spa - This pretty, pink and white palace offers a 3 hour Royal Treatment that includes a full body massage, body scrub, facial and a flower bath for around £42. I left here glowing like Tinkerbell and feeling like I was floating!
Karsa Spa - A gorgeous jungle spa right on the ridgewalk in Ubud. It rained heavily the day I visited but it didn't matter one bit as the outdoor treatment room is covered over and the storm only added to the peaceful and tranquil vibe as I dozed off for my treatment. I got a foot massage and pedicure, a 60 minute massage, 30 minute body scrub and a flower bath for £38.
Muka Concepts - A much more exclusive spa, with incredible treatments that feature only ingredients that you can eat. The smells are gorgeous; coffee, chocolate, honey, coconut, shea butter, the list goes on. I had a 90 minute facial and was left still wanting more. They will drench your face in rich, tasty ingredients, open your pores, squeeze them by hand, massage your skin, nourish it and hydrate it. The price is on the higher end for Bali alone, £45 for the facial alone, but it was beyond worth it. I tried to book again before coming home, but they didn't have availability for another 6 weeks - so book in ASAP.
Taman Air Spa - Now, I had some unbelievable massages in Bali, and this one was the day before I flew home. I have to say, it was the best massage I had the whole time I was there. She worked on every knot in so much detail, I felt like a whole new person by the time I left. A gorgeous relaxing spa right in the heart of Kuta, but feels like a million miles from anyway. Highly recommend!
Bodyworks Spa - An absolutely stunning spa that feels like you've taken a step into a riad in the middle of a Moroccan Medina. The design is gorgeous and the treatments will blow your mind. We had a couples massage followed by the flower bath and it was such a beautiful and relaxing place to spend the afternoon.
Waterfalls
Gembleng Waterfall
This waterfall is relatively new to tourists and is somewhat of a hidden gem at the moment, however the local village have built an entrance and a concrete staircase in the hopes of bringing tourism to the area. It has a small natural infinity pool that overlooks the jungle and when we visited there were only 2 other people there at the same time - I’m not sure how long that will last though.
Goa Raja
A stunning waterfall in another quiet and hidden spot. After a descent into the jungle you’ll find a man-made waterfall and pool where you can splash around and relax. But just around the corner you’ll find this natural beauty with water that tumbles alongside a flat rock. it’s truly gorgeous and again there was only one other couple there the whole time we visited
Banyuwana waterfall
This is by far my favourite waterfall in Bali, it kind of reminds me of something out of Avatar - surrounded my lush greenery and tropical flowers and it’s made up of three heavy-flowing waterfalls with a natural pool at the bottom that you can swim in.
There’s a handful of other favourites that I’m sure you’ll have hard all about but `i wanted to drop them here so that you don't miss out
Beach clubs
Sundays Beach Club
- Turquoise water, powdery white sand, delicious food
Finns Beach Club
- A party vibe and boujie beach club. be prepared to dance
La Brisa
- The perfect chill spot for sunset and the Sunday market
Atlas
- Bring the party! Book a day bed and choose from a generous menu of food vendors
Wanna Jungle Club
- A day club full of man-made waterfalls and infinity pools that overlook the jungle. A must when in Ubud!
Beaches
Pendang Pedang Beach
- A beautiful beach, but a little on a small side. You have to walk through a monkey forest to get there, but it’s well worth it
Virgin Beach
- The best beach I saw in Bali and there were hardly any people there!
If you’re itching for an adventure that features paradise beaches, jungles, fine dining, street food, volcanos, tropical snorkel spots, the most insane sunsets and a bunch of creative and inspiring individuals to connect with… I can’t recommend this island enough!
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