Bali travel tips: Ubud, beaches, when to go & hotels

Why Bali?

Bali is two islands in one: the south with surf beaches, beach clubs and nightlife in Canggu and Seminyak – and the interior around Ubud with rice terraces, temples and a calm you can feel in your body after two days.

The island is cheap, the people are warm-hearted, and the food – from the roadside warung to the restaurant overlooking the rice fields – is consistently good.

I split the trip: a few days in Ubud, then the coast, and if there is time left, by boat to Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands.

My tips for Bali

Only ride a scooter if you really know how – the traffic is chaotic. A driver with a car costs little for a whole day.
Visit the Tegalalang rice terraces and the Tirta Empul temple early in the morning.
Sarong and covered shoulders – compulsory in temples, and you can usually borrow one.

Where to stay?

In Ubud a room with a view of the rice fields, a little outside the centre, is worth it. On the coast I like Canggu and the quieter Sanur; Seminyak is livelier.

Find accommodation in Bali

I almost always compare hotels, apartments and guesthouses on Booking.com – with genuine reviews and usually free cancellation.

See accommodation in Bali Compare on Hotels.com Holiday rental on Vrbo

Affiliate links: if you book I earn a small commission – the price stays the same for you, and sometimes you even get an extra discount. Hotels.com is worth it for comparing prices and for the loyalty programme (every tenth night free), Vrbo for holiday homes and apartments.

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