The Ideal 9-Day Itinerary For Your First Visit To Bali

Gaia Bali
Apr 4, 2023
7 min read

Are you visiting Indonesia and searching for the finest Bali itinerary available?

Therefore, my island-loving, sunset-seeking friends, we've created the ideal 9 days in Bali to aid you in making travel arrangements! Take note of this crazily informative Bali travel blog! You might want to grab a notebook and a pencil because there is a ton of useful information in here.

Bali is covered in a luxuriant, verdant forest. In the wind, palm trees wobble. All the tropical fruit you desire as well as big, affordable coconuts. Trendy cafes and beach clubs. Beautiful sunsets. beautiful infinity pools. we could continue forever. Bali is a dynamic post card. That ultimate Indonesian fantasy country of which you have long dreamed. Also, you receive a lot of value for your money.

You knew Bali was special (there’s a reason why people go and never return). You just didn’t realize how special it was until you visited the island myself. It seems as if every other travel blogger/instagrammer to walk the earth has already spent considerable time in the area, and we was determined to find out why everyone raves about it so dearly.

With that said, you're in for a big treat if you're planning your own trip to Bali.

You can use this Bali itinerary below if you don't want to arrange it yourself because there is so much to do and see there that it becomes overwhelming. It's the exact plan we followed in July of last year, and we can't think of anything we would have done differently besides wishing we had a few more days.

But first, read this Bali pre-trip guide to find out more about the island and what to anticipate when visiting.

THE MAIN AREAS VISITED ON THIS ITINERARY:

1. Ubud (3 days)

2. Jimbaran/Uluwatu (2 days)

3. Seminyak (2 days)

4. Canggu (2 days)

Here recommendations for Budget-Friendly Gorgeous and Cozy Villas in Bali

This Bali itinerary starts in Bali Ubud, heads south to Bali Jimbaran / Bali Uluwatu, a quick boat ride east to the Nusa Penida, and ends in Seminyak/ Bali Canggu.

There are so many diverse places to visit on the island, but this -day Bali itinerary is a terrific combination of Ubud's lush, jungly surroundings, trendy Canggu cafes, Uluwatu's fire rituals, and Jimbaran's beach and pool regions.

YOU QUESTION, WHERE IN THE WORLD IS BALI ANYWAY?

To avoid sounding too academic, Bali is an island in the Indonesian archipelago that is situated east of Java and west of Lombok. Bali is a part of Indonesia, not a separate country as many people believe.

The entire country/island issue is kind of understandable because most tourists who travel to Indonesia only make it as far as Bali. But keep in mind that location is crucial and that Bali is NOT a different country!

LANGUAGE IN BALI/INDONESIA

First things first: Bali has a large English-speaking population. We were shocked by how many people there spoke a remarkable amount of English, so we didn't have to utilize any Indonesian or Balinese during our 10-day stay.

It makes sense that Balinese would speak some English given tourism is so common, but a surprising number of them also spoke very fluent English. we was pretty pleased, especially coming from someone who only speaks one language!

There were a few drivers we encountered that were eager to practice their English, so be prepared for some especially chatty ones!

Just so you know, Indonesian is the official language, and many of the people who live there speak Balinese as well (yes, they are two different languages!).

HEALTH AND SAFETY IN BALI

Water: Please be aware that you cannot drink Bali's tap water; nonetheless, all hotels and restaurants offer fresh drinking water (either bottled or from large treated water jugs). Bali belly, which is simply food poisoning with a fancy name, is fairly common as a result of the contaminated water.

During our trip, we experienced some small gastro issues (bloating, many bathroom visits - hey, just being honest! ), but happily they went away on their own in 1-2 days without the need for any medication.

If you experience any unsettling stomach symptoms, you may wish to consult your doctor for a prescription for Ciprofloxacin for severe travelers' diarrhea. Immodium is something we always carry just in case.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

You do indeed need this. we always advise getting travel insurance in advance of your vacation. When something bad unexpected occurs (such as flight delays, missing luggage, or illness), travel insurance is very helpful. We think peace of mind is 100% worth it, even if you don't use it.

SAFETY:

We took the usual safety precautions when visiting Bali and felt secure the entire time (we avoided flashing expensive objects or electronics, kept together at night, and were aware of potential scams).

While we're talking about safety, bear in mind that driving in Bali is, to put it mildly, wild. As such, unless you're exceptionally confident and can consider yourself an accomplished bike rider, don't plan on renting a scooter.

VISAS:

As long as you have a valid tourist passport, proof of onward travel, and you're visiting Indonesia for 30 days or less, you don't need a visa to visit Bali (or Indonesia in general).

10 Day Bali Itinerary.

This itinerary will allow you to spend a complete 10 days in Bali, so you'll begin on your first FULL day there.

3 DAYS IN UBUD

In Ubud, there are a million Bali Hotels and they all seem fantastic. Speaking about difficulty making a decision, I'm already a difficult decision-maker. Due to this, we chose to spend a total of 4 nights in Ubud (divided between 2 hotels), each of which we stayed at for 2 nights. And it turned out that this was the best choice.

Also, I kind of imagined that staying at the same hotel for 4 nights would get boring because there were so many other hotels to choose from.

DAY 0 | ARRIVAL INTO BALI, AND HEAD TO UBUD

Use this first day to arrive in Bali because it's likely that you will (depending on where you're coming from, of course) arrive a little later in the day.

And if you choose to adhere to our Bali schedule, you'll be traveling directly from the airport to Ubud! Happily, had no trouble using the Gaia Bali airport transportation to get to your accommodation. which about $40 for the two-hour drive.

We strongly advise spending a little time by the pool, taking in your first Bali sunset, and having supper if you are fortunate enough to have an earlier flight.

DAY 1 | DAY TRIP TO EAST BALI

You have your first full day in Bali, so get up and start exploring! Plan a morning wake-up call to go to Bali's eastern regions, and take advantage of the jet lag to your advantage.

Arrange an east Bali trip from Gaia Bali. will be the greatest choice, and the cost is fair. Given that, the roadways seemed a little perplexing. You didn't need to be concerned about anything!

DAY 2 | DAY TRIP TO NORTH BALI

Get up, get some coffee and breakfast at the hotel, and get going—today is going to be a busy day!

To experience northern Bali, join a north Bali trip from Gaia Bali for the day.

DAY 3 | VISIT MONKEY FOREST UBUD

One of the most famous sites to observe monkeys in the entire world, not just in Bali, is the Ubud monkey park! Here, you may explore the rich greenery and magnificent temples that make up the forest in addition to watching the amusing and naughty monkeys in their natural environment. That will undoubtedly be a memorable experience!

Your day will continue to the Bali Bird Park, which is home to 250 different species and an amazing 1000 multicolored birds. Prepare to be astounded as you stroll through the park and see these lovely animals in their natural setting.

DAY 4 | EARLY MORNING IN UBUD, OFF TO JIMBARAN!

Bali, the land of spiritual relaxation, is home to some of the most lavish spas on earth.

While you're here, have a wonderful massage and take a dip in the fabled Bali Flower Spa.

DAY 5 | DAY TRIP TO ULUWATU

When the sun sets over the majestic Uluwatu Temple, the traditional Balinese Kecak dance will be performed. This is all a part of our Uluwatu Tour, which will take you to some of Uluwatu's top spots.

Uluwatu, which is well-known for its stunning beaches, cliff-top ocean vistas, the landmark Uluwatu Temple, and the fascinating local culture, is one of Bali's must-see places.

DAY 6 | JIMBARAN IN EARLY MORNING, THEN OFF TO NUSA PENIDA

The secret gem of Bali is Nusa Penida. Penida Island, the largest of the three Nusa Islands, has undergone the least development thus far. When visiting Nusa Penida, you may look forward to white-sand beaches with velvet-blue water, unspoiled wildlife, and coastline cliff drops of 200 meters.

On Penida island's west side, you may find stunning places like Kelingking Beach and Angel's Billabong. A day filled with stunning sights and surreal natural beauty can be made by combining this with Crystal Bay and Broken Beach.

DAY 7 | SNORKELING THE NUSA LEMBONGAN

The island of Nusa Lembongan, which is a part of Bali's Klungkung Regency and only 8 kilometers square, is home to about 5,000 people who live there permanently. The economy of this island is mostly reliant on tourism. Because to Nusa Lembongan's small size, there aren't many cars there, therefore the residents' only two primary modes of transportation are scooters and walking.

The "edge of the earth," also known as Devil's Tear, is where a rocky cliff meets ferocious ocean tides. Strong blowholes would occasionally send huge water plumes into the air. Although this place may be visited at any time of day, sunset is when the magic happens.

DAY 7 | ADRENALINE DAY

The journey begins with an ATV quad bike adventure across challenging terrain, which is followed by river tubing while taking in the stunning scenery.

We'll have lunch beside the infinity pool to refuel afterward.

DAY 8 | SPEND THE DAY IN CANGGU

Bali Canggu is a super cool, stylish surf town that is the ideal day excursion from Seminyak because it has a ton of adorable boutiques and a ton of vibrant eateries.

And what about all those Instagram pictures of hipster smoothie bowls? Yes, they were most likely captured in Canggu. You can spend the time to shoping and waiting for the sunset! Don't worry about transportation, car hire for a full day of driving in Bali (up to 10 hours), the cost start from $60 USD for 1 to 5 guests. That is the total cost of the car, the driver, and the gas! It's a great deal.

DAY 9 | FLY HOME

Prepare for your flight, but there is a ton more to do in Bali if you have more time. Want to get a massage one final time? Visit Jari Menari for a brand-new kind of massage that you've probably never experienced before. Even some people say it's the nicest massage you'll ever get! The judgment will be up to you the next time you visit Bali!

For your transportation, you can book airport transfer from Gaia Bali the cost start from $20 USD for 4 to 5 guests

Please feel free to add any tips or recommendations in the comments section that may improve the planning of a 9-day trip to Bali.