Bali, Indonesia

3 days in Indonesia: Bali

Southeast Asia · Rice terraces, surf breaks and temple mornings

Bali is three trips in one — south coast surf, Ubud's hills, and the east coast temples. Traffic is the real constraint, so this plan keeps each day inside one area and puts driving in the early morning.

When to go

April to June and September to early October: dry, less humid, fewer crowds than July–August. Rainy season runs November to March with short afternoon downpours.

Day-by-day plan

Day 1 — Canggu and the south coast

  • ☀️ Morning · 07:00–11:00

    Surf lesson at Batu Bolong beach, Canggu

    Gentle beginner break; boards and instructors on the sand from 7:00.

  • 🍜 Lunch · 12:00–13:30

    Warung Bu Mi, Canggu

    Local nasi campur plate for a couple of dollars. $

  • 🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30–18:00

    Tanah Lot sea temple

    45 minutes north by car. Go for late-afternoon light and low tide.

  • 🍷 Dinner · 19:30–21:30

    Mason, Canggu

    Wood-fire grill, big shared plates. Reserve on weekends. $$

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    Pretty Poison skate bowl bar, Canggu

    Skate bowl, cheap beers, live bands most nights.

Day 2 — Ubud, rice terraces and waterfalls

  • ☀️ Morning · 07:00–11:00

    Tegallalang rice terraces & Tirta Empul temple

    Leave by 6:30 to beat both traffic and tour buses. Small entry donations, bring cash.

  • 🍜 Lunch · 12:00–13:30

    Warung Babi Guling Ibu Oka, Ubud

    Bali's signature suckling pork; sold out by mid-afternoon. $

  • 🏛️ Afternoon · 14:30–18:00

    Tibumana or Kanto Lampo waterfall

    Both are short walks from the parking area; bring a towel and reef shoes.

  • 🍷 Dinner · 19:30–21:30

    Locavore NXT, Ubud

    Indonesian tasting menu from local farms; reserve well ahead. $$$

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    Night Rooster, Ubud

    Cocktail loft above a bakery. Ubud winds down early — this stays open.

Day 3 — Uluwatu cliffs and the Bukit peninsula

  • ☀️ Morning · 08:00–11:30

    Padang Padang or Bingin beach

    Cliff stairs down to white sand. Bingin is quieter; go before the midday heat.

  • 🍜 Lunch · 12:00–13:30

    Warung Local, Bingin

    Grilled fish and sambal with an ocean view. $

  • 🏛️ Afternoon · 15:00–18:30

    Uluwatu Temple & Kecak fire dance at sunset

    Buy dance tickets on arrival; keep sunglasses away from the monkeys.

  • 🍷 Dinner · 19:30–21:30

    Bambu, Seminyak

    Classic Indonesian dishes in a garden pavilion. $$

  • 🍸 Nightlife · 22:00+

    La Favela, Seminyak

    Maze of themed rooms, busy from 23:00. Free entry.

Where to stay

Budget / hostel

The Farm Hostel Canggu

Canggu · ⭐ 8.7 · $30–55 / night

Check availability

Mid-range

Adiwana Bisma

Ubud · ⭐ 9.1 · $130–190 / night

Check availability

Luxury

Six Senses Uluwatu

Bukit peninsula · ⭐ 9.4 · $500+ / night

Check availability

Before you fly

Entry rules, data, money and power for visitors from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

Visa & entry
US, Canadian and Australian visitors buy a 30-day visa on arrival (about $35, extendable once). Apply for the e-VOA online plus the free customs declaration form to skip the airport lines.
Levy & rules
Bali charges a one-time tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per visitor — pay it online through the official Love Bali site before arrival. Temple dress code: sarong and covered shoulders.
Getting around
Grab and Gojek work in most areas but are blocked at some beach clubs and in parts of Ubud. Hiring a car with a driver for a full day is the low-stress option. Scooters need an international license.
Phone & data
Buy a Telkomsel SIM at the airport or install an eSIM before you land. Coverage is strong in the south, patchier in the mountains.
Money
Cash for warungs, markets and temple donations; cards at hotels and beach clubs. Use bank ATMs inside buildings, and always decline the machine's conversion offer.
Power
Type C/F outlets at 230V — US, Canadian, Australian and Japanese travelers all need an adapter.

Day trips worth the drive

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3 days in Indonesia: Rice terraces, surf breaks and temple mornings. Hour-by-hour plan with real restaurants, hotels at every budget, plus visa, eSIM and adapter tips for travelers flying in from the US, Canada, Australia and Asia.

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