Bali, Indonesia – One Week of Exploring the Island
A journey through Bali, across temples, rice terraces, and beaches.
How to get from Bali International Airport to Kuta
The most convenient way to get
from the airport to Kuta is by taxi or by using a ride-hailing app such as Grab
or Gojek. We usually look for public transport options because they are
cheaper, but in Bali public transportation is almost nonexistent. As a result,
we called a Grab as soon as we arrived.
The ride cost 110,700 IDR (about
9 CAD), though prices can vary depending on the time of day and demand. The
distance to our hotel was around 10 km. Under normal conditions, the drive
should take about 20 minutes, but traffic in Bali is consistently heavy, so the
trip ended up taking close to an hour.
Our accommodations in Bali
We stayed at Kuta Beach Hotel,
very close to the beach and the main attractions in Kuta. The hotel had all the
amenities we were looking for. As soon as we entered the room, we noticed a
warning sticker on the mirror advising guests not to drink the tap water.
Breakfast was included in our
stay and was served on the top floor at the Skylight Rooftop Pool & Bar. It
was a pleasant spot with views over Kuta Beach and a relaxed atmosphere to
start the day.
Things to do in Kuta
Kuta Beach
Being so close to the ocean, we
started our first day in Kuta with a long walk along the beach. We took off our
shoes, dipped our feet in the water, and strolled along, eager to explore the
area.
Kuta Beach is a well-known
coastal area in Bali, appreciated for its lively atmosphere and ocean views.
Unfortunately, visible litter and plastic waste significantly affect the
experience. We noticed some pollution on the first day, but since it was the
rainy season, the amount of debris increased noticeably each day. After that,
we avoided walking directly on the beach or going into the water.
Instead, we spent more time on
the paved, pedestrian-friendly footpath that runs behind the beach. This
walkway is lined with beach vendors and restaurants selling colourful sarongs,
hats, sunglasses, fresh coconuts, and cold drinks. The path continues toward
Legian Beach and Seminyak Beach and is commonly used for jogging, relaxing, or
long walks.
Baruna Statue, God of the Sea
The Baruna Statue can be easily
reached by walking along the beach in the direction of the airport. This large
and impressive landmark represents the God of the Sea and reflects the cultural
and spiritual importance of the ocean in Balinese Hindu beliefs. It also serves
as a reminder of the need for balance and respect for the marine environment.
Shopping malls in Bali
When travelling in Bali during
the wet season, shopping malls are a good alternative. They offer fashion,
souvenirs, dining, entertainment, and a welcome break from the heat and
humidity.
In the Kuta area, we visited two
malls. Beachwalk Shopping Center, located right next to Kuta Beach, is one of
Bali’s most iconic malls, with an open-air design, ocean views, and a wide
range of fashion brands, cafés, and restaurants. Further south on Jalan Kartika
Plaza, Discovery Mall Bali is a more traditional large mall with international
brands, beach access, and plenty of dining options, making it popular with
tourists and families.
We found shopping malls to be
ideal places for buying souvenirs and gifts without the need to haggle or deal
with persistent street vendors.
Pura Penyarikan Temple
In Bali, small Hindu temples can
be found almost everywhere — on streets, in neighbourhoods, shops, offices,
beaches, and even at road intersections. Religion is deeply woven into everyday
life, and these temples are not just places of worship; they help maintain
spiritual balance and harmony between humans, nature, and the divine.
Each space is believed to have
its own guardian spirit, and building a small temple is a way to show respect,
give offerings, and keep positive energy present. Pura Penyarikan is one such
temple, a small Hindu shrine located in the heart of Kuta. Ceremonies held
here, such as pujawali, reflect traditional Balinese religious and cultural
practices.
Kuta Square
Kuta Square is a lively shopping
and pedestrian area in the heart of Kuta, just a short walk from Kuta Beach. It
is one of the busiest streets in the area, lined with international brand
stores, local shops, souvenir outlets, cafés, and restaurants.
The atmosphere is vibrant and
tourist-friendly, making it a popular place for shopping, dining, and
people-watching. Kuta Square is often considered the commercial hub of Kuta and
a convenient starting point for exploring the area.
Discover
the best of Ubud trip
There are several ways to explore Bali: booking organized excursions, using Grab to reach attractions independently, or hiring a private driver for the day. For the Ubud area, we chose to book a tour Discover The Best of Ubud: All-Inclusive and Private GuidedTour (affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you) through Viator website.
The trip included hotel pick-up
and drop-off, all entrance fees, and lunch, as we selected the all-inclusive
option. We booked online in advance, and the cost was 84 CAD per person.
The weather on the day of the
trip was far from ideal. It rained heavily at times, with only short breaks, so
umbrellas were necessary throughout the day. Despite the conditions, the
itinerary covered five major attractions.
Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Although the itinerary mentioned
the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, we were taken instead to Sangeh Monkey
Forest, likely because it was closer and easier to reach given the route.
Sangeh Monkey Forest is a quiet
natural area in Badung, Bali, home to hundreds of long-tailed macaques and tall
nutmeg trees. There is a small temple inside the forest, and the area is far
less crowded, making it better suited for a relaxed, nature-focused visit.
Upon entering, a local guide
accompanied us through the forest. For a small tip, he helped with taking
photos and managing interactions with the monkeys. Guides are the only ones
allowed to feed the monkeys, which helps reduce conflicts between visitors and
animals. Even with their help, there were moments when monkeys jumped on us and
were reluctant to move away.
Compared to the Sacred Monkey
Forest Sanctuary in Ubud, Sangeh is smaller, less crowded, and more tranquil.
The Ubud Monkey Forest is larger, more developed, and more popular, with
multiple temples, clear pathways, and many facilities. Ubud offers a richer cultural
and tourist experience, while Sangeh feels simpler, more natural, and peaceful.
This famous landscape near Ubud
is known for its dramatic, layered rice fields carved into the hillsides. It is
popular for its lush green scenery, photo spots, and insight into traditional
Balinese farming culture.
In addition to walking through
the terraces, visitors can try swings and zip lines for an extra fee. Because
of the rain during our visit, we couldn’t explore the area extensively, but we
were still able to take a few photos and enjoy the scenery.
Lunch was included in the
itinerary, and we stopped at Warung D’ Uma Sari, a roadside restaurant
surrounded by rice fields. It was a pleasant break and a chance to enjoy a nice
meal in a peaceful setting.
Ulu Petanu Waterfall
Next on the itinerary was Ulu
Petanu Waterfall, a scenic spot near Ubud known for its calm atmosphere and
lush jungle surroundings. After descending about 45–50 steps, the waterfall
comes into view, gently cascading into a natural green pool with koi fish.
Pemulan Bali Coffee Plantation
This popular agro-tourism stop
near Ubud offered an introduction to traditional Balinese coffee and spice
production. The plantation showcases organic coffee cultivation, including the
famous Luwak coffee.
Luwak coffee is produced using
beans that have passed through the digestive system of the Asian palm civet, a
small nocturnal mammal. After the civet eats ripe coffee cherries, natural
enzymes ferment the beans before they are excreted, collected, thoroughly
cleaned, roasted, and brewed.
After visiting the civet
enclosures, we enjoyed a coffee and tea tasting session outdoors. Surrounded by
lush gardens and rice terraces, Pemulan Bali Coffee Plantation offers both an
educational and scenic look into Bali’s agricultural traditions.
Tirta Empul Temple is a sacred
Hindu temple near Ubud, famous for its holy spring water. Visitors can
participate in ritual purification by bathing in the temple’s fountains and
experiencing traditional Balinese spiritual practices.
Surrounded by greenery and
ancient stone carvings, the temple is one of Bali’s most visited religious
sites. Sarongs are mandatory for both men and women and are provided free of
charge at the entrance.
Considering the number of
attractions, the included lunch, and the variety of places visited, this tour
would be an excellent value on a sunny day.
Tanah Lot Temple and Batu Bolong Temple
Tanah Lot Temple, together with
Batu Bolong Temple, forms one of Bali’s most scenic coastal temple complexes.
Tanah Lot sits dramatically on a rocky outcrop in the sea, while nearby Batu
Bolong Temple stands on a smaller rock with a natural hole in the cliff — “Batu
Bolong” means “hollow rock.”
The walk between the two temples
is very scenic, following paved paths along rocky edges with ocean views on one
side and Balinese shrines and sculptures on the other. Walking this path is
just as rewarding as visiting the temples themselves and offers beautiful
viewpoints from different angles.
The temples are located about 20
km from Kuta, a 45-minute to one-hour drive. We used Grab, paying 137,500 IDR
(12 CAD) to get there and 134,900 IDR (11 CAD) to return. The entrance fee to
Tanah Lot Temple was 75,000 IDR (6 CAD) per person. In total, the visit cost us
about 36 CAD for both of us.
While many agencies offer
excursions, they often function more like hiring a driver for the day. Going on
our own allowed us to explore at our own pace without feeling rushed.
Uluwatu Temple is a spectacular
clifftop Hindu temple perched about 70 meters above the Indian Ocean in
southern Bali. Known for its dramatic ocean views and traditional architecture,
it is one of the island’s most scenic and spiritually significant sites.
The pathways around the temple
follow the cliff edges, offering stunning views of the coastline and waves
crashing below. Small gardens and shrines along the route make for a pleasant
and photogenic walk.
The temple grounds are home to
many long-tailed macaques, which can be aggressive and are known to steal
belongings. We witnessed several such incidents and remained cautious, as some
monkeys followed us closely during our visit.
Uluwatu Temple is located about
26 km from Kuta. Our Grab ride cost 195,200 IDR (17 CAD) to get there and
207,500 IDR (18 CAD) to return. The entrance fee was 60,000 IDR (5 CAD) per
person.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
Located about 15 km from Kuta in
Ungasan, this cultural and recreational park is dedicated to Balinese art,
culture, and Hindu mythology. Its centerpiece is the massive Garuda Wisnu
Kencana statue, depicting the god Vishnu riding the mythical bird Garuda, and
it is one of the largest statues in the world.
The towering walls surrounding
the park give it a grand, monumental, almost fortress-like feel, making the
statue and surrounding structures feel majestic even from a distance.
On the premises, you can also
visit the Asana Artseum Bali, a free art museum where you can immerse yourself
in Balinese and Javanese culture and have fun posing for photos in various
themed galleries.
The park also hosts cultural
performances at different locations throughout the day. We were lucky to catch
beautiful performances of the Sekar Nirwana Dance and the Kebyar Terompong
Dance at the amphitheater.
A
cappuccino on rooftop with Annemarie
As happened during our Ho ChiMinh City Vietnam trip, we also met an Instagram friend while in Bali.
Spending a few hours with Annemarie, who is in the middle of a world tour, was
really nice. We shared travel stories, tips and experiences over a cappuccino, making
for a memorable and relaxed moment during our stay.
The other side of Bali people should be aware of
While Bali has many beautiful and
appealing sides, there is also a less pleasant reality that is not often
mentioned.
We found Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak beaches to be in very poor condition, covered with trash and driftwood to the point of becoming a potential sanitary hazard. We also noticed at least two streams of city sewage flowing directly into the ocean through the beach area. Garbage collection appeared poorly managed, with piles of trash sitting for days in the heat, accompanied by rats and a strong, unpleasant smell.
We love animals, but seeing so
many stray dogs in the beach areas made us feel uneasy at times. In some
places, there were more dogs than people.
Constant harassment was another
major downside. Walking along the beach promenade meant being approached
repeatedly by beach bars offering drinks or chair rentals, as well as vendors
selling bracelets, scarves, and other items. On the sidewalks, cars and
scooters frequently stopped to offer rides, and people often began
conversations with “I don’t sell anything,” only to then promote spas, massage
parlours, or other services.
“Bali belly” is very real, and
despite being cautious and prepared, we almost got sick on our first day, most
likely from juice dispensers. Tap water is not safe for drinking, and while our
hotel clearly indicated this, the issue extends to anything made with unboiled
water, including ice and juices. The hotel provided one bottle of water per
person per day, but we also boiled water using the kettle and let it cool for
brushing our teeth and occasional extra drinking. We drank only from sealed
bottles and cans and avoided iced drinks from (too many) places that appeared to have poor
hygiene. We also chose to eat only at well-established restaurants and
completely avoided street food.
Another negative surprise was the traffic. Even though we visited during the low season, the road infrastructure was overwhelmed by cars and scooters. It was hard to imagine how it might look during peak season. A 10 km trip regularly took at least one hour by car, and this pattern was consistent throughout our travels around the island.
Bali offers a mix of beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences, but it also comes with challenges that travelers should be aware of. Our time in Kuta and around the island combined scenic temples, cultural sites, and day trips with heavy traffic, environmental issues, and a busy tourist atmosphere. This Bali travel experience shows both the highlights and the realities of visiting one of Southeast Asia’s most popular destinations.
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