10 DAYS IN BALI GUIDE – WHAT TO SEE, DO & EAT

It’s true what they say about Bali. It’s a magical island that steals your heart, instantly. It’s hard to describe it but when you get there you’ll understand the magic. The beautiful landscape, the nicest people and the most delicious food are just a fews reasons I fell in love. If you’re looking to go to Bali I put together a guide for what to see, do & eat. There is something for everyone in Bali and it’s the perfect place to go if you’re looking for a mix of travel and adventure!

10.) SUNSET AT POTATO HEAD BEACH CLUB

Potato Head is a funky beach club with an epic view of the Indian Ocean. So many of my friends who have come to Bali recommended this spot so I knew it’d be a good one. Best spot to catch the sunset? On the large beds with a perfect view of the ocean. Just so you know, you must spend a minimum of $37 to reserve the bed, but it’s so worth it to enjoy the sunset!

9.) TEGENUNGAN WATERFALL

Looking for a nice afternoon day trip? Just 30 minutes south of Ubud village you’ll find Tegenungan waterfall. It’s the perfect spot for a little swim + lunch. The waterfall entrance fee is 15.000 IDR, which is a little over $1.00. This waterfall is so popular and is one of the biggest in all of Bali so I recommend going early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the heat! The walk down to the waterfall from the parking lot is easy accessible and you can definitely do it in flip flops.

8.) VISIT ALL THE DELICIOUS CAFES IN SEMINYAK

Have you ever wished there were meals in a day? That’s how I felt about wanting to try all cafes in Bali. The cafe scene is just thriving! Everywhere you turn is another beautiful, organic cafe filled with lush greenery, fresh produce and bright colors. My absolutely favorite one was Kynd Community! Their matcha lattes, avocado toast and pink coconut pancakes were too good.

7.) BINGIN BEACH, ULUWATU

If you have time in your trip, it’s worth spending a few nights in Uluwatu, which is on the south-western tip of the Bukit Penisula of Bali. Uluwatu is a laid back surfing friendly area in Bali with stunning beaches and jagged cliffs. The name Uluwatu actually comes from ulu, meaning ‘lands end’ and watt meaning ‘rock.’ We checked into a gorgeous airbnb in Bingin Beach and absolutely loved the views and easy access to swimming and surfing. The food on the beach was also delicious. Smoothie bowls, juices and Nasi Goreng during the day and then fresh fish at night!

Take in mind: if you’re renting an airbnb, know that monkeys will try and sneak into your place, so hide your food and anything else important! I thought they were really cute but just be on the lookout!

6.) SAVOR THE BALINESE FOOD

I swear one of my favorite parts of Bali was the food scene. Although the cafes were incredible, the local Balinese food was pretty hard to beat. You have to check out a Warung, which is a simple, wooden shack restaurant off the side of the road that serves classic Balinese and Indonesian local cuisine. Mei goreng, which is a stir-fried noodle dish with veggies was one of my favorite Indonesian stable! I also couldn’t get enough of chicken satay + homemade peanut sauce.

5.) RENT A SCOOTER AND GET LOST IN UBUD

If you don’t have a car or a driver in Ubud it can be pretty hard to get around. So we rented scooters at our hotel for 50,000IDR a day (about $3.43 a day) Renting a scooter was SO worth it and allowed us to see a lot in a short amount of time!

4.) UBUD MARKET

Things I wish I knew before coming to Bali: Bring an empty suitcase with you and fill it up with all the best gifts in the Ubud market. The markets have everything from cheap clothing, to straw bags to jewelry to things made out of wood. The shopping scene ranged from street side vendors to regular brands to upscale boutiques.

3.) LOCAL BALINESE ART

The art scene is Bali is next level. Another reason why I wish brought an empty suitcase with me to Bali. We stopped at a place right outside Ubud called ‘Artist Cooperative Paintings’. The place was incredible and had a variety of different paintings by a wide range of local artists. This was the best place to go for original artwork with the best prices!

2.) EXPLORE THE TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACE

An experience like no other! We woke up at 6 am to scooter to the Tegallalang Rice Terrace and I’m so happy we got there early. The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are located in Ubud off the side of a main road. There is no exact entrance, you just explore and make your way into the rice fields however you can. Being in the rice fields makes makes you humble. You observe these Balinese people working so hard to harvest rice, something we take for granted at home. It was a very eye opening experience and made me feel grateful. If you’re looking for a more local experience, I recommend walking about 15 minutes into the rice fields to avoid the tourists and the traffic. If you spot a little tree hut along your way, definitely check it out because we were able to try delicious teas and coffees from a local Balinese lady.

1.) EXPERIENCE A LOCAL BALINESE COOKING CLASS

I saved the best for last! The local Balinese cooking class was by far my favorite experience in Bali. The cooking class starts by taking you to a traditional market a little outside of Ubud. They walk you around the market and explain their traditional herbs and spices that they cook with. After you gather the ingredients you need to make the meal, you go back to their traditional Balinese compound. Not only do they teach you how to create delicious Balinese dishes but they also explain to you how we use herbs and spices for Balinese traditional medicine.

Some dishes we prepared were:

Clear Mushroom Soup with Young Coconut, Minced Chicken Grilled on Bamboo Stick (chicken satay), Steamed Tuna Wrapped in Banana Leaves, Stewed Chicken & Chayote, Deep Fried Tofu & Tempe in Sweet Soy Sauce, Gado Gado (mixed veggies in a peanut sauce) and Black Sticky Rice for dessert!