Solo Travel 2017: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Bali, Indonesia (Part II)

Posted on March 6, 2017May 21, 2025 by Hani by Hani

If you haven’t read Part I yet, you can check it out here:

Solo Travel 2017: The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Bali, Indonesia (Part I)

Places to Visit in Bali

🛕 Uluwatu Temple

One of the spots I was most excited to visit in Bali! The entrance fee is 40,000 IDR. To enter, you usually need to wear a sarong, which the temple provides. However, my driver told me I only needed to tie an orange cloth around my waist—no full sarong needed.

The views from the cliffs are absolutely breathtaking and stunning! But a quick heads-up: the monkeys here are very naughty and will try to grab anything they see. So, make sure to keep your sunglasses and any belongings safely stored away.

Tip: The temple is famous for its Kecak fire dance performance at sunset—highly recommended if you have time! Shows start around 6 PM. Also, wear comfortable shoes as the area involves some walking and cliffside paths.

🌴 Ubud

Ubud is the arts and cultural heart of Bali, but it’s quite far from the main city. If you want to visit Bali, I don’t recommend staying in Ubud unless you’re really looking for a quiet, village-style experience away from the hustle and bustle.

Ubud is quite spread out, so hiring a driver for the day is very practical. Many spots like art markets, temples, and cafes are scattered. Since I love arts and crafts, the journey itself was very enjoyable — the greenery everywhere made me feel so peaceful.

Cultural Etiquette: When visiting temples or sacred places, dress modestly and be respectful of local customs.

✅ Barong Dance: On the way to Ubud, you can stop to watch the famous Barong Dance. Tickets cost 100,000 IDR, and the performance lasts about an hour. It’s Bali’s most well-known traditional dance. You can learn more about it here: Barong Dance.

✅ Monkey Forest Sanctuary: Entrance is 40,000 IDR. This is a must-visit when in Ubud. The monkeys roam freely, but touching them is not allowed. The area is small but perfect for a relaxing walk. Just be sure not to carry any food in your bag—monkeys have a keen nose! If you want to take photos with them, a good tip is to sit beside them; they usually come over to you.

Tip: Keep your belongings close—monkeys love to snatch hats, glasses, and food. Avoid sudden movements and don’t stare directly at the monkeys to prevent them from feeling threatened.

✅ Kintamani: This place is like Bali’s version of Cameron Highlands, perched on a hill. It’s optional to visit, but if you want to see a volcanic view, it’s worth stopping by. You can have lunch at Batur Sari Restaurant with meals costing around 160,000 IDR per person. Eat as much as you want! Drinks here are limited to tea and coffee unless you pay extra. I paid 10,000 IDR for mineral water.

Tip: The weather can be cooler here since it’s at higher altitude, so it might be good to bring a light jacket or shawl for comfort.

✅ Tegallalang Rice Terrace: Famous for its stunning terraced rice fields, this is a perfect spot for photos with dramatic views. When I visited, I didn’t walk far—just seeing the stairs was tiring enough!

Tip: The area is popular, so try to visit early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and get better photos with softer light.

There are many more places to explore in Ubud, but I only visited these. If you’re looking for a great place to stay, check out: Hideout, Bali and Zen Hideaway, Bali.

🏖 Beaches to Visit

✅ Padang-Padang Beach: Entrance fee is 5,000 IDR. The path to the beach goes through a cave. This beach is popular for surfing.

✅ Dreamland Beach: This is a private beach, reportedly owned by Suharto’s family. Entry costs 10,000 IDR. You can’t drive directly to the beach; you must park your car and take a shuttle van. Among all the beaches I visited in Bali, this is my favorite.

✅ Pandawa Beach: Entrance fee is 8,000 IDR. The walk to the beach involves going down a hill with beautiful views. You can rent kayaks here if you want to try some water activities, though I’m not sure about the rental price.

✅ Seminyak Beach: Free entry. Known as Bali’s most fashionable beach area. The most popular spot here is Double Six Beach. I came here for sunset because I wanted to avoid spending too much money in Jimbaran, which is known to be pricey.

✅ Legian Beach: Free entry. I enjoyed relaxing here and watching surfers. If you want to learn surfing, you can rent a surfboard and hire an instructor.

✅ Kuta Beach: Also free entry. Kuta Beach connects with Legian and Seminyak Beaches, so if you’re staying in any of these areas, you can spend your afternoons walking along these connected shorelines.

🐢 Turtle Island, Bali.

To visit Turtle Island, you need to rent a private boat for 430,000 IDR. The price includes bread to feed the fish and a donation for the turtle conservation centre. The boat ride takes about 15 minutes. On the way, the boat stops in the middle of the sea so you can feed the fish with the bread. You can also watch parasailing nearby.

Turtle Island itself doesn’t have many activities—mainly just seeing turtles and other animals cared for there. The turtles are very friendly and you’re allowed to touch, hug, or even roll around with them if you like! 😂

The animals here are free to be held and photographed with.