10 Tips for Your First Trip to Bali • The Blonde Abroad

Bali is an incredible destination for all kinds of travelers. Whether you’re a solo female traveler backpacking your way around Southeast Asia or you’re looking to unwind at yoga and surf retreats, there’s something for everyone.

But if it’s your first time traveling to the island paradise, there are a few things you need to know to help your trip go smoothly.

Here are 10 tips for your first trip to Bali in Indonesia!

Rent a Scooter

Renting a motorbike is the “way” of Bali and very cheap—and it saves time in traffic. If you don’t feel comfortable driving yourself, you can use the GO-JEK app for an Uber-like service but on the back of a motorbike.

Taxis are the most expensive (but still cheap). I recommend using the Blue Bird app for hailing rides.

You’ll Need Cash

Cash is king in Bali. Always carry a handful of 10,000 to 100,000 notes (valued from $0.75 to USD 7.50) for daily expenses and haggling. It’s only the more Western, upmarket restaurants and shops that will accept payment with credit card. If you’re shopping at the markets or eating at the local warungs, you’ll need to pay with cash.

While there are plenty of ATMs around Bali, always check to see if the bank you’re withdrawing from accepts foreign bank cards.

Explore Beyond Ubud

Bali is more than Seminyak and Ubud. Get off the beaten track and venture to the north of the island. You’ll find fewer crowds, remote temples and plenty of beautiful waterfalls to explore!

Some of the lesser visited spots around Bali include the Jatiluwih rice terraces, Aling Aling waterfall, and the Suluban Beach Cave.

Stick to Your Budget

While Bali is an easy destination to explore on a shoestring, you still need to keep an eye on your budget. It’s easy to spend way more than you intended to at the restaurants that cater to tourists and the beach clubs.

Monkey Forest in Ubud

Smack-dab in the jungle, Ubud is known for its forest home to hundreds of monkeys, but be careful! Some of the monkeys can be super aggressive towards tourists – especially if you make eye contact and don’t have any food.

I’ve found that the friendliest monkeys are at the entrance of the forest. For the best photos, walk further into the forest until you get to a beautiful temple area.

Accommodation in Bali

If you’re traveling to Bali as a solo female traveler, there are tons of great hostel options! It’s an excellent choice if you’re looking to link up with other travelers and you can always opt for a private room if dorm rooms aren’t your thing.

For affordable private villas in Bali, I recommend using sites like Airbnb. I’ve managed to rent an entire villa for as little as 350,000 IDR ($25 USD) a night!

Gili Islands

Day Trips From Bali

Nusa Penida is a relatively underdeveloped island located south-east of Bali. While it lacks the trendy restaurants and beach clubs, you will find incredible natural beauty!

While you can take a tour, you can DIY a day trip over there by using Rome2Rio to find the best way to get between Bali and Nusa Penida for your budget.

The Gili Islands are another excellent option if you’re looking to spend longer than a day away. My personal favorite is Gili Trawangan!

It’s the perfect destination for scuba divers or travelers looking to experience Gili’s legendary nightlife!

Eat at the Local Restaurants

Bali’s cuisine alone makes it worth the visit. Mouthwatering traditional dishes like nasi goreng (fried rice), mie goreng (noodles), satays, martabak pancakes, and noodle soups are a must-try for traveling foodies.

The best place to get authentic Balinese food is at the local restaurants which are called warungs. For as little as $2 USD you can get a plate of chicken, rice, and veggies!

But leave room in your budget to eat at Bali’s more Western establishments. The island is full of beautiful little cafes that serve up delicious and healthy food!

AYANA Resort and Spa

Budget For a Spa Day

One of my favorite things about Bali are the affordable spa services. You can get a one-hour aromatherapy massage for as little as 80,000 IDR ($6 USD)!

With such a low price point, it’s easy to budget for a massage every single day! If you ever feel like splurging, try a spa at one of the many luxury hotels.

Hire a Driver Instead of Booking a Tour

For tours around the island, hire a local driver and split the cost with your friends or other travelers to save money. You can hire a driver for less than 300,000 IDR ($23 USD) for the day and visit sites like Mt. Batur and the Pura Gunung Kawi Temple.

You’ll be in charge of the itinerary so you can decide how long you want to stay at each attraction!

Overall

Bali is an easy and safe destination to travel around. Whether you’re going for a week or a month, there’s more than enough to see and do to keep you busy!

Do you have tips for first-time travelers going to Bali? Let me know in the comments below!

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This carousel is a pretty accurate reflection of motherhood for me. My life’s most beautiful moments intertwined with the hardest ones.

As many of you know, shortly after Oliver turned two, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Pediatric oncology diagnosed him with an “inoperable” optic pathway glioma, and the only treatment option presented was 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.

Had that been the path forward, he would have only finished treatment in March of this year.

Instead, I shared his story here. Families who had walked this road before reached out — ultimately connecting me with the neurosurgeon who changed the course of Oliver’s life.

After a 12-hour craniotomy and now over a year of clear scans, there is hope that he is fully cured.

While motherhood has been the most beautiful chapter of my life, it has also been the most humbling.

His diagnosis changed the way I look at time.
At motherhood.
At what actually matters.

Spending this year abroad with Oliver is, in many ways, my way of saying yes now instead of someday.

This Mother’s Day, I’ve felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Grateful for the strength I found in the hardest season of my life.

Grateful that even through fear and uncertainty, I never stopped choosing joy and adventure for him.

And most of all, grateful that after everything we’ve been through, I still get to hold his hand through all of it.

Happy Mother’s Day to every woman carrying both the beauty and the heaviness of loving someone so deeply.

And to those missing their mothers, their children, or the version of life they thought they’d have today… I’m sending so much love to you too. 🤍

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18584247925015178

This carousel is a pretty accurate reflection of motherhood for me. My life’s most beautiful moments intertwined with the hardest ones.

As many of you know, shortly after Oliver turned two, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Pediatric oncology diagnosed him with an “inoperable” optic pathway glioma, and the only treatment option presented was 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.

Had that been the path forward, he would have only finished treatment in March of this year.

Instead, I shared his story here. Families who had walked this road before reached out — ultimately connecting me with the neurosurgeon who changed the course of Oliver’s life.

After a 12-hour craniotomy and now over a year of clear scans, there is hope that he is fully cured.

While motherhood has been the most beautiful chapter of my life, it has also been the most humbling.

His diagnosis changed the way I look at time.
At motherhood.
At what actually matters.

Spending this year abroad with Oliver is, in many ways, my way of saying yes now instead of someday.

This Mother’s Day, I’ve felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Grateful for the strength I found in the hardest season of my life.

Grateful that even through fear and uncertainty, I never stopped choosing joy and adventure for him.

And most of all, grateful that after everything we’ve been through, I still get to hold his hand through all of it.

Happy Mother’s Day to every woman carrying both the beauty and the heaviness of loving someone so deeply.

And to those missing their mothers, their children, or the version of life they thought they’d have today… I’m sending so much love to you too. 🤍

Kenya looks like this too 🏝️🇰🇪
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We spent a week in Diani Beach (just an hour flight from Nairobi) staying at @almahali.villas, and it ended up being one of those trips I’ll always remember. This was a mommy + me getaway, and I genuinely didn’t expect it to be this kid-friendly—so easy, so relaxed, and just fun.

We had a private villa with a chef (game changer), got around by tuk tuk, and spent our days between the beach and some of the cutest beachfront restaurants—some even have playgrounds and kids programs on weekends (@galu_ecolodge_madafoos was a favorite).

The little moments made it: fresh coconuts from beach vendors, a dhow boat ride that led us to dolphins, Maasai warriors hand-beading the boys’ friendship bracelets, the warmest ocean I’ve ever felt, and the craziest vervet monkeys you’ll ever meet.

And the best part—getting to experience it all with my friend @tailsofamermaid, who lives in Nairobi and knows all of the best parts of Diani. She showed us all her favorite spots, and it made the trip feel so local and special!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#dianibeachkenya #diani #dianibeach #kenya #familytravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18029767580663424

Kenya looks like this too 🏝️🇰🇪
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We spent a week in Diani Beach (just an hour flight from Nairobi) staying at @almahali.villas, and it ended up being one of those trips I’ll always remember. This was a mommy + me getaway, and I genuinely didn’t expect it to be this kid-friendly—so easy, so relaxed, and just fun.

We had a private villa with a chef (game changer), got around by tuk tuk, and spent our days between the beach and some of the cutest beachfront restaurants—some even have playgrounds and kids programs on weekends (@galu_ecolodge_madafoos was a favorite).

The little moments made it: fresh coconuts from beach vendors, a dhow boat ride that led us to dolphins, Maasai warriors hand-beading the boys’ friendship bracelets, the warmest ocean I’ve ever felt, and the craziest vervet monkeys you’ll ever meet.

And the best part—getting to experience it all with my friend @tailsofamermaid, who lives in Nairobi and knows all of the best parts of Diani. She showed us all her favorite spots, and it made the trip feel so local and special!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#dianibeachkenya #diani #dianibeach #kenya #familytravel

Packing smarter > Packing more ✈️

This garment duffel has been such a game changer for short trips—keeps clothes wrinkle-free, has a separate space for shoes, and still fits all the essentials.

I’ve been pairing it with the packing cubes and checked luggage from @OneQuince, and everything just works together—luxury quality, without the luxury price tag.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/6amYb

@onequince @shop.ltk #liketkit #QuincePartner
#travelessentials #packingtips #luggage

Song: I’m That Girl by Phury _ from. Melody the Superstar

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18588507736001531

Packing smarter > Packing more ✈️

This garment duffel has been such a game changer for short trips—keeps clothes wrinkle-free, has a separate space for shoes, and still fits all the essentials.

I’ve been pairing it with the packing cubes and checked luggage from @OneQuince, and everything just works together—luxury quality, without the luxury price tag.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/6amYb

@onequince @shop.ltk #liketkit #QuincePartner
#travelessentials #packingtips #luggage

Song: I’m That Girl by Phury _ from. Melody the Superstar

Posting a February recap… in *almost* May should tell you everything you need to know about this season of life.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Between another bout of illness (life with young kids!) we filled our days with so much fun!

Celebrating my mom’s birthday in the Cape Winelands 🤍
Morning visits with the penguins
A trip to Nairobi to see close friends @tailsofamermaid

Feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
Safari days
A visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Then slowing down in Diani Beach —
villa life, beach days, and dolphin spotting on a dhow cruise.

Filling our days with adventure…
and holding onto how good this all feels. ✨
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown #nairobi #kenya #dianibeach

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18005693585857886

Posting a February recap… in *almost* May should tell you everything you need to know about this season of life.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Between another bout of illness (life with young kids!) we filled our days with so much fun!

Celebrating my mom’s birthday in the Cape Winelands 🤍
Morning visits with the penguins
A trip to Nairobi to see close friends @tailsofamermaid

Feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
Safari days
A visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Then slowing down in Diani Beach —
villa life, beach days, and dolphin spotting on a dhow cruise.

Filling our days with adventure…
and holding onto how good this all feels. ✨
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown #nairobi #kenya #dianibeach

Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance.

It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it!

If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special.

NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit.

It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary.

This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

581 48

Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18075675671194480

Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance.

It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it!

If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special.

NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit.

It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary.

This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

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LenChiChi

So excited to stumble upon your blog site. My husband and I are planning our 10th year anniversary trip to Bali in January 🙂 I’m a little nervous because it technically falls under the wet season but your post is making me thing otherwise!

Quick question for you though, you recommended hiring a driver instead of booking a tour. Do you recommend any company or individuals that we can hire? Would love any recommendations!

July 7, 2019 at 7:35 pm · Reply

The Blonde Abroad

Hi there! What a fun anniversary trip! And as it’s the wet season—it might not be as crowded…so I’d say that’s a win for you! I don’t have a current recommendation for a driver—but I’d search through online forums or join the TBA Travel Tribe on Facebook and see if any of the ladies there have a suggestion! https://www.facebook.com/groups/947813952040668/

July 9, 2019 at 6:45 pm · Reply

Nikki Richards

Hey!

Love your blog!

I want to do a little hopping around Bali and perhaps stay in 3-4 places to see as much of the island as possible. Are there any locations in particular that you would recommend? I have about 2 weeks so not as much time as I would like.

August 6, 2019 at 3:48 am · Reply

The Blonde Abroad

Hi Nikki! I don’t think you can really go wrong when it comes to Bali, but have a look at these two posts and they might help you a bit more! https://theblondeabroad.com/solo-female-travelers-guide-bali/
https://theblondeabroad.com/ultimate-bali-travel-guide/

August 6, 2019 at 5:17 pm · Reply

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Here are 10 tips for your first trip to Bali in Indonesia!

Rent a Scooter

You’ll Need Cash

Read More: The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide

Explore Beyond Ubud

Stick to Your Budget

Read More: How to Travel Bali on a Budget

Monkey Forest in Ubud

Monkey Forest in Ubud

Read More: Top Things to See and Do in Ubud, Bali

Accommodation in Bali

Read More: Where to Stay in Bali

Gili Islands

Day Trips From Bali

Read More: The Ultimate Gili Trawangan Travel Guide

Eat at the Local Restaurants

Read More: Where to Find the Best Vegan Food in Bali

AYANA Resort and Spa

Budget For a Spa Day

Read More: Staying at the AYANA Resort and Spa in Bali

Hire a Driver Instead of Booking a Tour

Overall

Do you have tips for first-time travelers going to Bali? Let me know in the comments below!

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