Bali Bliss: A 6-Day Adventure for Under $500
Day 1: Saigon to Bali and the Nusa Islands
Our adventure began at 7 AM, landing in Bali around noon. After a quick bite from Circle K, we grabbed a ride to the harbor to catch a boat to the Nusa Islands. Nusa is known for its iconic "dinosaur spine" viewpoint, a must-see even though it's not technically in Bali!
Travel Tips
- The airport can be overwhelming with taxi offers. Booking a Grab is usually the safest bet. Check the app for the designated Grab pickup spot within the airport. Head to the pickup spot before requesting your ride.
- Buying boat tickets at the harbor usually gets you the best price. We were in a rush and used an agent recommended by our driver, which doubled the price. To be safe, try contacting boat companies directly via WhatsApp. Semabu Hills or Maruti Express are good options. Expect to pay around 300-350k IDR, depending on your bargaining skills.
Our boat left around 3 PM, arriving on the island an hour later. Motorbike rentals are conveniently located near the harbor for about 100k IDR per day (roughly $7 USD). Be warned, the roads on Nusa are steep and winding, with some rough patches and plenty of cars. Confidence behind the handlebars is a plus!
After checking into our homestay and relaxing for 30 minutes, we hopped on our bikes and explored the island. Nusa still feels very untouched. Beyond the bustling harbor area, it feels like a true island getaway.
We encountered a road closure due to a local Sembyang ceremony, a "flower offering" ritual with elaborate processions. Bali is rich in these kinds of ceremonies. Researching festival dates beforehand can enrich your trip.
Nightlife on the island is pretty low-key. We took a leisurely ride and headed back to get some sleep before our early start.
Day 2: Broken Beach, Kelingking Beach, and Ubud
We started the day at 7 AM with a visit to Broken Beach, beating the crowds and the heat. By 8 AM, we had the place practically to ourselves.
Next, we headed to Kelingking Beach for photos. By 9 AM, the sun was blazing and the crowds were growing.
These spots are great for a quick visit and photo ops. We returned to our homestay around 11 AM, checked out, grabbed lunch, and caught the 1:30 PM boat back to Bali.
A downpour greeted us upon arrival. My friend braved the rain to rent motorbikes from Angkasa Scooter and Motorbike Rental (easily found on Google Maps). They offer a list of bikes to choose from and let you select a drop-off location (we chose the airport for 80k IDR).
The ride to Ubud took about an hour. The traffic and flooding were reminiscent of Hanoi! After arriving at our homestay around 4 PM, we freshened up and explored Ubud at night.
It was the night before Nyepi (Balinese New Year). Walking through Ubud, we saw locals building Ogoh-Ogoh statues and practicing their "shaking" techniques. Some completed Ogoh-Ogoh were already displayed on the streets.
Day 3: Alas Harum Rice Terraces, Tirta Empul Temple, and Mount Batur
- Alas Harum: Expansive rice terraces with swings, ziplines, sky bikes, and photo opportunities galore. Green, cool, and beautiful, with plenty of activities. However, with my love of exploration I found it less interesting. Entrance fee: 50k IDR.
- Tirta Empul Temple: One of Bali's holiest water temples, famous for its purification rituals. Entrance fee: 50k IDR (excluding purification service). Despite the tourist traffic, religious ceremonies still take place. Observing these traditions added to my cultural understanding.
Bali has a very unique temple system based on natural elements: Tirta Empul (water temple), Pura Agni (fire temple), Pura Lempuyang (mountain temple, home to the Gates of Heaven), and more. Consider adding them to your itinerary!
Mount Batur: It was a convenient stop on our route. Driving past the viewpoint, we discovered a different side of Bali: tomato and vegetable fields, flower gardens, fresh air, and scenic roads. Perfect for a leisurely ride!
Back in Bali, we rested up before heading out to watch the Ogoh-Ogoh parade. We also stocked up on supplies for Nyepi, as everything would be closed from that evening on.
Day 4: Nyepi - Day of Silence
We slept in! More about Nyepi in the comments below.
Day 5: Exploring Ubud and Transfer to Kuta
We spent the morning wandering around Ubud. We visited Ubud Palace (free admission), located near the town center. There, you can often see traditional dances like Legong and Barong. I especially enjoyed this morning, as it wasn't structured and allowed us to see how the locals celebrated the New Year.
We admired Balinese decorations along the roads and saw offerings placed for the gods and on trees. We stopped at a roadside stall for some satay.
At 2 PM, we rode to Kuta. The vibe in Kuta is more urban and less culturally authentic than in Ubud.
Day 6: Kuta and Departure
Breakfast, finishing up work, returning the motorbikes, and heading to the airport for our flight back to Saigon. I wish I'd had more time before having to open my laptop!
Budget Breakdown (for two people):
- Round-trip flights (Saigon - Bali): ~$600
- Homestays/Hotels: ~$27 per night => Total for 5 nights: ~$135
- Motorbike rental (4 days + Kuta pickup fee): ~$47
- Round-trip boat tickets to Nusa Islands (for 2 people): ~$93
- Entrance fees: ~$20
- Food: ~$233
- Miscellaneous (taxis, e-sim, etc.): ~$133
