Guest post by airhernaez
Map tips: each color represents a different day. Click a marker to learn more about the spot, and click the star in the map header to save the entire map under Your Places in Google Maps.
My best friend and I originally planned to book a tour package for our Bali trip. But we came to realize that there a lot of unique places to visit outside the tour packages. So here’s an exclusive itinerary if you want to explore some of the hidden parts of Bali. We booked our accommodations via AirBnB because it’s fairly cheaper than getting a hotel.
Day 1
- Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang
- Tegenungan Waterfall
- Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
- Ubud Market
- Kopi Luwak
We called in advance a driver to get us around the Ubud area. We booked our accommodation at Canggu so it was an hour and a half drive from Ubud to Canggu. Upon arriving at Bali, we directly started our tour so no time will be wasted.
Hidden Canyon – There are no actual entrance fee and tour guide fee for Hidden Canyon, just donations. It is downright advisable to get a tour guide because the stones are very slippery and it might cause some accident. Prepare a water to bring because the journey is quite exhausting due to heat and all the climbing. But Hidden Canyon is a wonderful experience that you shouldn’t miss when you get to Bali!
Tegenungan Waterfall- – Natural scenery around Tegenungan Waterfall is quite beautiful, with green trees and beautiful rock formations
Monkey Forest – We wanted to see Bali’s monkey so we tried getting in the Monkey Forest. PLEASE DO NOT STARE AT THE MONKEY IN THE EYE AND DO NOT TOUCH THEM WHATEVER HAPPENS. If they touch you go ahead, but do not touch them! My best friend (for some reason I don’t know) touched the monkey and the monkey bit her hand which caused her a $200 shot treatment at the emergency room.
Ubud Market – Here’s a tip, if you’re buying souvenirs or art works, please haggle up to the lowest price. If you found something you want, ask the vendor how much then haggle haggle haggle! If the vendor gave his/her last price, just walk away and they will give you again a lower price. Or better yet, ask your driver to take you to a krishna shopping center. This will take you a long way! I swear!
Kopi Luwak Singapadu Gianyar – On our way home to our accommodation, my best friend wanter to try the Luwak Coffee. So our driver dropped us off at the Kopi Luwak Singapadu Gianyar. They will give you a wide range of coffee and tea tasting for free.
Day 2: Nusa Penida
- Broken Beach
- Angel’s Billabong
- Crystal Bay
We spent our day 2 at the neighboring island, Nusa Penida. Nusa Penida Island is well known as an island of the god the part of BALI, Thousand of Temple or Heaven Island and a lot of name given by people in the world who have ever been in Nusa Penida. It is strategically located in the tropical situation and the geographically of this island is consisted of Hill, and flat area and beautiful white sandy beach and warms blue seawater.
Going there, you must get a fast boat at Sanur. It is a 45 minute boat ride from Sanur to Nusa Penida. Upon arriving at the Island, a car service picked us up. Getting a driver at Nusa Penida is one of the best decisions we have ever made during our Bali trip. Here are the reasons why: we went to Bali on a February which is a rainy season, we are not seasoned motorcycle drivers, Nusa Penida is somewhat a remote island so Google maps and Waze are useless.
Our first stop over was Broken Beach. While going up the Broken Beach, it was about an hour uphill bumpy roads. My best friend and I were thinking if we rented a motorbike and went there alone, we would not survive! Plus a heavy rain poured on our way which made us realize that we really did made the best decision. When we arrived at the park way of Broken Beach, a much heavier rain poured! It was disappointing but hey, we didn’t mind. We were literally the only people in the vicinity.
Broken Beach – One of the most amazing nature’s that I have ever seen. This is a very unique beach. You can not find a beach like this in any parts of this world, except on Nusa Penida island. There is a very deep cliff with beautiful view, beautiful sunset, and if you are lucky, you can see a lot of manta rays and some turtles on the sea. And there is a big natural pool, with about a hundred meters in diameter. The pool was found because of the broken cliff.
Angel’s Billabong – Just a few minutes away from Broken Beach. Climbing down the rugged coral reef presents a daring little challenge, but it certainly pays off once you reach the pool. I know the greenish bottom may seem slippery, but they’re definitely not moss. In fact, it felt so comfortable to walk on that carpet-like bottom. Some parts can be pretty deep and become homes to various kinds of fish. Forget Marina Bay Sands, this is the definite infinity pool. Since the rain is pouring, the waves are extremely high by the sea side so there are sea blows along the rock pool which was pretty amazing and a wonderful experience.
Crystal Bay – Due to the extremely heavy rain, we did not push through Crystal Bay. It was a bummer. Please don’t go on a February.
Day 3: Canggu
- Echo Beach
- Pantai Batu Belig
We wanted to cool off and relax because we’ve been exhausted from Day 1 and Day 2 trips. Since we are staying in Canggu area, the nearest beaches are Echo Beach and Batu Belig Beach. We rented a motorcycle on our 3rd day so we can roam around freely.
Echo Beach – We were not impressed by Echo Beach for we are not surfers. The waves are high and surely a please for surfers, but for us beach goers, Echo Beach is really not for us.
Batu Belig – We then went to Batu Belig Beach, the area is quite dirty, trash everywhere! So we walked and walked and walked until we reached Potato Head Beach Club. The beach club is still closed at that time so we just laid down our beach towels and sunbathed. It is not really advisable to swim because of the high waves. One regret is we should’ve went around Uluwatu area where white sand beaches with clear blue waters are located.
After a 2 hour sunbathing, we then went home to cool off at our pool because again, we can’t swim by the sea.
La Laguna – A few minute drive from our villa. We wanted a good view to watch the sunset and La Laguna is the perfect place for that! It’s a very photogenic place and you just couldn’t get off your camera when you are here. La Laguna is a laidback place where you can just grab a beer and chill the f*** out. Sunset is perfect and here so don’t miss this out! It’s temporarily closed as of the time of this writing but is supposed to reopen.
Day 4
- Uluwatu Temple
- Jimbaran Beach
We booked a tour via Star Bali Tour. We really wanted to get a spa on a cheap price so we just booked it together with Uluwatu temple. Again, staying at Canggu area is really far from Uluwatu so booking a tour is a good choice.
Spa – We did not liked the ambiance of the spa. Well, you get what you pay for, right? But I would highly recommend getting a Balinese massage!!!!!!!!!
Uluwatu Temple – AGAIN, STAY AWAY FROM THE MONKEYS!!! When we arrived at Uluwatu Temple, we saw 3 women crying and howling because the monkeys stole their bags, earrings, and slippers. Take good care of your belongings. But nonetheless, Uluwatu Temple is a magical place! One of the sacred sea temples that are said to create a visually unbroken chain all along the Balinese cost. The Uluwatu temple is a gorgeous, historic pagoda site that is protected by the mischievous monkeys that live in the surrounding forest. Majestic, fascinating, and indeed beautiful.
Jimbaran Bay – Skip this one! There are too many people in this area.
Flew out the next day. Bali is a really cheap region if you play it smart. Go rent a motorcycle and eat at warungs to truly experience the beauty of Bali!
Traveled in February 2016
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