14 Days in Bali: How to Explore More Without Feeling Rushed

If you’re anything like me, you love a little bit of everything on your trips: exciting soft adventures in a new place, learning about the local culture and people, and time to relax and reset by the beach.

And let me tell you — this two week Bali itinerary delivers! In fact, I did almost this exact same itinerary on my own trip to Bali, and I have such fond memories from my time on the island!

Over the course of 2 weeks in Bali, you’ll:

• Enjoy the beaches and experience the Kecak dance at Uluwatu Temple
• See iconic view points and incredible marine life on the Nusa islands
• Escape the hustle and bustle on the car-less Gili islands
• Appreciate culture, waterfalls, and rice terraces in Ubud

Not only that, I’ve created this itinerary with four extra days so you can completely tailor the trip to YOUR preferences. That may mean slowing down and spending some extra time in each location, or adding another region onto your trip — I’ll share my favorite options at the end of this post!

The Ultimate Two Week Bali Itinerary

In building out this itinerary, I tried to consider the most efficient routing so you aren’t spending tons of times back-tracking on your travel days.

That being said, feel free to adjust the order of the stops in whichever way makes the most sense for your trip!

For example, my own “choose-your-adventure” was a 4 day sailing trip from the Komodo National Park to the Gili islands, so it made sense to switch my own routing around a bit to accommodate for that boat tour!

Days 1-2: Uluwatu

I think the best location to start a Bali trip is Uluwatu!

This is area of Bali is known for its beaches, the Kecak dance, and cute cafes, and I think it makes for the perfect first stop on your trip.

Basing yourself in Uluwatu first allows you time to adjust to the time change and beat the jet lag, relax at some incredible beaches, and see the traditional fire dance at Uluwatu Temple. Overall, it’s a great first introduction to the island life and Balinese culture!

I think two days in Uluwatu is a great amount of time to relax by the beach, see some incredible sunsets, experience the Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple, and even take a surf lesson!

I have an entire post with all the details you’ll need to plan your two days in Uluwatu, but also wanted to include a high-level overview here:

Check Out the Beaches Uluwatu Has to Offer

Spend your first day in Uluwatu exploring the different beaches. There are several different types of beaches in Uluwatu depending on your interests, but Thomas Beach and Bingin Beach were my two favorites!

Thomas Beach is great for relaxing and swimming, plus we found it was much less busy than the other beaches we visited!

Bingin Beach is known for its tide pools and surf breaks! We went during low tide around sunset, and I thought it was so beautiful to see the tide pools with the back drop of the sunset!

My friend and I also visited Padang Padang Beach, and while it was beautiful & iconic, I would probably skip it next time in favor of Thomas Beach, Bingin Beach, or try a new-to-me beach!

Also, if you structure your day a bit differently than I did, but still want a great sunset experience, Karang Boma is known as one of the best views in Uluwatu. Or if you prefer fewer crowds, head to Balangan Beach to watch the sunset!

I also think Uluwatu is a great place to take a surf lesson if you’re hoping to try it during your two week Bali trip!

I was nervous to try surfing and didn’t end up taking a lesson during my own Bali trip, but since coming back, I’ve tried it a few times and think it’s such a fun activity. I wish I had tried it while I was in Bali!

Book your 2 hour surfing lesson here →

Best Things to Do in Uluwatu (Before Sunset at the Temple)

Your second day in Uluwatu is your opportunity to really explore at your own pace!

The main activity you’ll want to plan for is the Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple at sunset. I recommend booking the earlier performance and arriving to the temple around 5pm so you can explore the grounds and grab a good seat!

If you book the earlier, 6pm performance, you’ll be watching the Kecak dance right as the sun sets behind the stage, making for a truly fiery performance!

But, I got ahead of myself and totally skipped over the earlier part of the day; you’ll want to plan your morning and early afternoon based on your energy levels and interests.

If you’re still a bit jet lagged and up early, catch the sunrise at Suluban Beach or Pandawa Beach. If you want some great views, but aren’t getting up early enough for the sunrise, check out Karang Boma or Balangan Beach!

Another option for the earlier portion or your day is to partake in some wellness activities: take a yoga class for some stretching and grounding (or try this one for the puppies!) and enjoy a Balinese massage.

And, of course, you can always decide to go back to your favorite beach from the day before or check out one of the many others in the area!

Still need to figure out your Uluwatu accommodations? Here are my Uluwatu hotel recommendations!

Days 3-5: Nusa Islands (Lembongan, Ceningan, Penida)

The second stop on the 2 week Bali itinerary is Nusa Lembongan. I loved this island for its hidden beaches, turquoise water, local feel, and the easy island-hopping!

Plus, Nusa Lembongan is easy to get to, with just a 30 minute fast boat from Bali!

When we were originally planning our trip, I was most excited for Lembongan’s neighbor, Nusa Penida… but after spending 3 days in the Nusa islands, Nusa Lembongan won me over!

With a longer, two week trip, it makes sense to base yourself in Nusa Lembongan for a few days to experience all this island chain has to offer!

Debating between Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida? I’ve written a post dedicated to breaking down between the two Nusa islands.

Explore All Nusa Lembongan and Ceningan Have to Offer

Your first day in Nusa Lembongan is all about exploring the island you’re on and the connected Nusa Ceningan.

I suggest booking an earlier morning ferry over to Nusa Lembongan so that you have the entire day to explore! Ferry times do fill up, especially during peak season, so make sure to book your ferry at least a few days in advance!

If you’re comfortable renting a scooter, grab one from your accommodation — most will have them available — and then make your way to the following stops:

• Secret Beach
• Secret Lagoon
• Hidden Beach
• Devil’s Tears
• Yellow Bridge

Once you get to the Yellow Bridge, cross over and make sure to stop at:

• Blue Lagoon
• Mahana Point
• Ceningan Cliffs

If you’re not comfortable driving a scooter yourself, I suggest booking a tour which will take you to many of the same locations on the islands.

Depending on what time you arrived in the morning and how quickly you move through each of the stops, you may have some extra time in the afternoon. If that’s the case, I’d recommend visiting the mangroves of Nusa Lembongan.

Spend a Full Day in Nusa Penida

Get ready for a packed day for your second day in the Nusa islands.

Today, you’ll be taking a tour of Nusa Penida — yes, the island with the iconic T-rex Beach that you see all over the internet!

My friend and I tried to DIY our Nusa Penida experience, and it ended up being a mess!

We were only able to visit one beach, had a rough hiking experience, and then were stuck in standstill traffic.

So, learn from my experience and plan to book a tour! After scouring the internet, I found a private tour of Nusa Penida that takes you to all the highlights on the full island!

Most tours will only take you to one side of the island, but with iconic sites on both sides, you’ll be able to knock it all out in one day — and from the reviews, this is an amazing tour: not too rushed, but still able to experience everything you’d want!

Check availability and prices for a full Nusa Penida day tour here →

Scuba (or Snorkel) With Manta Rays

Before you leave the Nusa islands, you have to spend a day in the water with Manta Rays!

These majestic creatures frequent two sites near Nusa Penida: Manta Bay and Manta Point.

If you’re scuba certified, I recommend diving with the Manta Rays — that’s what I opted to do and it was magical seeing the mantas swim all around me… including one that seemed to soar inches above my head!

There are several dive shops on Nusa Lembongan that will take you to either Manta Bay or Manta Point, but I dove with Siren divers and really enjoyed my experience with them.

If you don’t have a scuba certification — don’t fret!

There are so many snorkel tours that will take you to see the Manta Rays as well, so you can definitely still enjoy swimming with them.

Many of the tours I found spend half the day snorkeling and half the day on Nusa Penida island (usually visiting the West side); these can be a great option if you need to cut a day from your time in the Nusas.

However, Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida had some of the best marine life I’ve ever experienced, so if you have the full three days, then I think it’s better to have a snorkel-only tour for your third day!

Days 6-7: Gili Islands

From Nusa Lembongan, you’ll take a fast boat over to the Gili islands. These ferries typically take 2-3 hours, so I think it’s best to take a morning ferry option, if possible!

The Gili islands are 3 islands located about 15 minutes apart: Gili Trawangan (Gili T), Gili Air, and Gili Meno. I suggest basing yourself on whichever island best fits your vibe:

• Gili T for the most built up island with many nightlife options
• Gili Meno for a more secluded, “honeymoon” experience
• Gili Air for something in between

I’m putting together a full post breaking down each of the Gili islands if you need more help deciding which one is best for you! Stay tuned!

Each of these three islands is completely motorless — meaning, you can get around by biking, walking, or taking a horse carriage.

After having 3 packed days in the Nusa islands, the Gili islands are the perfect place to slow down a bit!

Bike or Walk Around the Gilis

Regardless of which island you decide to stay on, spend your first day walking or biking around the island.

We had some last minute changes to our trip, so I wasn’t able to spend a day leisurely exploring (we had pre-booked scuba dives), but I wish I had!

If you walked without any stops, it would take about 2 hours to walk around Gili T (and less for the other two islands), or about 30 minutes to bike the island.

That being said, I think the best thing would be to leisurely walk or bike, stop when things look interesting, and really take the time to be spontaneous and allow the day to unfold.

Maybe you’ll find a relaxing beach, an epic viewpoint, or your favorite coffee spot in the world?

But, if you likely having a more solidified plan, check Google Maps before you head out; I like to zoom in and out of different areas on the map to find possible spots of interest — like the turtle snorkeling point on the south east part of Gili Air!

Speaking of snorkeling, if you have your own fins, mask, and snorkel — which I highly recommend — you’ll be able to do some snorkeling right off the shore of the islands! My friend and I saw several sea turtles when we did this!

Spend a Day in the Water

Being on such small islands surrounded by great reefs and marine life, it just makes sense to spend a day in the water while in the Gili islands!

On my own trip, I went scuba diving three times with Manta Dive Gili Air, and had a great experience! We did the night dive and then two morning dives the following day.

We did get a bit of a storm coming in during our morning dives, but overall still had a pleasant experience seeing multiple hard-to-find creatures like an octopus and a cuttlefish!

If you aren’t scuba certified, you can still have an incredible experience on a snorkel tour! Most boats will take you to the NEST statues as one stop and then spend the rest of the tour at other locations filled with coral, colorful fish, and — hopefully — sea turtles!

Once you’ve finished your water adventures for the day, enjoy a more leisurely afternoon and evening. I loved having a pool at my Gili Air accommodation and we spent a full afternoon relaxing and preparing for the rest of our trip!

Days 8-10: Ubud

From the Gili islands, you’ll be headed to Ubud. Fair warning — this will be your longest travel day — but, your reward will be cultural experiences, jungle landscapes, waterfalls, and lush rice fields!

If you’re still figuring out where to stay in Ubud, make read my Ubud accommodation guide. It’s coming soon!

Transfer & Explore Ubud Center

You’ll have a 2-3 hour ferry back to Bali, and then an about 2 hour transfer from the ferry port to Ubud. I suggest booking these on a combo ticket for the smoothest journey.

Check the ferry times here →

Once you arrive, drop off your luggage at your accommodation and get ready to explore!

Since you’ll be arriving later in the day, I recommend sticking closer to Ubud center with things like:

• The Ubud Art Market to pick out your souvenir
• The Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary to get up close and personal with the long-tailed macaque
• The Campuhen Ridge Walk for a peaceful sunset stroll

Depending on where you are based in the city, some of these may be walkable for you, but if they aren’t, Grab and Gojek are great ride share options for getting around in Ubud!

While you’re exploring, I suggest taking a snack break with some ice cream at Blend Gelateria Ubud…it’s rated one of the top ice cream spots in Ubud and is located right by the Monkey Forest! I loved their Pistachio flavor! 🤤

Epic Waterfall Adventure

I promised some adventure in this itinerary, and to me, nothing says adventure like experiencing waterfalls in the jungle…and on your second day in Ubud, you’ll get to see six of them!

For this particular day trip, I recommend hiring a private driver, unless you’re comfortable with driving a scooter for long distances. The key here is having the flexibility to plan your own route so you can make it to each of these waterfalls!

From Ubud, the most efficient routing is:

You could also visit these in the reverse direction if you prefer to go to the farthest waterfall first, but I like the original routing because you’ll start your morning with viewpoints and then get to jump in and swim in the waterfalls later in the day when the heat is at its peak!

Want a full breakdown of these waterfalls? Check out the full waterfall road-trip itinerary!

Explore Rice Terraces & Temples

On your third day in Ubud, you’ll be taking another day trip — this time to get a better understanding of the Balinese culture.

If you’re comfortable riding a scooter, this is a good day to rent one since you won’t have any super long drives on the route. However, if you aren’t comfortable driving a scooter, you can book this semi-customizable tour which will take you to the two spots I mention and allow you to pick a few more stops as well!

See all the options available on the semi-customizable tour →

Start your morning off by heading to the Tegalalang Rice Terraces. I recommend arriving earlier in the morning to beat the crowds and the heat!

My friend and I were there from abut 9am to 10am; it was so nice being one of very few people walking along the rice fields! Plus, by 10am, we were already so sweaty from the heat and humidity, so I’m really glad we didn’t wait until later in the day to walk around!

From the rice terraces, make your way to Tirta Empul, one of the Balienese water temples.

Here, you can stroll along the beautiful grounds to admire the artwork of the architecture and statues, see hundreds of people taking part in the cleansing ceremony, or even participate in the cleansing ceremony yourself!

Note: make sure to cover your knees and shoulders at the temple. When my friend and I were in Ubud, we were piecemealing our plan together at the last minute for this day trip, and I didn’t think to bring anything to cover my shoulders. Please learn from my mistake.

Once you’ve had your fill of the temple, you can either head back to Ubud to relax at one of the cute cafes — Kafe was my favorite — or you can keep exploring!

If you’re feeling extra adventurous, try an ATV & rafting tour through the jungle. We found out about these from some other travelers we met on our last night in Ubud, so we didn’t have a chance to do it ourselves, but it came highly recommended… I wish I had learned about it sooner!

Days 11-14: Choose Your Adventure

One of my favorite perks of a longer trip is having the time to really customize your trip.

And, yes, I realize that any time you travel on your own you are customizing your trip. But I find that on shorter trips, it can sometimes feel like I’m barely squeezing in the highlights and I feel like I have to cut activities that I could have really enjoyed.

That’s not to say that I don’t enjoy the highlights — I firmly believe that there are reasons “touristy” spots become touristy — but it’s extra special to have additional time to really dive deeper into a location or venture to a less traveled area.

I’ve listed three options below that I hope will spark excitement for your last few days in Bali (or beyond)!

Option 1: Extend in One of Your Main Stops for Slower Travel

The first option is the most simple: extend the time you already have in each stop (or a couple of them).

If you prefer a slower pace of travel, this is a great option for you!

By extending each stop, you’ll be able to explore deeper in each location — find your favorite coffee shop or snorkel spot, slow down in the afternoons by the swimming pool, allow spontaneity to determine your extra days by talking with locals and other travelers about their experiences and recommendations.

Slowing down can make for a meaningful and impactful trip and leave you with memories and stories for a life time!

Option 2: Side Quest to Komodo Islands

Before my own trip, I would have said the Komodo islands are the place to go if you want to get off the beaten path in Indonesia and see unreal landscapes. I had learned about these islands in high school geography and they had been on my bucket list for years… but none of my friends had ever heard of them.

Well, now that I’ve been, I still think the Komodo islands has unreal landscapes — and wildlife — but after going, I can tell you it definitely isn’t off the beaten path!

Getting to the Komodo islands is quick and easy from Bali — just a 2 hour domestic fight from DPS to LBJ. When my friend and I went, we did the domestic flight on the way there and then took a 4 Day/3 Night boat tour on the way back to Gili Air with Wanua Adventures.

While the boat accommodations were pretty basic, it was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I highly recommend doing a boat tour in the Komodo islands.

There are so many different boat tour options in the Komodo islands — truly something for every travel style and budget — you can find shorter one-day trips, luxury yachts, and even scuba diving focused boat tours!

Option 3: Scuba Diving in Amed + Explore Northern Bali

Speaking of scuba diving, it is a great way to spend some of your extra time in Bali! You can dive in some of the spots I’ve already mentioned — especially if you add a day or two at each location — but my favorite dive location in Bali was Amed.

Amed is located on the north east coast, has a bit more of a local feel than some of the other areas in Bali, and is a treat for scuba and snorkel fanatics!

We saw octopi, nudibranchs, a shipwreck, and so much more during our four dives in Amed.

And if you don’t have a scuba certification yet, but are interested in learning, you can complete the on-site requirements (2 pool days & 2 open water days) with the time you have leftover! Or you can complete it in even less time if you do the pool days with a scuba shop near home.

In fact, the dive shop we went with — Fresh Fins — has Open Water and Advanced certification classes. We met a few folks during our combined lunch break who were in the class and really enjoyed it! From the perspective of someone who has already been certified, the guides were very safety-focused and pointed out all of the cute critters!

Of course, if you are choosing to dive while in Bali, plan for at least 24 hours between the end of your last dive and any flights so you don’t get decompression sickness!

If you want to scuba dive, but don’t plan to spend all four days diving, head from Amed to the Northern Bali areas, like Munduk; these areas are a good way to get farther off the beaten path and experience more local life in Bali.

Travel Tips for a Smooth Two Week Bali Itinerary

As you work through the details of your two week Bali itinerary, I wanted to share a few extra details to help you have a smooth trip:

Best Time to Visit

Shoulder Season Experience in Bali (April, May, September, October)

My friend and I visited from mid-to-end of April and overall had a really good trip! April is when the seasons typically switch from Wet season to Dry season, so while we did have a few rainy days and cloudy skies, we were able to do everything we wanted to do!

And we took advantage of the few rainy hours to rest, eat, and prepare for our other activities!

I loved shoulder season because the weather was relatively good, we experienced fewer crowds, and pricing on accommodations was lower. If you’re okay with a bit of uncertainty with the weather, April, May, September, and October would be wonderful times for this itinerary!

Peak Season in Bali for Sunnier Days (June, July, August)

If you want the best chance for the most sunny days for your two week trip, I’d suggest traveling in June, July, and August.

These months are right in the middle of Dry season, so you’ll likely have fewer rain showers.

That being said, June-August are the peak season for travel in Bali, so be prepared for sites to be more crowded, activities to book up more quickly, and accommodations to be more expensive.

Traveling During Bali’s Rainy Season (November to March)

If you choose to come to Bali during Wet Season, specifically from November to March, I’d suggest having a rough plan for your itinerary and staying very flexible.

You may have days that are mostly dry, but you could also experience showers every day for two weeks.

Flexibility will be key to enjoy your time as much as possible.

The perks of traveling during rainy season is that there will be fewer tourists — mostly locals or expats will be on the island — and you’ll have a whole slew of accommodation options!

Getting Around Bali

We used several methods of transportation during our own trip to Bali. Here is a quick overview to help you plan:

• Use private transfers to get you between the different regions of Bali or while traveling to/from the airport
• Use fast boat ferries to get from Bali to the Nusa islands, Gili islands, Lombok, or Java
• Take flights if you’re traveling to other regions of Indonesia, like the Komodo islands
• Rent a scooter, hire a private driver, or use group tours for day trips
• Take advantage of Grab and Gojek ride share apps for travel inside cities

I’ve written about my experience booking an airport transfer with Klook. Read the post to know what to expect!

What to Know About Booking Accommodations and Tours

For our trip in April, we booked all of our accommodations about 1-2 months in advance of our trip and had plenty of options for our stays during the shoulder season.

We also met some other travelers who booked their accommodations day-of-arrival, so if you have shorter notice or prefer to have more flexibility, and are traveling in the shoulder- or off-season, you should still have some options available to you.

That being said, if you are traveling during peak season from July to August, I’d suggest booking sooner rather than later to ensure you can book your top hotels!

Ready to book your accommodations? Here are my recommended hotels for each region of Bali!

What to Pack for a 2 Week Bali Itinerary

I’m putting together a full packing list based on my experience traveling around Bali for two and a half weeks, but here are some of the items you’ll definitely want to include for your trip:

Clothing

You’ll want to primarily focus on breathable and fast drying clothing for your time in Bali!

The weather is hot and humid, so these items will feel best as you explore AND should be easy to refresh if you plan to re-wear items.

Definitely make sure to take into account the activities you have planned: if you’re heading to any temples or religious sites, make sure to cover your knees and shoulders!

I pretty much lived in either linen pants or athletic shorts, work out tanks, and linen button downs during my trip.

Sun Protection

Speaking of the hot weather, Bali is located very close to the equator, and with that comes strong UV rays.

Make sure you’re protecting yourself with a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen!

I recommend bringing sunscreen with you rather than purchasing on arrival as it can be very pricey in Indonesia…and if you do need to refill while you’re on the ground, double check the ingredients to make sure there are no bleaching agents in the formula.

Water Gear

There are so many incredible water-filled activities in Bali; make sure you are prepared for them!

You’ll spend days relaxing on the beach, on boats, exploring waterfalls, and snorkeling or scuba diving. My top suggestions for water gear are:

If you take a snorkel tour, they will likely provide you with the gear, but there are also some opportunities to snorkel right off the shore on your own in some locations, so I think it’s better to have your own gear!

If you’re a scuba diver, I think this is even more important as you will be most familiar with your own snorkle, mask, and fins!

Electronics

The main electronic I would recommend is a plug adapter to make sure you can charge any electronics you do choose to bring with you!

Indonesia uses the Type C and F plug adapters.

I’ve personally had this adapter for several years and love that it’s so easy to switch out the outlet type based on the country you are visiting. Plus, I do travel with a lot of electronic gear so I love all the different charging options it comes with!

If you plan on spending a lot of time in the water, I’d also recommend a waterproof phone case so you can use your phone camera, or if you are planning on doing any diving and want a camera recommendation, I love my GoPro!

I’ll be putting together a full packing guide to Bali soon, make sure to check back on the site before your trip for all the details!