Where to Stay in Bali: How to Pick the Perfect Area & Hotel (Without Overwhelm)

Planning a trip to Bali is so exciting; but figuring out where to stay in Bali? Now that can be extremely overwhelming.

With many different areas and vibes to choose from and thousands of accommodation options with the range of prices spanning a few dollars to several hundred per night…

It can take so long to sift through all the details and finally figure out the perfect place for your trip!

But that is exactly what I plan to help you do in this post. This post will:

• break down the main regions of Bali
• describe the vibe of each area and who it’s best for
• give you my top recommended accommodation for each location

I’ve done the work for you, so now you can just kick back, read, and rest-assured that you’ll know exactly where to stay in Bali without the overwhelm of hundreds of open tabs. 💻

One quick tip before we get into the details: Book your accommodation early during the high season, especially in the popular areas!

Note: Use this article as your quick-start guide, then click through to my in-depth regional guides for detailed area breakdowns and more hotel picks.

Bali’s Most Popular Areas (and My Top Hotel Picks)

In my opinion, deciding where to stay in Bali comes down to four things:

1. What activities most excite you
2. Your general travel vibe
3. How much time you have in Bali
4. Your budget (though you’ll be able to find something for most budgets across the different regions of Bali)

Bali — especially in the more touristed areas — has a lot of traffic. I highly recommend staying in regions that have many of activities you’re interested in so that you aren’t trying to drive all over the island.

It doesn’t make sense to stay in Ubud if all you want to do is lounge by the beach and surf. On the other hand, you shouldn’t stay in Uluwatu if you’re more interested in inland adventures like rice terraces and waterfalls.

You’ll spend more time sitting in traffic than you will enjoying your trip.

Ideally, if you have at least a week in Bali, you should split your time between two or more of the listed regions so you can have a well-rounded experience with a whole slew of activities.

The next several sections will break down the main regions of Bali and highlight the atmosphere of the region along with the types of activities and attractions you’ll find nearby.

💡 Planning to split your trip between multiple areas? Check out one of my Bali itineraries for ideas on pairing regions.

7 days in Bali
10 days in Bali
2 weeks in Bali

Uluwatu – Cliffside Views, Surf & Sunset Magic

I think Uluwatu deserves a spot on any Bali itinerary.

Uluwatu is located in the southern part of Bali, on the Western side of the Bukit Peninsula.

It’s know for the laid-back vibes, surfer culture, beach clubs, and sunsets. While it’s also known for luxury cliff resorts and incredible villas, I found that this is an area that can truly work with every budget:

You’ll find hostels for less than $15 a night and luxurious resorts for over $1,000 a night… you can really spend however much you want in Uluwatu.

This area is home to magnificent cliffs overlooking the ocean, laid-back cafes, and the traditional Kecak fire dance.

I believe that a wide variety of people would enjoy Uluwatu, but I particularly think Uluwatu is great for:

• Couples and honeymooners who want to spend their time relaxing with the beautiful scenery of cliffs and ocean
• Surfers looking for world-class waves, or beginners who want to learn on consistent breaks
• Laid-back beach lovers who want to spend their days exploring all of the incredible beaches Uluwatu has to offer

With that being said, there are a couple things you’ll want to consider if you decide to stay in Uluwatu:

1. It’s not really a nightlife type of place; you’re more likely to enjoy a cocktail on the beach than go out to a night club
2. This area is very spread out, which means it can be difficult to get around. If you stay here, make sure that you are located in a more central area or that you are comfortable driving yourself around on a scooter!

See my guide on where to stay in Uluwatu for the best areas & a breakdown of budget, mid-range, and luxury accommodations.

Nusa Lembongan – Island Escape with Chill Vibes

I loved my time in Nusa Lembongan. This small island is located about 30 minutes by fast boat from Bali and is filled with adventure!

Nusa Lembongan is a great place to escape the heavy crowds of Bali – we felt like we were some of the only tourists on the island! It was great for a more relaxing pace, and I loved getting away from all of the traffic!

Even with the quiet, I thought there was so much to do in Nusa Lembongan: road trips to epic viewpoints, visiting the unique ecosystem of the mangroves… even scuba diving with manta rays!

Nusa Lembongan is best for:

• Slower travelers who have more time to experience areas outside of the Bali mainland
• Island lovers who love adventure
• Scuba divers and snorkelers who want to explore the vibrant marine life

Similar to Uluwatu, the nightlife here is more relaxing on the beach at sunset than late-night parties, but there are plenty of places to grab a delicious meal after watching the sun go down!

Also, you will need to take a ferry over to Nusa Lembongan, but it’s a quick 30-minute hop over!

I’m have a full guide for where to stay in Nusa Lembongan. Check back it out for the best areas to stay on the island!

Gili Air – Beaches, Snorkeling & Romantic Sunsets

Imagine a cute, little island where the only way to get around is by walking, biking, or horse carriage.

That’s exactly what Gili Air (and the smaller Gili Meno) are like since there are no cars on the island!

Gili Air is a great spot for snorkeling right off shore, and is a common place to see turtles! 🐢

There are small cafes and open-air restaurants; it’s a great place to rent a bike and just see where the day takes you!

This island is great for:

• Laid back solo travelers who are comfortable exploring on their own or making friends in a hostel
• Couples who want to enjoy a mix of relaxing and activities, like biking and snorkeling

The Gili islands are technically part of Lombok and are 2-3 hours by fast boat from Bali, so you’ll only want to add them in if you have a longer trip planned.

Also, note, the ferry ride is notoriously rough, so if you get easily motion sick, make sure to come prepared!

I’ll be writing my Gili Air hotel guide soon — check it out before your trip for a more detailed breakdown of accommodation options!

Gili Meno – Secluded Island Bliss

Gili Meno is a honeymooners — or introverts — paradise!

This is a tiny island located right next to Gili Air and the larger Gili T. It’s very quiet and secluded, so it’s the perfect spot for the ultimate escape!

Similar to Gili Air, you can walk or bike around the island; walking the perimeter would take less than an hour!

Plus if you’re staying on Gili Meno, you can swim out about 100 meters and get to the famous underwater NEST statues! It makes for a perfect sunrise swim with the sea turtles that tend to hang out there!

Gili Meno is the spot for:

• Honeymooners looking for a secluded, romantic escape
• Travelers who need a break from the crowds and want to feel like they have an island almost to themselves

Check back soon for all of my Gili Meno hotel recommendations!

Amed – Diving, Shipwrecks & Coastal Charm

Amed isn’t well-known outside of the scuba diver community, but I think it is a great region to explore in Bali!

It’s a small fishing village that’s less crowded than Ubud or Uluwatu with great scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities right off the shore!

You should head to Amed if you’re:

• A scuba diver who enjoys shore dives, wreck dives, and finding nudibranchs
• A traveler looking for a slower pace – you can access several temples and rice terraces easily from Amed as well

Make sure to come back to the site for the full Amed accommodation guide — coming soon!

Other Notable Spots

There are a few other regions of Bali that I didn’t personally have the opportunity to explore, but I wanted to share a couple quick bullets for each in case one of them peaks your interests.

Seminyak

A popular area of Bali located in the southern Bukit Peninsula, Seminyak is known for its trendiness, shopping, upscale beach clubs, and nightlife.

Cannggu

Canggu is another popular spot in Bali, located about 30 minutes from Seminyak. This is a chill, digital nomad hotspot known for its hip cafes.

Nusa Dua

If you’re traveling as a family or looking for upscale resort options, look no further than Nusa Dua. It’s well known for its beach resorts and calm, golden beaches.

North Bali (Lovina, Pemuteran, Munduk)

If you’re looking to get a bit off the beaten bath, you’ll want to head to Northern Bali.

This area of the main island is much quieter, and is a great place to base yourself for diving and snorkeling as well as visiting some of the lesser known rice terraces, coffee plantations, and waterfalls.

For more ideas on where to go and what to do while you’re in Bali, read my ultimate guide for first timers!

Final Thoughts on Where to Stay in Bali

Hopefully reading this post has helped you narrow down your options for where to stay in Bali. If any of the regions have peaked your interest, click into the specific accommodation guides to help you choose the best hotel for your trip!

As you finalize your trip, remember to:

• Book early for peak seasons (June–August and December–January)
• Always check the location on Google Maps before booking to see how the location compares to the activities you want to do

💡 Planning to split your trip between multiple areas? Check out my 10 day itinerary for a mix of culture, adventure, and relaxation for ideas on pairing regions.