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How to Easily Explore Bali in 12 Days? Practical Tips and Itinerary Planning

2024年9月27日 ✏️ 編輯文章

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In early August, we embarked on a 12-day independent trip to Bali. The journey was full of surprises and challenges.

Bali 12-Day Itinerary Planning Tips

The following is adapted from a post by our group member Lin Junhong

In early August, we took a 12-day trip to Bali. The journey was full of surprises and challenges. Here are some of my insights and feedback, hoping to be helpful for those planning a trip to Bali.

E-Visa

Since August to September is the peak tourist season in Bali, the queues at the visa-on-arrival counters and customs usually take over 2-3 hours. Fortunately, we applied for an electronic visa (EVoA) in advance and used the automated gates, which made the entire immigration process very smooth. From getting off the plane to picking up our luggage and entering the arrival hall, it only took 7-8 minutes. I recommend applying for an e-visa if possible, as it saves a lot of time.

Further reading: 【2026 Edition】Indonesia Bali Entry Using the “All Indonesia” Arrival Card｜Understand the Latest Process in 1 Minute: From Getting Off the Plane → Customs → Baggage Claim Full Guide

SIM Card

In Bali, we chose to buy a local SIM card. In Kuta and Uluwatu city areas, the SIM card supports 5G networks, while in some more remote areas, it’s mainly 4G. Even on the outlying islands, the network signal was generally sufficient for navigation, but in the coastal areas of Penida, the signal was poor, only getting better at certain specific tourist spots. However, this didn’t affect our overall itinerary.

Read more: Essential Bali Travel Tips: How to Get a Bali SIM Card/eSIM/Roaming?

Shopping

Shopping in Bali requires some bargaining skills. Generally, you can start by offering half the listed price, and the final deal is usually 30-40% of the original. Prices in Ubud are relatively better, with more choices too. The same items in Kuta can cost 2-3 times more than in Ubud. So, choosing the right place to shop is key.

Read more: How to Bargain When Shopping in Bali? Shopping Tips

Transportation

Traffic in Bali can be summed up in one word: congested. Since my friend had a short vacation, we packed our first five days quite tightly. Travel time between attractions took a lot, and since we stayed in Ubud, getting to Uluwatu, Kuta, and Canggu each took 2-3 hours by car. So, it’s best to choose accommodation close to the sights to save travel time.

Editor’s note: Check out our Bali Area Guide for the best tips!

Food

On this trip, we mostly ate at small local restaurants to enjoy more authentic dishes at reasonable prices. Most places accept credit cards, even on the islands. However, some charge an extra 2.5% processing fee, and about 60-70% of restaurants add a 10-11% tax and 7-10% service charge. We didn’t encounter any random price hikes.

We visited the Atlas Beach Club, said to be the largest in Asia. By the way, if you tip the staff at a Beach Club or Day Club, they’ll take great care of you and even watch your bags.

(Video provided by Lin Junhong)

Nusa Penida Island

We booked our round-trip ferry tickets on Klook, which was very convenient. This time we stayed on Penida Island for 4 days. In my opinion, only two attractions on the island are worth visiting: one is Kelingking Beach. We hiked all the way down to the sand—the scenery was stunning, but the descent was a bit scary and took 45 minutes. Coming back up was faster, at 35 minutes.

(Video provided by Lin Junhong)

▶Klook Nusa Penida Deals

Editor’s note: Remember, ‘do not’ go into the sea here! There have been several fatal accidents already.

Another spot is Tembeling Beach and Forest, which is less crowded and perfect for relaxing. However, the road to the attraction is in poor condition, so you need to be extra careful. Diamond Beach is relatively average. Since Penida is a newly developed offshore island, the quality of accommodation and dining is low, and prices are about twice as expensive as on mainland Bali. Overall, our trip to Penida Island was still quite enjoyable.

Nusa Penida Travel Guide

The Most Unique Accommodation of the Trip

We stayed in Ubud for 5 days, then spent 3 days resting in the mountains. I recommend a guesthouse called Aurora Cabins by Panoramika. This is a highly-rated accommodation. The cabin sits at an elevation of nearly 900m, next to a coffee plantation, facing east—it’s a fantastic way to experience mountain life. The sunrise views from here are spectacular. In the distance, you can see Mount Agung, with Mount Batur to the left. The room is cozy, comfortable, and well-equipped. Truly special.

The Most Unique Accommodation of the Trip

▶Aurora Cabins by Panoramika Booking Link

We also stayed on Penida Island for 4 days. I have to complain that our Airbnb required us to bring our own towels and other essentials because the towels provided were too dirty, and the mattress was also unclean. We endured it and then reported it to Airbnb, receiving a partial refund.

(Video provided by Lin Junhong)

Further Reading: Accommodation Recommendations on Nusa Penida: 13 Highly-Rated Stays from Luxury to Budget

Overall, Bali is a great place for a slow-paced lifestyle, rest, and creative work. I hope this sharing of experiences helps with your Bali trip! 🌴

Do you think Lin Junhong’s itinerary is amazing? Start planning your own Bali free-and-easy trip now! Feel free to share your itinerary in the community group as well!