The Best Bali Itinerary For Any Budget

Bali, a province of Indonesia, is a place that embodies stunning beaches, bright and fresh cuisine, and pictures that seem too good to be true. It has a vibrance that makes you want to make the most out of however much you spend.

This being said, during my time in Asia I was working in a circus, so my budget required me do my research. After traveling to Indonesia, Vietnam (READ: Best Things to do in Vietnam), Cambodia, Japan, and more, I quickly realized the greatest costs that affect your budget.

Bali Accommodation

Bali’s reputation precedes itself. It is by far the most popular Indonesian Island, known for luxurious spa getaways, yoga retreats, honeymoons, and even the rambunctious pub crawl. Bali accommodates all.

My two friends and I managed to snag a private villa with breakfast included for $90!!

Before making my way to this picturesque place I thought I could never afford it. That couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s true that if you want the best that money can buy, Bali can offer world-class villas and hotel suites upwards of $2,000 a night. But you can also find fantastic accommodation for under $50. The price is up to you. 

All prices below are an estimation based on high-season pricing. I highly recommend searching your favorites during your preferred dates, you might find a great deal!

Read on:

The Most Luxurious Bali Hotels ($$$$$)

A breath of luxury situated cliffside in eastern Bali, Amankila is in a league of its own. Its location is in the lesser-developed Indrakila near Manggis giving way to utmost peace and quiet. No request, tiny or big, is too much for the incredible staff at this hotel. Wind down in your own villa and private terrace before taking a dip in the three-tiered infinity pool with a view to remember.

~In the range of $1,600 in high season

Instead of the cliffside, now imagine a clifftop. That’s exactly where you’ll be in Bulgari Resort Bali, enjoying the highest-end amenities amidst the volcanic landscape. Check out the oceanfront Bulgari spa or one of the two onsite Bulgari Stores featuring the finest jewelry, watches, and fragrances. The resort also offers day trips to neighboring islands, helicopter rides over a volcano, and visits to local markets with a personal shopper (ummmm, yes please).

~In the range of $1,900 in high season

Ever heard of glamping? At Capella Ubud, you will become one with nature without having to sacrifice good wifi in their luxurious tented camp. This refined hotel is set within the rainforest of Keliki, surrounding you with the sound of calm winds on the canvas walls. It doesn’t get much better than this with a 24-hour personal assistant willing to help make your stay perfect. The resort has a weekly schedule of wellness activities included so don’t forget to make time for a walk through the rice paddy fields.

~In the range of $1,700 in high season

A beautiful hillside property that is just over 3000 feet from the Monkey Forest. Komaneka is luxury with a more reasonable price tag. With your room, you’ll be able to enjoy a private balcony with sun loungers as well. The resort has 2 outdoor pools, a restaurant, and a spa.

~In the range of $350 in high season

A hotspot for digital nomads and the creative folk, Potato Head Suites & Studios makes a name for itself with sustainable hospitality. A “creative village” of sorts that offers masterclasses on cocktail making, boxing, and yoga, as well as an amazing beach club.

~ In the range of $250 in high season

Definitely pricey for a “mid-range” option but you can often find deals slashing the price by more than half in the off-season. Each room at Hotel Tugu is a masterpiece of colorful antiques and stunning design. You’ll easily be able to fall into deep relaxation at their onsite spa which offers luxurious authentic Balinese treatments. 

~In the range of $500 in high season

Right in the center of Legion, Kuta-Bali, Fourteen Roses Boutique Hotel is a Balinese escape only 7  kilometers from Bali’s International Airport. There are 76 spacious rooms and family suites with private balconies to choose from. Grab a book and sink into a chair in the gardens or soak up some sun in the infinity pool.

~In the range of $48 in high season

A female-only wellness hostel located in the heart of Ubud. Arya is a unique hostel that offers daily wellness activities including yoga, meditation, fitness classes, workshops, and more. It’s a great place that welcomes women of all ages and has great amenities for an affordable price.

~In the range of $41 in high season

At the cheapest end of the list, Sunshine Vintage House gives you everything you need. You have clean, air-conditioned rooms that are perfectly located to explore Monkey Forest, Ubud Palace, and Saraswati Temple. There’s also a paid airport shuttle from Ngurah Rai International Airport. 

~In the range of $12 in high season

Bali Transportation

Bali is no stranger to tourists, so getting around is relatively easy to other international locations. In order to start your holiday, you’ll most likely be needing to get from Bali International Airport (Ngurah Rai International Airport) to your hotel or hostel. No matter if you’re staying at a hostel or a 5 star hotel, there are plenty of options to get from the airport to your destination.

Most luxury hotels and a handful of hostels will happily offer airport transfers for you and your travel companions. However, if they do not, taxis are readily available and are a safe way to get around Bali. Taxi’s offer affordable flat-rate fees from the airport to many different locations around Bali.

Check out a table of the flat-rate price of a taxi from the airport to various cities around Bali HERE.

Bali is 95 miles wide east to west so it’s good to have an idea of how you want to get around the island. Sadly, Bali banned tourists from renting motorbikes as of 2023, so that won’t be an option. That being said, besides taxis, there are private drivers for hire, rental cars, a tourist-based bus company called Kura-Kura, or check out their local rideshare apps GRAB or GoJek.

KURA KURA Average Price= The minibuses are less than 30,000 IDR (2 USD)

CAR RENTAL Average Price= 780,000 IDR (51 USD) per day

PRIVATE DRIVER Average Price= 550000 IDR (35 USD) – 1500000 IDR (100USD) per day

Bali Food

Though you can get any type of food you dream of in Bali, Balinese food is something you will want to try. It’s full of fresh herbs and spices. A few decades ago, the most popular option for getting food was to get takeaway from warungs (local shops and restaurants). Since the rise of tourism, now it’s popular to get almost any local dish from a food stall all the way up to a fine dining establishment. My go-tos are Sate Lembek (Bali’s version of satay) and Bebek Betutu (roast duck).

To save some cash, you’ll want to concentrate on food stalls. You can usually find very affordable and filling meals for just a few dollars, 38000 IDR (2 USD) to 77000 IDR (5 USD). Think flavorful soups, rice dishes, barbequed meats, and fresh fruits.  

If you want to sit down for a meal, there are plenty of café style restaurants serving all types of cuisine for about 80000 IDR (5.20 USD) to 230000 IDR (15 USD). Just remember, the closer you get to touristed attractions, the more you’ll be spending. 

The higher-end restaurants can vary greatly in price. However, just because it might be the most expensive restaurant you can find, it might not be the best place on the island. These meals will be upwards of 25 USD. 

And for those of us who are thirsty, local beer is one of the cheapest things to drink, about 23000 IDR (1.50 USD). If you’d like to live it up with umbrella drinks and fancy cocktails, you might have to shell out a few more rupiahs, around 80000 IDR (6 USD).

Bali Things to Do

1. Waterfall and Rice Paddy Field Tour

It’s hard to imagine visiting Bali without checking out all of the gorgeous waterfalls and magical rice paddy fields around the island. Some of the most noteworthy being Tegenungan Waterfall and Tibumana Waterfall. As for the rice paddy fields, the most famous to check out will be in Ubud, Tegallalang rice terrace. Though you definitely don’t need a tour to see them, I found the guide knowledgeable about the area and well worth the price tag. There are tons of tours to choose from but you can expect to pay around $30-$40.

Waterfall Tour

2. Mount Batur Sunrise Hike

The views at the top were worth waking up at 4:00 AM.

I tell everyone to do this hike because it was the best thing I did in Bali. We woke up before the sun and arrived at the top just as dawn started creeping in, it was beautiful. It’s a common trek to hike up the active volcano of Mount Batur but it’s anything but overrated. Imagine only hearing your feet crunch under the dirt as you prepare to eat your breakfast as the sun washes over the mountains. Absolutely magical. Expect prices in the range of $40. Sunrise Mount Batur Trek. This is a popular “Best thing to do in Bali” activity so expect crowds at the top. That being said it did take away from the experience.

3. Snorkel with Manta Rays

Taking a dip in the ocean with manta rays is one of the most common water activities available in Bali. Mantas are absolutely magnificent if you have never seen them in real life. Their wingspan can stretch 6 meters across, they are HUGE! So impressive, and to have the ability to swim right next to them isn’t common. Prices for tours vary on size of tour and duration but on average, the tour can range from $40-$80. Snorkeling with Manta Rays.

4. Visit the Temples

Spirituality plays a huge role in Balinese culture. There are over 10,000 temples on the island, however a few truly stick out to visit. Put Uluwatu Temple (50,000 IDR or 3.50 USD) and Lempuyang Temple (100,000 IDR or 6.5 USD) on your list. And of course, The most famous and visited temple, Pura Besakih (60,000 IDR or 3.80), cannot be missed. Make sure you don’t forget to cover your shoulders when visiting, it’s a great sign of respect.

5. Sukawati Art Market

A great alternative to the Ubud Market. The Sukawati Art Market is brimming with colorful handmade items and beautiful pieces of artwork to take home as a souvenir. Besides being quieter than the Ubud Market, it’s also a bit cheaper. Free from suffocating crowds, you’ll be calm and relaxed while trying your hand at bargaining to get the best price! Don’t be nervous, it’s always optional, but I highly suggest it to save a few rupiahs!

5. Monkey Forest

Monkey Forest might not be for everyone but it truly is a unique experience. The tourist hot spot is located in Ubud, Bali, and is home to more than 600 macaque monkeys. It cost 100,000 rupiah which equals about $9. Word of Warning with the Monkey Forest, I was robbed! They came up behind me running, swiping my newly purchased dress, and jumped onto a lamppost before I had a minute to get a photo for the police. Unfortunately, the police would have laughed because it was a monkey who robbed me. It happens a lot! I saw a monkey steal an ice cream cone from a kid, they have zero shame. You’ve been warned.