Bali Without an Itinerary: Where I Ate, Surfed, and How Much I Spent
I'm approaching this post a little differently compared with my previous blog posts.
This time, I kept my recent trip to Bali pretty simple. Eat, surf, relax.
While I was planning this trip, I wanted to focus on picking up a new hobby, and there's no better place to do that than Bali.
I also wanted to use this trip to (try and) destress during a major transition in my life. So I deliberately didn't plan an itinerary — just show up for my surf lesson and go from there.
While out on the water, waiting for a wave with my surf instructor, he asked why I was always so serious and never relaxed. I wouldn't understand the true joy of surfing if I weren't relaxed — otherwise, the waves would just keep crashing on me.
I could draw and connect so many metaphors here, but the point is, it was really hard for me to relax. Don't get me wrong, learning how to surf was fun. I felt a rush of dopamine every time I caught a wave and didn't fall off within the first three seconds. But when I wasn't popped up on my board, the stress was still there.
To be honest, I didn't really achieve my goal of destressing on that trip. But for the first time, it felt great not having to stick to or stress over an itinerary to get the most out of my 7-day trip to Bali. And perhaps I was stressing myself out trying to destress.
At the end of the trip, one thing I took away was to just enjoy the ride. Take in the small wins and show yourself grace, because regardless of where you are in life, there will always be stress and noise.
So instead of giving a day-by-day itinerary like I usually do, I'll give you some spots and experiences I had during my time in Bali. Play it by ear!
If you want to see more highlights of my travels, be sure to follow my Instagram @meros.plate
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.
Glad I Did This — My Travel Tips
Get an eSIM. Holafly makes it easy to get connected the moment you land, whether you need directions to your hotel or hail a taxi.
Why Holafly? Besides being globally available and offering unlimited data, I love that you can customize your plans. Instead of paying for a fixed three- or five-day data plan, you can choose the exact number of days you want to stay connected locally.
Use my code MEROSPLATE to get a 5% off on eSIMs and 10% off on Holafly
Plans (for the first 12 months).
Access Holafly here and use my code above to stay connected.
(Photo courtesy of Holafly.)
Reserve a taxi ahead of time. I used an online travel agency to reserve mine, and it was super easy and affordable. The taxi company contacted me 24 hours in advance via WhatsApp, and finding my driver was easy as soon as I arrived at the airport. By reserving ahead, you know exactly what you're paying for and won't get scammed. You might as well reserve a taxi for your ride back to the airport, too.
Don't forget to check if you need a visa. Square this away before you take off for Bali. I did this online and received my eVisa within a week of applying.
(Photo courtesy of Holafly.)
Where I Stayed
I stayed in Canggu. It's known for its party scene, but I didn't come here to party. A couple of my friends, plus my own research, suggested Uluwatu would be a better fit for my personality, but I was trying to stay budget-friendly, have easy access to the beach, and surf at beginner-friendly spots. For me, Canggu was the best fit for what I wanted out of the trip.
I stayed specifically in Pererenan, a much quieter pocket of Canggu with far fewer mopeds and bikes zooming past and a lot less partying. It's the perfect spot if you're looking for something low-key within a party town.
I chose to stay at Anaya Hotel Canggu. I'd give it 3 out of 5 stars.
Positives
Great value for the price. I paid $292 for six nights, which also included daily breakfast. Pricing may vary depending on the dates and travel booking platform. Hard to beat that price and deal.
Comfortable bed. I slept well during my stay.
Generally clean room. Overall, the room was clean and comfortable.
Semi-ocean view. While it wasn’t a direct ocean view due to the building’s orientation, I could still see the ocean from my balcony, which was a nice touch.
Areas for Improvement
Limited hot water. My showers are usually pretty quick, but I still found that the hot water supply was somewhat limited.
Shower drain issue. The drain started getting clogged on the second day. I asked the staff at least twice to have it addressed. I’m not sure if it was fully fixed, but I eventually worked around it by keeping my showers short.
Limited amenities. The main thing I wish I had known about beforehand was the lack of slippers. I may have overlooked this in the listing, but the stone floors were quite cold, so I ended up purchasing a pair nearby.
Rooftop bar was closed. The rooftop bar was not open during my stay. I’m not sure if this was due to the season, but it appeared to be completely closed. The listing gave the impression that this was available, so it would be helpful if this were updated or clarified.
Room key issues. My room key stopped working several times, and I had to have it reset at least four times before the staff eventually provided me with a completely new key.
Overall
For the price, I thought the hotel offered good value, especially with breakfast included and the ocean view from the balcony. There were a few maintenance and amenity issues during my six-night stay, but the room itself was comfortable and generally clean. With some improvements to the hot water, shower drainage, key cards, and accuracy of the listed amenities, I think the overall experience could be much better.
How I Budgeted
Here's how much I generally spent in each area:
Flights (1-way, Tokyo to Denpasar) — $540*
Hotel — $300
Surf Lessons — $110
Food — $175
Transportation — $90**
Misc — $225
Total: $1,440
* I flew to Vietnam after Bali, so this is one-way.
**This mainly covered airport transfers and my Airbnb private tour. Grab Bike rides were only $1–2 each.
My goal was to stay under $1,500 for this trip, since I had another trip lined up right after. As mentioned, I kept my trip activities pretty simple, but it did include five surfing lessons and a private day tour of Bali through Airbnb.
Where I Ate & Drank
Eats
Desa Kitsuné
Desa Kitsuné is a complex housing a restaurant, Ina Re, and a cafe, Cafe Kitsune, and many more. If you're feeling a little upscale, the interior and property are beautiful — it's also known for its evening parties.
Jl. Munduk Catu No.9, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
The Flow Bali
Easy to pop by from my hotel. Focused on seafood and steaks — I got a plate of jumbo prawns, which were delish.
Jl. Munduk Kedungu Br. Pengembungan No.42, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
Blu! Cafe
More focused on "wellness food," like protein shakes and colorful, healthy plates.
Jalan Pantai Pererenan No.150b , Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Banjar, Pengembungan, Bali, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
Openhouse Cafe Pererenan
Loved this concept: build your own protein plate, bowl, or board, choosing your protein, veggies, sauces, cheeses, and more. This may have been my most expensive meal, but I had enough leftovers to bring back with me.
Jl. Tukad Pingai, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
Ahara Bali
Also near my hotel, and part of another hotel property. It was very quiet when I visited — I was the only customer the whole time — but the food was decent. I got some good Indonesian food and a cocktail.
Jl. Munduk Kedungu No.I No. 48, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
The Avocado Factory
If you're obsessed with avocado, this is the place. Portions are huge and better shared, and a heads-up: they don't allow working in the restaurant.
Jl. Batu Mejan Canggu, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
Babi Guling Men Lari
For more authentic Indonesian cuisine, this is the spot. It mainly serves roasted pig, with a variety of plates to choose from.
Jl. Raya Canggu, Munggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
Maha Kencana
This was part of my private tour through Airbnb.
After getting to Lempuyang Temple before sunrise and waiting about an hour for photos, this was the perfect spot for a quick breakfast — Indonesian food with mountain views
JJ5H+HM8, Jl. Pura Telaga Mas Lempuyang, Tri Buana, Kec. Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852, Indonesia
Desa Kitsuné The Flow Bali Blu! Cafe Openhouse Cafe Pererenan Ahara Bali The Avocado Factory Babi Guling Men Lari Maha Kencana
Matcha & Coffee Spots
St. Ali Coffee
Quiet, and a great place to read a book or get some work done.
Jl. Pantai Pererenan No.122, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
7AM Bakers | 7PM Diners
If you’re looking for good food alongside a cup of coffee while you do some work on your laptop, this place hits the spot. Since I was feeling a little more famished... I grabbed a pasta dish and a protein shake while I was working.
Jl. Pantai Pererenan No.164, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 86000, Indonesia
BAKED. Batubolong
Another solid work spot, though it's in a busier area — expect it to get loud at times. They have several locations in the area as well.
Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong No.97, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
Abian Kusuma Sari Coffee Plantation
This was part of my private tour through Airbnb.
A coffee plantation in central Bali where they grow robusta beans and harvest kopi luwak. You get a quick tour of the plantation, then sit down to taste 14 small cups of coffee and tea local to Bali (pay extra for a cup of kopi luwak).
Disclaimer: I didn't know this before my trip, but kopi luwak production has a real animal welfare problem. Civets — the cat-like animals that eat and "ferment" the coffee beans — are often kept in cramped cages and force-fed for this exact purpose, rather than foraging the beans naturally in the wild as the marketing tends to suggest. I don't know how this specific plantation treats its animals, and I didn't think to ask at the time. If you're considering a kopi luwak tasting, look into the operator's practices beforehand, or consider skipping that part of the tour altogether.
J88M+2GF, Manukaya, Tampaksiring, Gianyar Regency, Bali 80552, Indonesia
BAKED. St. Ali Coffee Kopi Luwak
How I Filled My Days
Surfing
This was my main objective in Bali: learn to become a better surfer. I went with Sea N' Surf Bali at Batu Bolong Beach — five 2-hour private lessons cost me ~$110 (in cash). This was the perfect outdoor activity and workout while I was there. I'd thought about hitting up another gym in the area, but honestly, surfing for two hours a day was enough for me. Their shop is a shack-like setup right by the beach, with the basics covered: rashguard, board, sunblock, lockers, and a communal shower to rinse the sand off (don't expect a full shower). Communication was super easy via WhatsApp, and there are morning and afternoon sessions to choose from.
Check out their website here: https://seansurfbali.com/
Wellness Day (Massage & Nails)
You'd be missing out if you didn't treat yourself to a wellness day. I got a massage at Luna Massage Bali, right by my hotel — less than $25 for a full-body massage. I wish I'd gotten one more in while I was there.
Jl. Munduk Kedungu No.42, Munduk, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351, Indonesia
For nails, I went to Sounds of Sun. Although on the pricier side, they did a beautiful job with my nail art and I felt super pampered. I was given coconut water, plus a choice of high-quality matcha latte or café latte (with refills), and they cleaned and trimmed my feet as well.
Jl. Pantai Batu Mejan, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361, Indonesia
1-Day Private Tour of Bali
Maybe I got a little cabin fever in Canggu, so I booked a customizable private tour of Bali through Airbnb. I just messaged them that I wanted to see Lempuyang Temple, visit a coffee plantation and rice terrace, and try Balinese cuisine — the rest of the itinerary and transportation were taken care of by the tour company.
It does cost more than what's listed on Airbnb, which they clearly disclosed in the listing and when messaging me.
The tour cost me roughly $40 ($18 via Airbnb + ~$20 cash for a solo-traveler surcharge), plus an additional $40–50 cash for entrance fees, food, and souvenirs. It was worth it for someone like me who didn't feel like planning the whole trip and who liked having a private car to myself.
The guide also helps take photos throughout the trip, so you can capture those Instagram-worthy moments.
Where I went on my tour:
Lempuyang Temple I started my day at 4:00am. Yes, it was brutally early, but I'm glad my guide suggested we get there that early — I hadn't realized there'd be such a long wait for photos (you pick up a numbered ticket and wait your turn). My number was somewhere in the 20s or low 30s, and I waited about an hour. I was totally fine with that, since I got to take in the sunrise and the views while I waited.
Abian Kusuma Sari Coffee Plantation (See Where I Ate & Drank)
Ulu Petanu Waterfall This was a spur-of-the-moment suggestion from my guide, and I'm glad he brought me here. Beyond the beautiful waterfall and a wonderful walk through the area, it was a great chance to learn more about Balinese culture from him.
Tegallalang Rice Terrace A famous rice terrace spot for photos. From ziplining to huge swings to strolling through the fields, it's a great family-friendly stop.
Lempuyang Temple Ulu Petanu Waterfall Abian Kusuma Sari Coffee Plantation Abian Kusuma Sari Coffee Plantation Tegallalang Rice Terrace Lempuyang Temple Ulu Petanu Waterfall
La Brisa Sunday Market
If you happen to be in Canggu on a Sunday (10am - 11pm), La Brisa Sunday Market is a fun spot to check out artisanal crafts, fashion, and food. It's crowded, but worth the visit to shop and eat.
Jl. Pantai Batu Mejan, Canggu, Kec. Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung, Bali, Indonesia
Working on Projects at Coffee Shops
Bali is a haven for digital nomads — there are plenty of cafes with great wifi, food, and coffee where people can spend hours working. I don't consider myself a digital nomad, but it was nice catching up on personal projects for meros.plate and planning my career transition over a good cup of coffee.
How do you spend your trips? Do you make an itinerary, make it loose or have someone else plan for you?
Let me know in the comments!
-Sarah
Comments