This plan uses four bases: the Bukit Peninsula, Canggu, Nusa Lembongan and Ubud. It gives you beaches, surf, shopping, nature and culture without a hotel change every night. The Uluwatu, Canggu, Nusa Lembongan and Ubud order suits first-timers.
Overview: Two Weeks in Bali at a Glance
Here is the split. Days 1-3 cover Uluwatu and the Bukit. Days 4-7 cover Canggu, with a day trip to Seminyak. Days 8-10 cover Nusa Lembongan, with a day trip to Nusa Penida. Days 11-14 cover Ubud, with a day trip to North Bali.
A stay of a week or two lets you see several regions. These include the south coast towns of Seminyak, Kuta and Canggu, inland Ubud, and quieter north Bali towns like Lovina and Pemuteran. Two weeks also leaves time for nearby islands such as Gili Trawangan and Nusa Penida. This plan sticks to the Nusa Islands to keep boat time short.
The best time to visit is February to April. The island is green after the rains, the weather is mostly sunny, and crowds are thinner. The rainy season runs November to March, with humid days, thunderstorms and heavy downpours. Prices and crowds are lower then. The dry season runs April to October and is the most popular, with sun and low humidity.
Temperatures change little through the year. They likely range between 80 and 85 degrees in any month. Pack for sun and for a sudden shower.
Distances look short on a map but run long on the road. In Bali, 3 km can mean 30 minutes in traffic. Plan one main area per stretch, as this route does.
Check visa rules before you fly. Some travelers must apply in advance, depending on their country.
Day 1-3: Uluwatu and the Bukit Peninsula
The Bukit Peninsula holds many of Bali’s white sand beaches. It also has some of the best surf and yoga retreats. Uluwatu, on the southwest Bukit, is known for dramatic cliffs and world-class surf breaks.
Day 1: Arrive and settle in
Land at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) and go straight to your Uluwatu stay. Pre-arrange an airport shuttle. The airport can be chaotic, and some transport services target travelers who are new to Bali. Grab and Gojek have booths, but the airport exit can overwhelm first-time visitors.
A private transfer from another provider has an English-speaking driver. Its sedan seats up to three people and its van up to six. Spend the evening near your stay and rest.
Prefer a gentler start? Sanur Beach is close by.
Day 2: Bingin Beach and Melasti Beach
Start early at Bingin Beach, which looks its best at 7:00 in the morning. Then head to Melasti Beach. No Bali itinerary is complete without a visit.
Day 3: Garuda Wisnu Kencana and Pandawa Beach
Visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana, a private cultural park in Ungasan. It is open Monday to Sunday, 08:00-22:00. Finish at Pandawa Beach.
Want a short Nusa Dua stop instead? Museum Pasifika is an art museum at Blok P, BTDC. Nusa Dua Beach and the Mandala Monument are nearby. The Puja Mandala and the Nusa Dua Blowhole also sit in this area.
Day 4-7: Canggu and Seminyak
Canggu brings shopping and partying to the trip. It also suits a slower pace after the Bukit.
Day 4: Move to Canggu
Hire a car with driver, or order a car through Gojek or Grab. Uber does not operate in Bali, and those two apps replace it. They cover scooter taxis, cars and food delivery with clear prices. Canggu falls in the same extended transfer zone as Uluwatu. Spend the afternoon near your stay.
Check the map before you book a bed. Check how long it takes to reach the beach, restaurants and shops.
Day 5: Surf and cafés in Canggu
Canggu is the place for surf and adventures. Spend the morning on the water, then move to the beach cafés for the afternoon. Its beaches and cafés fill a full day.
Day 6: Day trip to Seminyak and Legian
Seminyak and Legian make an easy day trip for shopping and a beach club. Use a Gojek or Grab scooter taxi for short hops. They are cheap, include a helmet and slip past traffic that cars cannot avoid. Return to Canggu in the evening.
Day 7: Free day in Canggu
Keep this day open for beaches and shopping in Canggu. Pack your bags in the evening for the boat to Nusa Lembongan.
Day 8-10: Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida
The boat ride from Bali takes around 30-40 minutes. Lembongan can be a day trip. Even so, three nights there with a day trip to Nusa Penida works well. The small island feels like a break from your Bali holiday.
Day 8: Boat to Nusa Lembongan
Take the morning boat over. Settle in and spend the afternoon on the island’s shore. A traveler who arrived on Gili Trawangan by fast boat at around 11am found it left optimum time for exploring. An early start on Lembongan gives you the same benefit. Fast boats can be rough, so pack motion-sickness tablets if you are prone.
Day 9: Explore Nusa Lembongan
Spend the full day on Lembongan itself. A visitor who stayed only one day wished for more time on the island. Use this day to slow down.
Day 10: Day trip to Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is known for Kelingking Beach, Angel’s Billabong and Diamond Beach. These three are the rugged highlights of the island. Plan to return to Lembongan for the night, then pack for Ubud.
Day 11-14: Ubud and North Bali
Ubud is the island’s cultural heart. Tourists come by the busload, and the traffic matches. Even so, it makes a good introduction to the island and a good base for temples, museums and rice fields.
Day 11: Back to the mainland, Ubud Palace and Puri Lukisan
Take the morning boat back to mainland Bali, then continue by car to Ubud. The drive from the airport to Ubud takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by car. Book a hotel transfer, a taxi or a rideshare in advance.
In the afternoon, walk to Ubud Palace. It is free and opens 09:00-18:00 or 09:00-19:00. Nearby are Puri Saren and Puri Saraswati, and the Ubud art market. Next, go to the Puri Lukisan Museum on Jl Raya Ubud. It opens daily 9:00-17:00 and costs Rp 40,000. The Saraswati Temple is close.
Day 12: Ubud Monkey Forest and art museums
Begin at the Ubud Monkey Forest on Jl Monkey Forest. It opens daily 08:30-18:00. A Monkey Feeding Place sits nearby.
The Agung Rai Museum of Art on Jl Pengosekan is close to the forest. Children under 6 enter free. The area also has a partial viewpoint on Mount Agung.
Day 13: Day trip to North Bali
Head north for waterfalls and a quieter coast. Pura Ulun Danu Beratan is a must on any Bali itinerary. With your own transport, the Banjar Hot Springs, Sekumpul Waterfall and Git Git Waterfall are all within striking distance of Lovina.
At Lovina you can join a boat trip to see dolphins. Make sure the boatman turns the engine off. You can also watch from the attractive black sand beach. A car with driver removes the navigation and parking stress on a long day like this.
Day 14: Tegallalang, Goa Gajah and departure
Go early to the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, about 20 minutes’ drive from the center of Ubud. They are the most famous rice terraces in Bali, and early morning light is best.
The trip between Ubud and the airport takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by car. Match your last stops to your flight time. Traffic can add delays, so leave early.
Swap a stop if you like. Tirta Empul and the Patung Dewa Indra are nearby.
Option: Swap North Bali for East Bali
East Bali is quieter than the south. Just a couple of hours’ drive east of Ubud, the rice valley around Sidemen lacks the tour buses and the crowds. Spend your day on a rice field walk and your evening watching the stars. You can also see Gunung Agung, Bali’s tallest and holiest peak, in the early morning light. Allow two nights.
A half-day trip goes to Pura Besakih. It is Bali’s largest and most sacred temple complex, on the slopes of the same volcano.
From Sidemen, head northeast to the coastal bays of Amed. On the way you can stop for lunch or a cooking class at Bali Asli. Amed has a half dozen or so black sand bays. It is well regarded for snorkelling and diving, though divers spend more time at Tulamben to the west. There is also scope for beach walks and mountain biking. A fishing boat at dawn lets you watch the sun rise over Gunung Rinjani on neighbouring Lombok. Allow three nights.
These stops need extra days, so they fit better in a longer plan. The east is also a quieter option than heading back to South Bali.
Getting Around Bali: Transport Tips
Bali has no public transportation system. The options are a rented scooter, a car with driver, or Gojek and Grab for scooter and car taxis. Official taxis rarely make sense and are often hard to find.
The roads are slow. Poor roads and heavy traffic in the south make travel more time-consuming than it should be. In South Bali, taxis and ride-sharing can be hard to get. Many people hire a car or scooter, or a car with driver.
Indonesian law requires an International Driving Permit with motorcycle endorsement. Police checkpoints in tourist areas are common. Without the permit, fines apply and insurance will likely not cover an accident. Check your travel insurance too.
A car with driver for a half or full day is the most comfortable way to sightsee. It means no parking stress, no navigation and no IDP. It suits the Nusa Penida, North Bali and Ubud days. For short trips, scooter taxis ordered in the app are the cheapest option.
Airport transfers come in three sizes. A standard car suits 1-3 passengers. Families and groups of up to 6 may prefer a minivan. Groups of up to 10 can use a minibus, especially with more luggage.
Listed prices by zone from the airport are below.
Budget: How Much Does Two Weeks in Bali Cost?
The daily budget is $75, excluding accommodation. Spending can also run lower, at about $50 a day on average. Multiply either figure by 14 days, then add flights and lodging.
The currency is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR). As of March 2025, 1 USD was equal to 16,300 IDR. Most places accept only cash, although some larger hotels and restaurants take cards. Arrive with cash on hand. You can use an ATM at the airport.
Entry fees are small next to lodging and transport. These are the listed prices for stops in this plan.
- Ubud Palace: free.
Transport adds to the total. Tipping is not traditional, but an extra 10 to 15 percent for exceptional service is becoming common.
How much would a 2 week vacation in Bali cost?
Daily spending runs from about $50 a day to $75 a day excluding accommodation. Multiply by 14 days, then add lodging and flights.
What is the best route to Bali?
Bali is easy to reach from almost anywhere. Many airlines fly direct or with one stop, through hubs such as Jakarta, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Doha and Mumbai. Fly into Denpasar (DPS), then follow the transfer options above. Low-cost airlines also fly from Denpasar to other places across Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
Do’s and don’ts in Bali?
Do bring an International Driving Permit if you plan to ride a scooter, as Indonesian law requires one. Do check visa rules before you arrive, since some visitors must apply in advance. Carry cash, because most places accept only cash.
Do pre-arrange your airport transfer, since some shady transport services target new arrivals. Don’t rely on Uber, which does not operate on the island. Wear the sarong that comes with temple entry at sites like Goa Gajah and Gunung Kawi. If you take a dolphin boat at Lovina, ask the boatman to turn the engine off.
Making the plan work
Two weeks lets you see the Bukit, Canggu, the Nusa Islands and Ubud without rushing. Keep each stay to one base, and book a driver for the long days. Check ticket prices and hours before you go, since they can change.
Opening hours, prices and visiting details: Bali Museum, Le Mayeur Museum, Neka Art Museum, Gunung Kawi.