🌴 Bali Travel Highlights - 9 Days, 3 Islands

Indonesia is home to over 17,000 islands - and Bali is its most loved one.
Famous for its tropical beaches 🏖️, volcanic landscapes 🌋, ancient temples 🛕, and rich culture 🎭, Bali offers a travel experience that’s both relaxing and adventurous.

Whether you're watching the sunrise from a volcano, snorkeling with sea turtles 🐢, walking through rice fields 🌾, or just enjoying a quiet sunset by the sea 🌅 - Bali has something special for every kind of traveller.

We spent 9 days exploring different sides of the island - from beach towns to hidden waterfalls, cliff viewpoints to island cafés. Our route covered Kuta, Nusa Penida, Gili Trawangan, and Ubud, with each place adding its own vibe and story to the trip.

Travelling in February, we planned a well-paced journey that gave us the best of Bali without rushing - and managed to wrap it all up within a budget of around ₹2.3L for two people 💸, including flights, hotels, food, transport, and activities.

Here’s how we explored Bali - one region, one experience, one memory at a time.

Bali has just two main seasons -
🌧️ Wet Season (October to March)
☀️ Dry Season (April to September)

Most travellers prefer the dry season for sunshine, clear skies, and outdoor activities. But we chose to travel in February, during the tail end of the wet season - hoping for fewer crowds, cooler weather, and some good travel deals.

And while the weather did stay mostly pleasant (with only a few quick rain showers 🌦️), we were surprised to see that popular places were still fairly crowded, especially temples and photo spots like Lempuyang and Kelingking. So even in off-season, Bali doesn’t really feel empty.

That said, the greenery was lush, the prices reasonable, and we didn’t regret the timing one bit.

☀️ When’s the Best Time to Visit Bali?

To make the most of your Bali trip, it helps to divide the island into 7 main travel zones. Each one has its own charm - from dramatic cliffs to peaceful temples, beach cafés to jungle hikes.

🗺️ Exploring Bali - 7 Zones, 7 Different Vibes

1. 🌇 South Bali

For Beaches, Sunsets & Temple Views

This is where most trips begin. Think Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu - packed with beach clubs, cliffside temples, seafood cafés, and classic Bali sunsets 🌅.

Top highlights:

• Tanah Lot Temple 🛕

• Uluwatu Temple + Kecak Fire Dance 🔥

• GWK Cultural Park 🗿

• Beach sunsets, massages & vibrant nightlife

2. 🌊 Nusa Penida 

For Cliffs, Crazy Views & Hidden Beaches

An island off Bali’s coast, Nusa Penida is all about jaw-dropping landscapes and adventure. The roads are rough but the views are next-level.

Top highlights:

• Kelingking Cliff (T-Rex Beach) 🦖

• Diamond Beach + Ocean Swing ⛱️

• Broken Beach & Angel’s Billabong 🌊

• Treehouse photo spot 📸

3. 🐢 Gili Islands

For Snorkeling, Sunset Swings & No Cars

Gili Trawangan (and its quieter siblings Gili Meno & Gili Air) are peaceful islands known for clear waters, sea turtles, and a no-vehicle vibe 🚫🚗.

Top highlights:

• Snorkeling with turtles 🤿

• Underwater statue garden 🐢

• Beach swings & bean bags at sunset 🌅

• Bicycles and horse-cart rides 🚲🐎

4. ⛩️ East Bali

For Sacred Temples & Volcanic Backdrops

This side of Bali is more spiritual and less crowded — great for temple-hopping and soaking in peaceful vibes.

Top highlights:

• Lempuyang Temple (Gates of Heaven) ⛩️

• Tirta Ganga Water Palace 💦

• Mount Agung views 🌋

5. 🏞️ Northwest Bali

For Lakes, Waterfalls & Road Trip Views

A refreshing change from tourist-heavy zones, this area is best done as a day trip with stunning drives and natural beauty all around.

Top highlights:

• Ulun Danu Beratan Temple (Floating Temple) 🌊

• Sekumpul Waterfall 🌧️

• Scenic mountain routes & lakeside cafés

6. 🌾 Central Bali (Ubud)

For Rice Terraces, Forests & Local Culture

Ubud is Bali’s heart - full of green landscapes, quiet temples, art shops, yoga spots, and jungle cafés.

Top highlights:

• Tegallalang Rice Terraces + Bali Swings 🌾

• Ubud Monkey Forest 🐒

• Tirta Empul Temple (Holy Spring) 🚿

• Coffee tasting & craft markets ☕

7. 🌋 North Bali

For Volcano Treks & Misty Mornings

This area offers one of Bali’s most popular adventures — a pre-dawn hike up a volcano for sunrise.

Top highlights:

• Mount Batur Sunrise Trek 🌄

• Optional crater walk + coffee farm visits ☕

We covered 4 regions and 3 islands in 9 days - including flights, hotels, transport, food, and all activities - and kept our total spend around ₹2.3 lakhs for two people.

💸 Bali Budget Breakdown - 9 Days for 2 People

Here are a few things we learned (some the easy way, some the hard way 😅) - to help you plan smarter:

🚖 Getting Around

• Use apps like Grab or Gojek for short rides - way cheaper than local taxis.

• For day trips, hire a private cab for the day(you can use Klook). Most drivers will cover 3-4 major spots in one loop.

• In Gili, there are no cars - only bicycles 🚲 and tanga carts 🐎.

💵 Money & Currency

• Always carry cash in IDR - even some famous spots only take cash.

• Avoid shady currency exchanges. Use authorized money changers or carry a forex card.

• Most things are priced in "K" (1000s). For a quick idea: 100K IDR ≈ ₹550

🛜 Internet & SIM

• Buy a local SIM (Telkomsel or Smartfren) from a nearby store - it’s cheaper than airport stalls.

• 15-20GB data packs are enough for Google Maps + Insta + bookings.

🍛 Food

• Try local dishes like Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng. Even veg options are good!

• Indian restaurants are mostly in Ubud and Kuta - we found some really decent ones.

🎟️ Tickets & Photo Spots

• Many scenic spots have entry fees or photo queues. Buy tickets early and go early morning to avoid crowds.

• At places like Lempuyang, you’ll be given a token number for photos - the wait can be 1-3 hours in peak time.

💡 Quick Pro Tips for Travelling in Bali

Bali gave us more than just a holiday - it gave us variety, balance, and a feeling of being somewhere truly special. It’s not just the beaches or the temples or the swings. It’s how all of it comes together.

One day we were standing under a waterfall in the middle of a forest 🌧️, and the next we were on a bicycle by the sea 🚲, or hiking a volcano 🌋 at 4 AM. Every part of Bali felt like a completely new experience - but it all flowed smoothly.

The best part? We never felt rushed or over-planned.
We had time to sit at cafés, stroll through markets, talk to locals, and just soak it all in.

It’s one of those places where no matter how much you’ve seen, you’ll still feel like you’ve only scratched the surface.

And yes - we’d go back in a heartbeat.

❤️ Final Thoughts - Why Bali Left a Mark on Us

1. 🌊 Nusa Penida - Bali’s Cliffside Gem

2. 🐢 Gili Diary - Snorkeling, Tangas & One DJ Boat Ride

📖 Every Chapter of Our Bali Journey