Bali Solo Travel Guide: 9 Things to do Alone in Bali

Is solo travel in Bali worth it? Are there things to do alone in Bali?

The answer is a resounding, ‘YES’, and this article will explain why.

Bali is routinely marketed these days to honeymooners and digital nomads, but it’s still a great place to travel solo. In fact, that’s why it originally gained so much popularity in the late 2000s.

Bali was thrown onto the tourism map by the 2010 movie, Eat. Pray. Love. It’s based on the 2007 book of the same name and tells the story of a woman leaving on a journey around the world to “find herself. She travels alone to Bali and finds healing on the island.

Although this is just a movie, it does accurately reflect the many things in Bali that are good for the soul and set the scene for you to grow deeper and discover a new relationship with yourself.

9 Things To Do Alone in Bali

Bali is a small island but jam-packed with things to do. Waterfalls, surfing, and sunrise treks bring adventure, while wellness centers and yoga studios will bring you peace and rejuvenation.

It’s also a wonderful place for people who are on a budget because the cost of food and excursions are so cheap compared to the western world.

Here are 9 awesome things to do alone in Bali, Indonesia!

#1 – Learn to Surf in Canggu

We’re starting this list off with one of Bali’s most notable activities, surfing.

If you are new to surfing, then head to Canggu for the best beginner waves on the island. Batu Bolong (AKA Old Man’s Break) offers consistent, mellow waves and a soft, sandy ocean floor so there is very little risk of injury.

Canggu is the best place to start your trip in Bali. The area is super lively with lots of cafes, shops, and the famous Batu Bolong Beach.

You can rent a surfboard in Canggu for about 50K ($3) AND a 2-hour lesson with a professional instructor for just 250K IDR ($15-20)!

#2 – Take a Day Trip to Nusa Penida

Another one of the best things to do alone in Bali takes a day tour or overnight trip to Nusa Penida, a huge island off the southeast coast of Bali

If you get to visit Nusa Penida, be sure to make time to hike down to T-Rex Beach, swim in Angel’s Billabong, and watch the sunset from Thousand Islands Viewpoint!

There are tons of tour groups with day trips to the island, but it’s also possible to book a fast boat ticket in Sanur, then rent a scooter and check it out on your own!

#3 – Hike Mt. Batur for Sunrise

Continuing with the theme of adventures in Bali, you should definitely hike to the top of Mount Batur.

Every morning hundreds of people trek to the summit to watch the sunrise with panoramic views of Lake Batur, Mount Abang, and even Mount Agung (Bali’s highest volcano).

One caveat is that it is illegal to hike Mount Batur without a guide. The good thing is that a guided tour will not break the bank. Most tour groups price the excursion around 600-800K IDR ($35-45) per person.

On the tour, you will get free pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, breakfast before the hike, and if you are lucky, hot chocolate and eggs cooked in a volcanic steam vent at the summit!

P.S. Be sure to wear warm clothes for trekking Mount Batur and don’t schedule too much for the day after (besides a well-deserved nap)!

#4 – Join a Yoga Class

A more relaxing thing to do alone in Bali is to join a yoga class. Bali has world-class studios all over the island, taught by experienced local and foreign yogis. It’s part of the island’s core, and that’s why your favorite Yoga Youtuber is probably based in Bali.

Yoga helps strengthen your body, ground yourself in the present moment, and learn to be intimate and truly love yourself.

And it is super affordable. A drop-in class usually costs about 100-150K IDR ($5-10), while you can get a discount by purchasing five or ten-class packages.

#5 Beach Hop in Uluwatu

Although we recommend going to Batu Bolong in Canggu to learn how to surf, the beaches in Uluwatu are the best place to sunbathe, snorkel, level up your surfing, and take in insane sunsets from the cliffs.

‘Uluwatu’ is also known as the Bukit Peninsula. It’s the southernmost coast in Bali and very calm compared to the tourist epicenters of Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud.

The beaches in Uluwatu are very diverse. Here are our favorite beaches for each activity;

Best Beach for Beginner Surfing – Dreamland Beach
Best Beach for Intermediate Surfing – Balangan Beach
Best Beach for Sunbathing – Bingin’ Beach
Best Beach for Snorkeling – Nusa Dua Beach & Benoa Bay
Best Beach for Sunset Views – Padang Padang Beach

#6 – Treat Yourself to Spa Day or a Traditional Balinese Massage

If you came to Bali to relax and unwind, then you should definitely take advantage of the affordable wellness centers and day spas across the island. Ubud is particularly famous for these, but we have also had great experiences in Canggu, Uluwatu, and Sanur.

A lot of people choose the basic Balinese Massage, but for a truly life-changing experience, get one of the extensive half-day packages.

These are 3-4 hours in total and include a mirage of spa treatments, like facials, body scrubs, pedicures, deep-tissue massages, floral baths, and infrared saunas. We’ve actually found packages like this for as little as $25!

#7 – Enjoy the Water Sports at Tanjung Benoa Bay

We’ve already discussed how incredible the beaches in Uluwatu are, but one spot, in particular, is great for water sports.

Tanjung Benoa Bay

This bay is slightly north of Nusa Dua Beach and the calm waters make it perfect for a variety of water sports. You can go parasailing, deep-sea fishing, jet-skiing, tubing, and scuba-diving.

These activities are some of the more expensive excursions in Bali, but worth it for travelers who love being out on the water.

P.S. It’s easy to join a tour or go with an instructor if you are traveling alone in Bali. Don’t let that stop you from experiencing one of these water sports adventures.

#8 – Take a Tour of the Best Waterfalls in Ubud

After we got home from our first trip to Bali, it was the waterfalls that kept urging us to visit again, particularly those close to Ubud.

For solo travelers in Bali, there are a bunch of group waterfall tours around Ubud. Some of the most popular waterfalls are;

Kanto Lampo Waterall
Tibumana Waterfall
Tegenungan Waterfall.
Tukad Cepung Waterfall

These are usually quite busy, though, so we recommend heading farther north to some of the more secluded (and much bigger) waterfalls in Bali;

Banyumala Twin Waterfall
Aling Aling Waterfall
GitGit waterfall
Sekumpul Waterfall

#9 – Peruse the Boutique Markets

Shopping in the markets of Canggu and Ubud is one of the best ways to spend an evening alone in Bali. There are boho clothes, beautiful jewelry, and other boutique handmade items throughout the towns.

For the best shopping in Canggu, head to Love Anchor on the road to Batu Bolong, or the street, Pantai Batu Mejan, near Echo Beach

In Ubud, the entire city center is full of shopping, but most stalls can be found at Ubud Market or just outside of the Monkey Forest.

Also, keep your eyes out for handmade beauty products. Bali is extremely health-conscious and eco-friendly, so you can find stores with natural soaps, toiletries, essential oils, and makeup.

How Long to Stay in Bali

You need about two weeks in Bali to experience everything on the island without exhausting yourself. This gives you time to see Canggu, Ubud, Uluwatu, and take day trips to the most remote parts of the island.

If you only have one week to visit Bali, then it’s best to find one town (ideally Ubud or Canggu), and take day trips from there. This will prevent you from wasting time traveling between cities with all your luggage.

How to Get Around Bali

Transportation around Bali is challenging because there is no good public transportation system

Most people rent their own transportation (car or scooter) or rely on taxis and tours to get from one town to the next.

Taxis in Bali

Ride-sharing apps are banned, so if you don’t have your own transportation, then you will need to hail taxis to get to the attractions around Bali.

Taxis cost a reasonable 7K IDR ($0.50) per kilometer.

Sometimes the driver will claim that ‘the meter is broken’, so check the distance yourself and get a quote before hopping into the taxi.

Rent a Scooter

The BEST way to get around Bali (if you feel comfortable with it) is by renting a scooter.

A scooter rental in Bali is very cheap ($5-8 per day), and this gives you complete flexibility over where and when you travel. The best part… you can get up early and get to waterfalls and temples around Bali before all the tours arrive!

Tip: Don’t rent a scooter without travel insurance. Seriously. We ran into numerous foreigners who had nasty rashes and bruises from scooter accidents. Drive safe and always travel with insurance.

Rent a Car

If you do not feel comfortable on a scooter, it is possible to rent a car.

Driving a car in Bali is safer, but significantly more expensive. Plus, you will have to wait longer for parking and traffic during rush hour.

A rental car in Bali starts at around $50/per day, and you are required to have an International Driver’s License to rent a car in Bali.

FAQ: Solo Travel in Bali

When is the best time to travel to Bali?

The best time to travel to Bali is between April and October. These months have very low humidity and little rain. Additionally, you can expect temperatures around 80º.

The winter months in Bali stay warm, but humidity rises and there is a higher chance of rain from November to March. The truth is, these months could be a great time to visit Bali, but there is a risk of visiting during a particularly rainy week.

Is it worth Going to Bali Alone?

Yes, it is worth going to Bali alone. There are so many solo travelers and digital nomads in Bali that you will never feel out of place, even if you are traveling by yourself. Try staying at a hostel or co-living space if you want to meet other travelers.

But, you don’t have to mingle with other travelers. If your goal is to get some much-needed alone time, there are plenty of affordable villas for you and you can visit anywhere you’d like on your own!

Is Bali safe for Solo Females?

Since Bali is a huge hub for travelers & digital nomads, there are usually a lot of people around in the main towns, making it less risky to be a solo female traveler in Bali. The locals tend to be very hospitable and look out for tourists, rather than posing a threat to them.

Use discretion and trust your intuition if a situation doesn’t feel right to you. It’s always better to err on the side of caution when traveling alone.

Where Can I Meet Solo Travelers?

As we mentioned above, you can choose to stay in a co-living space or hostel to naturally meet other travelers. Some other ways to meet travelers are;

Join local Facebook Groups (i.e. Bali Solo Travelers)
Visit one of the day clubs (Sundays Beach Club, Finns Beach Club)
Book a Join-in group tour – There are tons of tours to the top destinations in Bali, and if you join a group tour, it’s a great chance to meet other like-minded travelers

Final Thoughts

All in All, Bali is a dream destination, and absolutely worth visiting as a solo traveler. There are tons of things to do alone in Bali, whether you’re looking for adventure, relaxation, or a healthy mix of both!

Hopefully, this has given you the inspiration you need to book that flight and experience Bali for yourself!

Author’s BIO

Caleb and Sarah Pasiuk are co-founders of The Pazook Travel Journal, an adventure travel blog for couples who want to make travel a lifestyle. They started writing about their travels three years ago while living and teaching in South Korea, but have since quit their jobs and travel full-time.

Caleb and Sarah love slow travel. They have visited Bali multiple times over the past few years and love creating destination guides and travel tips for people on their way to Bali.

You can read about more of their adventures on their website, The Pazook Travel Journal.