Legal and Abroad is taking it to BALI BABY! Bali is one of my most favorite places on Earth. It has been on my bucket list for years as my dream destination and I finally was able to visit this sweet gem. Let me tell you, Bali did not disappoint! Bali is such a relaxing and tranquil place. I have never experienced a place that helped me to connect with my Highest self. The people are friendly and the food is amazing!
It is impossible to explore every corner of Bali at once during your visit. However, grab your pen and pads, Loves. I am dropping ALLLL the gems on Ubud and Seminyak!
Table of Contents
Know Before You Go: The Basics
Travel
Depending on where you live, Bali is a destination that takes a while to travel to. Once you arrive, I highly recommend staying for a while. During my travels, it was an 18 hour flight to reach Seoul, South Korea and then another 8 hour flight to Denpansar, Bali. Including layovers, my journey took two days. I enjoyed Bali for about 9 days.
Additionally, The best time to travel to Bali is during the “dry season,” which is May through October. However, it is important to note that the best times tend to be more the most expensive times and flight prices are higher. Bali’s rainy season is during November through April. Flight prices are significantly cheaper during this time. If you do not mind a little rain, this time frame will be a cost-effective alternative.
Currency
Cash rules all in Bali. It is so important to have cash on you for haggling. The Indonesian Rupiah is the currency of Indonesia. 14,421.31 is equivalent to $1 USD. I highly suggest exchanging Rupiah upon arrival at money exchange center for the best rates. Hotels usually have a steep up-charge. There are a plethora of ATMs around Bali, however be mindful of those international banking fees.
Budget
To be honest, the most expensive part of Bali is the ticket to get there. Bali is an extremely budget friendly destination. Money can be stretch very far here. To give you an idea, dinners can be as low as $1. I enjoyed a savory salmon dinner for $6 with amazing appetizers! A person can spend anywhere between $50 to $80 for all expenses per day and still enjoy an amazing and luxurious experience in Bali. (Trust me, you can still enjoy Bali for A LOT less!)
Transportation and Getting Around
Transportation is extremely affordable in Bali. Taxis can cost anywhere from $1-$5. Tourists can rent a moped bike for about $2-$4 a day. The most trusted and reputable taxis are The Bluebird Taxi Group. It is important to ensure that the driver has a valid drivers license and that you explicitly state where you are going and have the driver repeat it back. It helps to also pull up the GPS as a guide. To be frank, Bali has a corrupt taxi industry and will try to take advantage of tourists by taking the longer route to drive up the taxi fare. Additionally, some taxis will offer to wait for you during your excursions, however I strongly advise that tourists agree to a flat rate with the taxi driver or ensure that the meter will not run the entire time.
Many hotels offer complimentary shuttle services to local eateries, shopping areas, and major tourist attractions. I highly suggest getting a private driver for the duration of your stay for a flat fee. Private drivers can range from $20 to $50 a day. While Bali has A LOT to offer, many things in Bali are spread apart, sometimes taking hours to get between destinations and excursions. For example, one of the temples was 3 hours from our hotel. It was worth paying the extra money to have the private driver for a flat fee all day. Our driver was the kindest and took us to so many hidden gems and we met his wonderful family as well.
*It is important to note that traffic is BAD in Bali. I mean next level traffic jams where you are sitting in traffic for HOURS. Always account traffic when planning your excursions.
Ubud
Ubud preserves the ultimate tradition of the Balinese culture. It is also known as the cultural arts and crafts center in Bali. Ubud gives you the magically peaceful experience anyone desires and has so many treasures to explore. Visitors can expect the pace to be much more zen and slower compared to the city.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of affordable hotel, hostel, and lodging options in Bali.
Luxury: Alam Puisi Villa; Viceroy Bali; Santi Mandala Villa & Spa; Wapa di Ume Resort & Spa
Mid-range: Green Field Hotel; The Athaya Ubud; Labak River Hotel;
Budget: Jiwa’s House; Y Resort Ubud
Visesa Ubud Bali
We opted to stay at Visesa Ubud Bali, a luxury resort that transcended a traditional vacation experience. This gem fosters ancient Balinese traditions and practices. We were able to unplug and be one with nature. Our one bedroom pool villa backyard gave beautiful views of the rice paddies in our backyard. One of the best amenities was the 24 hour butler room service.
The staff dressed in traditional clothing and engage in daily sacred rituals and the groundskeepers . Our accommodations also offered a variety on site cultural activities including yoga, spiritual cleansing and readings, meditation exercises, village cycling, and much more. Guests can also watch farmers tend to the flock and learn more about Balinese permaculture and eco-friendly practices.
Farmer plowing with Ox 
Petting an owl in the greenhouse 
Food
Bali is not short of delicious cuisine at affordable prices. I mean we had a 3 course Salmon dinner for $6!!! Most places provide savory and exquisite dishes. Most places we found at random when we took our shuttle from out hotel to downtown Ubud.
Things to Do
Monkey Forest
Monkey Forest is a MUST Do when visiting Bali.
The sanctuary houses over the Balinese long-tailed macaque and the Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal temple, the “Holy Spring” bathing temple, and cremation ceremonies.
Visitors can view the monkeys in their natural habitat. Overall, it was a great experience! When we arrived, monkeys were everywhere, even on the cars at the entrance. This experience lasts for about 1-2 hours. Guests are no longer allowed to feed the monkey due to safety reasons.
NOW FOR THE REAL:
A lot of people are concerned about getting bitten by the monkeys and the monkeys getting aggressive. I AM PEOPLE. While this is a concern, as you can see, it wasn’t an issue for us. But I was freaking out the whole time. We interacted with them and they were friendly. However, if you provoke them, you may get a different reaction.
MONKEY FOREST KEYS AND GEMS:
🔑 DO NOT FEED THE MONKEYS
Although these monkeys are seemingly nice, (compared to other monkeys that I will discuss in later posts) they WILL snatch your food with a QUICKNESS! Please avoid getting attacked. These monkeys are FAST!
💎 DO NOT LOOK THEM IN THE EYES
There are several signs around the park that state to not look the monkeys in the eyes, as this can be a sign of aggression.
🔑 PROTECT YOUR ITEMS
Okay forreal… y’all these monkeys will grab anything. Phones, cameras, sunglasses, water bottles, hats, jewelry, YOU NAMEEEEE IT! *Shirley Caesar voice* They are about that life and will jump on you and steal your ish. I saw it for myself.
💎 DO NOT HAVE FOOD ITEMS ON YOU
Watch out! These monkeys have a powerful sense of smell. It’s crazy! HIDE YA CANDY, GUM, AND SNACKS because it will be GONE if they get a whiff of it! The monkeys are very very active and quick. Do not bring in any food, hats, jewelry, accessories, water bottles that they can snatch up.
Monkey Forest is open daily from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. The entrance fees are 80,000 IDR ($5.5 USD) for adults and 60,000 IDR ($4 USD) for children.
Coffee Plantation
The Coffee Plantation is a super great excursion. Alright seriously lol, according to the Balinese, this is the BEST coffee, and might I add it is expensive too (about $80 for ONE cup). On this excursion, we went to the Luwak Coffee Plantation and we learned how this Luwak coffee is made …
Luwak coffee is made from beans that are digested by civet cats… Thats right it comes from their POOP! 😧
For the traditional Balinese coffee, the coffee is roasted over fire while stirred. While there were a variety of coffees to try, I definitely preferred the teas and thought that they tasted better. The best part of the excursion is the incredible view of the rice terraces as we enjoyed our beverages.
Tegalalang Rice Terraces
Rice is a staple food in Balinese culture. The Rice Terraces in Bali are an incredible, especially the Tegalalang Terraces, which has been cultivated for years. Here, The views are absolutely mesmerizing! Guests can walk though the rice terraces for a nominal donation. It is important to stop at this destination early to avoid the humidity and crowds. Tegalalang is super popular and gets busy towards the late morning/early afternoon. Soak every ounce of beauty this place has to offer. It is truly remarkable! If you are lucky, your driver will take you to view some amazing rice paddies afterwards.
Temples
There are so many temples in Bali. It is definitely hard to see them all in one trip. I highly recommend booking a private driver because it relieves stress and unnecessary haggling. Additionally, a lot of things are super far apart in Bali, meaning public transportation will not always be accessible to a lot of attractions. This makes a private driver even more convenient.
Tirta Gangaa
HANDS DOWN my FAVORITE! Known as the “Fountain of Youth” in Bali. Legend has it that the sacred palace waters possess healing and youth giving powers. While here you can feed the Koi fish and follow a labyrinth of pools, fountains, bridges, and elaborate statutes around the water garden.
Pura Goa Lawah
One of the nine sacred temples. This cave temple is home to thousands of bats. If you do not see them you will definitely smell them and hear them (piercing sounds). 🥴 They fly around often bumping into one another. Legend has it that healing waters run through this cave and there is a mythical titanic snake wearing a crown. However, discovering the depths of the cave is forbidden. If you look closely, you can see the bats huddled up inside the cave.
Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwata) has the most beautiful sunsets and is worth the trip in Bali. I’ll be honest, it’s a lengthy drive, but the views are spectacular! I highly suggest making a stop here. There is also a small forest where the monkeys live. They are believed to be the guardians of the temple.
NOW FOR THE REAL:
The monkeys at this temple are of a different breed. Monkey Forest is a walk in the park compared to here! When I asked, I was told that the food is scarce at Uluwata Temple, so the monkeys are a bit more aggressive. I literally was walking and looking at the views of the Indian Ocean and a monkey tried to snatch my crossbody! Luckily I have quick reflexes and the monkey ran.
One monkey swiped a woman’s eyeglasses, chewed on them, and broke her glasses in half with no shame! Another stole a guy’s cell phone and broke it. But I will say, these monkeys will barter with you. If you give them bananas or peanuts, they will do a trade for you to get your things back (if they are not already broken 🥴).
Monkey breaking glasses 
Lempuyang Temple (The Gates of Heaven)
Lempuyang Temple, also known as The Gates of Heaven is a must see while in Bali. It is located 1,775 m above sea level. This temple is a little more stricter than other temples. The most people can do is hold hands. Most forms of public affection are strictly prohibited. If you are lucky, the clouds will be cleared out and you can get a view of Mount Agung.
We woke up super early for this trip. It was about a 3 hour drive. We left at 4 AM to avoid crazy Bali traffic (it’s insane how bad traffic gets y’all). Get there as close to sunrise as possible because it will get super crowded towards mid morning. Once you arrive and pay the nominal donation and get your sarong, visitors have to climb an additional 1,700 steps to reach the temple. In the end, this trip was totally worth it. ✨
Tirta Empul
This was the first of many temples I visited while in Bali. Balinese culture takes the spiritual cleansing and ritual seriously at this temple. Visitors are required to wear a sarong during the ritual. We had a very helpful guide to explain the process to us. There is are two huge pools with a 15 Holy Spring water fountains that are symbolized to cleanse your mind, body, and soul as well as various illnesses. Guests meditate and present an offering, then enter on the left side of the pool and wash their face 3x’s, followed by 3x’s over the head. Lastly, guests submerge themselves under the water. This continues for each fountain with the exception of the last two fountains, which are reserved for cleansing of the dead.
After meditation and presenting out offerings, we cleansed ourselves in the Holy Springs water during the purification ritual. It was an incredible and powerful experience. I mean the energy and spiritual awakening was out of this world. We left centered, refreshed, and at peace. ✨
Hours are from 9 AM to 5 PM. Entrance fee is 50k IDR ($3 USD). The best time to visit is early morning to avoid the crowds. It is best to have a private driver for this excusion.
Spas
Bali is the PERFECT place to pamper and treat yo’self! One of the most popular ways is through spas. There are a plethora of spas throughout Bali that will leave you feeling relaxed and re-energized. Balinese spa treatments are some of the best that I have experienced offering different levels of luxury that suits your fancy. Spa treatments start for as little as $6 USD!
During my experience, I chose to go to Karsa Spa, in Ubud.
In our private section, we received a couples full body Balinese massage, body scrub, organic honey and carrot facial, and ended with a couples Balinese flower bath with tea. We were in HEAVEN. Total cost for us? $75!!! The spa also offers reiki, chakra balance, and other spa treatments.
Bali Swing
The Bali Swing is a MUST when in Bali. There are various ones to choose from. But when you do it, you are in for the thrill of a lifetime! I truly loved this excursion – swinging over the jungle was an amazing feeling!
The Bali Swing was the perfect mix of exhilaration, jovial fun, and luxe photo opportunities.
Cooking Class
Nothing says cultural immersion like eating what the natives eat, and nothing says authenticity like having the natives teach you how to cook their traditional dishes!
We were welcomed into a sweet Balinese family home where they hosted us for a cooking class after going to the markets. It was so much fun and the food was AMAZING! We also were given the recipe so we could recreate this delicious meal once back home. The cool part? Some monkeys crashed our session and stole some appetizers!
Seminyak
The second leg of our trip was in Seminyak which is about 1.5 hours from Ubud. Seminyak is definitely a party city with alot of great beaches and nightlife. We also visited some great temples which are listed above.
Where to Stay
Seminyak has hundreds of options for lodging for every budget. I wanted to switch it up this trip and not stay in a traditional villa. While I appreciate being one with nature, I chose to stay in a luxe hotel for Seminyak.
The Trans Resort Bali
I have never stayed in a hotel with such exquisite toiletries and exceptional service. This hotel is the epitome of luxury. I felt safe at this property as they perform thorough security checks each time someone comes on the premises. We stayed in the Premier Club Room, which was spacious and had a jacuzzi and daybed on the balcony.
The breakfast covers every nationality that you can fathom. The food is fresh, delicious, and the options are limitless. Our VIP Room granted us access to daily tea time (with sandwiches and snacks) and happy hours at the hotel. Additionally, there is a beach inside the hotel for guests to enjoy and guests have complimentary laundry service (4 pieces per day). Their luxury shuttle takes guests to their desired location in downtown Seminyak. Lastly, the Trans also offers a villa option at a separate property.
I was not ready to leave this property because the experience is phenomenal. When it came to leaving, guests can stay in the movie theater room with snacks and beverages until the scheduled airport departure. Concierge will lock up your luggage for safe keeping.
Other Lodging Options:
Luxury: Ayana Resort and Spa Bali; The Legian Bali; The W Bali; The Seminyak Beach Resort & Spa, Double-Six-Seminyak
Mid Range: Courtyard Bali Seminyak Resort; Ananda Resort Seminyak
Budget: The Dipan, THE HAVEN; Ping Hotel
Of course you can always stay in some of the most amazing villas Bali has to offer as well.
Things to Do
Potato Head Beach Club
One of the most popular and poppin’ party spots in Bali, Potato Head Beach Club is IT! The energy is crazy. We went and it was soooo packed! Guests can relax on day beds and vibe out to the a mix of throwback and the latest jams. Potato Head offers an infinity pool, swim up bars, and a variety of restaurants for guests to enjoy. Make sure to book your beds in advance, because they fill up QUICK!
There are a variety of beach bars to attend on the strip as well as activities in downtown Seminyak. This is a beach place, so most of the fun is on the beach strip. The nightlife is amazing and caters to the younger and westernized crowds. We went to some clubs, lounges, and took a ride throughout downtown Seminyak in the middle of the nightlife hustle bustle.
Key Places to Eat
Jimbaran Bay
Jimbaran Bay is the epitome of “fresh catch!” The seafood is caught daily, and you’re able to pick your own live seafood! This restaurant sits on its own private beach. Quartet singers come around and serenade tables for special events. The quartet serenaded Roy with two songs for his birthday.
Ku De Ta
Ku De Ta left me with mixed reviews. It is rumored to be the “next” Potato Head. While the ambiance and vibes of this restaurant is AMAZING, the drinks left a lot to be desired. The food was delicious. After dinner, guests can lay on a day bed with views of the ocean.
BATIK Restaurant Bar
This gem we found while walking downtown Seminyak. We had an outside table and a view of all the action downtown. We even saw a fire show. BATIK has delicious food at a reasonable price. The ambiance is also incredible.
In the end, I left Bali feeling rejuvenated, at peace, and centered. Let me know how you love your visit to Bali in the comments below!
What an AMAZING read, your writing is amazing. Very captivating, these pictures are breath-taking. I feel inspired just reading this post and cannot wait until our next adventure.
Keep up the great work. Looking forward to the next post 🙂
I’m so happy to have experienced this beautiful place through your detailed and descriptive
adventures you shared. The photos were so vivid and captivating. I would recommend someone to take the opportunity to visit this beautiful and interesting place of adventure.
based your experiences you obviously had in such a beautiful culture and country.
Thank you
Who would not want to experience such an enchanting vacation? Reading what you had to say about Bali is all an incentive anyone would need. It appears to be a true place of enchantment.
Who would not want to experience such an enchanting vacation? Reading what you had to say about Bali is all an incentive anyone would need. It appears to be a vacation of a lifetime.