Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bali?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Bali?
Not sure how much time you'll need in Bali, Indonesia? Most people spend at least 5 or as many as 7 days in Bali during their visit. After all, the tropical island will let you snorkel or scuba dive, swim at the beach, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and enjoy an evening out.
Bali is one of the most famous islands in Indonesia. It is a diverse island that has many religious temples, beautiful beaches, inland rainforest, and party towns. The island attracts backpackers, remote workers, and all kinds of vacationers.
Do you have one or two days to visit Bali? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Bali?
One day is usually not enough time to experience the tropical island of Bali, so you may find yourself somewhat rushed. You don't want to miss the main attractions such as scuba diving and snorkeling, the beaches, the cuisine, and the nightlife, as well as Pura Lempuyang. You'll likely want more than one day, as many tourists set aside around five to seven days for their visit. However, if your schedule is tight, we have a handful of recommendations to make the most of your journey below.
How to spend a day in Bali
Scuba diving and snorkeling around Bali is world-class, and is one of the main reasons why so many visitors come here. Spend a day exploring the beauty of the surrounding underwater world. The waters are crystal clear and the marine life is abundant making scuba diving and snorkeling popular around the island. There are many snorkeling day trips that you can arrange and there are also dive shops that will take you out on the water.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Nusa Penida Snorkeling Adventure (Private & All-Inclusive) ($129)
- Snorkeling Adventure with East Nusa Penida Tour All Inclusive ($115)
- Gates of Heaven Temple and Blue Lagoon Snorkeling with All-inclusive ($64)
The culinary scene in Bali is world famous, and draws visitors from around the globe. Make sure you spend time enjoying breakfast, lunch, and dinner at some of this island's best restaurants. And consider a food tour, too. Many are either a half day or just a few hours, so you can fit one into your schedule easily. The food is rich and diverse with a lot of spices and complex flavors. Turmeric is a common spice and many dishes use coconut milk. Popular local dishes include Nasi Ayam (a chicken dish), Satay (grilled chicken), and Babi Guling (a pork dish).
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bali Cooking Class and Ubud Sightseeing Tour ($52)
- Bali Street Food Tour ($45)
- Sidemen Cooking Class ($77)
The public transit in Bali is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the island quite easily and affordably. There are minibuses and tourist shuttle buses around the island. You can also hire a taxi or rent a car, scooter, or bicycle.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Bali?
Bali offers plenty of activities and attractions and remains a top choice for tourists. So with a weekend, you'll probably feel rushed to see everything the island has to offer. You really need more time to snorkel or scuba dive, swim at the beach, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and enjoy an evening out. Many visitors prefer to have at least 5 or as many as 7 days to fully enjoy the island. If you have a weekend or less, we still have some great ideas for what to do while you're in town.
Surfing on Bali, Indonesia
How to spend 2 days in Bali
Having a weekend (two to three days) in Bali will provide you with more time to take in the best activities in the island.
The beautiful beaches await you in Bali, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The island is large enough that it has a diversity of beach styles. There are popular beaches with water sports as well as secluded bays where you can enjoy a more peaceful setting. Some beaches are dramatic with limestone cliffs while others are lined with palm trees.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Bali Parasailing Adventure,Banana Boat,Jet Ski and Donut Boat with Transfers ($59)
- Bali's Best Sunset: Uluwatu Kecak Dance & Dinner Jimbaran Beach ($50)
- Jet Ski Banana Boat GWK Kecak Uluwatu Private Guided Tour ($49)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The island is known for its crazy raves and all night pool parties. There are multi-story dance clubs as well as upscale bars and beach clubs that host parties late into the night. The best nightlife areas are around Kuta, Seminyak, and Canggu.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Bali, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
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