How to plan a 2-week trip to Bali

Focus on three distinct regions—Ubud, Uluwatu, and Munduk—to avoid spending your entire trip in traffic. Spend 5 days in Ubud for culture, 5 days in Uluwatu for beaches, and 4 days in Munduk for mountains and waterfalls.

  1. Book your arrival transport. Pre-book a private driver via the Grab or Gojek app or your accommodation to pick you up from Denpasar (DPS) airport. Taxis at the terminal will overcharge you significantly.
  2. Use a zone-based itinerary. Bali traffic is gridlocked. Do not try to see the whole island. Stick to the center (Ubud), the south peninsula (Uluwatu), and the north highlands (Munduk) to keep travel times under 2 hours per transfer.
  3. Arrange a local scooter or driver. If you are comfortable, rent a scooter for $5-7 per day. If not, hire a private driver for a full day (8-10 hours) which usually costs $35-45 total.
  4. Download the essential apps. Install Gojek and Grab immediately. They are the 'all-in-one' apps for bike taxis, food delivery, and digital payments across the island.
Is it safe to drink the tap water?
No. Never drink the tap water in Bali. Use bottled or filtered water even for brushing your teeth if you have a sensitive stomach.
Do I need to carry cash?
Yes. While many cafes accept cards, small 'warungs' (local shops) and drivers often prefer cash. Keep at least 500k IDR on you.