Traveling alone in Bali is great! There are so many other backpackers around and moving from one area to another is easy and cheap. There are also plenty of activities available for a solo traveler, whether you prefer solitude or are looking forward to meeting new people. Having started my Bali adventures by travelling solo I would say I never felt unsafe. I bet that’s mostly because I stayed in busy areas, booked myself into group trips, and kept my guard up while meeting the helpful local guys during night hours.
A few starter tips for traveling alone in Bali:
- The drivers at the airport will try to rip you off. Book your fixed-price taxi from the counter outside the airport before the car park or order an Uber taxi
- When using taxis, try to look for the Blue Bird Group ones and make sure they have the meter on. Uber and GrabCar are cheaper but need to be ordered with a mobile app
- Driving a scooter is the fastest and cheapest way to move around in Bali. The traffic is quite chaotic but you’ll soon get used to it. I wouldn’t advise girls to drive alone during the night unless you are already familiar with the surroundings. Also, ALWAYS put your bag under the seat when driving because unfortunately the amount of thefts has risen rapidly. Bags and mobile phones can be stolen while walking on the street, so make sure to keep your valuables safe
- Exchange money preferably at the bigger branch offices like BMC. Shop around for the best rates, and never use an agency that doesn’t have a no-commission sign. Count your money at the counter, as some agencies might try to scam you
- Buy a local SIM card from a local phone shop), which can be found on smaller streets in busy areas. The operators work on a pre-paid basis. Also, mobile internet packages can be bought cheaply
- Don’t go crazy on the mixed drinks made by using local spirits. Sometimes the quality is not good and you end up feeling terrible
- GIRLS, please remember to set up clear boundaries with the local boys unless you are interested in them. Sometimes they can be a bit over-eager and consider every friendly gesture as a green light
- When booking trips and tours shop around for prices and options and look for recommendations on the internet. Many times you can find the cheapest offers online
Choosing the suitable area and accommodation
Most young solo travelers still come to Kuta, the party-central of Bali with lots of cheap accommodation, shopping, and full-on nightlife every day. Kuta might be a good place to start, especially if you want to meet new people and make friends but it will become exhausting after a couple of days. For a quieter, more upscale area go to Seminyak just 10 minutes drive from Kuta. It has beaches, shopping, and good nightlife without the super-wasted youngsters.
One up-and-coming area is Canggu, around 40 minutes north of Kuta. It has been chosen by cool hipster people as the place to stay in. It has beautiful rice field surroundings, good surf spots, yoga shalas, and hip cafes and restaurants to hang out at. Most people who stay in Canggu never even leave the area because it has all they need. For someone looking for peace and tranquility, I would recommend Ubud, the spiritual center of Bali, located inland about a 1,5 hours drive from Kuta. There’s plenty to see and do and many other travelers but no big party scene.
Accommodation can usually be booked on arrival. Especially Kuta and Canggu areas have plenty of homestays and small cheap hotels where single occupancy fan rooms start from around Rp.150 000 and AC rooms from Rp.300 000. Check out recommendations online and browse through Agoda for good deals. During peak seasons (Christmas, New Year, and July-August) it might be a good idea to book in advance. Sometimes you can find really good deals on Airbnb. Couchsurfing is also a good option, but make sure you start looking around early enough to find something that suits you best.
Meeting people
Facebook is a good place to start your search. Groups such as Bali Happy Days, Bali Nights, Whazzup Bali, and Bali Backpackers give you ideas about what’s happening here and who else is around looking for travel companions. There is also a Couchsurfing Bali group that organizes weekly meetings for people traveling here. Travel forums such as Travel Buddy are a good help in research, meeting other travelers and sharing advice.
Hash House Harriers organizes hash runs through villages, rice terraces, and jungle ravines on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays starting at 4.30 pm. Anyone who wants fun, fitness, and friendships can join for the price of Rp.120 000. At the end of your run, you can chill out with your newly-made friends and take in the scenery with free-flow beer in hand. Of course, you could just lay by the pool or on the beach waiting for someone to start up a conversation with you or start your night at one of the many bars advertising happy hours
Group activities
There are so many things to try out in Bali. You can join a group activity like yoga, pole dancing, muay Thai, or surfing course, or book a sporty trip. Trekking Mount Batur or Mount Agung at sunrise, white-water rafting on the rapids of Ayung or Telaga Waja river, diving courses or wreck-diving in Tulamben, cycling through the rice fields and villages at Kintamani, horse riding on Canggu beaches and villages and canyoning in the north of Bali are just a few options to choose from. For less adventurous people there are for example Balinese cooking classes and sightseeing tours on offer.
Indonesian language courses
The best way to immerse yourself in the language and culture is by taking part in a Bahasa Indonesia course. These courses usually last 3 to 4 weeks and are quite intensive, but definitely worth the while for travelers who wish to spend more time in Bali or other parts of Indonesia. Cinta Bahasa Indonesian Language School has offices in Ubud, Kuta, Canggu, and Sanur and offers small-group beginner courses. They have certified and experienced teachers who teach the natural Indonesian rather than the formal language out of a textbook. Seminyak Language School offers short-term packages for tourists, where the focus is on communication and conversations.
Camps and retreats
One of my absolute must-do recommendations for Bali is joining a surf/yoga/something else camp or a wellness retreat. It’s the best way to experience community feeling combined with activities, scrumptious meals, and total relaxation all in one. Rapture surfcamps offer highly recommended, family-run surfcamps in Pecatu, south of Bali. There are so many good surf spots around for beginners, intermediates, and experienced surfers. Everyone is made to feel more than welcome and people form lifelong friendships while honing their skills or just chillaxing. Another good option is The Chillhouse in Canggu. They offer stylish accommodation, delicious organic meals, surfing, mountain biking, yoga sessions, body and soul treatments etc.
The Golden Rock Retreat is an innovative detox and healing center on the Northeast tip of Bali. There you can relax, unwind, and experience the peace and tranquility of local Balinese life. Daily routines include meditation, yoga, and healthy supplements. The retreat offers 4-10-day cleanses designed to cleanse the body and work on a physical, mental, and spiritual level. For the ultimate experience in meditation, yoga, prayer, and restful contemplation all done in silence, book a retreat at Bali Silent Retreat. The retreat is surrounded and protected by rice fields, jungle, Mount Batukaru, and spiritual essence. Such a perfect place to take a time-out, nourish your body and soul, and find yourself again.