The Ultimate 10-Day Bali Itinerary

Por Luciano Levy

The Ultimate 10-Day Bali Itinerary

Disclaimer: Please travel responsibly. Bali is more than a tourist destination—it's home to a rich culture, spiritual practices, and daily ceremonies. Respect local customs, dress modestly in temples, and support local businesses wherever you go.

This trip had been on our bucket list for years. After months of burnout and back-to-back deadlines, we were desperate for sunrises, slow scooters, spicy food, and daily dips in the ocean. Bali felt like the perfect combination of adventure, nature, culture, and chill.

We pieced this itinerary together after hours of research, recommendations from friends who had lived on the island, and a few happy accidents. What you see here is a complete guide: coast to jungle, temples to dive sites, surf towns to sacred springs.

Let’s dive into the route we took.

Snapshot: Bali 10-Day Itinerary

  • Day 1: Uluwatu

  • Day 2: Uluwatu

  • Day 3: Canggu

  • Day 4: Canggu

  • Day 5: Ubud

  • Day 6: Ubud

  • Day 7: Sidemen

  • Day 8: Amed

  • Day 9: Nusa Penida

  • Day 10: Seminyak

For South African Travellers

Flights: Fly from Cape Town or Johannesburg with Emirates, Qatar, or Singapore Airlines via Doha, Dubai, or Singapore.

Visa: South Africans are eligible for a free 30-day visa on arrival.

Currency: 1 ZAR = ~850 IDR (as of 2025). Meals range from R40 (warung) to R150 (beach club main).

Connectivity: Purchase a Telkomsel SIM (25GB = approximately R150). Avoid Vodacom roaming.

Payment Tips: Use a Wise or Revolut card to avoid high transaction fees.

Seasons: Bali is tropical. If flying from the South African winter, leave the jackets—light cottons and breathable layers work best.

Water: Don’t drink tap water. Use bottled or filtered.

Temple Etiquette: Carry a sarong. Always use your right hand to give and receive items.

Day 1–2: Uluwatu

Landing in Bali felt like stepping into a world of heat and incense. The air was warm, thick with humidity, and smelled faintly of frangipani and clove cigarettes. Our driver greeted us with a smile and a bottle of water, and soon we were weaving through scooters and roadside altars en route to Uluwatu.

We chose to start here for the cliffs, the waves, and the quiet. It’s raw in a way that makes you feel instantly far from home—and that’s exactly what we needed.

Arrive at Denpasar (DPS) airport and head straight south to Uluwatu—Bali’s surf capital and clifftop sunset haven.

Where We Stayed: Gravity Eco Boutique Hotel - tropical bungalows, open-air showers, and infinity pool views.

Top Experiences:

  • Visit Uluwatu Temple for the sunset Kecak Fire Dance

  • Relax on Thomas Beach or Bingin Beach

  • Grab drinks at Single Fin

  • Surf or take a beginner lesson at Padang Padang

  • Breakfast at Suka Espresso; dinner at The Loft

Day 3–4: Canggu

Canggu was like flipping the mood board of our trip. After the cliffside drama of Uluwatu, Canggu felt more social, more electric, more playful. There’s an effortless cool to this surf-meets-laptop town, where people sip flat whites at 7 am and dance barefoot on beanbags by sunset. It’s a place where time slows just enough to enjoy your smoothie bowl—but still tempts you to add one more beach bar to the night.

Drive time: 1.5 hours

Canggu blends surf, co-working, and laid-back luxury.

Stay: The Slow

Highlights:

  • Echo Beach, La Brisa, The Lawn

  • Shop Love Anchor Market (best on Sundays)

  • Tanah Lot Temple sunset trip

Optional:

  • Ice bath at Nirvana Strength

  • Coworking at Dojo Bali

  • Quick tattoo at Koloni

Days 5–6: Ubud

The drive into Ubud felt like entering a new layer of Bali—greener, denser, quieter. The road curved through rice paddies and small villages where children waved and incense burned on stone steps. You could hear birds and gongs in the distance, the hum of scooters replaced by rustling trees.

After the buzz of Canggu, Ubud felt like an exhale.

Drive time: 2 hours

Spiritual, jungle-lined Ubud is Bali’s cultural heartbeat.

Stay: Bisma Eight

Top Sites:

  • Monkey Forest (early morning)

  • Tegalalang Rice Terrace

  • Tirta Empul purification ceremony

  • Campuhan Ridge Walk

Food:

  • Vegan: Alchemy, Sayuri

  • Local: Ibu Oka Babi Guling

Extra: Cooking class or Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave)

Day 7: Sidemen

Sidemen surprised us. After the cultural energy of Ubud and the beachy buzz of Canggu, this quiet village felt like a completely different island. The sounds of traffic faded into the sounds of birdsong and the wind moving through the rice stalks. It was slow, sacred, and exactly what we didn’t know we needed.

Drive time: 1.5 hours

Tranquil rice fields, slow mornings, and volcano views.

Stay: Samanvaya Luxury Resort

Things To Do:

  • Sunrise over Mount Agung

  • Rice terrace trek

  • Waterfall swim at Tukad Cepung

  • Weaving workshop

Day 8: Amed

We arrived in Amed just before dusk, the sky painted soft orange and the sea gently lapping at the shore. It was quieter than anywhere else we’d been so far. We checked in, dropped our bags, and immediately went for a swim—the water was warmer than expected, and we floated there until the stars came out. The next morning, we woke up at 4 am for the Lahangan Sweet hike. It was short but steep, and we reached the viewpoint breathless just as the sun rose behind Mount Agung. Worth every step.

Drive time: 2 hours

Best for diving, black sand beaches, and sunrise hikes.

Stay: Blue Earth Village

Top Experiences:

  • Snorkel to a Japanese shipwreck

  • Lahangan Sweet Sunrise

  • Freediving intro (optional)

Day 9: Nusa Penida

We didn’t expect Nusa Penida to hit us as hard as it did. Beyond the views and Instagram-famous cliffs, there was this raw, untouched energy. Our driver played reggae as we zipped between jagged coastlines and jungle roads, and at one point, we had to stop because a group of wild cows blocked the path. That night, sitting on the edge of the island watching the sky fade over Crystal Bay, we didn’t talk much—just sat in it.

Fast boat: 45 min from Sanur

Penida is Bali's wild side—cliffs, canyons, and coastlines.

Hire a driver (roads are steep and unsafe for scooters).

Top Sites:

  • Kelingking Beach

  • Diamond Beach

  • Angel’s Billabong

  • Manta Point snorkelling

Stay: Kompyang Cottage

Day 10: Seminyak

Coming back to Seminyak felt like stepping into the end credits of a trip that had everything. The streets were louder, the beds softer, and the beach clubs a little flashier than we remembered—but after the quiet of Penida and Sidemen, it felt like a full-circle moment. One last sunset. One last indulgent dinner. One more reminder that Bali is whatever pace you want it to be.

Perfect way to wrap up in comfort and style.

Stay: Potato Head Suites

Ideas:

  • Spa at Bodyworks

  • Dinner at Merah Putih

  • Party at Motel Mexicola

🧳 The BALI Luggage Set

We took the BALI Hardshell Set from Eco Lifestyle and tested it on ferries, flights, and cobbled paths from Cape Town to Bali.

🌴 Why It Works

  • Impact-Resistant ABS Hardshell – Lightweight but tough

  • 360° Spinner Wheels – Zero tipping and ultra-smooth on tiles, terminals, and gravel

  • Built-In Lock – TSA-friendly combination lock, no keys needed

  • Smart Handles – Telescopic top + side grips for better lift control

Colour: Caribbean Sea Blue – Easy to spot on luggage belts

🎒 What You Get

  • Cosmetic Case (32cm)

  • Cabin Bag (55cm)

  • Medium Case (65cm)

  • Large Case (75cm)

Perfect for weekends, long trips, or splitting by outfit type. Roll the big one, carry the cabin, stash your valuables in the case up top.

✅ Real Feedback

  • “Love the different sizes. Perfect for weekends.” – Candice

  • “Lock came in handy. Wheels are smooth.” – Lerato

  • “Handle feels strong.” – Sipho

  • “Wish red strip was printed, not stickered.” – Celumusa

🧠 Smart Use-Case

We packed our trip like this:

  • Cosmetic Case – Chargers, toiletries, passport

  • Carry-On – 2 changes of clothes + swimwear

  • Medium Bag – Shoes, light gear, snorkel kit

  • Large Bag – Full travel wardrobe + laundry bag

For more info, visit: ecolifestyle.shop/products/bali

Travel Tips for SA Travellers

  • ZAR → IDR: Exchange in Bali. Avoid airport rates.

  • SIM card: Telkomsel, not Vodacom. Buy at Circle K.

  • Tipping: Round up or ~5% in nicer restaurants.

  • Temple wear: Carry a sarong and a light tee.

  • Scooter insurance: Double-check your policy.

Packing List

  • Summer clothing

  • Reef-safe sunscreen

  • Mosquito repellent

  • Power bank

  • Dry bag for boat days

  • Sarong

  • Filter bottle

  • Lightweight sneakers

Final Thoughts

Coming back to Seminyak reminded us how much ground we’d covered—and how many versions of Bali we’d met along the way. From cliffside temples and jungle treks to sunrise snorkels and street-side satay, every stop offered something new. And just when you thought you had the island figured out, it gave you a reason to slow down again.

Bali is balance—between movement and stillness, indulgence and simplicity.—between movement and stillness, indulgence and simplicity.

This 10-day plan moves fast but captures it all. Whether you start in Seminyak or end in Ubud, pack light, stay present, and choose your luggage as wisely as your route.

Because a smooth journey always starts with smart packing.

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