This ten-day Bali plan balances Ubud, the Bukit coast, and Nusa Penida with short transfers, varied sights, and built-in rest days.
Ten days can feel crowded. Keep drives short, mix inland scenery with beach time, and leave room for slow mornings. This plan links Ubud’s green heart, the southern cliffs, and a quick hop to Nusa Penida.
At-A-Glance Plan
Here’s the snapshot before the daily notes.
| Day | Base | Headliners |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ubud | Arrival, walkable center, early night |
| 2 | Ubud | Tegalalang terraces, Ubud Palace, market |
| 3 | Ubud | Waterfall loop, coffee stop, sunset ridge walk |
| 4 | Sidemen | Slow village stay, short hike, spa time |
| 5 | Uluwatu | Clifftop temple, beach clubs, sunset |
| 6 | Uluwatu | Padang Padang, Bingin, surf watch |
| 7 | Sanur | Coast walk, easy dining, early sleep |
| 8 | Nusa Penida | Kelingking view, Crystal Bay swim |
| 9 | Sanur | Free day: spa, market, or reef trip |
| 10 | Departure | Brunch, last gifts, airport |
Ten Days In Bali: Smart Routing That Saves Time
Go inland first, swing south, then finish with an easy boat ride. Most transfers sit under three hours. Morning moves beat traffic.
Days 1–3: Ubud For Green Views And Craft
Day 1: Land at Ngurah Rai (DPS) and ride to Ubud (about 90 minutes in light traffic). Check in, take a slow loop of the center, and sleep early. The Monkey Forest is walkable; keep pockets zipped.
Day 2: Start early at Tegalalang. Light hits the paddies after sunrise. Late morning, browse the market, then step into the Ubud Palace. Late day, walk the Campuhan ridge and eat near the trail end.
Day 3: Pick two falls from Tegenungan, Tibumana, Kanto Lampo, Tukad Cepung. Each sits within an hour’s drive. Close the day with a massage and a warung meal.
Day 4: Sidemen Slowdown
Move east to Sidemen for quiet lanes and wide views. Book a homestay or hilltop bungalow. Join a gentle paddy walk with a local guide. End with a soak and a view.
Days 5–6: Uluwatu Cliffs And Clear Water
Transfer to the Bukit peninsula and settle near Uluwatu. The temple sits on a sheer cliff; dress modestly and watch your step. Evenings bring live bands and grilled seafood at beach bars.
Next day, beach-hop. Padang Padang and Bingin draw surfers; non-surfers can watch from cliff cafes. Midday heat bites, so plan shade time.
Day 7: Sanur Reset
Shift to Sanur for a flat promenade. The paved path hugs the shore for kilometers. Rent a bicycle, stop for iced coffee, and sleep early for the boat.
Day 8: Nusa Penida Day Trip
Catch a fast boat from Sanur to Banjar Nyuh. Hire a driver on arrival; roads are narrow with blind curves. West route hits Kelingking, Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, and Crystal Bay. East route swaps that for Diamond Beach and Atuh. Pick one side to keep it easy. Snorkeling trips run to Manta Point when seas allow.
Day 9: One Last Free Day
Keep this day loose. Book a spa package, take a cooking class, or line up a reef drift near Nusa Lembongan. Evening brings satay and maybe a sunset sail.
Day 10: Fly Out Calm
Leave a buffer for traffic and lines. DPS gets busy at peak hours. Hold some cash for a snack past security.
When To Go And What To Expect
Dry months often run May to October; wetter months cluster from November to March. Weather shifts by area and year. Shoulder months bring sunny mornings and brief afternoon rain.
Entry, Forms, And Fees
Many visitors use a Visa on Arrival or e-VOA. Rules change, so check the official portal before you buy flights. A new digital arrival card is in use; submit it within three days before landing. Bali also collects a tourist levy of IDR 150,000 per person, payable online.
Helpful links: complete the All Indonesia arrival card and pay the levy via the Love Bali portal.
For the e-VOA, carry the email confirmation and a screenshot. The pass grants 30 days with a one-time extension option, handled at an immigration office. The arrival card creates a QR code; keep it handy with your boarding pass. For the levy, the payment page issues its own QR code. Save both offline in case the phone signal drops at the terminal. If you prefer to pay on arrival, kiosks and staffed counters sit near baggage claim, though lines can form after wide-body flights.
How To Move Around
Base yourself in two or three spots to cut backtracking.
Day drivers are easy to book; confirm start time and pickup pin. For ride-hailing, meet at zones near malls and beaches. Boats sell out on busy weeks, so buy tickets ahead if your dates are fixed.
For this plan, that’s Ubud → Uluwatu → Sanur, with a Sidemen night in between. For transfers, hire a car with driver, use ride-hailing where allowed, or ask your hotel. Scooters suit short hops; wear helmets and keep speeds low. Toll roads speed up airport runs; most drivers carry the pass.
Sample Transfer Times
DPS → Ubud: 60–120 min. Ubud → Sidemen: 60–90 min. Sidemen → Uluwatu: 2–3 hrs via toll. Uluwatu → Sanur: 60–90 min. Sanur → Nusa Penida boat: 35–45 min.
Day-By-Day Detail And Ideas
Ubud Base: Food, Walks, And Small Museums
Start mornings with a walk through quiet lanes lined with stone carvings and small shrines. Brunch can be smoothie bowls, nasi campur, or croissants. Midday suits galleries and small museums. Late afternoons bring breezy terraces and cool drinks.
Easy Add-Ons Near Ubud
- Go north to Gunung Kawi Sebatu for a calm temple complex surrounded by koi ponds.
- Ride west to Sangeh for a shaded nutmeg forest with a photogenic gate.
- Head east to Goa Gajah for carved rock faces and short paths.
Sidemen: Quiet Lanes And Valley Views
Many homestays arrange walks that link ridges, small workshops, and a family compound. Pack light sandals with grip; paths can be damp after rain. Dinners here lean homestyle with soups, grilled fish, and banana leaf parcels.
Uluwatu Coast: Sand, Stone, And Sunset
Beaches sit in rocky coves under tall cliffs, so expect stairs. Water can be glassy in the morning and choppy by late day. Stick to lifeguarded areas if swell builds. Lessons run on calmer breaks near Jimbaran and Nusa Dua.
Sanur And The Islands
Sanur’s boardwalk shines at sunrise. Local fishermen prep boats while cafes pour early coffee. Boats to the islands run from several piers; your ticket lists which one.
What To Pack For This Route
Pack light clothing, a sun hat, and a light rain jacket. Bring sandals with good tread for steps near waterfalls and cliff paths. Add a small daypack, a sarong for temple visits, and a dry bag for boat spray. Power often uses two-pin round plugs; a universal adapter helps.
Dining Tips And Local Etiquette
Warungs serve homestyle plates at friendly prices. Try babi guling, bebek betutu, sate lilit, and long beans with sambal. In temples, wear a sarong and sash where required and keep shoulders covered. Keep voices low during ceremonies and follow staff directions.
Budget Pointers
Prices swing by area and season. Beach clubs and cliff villas run higher, while inland guesthouses keep totals down. Plan a mix: a few splurge meals balanced by warung lunches. Many spas post promos; midweek afternoons are quiet and often cheaper.
Sample Daily Costs (Per Person)
These ballpark ranges help with planning; swap in higher or lower picks to match your style.
| Item | Saver | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Room | USD 25–45 | USD 70–140 |
| Meals | USD 15–25 | USD 30–60 |
| Driver Or Tours | USD 30–55 | USD 60–120 |
| Spa | USD 10–20 | USD 25–60 |
| Boats/Extras | USD 20–40 | USD 40–80 |
Safety, Weather, And Sea Notes
Sun hits hard near noon. Reapply sunscreen, drink water, and take shade breaks. Rain can sweep through fast; keep a poncho in your daypack and stash electronics in a zip bag. At the beach, watch flags and talk to lifeguards. On island roads, hire a local driver for twisty sections.
Customizing The Plan
Got divers in the group? Swap Sanur day nine for a Lembongan stay and book a drift along the reef. Crave more hikes? Trade Sidemen for two nights near Munduk and add twin lakes and hidden falls. Want more city buzz? Finish in Seminyak or Canggu for shopping and late-night eats.
Booking Checklist
- Flights that arrive by midday to beat rush hour on arrival day.
- Stays in Ubud (3 nights), Sidemen (1 night), Uluwatu (2 nights), Sanur (2 nights), with a Penida day trip.
- Boat tickets to the islands with free reschedule options when seas get rough.
- Airport pickup for day 1 and a driver for day 3 or 5 waterfall runs.
- Travel cover that includes boats and scooters if you plan to ride.
- Arrival card and levy paid online before you fly.
Map Pins Worth Saving
Add these names to your map app so they’re one tap away in the car:
- Campuhan Ridge Walk
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces
- Tibumana Waterfall
- Sidemen Viewpoint (ask your host for the best pull-off)
- Uluwatu Temple
- Padang Padang Beach
- Bingin Beach
- Sanur Boardwalk
- Banjar Nyuh Harbor (Nusa Penida)
Why This Ten-Day Plan Works
It gives you three flavors without long slogs in a van. Ubud sets the tone with green hills and art. Sidemen adds a calm night. Uluwatu brings sea cliffs and golden hours. Sanur sets up the island hop and sends you home rested.