Key Takeaways
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Bali can look very easy to plan on a map. Then you realise that the temple you want to visit, the beach you want to swim at and the waterfall you want to see are all in different parts of the island.
For a first-time solo traveller, that means making a lot of decisions on your own. You can set your own pace and change your plans whenever you want. But you also have to choose where to stay, arrange your transport, manage your budget and think about safety, especially for a woman travelling alone.
This guide breaks down what solo travel in Bali is actually like, including where to stay, how much to budget, how to get around and what to know about safety.
Bali’s Safest Areas for Solo Travellers
Some areas in Bali are great options for solo travellers because they have more accommodation, restaurants, activities, and easy access to transport. Here are some of the safe and convenient places to base yourself in Bali on your solo trip:
Ubud – Best for Culture, Cafes and Wellness
Ubud is a practical choice for a first solo trip because many cafes, restaurants, spas, yoga studios and shops are concentrated around the central area. You can walk to many of them, while a short ride takes you to places farther out.
There is plenty to do alone during the day in Ubud. You can visit Ubud Palace and Saraswati Temple, walk through the Sacred Monkey Forest, take a yoga or cooking class, or head out to the Tegallalang Rice Terraces. You can also visit nearby waterfalls in Ubud such as Tibumana and Kanto Lampo.
Distance from Denpasar Airport: Around 37-41 kilometres, with the journey usually taking 1.5-2 hours by car.
Canggu – Best for Meeting Other Travellers
Canggu is a good choice for solo travellers who want to meet other people and fellow travellers easily. Surf schools, coworking spaces, cafes, and group activities bring together plenty of backpackers, remote workers and other people travelling alone.
You can take a surf lesson at Batu Bolong Beach, walk along Echo Beach, visit the famous Tanah Lot Temple nearby, or spend an evening at one of Canggu’s beachfront venues. Batu Bolong has accommodation close to surf spots, cafes, and busy streets, while Berawa has more coworking spaces and beach clubs.
You can get around by Grab or Gojek, but traffic is Canggu’s biggest drawback. Short distances can take much longer than expected, so staying close to the places you plan to visit can save both time and money.
Distance from Denpasar Airport: 18-20 kilometres, taking around 50-90 minutes by car.
Seminyak – Best for Beach, Dining and Nightlife
Seminyak brings the beach, restaurants and nightlife into one fairly compact area, making it easy to plan your days without travelling far between them.
Seminyak Beach is easy to reach, while Jalan Kayu Aya has plenty of places to eat, shop and grab a coffee. Further north, Petitenget has more beach clubs and higher-end hotels.
Seminyak’s main areas are busy into the evening, and many places can be reached on foot. For longer distances or when you are heading back at night, Grab and Gojek are convenient options.
Distance from Denpasar Airport: 9-10 kilometres, 30-60 minutes by car, depending on traffic.
Sanur – Best for a Quieter Stay
Sanur is one of the safest and most welcoming areas in Bali for solo travellers, especially women. It is a quieter part of Bali, with a long promenade along the coast, making it great for walking or cycling. Jalan Danau Tamblingan is the main street, with many cafes, small shops, spas and places to stay.
You can spend the day cycling along the coast, trying stand-up paddle boarding or kayaking in the shallow water. You can also join day trips to Nusa Penida from Sanur Harbour.
Sanur is quieter than Canggu or Seminyak, with less traffic and little late-night activity. This makes Sanur a comfortable option for solo travellers who prefer a relaxed area where getting around feels less hectic.
Distance from Denpasar Airport: Around 16 kilometres, with the drive usually taking 40-50 minutes.
Uluwatu – Best for Beaches and Surfing
Uluwatu sits on the southernmost tip of Bali where steep limestone cliffs meet the Indian Ocean. It’s a good pick for solo travellers in Bali who want their days to revolve around surfing, beaches and sunset views, rather than shopping or sightseeing.
You can visit Uluwatu Temple and watch the famous Kecak Fire Dance around sunset, take a surf lesson at Padang Padang Beach, or spend time at Bingin, Thomas or Suluban Beaches. Single Fin and Ulu Cliffhouse are popular clifftop venues in Uluwatu for watching the sunset and meeting other travellers.
Most beaches are reached by steep stairways, and some of the roads around Uluwatu are hilly. Grab is useful for short trips around the main areas, but hiring a private driver is more practical for beach-hopping or visiting several places in one day.
Distance from Denpasar Airport: Approximately 20-23 kilometres, usually taking 45-60 minutes or more.
Is Bali Safe for Solo Female Travellers?
Solo travel in Bali is usually trouble-free, but women travelling alone should still take a few extra precautions, especially at night. The main concerns are less about serious crimes and more about road safety, petty theft and being careless at night.
Motorcycle accidents are common in Bali, so only ride a scooter yourself if you are an experienced rider with the right licence and insurance. Traffic can be hectic, some roads are narrow or uneven, and drivers do not always follow traffic rules.
Phones and bags can be snatched by passing riders or stolen in busy tourist areas, so keep your belongings close and secure. Carry only the cash you need for the day.
At night, be more careful when drinking or travelling alone. Drink spiking can happen, so keep your drink with you, do not accept drinks from strangers, and arrange your ride back before you go out.
Choose accommodation with recent, positive reviews and make sure you know how you will get back, especially if you are staying outside the main tourist areas.
For cash, use ATMs at bank branches where possible and carry some extra rupiah before visiting remote areas, where ATMs may be limited.
Useful Safety Apps and Resources for Solo Travel in Bali
A few apps and contacts can make travelling alone in Bali much easier, especially when you are getting around or trying to find your way.
Gojek and Grab: Both are useful for booking car or motorbike rides, checking driver details and seeing the fare before you travel.
12Go: Useful when you plan to travel beyond Bali. You can use it to check ferry and boat routes, compare departure times and book transport to places such as Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands.
Google Maps: Use it for directions, travel times and saving places such as your hotel, airport and meeting points. Download an offline map before heading to remote areas where the mobile signal may be weak.
WhatsApp: Hotels, private drivers and tour operators often use WhatsApp to confirm bookings and arrange pickups. But watch for fake messages or payment requests from scammers.
Google Translate: Useful when you need help with signs, menus or simple conversations outside the main tourist areas.
Emergency and insurance details: Save the embassy or consulate contact details and your travel insurance helpline before your trip. Keep your insurer’s emergency assistance number and policy details easily accessible in case you need medical help.
If you need immediate help, 112 is the general emergency number in Bali; 110 is for police; 118 or 119 are for ambulance and medical emergencies.
Bali Solo Travel Cost
Bali can be inexpensive for solo travellers if you choose budget accommodation and eat at local places, but costs rise when you stay in private rooms or villas, hire a private car and driver, or book private activities.
Accommodation Costs
A hostel dorm bed can start at 40K IDR (approx. 200 INR) a night, while a simple private room in a guesthouse or budget hotel may cost around 150K-350K IDR (approx. 800-1900 INR) per night. Mid-range hotels usually start around 700K IDR (approx. 3700 INR) depending on the area and time of year.
Transportation Costs
Renting a scooter: Experienced riders with a valid international driving permit (IDP) and insurance that covers scooter riding can rent scooters for around 60K-150K IDR (approx. 320-800 INR) per day. Newer or larger scooters may cost more.
App-based rides: A scooter ride booked through Grab or Gojek usually costs around 15K-30K IDR (approx. 80-160 INR), while a car ride is typically around 40K-100K IDR (approx. 200-500 INR) for short trips. Prices vary with distance and demand.
Private driver: A car with a driver usually costs around 500K-900K IDR (approx. 2700-4800 INR) for a full day, depending on the vehicle, route and hours. As a solo traveller, you pay the full amount, but sharing the car with other travellers can reduce your share.
Food and Drinks
A meal at a local warung usually costs around 15K-35K IDR (approx. 80-180 INR), while a meal at a cafe can cost 60K-120K IDR (approx. 320-600 INR) or more. Keeping breakfast and some meals local is one of the easiest ways to control your daily spending.
Activities
Activity costs can vary a lot. Simple attractions and local experiences can cost around 20K-100K IDR (approx. 100-500 INR), while surf lessons, day tours, diving trips and similar activities can cost 200K IDR (approx. 1000 INR) or more.
As a solo traveller, check whether the price is per person or for a private booking before you book. Group tours are usually more affordable than paying for a private boat, guide or vehicle on your own.
Conclusion
Bali is a practical destination for a solo trip. Choose your base by what you want to do and how much time you want to spend getting around.
Bali’s traffic, road conditions and transport options can make some journeys much longer than expected, so staying in the right area can save you a lot of travel time.
Your budget will also depend on where you stay and how you travel. Hostels and local food can keep costs low, while private rooms, drivers and paid activities can add up quickly when you are travelling alone.
Safety also needs some attention, especially when riding scooters, travelling at night or visiting quieter areas. With all this in mind, you can plan a smooth solo trip to Bali. And if you need help with your stays, transport or activities, contact Dimaak Tours.
FAQs About Bali Solo Travel
1. Is Bali good for travelling solo?
Yes. Bali has plenty of accommodation, restaurants, classes and group activities that work well for solo travellers, and it is relatively easy to meet other people. The main challenges are traffic, long travel times and the fact that private transport costs the same whether you travel alone or with a group.
2. Is Bali safe for solo female travellers?
Bali can be a good destination for solo women, but don’t treat it as risk-free. Be careful with drinks, use booked transport at night, avoid isolated areas and choose accommodation with good recent reviews.
3. What are the best places to stay in Bali for solo travellers?
Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak, Sanur and Uluwatu are some of the best places to base your stay in Bali. Ubud is close to temples, rice terraces and waterfalls, Canggu has beaches, surf schools and many social activities, and Seminyak keeps the beach, dining and nightlife within easy reach. Sanur is quieter, with a coastal promenade and boat trips to Nusa Penida, while Uluwatu is better for surfing, beaches, cliffs and sunset spots.
4. Is it easy to meet people while travelling alone in Bali?
Yes, especially when you stay in a hostel or join group activities. Surf lessons, cooking classes, yoga sessions and day tours are useful because you spend time with the same people rather than trying to start conversations at random. Canggu and Ubud are particularly easy places to find these activities.
5. What safety apps should solo travellers use in Bali?
Grab and Gojek are useful for transport, while Google Maps helps with navigation. WhatsApp is useful for communicating with hotels, drivers and tour operators, and 12Go can help with booking boats and ferries.
