Bali: 3D2N Instagram-worthy Guide

Tuesday, January 12, 2021

Bali, Indonesia, is the perfect travel destination for everyone – a family trip, a trip with friends, a honeymoon – you name it. It’s huge, too – you could easily fill up a week-long itinerary and likely still won’t finish everything there is to do, see and explore in Bali. So here’s a short 3 day 2 night Instagram-worthy Bali guide for those who’re looking for a quick getaway and want to get that perfect Instagram shot for your feed.

First things first:

Where to stay?

Seminyak, Kuta and Legian are the top places for tourists, especially for first timers on short trips. They’re right in the middle of the hustle and bustle, without sacrificing the tranquillity of and proximity to the beauty of Bali beaches. A top tip is to book your accommodation early! There are countless hotels and resorts to stay at, but to get a bang for your buck, opt for an Airbnb. There’s a myriad of different villas to choose from – most are in fantastic locations and if you’re lucky, the Airbnb listing might even include complimentary airport transfers or daily home-cooked breakfast!

Airbnb Recommendation: Villa Pondok Teman (3BR, fits up to 9 pax - $148/night) 
Hotel Recommendation: The One Legian (1BR, fits up to 3 pax - $62/night)

How to travel?

The easiest way to travel around the vast island would be to hire a driver. If you’re traveling across the country to get to Ubud or Uluwatu, a driver would be the cheapest option. For short transfers between your accommodation and perhaps the nearby mall, Gojek or Blue Bird Taxi should be your go-to transport apps. The fares for both companies are very inexpensive!!! If you thought Grab in Malaysia was cheap, you’d be shook/flabbergasted at the prices of Gojek/Blue Bird in Bali. If you’re feeling adventurous, hire a scooter for just IDR 50k per day!

Note: While Blue Bird is known to be the most trustworthy and reliable taxi company in Bali, make sure you’re covered by asking the driver to turn on the meter, as there has been complaints of drivers not turning the meter on and then charging passengers a much higher fare.

How many days in Bali?

There’s a plethora of activities, cafes and cultural attractions, so definitely plan a longer trip if you want to cover more ground. Otherwise, we advise to have minimally three full days to explore just the highlights of each main area in Bali.

1st day:

Land at Bali’s Ngurai Rah International Airport in the morning, so you have the rest of your day to explore the island. There will be a lot of drivers at the airport offering to send you to your destination, but to get the best value, book your airport transfer in advance on Klook, or as previously mentioned, get an accommodation that offers complimentary airport transfers. Drop off your bags at your accommodation if it’s too early to check in and head right to Kynd Community for a hearty breakfast.

It’s a picturesque vegan café offering high quality food at good prices. There’s a wide range of food options here from smoothies to salad bowls, burgers, pancakes and even burritos. Kynd opens from 7am to 10pm daily, so when you fall in love with Kynd, you can definitely come back for lunch or dinner.

@kyndcommunity on Instagram

With a full tummy, you’re ready for your day of beach-hopping. First stop: Pantai Tegal Wangi. This secluded beach in Jimbaran is surrounded by cliffs and may be a tiny bit challenging to descend, but it is absolutely stunning. These pictures speak for themselves. You’ll also find natural “jacuzzis” to take a dip in!

@dalacassie & @idabagussoma on Instagram

Once you’ve taken that perfect beach shot, head down Balangan Beach, my personal favourite. Here, you’ll see a white sandy beach with a panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. There are several cafes if you’d like a refreshing drink or an ice cream to cool yourself down from the Bali heat. If you’re ready for more, head up the cliff (easily accessible with a vehicle) and get right to the photo spots. Hang your legs off the cliff if you’re daring. The view is utterly breath-taking.

@sarahw.lde & @tiaratalks on Instagram

Last but definitely not least, drive over to Padang-Padang Beach. This beach is definitely more crowded than the first two, but it’s not hard to see why. Its word class waves makes it a famous surf spot, and the prices for an hour or two of surfing classes is surprisingly rather inexpensive. The clear waters are perfect for wading into, and don’t forget to explore the unique rock caves! This is also the perfect spot for a little sunbathing to get your tan on.

@acacia & @sickframes on Instagram

After all the hours out in the sun, head right down to Warung Bejana – a restaurant offering authentic Indonesian cuisine at affordable prices. This place isn’t exactly Instagram worthy but I’m sure you’d be too hungry to care.

The highlight of the day would be the Kecak Fire Dance @ Uluwatu Temple. Tickets are sold out every night so be sure to reach early and purchase your tickets before exploring the temple. Uluwatu Temple is perched on top of a very steep cliff and the views are magnificient. Take your time to explore the grounds before the performance as it begins right as the sun is about to set and it’d be dark once it finishes.

@kateotake & @janatpak on Instagram

Driving back to the city center after reaching the Southernmost part of Bali would take at least 1.5 hours. It is also peak period at this time so do allow some extra time for the journey back.

A trip to Bali isn’t complete without trying their world renowned babi guling (roasted pig) so visit Warung Babi Guling Bu Dayu Kencani for good food and good service! For our Muslim travellers, drop by Deliziosa Coffee Pizza & Pasta for a scrumptious meal that you will not regret.

(L) Babi Guling @stevenhans95 & (R) Deliziosa @deliziosabali on Instagram 

Afterwards, head back to your accommodation for a well-deserved rest.

2nd day:

Start your day right at Bali Bola, a café that opens as early as 8am and serves healthy, organic plant-based foods. Their pink-based décor, similar to Kynd Community makes this café insanely Instagram-worthy.

Official website: http://balibo.la

Feast on their food guilt-free, before taking a long drive to the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud. The monkeys here are so cute! You can see them bathing, grooming each other and freely roaming the grounds of the sanctuary. Be careful not to have any loose items like sunglasses or headbands on you because the monkeys WILL grab at them. (I had a monkey unzip my bag and steal a bottle of water... beware!!)

@johnc3rra & @taatiimami on Instagram

Next, head over to Campuhan Ridge Walk, a must-do when in Bali. It’s a relatively easy walk with scenic greenery all around so it’s perfect even for children or elderly parents. It can definitely get quite hot in the early afternoon so be sure to bring a bottle of water... if it wasn’t already stolen by the monkeys earlier!

@joyceboaaa & @clauquirion on Instagram

Once you’ve taken your modelling shots, take a short walk to Murni’s Warung for a delicious lunch with a heavenly view.

@bali_eats & @alba_mtinez on Instagram

If you’re not hungry just yet, it’s just a short drive to the Tegalalang Rice Terrace. There are several large swings here for your perfect Instagram shot or you could take a picture with the rice terrace as your backdrop. Absolutely stunning.

@juliakis & @xxxristian on Instagram

Last destination for the day would be the Tegunungan Waterfall. The waterfall itself is already impressive, but in addition to that, this place has countless free photo spots for you take your cute pictures at! Yes, free!

@jorjaacoe & @chante.diplock on Instagram

Once your camera roll is filled up, head back to your accommodation to shower and freshen up. The rest of the night is free for you to explore nearby eateries, or simply order in via the Gojek app and relax in your private pool at your villa.


3rd day:

Final day in Bali! Head up to Mrs Sippy Bali, a sprawling beach club with Bali’s largest saltwater swimming pool. Perfect for families and groups, get your breakfast fix at this Mediterranean-inspired oasis. Mrs Sippy has an extensive menu suitable for breakfast, lunch and dinner so feel free to swap around the itinerary and visit this spectacular haven anytime. The place has swings and diving platforms if you’re one of the brave ones and you’ll be sure that every inch of this beach club is Instagram worthy.


@mrssippybali on Instagram

Once you’ve had enough of the sunbathing and poolside fun, head on down to Beachwalk Shopping Center, the biggest mall in the heart of Bali. Shop till you drop, and then head to Johnny Rockets, if you’re craving mouth-watering burgers and milkshakes in a classic 50s diner setting, or Kitchenette if you want an appetizing, flavoursome meal.

(L) Johnny Rockets @johnnyrocketsau & (R) Kitchenette @k1tchenette on Instagram

Unfortunately, we’ve come to the end of this 3D2N Instagram-worthy Bali guide ☹️ Come back again for more!

Thank you for reading till the end! Here's a bonus: Visit Mad Pops to get artisanal ice creams and of course, take that Instagram-worthy shot against their signature neon-lights décor.

@madpopsbali on Instagram

Up, up and away,
♡ Tiara ♡

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