Curator’s statement
Bali is one of these best destinations in the world to experience culture. Interacting with the Bali culture, you will encounter some of these friendliest and most willing people. In Bali, you can experience beach relaxation and spirituality. It is truly an amazing place that will forever change your life. Ten days is the minimum I would recommend, so stay longer if you can.
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Where to stay
Capella Ubud
Guests will find luxuries of a bygone age at this transporting riverside hideaway in the Keliki Valley jungle.
Fora Perks
- ★
$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
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Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Sayan
A showcase of the extraordinary setting, stay here for the jungle and river views, superlative service and romantic suites.
Fora Perks
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When you book Four Seasons through Fora, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits. Your advisor will be pleased to give you more details.
Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay
A beachfront Balinese village with unforgettable views and authentic arts offerings, sheltered in a calm bay along three miles of sand.
Fora Perks
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When you book Four Seasons through Fora, you will enjoy exclusive Four Seasons Preferred Partner benefits. Your advisor will be pleased to give you more details.
COMO Uma Canggu
High design, beachfront vistas, a celebrated surf school and blissful spa meet at this South Bali stunner minutes from popular Echo Beach.
The St. Regis Bali Resort
The St. Regis blends its signature luxuries with the island beauty of Bali, boasting private beachfront access, an artistically designed lagoon and six gorgeous restaurants.
Fora Perks
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$100 hotel / resort credit.
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Breakfast daily.
- ★
Upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
Unlock perks by contacting Robert to book your trip.
Day 1: Rest, acclimate & indulge
Get some rest.
I would recommend picking a hotel near Denpasar Airport (DPS) or within a short drive. If you are traveling from the United States, you will likely be arriving on hour 25 of your journey. Places near the airport will be beach resorts. I recommend Jimbaran, Uluwatu or Nusa Dua.
On my recent trip, I chose Nusa Dua. As you arrive, get yourself acclimated, rest and enjoy what the fine hotels of Bali have to offer.
I recommend the St Regis Bali Resort Nusa Dua. One of the perks offered at the St Regis Bali Resort Nusa Dua is a daily breakfast for two. This is one of the best breakfast buffets you will experience. There is food from every part of the world, including "Western breakfast", dim sum, Balinese food, sushi, Chinese and I ever saw people ordering lobster and foie gras.
Day 2: Scenic Temple & afternoon tea
Uluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu)
This is one of the most scenic temples. You will see on social media the famous mirror photo trick at the "Gates of Heaven". Head out to Uluwatu and "do it for the gram".
The Balinese take pride in their temples and there are plenty of temples to see in Bali, this is one of them.
Head back to your hotel for some afternoon tea. Most hotels will have afternoon tea, a champagne ceremony, or some lobby entertainment (fire dance, traditional Bali dance). Take it all in!
Day 3: Relax & catch a sunset
If you've traveled this far. Your body (my body, at least) has had ups and downs. I would feel full of energy then I would not. I would recommend a day of relaxation. The resorts have some of the best pools, views and activities.
Get some relaxation and head out to a beach club. In Ulutwatu, the beach clubs are built off cliffs overlooking the beaches. Some of the most gorgeous skies you will ever see. Grab a cocktail, sit back and relax.
Check out the beach clubs in Uluwatu - Sundays Beach Club and Ulu Cliffhouse.
If you happen to the in Jimbaran, head to Jimbaran beach and experience the Jimbaran seafood dinner.
Day 5: Canggu
It's time to move on. It's going to be really tough to leave the southern part of Bali. The beaches are quiet and you are away from the hustle and bustle.
But...you can't go to Bali and not visit Canggu. Make your way to Canggu to the "city" version of Bali. Canggu was previously rice fields; now it is as built up as ever.
The trip from southern Bali, may take 40-60 mins. May your way to Canggu. Canggu offers everything you need regarding entertainment, beach clubs, shopping, night life, beach and water adventures. It is in a central location.
Your first day in Canggu, get your bearings, find your coffee shop, your breakfast spot, do some shopping at Canngu Love Anchor and work your way down to the beach.
Schedule a spa day. Check out Glo Day Spa, it's a nice modern spa with great prices and great services. Book early, as they do fill up.
I recommend staying at the COMO Uma Canngu.
If you time it right, you can catch one of those great sunsets.
Day 6: Temples, Temples, and Coffee
There are more spectacular temples to check out. I recommend going to Tanah Lot, also. This temple is only accessible when it's low-tide. It's worth it.
The food is OK at De jukung Resto & Bar Tanah Lot, but it has great views. It's an ideal spot to stop for lunch.
In between your trips to and from temples, if you are a coffee head, check out some of the coffee plantations. Bali has some of the best coffee because of the climate.
I'm all about the sunsets; grab dinner at a beach club and watch another gorgeous sunset. I recommend getting a reservation at Cafe Del Mar.
Day 7: Make your way to Ubud
Ubud is what the Balinese call the jungle. It's away from the ocean and away from the Canggu city life. In Ubud, you can choose your own adventure, take a swing off a cliff, white water raft down a river, or if you prefer a more artistic approach, make jewelry with a silversmith; create your own batik painting. Most hotels can arrange these activities.
I loved that the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan offered so many activities. I could do batik painting, a cocktail class, experience a sacred nap and attend a cooking class (see day 8), without having to leave the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan.
Check out the Sayan House for dinner. Watch the sunset as you sip on a cocktail and enjoy latin and Japanese fusion food. Yes, I love the Balinese Sunset.
I recommend staying at the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan in Ubud.
Day 8: Take a cooking class
By now, you have to have had your fair share of Balinese food and you are addicted. I could not get enough of Satay Lilit and Nasi goreng. So I decided to take a cooking class.
At the Four Seasons Bali at Sayan, they offer a cooking class at the Sokasi Cooking School. It is a hands-on experience taught by the sous chef of the resort.
Day 9: Spa day
I was at a cross-roads on what to do on Day 9. To get to the airport from Ubud is can take about 2 hours. If I were to do it again, I would head back to Uluwatu, Nusa Dua or probably the Four Seasons at Jimbaran. From there you can do your spa day.
I would pretty much do a spa day at every location (which I did). But before you leave or if time permits, check out the spa options. Get a massage to get you relaxed before you realize you have to go home soon. I stayed with the hotel spas because they were convenient. The St-Regis and Four Seasons offer spa credits as perks.
Catch one more sunset with a cocktail! You will not be able to experience this again unless you come back.
Day 10: It's a sad day
It's time to go home. Take advantage of a late checkout if you can. Make an early spa appointment. Get one more Balinese meal.
Need to know
Contact the hotel about arranging transportation from Airport to hotel and from hotel to hotel ahead of time. Activities and spa appointments at the hotels book up fast, if you know when days you want to do activities at the hotel or want to do a spa day, book when you arrive.
![Advisor - Robert Huie](https://media.foratravel.com/image/upload/v1711121702/contentful-migration/advisors/image/061274c8b353-DSC00555_Original.jpg)
Travel Advisor
Robert Huie
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For more travel tips, check out this guide to Ubud by Fora Advisor Oscar Alcantara, Relaxing Five-Day Itinerary to Discover Ubud, Bali.
This guide is part of our ongoing series on travel to Bali.