Must-see places in Bali

Hi, I’m traveling alone with my daughters (9, 8, and 15) to Bali for almost 3 weeks in July. We’re staying mainly in Ubud and Amed. Are there any must-see places and beaches we absolutely shouldn’t miss? Also, any shows or performances worth checking out? I plan to get around using the Grab app—is that enough? Thanks! !

Hi there,

July (...) We're staying in Ubud (...) mainly

Choosing to stay in Ubud in the middle of July-August really isn’t doing yourself any favors—on Monkey Forest Road, you’ll be elbow to elbow with crowds... You should try to avoid this town or stay for as short a time as possible.

Are there any must-see places and beaches I absolutely have to visit?

Yes, Tanah Lot, Pura Ulun on Lake Bratan, and Besakih Temple... But I think you’re going to Bali with the wrong mindset. You’ll enjoy what the island has to offer much more by wandering around and soaking in its stunning landscapes with no fixed plan (with three weeks, you’d have plenty of time). Your question is a bit baffling and leaves me puzzled. As for the beaches, contrary to popular belief and without going so far as to say they’re ugly, none are truly amazing. Instead, consider heading to Gili Air, for example.

And also shows?

There are performances just about everywhere, but you usually stumble upon them by chance. Otherwise, Ubud offers different types of great shows several nights a week.

I plan to travel using the Grab app. Is that enough?

I don’t know—I don’t use that kind of thing. I prefer the countless drivers with cars who, in many places, offer their services for a full or half day at reasonable rates to take you around. In Ubud, you won’t be able to miss them...

Hi there!

I’m planning to travel using the Grab app? Is that enough?

Yes, it can be enough! Just be careful, though—there are kind of "taxi mafias" in some cities that prevent Grab drivers from operating. That’s especially true in Ahmed, where Grab isn’t really welcome... so you might have to walk or take a "classic" taxi instead. The downside with classic taxis is that they often overcharge foreigners, while Grab has fixed prices displayed in the app.

Also worth noting: the Grab app can sometimes have little bugs, so the card saved in the app might not go through. In that case, it’s best to have cash on hand or ask the driver to drop you off at the nearest ATM. :-)

One more thing—if a Grab driver drops you off in a parking lot during a visit, you’ll get hit with extra fees! But you won’t know about it beforehand; the driver adds them after dropping you off...