Day 1: Arrival and Beachside Bliss
After a long journey from New York to Bali via Singapore, I finally touched down in Denpasar at 11 AM, ready for my solo adventure. Pro tip for fellow solo travelers: Consider breaking up this long-haul flight with a quick exploration of Singapore’s Changi Airport – it’s an attraction in itself!
I headed straight to the Westin in Nusa Dua, my base for the week. I chose Nusa Dua because I stayed at the Marriott on points, but it is part of a newer-developed gated community – ideal for a first-time solo traveler looking to unwind but maintain some comfort.
Fighting jet lag, I spent the afternoon on the beach, soaking in my first taste of Bali’s famous coastline. As a first-time solo traveler, I wanted to start this trip with some relaxation to acclimate to the new environment and prepare for the week ahead.
To fully shake off the travel fatigue, I treated myself to a two-hour warm stone and foot massage at Zahra Spa. Spa treatments in Bali are not only affordable but also a great way to pamper yourself when traveling alone.
For dinner, I decided to dive right into the local cuisine with a Shabu Shabu feast at Hamabe. Dining alone can be daunting, but I’ve found that interactive dining experiences like this are perfect for solo travelers – they keep you engaged and often lead to conversations with staff or fellow diners.
Day 2: Ubud’s Cultural Treasures
Bright and early, I was picked up by my private tour guide and we made our way to Ubud, eager to pack in as much culture as possible. Our first stop was the iconic Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary: I not only enjoyed watching the mischievous monkeys but also took time to explore the ancient temples within the forest – something I might have missed if I were distracted by travel companions.
We then visited a traditional Balinese housing complex, which reminded me a lot of Roman homes from my Latin days.
Finally, we arrived at Tegalalang Rice Terrace right before lunch! Arriving just before lunch allowed me to capture some stunning photos without crowds – a big plus for solo travelers who want those Instagram-worthy shots.
After some souvenir shopping at a local silver shop, a local wood shop, and a local painting shop, where I progressively practiced my bargaining skills, we visited a Luwak Coffee Plantation, where I had a personal tour seeing their nursery. I had never seen a guava, papaya, vanilla vine, chocolate pod, or mangosteen in person before!
Our final stop was Tirta Empul Temple. As a solo traveler, I found it easier to immerse myself in the spiritual atmosphere and even participated in a purification ceremony – a deeply personal and moving experience. We saw those wearing white waiting to be blessed by the holy water. Since it was already raining, I decided to pass. On the way home, we stopped at a local fruit vendor where I tried Mangosteen and Snake Fruit.
Day 3-5: Diving into Bali’s Underwater World
I dedicated the next three days to earning my PADI Open Water certification – a perfect activity for solo travelers looking to challenge themselves and meet like-minded adventurers.
Day one was all about theory and pool training. I was lucky to be paired with a Singaporean Med student, who made it more fun as we floundered in the pool together.
Day two we took a two hour bus-ride to Tulamben to explore the wreck of the USAT Liberty. Swimming through this WWII shipwreck felt like traversing a piece of history. With just our instructor and my diving buddy, I could take my time exploring every nook and cranny of the wreck, now home to a diverse array of marine life.
Our final day of diving took us to Padang Bai for our first open water dives. The Blue Lagoon was teeming with marine life, and diving in a small group meant I could really appreciate the underwater world without distractions. I came face to face with a huge sea turtle, and all of the fish from Finding Nemo.
Day 6: Sunrise Adventure and Beach Relaxation
Determined to make the most of every moment, I started my sixth day taking the Ferry to Nusa Penida. Pro Tip: Do not go during an Indonesian holiday, as the ports were crowded as locals hoped to escape the island for a holiday. I met my tour guide on the island, and we drove to the key beautiful beaches. The stark contrast to the pristine Bali, the roads on Nusa Penida were filled with trash and hard to manage, so I asked if we could spend an extra few hours at our last stop before heading back to the port.
Day 7: Unique Wildlife Encounters
For my final full day in Bali, I packed in two unique experiences. I started with breakfast with orangutans – an encounter that allowed me to observe these incredible creatures up close while supporting conservation efforts. As a solo traveler, I could fully focus on this once-in-a-lifetime experience without distraction.
Before lunch, I participated in an elephant mud bath. It was a joyful and hilarious experience, and being on my own allowed me to fully engage with these gentle giants without feeling self-conscious.
As I packed my bags that evening, I marveled at how much I’d experienced in just one week. Traveling solo had allowed me to fully immerse myself in Bali’s culture, push my boundaries with new adventures, and connect with both locals and fellow travelers in meaningful ways.
While saying goodbye to Bali was bittersweet, I left with a sense of accomplishment, a camera full of memories, and a strong desire to return and explore even more of this magical island. Solo travel in Bali had proven to be not just doable, but incredibly rewarding.