It’s crazy to think that this is my third time coming to Bali, but I love it and there’s no doubt in my mind that I’ll keep coming back again for more and more because you get everything here: adventure, culture, yoga, surfing, spas, good food… and this is a bit of my experience.

Bukit Peninsula

I began my trip in the Bukit Peninsula (my personal favorite part of Bali) because of its beautiful beaches, good surf, and clear water. My mom and I both lugged my 9,6′ surfboard bag and 2 massive roller suitcases (why do I always overpack??) down the many steep steps to get down to Dream Sea Surf Camp right on the sands of Padang Padang Beach. Although it is a pain in the butt to stay there if you’re lugging a bunch of suitcases around, you really can’t beat this location. It’s literally right on the beach in front of the surf- paradise for a beach-lover and surfer. I learned the hard way about the steps- thank goodness staff members were there to help us out! The steps are intense, but after a 4 day stay, I pretty much got used to them and I could definitely feel my legs become much stronger.

Our room was pretty tiny (it is a surf camp after all), but it was private and cozy with a beautiful view of the ocean. Each night I’d fall asleep to the soothing sound of the waves crashing just 30 feet away from me… what more could you ask for?

The restaurant at Dream Sea has an assortment of delicious food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner but I particularly enjoyed the healthy breakfast and fresh juice options.

No trip to Bali is complete without a few yoga sessions, especially when you can listen to the sound of the waves while you’re doing it.

My favorite part about staying at Dream Sea surf camp was the proximity to the waves. Padang Padang and Impossibles is literally right out front of the camp. Padang Padang (to the left of the camp) is a great spot for beginners because it’s an easy right. Impossibles is out front and has 3 different peaks- all lefts. A bit more advanced. Bingin and Dreamland is just down the way a little bit, easily accessible via scooter.

The next portion of my trip was spent down the beach a little ways, over at Bingin, which is such a cute little surfer town with excellent cafes, a number of spas, and fun surf. After staying down at the beach level for the past few days in a small room, staying up above on the cliff on a large piece of flat land in a MASSIVE villa  felt so foreign, but was totally welcomed. Mimpi Villa by Bali Retreats is the ultimate Bingin Beach stay, especially if you’re traveling with a big group. I had 2 friends join myself and my mom and we had tons of space.

The pool at Bingin Mimpi was definitely the highlight of the villa. It was so long, I could swim actual laps and paddle around on my surfboards.

Bingin Beach is just a short walk away from Bingin Mimpi villa. Naturally, you have a lot of stairs to go up and down on… but hey, it’s the gym of life.

Having some fun on baby waves at Bingin beach…

After staying at Bingin Mimpi, I moved down the street to Acacia Motu Villa.

Simple and beautiful with a personal plunge pool and the location can’t be beat since you have the same restaurants and beach access as Bingin Mimpi, but add Bambu Hut spa to that list. It’s literally right next door!

Things to do:

• Sunday’s Beach Club

This is such a fun spot to enjoy the beach in the afternoon. You can lounge on the daybeds and have lunch and drinks, and when it gets too hot you can just take a dip in the ocean.

• Nusa Penida Island day-trip

This was honestly a bit of a mission from Bingin Beach and overall I didn’t love the experience. The views were beautiful, especially at Diamond Beach, but there are a million steps to climb to get down to the beach and it is HOT there. I mostly enjoyed snorkeling because the water was cool and refreshing and surprisingly clear.

• Uluwatu Temple and Sunset Fire Dance

Very crowded and touristy, but the fire dance during sunset truly is amazing and worth going to see.

• Spas

some favorites in the area: U.Spa, Laniakea, Esthetic

• high tea at Bvlgari Resort

Pererenan Beach

After saying goodbye to the Bukit peninsula, we drove up to the Canggu Beach area and stayed at a beautiful Airbnb right on the beach at Pererenan.

• La Brisa and the Lawn in Canggu for sunset drinks & dinner

• shopping and spas (some favorites are the Spring, Therapy, esthetic)

Ubud

I booked our stay in Ubud at the Aksari hotel. Since it had just opened a couple months ago, I was able to book it at a tremendous discount- something around $120 a night when this hotel is on the same luxury status as the most expensive hotels in Ubud, so lucky me! They have 2 pools and a jacuzzi, a spa overlooking the river, a gym, two restaurants, a bar, and luxurious amenities in the room- I’d definitely recommend it!

Things to do:

In Ubud, there are an abundance of temples- my personal favorite is the Tirta Empul temple where you can do a purification ritual in holy water. The locals believe that if you dip your head underneath the holy water, your mind will be purified. I recommend getting there first thing in the morning, as it gets pretty crowded and there can be a long line to experience these cleansing waters.

• Tegallalang Rice Terrace in Ubud

Very beautiful during the sunrise! I wouldn’t go during any other time of the day because it gets too crowded with tourists.

• Spa at Maya Ubud

The spa at Maya Ubud was hands down one of the best spa experiences of my life. I did a package of a one hour Balinese massage, a body scrub, a flower bath overlooking the rushing river, and then a facial. Pure bliss.

The last part of my trip was spent in North Bali at the Munduk Moding eco resort and spa. This hotel in North Bali is most known for its infamous infinity pool, but this plantation resort is so much more than getting that perfect pool-edge Instagram shot. The resort itself is absolutely breathtaking- set amongst a coffee plantation with a botanical garden feel around the property. Since it has a higher elevation than the rest of Bali, the weather is cooler and rainy and perfect for growing hydrangeas and strawberries.

The resort offers a variety of free activities around the plantation as well as some excursions, including a horseback ride to a nearby waterfall.