Bali in 15 days | Itinerary, tips and favorites

Bali had been on my Bucket List for several years, a dream that once seemed out of reach. Until that memorable evening in January when, while watching a movie, I sudden curiosity awoke in me – so strong that I immediately looked up how much such a trip would cost.

To my surprise, the dream suddenly felt attainable. It was as if Bali was calling me, leaving no more excuses to postpone. I had just found the destination for our next vacation in March.

When I shared my idea with my husband, the photos and videos I showed him quickly won him over. He joined me in what I like to call “my little crazy idea“—and we’ve never regretted it. Quite the opposite: this journey transformed our lives and marked the beginning of a new chapter, one of deeper connection and of travelers daring to follow their innermost callings.

Bali captivated us with the beauty of its rice fields, temple s, and beaches, but what touched us most was the unique energy that flows through it. This trip reminded me that sometimes, all it takes is the courage to answer an inner call for everything to fall perfectly into place.

Our 15-Day Itineray

With limited time for our vacation, we had to make some thoughtful choices while planning our route. This 15-day journey in March 2025 was divided into five main stops: Ubud, Munduk, Sidemen, Nusa Penida, and Sanur.

Here’s a quick overview of our itinerary. If you click on the links to the detailed articles, that’s where I share our favorite moments and experiences for each stop.

Days 1 to 5: Ubud

4 nights in Ubud: the very soul of Bali. For us, it was unthinkable to visit Bali without spending time in Ubud – and it turned out to be the perfect place to begin our adventure on the Island of the Gods.

👉 Read the detailed article on Ubud

Days 5 to 7: Munduk

2 nights in Munduk: we instantly fell in love with this peaceful mountain village surrounded by rice fields, and waterfalls, and lush greenery. The calm and serenity of the place made it perfect for reconnecting with ourselves. Our only regret? Not staying longer.

👉 Read the detailed article on Munduk

Days 7 to 9: Sidemen

2 nights in Sidemen: often described as what Ubud was 20 years ago – that alone was enough to convince us. Once there, we were enchanted by the endless rice fields, the gentle rhythm of local life, and the sense that time itself had slowed down.

👉 Read the detailed article on Sidemen

Days 9 to 12: Nusa Penida

3 nights in Nusa Penida: this must-see island was an essential part of our trip. Its wild beauty, vertiginous cliffs, and turquoise beaches left us completely awestruck.

👉 Read the detailed article on Nusa Penida

Days 12 to 16: Sanur

4 nights in Sanur: a charming seaside town, perfect for welcoming us during Nyepi (the Balinese New Year). It offered a peaceful, timeless atmosphere that allowed us to end our journey on a beautiful gentle note.

👉 Read the detailed article on Sanur

When planning our trip, we were also tempted by places like Uluwatu (for its beaches, temple, and Garuda Wisnu Kencana park) or Canggu (for its beaches and bohemian, laid-back vibe). But with limited time, we had to make some choices. Who knows… Maybe next time!

When to Go to Bali

The best time to visit Bali, weather-wise, is during the dry season – from April to October. However, it’s also the high season, with July and August attracting the largest number of visitors.

We close to travel in March, at the end of the rainy season. We did get a few showers, but they were usually short-lived. In return, the landscapes were lush and vibrant, shimmering with every shade of green.

For us, the greatest advantage was that March was a quieter time, just before the peak tourist months of April to August. It allowed us to fully enjoy the island’s peaceful atmosphere and, sometimes, even benefit from lower prices.

Note: We were lucky enough to experience Nyepi (the Balinese New Year), which often takes place in March. It’s a unique day of silence, introspection, and reconnection – a truly memorable spiritual experience for us. If you prefer to avoid this kind of sacred pause, it’s best to check the dates before planning your trip.

Entry Requirements for Bali

Before our trip, we took the time to research the entry requirements and documents needed for traveling to Bali. Here’s what we had to prepare as Canadian travelers:

a passport valid for at least 6 months after the entry date;
proof of return flight;
a Visa on Arrival valid for 30 days for (500 000 IDR per person), which we completed online before our departure (https://molina.imigrasi.do.id);
a Customs Declaration*, filled out online before departure;
a Health Declaration Form*, also completed online before departure;
payment of a Bali tourist tax (150 000 IDR per person), payable online at https://lovebali.baliprov.go.id

*Since September 2025, the All Indonesia Arrival Form replaces the customs and health declaration forms. You can find the official link here: https://allindonesia.imigrasi.go.id

How to Get to Bali

There’s no direct flight from Montreal to Bali. After many hours in the air and layovers in Paris and Singapore, we finally touched down at Denpasar Airport. I was filled with excitement the moment the plane’s wheels met Balinese soil – a mix of joy, disbelief, and anticipation for what was to come.

The return trip had a similar rhythm, this time with stops in Singapore and Amsterdam. Even though it somehow felt shorter, the journey was still long: nearly 23 hours each way, flights only.

How to Get Around Bali

Bali is easy to explore, but the traffic and distances can sometimes be surprising. Here are the main ways to get around the island:

🛵Renting a scooter: this is the preferred option for experienced travelers, though not necessarily for everyone. Traffic can be heavy, driving is on the left, and the traffic rules are… well, let’s just say flexible. So, if you choose this option, make sure you feel confident and properly insured!
🚕Taxis: Grab and Gojek are two very popular local apps, similar to Uber. They’re practical, reliable, and very affordable, operating in most areas of the island.
🚗Private drivers: perfect for longer trips between destinations. Sometimes, they can also act as guides. You’ll easily find trusted recommendations on travel blogs and Facebook travel groups.

For our arrival, we booked a taxi through Booking to reach our accommodation in Ubud. Everything went smoothly; the driver contacted us via WhatsApp and was waiting for us right outside the airport.

Later, to better organize our transfers and activities, we hired a driver-guide: Made Mustara. You can reach him via WhatsApp at +62 813-3977-0133. He speaks English and understands some French (and is motivated to learn more, thanks to his French-speaking clients!). Meeting him was truly enriching – our trip wouldn’t have been the same without him. He even referred us to a great driver for our stay on Nusa Penida.

Balinese Massages – An Experience in Itself

Throughout our stay, we treated ourselves to several traditional Balinese massages. These moments of relaxation became true rituals, pauses of calm, reconnection, and pure well-being woven into the rhythm of our journey.

If you’re planning a trip to Bali, don’t underestimate this experience. Even a simple one-hour massage can turn into a deeply rejuvenating moment, perfect after a day of exploration. And in our case, since we enjoyed them as a couple, it was also a beautiful shared moment of relaxation and connection.

Budget & Travel Costs

And now, the question everyone asks: how much did this dream trip actually cost? Here’s a quick breakdown of what we spent (amounts shown are for 2 adults):

✈️ Plane tickets: $3,785
🛳️ Other transportation (ferries, taxi): $140
🚗 Driver-guides: $760
🏨 Accommodation: $1,315
🍔 Food: $475
🎟️ Activities: $235
💆‍♀️ Couple massages (5x) and Sound healing session (1x): $290
💲 Visa and tourist taxes: $100
👉Total: $7,100

For such a complete trip, this budget felt very reasonable to us, especially considering the richness of the experiences we had and the comfort of our accommodations.

Of course, it’s entirely possible to adjust this budget downward: by choosing simpler stays, renting a scooter instead of hiring a driver-guide, or limiting massages and activities. The overall cost can easily be reduced without taking away from the beauty of the journey.

Currency

The official currency in Indonesia is the Indonesian rupiah (IDR).

While credit cards are generally accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops in major cities, you’ll still need cash to buy in markets, taxis, or meals in more rural areas.

There are a few ways to get cash in Bali, either from exchange offices (just be careful when money is being counted) or from ATMs, which is the option we chose. Since there’s a maximum withdrawal limit, you may sometimes need to make several withdrawal in a row.

In March 2025, we got an exchange rate of around 10,500 IDR for CAD $1, which already included ATM and bank fees.

In Conclusion

Beyond the places we visited, Bali was a true personal revelation. This journey marked the beginning of my new life as an adventurous soul, ever in search of meaning, beauty and discovery.

I hope this story can inspire those who, like me, feel an inner calling to take the leap and set out to rediscover themselves on the Island of the Gods.

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Bali, Indonesia – 15-Day Itinerary (March 2025)

A Dream Come True