The beach and cliffs in Nusa Penida in Bali, Indonesia. Photo by Alfiano Sutianto on Unsplash
Asia and that corner of the world seem to be the places for backpackers. It has always been that way, but for some reason, lately, it seems like you haven’t lived if you haven’t been backpacking around Asia (and you haven’t).
Today, we want to focus on Bali. It’s a place that’s quickly become the place to be for online influencers and content creators. There are so many backpackers there you might struggle to see anyone from Bali, but the vibes are out of this world.
The sunsets on the beach and watching people surf while you’re sipping a lemon Bintang are unbeatable. The temples, the stunning scenery, the delicious food—everything about Bali will keep you coming back for more.
But there’s so much to do in Bali that you need a guide to help you get the most out of it. Read on for our updated 2025 ultimate guide to a backpacking dream in Bali.
Picking Your Areas
We should have done an entire article about picking the area to stay in (you can Google that!).
Canggu
Canggu is the Bali and nomad hub. You’ve got surf club La Brisa, coworking spaces, incredible scenery, and amazing sunsets with refreshing smoothie bowls. It’s relaxing and laid back, but you’ll always find something to do. And if you’re an influencer or content creator, you’ll definitely always find something to do.
You could be surfing in the morning, working from your favourite café in the afternoon, and then chilling out at a beach club in the evening. Canggu Beach and Berawa Beach are our favourites.
READ MORE: When is the Best Time to Go to Bali?
Ubud
Ubud is another world. You’ll never see as much green as you do in Ubud. You’ve got yoga escapes, rice fields, jungles, and incredible restaurants serving the freshest food—Donna is our favourite place to eat!
Ubud is your go-to for some relaxation. It is a very calm place with beautiful temples, countless waterfalls, and green scenery. And there’s the iconic Ubud Monkey Forest.
Ubud is the type of place you go to when Canggu is full of too many people.
Seminyak
Seminyak is the place for stylish beach clubs and high-end restaurants. It’s definitely more polished and expensive than Canggu. Still, it’s affordable for backpackers. We’d argue you can’t go to Bali without going to a Seminyak beach club; it’s a rite of passage.
There isn’t much to do in Seminyak other than enjoy the beaches, eat good food, and go to the Nyaman Gallery. Double Six Beach for the sunset views is a must!
Uluwatu
Then you have Uluwatu, the beloved canyon. Beautiful scenery from stunning cliffs and hidden beaches to breathtaking waves attracts professional surfers from all over the world. If you’re looking for a calmer vibe with some of the best sunsets, Uluwatu is magic. The Balangan Viewpoint is one of the best in the world, and we’d 100% recommend going to the Uluwatu temple.
Amed and Munduk
For those who are really adventurous, Amed and Munduk are further north. Not as popular with tourists, which means breathtaking views and some of the best diving and hiking on the island without having hundreds of people around you. It is ideal if you are looking to escape the typical tourist hotspots.
READ MORE: Top 10 Things to Do in Bali
Picking Your Excursions
There is far more to Bali than just lying on the beach all day (although we wouldn’t judge you if that’s what you want to do).
The first step is picking your areas. You have to go to Bali and see more than one area. Then, once you know where you’ll be staying (or at least the area), you can decide the excursions and things you’d like to do when you’re there.
Let’s pay homage to the classics. The Tegalalang rice paddies are beautiful, although they always have an endless tourist stream, which is not enough to ruin the experience. There’s also the famous Mount Batur sunrise hike—be prepared to start the excursion in the middle of the night. The breathtaking view of the sun rising on the island while standing on an active volcano is out of this world.
Bali also has unbelievable waterfalls. The waterfalls of Tukad Cepung, Tegenungan, and Sekumpul are some of the most famous, but you can find them wherever you go in Bali.
Last but not least are the temples. And there are lots of them. We won’t list them all, but Uluwatu Temple and Tanah Lot are the most popular. Tanah Lot is set on a rock in the water, and Uluwatu Temple Tower is famous for its cliffside location.
You’ve also got the Campuhan Ridge walk in Ubud or the surfing lessons in Kuta. Or there’s Nusa Penida. While it may not be Bali, it is only a short boat ride away. This island is still wild and features Kelingking Beach, which purportedly has the silhouette of a T-Rex. You have likely spotted it on Instagram, and it’s incredible in person as well.
We could have created an entire article about things to do in Bali. Always pick your area, then plan your things to do!
Is It Worth Joining a Backpacking Group?
We wouldn’t say you need to join a backpacking group to meet people in Bali. It feels like almost 100% of the people are ex-pats riding around on their scooters. But if you’re a little introverted and would like help meeting people, joining a backpacking group will be good for you.
There are also apps like Meetup, which help you meet people in Bali without committing to a group. But trust us, you will meet people when you’re there.
Sometimes, pre-booking a backpacking group trip works out better. All the planning and itineraries are sorted for you; all you need to do is pay (and pay a lot more than you typically would).
Meeting People and Getting the Most Out of Bali
Bali has travellers, backpackers, and digital nomads from nearly every corner of the globe. It’s so easy to connect with others, and as long as you have an eSIM that’ll work in Bali, like from providers like Get Nomad, you’ll have no issues at all. And most of the cafes have free Wi-Fi.
For budget accommodations, we’d suggest hostels—social hubs like Tribal Bali or The Farm are idyllic. You’re more likely to meet people and enjoy yourself if you stay in hostels, and there are some really incredible ones. Hostels don’t always have to mean rundown!
Finn’s Beach Club, The Lawn, and Old Man’s are always busy and buzz-filled. The party culture is massive, especially the wild parties in Canggu.
And the people you cannot ignore—the locals. Bali is known to be one of the friendliest places to visit, and Balinese people are no different. You could also spend time with the locals!
Bali has everything you could ask for. So get your passport and bags ready because this journey will undoubtedly change your perspective on travelling.
Go World Travel Magazine is a digital magazine for world travelers. Our editorial content is produced by a dedicated team of travel journalists who know the regions they cover. We cover travel in more than 90 countries.
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