Example 7-day Bali backpacker itinerary
A week of surf, jungle and sunsets across Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu — sleeping in homestays, eating warung food and getting around by scooter.
Day 1 — Off the Plane, Into the Warung
Morning: A Grab from the airport costs IDR 200k and takes 45 minutes — just long enough for the heat to hit you properly and the city to blur into rice fields and temple gates.
Afternoon: You drop your bag at a Canggu homestay that costs less than a London pint (US$15 a night, fan, cold shower, perfect), then sleep for exactly the right amount of time.
Evening: La Brisa at sunset is free to enter, and a bowl of nasi goreng at the warung next door — crispy fried rice, egg on top, a side of crackers — costs IDR 35k and tastes better than anything.
Day 2 — First Waves, Smoothie Bowls and a Berawa Sunset
Morning: Old Man's beach break is forgiving, warm and scattered with surf school beginners — your IDR 350k lesson includes a foam board, an instructor who won't let you drown, and the best hour of your trip so far.
Afternoon: A smoothie bowl café on the Canggu strip costs IDR 65k for something Instagram-worthy enough to make your friends jealous; you eat it at a low table and feel extremely good about your life choices.
Evening: Berawa Beach goes a deep orange at 6 PM, and Warung Bu Mi's grilled chicken plate (IDR 40k) is the kind of meal that makes you want to stay another week.
Day 3 — Ninety Minutes North on a Scooter
Morning: You pick up a scooter for IDR 70k a day, helmet included, and ride north through Bali's green spine — rice paddies, junctions with shrines, the smell of incense and clove cigarettes mixing in the warm air.
Afternoon: The Campuhan Ridge Walk is completely free — a narrow path above a river gorge with views that would cost IDR 150k to see from a swing — and you walk it in blessed, quiet company.
Evening: Nasi campur at Warung Biah Biah costs IDR 45k for a plate of rice surrounded by little dishes of everything good — this is what Ubud tastes like.
Day 4 — Free Views, Cheap Waterfalls, One Sacred Temple
Morning: The Tegallalang viewpoint is free — you can see the whole terraced valley without paying for a swing — and at 7 AM the light is gold and the mist is still rising and it is genuinely breathtaking.
Afternoon: Tegenungan Waterfall charges IDR 20k entry and gives you a curtain of cold white water to stand under; you stay longer than planned because it is exactly that good.
Evening: Saraswati Temple is free to view from outside at dusk, the lotus pond glowing pink in the fading light; dinner at a nearby warung runs IDR 45k for more rice, more satisfaction.
Day 5 — South to the Cliffs — Padang Padang and Temple Fire
Morning: The bypass south to Uluwatu takes about 90 minutes on a scooter and arrives at the Bukit's dry, bleached limestone clifftops with the smell of ocean suddenly everywhere.
Afternoon: Padang Padang Beach costs IDR 15k to enter — a staircase through a crack in the rock leads to white sand, gentle waves and the scene from *Eat, Pray, Love*, and yes it lives up to it.
Evening: Uluwatu Temple at sunset costs IDR 50k; stay for the Kecak dance as the fire leaps against the darkening sky and the ocean drops away beneath the cliff — it is still one of Bali's great free spectacles.
Day 6 — Cave Beaches, Cliff Paths and a Single Fin Sunset
Morning: Bingin Beach is down a steep path that costs nothing — a curve of white sand below limestone walls where surfers read barrels and you read your book in the shade of a palm.
Afternoon: Suluban's cliff caves are otherworldly — sea caves carved into the headland with views through rock arches to open ocean, completely free, completely hidden from most visitors.
Evening: Single Fin's terrace is the best free view on the Bukit; a Bintang costs IDR 60k and the sunset is priceless, and the warung down the road back into Pecatu does grilled fish for IDR 55k.
Day 7 — Last Session, Last Warung, IDR 120k Home
Morning: One more surf or one more beach depending on who you've become this week — the kind of question that only Bali makes possible.
Afternoon: Return the scooter, eat a final plate of nasi goreng, and Grab to the airport costs IDR 120k — a number that still surprises you with how reasonable it is.
Evening: You fly out with a suitcase full of batik, a phone full of photos, and a total spend that most people's one-night hotel costs at home.
Frequently asked questions
How much money do I need per day for Bali on a budget?
US$30–45/day covers a homestay, warung meals, scooter rental, fuel and one paid activity. Add US$10–15/day if you want surf lessons or daily smoothie-bowl cafés.
What's the cheapest area to stay in Bali?
Canggu (Berawa, Echo Beach), Ubud (off Hanoman Street) and Uluwatu (Pecatu, Bingin) all have plenty of homestays from US$12–20/night. Avoid Seminyak and Nusa Dua for budget travel.
Is it safe to rent a scooter in Bali as a backpacker?
Yes, if you have an International Driving Permit + motorbike licence, always wear a helmet, never drive at night without lights, and don't drink and ride. Use Grab/Gojek instead if you're not confident on a scooter.
What are free things to do in Bali?
Beach days (Bingin, Padang Padang, Echo, Sanur), Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud, sunset at Tanah Lot from the cliff outside, most temple exteriors, and watching surfers at Uluwatu and Canggu.
Can I do Bali on US$1,000 for two weeks?
Yes — many backpackers do. Budget around US$30–40/day for accommodation + food + scooter, plus one-off costs for surf lessons, a Nusa Penida day trip and souvenirs. Skip beach clubs and you'll come in under budget.