Montgomery St. Peter 6/5/26 Montgomery St. Peter 6/5/26

Bali Travel Guide: Canggu, Beaches & Island Adventures

Bali is an Indonesian Island known for its rich culture, ancient Hindu temples, volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, surf breaks and expat communities.

Bali, Indonesia

Bali is an Indonesian Island known for its rich culture, ancient Hindu temples, volcanic landscapes, black sand beaches, surf breaks and expat communities. During our two week trip, we ventured to various areas around the island including the relaxing seaside neighborhood of Canggu, the tropical palm covered Gili Islands, the cliffside Bukit Peninsula and cultural hub of Ubud. Whether a local, expat or traveler, Bali is truly a paradise worth visiting and falling in love with.

Canggu

Canggu is a trendy place home to many expats, digital nomads and surf enthusiasts, making it a great place to meet other travelers. Luxury villas, cute shops and vegan cafes flank the narrow streets of the rapidly developing neighborhood. It’s shoreline is hugged by black sand beaches while lush rice paddies grow alongside interior roads. Soak up tropical vibes at beach clubs, enjoy the serene atmosphere at coastal temples and dine at the neighborhoods many restaurants and bars.

Black Sand Beaches

Black sand beaches stretch along Canggu’s coastline. They’re home to numerous surf shacks, restaurants with chair and umbrella rental and bustling beach clubs. Friendly stray dogs roam the beach looking for food and pets.

Batu Bolong & Canggu Beach. Easily the most popular and beautiful beach in Canggu. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and beach clubs to find a lounge for the afternoon, meet other travelers, stay for the sunset and enjoy the overall tropical vibes. Surfers flock to the beginner and intermediate surf breaks while kiosks rent board and offer lessons.

Echo Beach. A black sand beach with a seaside temple and a small cliff lined with cafes, barbecue restaurants and surf rentals. It’s a very popular spot at sunset.

Berawa Beach. A smaller and quieter beach where a river lets out into the ocean. It’s nestled away from the larger clubs and dense line of beach shacks and surf schools. Fishermen boats dot the shore while vendors rent sun lounges and umbrellas.

Beach Clubs & Sunsets

Beach clubs are a very popular way to enjoy the Balinese beaches, escape the afternoon heat and party at night. They can range from small oceanfront shacks offering lounges and drinks to large open air buildings with infinity pools, live music and several bars.

Sand Bar. A small but lively beach club at Batu Bolong Beach with colorful picnic tables and lounges, inexpensive food and ice cold Bintangs, Bali’s regional beer. It’s a great spot to enjoy the sunset and watch surfers.

The Lawn. A casual beachside restaurant known for its faux lawn, infinity pool and palm shaded beach lounges. They serve happy hour cocktails, sharable plates and healthy meals.

Finn’s Beachclub. A large, high-end and popular beach club recognized by it’s giant sign and thatched building. Finn’s is home to several pools, restaurants and bars often playing live music. You pay a hefty cover get in which reserves your lounge or table and can be used towards ordering food and drinks.

Temples & Offerings

The Balinese are very spiritual people, mostly practicing Hinduism. Their island is home to thousands of temples with small altars at the entrance to their homes and businesses. Locals leave daily offerings on sidewalks made from small leaf woven baskets containing flowers, burning incense, cookies, candies and money. Out of respect, make sure not to step on them.

Tanah Lot Temple. One of seven ocean temples surrounding Bali. It holds special importance to the Balinese, built to protect the island from evil sea spirts. The temple is perched on a rock formation only accessible during low tide. Non-Balinese are not allowed to enter but can view from the nearby cliffs and outcrops below. Vendors line the road leading up to the temple selling young coconuts, kleponu, offerings and souvenirs.

Markets & Shops

Craft markets and boutique shops are common across Bali and especially in Canggu. A few we loved visiting for handmade goods and local souvenirs are:

Love Anchor Canggu. An expansive indoor market with booths and vendors selling locally made home goods and crafts like macrame, shell and coconut home goods, flowy dresses and sarongs, beach jewelry and all the expected souvenirs. You’ll often be offered a “special price.” Play along, haggle and never accept the first price.

Sunday Market. A Sunday afternoon and evening market with live music, performers and vendors selling organic produce, cooked foods and hand made goods.

La Brisa Sunday Market. A small but bustling Sunday market at the La Brisa restaurant. It offers a combination of goods found at the Love Anchor and Sunday Markets.

Things to Do

Take a Surf Lesson. The best surf lessons can be found by walking any of Canggu’s beaches. Many instructors and surf sharks have signs offering board rentals and 2 hour lessons. It’s best to go early, just after sunrise, to avoid the large groups.

Join a Beach Cleanup. At times, the currents carry in tons of plastic waste floating in the ocean. Join a beach cleanup or simply do your part to pick up any plastic you see.

Enjoy a Floating Brunch. Making time for a floating brunch is a must do in Bali. It’s a poolside meal artfully presented in a floating basket. It typically includes fresh fruits & juices, fluffy pancakes, eggs and various Balinese bites.

Get a Massage. Various types of massages are offered throughout Canggu and Bali in general for an affordable cost. Look for signs outside of businesses offering 60 minute or signature massage. It’s not uncommon to find one for around $10 USD.

Places to Eat & Drink

Canggu is known for its food scene. There are endless options to try traditional Balinese food, locally grown fruits, vegan meals and Australian inspired “brekkie.”

Shady Shack. Located across from a rice field in an outdoor patio covered in tropical trees and plants. The menu is full of all kinds of colorful and creative vegan dishes. This is the perfect spot to come for Bali bowls and to drink kombucha through a papaya stem straw.

La Brisa. A beachside restaurant with a large open air patio that feels more like a tropical tree house. The food and drinks here are delicious and the vibe was relaxing even during the busier hours of service. Like many places in Canggu, the sunset here was spectacular.

Monsieur Spoon. A cafe with French style pastries, breads, egg dishes. Their spacious outdoor patio makes it the perfect place to start the day or enjoy an afternoon coffee.

Milk & Madu. A great restaurant at any time of day but especially at breakfast for their delicious egg dishes and flavorful coffee.

Where to Stay in Canggu

The narrow streets and rice paddies of Canggu are flanked by multitudes of villas and vacation rentals, many of which can be booked affordably. We stayed at in a modern villa with private units and communal spaces like a lush patio and swimming pool. Book on Airbnb.

Getting Around Canggu

Scooters. The fastest way to get around Canggu is by scooter. Multiple shops rent scooters and moto bikes by the day, week month. Prices range on average $10 per day. For safety and to avoid fines, always wear a helmet while riding any carry your ID.

On Foot. Canggu is walkable by those that enjoy exploring on foot. Be mindful of speeding scooters and cars. Carry a flashlight when walking at night.

Traffic. The narrow roads are often congested during rush hour.

Bukit Peninsula

The Bukit Peninsula is the southern most point in Bali. It’s known for its swimmable beaches, dramatic cliffs, grilled seafood markets and high end restaurants.

Visit the Beaches

We visited a lot of beaches in Bali however the ones on the Bukit Peninsula were some of our favorite!

Padang Padang Beach. A small swimmable beach nestled in a protected cove. The beach is great for sunbathing with little shade, though there are umbrella and chair rentals available form vendors. Warungs offer an affordable snacks, meals and fresh coconuts to drink out of and eat.

Good to Know. The beach is accessible via a set of stairs built within the crevice of the cliff above. There is a small cash only entrance fee to access the beach. Watch out for monkeys on steps and near the tree line. They’re mischievous and will try to snatch your belongings.

Nyang Nyang Beach East. A sandy beach with shallow waters perfect for swimming, lounging and watching paragliders take flight overhead. The most notable sight on the beach is the graffitied remains of a washed up shipwreck. The are a few small warungs along the beach and trail leading to it with an offering snacks and drinks.

Getting Here. The beach is accessible via a lush cliffside trail behind the Villa Plenilunino. Use this Google Map Pin to locate the trailhead.

Nyang Nyang Beach. A remote and lengthy golden sand beach nestled beneath a verdant cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. It's separated into two halves by jagged rocks.

Nyang Nyang Beach West. This beach is perfect for near total seclusion. The sounds of large crashing waves make it a calming place to sunbathe but dangerous to swim. The sandy shoreline transitions into bedrock at the water with rock pools during low tide. The beach is relatively undeveloped through some warungs, bars and hotels have recently popped up selling beverages, snacks and offering a shaded retreat from the sun.

Getting Here. The beach takes some effort to reach. It’s only accessible on foot or by scooter via a steep gravel roadway just beyond the Nyang Nyang Beach Parking Lot.

Things to Do

Nyang Nyang Paragliding. The southern winds hitting Nyang Nyang’s cliff make it an ideal spot for paragliding. Tandem fights soar several hundred feet above the dramatic cliffs and rugged coastline flanked by deep blue ocean. If the conditions are right, the pilot will perform some aerobatics such as spiraling and spinning the parachute. Our flight lasted 20 minutes and included a package of photos and videos. Book ahead of time with Bali Paragliding Tandem.

Jimbaran Seafood. Jimbaran Beach is home to a fishing village lined with restaurants, vendors and kiosks barbecuing all types of freshly caught and live seafood. Smoke wafts through the air from large grills while cooks fan smoldering coconut husks. We shared a platter with a whole crab, prawns, barracuda and oysters plated on a banana leaf.

Good to Know. The best options are located towards the south end of the beach. The seafood is cheaper, the atmosphere is more local and you can dine directly on the beach. Avoid the higher end restaurants towards the north side, they’re tourist traps.

Bali High Tea. For an elevated experience, visit the Orchid Tea Lounge, a tea room in a modern greenhouse decorated with hundreds of blooming orchids. The tea service was especially cute with all the cakes, sandwiches and treats either wrapped in or served on banana leafs. Make a reservation ahead of time.

Getting Around Bukit

The Bukit Peninsula is a remote area of Bali accessible by car and scooter. It’s hilly landscape and congested roads makes it difficult and time consuming to get around.

By Taxi. Hire a taxi driver while exploring the peninsula. They will wait for you after drops offs and be on call to pick you up. Taxis typically cost between $30-50 USD per day. Make sure to negotiate price ahead of time.

Rent a Scooter. Like throughout the rest of Bali, you can get around on a scooter. The only difference in the peninsula is that most places charge a small parking fee between $1-2 USD.

Where to Stay in Bukit

Magical Vintage Treehouse. A rustic treehouse surrounded by a massive mango tree with branches that poke through the walls, floor boards and ceiling. There is a shared pool between the treehouse and neighboring villas as well as a restaurant and bakery serving a mix of fresh fruits, traditional Balinese and French cuisine. Book on Airbnb.

The Gili Islands

The Gili Islands, often called “The Gilis” are a series of three tiny islands off the coast of Lombok. Their sleepy atmosphere and unique vibes make them relaxing places to experience Indonesian culture and the tropical environment. We spent four days here but could have easily stayed for weeks.

Gili Trawangan. Also known as “Gili T,” this is the largest of the The Gilis. It’s the most popular place to stay with many boutique hotels, vacation rentals, seaside restaurants, outdoor cafes and beachfront bars. The main town spans across the eastern side of the island while lush palm groves cover its interior. Colorful boats and outriggers line white sand beaches wrapping around the island’s perimeter.

Gili Air. A largely developed island with numerous options for accommodations, dining, nightlife and marine activities. It’s located just across from Lombok with uninterrupted views of Mt. Rinjani.

Gili Meno. The smallest, quietest and most relaxing of The Gilis. It’s located in between Gili T and Gil Air. Its home to white sand beaches, turquoise waters, snorkeling points, palm groves, local warangs and rental villas.

Gili T Beaches

The island is essentially one giant beach paradise! Based on location, here’s our breakdown to exploring the different corners of the island.

Eastern Coast. The most commercialized coastline on the island spanning the length of the town. Its easily accessible and lined with hundreds of sun lounges, beach umbrellas and small boats. Its white sand shore is perfect for sunbathing while its shallow turquoise waters are ideal for swimming and lounging.

Turtle Point. Located on the northeast corner of the island, this is the best place to spot sea turtles! The shallow warm waters are home to sea grass where sea turtles feed. Rent a standup paddle or kayak and quietly wait in the water for a turtle to swim by. Arrive before 10am to avoid the large crowds and loud boats from the snorkel tours.

Northern Coast. Most beaches here are private for guests of the nearby resorts and hotels.

Northwestern Coast. Beaches here attract smaller crowds than elsewhere on the island making them a peaceful place to relax. There are numerous beachfront restaurants and bars offering places to dine and drink.

Southwestern Coast. An area with the best views of Bali’s silhouette and Indian Ocean sunsets. Many diving tours frequent the waters on this side of the island to spot manta rays and sharks.

Southern Coast. A narrow stretch of shoreline covered in piles of washed up corals.

Things to Do

Snorkeling Tour. Many restaurants, dive schools and guides along the main street on Gili T will offer inexpensive snorkel tours around The Gilis. We snorkeled around the coast of Gili Meno where we spotted an incredible array of tropical fish, jumped from the boat’s rooftop and visited The Nest, an artificial reef comprised of human figures standing in a circle. After snorkeling, we stopped at Gili Air for a beachfront lunch.

Acrylic Kayaking. Rent an acrylic kayak and paddle around Turtle Point to spot sea turtles feeding in the sea grass.

Pro Tip. Select the kayak with minimal scratches on the bottom. The more scratches, the less you’ll actually be able to see though it.

Stand Up Paddle. Rent a stand up paddle and explore the strait between Gili T and Gili M. The water is usually calm making it easy to balance. This was another fun way to spot sea turtles.

Watch the Sunset. There are a number of beach clubs, restaurants and hotels with lounges, ocean swings and patios on the west and southwest sides of the island to watch the sunset.

Get a Bamboo Tattoo. A bamboo tattoo is a traditional hand poked tattoo. Visit NoA The Master of the Bamboo Tattoo for some new ink. The process is sanitary and clean. We watched the artist disinfect all of his tools and present us with the an unopened package containing the needles he used for our tattoos. It’s worth it for the authentic experience!

Take a Cooking Class. One of the best meals we had on Gili T was the one we cooked ourselves. Several beachfront restaurants in town offer 2 hour cooking classes to prepare multiple Indonesian staples including: Fried Tempe and Tofu, Mie Goreng, Pepes Ikan and Klepon.

Places to Eat & Drink

Le Pirate. A small resort on the northwest of the island with a beachfront restaurant serving Indonesian dishes and freshly harvest coconuts. Come here for lunch while biking around the island!

Tiki Grove. A tiki themed restaurant located in the palm covered interior of the island. Come for the fish tacos, live music and traditional tiki drinks.

Pink Coco. A beach club on the southwest side of the island with pink colored decor and beanbags lining the sand. It’s a popular place to watch the sunset while sipping on a Bintang or cocktail.

Where to Stay in Gili T

Melati Cottage. A traditional hotel with several wooden cottages located steps from the beach. The simple cottages each have a comfy bed, outdoor shower and deck front patio. The hosts offer daily bike rentals and pick up from the ferry terminal. Book on Airbnb.

Getting Around The Gilis

Speed Boats. Speed boats are the fastest, safest and most hassle free way to get between Bali and the Gili Islands. There are a number of companies and departure points along the East side of Bali offering transportation from anywhere on the island to The Gilis. We booked roundtrip tickets with Blue Water Express.

Island Hopping. Public boats ferry passengers between each island’s main harbors at infrequent times from 9am and 4pm. Standard Boats takes about 30 minutes and cost around $5 one way. Fast Boats take about 15 minutes and cost around $10 one way.

Rent a Bike. Cars are forbidden on The Gilis making bicycles the most efficient way of getting around. The largest of the islands, Gili T can be crossed in 15 minutes or circled in under an hour. Most accommodations rent bikes for around $5-10 USD per day.

Indonesian Cuisine

Warungs. An Indonesian style restaurant serving a buffet of dishes and prepared plates. They’re often spotted along the roadside offering inexpensive meals and traditional Balinese cuisine.

Bali Bowls. Also called smoothie bowls, they’re made from mixtures of puréed frozen fruits and often decorated in fresh fruit, grains and flowers. They’re a healthy, filling and refreshing way to start the day. Almost every cafe offers their own versions.

Klepon. A green gelatinous rice ball with melted palm sugar inside and a coconut shaved exterior.

Nasi Goreng. Vegetable fried rice, an Indonesian staple commonly served on menus around the country. It’s a popular breakfast dish.

Mi Goreng. The same as nasi goreng, except made with noodles instead of rice.

Gado Gado. Lightly steamed or boiling vegetables served with a spicy peanut sauce.

Batagor. Fried banana, tempe or tofu stuffed with glass noodles and veggies. It’s a very common street food dish in East Java and eaten for breakfast or a mid day snack.

Tempeh. Fermented and spouted soybeans formed into a protein patty or block. A common preparation is Tempeh Lada Hitam, tempeh cooked in a black pepper sauce.

Sayur Lodeh. A spiced coconut stew cooked with tempeh, eggplant, tomatoes and green beans.

Bintang. Indonesia’s national beer. It’s a light beer perfect for the perpetually hot afternoons and evenings.

Sambal. Indonesians love spicy food. The source of the heat is often sambal, a minced mixture of Thai chili peppers, shallots and garlic.

Location Specifics

When to Visit. Visit during the dry season, from May to October. The weather is sunny and bright most days with the occasional afternoon storm.

Plastic Pollution. With few methods for waste management and recycling, plastic waste and trash often make their way into the waterways, littering beaches, the coast and ocean.

Shoes Off Indoors. Like many places in Asia, it’s proper to remove shoes before entering home or some shops.

Use Both Hands. When ever exchanging anything like credit cards or cash, use both hands as a sign of respect.

Currency. Indonesia uses the Indonesian Rupiah. The currency is quantified in the thousands. Many businesses will drop the zeros on a bill. For example, something costing 56,000 Rp may be written as 50.

Small Bills. Carry a lot of smaller bills (5K,10K and 20K) for donations and small fees.

Tipping. 10% Gratuities are usually included in the bill under service. Anything extra is not expected.

General Safety. Bali is generally a safe place to travel too. The biggest dangers are traffic, natural disasters and overcrowded boats.

LGBTQ+ Safety. While Bali is very friendly and welcoming to LGBTQ+ travelers, Indonesian laws and customs are not. Stay up to date with the latest laws and suggestions while traveling. Refer to our guide on LGBTQ+ Travel Safety for more advice.

Language. Bahasa Indonesian is the official language in Bali however many people know English. It’s best to know a few local words and phrases.

Sukseme = Thank You
Sama Sama = You’re Welcome
Selamat Pagi = Good Morning
Selamat Siang = Good Afternoon
Selamat Sore = Good Evening

Elsewhere in Indonesia

We’ve visited to Indonesia twice during our travels, exploring different islands across the archipelago. Visit ancient temples and wander through the lush rice terraces of Ubud, Bail. Experience the picturesque landscapes and wildlife of The Komodo Islands. Chase waterfalls and hike into the craters of active volcanos in East Java.

For Next Time…

There are near endless things to do and see in Bali. It’s unique culture, nature and atmosphere is a place we certainly hope to experience again. When we do, these are a number of the things we’re planing to seek out.

Nusa Islands. An archipelago of three volcanic islands in the strait between Bali and Lombok. Its famed for its manta rays, cliff diving points and Kelingking Beach, a beach on Nusa Penida with a T-rex shaped peninsula.

The Gilis. We could have spent weeks on The Gilis. Having throughly explore Gili T, we would return to experience Gili Air and Gili Meno.

Uluwatu. An area of the Bukit Peninsula cliffside beaches like Suluban and Balangan and one of Bali’s most scared sites, the Uluwatu Temple, where it’s believed that the Hindu gods, Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva become here.

West Bali Park. A largely untouched wildlife refuge and jungle on the western side of Bali. The route leading here is dotted with coastal towns and jungleous villages.

Ubud’s Temples. We would spend more time exploring the ancient temples in Ubud including:

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan. A series of floating water temples on Lake Bratan assessable by canoe.
Pura Taman Saraswati. A palace water temple surrounded by a large lily ponds where the traditional Balinese Legong dance is performed.
Goa Gajah. A 9th century cave temple with extensive carvings and entrance through the overgrown mouth of a demon.

Montgomery St. Peter 6/5/26 Montgomery St. Peter 6/5/26

How to Find Cheap Flights: A Practical Flight Booking Checklist

Find cheaper flights with practical booking strategies, flexible search techniques and proven tips that help uncover better airfare deals.

Cheap Flights Checklist

Finding cheap flights can be hit or miss but persistence and flexibility is key to finding the best fares. Follow our checklist for well learned tips and travel hacks to book the most affordable flights.

Where & How to Track Flights

Websites to Track Flights. We always begin tracking flights on Google Flights. The search by map and calendar features make it easy to visually choose a destination and time to go. We also like comparing across travel search engines like Sky Scanner and Hopper. Lastly, search directly on the airline’s websites. Some airlines have better routes and prices that don’t always show up on flight tracking websites.

Track Multiple Destinations. If you’re like us and have a travel bucket list, track flights to multiple destinations around when you’re planning to travel. This also helps us learn what prices are considered low or high to various places during different times of the year. This method works for near term and distant travel dates.

Tracking Ahead. If you plan on traveling in several months from now and want to go somewhere tropical, track flights to various tropical destinations during that time and book the most affordable option.
Tracking Last Minute. The same method works for spontaneous trips. If you’re planning a getaway this weekend, track flights from your nearest airport to any destinations reachable from there. Sometimes you’ll be surprised to find a very affordable last minute flight.

Know The Best Dates & Times to Travel

Have Flexible Dates and Times. Be flexible when searching for flights. Sometimes departing a day earlier or later can mean spending hundreds of dollars less. This is true of the time of day, especially on well traveled routes.

Book the Red Eye Flight. It might not be the most comfortable time of day to travel, especially if you can’t sleep on airplanes, however the prices almost always cost less in the middle of the night than during mornings or afternoons.

Travel on Grim Dates. Flights are almost always cheaper on days like Friday the 13th or September 11th, especially if booking months out.

Travel During the Curb or Off Seasons. The weather might not be “perfect” but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy your trip. We’ve often enjoyed smaller crowds, better service and made stronger connections with local culture and other travelers during the off season.

Plan a Season Ahead. Track and book flights months ahead of time, ideally the season before most travelers have even given it any thought. For example, we begin tracking spring break trips around Thanksgiving, summer travels during the holidays before the New Year and fall getaways during the late spring and early summer.

Travel Abroad on Thanksgiving. If you’re traveling from the United States, international flights are frequently more affordable on Thanksgiving while most travelers are flying domestically.

Don’t Wait to Book. If you feel good about a ticket’s price, don’t wait to book it. Chances are the price won’t be available 24 hours later, especially if it seems too good to be true. Most flights, even if non-refundable, are fully refundable within 24 hours if you change your mind of fine a better flight elsewhere. Alternately, some airlines offer the option to “freeze” a price for up to 72 hours for a small fee.

Consider Your Departure & Destination Locations

Check Multiple Airports. Many major hubs have multiple airports. Flights to and from the smaller or lesser desired airport may be the more affordable option. If you’re based in-between multiple regional airports, flights from one vs the other may make all the difference, even if more distant than your nearest airport.

Book One Way Flights. If you plan it right, one way flights with separate airlines are occasionally cheaper than round trip flights with the same airline. This is especially true if traveling between multiple destinations before returning home.

Avoid Skiplagging. Skiplagging is when you book a flight with a layover but stay in the connecting city. Travelers do this when the connecting route costs less than the direct route. While not illegal, airlines often impose hefty fees, cancel remaining legs of the journey or ban passengers from flying with them.

Choosing An Airline

Book the Budget Airline. We’ve all heard of or have our own horror story from booking with a budget airline. Though there’s usually less leg room, higher baggage fees and less flexibility, most flights depart without issue. The biggest risk is an overbooked flight, a risk worth taking for booking at a significantly lesser cost. If unfamiliar with the budget airline, research recent customer experiences on review sites or Reddit.

Be Aware of Baggage Fees. We rarely check a bag however we always verify baggage fees and restrictions. They frequently change between airlines and countries. Before booking, confirm how many bags are included, what the weight and size restrictions are, if they can be carried on or have to be checked. Fees can quickly add up if you’re not paying attention.

Check for Stopover Programs. Several airlines offer free stopovers, discounted stays or city tours when stopping over in their home city or country. Taking advantage of them is a great way to fit in an additional destination in route to your planned destination.

Lottery Upgrades. Some airlines offer a lottery to upgrade flights to a premium seat up to a week before the flight departs. Place a bid, usually a few dollars higher than the recommended bid to win a chance at upgrading for significantly less than the actual cost.

Volunteer if Asked. We’ve earned hundreds of dollars in flight vouchers and Visa cards on multiple occasions by volunteering to take the next flight on overbooked flight. Though not common, it can really pay off if not in a rush.

Earn Points by Traveling

Sign Up for Frequent Flyer Programs. Most airlines have their own frequent flyer or mileage program to earn points towards booking future flights and covering baggage fees. Several airlines are part of the same network or alliance making it easier to consolidate points if booking with different airlines. Though it can take years to accumulate a meaningful amount of points, simply signing up comes with perks. We’ve received free upgrades, been assigned better seats and received refunds or travel credits on otherwise non-refundable flights.

Use Travel Credit Cards. Sign up for a travel credit card to earn points that cover the cost of flights and other travel related expenses. We have multiple travel credit cards but routinely use two over others.

Chase Sapphire Reserve. A premium travel credit card with steep annual fees but generous travel credits. Amongst other perks, it comes with a Priority Pass that offers access to many airport lounges. Any travel related expenses earn 3 points per dollar spent on the card. Over time, it adds up and more than pays itself off.
Capital One Venture. A travel credit card with minimal annual fees and easy ways to build a bank of points. Any travel related expenses earn 2 points per dollar spent on the card. Their daily shopping offers provide generous points multipliers on various purchases including car rentals and booking platforms like Viator, Get Your Guide, Booking and Expedia.

Persistence & Flexibility

If you’ve read this far, you can tell there are many ways to find the most affordable flights. It’s often a combination of methods on our checklist, the most important of which is persistence and flexibility. Being persistent about finding cheap flights and willing to be flexible to book them is often what lands us the best fares.

Montgomery St. Peter 6/4/26 Montgomery St. Peter 6/4/26

Ubud Travel Guide: Rice Terraces, Sacred Temples & Balinese Culture

Ubud is the cultural heart and adventurous hub of Bali with lush landscapes, expansive rice terraces, active volcanos, thousands of Hindu temples and ancient sites.

Ubud, The Cultural Heart of Bali

Ubud is the cultural heart and adventurous hub of Bali. The region is home to thousands of Hindu temples, ancient sites and Balinese museums where traditions, spirituality and nature merge as one. Hiking trails lead along verdant ridges and to the summits of active volcanos. Expansive rice terraces and sprawling rice paddies sculpt the landscape and serve as a base for Indonesian cuisine. Eco hotels nestled within the verdant jungle provide one of a kind accommodations. We spent several days exploring Ubud during our two week trip to Bali, experiencing the island’s remarkable culture and nature.

Eco Tourism

People in Ubud are physically and spiritually connected to nature. They care for their environment, eat, build and farm sustainably. This couldn’t have been any truer than at the eco hotel where we stayed, New Earth Haven. For five days, we lived in an eco-dome made from bamboo, canvas and thatched palm leaves. Separately it had an outdoor shower and compositing toilet. The dome was surrounded by rice fields and elevated from the ground. During our stay, we would often wake up to the farmers harvesting rice and herding baby ducks.

From eco-domes to tree houses and villas in the rice patties, there are plenty of unique and sustainable places to stay in Ubud. Book your stay in Moonstone Crystal Eco Dome on Airbnb.

Across the rice paddies from our dome is the Akasha Restaurant. An open air restaurant focused on sustainability and vegan cuisine with nightly events and festivals. We came here for many of our meals including smoothie bowls, jackfruit tacos and Indonesian coffee.

Tegalalang Rice Terraces

The Tegalalang Rice Terraces are an expansive series of hillside rice paddies that meander organically across the landscape. Trails and walkways weaves through the terraces to lookout points, zip lines and jungle swings. We spent hours exploring the terraces and hiking to its furthers corners. At the entrance is a hillside village with restaurants, warungs, cafes and hostels overlooking the terraces. Stop here for breakfast or lunch.

Pro Tip. Arrive at the rice terraces by 7am to explore with minimal people and before the large tour groups.

Good to Know. Farmers will often ask for a small donation to help support their livelihoods and maintain the walkways. Its best to donate 5k Rp each time.

Sunrise Hike to Mt. Batur

Mt. Batur is Bali’s second highest peak and still an active volcano. One of the most adventurous things you can do on the island is hike to its summit and watch the sunrise. Wake up just after midnight and drive to the basecamp at the lakeside town of Toya Bungkah. There will be hundreds of guides available for hire. Guides generally cost around 500K - 700K Rp for two people ($35-50 USD).

The Summit. The entire island of Bali and the nearby island of Lombok are visible from the summit on a clear morning. Hardened lava flows from past eruptions surround the volcano while steam rises from volcanic vents. Wild monkeys roam freely around the crater rim. Vendors sell hot chocolate, coffee, water and various snacks including eggs cooked in the steam vents. Try one if you can, there’s something special about food cooked by a volcano!

Packing List:

Shoes. Wear good hiking shoes for traction. The pathways are covered in loose stones gravel.
Wear Layers. It is colder the higher you hike in elevation but easy to overheat once the sunrises.
Headlamps. Wear a headlamp to see in the darkness while hiking.
Water. Carry at least 1.5 liters of water for the hike.
Cash. Bring local currency to buy snacks or drinks at the summit.

Sacred Monkey Forest

The Sacred Monkey Forest is covered in massive trees with dangling aerial roots, multiple ancient temples and acts as a sanctuary for hundreds of monkeys. The monkeys are everywhere, climbing in the trees, running across pathways, sitting on benches and making the temples their home. They are playful, mischievous and protective. If you’re not paying attention, one may try and take your phone, bag or hat.

Campuhan Ridge Walk

The Campuhan Ridge Walk is an easy, scenic and lush 2km pathway on top of the Campuhan Ridge. To avoid the sun, we walked the path about two hours before sunset ending during golden hour. Enter on the north side, where there are a number of businesses selling fruit, water, Bintangs and offering massages. End on the south side at the ancient Pura Gunung Lebah Temple.

Tirta Empul Water Temple

The Tirta Empul Water Temple is a 15th century temple with fountains and baths fed by a natural spring. It has a special importance to the Balinese for its purifying and healing waters. The best way to properly use them is to pay a temple guide for a handmade offering and ask them to explain the ritual process and meaning behind it. It’s well worth the experience to step out of your comfort zone, experience and reflect on whatever you’re thankful for.

Packing List:

A Sarong. Like with many temples across Bali, you need a sarong to cover up with before entering. They’re also available to rent.
A Towel. To dry off with after bathing in the cleansing waters.
A Lock. To secure your belongings in the lockers.

Visit the Museums

There are multiple museums showcasing Balinese art, artifacts and architecture throughout Ubud. The museums themselves are as much about the grounds and their temples as they are the artwork and artifacts within.

Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA). A grand museum with galleries of artwork and painting created by Balinese artists. The gardens and grounds line with sculptures, temples and pavilions where we watched artists painting and carving elaborate wooden reliefs and sculptures.

Other museums include the Museum Puri Lukisan and Neka Art Museum.

Satria Agrowisata

The Satia Agrowisata is famed for its Luwak Coffee. If you’re unfamiliar, the beans go through quite the process before becoming coffee. The coffee cherries are eaten by civets, a nocturnal cat-like mammal, then partially digested and poop out. The beans are collected and roasted in small batches before being ground and turned into coffee. It’s an unappealing process but does result in a rich, mellow and flavorful brew worth trying at least once.

Mason Elephant Park & Lodge

Mason Elephant Park is home to a herd of rescued Sumatran elephants. We came here to meet, feed and bathe one while it snacked on bamboo.

Elephant Feeding & Bathing. After entering the park, we bought small baskets of produce to feed the elephants. It’s the cutest feeling as the use their trunks to take the food from your hands! After feeding, we met Risky, the elephant we scrubbed and bathed from trunk to tail. By the end of the experience, we felt like we had made a new friend but also needed a shower ourselves.

Avoid Elephant Riding. Many other visitors came to ride an elephant, something we didn’t ethically agree with and would discourage others from doing. Otherwise, the elephants seemed to be treated humanely, well fed and given space to roam.

Buy an Elephant Painting. Elephants are highly intelligent, creative and social animals. They can even use their trunks to paint. The park has a museum with elephant paintings on display and available for purchase. Needless to say, we now have a painting made by an adolescent elephant named Jegeg hanging in our bedroom.

Places to Eat & Drink

Mudra Cafe. A very cute cafe nearby the Monkey Forest offering the most stunning Bali style smoothie bowls and Indonesian coffee in tiki mugs.

Hujan Locale. An elevated and contemporary Indonesian restaurant serving regional cuisine, flavorful dishes and artisan cocktails. We shared a couple appetizers end enjoyed the prawn and crispy whole fish as dinner mains.

Jungle Fish. The best way to describe this place is a beach club in the middle of the jungle. The restaurant has an infinity pool overlooking the lush rainforest and multiple levels. The pool bar offers a selection of small plates and 2 for 1 drinks. We sampled every cocktail on the menu falling in love with one wrapped in banana leaves.

Getting Around Ubud

Many accommodations in Ubud will help arrange transportation for you, especially to and from other areas of the island. Ubud and the surrounding area is vast and hilly making scooters and taxis the easiest way to get around. We often took Bluebird Taxi, known for its metered service, flat fees and street-side taxi stands.