3-Day Bali Itinerary: Ubud, Nusa Penida & Uluwatu
Three days lets you experience Bali's three very different personalities. Day one is cultural Bali — the inland highlands of Ubud with rice terraces, ancient temples and jungle walks. Day two is island Bali — a boat to Nusa Penida for dramatic sea cliffs and crystal-clear water. Day three is coastal Bali — Seminyak's beach clubs and the cliffside sunset at Uluwatu to close it out.
Day 1 — Ubud: Rice Terraces, Temples & Culture
Start early to beat the heat. Most Ubud highlights are within 20 minutes of the town centre — a morning in the north, afternoon in town.
- 17:00 AMTegallalang Rice Terraces
Arrive at sunrise before tour buses. The mist in the valley makes for the best photos. Entry donation ~IDR 10,000. Allow 45–60 min.
~20 min drive (10 km south) - 29:00 AMGoa Gajah (Elephant Cave)
An 11th-century temple complex with a dramatic carved cave entrance. Sarong rental at the entrance. Entry ~IDR 50,000.
~10 min drive (3 km) - 310:30 AMUbud Palace & Art Market
The Royal Palace is free to enter and sits right next to the best craft market in Bali. Good for batik, wooden carvings and silver jewellery.
2 min walk - 412:30 PMLunch in central Ubud
Try Warung Ibu Oka for babi guling (roast pig), or a warung on Jalan Dewi Sita for local prices.
5 min walk - 52:00 PMSacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
A forest temple complex home to over 700 long-tailed macaques. Keep bags zipped tight. Entry IDR 80,000. Allow 1 hour.
~10 min drive (2 km north) - 64:00 PMCampuhan Ridge Walk
A gentle ridge walk through jungle and rice fields. Start at Pura Gunung Lebah. Free entry, best in late afternoon light.
5 min walk to nearby restaurants - 77:00 PMDinner & overnight in Ubud
Stay in Ubud tonight — early start tomorrow for the Nusa Penida boat. Dinner suggestion: Locavore or Hujan Locale.
Day 2 — Nusa Penida: Sea Cliffs & Crystal Water
The boat from Sanur takes 45 minutes. Leave Ubud by 6 AM to catch the early crossing and make the most of the island. Hire a local driver on the island — roads are steep and rough.
- 16:00 AMDrive Ubud → Sanur Harbour
About 1 hour by car from Ubud. Several fast-boat operators depart from Sanur Beach — book in advance. Fare ~IDR 100,000–150,000 each way.
45 min fast boat to Nusa Penida - 28:00 AMArrive Nusa Penida — hire local driver
On arrival at Buyuk Harbour, hire a local driver for the day — IDR 350,000–500,000. Covers all west-side spots. Don't rent a scooter — roads are steep and poorly marked.
~45 min drive (steep west-side roads) - 39:30 AMKelingking Beach (T-Rex Cliff Viewpoint)
Nusa Penida's most iconic spot — a T-Rex-shaped cliff with turquoise water below. The hike down to the beach takes 30–40 min and is very steep; the view from the top is worth the trip alone.
~15 min drive - 411:30 AMAngel's Billabong & Broken Beach
Two natural wonders side by side. Angel's Billabong is a natural infinity pool carved into the rock — only safe to enter at low tide. Broken Beach is a dramatic circular cove. Entry IDR 10,000 each.
~20 min drive - 51:30 PMLunch in Nusa Penida
Warung Dapur Dewa or Rocky's Warung near Crystal Bay for fresh fish and cold drinks. Budget ~IDR 60,000–100,000 per person.
5 min drive - 62:30 PMCrystal Bay
One of Bali's clearest snorkelling spots — bring a mask or rent one for IDR 30,000. Mola mola (sunfish) are occasionally seen here between July–October.
~45 min drive back to Buyuk Harbour - 75:00 PMFast boat back to Sanur
Last boats typically depart at 5:30–6:00 PM — confirm with your operator. Drive from Sanur to Seminyak takes 30–40 min. Overnight in Seminyak.
45 min boat + 35 min drive to Seminyak - 88:00 PMDinner & overnight in Seminyak
Seminyak puts you in prime position for Day 3's beach clubs and Uluwatu drive. Try Merah Putih or Sarong for a relaxed dinner after a long island day.
Day 3 — Seminyak & Uluwatu: Beach Clubs & Cliff Sunset
A slower morning on the beach before heading south to Uluwatu for the most dramatic sunset in Bali.
- 19:30 AMSeminyak Beach
Arrive before beach clubs fill up. Seminyak has the best stretch of west-coast beach — calmer than Kuta, more accessible than Canggu.
5 min walk - 210:30 AMPotato Head Beach Club
Book a daybed in advance. Day rate includes a food and drink credit. The recycled shutter façade is an architectural landmark.
8 min walk - 31:00 PMKayu Aya Eat Street
Best stretch for lunch. Try La Lucciola for beach views or a warung on Jalan Petitenget for local prices.
~45 min drive (30 km south) - 43:00 PMDrive to Uluwatu
45-minute drive south onto the Bukit Peninsula. Keep your private driver from the morning or book a new one — IDR 500,000–700,000 for a full day.
Arrive at temple car park - 54:30 PMUluwatu Temple (Pura Luhur Uluwatu)
One of Bali's six key sea temples, perched 70 m above the Indian Ocean. Watch for macaques stealing glasses and phones. Sarong required. Entry IDR 50,000.
2 min walk (within temple complex) - 66:00 PMKecak Fire Dance
The nightly clifftop Kecak performance starts at sunset and runs 60 minutes. Tickets at the temple entrance — IDR 150,000. The setting is unmissable.
~15 min drive (8 km north) - 78:00 PMSeafood dinner in Jimbaran
End the trip with grilled seafood on the sand at Jimbaran Bay. Menega Café or Lia Café are reliable. Set meal ~IDR 200,000–350,000 per person.
Practical tips
Getting around
Book a private driver for Day 1 and Day 3 (IDR 500,000–700,000/day). For Nusa Penida (Day 2), hire a local island driver at the harbour — don't rent a scooter, the roads are steep and unmarked.
Nusa Penida boat tips
Book fast-boat tickets in advance (IDR 100,000–150,000 each way). Depart Sanur by 7:30 AM to avoid the midday heat on the island. Last boats back are typically 5:30–6:00 PM — don't miss them.
Best time of year
April to October (dry season) is ideal for all three days, especially Nusa Penida where rough wet-season seas can cancel boats. July–October is also best for spotting mola mola at Crystal Bay.
Budget estimate
Budget: USD 70–90/day (hostels, warungs, shared transport). Mid-range: USD 160–230/day (boutique hotel, beach club daybed, private driver, restaurant dinners). Add ~USD 30–40 for the Nusa Penida boat.
3-Day Bali trip — common questions
?Can I do Nusa Penida as a day trip from Ubud?
Yes, but it's a long day. Leave Ubud by 6 AM to catch the early boat from Sanur, and you'll be back in Seminyak or Ubud by 8–9 PM. The day is worth it — just pace yourself and hire a local driver on the island.
?Is the hike down to Kelingking Beach worth it?
The view from the top is already spectacular and that alone justifies the visit. The hike down takes 30–40 min and is very steep with some rope sections — only attempt it if you're comfortable with heights and have good shoes. The beach at the bottom is rarely crowded.
?Should I do Ubud or the coast first?
Do Ubud first (Day 1). The early morning light at Tegallalang is best, and Ubud's calmer pace is ideal for settling into Bali. Save the beach clubs for Day 3 when you're ready to relax.
?How do I get from Ubud to Seminyak?
Private driver is easiest (1.5–2 hours, IDR 250,000–350,000 one-way). On Day 2, your driver can drop you at Sanur for the boat then collect you and drive to Seminyak when you return.
?What apps are useful for travelling in Bali?
Grab — ride-hailing across south Bali. Gojek — local alternative, slightly cheaper. Google Maps — works well though some Ubud back roads aren't mapped accurately. XE Currency — for IDR exchange rates. WhatsApp — drivers, hotels and local businesses all communicate via WhatsApp.
?How do I get around Bali by taxi or ride-hail?
Grab is the most reliable option. In Ubud, Grab drivers can't always pick up near temple gates — your hotel can arrange a local driver. Bluebird is the most trustworthy metered taxi company if you prefer flagging a cab. Avoid unlicensed taxis that approach you at tourist spots.
?What should I do if it rains?
Bali rain is usually a short, heavy downpour that clears within an hour. For Nusa Penida, check sea conditions before booking boats in the wet season (Nov–Mar). Indoor alternatives: ARMA Museum in Ubud, a spa in Seminyak, or simply wait it out over coffee.
?What should I do if I get sick?
Stick to bottled water and avoid ice at street stalls to prevent Bali Belly. If symptoms are serious, BIMC Hospital in Kuta and Siloam Hospital in Denpasar are the most reliable clinics for tourists. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended.
?What if my driver doesn't show up?
Open Grab and book a car — it works well in Seminyak and most of south Bali. In Ubud, ask your hotel reception to arrange a local driver on short notice; they usually have a trusted contact and can sort it in 20–30 minutes.
?What are the emergency numbers in Bali?
Police: 110. Ambulance: 118. Tourist Police (English-speaking): +62 361 224 111. Save these before you arrive. Your hotel front desk is also a reliable first point of contact for any emergency.