BALI
Our Bali trip was all about slowing down. We came to visit a close friend who had moved there, and through her we got to see the island in such an everyday way: mornings at cafés, scooter rides through town (her, not us lol), and a rhythm that felt slower than anywhere else we’ve been. This trip was shaped around slow mornings and wholesome food. We tried fruits we had never seen before, like snake fruit, and learned that a lot of Bali’s oranges never actually turn orange, their skins stay green even when ripe. Every day there were smoothie bowls, fresh juices, and the creamiest coconut ice cream that we are still dreaming about.
We spent our time in Pererenan/Canggu, Sidemen, and Payangan (near Ubud). Canggu was all about café hopping and trying different foods, and we split our stay there between a hotel and a villa. Sidemen felt like a completely untouched side of Bali, far less touristy, with sweeping rice terraces and even a view of an active volcano. Payangan gave us those creative, lush jungle vibes, and it’s also where we got to experience rain in Bali. One night a storm rolled in, and the next morning the whole place was wrapped in fog. You know when you’re standing in line at a Disney ride, surrounded by tropical greenery, faux fog, and all the layered sounds of birds and insects? Exactly that, except this was real life. I had been craving that kind of cinematic rain, and I’m so glad we got to experience it in the middle of Bali’s jungle.
The island is also known for its spa culture, and we leaned into that fully. We booked everything from spas to having therapists come straight to our hotel and villa. Truly so restorative. Another thing that surprised me was learning that Bali has a higher percentage of Hindus than India. You feel that presence everywhere, in the offerings set out on sidewalks, the temples tucked between shops, the Ganesha idols at every venue. Bali is built for tourism, so when you come you’ll find an accommodation that suits you easily. Below I’m sharing our favorite stays, cafés, and spots we loved most during the trip.
Check out more images + videos from our trip in my Bali Highlights.
STAY
Further Hotel
📍 Pererenan
Instagram: @furtherhotel
Our first three nights in Bali started at @furtherhotel (The Further Gallery, one of their multiple buildings scattered through Pererenan). It’s located near Canggu and the beach, and this particular building was art focused, which made the stay even more special.
The moment we walked into our room, the sunken bed immediately drew our eyes to the zen energy of the space. The walls and ceilings were made of stone, creating a grounded, earthy cocoon. The best kind. And that outdoor rain shower? Wildly good. The pressure was powerful, and the brick walls exuded an incredible wet earth aroma when soaked, pairing beautifully with the signature Further scent of Oaken Lab toiletries. Add to that a bathing experience in the terracotta tub, stunning. This property designed by Studio Wenden & Morq Architecture feels like a perfectly characteristic retreat, minimalist in style yet deep and grounding. The design felt intentional and immersive.
Arti By Umah
📍 Pererenan
Instagram: @artibyumah
We stayed in the Arti by Umah villa in the Pererenan for three nights following the Further Hotel, and it was such a nice, relaxing stop. The villa was so beautiful and had its own pool. We had therapists come in for spa treatments, ordered food in, and just enjoyed the slower pace. Right next to the villa was a rice field, and every day a farmer would come out to tend to it — such a beautiful view from the windows. Highly recommend this villa if you’re staying in Pererenan.
Samanvaya
📍 Sidemen
Instagram: @samanvayabali
We wanted to explore the Sidemen side of Bali, which is the untouched, less touristy part of the island. The idea of waking up to rice terraces and being surrounded by a lush tropical setting really drew us in, so we booked a night at Samanvaya. We stayed in the rice barn that overlooks the fields, and it truly felt like Tarzan’s treehouse crossed with The Hobbit. Perched above the terraces with greenery all around, it was the kind of place that makes you slow down. We spent the evening in, ordered room service, and just absorbed the beautiful sounds and views of nature.
COMO Shambala Estate
📍 Payangan
Instagram: @comoshambalaestate
For our final couple of nights in Bali, we wanted to end the trip at a wellness retreat, something we try to do on our trips as the final stop whenever we can. We stayed at COMO Shambhala Estate in Payangan, north of Ubud, and it honestly felt like stepping into a movie. So lush, so green. We booked a couple’s facial right when we arrived, and having it in the middle of the jungle with the sound of rain around us was truly so special. The first evening a storm rolled in and the entire property turned into a cinematic moment, the kind of rain I had dreamt of experiencing in Bali. Waking up to that mist and fog felt surreal, like something straight out of Jurassic World.
Our room was just as special. It overlooked the jungle with nothing around, completely private, and had an infinity edge pool that was floating above the jungle valley. We spent most of our stay in, enjoying the property, the minibar with its wide variety of fresh juices and healthy cookies, and ordering room service. When we did step out, it was for creative dinners, a short drive down in Ubud. This was easily one of our favorite wellness resorts ever. COMO Shambhala felt completely restorative, a place that sets the bar for what a retreat can be.
EAT
Yuki
📍 Canggu & Uluwatu
Instagram: @yukibali_
We did the all you can eat Sunday brunch which was fun. Try everything if you're going for brunch but highly recommend their pineapple mint juice, tuna taco, tempeh sandwich, and chocolate mousse.
Monsta Pizza
📍 Canggu
Instagram: @monstacanggu
We ordered this pizza twice, a good jalapeno onion pie. So good.
Santanera
📍 Canggu
Instagram: @santanerabali
Highly recommend the sourdough, potato millie feuille, colombian corn cake, and hazelnut & goats curd tart, yellowfin tuna & salmon row tartlette.
Numero Quattro
📍 Echo Beach
Instagram: @numeroquattro.echobeach
Highly recommend their focaccia bread, cucumber salad, and truffle alfredo fettuccine
Room4Dessert
📍 Ubud
Instagram: @r4d_room4dessert
One of the more unique experiences we had in Bali was at Room for Dessert, created by chef Will Goldfarb. It’s a full tasting menu built entirely around desserts with five savory inspired courses followed by a round of petit fours. Think of it as a dessert tasting. Fun, creative, and definitely worth trying if you want to do something different in Ubud.
Locavore NXT
📍 Ubud
Instagram: @locavorenxt
Locavore is one of Bali’s most talked about restaurants, regularly ranked among Asia’s Best Restaurants, and it definitely offers a creative dining experience. The menu changes often and is built around seasonal ingredients, so no two visits will ever be the same. For us, it wasn’t a personal favorite, but it’s undeniably an inventive concept that pushes boundaries in flavor and presentation. It’s worth noting that this is an experience best suited for adventurous eaters. If you’re not a picky eater and you enjoy trying new things, Locavore could be a really fun stop during your time in Bali. Even though it wasn’t one of our highlights, I still think it’s a place worth mentioning, as it’s such a unique part of the island’s food scene.
QUICK BITES + CAFES
Sunday Kitchen
📍 Canggu
Instagram: @sundaykitchen.bali
A relaxed Brazilian café with a Brazilian twist. Loved their pineapple & passion fruit tepache spritz, holy salmon rosti, halloumi skewers with gauva sauce, and omelettes.
Blacklist Coffee Roasters
📍 Canggu
Instagram: @blacklistcoffee.bali
An Australian coffee house which was one of our top spots in Canggu. Especially for coffee aficionados. Highly recommend the pancakes with fruit (one of the best pancake dishes I've ever had) only available at their Tanah Barak location.
Sinamon Bali
📍 Multiple locations (Canggu, Seminyak, Ubud)
Instagram: @sinamonbali
Some of the best cinnamon rolls fresh out the oven.
Taco Kitchen
📍 Pererenan
Instagram: @tacokitchen.bali
Great spot for Tex-Mex vibes in Bali. We especially loved their breakfast burritos and quesadillas paired with their setan sauce (if you like spicy)
Woods Pererenan
📍 Pererenan
Instagram: @woodsbali
A dreamy, stylish wooden themed café in Pererenan. Like a fairytale treehouse.
Tukie's
📍 Multiple Locations
Instagram: @tukiescoconutshop
Try their coconut ice cream with the wafer. So good.
THINGS TO DO
Nuanu Creative City
📍 Tabanan
Instagram: @nuanucreativecity
Nuanu Creative City is like stepping into an imaginative, futuristic world. The space is filled with large scale sculptures and installations that feel both artistic and otherworldly. It’s an ever changing creative city, still in its early stages, with more to come as it continues to develop. I highly recommend doing a guided tour since there’s a lot of walking, and try to go around sunset so you can see the space transform from day into night, when everything lights up. We got to explore so many cool corners of the property, play with wolves, and even feed alpacas, which made the experience even more memorable.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
📍 Tabanan
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
📍 Ubud
Tanah Lot Temple
📍 Beraban
Besakih Temple (Mother Temple)
📍 Besakih
SPAS
Remedy Home Spa
📍 Bali (they travel to your hotel or villa)
Instagram: @theremedyhomespa_
WhatsApp: +62 813-3352-8539
So convenient — they come straight to you, set up in your room or villa, and offer a range of treatments. I highly recommend Daisy! She was incredible, and I ended up calling her multiple times as I traveled around the island. A perfect way to unwind without leaving your space.
Shosan Spa
📍 Pernenan
Instagram: @shosan_spa
Highly recommend this spa if you’re in the area. Go specifically for the head spa — it’s deeply relaxing, and the serene decor and aesthetic (pictured above) make the whole experience even more special. My husband and I did it together, and it was such a beautiful zen reset in the heart of Pererenan.
ETIQUETTE + TIPS
Remove shoes before entering homes, villas, and temples. This is a sign of respect, always look for shoes lined up at the door.
You’ll see small woven palm-leaf baskets (canang sari offerings) with flowers, rice, and incense placed on the ground daily as offerings. Step around them, never over them.
Balinese culture is warm and gentle. Smiles and patience are deeply appreciated.
Many places take cards now, but smaller shops, markets, and drivers often prefer cash. Carry Indonesian rupiah.
Plastic is a huge problem in Bali. Carry a reusable bag and water bottle, and avoid single-use plastics where you can.
Downloading Grab or Gojek comes in handy if you want to call a car or scooter, or even order food.
Tipping is not required, but appreciated. Rounding up bills or leaving tips in restaurants and for drivers or spa staff is thoughtful.
Avoid petting stray animals, and never feed monkeys (especially near temples). They’re clever and can grab belongings.
*Every trip I take to a new country, I choose a new fragrance to wear throughout the trip. It becomes intertwined with the places, moments, and memories of that adventure. Whenever I wear it again, I’m instantly transported back to the travel memories. For this trip, I wore Lazy Sunday Morning by Maison Margiela — soft florals, musk, and powdery lightness with a touch of Indonesian patchouli that made it feel extra right for Bali. The scent is calming and serene, a fragrance that will forever remind me of the island.
I also have a nail theme and color idea for each trip, and this time it was amber and eggshell — my take on dinosaur eggs. Before visiting, the images of Bali’s lush green jungle reminded me of Jurassic Park, so dinosaur egg nails felt fitting. They’re giving Yoshi’s sophisticated mommy. :)