Although some people have certain reservations towards traveling solo, solivagantry (solitary wandering) is actually a great opportunity to meet other cultures and make new friends. One of the top destinations to explore the world that is much different than the ’western’ one is Bali, even though it’s geographically pretty close if you’re from the Oz land. You also shouldn’t be worried or reluctant to travel alone if you’re a girl, as Bali is generally considered to be a safe place (even though some men tend to be a bit too friendly at times).
We present to you some of the reasons why you would want to immediately book a flight to Bali and see for yourself all the glorious things that others are oh so eagerly telling you about. You like the picturesque, otherworldy nature? Check. You like unwinding on an azure beach while chugging cocktails all day long? Check. You like pampering your body and hitting the day spas? Check. You like to party all night long? Check. You like catching the waves? Bali is a mecca for surfing, too.
Traveling solo to Bali can also work wonders for you if you’re on a journey of self-discovery and exploration. You can visit Balinese temples, enjoy Balinese traditional dances, visit galleries, workshops, cooking classes, or learn/exercise yoga with some of the true experts in the field. Truthfully speaking, Bali has so much to offer to you, that you won’t feel dull for one single moment, no matter how long you decide to stay. These are some of the tips on what to see and visit, dos and don’ts – and the list is in no way conclusive since Bali truly has so much to offer to a solo traveler.
Where To Go And Reasons To Go
No matter where you actually end up staying, Bali is definitely worth exploring and going around to see other places as well. You won’t get bored if you stay only at one place and don’t wander around too much, but if the opportunity presents itself, make sure to take advantage.
Ubud is the small village in Bali which is really getting popular in recent years. There are so many beautiful, breath-taking temples there, that you’ll instantly feel invigorated and re-energized if soul-searching is what you came for. You’ll quickly find out why Ubud means ’medicine’ in Balinese, which is the island’s native language.
Other than that, there are also rice terraces and the monkey forest that you don’t want to miss. The traditional Balinese food is served all around the island and make sure to try dishes like Nasi Kuning (which consists of yellow rice served topped with a fried egg) and Satay (pork or chicken meat grilled in peanut sauce).
You’ll also find many spas and yoga studios all around the island. As far as money goes, Bali, in general, can be both really cheap and expensive, depending on the way you want it. For instance, you can get an entire day of pampering your body in spas for less than 40 bucks, but you can also opt for dining in fancy restaurants all the time and buying overpriced things, and end up spending a fortune.
Berawa is also a popular tourist area and a part of Canggu (it’s actually located right between Seminyak and Canggu) with its own peculiarities. This part is a paradise for people who are gastronomes and bon vivants in general (don’t even think about keeping up with your regular diet plan in this place!).
Other notable places and areas that you want to consider staying at are Kuta, especially if you like shopping and don’t mind all the tourists; Seminyak – which is also loaded with action, so expect it to be crowded; Umalas – the place that you’d want to choose especially if you’re more into chilling out and relaxing since it’s still overlooked at times (compared to the other places we’ve mentioned thus far); Uluwatu – if you like to surf and enjoy a relaxing, almost hippie ambiance, search no further; Jimbaran Bay – another great option if you want to dip your toes in sand and loosen up.
What To See?
If you’re still not fully convinced that Bali is an amazing location for you, we recommend visiting some of the coolest festivals that you’ll get a chance to experience in your lifetime.
In case you’re a fan of music, there are a lot of music festivals which are located down the southern coast of the island. Seminyak hosts a Sunny Side Up Tropical Fest at Potato Head.
A large food festival (both vegan and regular) is happening in Ubud, and you don’t want to miss it if you’re around when it’s in full swing.
Other than these, Bali also hosts the largest yoga festival in Asia – the aforementioned BaliSpirit Festival. The important thing to note here is that this one’s not specially reserved only to those yoga aficionados who come to Bali only for this occasion. Girls who travel solo will get a chance to enjoy the artworks, music, dancing, soul and body healing in beautiful an utterly memorable life-changing experience.
Where To Stay?
Finding accommodation is fairly easy in Bali. You can opt for hotels, hostels, guesthouses, homestays, villas, wellness resorts, etc. When you’re traveling alone, we would recommend you to find a guesthouse or a villa where you can meet other people more easily, and this is especially advisable if it’s your first time in Bali and you don’t know much about the place.
These guesthouses and villas usually include breakfast and those amazing swimming pools that you can use for free. Villas are also a good option to pick since you’ll have more privacy than you would if you were staying at the hostel. They are also quieter and you’ll quickly feel as if you’re at home, but with one ’slight’ difference – all that jaw-dropping and staggering things are within your hand’s reach.
What (Not) To Eat (and Drink)?
We’ve already covered some of the basic things when we’ve mentioned Nasi Kuning and Satay dishes, and Ubud food festival as well. But this really doesn’t even come close to the things that you’ll get a chance to taste while you’re there.
Balinese cuisine is well-known for the dishes that are fresh, spicy, but also well-balanced. Solo travelers can get a chance to actually learn to cook Balinese style dishes, as they’re sometimes welcomed by local Ibus (Balinese for ’mothers’) to join them in the kitchen. So, not only will you be able to enjoy the meals that are freshly prepared by the locals, but you’ll also have an opportunity to learn some of the cooking crafts of Balinese traditional cuisine. It doesn’t get much cooler than this, especially if you consider yourself to be a foodie.
But there are also some things that you most definitely want to avoid. Never, ever, drink the tap water (not even to rinse your mouth after brushing your teeth!), and generally, avoid suspicious looking street food like Bakso. One of the things that you want to avoid when going to Bali is getting the infamous Bali belly. Although there are local pharmacies and stores that sell medicines that can patch you up so you can continue enjoying the island, it’s never fun to lose any sleep or time vomiting or having diarrhea. Drink plenty of water, but just make sure that it’s bottled.
Also, don’t drink spirits and alcoholic beverages that you don’t know where exactly are they coming from. There were some reported cases of pure methanol being sold instead of ethanol. You’ll quickly learn that there’s a big difference between those two, in case you don’t know that already.
General Dos and Don’ts
We and you both already know that you’ll have a great time if you visit Bali solo. You’ll travel around and meet other people and culture that’s probably very different than yours. You will be enjoying the beautiful beaches, spas, wellness resorts, manicures, pedicures, massages. You’ll eat the food that tastes and looks amazing, and relax by the pool or in your comfy room. You may visit the arts, music, dance, food festivals, learn to cook with the locals, visit the workshops and temples. You’ll get a chance to see the monkey forest, rice terraces, and many, many other different things.
But there are some general rules, and dos and don’ts when it comes to visiting Bali. First of all, be aware that the rainy season starts somewhere around October and ends in March. The best time to go is probably from May till September. Secondly, avoid being out in the sun from 11 am to 3-4 in the afternoon. We’ve already told you to stay away from suspicious-looking food and drinks, and here’s a bonus tip: stay away from drugs at all costs – you can get in more trouble than you can handle.
Be aware of traffic accidents. Bali has notoriously dangerous traffic. If you rent a scooter to go around the island, wear a helmet. In case you’re not on a budget, you can also consider hiring a driver for the day (or even for the entire stay). They aren’t as expensive as you might think (they usually charge around $50 a day), so this is a really nice option which offers you to enjoy the beautiful scenery even more. You can gaze through the car window and not worry about the traffic at all.
In Summary: Who Is This Trip For?
This solo travel to Bali is especially appropriate for all of you girls out there who are looking to spice things up a little bit and experience something quite different. So, whether you’re a world traveler and have seen many places, or you actually don’t get a chance to explore the globe that much, Bali offers a perfect opportunity for you to spend either an active vacation full of unforgettable experiences or to completely relax and unwind in peace and quiet.
But Bali isn’t just for vacationing either. Many people today are living that extremely popular ’digital nomad’ lifestyle, and choose Bali as one of their top destinations for workations. If you’re among the lucky ones who aren’t attached to their offices and you’re working remotely, you definitely want to take advantage of that and try out what thousands are doing every day.
There are a number of good reasons why people all around the globe are opting for workations in Bali: it’s relatively cheap with good WIFI connection, and they also get to experience all the amazing things that we’ve listed for you in this article. So, don’t hesitate any longer – Bali is waiting for you with both arms spread wide open. Yours is just to come over and see everything for yourself.
This guest post was authored by Liam Smith
Liam Smith is a young and aspiring Australian blogger with a passion for everything related to travel, design and style. He has a B.Sc. in Interior design and is an avid reader. You can connect with him on Twitter or LinkedIn.
The post Bali Is A Solo Traveler’s Dream appeared first on Ms. Career Girl.
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