Welcome to South Bali! Whether you’re planning to stay on the island for only a few days or explore it for longer, South Bali is a must see! If you love staying at all inclusive resorts, the beach life, a few one-day excursions, South Bali is for you! This is your three day South Bali itinerary, including everything you can't miss!
South Bali is the most popular part of Bali. It is surrounded by incredibly beautiful beaches, luxurious beach resorts, and often a party destination. It is equally as beautiful as the rest of the island, but has distinct vegetation compared to north or west Bali.
If you're an adventurous traveler and want to visit the jungles of Bali, make sure you read our Guide to Munduk and the famous Bali Swing. For everyone trying to get away from tourism and wanting to relax, West Bali is the best place for you! We share how to get there and why we fell in love with West Bali here.
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Where to Stay in South Bali - Bali Luxury Resorts
At the southern tip of Bali is an enclave called Nusa Dua which is resort heaven for all resort lovers! It includes over 20 resorts and has some of the best Bali luxury resorts. It has everything to offer that you could possibly think of.
We stayed at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Bali which is located right on the beach. The hotel is very distinct as it authentically represents the Balinese culture. When you drive up the hotel, the first thing you’ll notice is the huge Bali gate followed by a beautiful water garden with many fountains. It is by far the prettiest Bali gate I saw on the island.
The resort is built with traditional Balinese style in mind and features a lot of detailed wood carvings. To bring the culture to you, the hotel showcases the Legong Dance during dinner on Wednesdays and a Beach BBQ and Fire Dance on Fridays.
What to do in South Bali
Being right at the beach, you have the best part of South Bali steps from your hotel room! The water in South Bali is amazingly clear and surprisingly warm to swim in. That being said, there are a few attractions in South Bali you can’t miss out on. Since three days can go by in no time, we are summarizing the best places to see in South Bali, and put together a South Bali Itinerary below.
Admire the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue
The Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue is almost in the center of South Kuta (the southern-most tip of the island), yet you can see it from almost everywhere in South Kuta. That's because it is 400 feet (122 meters) tall and thus almost 100 feet (30 meters) taller than the statue of Liberty!
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It is immensely impressive, and we’re disappointed we didn’t have the time to see it from up close. It is open from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm. Make sure you add it to your itinerary by combining a visit with the drive to Uluwatu Temple.
Watch the Sunset at Uluwatu Temple
On the opposite side of Nusa Dua is the Uluwatu Temple. The temple itself might not be the prettiest or the most intricate in all of Bali, but the temple setting will leave you speechless! Built on top of a 230 feet (70 meter) cliff, it provides the most spectacular views, especially around sunset.
Make sure you visit the temple 1 to 1.5 hours prior to sunset. That way you can avoid the crowds and still get the most incredible sunset views. The best viewpoints are from vantage points to the north and south of the temple. While watching the sunset, you can befriend the cute monkeys which are believed to guard the temple from bad influences. Keep your belongings stowed away or hold them close to you to make sure a monkey doesn’t mistake it as a gift.
Go for a Sunrise Stroll at Nusa Dua Beach
South Bali has some of the best beaches in Bali! Get up before sunrise and stroll along the beach while watching the sun rise. You will have the beach almost to yourself and may only see a few joggers and hotel staff setting up for the day.
Nusa Dua beach is full of photo opportunities. If you enjoy taking photos this early in the morning without anyone interrupting you, make sure to bring your camera.
Admire the Water Blow
Only a short walk away from Nusa Dua beach is the Water Blow. A water blow is basically a combination of high waves hitting steep cliffs, thereby creating a large water spray. This particular water blow can be extremely intense depending on the waves and with spectacular sprays. It’s another great location to take photos.
Treat Yourself to a Balinese Massage
There is nothing better than pampering yourself when you’re on vacation, especially after a full day of exploring. So why not go for a traditional Balinese massage? The Balinese massage combines acupressure techniques with skin rolling, flicking, firm and gentle stroking and the application of essential oils.
We enjoyed a full Balinese massage at the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa, Bali and it was such a blissful experience. The massage started out with a foot scrub, followed by a full body massage. As part of the tradition, the masseuses used essential oils which we got to pick beforehand. I chose a flowery jasmin oil which smelled heavenly.
South Bali Itinerary for 3 Days
We put together a South Bali itinerary for you to make it easier for to plan your stay in South Bali and make sure you get the most out of your 3 days there!
Day 1 in South Bali:
Morning:
Arrive in South Bali
Relax by the beach after a long trip
Afternoon:
Treat yourself to a Balinese massage
Evening:
Enjoy a dinner on one of the best beaches in Bali
Day 2 in South Bali:
Morning:
Get up early for a stroll along the Nusa Dua Beach
Walk to the water blow and enjoy the view
Afternoon:
Drive to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Statue
Enjoy the sunset at Uluwatu Temple
Evening:
Have dinner in a bamboo house and enjoy live music at Pirates Bay Bali
Day 3 in South Bali:
Reserve one day to stay at the beach to do watersports, bike rides along the beach, or just enjoy the beautiful water before leaving the area.
@travelwithtalia and I enjoying local fruit at Nusa Dua Beach Hotel & Spa
Bali is an incredible island and I hope you enjoy it as much as we did! If you are spending more time on the island and are looking to explore other areas, make sure you read our Guide on Munduk and the famous Bali Swing and our best kept secret travel tip: visiting West Bali!
The Next Trip Top 5 Travel Tips for Nusa Dua
1) Bring Snorkeling Gear!
South Bali has amazing snorkeling opportunities which you don't want to miss out on. Make sure to bring your own snorkeling gear if you own some. Otherwise, your hotel might rent out gear.
2) Bring Mosquito Repellent
Bali can have a lot of mosquitoes due to its tropical climate. Make sure to bring mosquito repellent to protect yourself.
3) Bring Sunscreen
Given that your South Bali Itinerary likely includes long hours in the sun, make sure you bring plenty of sunscreen. I was surprised to find that it is difficult to find high SPF sunscreens in Bali and was glad I had brought my own.
4) Book a Massage in Advance
Massage spots can fill up fast, so to ensure that you get a time that works with your schedule, book a time slot as soon as you arrive at your hotel, or even beforehand.
5) Schedule South Bali at the Beginning or End of Your Trip
As South Bali includes Denpasar International Airport, it is best to schedule your time here at the beginning or end of your time in Bali to minimize driving times, and relax either before or after your flight.
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