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3 nights, 4 days in Bali: Should you stay by the sea or in Ubud?
Plan A suits you if you want southern beaches, cliffside sunsets, bars, and pubs. Choose Plan B if you’d rather explore Bali’s temples and rice fields and enjoy Ubud’s culture and nature at a leisurely pace. Both plans leave the first day for arrival and check-in, and the last day for sightseeing before heading to the airport.
3 Nights, 4 Days A | Southern Beaches and Sunset
Stay in southern Bali and visit Uluwatu, Jimbaran, and Kuta Beach. This plan minimizes travel between areas and is great for enjoying the sea, sunsets, and nightlife.
Day 1 | Arrive at the airport and check in at your southern Bali accommodation
- Ngurah Rai International Airport → Southern Bali accommodation
Request a ride at the GrabCar Lounge in the international arrivals terminal or take an airport taxi to your accommodation. Public transport coverage is limited, so Grab, Gojek, or a car with a driver are the main ways to get around. Check in and rest after arrival. If you need a meal, grab something simple near your accommodation and call it a day.
Day 2 | Padang Padang Beach and sunset at the Uluwatu cliffs
- Southern Bali accommodation → Padang Padang Beach · Pantai Padang-Padang · Pantai Labuan Sait
Take a Grab or Gojek ride, or a private car, to the beaches of Pecatu. The beach is open daily from 07:00–19:00, and admission is IDR 10,000–15,000. Follow the stairs and passage through the rocks to enjoy the sandy shore and waves, then have lunch nearby at Suka Uluwatu.
- Padang Padang Beach → Uluwatu Temple · Pura Luhur Uluwatu
Travel by car along the southern coastal road. The temple is open daily from 07:00–19:00, and admission for foreign adults is IDR 60,000. Wear clothing that covers your shoulders and a sarong as you explore the cliffside paths.
- Uluwatu Temple → Kecak Fire Dance · Tari Kecak dan Api
Watch the performance at the venue in the same temple complex from 18:00–19:00. Tickets are separate from temple admission and cost IDR 150,000. Check the seating and tickets first, then enjoy dinner at Masonry Restaurant near Uluwatu or Lola’s Cantina Mexicana.
Day 3 | GWK and an evening at Jimbaran Beach
- Southern Bali accommodation → Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park (GWK) · Taman Budaya Garuda Wisnu Kencana
Travel to the cultural park in Ungasan by Grab, Gojek, or a private car for the day. The official booking page lists general admission and a package that includes the Barong show at IDR 200,000. Explore the outdoor sculptures and cultural spaces, and catch a performance scheduled for your visit date. Have lunch at nearby Warung Bejana before or after exploring the park.
- GWK → Jimbaran Bay
Travel by car to the Jimbaran coast to stroll along the beach and watch the sunset. There is no separate admission fee for the beach or dining experience; meal prices depend on the seafood you order and the restaurant. For dinner at a table on the beach, consider Warung Jimbaran Garden or Kayumanis Resto Jimbaran.
Day 4 | Stroll along Kuta Beach, then depart late at night
- Southern Bali accommodation → Kuta Beach and lunch
Take a Grab or Gojek ride to Kuta and explore the beach and nearby shops. Have lunch at Benny’s Cafe or Beach Bowl Bali. Waterbom Bali is another option; it is open daily from 09:00–18:00, and an adult ticket costs IDR 630,000.
- Kuta → Ngurah Rai International Airport
Take a ride-hailing car or airport taxi to the international airport and check in for your late-night flight. Check the app on the day of travel for the time and fare from Kuta to the airport.
3 Nights, 4 Days A: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)
Padang Padang Beach IDR 10,000–15,000 + Uluwatu Temple IDR 60,000 + Kecak Fire Dance IDR 150,000 + GWK IDR 200,000 = total IDR 420,000–425,000. Transport costs vary depending on the vehicle and routes used; individual route fares are not included.
- Included: Confirmed adult admission fees for Padang Padang Beach, Uluwatu Temple, the Kecak Fire Dance, and GWK
- Separate: Accommodation, meals, flights, airport transfers, and transport between areas
3 Nights, 4 Days B | Ubud Temples and Nature
Stay in Ubud, explore the palace, market, and Monkey Forest in town, then visit Tegallalang and Tirta Empul to the north. The itinerary separates time in central Ubud from a northern day trip to reduce long drives.
Day 1 | Arrive at the airport and check in at your Ubud accommodation
- Ngurah Rai International Airport → Ubud accommodation
Request a Grab or Gojek ride at the airport lounge, or take an airport taxi to Ubud. A Grab ride from the airport to Ubud is listed at about IDR 300,000–450,000 and usually takes around 90 minutes or more, depending on traffic and app fares. Check in and rest.
Day 2 | Ubud Palace, the art market, and Monkey Forest
- Ubud accommodation → Ubud Palace and Ubud Art Market · Puri Saren Agung; Pasar Seni Ubud
Walk from your accommodation in central Ubud to see the palace courtyards and architectural details, then explore the art market across the street. Visiting the palace during the day and entering the market are free, and the market is open from 09:00–17:00. Have lunch at Course & Fine Coffee at The Kemilau Ubud or Donna.
- Central Ubud → Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary · Mandala Suci Wenara Wana
Walk or request a local ride. The sanctuary is open daily from 09:00–18:00, with last entry at 17:00; adult admission is IDR 130,000. Explore the forest paths and open temple areas, then have dinner at Warung Makan Teges. For bars, pubs, and nightlife, continue the evening at LOLA Bar Ubud.
Day 3 | Tegallalang Rice Terraces and Tirta Empul Temple
- Ubud → Tegallalang Rice Terraces · Terasering Tegallalang
Travel north from Ubud by car. If you’re visiting several attractions, consider hiring a private car for 8–10 hours. Adult admission for foreign visitors is listed at IDR 25,000, though additional donations may vary by entrance. Walk the paths between the rice terraces, then have lunch at The Hideout Cafe Ubud.
- Tegallalang → Tirta Empul Temple · Pura Tirta Empul
Travel by car to Tampaksiring. The temple is open daily from 08:00–18:00, and adult admission for foreign visitors is listed at IDR 75,000. Wear a sarong and a top or sash that covers your shoulders as you explore the springs and temple architecture. Return to Ubud for dinner at Sen San Warung or Chora.
Day 4 | Walk the Campuhan Ridge, then depart late at night
- Ubud accommodation → Campuhan Ridge Walk · Bukit Campuhan
Walk from central Ubud to the trailhead or take a car. The ridge walk is an open trail that is free to access. Enjoy the views along the ridge, then return to town for lunch at Ivy Cafe or Warung Makan Bahagia.
- Ubud → Ngurah Rai International Airport
Travel to the airport by Grab, Gojek, or a pre-booked car and depart on your late-night flight. The trip from Ubud to the airport is usually listed as taking 1–2.5 hours, depending on traffic. If you use a ride-hailing service, check the estimated travel time on the day you leave.
3 Nights, 4 Days B: Confirmed Admission and Transport Costs (per adult)
Monkey Forest IDR 130,000 + Tegallalang Rice Terraces IDR 25,000 + Tirta Empul IDR 75,000 + Campuhan Ridge Walk IDR 0 = total IDR 230,000. Airport transfers and travel to northern Ubud are excluded because costs vary by vehicle choice and traffic on the day.
- Included: Admission to Monkey Forest, Tegallalang Rice Terraces, and Tirta Empul, plus the free ridge walk
- Separate: Accommodation, meals, flights, airport transfers, and transport between areas
FAQ
Can I stay in just one place for all 3 nights?
Yes. Plan A is based in the south and Plan B in Ubud, with each itinerary organized around its base.
Can I include sightseeing on the first and last days?
The first day is planned for arrival, check-in, and rest. On the last day, explore the area before heading to the airport, but check travel times on the day you leave to account for Bali traffic.
What can I use instead of public transport on this itinerary?
In Bali, consider Grab or Gojek rides, or a private car for the day as your main ways to get around. A car rental with driver for 8–10 hours is listed at about IDR 600,000–900,000 per vehicle.
Official sources & check dates
- Bali Wanderer — Getting Around Bali · 2026-10-31
- Bali.com — Bali Destinations · 2026-10-31
- I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport — Public Transport · 2026-10-31
- Pantai Padang-Padang — Kementerian Pariwisata · 2026-10-31
- Bali Private Driver: 2026 Daily and Hourly Rates · 2026-10-31
- Tiket Masuk Uluwatu 2026 dan Jadwal Kecak · 2026-10-31
- GWK Cultural Park — Regular Entrance Ticket · 2026-10-31
- Jimbaran Seafood Dinner on the Beach · 2026-10-31
- Waterbom Bali 운영시간 및 입장 안내 · 2026-10-31
- Visit Bali — Where to Stay in Bali: Best Areas Guide · 2026-10-31
- How to Get from Ngurah Rai Airport to Bali — All Transport Options (2026) · 2026-10-31
- Bali airport (DPS) to Ubud, Canggu or Seminyak: taxi, transfer and prices · 2026-10-31
- Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Agung): Visit, Legong Dance, Hours · 2026-10-31
- Ubud Art Market: Opening Hours, Bargaining and What to Buy · 2026-10-31
- Opening Hours & Maps | Visit | Monkey Forest Ubud · 2026-10-31
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces FAQ · 2026-10-31
- Tegallalang Rice Terraces: Fees, Farmers · 2026-10-31
- Indonesia Travel — Pura Tirta Empul · 2026-10-31
- Tirta Empul Temple 2026: Melukat Ritual, Fees and Dress Code · 2026-10-31
- Gianyar Tourism Ticketing · 2026-10-31
- Campuhan Ridge Walk, Ubud: Start Point, Route and Timing · 2026-10-31
- Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud: Duration, Hours and Tips · 2026-10-31
- SmartBali — Getting Around Bali · 2026-10-31
Site updated: 2026-11-01