Bali, Indonesia is a top destination for solo female travelers. Nestled within a group of many other Islands, Bali stands out with its serene beaches, lively social clubs, and enchanting natural beauty. While my trip to Bali wasn’t my first time traveling solo, it was the farthest country that I had ever traveled to (by myself).
I chose Bali as my travel destination for three key reasons: its renowned safety, affordable lifestyle, and unparalleled natural beauty. As a newcomer to travel blogging and adult life, I wanted a place where food, drink, entertainment, and transportation were affordable. I also valued destinations with a diverse geographic terrain, offering unique environments within a single country.
Safety
Safety is my top priority as a black, female solo traveler. I want to travel with confidence, knowing wherever I venture I am safe and respected. I researched extensively (ahem on TikTok), listening to other women’s experiences in Bali, and the positive reviews fueled my excitement.
While petty crime may occur, as it can anywhere, I always take precautions. More specifically, I am mindful of where I walk, especially after sunset, I organize reliable transportation services, and limit the wear of expensive or flashy jewelry items. Outside of the typical cautionary steps, I felt completely safe during my time in Bali. While my flight landed at 3am local time, I organized my transportation directly through my hotel, so my driver was able to escort me from the arrival exit into my hotel.
I avoided drinking alcohol to limit the possibility of being incoherent while around strangers, and I made sure to dress modestly when I was in public. This meant being clothed at all times, unless I was at the beach or pool, and opting for simple accessories (no gold or silver jewelry). I rarely walked down empty streets after dark, but If I needed to go out at night I opted for high density areas.
Additional safety measures I recommend, especially if you’re a US citizen, are registering with the State’s Smart Traveller Enrollment Program (STEP), should any emergencies occur and you need to be located. And of course, sharing your itinerary with family and friends. I made sure to include exact addresses and the dates for each location change.
Affordability
A common misconception that people have is that you need to be rich in order to travel. While traveling is a privilege, it’s one that you can save for and reasonably afford with thoughtful planning. For reference I spent under $1,500 on my entire trip to Bali in 2022 as a solo traveler with a roundtrip flight included. A significant barrier that concerns most people is the flight, depending on where in the world you’re traveling from the flight can cost upwards of $1,000. But, if you plan ahead and maximize credit card points you can get a rewards flight for as low as $200.
Bali hosts a large quantity of affordable lodging throughout the island. The plethora of hotels, apartments, and villas make it easy to compare on price, aesthetics, location, and availability without breaking the bank.
Food and transportation costs in Bali are very forgiving. The most expensive meal I purchased throughout my entire stay was $30 at a fine dining restaurant, most other foods averaged $10 and below. Similarly, rideshare services like Grab or Gojek cost about $2 one-way.
Lastly, tourist attractions are vast and can be as expensive or affordable as you make it. If you’re an adventurer and thrive off of making your own path without assistance, you can rent a moped and explore many waterfalls and temples by yourself. If you’re anything like me and desire a guide that you can talk to and ask questions, there’s a variety of tour operators that you can choose from. Tour operators in Bali are widely available and are flexible according to your desires, you can customize itineraries while finding a price point that best meets your needs.
I chose Bali Golden Tour because of their flexibility with customizing itineraries, stellar customer reviews, and tour inclusions. Bali Golden Tours included a driver, air-conditioned vehicle, 5 sight-seeing destinations, and round-trip hotel pick-up for IDR 550,000 (~$33). My second tour, featuring the same inclusion with 3 sight-seeing destinations, totaled IDR 375,000 (~ $23).
My ability to enjoy the entirety of Bali without limitations under $1,500 is a deal that cannot be easily replicated elsewhere. In my following blog, I’ll detail my budget for this trip and my tips for affording pricey flights.
Natural Beauty
Bali’s natural beauty is unmatched, rivaled only by Iceland in my travels. Ubud’s lush, tropical trees fill the skyline, similar to a scene out of Temple Run. Uluwatu’s soft white sands and crystal blue horizon create a dreamy landscape. The rich culture and history tied to the magnificent waterfalls and holy temples elevate Bali’s charm.
From the bustling pace of Canggu to the slow, and tranquil beauty of Ubud, and the striking landscapes of Uluwatu and Selat, I can wholeheartedly say that I left no stone unturned. If Bali isn’t already on your bucket list, it should be now.