Lady’s Beautiful Itinerary for 3 Days in Bali

Today I want to share my itinerary for spending 3 days in Bali with you. This famous island in Indonesia is known for everything from beaches to temples and rice terraces. It’s a great place to visit in Southeast Asia, and a beautiful one at that. If you want to visit the lush landscapes of Ubud, read on for my guide. I’ve included a map, too.

3 Days in Bali

Visiting Bali feels like a rite of passage for many travelers in Asia. The island’s legendary surfing, yoga, and nightlife draw visitors from all over the world. And that’s to say nothing of its relative affordability for many people.

I’ve been to Bali before, but this is my first trip in ages. I’m excited to return to Ubud, a district in the uplands that’s known for its stunning green landscapes, temples, and traditions.

My plan is to take it easy in Bali. That’s what a lot of people come here for, after all, and who am I to argue with that? But even with the goal of relaxing, I manage to pack a lot into my time in Ubud. I hope my itinerary inspires you to see the highlights of this part of the island, too.

Day 1

After arriving late the night before, I start my first day in Ubud at the HOSHINOYA Bali. It’s Hoshino Resorts’ first property outside of Japan, and it’s one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve ever seen.

I’m here because I’ve stayed at the HOSHINOYA Tokyo twice and the HOSHINOYA Kyoto once, and I fell in love with both. When I found out they had a sister resort in Bali, I knew I had to experience it.

I asked if I could do a review stay in exchange for coverage on my blog and social media channels, and they said yes. I was over the moon with excitement.

Surrounded by rainforest and rice terraces in eastern Ubud, the resort features a series of villas, dining gazebos, and pools cascading down a lush hillside above the Pakerisan River.

Designed by Azuma Architect & Associates, the property offers stunning contemporary architecture that blends into the environment, incorporates Balinese culture, and gives guests a chance to immerse themselves in the tranquility of nature.

My villa is a spacious bungalow with elegant design, a wrap-around balcony, and a deck with access to one of the property’s lush swimming pools.

Inside, I have a grand bed, an expansive living room with picture windows, and a bathroom with storage space for days.

I wake up early, popping out to my balcony in time to watch the sunrise over Mount Agung. I can hardly believe my villa has a view of the island’s highest peak and most sacred spiritual site.

I take it in as I listen to the sounds of Ubud’s birds chirping the dawn chorus around me. It’s the epitome of serenity.

Rice Field Walk

Tearing myself away from the view, I walk to the open-air lobby to meet my guide for a 45-minute rice field walk.

The HOSHINOYA Bali offers the tour several days a week along with a number of other complimentary excursions for guests. It’s a great way to see the local area and learn about Balinese culture and life.

Departing through the stunning carved stone entryway, my group walks a short distance to get to the green fields. As we walk past local houses, our guide explains that traditional homes in Ubud consist of a complex comprised of living quarters and a Balinese Hindu Temple. The intricate stonework is stunning to see.

Turning down an unpaved path, we soon find ourselves surrounded by more rice fields. They’re straight out of Balinese dreams, and they show off the authentic heritage landscapes of Ubud.

We wave hello to local farmers as we walk along narrow trails through the fields. Our guide tells us about the area’s economy, flora, and fauna, as well as the tropical fruits growing on the trees.

Breakfast

Back at the resort, I walk across a bridge over a stream and make my way down to one of the dining gazebos for breakfast.

I settle in on a big cushion, taking in the panoramic views of the dramatic river valley below. I can’t think of a more picturesque spot to eat my first meal of the day.

The menu offers everything from Balinese breakfast to Western dishes and Japanese fare. I go with the local cuisine, tucking into Lontong Sayur, a meal of rice cakes, tofu, and boiled egg in a fragrant coconut milk-based stew.

It’s the perfect way to start my day, and I enjoy it with a complimentary Morning Wedang, a traditional warm drink made with tropical spices.

Property

After breakfast I take a walk to explore the HOSHINOYA Bali’s grounds and gardens. I soon discover a number of long swimming pools lined by villas. Each is ensconced in greenery and looks like it’s straight out of a design magazine.

Below the villas I find a small Balinese Hindu shrine with gray stone carvings accented by fabric wraps, floral offerings, and fragrant incense.

Not far from there, I come across the library. This freestanding building has windows all around. Inside, there’s a range of books and a chess set for guests to take advantage of.

Near the library are a covered wellness gazebo and a spa reception. The latter is next to a dramatic funicular leading down to the treatment rooms. I’ve never been to a spa with a funicular, and I can’t wait to experience it later in the day.

The spa reception is next to the dining gazebos and Cafe Gazebo, a small bar overlooking the valley. It’s a short walk from the restaurant, which has tables on a deck with views out into the jungle. Above it is a seating area near the hotel reception, where more vistas await.

Chamilan Gazebo

Property explored, I head back to the dining gazebos to enjoy Chamilan Gazebo, or afternoon tea. I’m usually skeptical of afternoon teas outside the UK (they’re often not done to the same standards as the ones I’m used to in Britain), but this one is genuinely good.

Not only do I get to choose my tea from a pretty tray with loose-leaf offerings, but I also get to add anything from honey to lime, ginger, and lemongrass.

When the tiered food tray materializes, it features a birdcage-like structure with a layer of savories, one of sweets, and one with scones and pastries.

Each gives a nod to local flavors, and the three tiers represent the Balinese philosophy of Tri Hita Karana, or harmony with God, people, and nature. It’s all so delicious I nearly single-handedly finish an entire afternoon tea for two.

Spa

Appetite satiated, I continue the first of my 3 days in Bali with a trip to the spa. After checking in at the reception desk, I’m escorted down a set of stairs to a waiting room. There I’m offered a refreshing cold drink before my Body Relaxation experience.

From the waiting area I ride the funicular to the treatment rooms, which are located along a stone pathway. First I enjoy a full-body massage in a tranquil space overlooking the river valley.

It’s good, but the therapist doesn’t spend much time on my neck and shoulders despite the fact that I noted on my intake form that that’s where I need the most kneading.

After the massage the experience continues with a scrub and wrap followed by an outdoor bath full of pink and purple flower petals. The latter is a relaxing soak-with-a-view, and I enjoy it as I watch tendrils of incense smoke unfurl in the air around me.

Dinner

After the spa I continue relaxing in the outdoor cabana at my villa before heading to dinner at the restaurant. The chef has prepared a Vegan Bali Harmony Set Course tasting menu for me.

The meal follows the principles of Tri Hita Karana. Elevating local flavors through traditional and modern culinary techniques, each of the four courses offers harmony with God, nature, or people.

The menu starts with an amuse bouche of three types of Balinese tomato. A beautifully presented tray with small portions of gazpacho, marinated eggplant in tomato confit puree, and tempeh chip bruschetta starts the dinner on a high note.

From there I enjoy a course of asparagus and zucchini, a tray with burdock root, lotus, vegan meat loaf, and Nasi Uduk rice, and a dessert of tropical fruit.

It’s an impressive meal, and I’m won over by the range of ingredients and culinary creativity as much as I am by the flavors.

Day 2

The next morning I watch another sunrise from my balcony before heading to the Wellness Gazebo for the 30-minute Ubud Valley Stretch. The resort offers this experience to guests on a complimentary basis several days a week, and it’s a great way to start the morning.

Rolling out yoga mats, we follow our instructor as he leads us through a series of stretches that sets our bodies up for the day. From arms to legs and everything in between, it works to make us limber.

Breakfast

After stretching I head to breakfast at one of the dining gazebos. I opt for another Indonesian dish, and soon I’m tucking into Telur Dadar Bali. It’s an egg omelet with tempeh and vegetables, and it fuels me up for what comes next on my itinerary.

Canang Making

I walk up to the reception area, where I join a group under a covered pavilion. We’re here to learn how to make Balinese offerings. It’s another of the complimentary activities for guests, and it’s a great way to learn about the local culture.

Balinese Hindus are deeply spiritual, and they consider prayer to be an important part of life. As such, they make daily offerings known as canang sari.

Made from palm leaves, flowers, and incense, these small parcels represent gratitude, sincerity, and Tri Hita Karana. They’re placed at shrines, on the ground, or in entryways to honor deities and spirits, and they symbolize a sacrifice of time and effort.

My group learns how to make canang sari under the guidance of a member of the resort’s local staff. She walks us through how to create a small palm leaf basket, which represents the container of life.

She then lets us fill our baskets with flowers, each color of which represents a different Hindu god. We top them with shredded pandan, frangipani incense, and a cracker.

When we’re done making our offerings, we put on traditional Balinese sarongs and walk over to the resort’s shrine.

Placing each canang sari on the stone carvings, we watch as our guide sprinkles water on them using a frangipani flower. As we do, we learn that these offerings are not only a gesture of thanks, but also a meditative practice.

Ubud Town

After the offering, I hop on the HOSHINOYA Bali’s complimentary shuttle for the 30-minute drive into the town of Ubud. Several shuttles run each day, giving guests a chance to explore the bustling heart of the region before retreating back to the tranquility of the resort.

I spend several hours walking around Ubud. I stroll along the main streets, taking in the shops, restaurants, temples, and markets as I go.

From the famous Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary to the Peliatan Royal Palace, Puri Lukisan art museum, Pura Taman Kemuda Saraswati (Water Palace), Ubud Palace, and busy local markets, I do and see as much as I can.

In the middle of it all, I stop for lunch at a restaurant called Liap Liap. This place serves Indonesian food, and I tuck into a pescatarian set lunch menu with everything from Nasi Goreng fried rice to tempeh with sambals, and Es doger shaved ice.

Afternoon Tape Mojito

Back at the resort, I cool off with an Afternoon Tape Mojito. This complimentary daily offering invites guests to Cafe Gazebo to experience the result of the traditional fermentation process of Tape.

Tape is made from sticky rice or cassava, and it’s renowned for its sweet and sour flavors. It makes for a delicious local take on the famous Cuban drink.

Bale Sakepat

In the evening, I head back to Cafe Gazebo for a sunset cocktail. The Bale Sakepat menu here features drinks inspired by local legends.

They offer guests a chance to experience Bali’s essence with each sip. Served along with traditional Balinese snacks, they’re a great way to taste the local produce.

I choose a cocktail called Karangasem. According to the menu, it’s inspired by the journey of a sage named Rsi Markandeya from Mount Raung to the slopes of Besakih. It laid the spiritual foundation of Bali.

Salak, the native fruit of Karangasem, reflects the deep roots of devotion. Its fermented character is said to mirror the wise man’s path of transformation, awakening, and faith.

Made with fermented salak, vodka, lemon, and fermented tamarind, the drink is a tribute to purity, pilgrimage, and the divine act of creation that shaped Bali’s spiritual soul.

Day 3

The next morning I wake up to another beautiful sunrise over Mount Agung. I savor it until the sky brightens, taking in the birdsong as I soak up the peace of my surroundings.

Afterwards I sit by the pool in my villa’s private cabana for a while, enjoying more of the tranquility before heading to breakfast.

Breakfast

My last morning meal in Bali is another Telur Dadar Bali. I enjoy it as I look out across the river valley to the rice terraces in the distance. It’s the perfect send-off, and I savor every bite.

3-Day Bali Itinerary

After breakfast I pack my bags, call a taxi, and head to reception to check out. 90 minutes later, I’m at the airport ready to depart. I leave with a heavy heart after an amazing trip, but given this isn’t my first time in Bali, I’m sure I’ll be back. I hope I’ve inspired you to do the same.

Bali Map

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