The plan at a glance
| Day | Programme | Transport |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive, Ubud: Monkey Forest, palace, dance in the evening | Airport transfer, roughly 1h15 to 2h depending on traffic |
| 2 | Tegallalang rice terraces, Tirta Empul, waterfall | Private driver for the day |
| 3 | Nusa Penida: Kelingking, Angel's Billabong, or the east side | Fast boat from Sanur |
| 4 | Sanur or Jimbaran, spa, sunset, flight | Taxi to the airport |
Days 1 and 2: Ubud
Day 1 morning is usually lost to the transfer, so keep the afternoon for the town on foot. On day 2 reach Tegallalang early, before the crowds, then chain temples and a waterfall with a driver (prices here). An all-inclusive "best of Ubud" tour is the easy option if you do not want to organise anything. Where to sleep: where to stay in Ubud.
Day 3: Nusa Penida
This is the most tiring day: boat, narrow roads, steep steps at Kelingking. Choose west or east (comparison) and do not try both. Be back before dark; the sea can be rough in the afternoon and trips are sometimes cancelled.
Day 4: the coast and departure
Sanur is calm and close to the airport; Jimbaran has the beach seafood dinners. With a late flight, read the last day in Bali before your flight.
Mistakes to avoid
- Adding Mount Batur to this plan: the sunrise trek means a 2 a.m. start, too heavy in 4 days.
- Counting 1 hour between two points: on the island, 20 km can take 1h30.
- Forgetting the tourist levy and visa: see visa and levy.
With one more day, move to the 5-day plan; with only three, see Bali in 3 days.
La rédaction Ubud Authority, October 2026.
