10 tips for solo female travelers in bali

Get the Most Out of Solo Traveling Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak & More

travel smart & get the most out of bali

girl at tegallalang rice terraces

TEGALALANG RICE TERRACES

artsy girl in Canggu

CANGGU, BALI

Traveling to any country as a solo female traveler can feel daunting yet exciting, and the feeling of visiting Bali will be no exception! Bali is considered one of the safest parts of Indonesia and an exceptional place to visit for travelers who are on a budget. If you’re planning on visiting this tropical oasis anytime soon, the following top 10 tips for solo female travelers will help you mentally prepare and know what to expect! 

1. KEEP ALL POSSESSIONS CLOSE TO YOUR BODY

While Bali has a safety index of 58 out of 100, the crimes in the area are typically not serious. The primary reason for this rating is the prevalence of petty crimes, specifically theft of personal belongings through pickpocketing or bag snatching, as well as various scams. In addition, there is unfortunately a very long line of corrupt police officers in Bali. So what does this all mean for you, solo female traveler? This essentially means that you should not be bringing any expensive items or leave any prized possessions in your hotel room. For example, I wear multiple gold rings on a daily basis that were passed down to me from my family. Since these have both monetary and sentimental value to me, I didn’t bring them to Bali. Instead, I bought a pack of fake gold rings for $5 (since I just can’t seem to live without rings on my fingers!) I would also suggest keeping all necessary items like your wallet, passport, cash, camera equipment, etc on you. Do NOT wear all of this in a backpack that you wear behind you!! People can easily come up, especially on the street or in busier tourist areas, and unzip your backpack without you even knowing! Instead, I suggest wearing a purse, small bag, or fanny pack on the front of yourself and keeping it zipped all the way up. This way, you can also physically SEE your items. I kept my camera on a strap around my neck or body pretty much the entire time. 

2. Think Through Your Means of Transportation

Similar to other travel destinations, you have multiple options when it comes to how to get from point A to point B in Bali. Some of the most common include:

Scooters. Scooter rentals can be anywhere from $2-$7 per day for a single individual. This makes scooter rentals one of the most inexpensive travel options, and one of the most common among solo travelers. I would recommend Bikago as a great, affordable option because they have locations across the island, making pickup and dropoff easy. The only thing you have to remember is that riding a scooter is not like riding a bike! If you’ve never ridden one before, I suggest practicing before hitting any busy streets. When I traveled to Bali, it took me multiple tries to finally get the hang of controlling one of these babies! The other piece of advice I need to give you is that if you do plan on having anyone on the back of the scooter while you drive during any part of your trip, think about weight distribution. It WILL be harder to control the scooter with another person's weight on the back of it, so just remember that. 

Public buses/Bemo/Kura-Kura Bus. There are multiple different types of buses you can take when traveling in Bali since this is the most common form of transportation for any citizens or tourists who don’t have a scooter or car. Tickets typically cost less than $2 for an hour, and the buses travel through the major parts of Bali. If you are staying in a more rural area, be prepared to need a second/alternative form of transportation to get to your accommodation! 

Cars. You have two options here: you can either rent a car and drive yourself, or rent a driver to drive you around in a car. My friends and I opted for the second option when we went as a group of 6, just because we weren’t too confident in our ability to drive scooters on busy streets. It ended up being about $10 a day for each of us, $60 total per day. This was very doable for us, but it is no doubt a more expensive option in comparison to other forms of transportation, especially for solo travelers. Renting a car and driving yourself can be expensive for a solo traveler as well, with the average cost being $360 per week or $51 per day. 

Ferry. Taking a ferry from point A to point B cannot be the only form of transportation you rely on to get around, but it's a great way (and quite possibly one of the ONLY ways) to get to the other islands! Tickets can be a little expensive, chalking up to about $10 each way, but it also depends on where you are leaving from, where you are going, and the trip duration. 

Grab/Gojek. Grab and Gojek are the two most popular online ride-hailing apps used by tourists on the island. Consider these apps the “Uber” of Indonesia, where people can simply get a ride from a Grab/Gojek employee. Just don’t be surprised if that ride is on the back of someone’s scooter! It may also be helpful to know that Grab is the more expensive app, and Gojek is considered the cheapest. 

3. Visit Famous Tourist Spots early in the morning

This is a tip that all travelers should follow, whether you’re traveling alone or not. Crowds tend to start visiting famous tourist spots around 9:00am or 10:00am and tend to leave after sunset. This means that visiting places like the Tegalalang Rice Terraces is best in the morning during sunrise- and it's perfect for photos too! However, some places, like the Monkey Forest in Ubud, may not open until a certain time. In that case, I always follow the motto “the early bird catches the worm”! 

4. Try Staying in a Hostel! 

Nervous to stay in an Airbnb alone? It can be scary to check into a place alone, and a little too quiet. If you’re someone who loves to meet people while traveling abroad, a hostel might be a good choice for you. There’s no doubt that opting to stay in a hostel when visiting Bali is the perfect way to make friends who you can adventure with during your trip, and it’ll save you a few bucks too! A few good hostels to stay in include: 

Puri Garden Hotel & Hostel in Ubud

Kos One Hostel in Canggu

The Farm Hostel in Canggu 

5. Be Aware When You’re Out at Night 

It’s no secret that most serious crimes happen at night. That being said, if you’re a solo female traveling Bali just make sure to stay alert while you’re out and about, especially after the daylight hours have burned away. This is good practice for any traveler, regardless of their gender or the size of the group that they travel with. 


Bali has an exceptional nightlife, full of famous local clubs and fruity, exotic drinks. I both urge you to spend atleast one night experiencing this while dually warning you to keep an eye on your purse and the bartender. Don’t accept any drinks from a stranger (just like I’m sure your mom taught you) and make sure that you have a safe ride home. If you can keep those basic guidelines in the back of your mind, you’re sure to be safe and have an amazing time.

6. Check Out the Local Markets

Looking to find some inexpensive and handcrafted souvenirs to bring home to loved ones? The Bali markets are the perfect place to visit! From the Canggu weekend market to the extensive and vibrant markets in Seminyak and Kuta, I have no doubt that you’ll be able to find something suiting your taste. Whether you’re looking for clothes or shoes, figurines to jewelry, incense to fruit, these marketers are ideal for tourists looking to find a little bit of everything in one convenient spot. And when you do choose a particular item you are willing to purchase, make sure to bargain! When I visited Bali, I had befriended a driver who took my group and I to all our destinations during our two-week trip. Luckily, he told us what normal prices were for and stepped in to help bargain in multiple instances. If you don’t have the luxury of knowing any locals, then best practice is to try asking how much an item is. Once they give you a numerical answer, try asking if you can get it for 50% less of the price you said. If they say no, walk away. They’ll typically chase you down the street trying to make the sale, especially because most sellers will start out asking for a very inflated price to see if you’ll pay it! 

7. Choose Your Restaurants Carefully

No matter what country you go to, you need to be careful of the restaurants you choose. This is because sometimes less reputable restaurants (especially in third world countries) are not cooking meals in sanitary conditions or they have not hired the proper experienced staff necessary to correctly cook a meal. This means that you then run the risk of getting food poisoning, which can create a number of problems for you during your Bali trip. The bottom line is, talk to the locals, do you research, and check out reviews! 

8. Take Your Health Seriously

It is vital that you take your health even more seriously than usual when visiting foreign countries like Bali. This is because though it might not seem like a big deal to fall ill, get food poisoning, or become injured, you have to remember that the healthcare system is not the same in every single country you visit. The United States, where I’m from, has one of the most technologically advanced healthcare systems in the world. Places like Bali, however, may not be able to provide the standard of care that you need, and you will likely have to pay out of pocket despite having insurance. This means that during your travels it’s smart to remain cautious when choosing what to eat, drink filtered or bottled water, and to stay as healthy as possible so that you don’t need to rely on a different country’s healthcare system unless there is an unexpected emergency. 

9. Plan to Stay Connected to Loved Ones Back Home

One of the best pieces of advice I can give you when leaving to travel in Bali is to let people at home know where you’re staying and what you are doing each day. Let family members or friends know that you’ll be calling them or texting them between certain times each day, and give them the name and number of your accommodation so that you can stay connected in case there is an emergency at home. This is also best practice so that if something happens to you and your friends and family can’t reach you, they can quickly identify that something is wrong and contact outside parties if necessary. Though traveling is meant to be fun, it’s important to stay safe and connected with loved ones in the case that something does go awry! 

10. understand the cultural customs in Bali

Before traveling to any country you should know and understand their customs and any differences you might encounter. For example, when visiting Bali, it may be help for you to understand the following customary practices: 

Take your shoes off when visiting a Balinese person’s home. 

You will likely see religious offerings outside of stores and family homes. These are typically made from a woven bamboo container with flowers, fruits, spices, etc and it is important to walk around these. Do not crush them! 

Wear a piece of fabric around the hips of Bali's temples and sacred places.

Women on their periods are not allowed to enter temples or sacred spaces. (This rule, I will admit, I did not know when visiting Bali until I tried to hike to a temple and our driver wouldn’t let me. When I asked why, he said he had seen me buying maxi pads and that it was forbidden to enter a temple with your period, so I could not go on the hike!) 

PDA is frowned upon which means that you’ll have to save any hugging, kissing, etc until you are in a private setting! Hand holding, however, is seen as socially acceptable in public. 

Tipping is not a common practice, except in a few more western-style restaurants. 

GET THE MOST OUT OF BALI AS A SOLO FEMALE TRAVELER

Traveling to Bali as a solo female traveler is amazing, and your trip is going to be even more fantastic now that you’re properly prepared! From accommodations and transportation to the ins and outs of tourist spots, local markets, and nightclubs, you have all the information necessary to experience Bali in a way that’s safe, respectful, and fun. If you have any questions about Bali, feel free to email me at thetravelingtwin@gmail.com or check out my Bali page for all the blog posts I’ve written on Bali! 

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Bali safe for solo female travelers?

    Bali is generally considered safe for solo female travelers. However, it's important to take necessary precautions such as staying in well-lit areas, avoiding isolated places at night, and being cautious of your belongings.

  • What should I pack for my trip to Bali?

    When packing for Bali, essentials include lightweight and breathable clothing, comfortable shoes, a hat, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, and a sarong for temple visits. Don't forget to pack a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated and reduce plastic waste. 

  • How can I stay connected while traveling in Bali?

    Bali has excellent network coverage, and you can easily get a local SIM card for your phone. Alternatively, many establishments offer free Wi-Fi. It's a good idea to download offline maps and important travel apps beforehand.

  • Are there any cultural customs I should be aware of in Bali?

    Balinese culture is rich and deeply rooted. Respect the local customs by dressing modestly, especially when visiting temples, and by practicing cultural sensitivity. Learn a few basic Indonesian phrases to communicate with locals and always greet with a smile.

  • How can I ensure my safety while exploring Bali at night?

    Stick to well-populated and well-lit areas when exploring Bali at night. Avoid isolated places and be cautious of your surroundings. It's advisable to travel with a companion or use reliable transportation options.

  • Can I drink tap water in Bali?

    It's recommended to drink bottled water or use a water purifier to avoid any potential health issues. Bottled water is widely available and affordable throughout Bali.

  • Are there any specific customs or practices regarding temple visits?

    When visiting temples in Bali, it's important to dress respectfully, covering your shoulders and knees. Follow the instructions of temple staff and be mindful of your behavior to show reverence to the sacred sites.

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