Is Bali Worth It in 2025? What We Spent and Would Do Again
Booking a trip to Bali wasn’t some lifelong dream—we weren’t counting down the years or saving Pinterest boards. It just made sense at the time. My partner Arcy and I had been talking about getting away, and we both wanted something that had good food, a little nature, some culture, and didn’t come with a scary price tag. Bali had come up in passing before, and early 2023 felt like a good moment to go for it. Travel had started feeling normal again, prices hadn’t spiked too hard yet, and we figured—why not now?
What made Bali click for us was how much you could fit into one week without it feeling chaotic. We weren’t chasing luxury or nonstop sightseeing—we wanted a mix. Some temples. Some lazy mornings. A waterfall or two. Eating food that didn’t taste like anything back home. A weird coffee stop. Maybe a beach club to remind us we’re on vacation. If you’re building a Bali honeymoon itinerary or mapping out a 7-day Bali itinerary in 2025, and you want something with variety that doesn’t feel pulled straight from a travel clichĂ©, this might help. Ours included a bit of everything: temples, coffee swings, island tours, even a day at a theme park—because why not?
Flights and First Impressions
We flew from Manila to Denpasar and spent around $550 USD per person roundtrip (Approx Php 31.2k), booked about two months ahead. I remember scanning dozens of flight comparison sites, and AirAsia won out for both price and schedule. If you're wondering how much to spend in Bali before even landing—budget around $500–$1,000 (or Php 25k to 60k) per person if you're planning to travel like we did (comfort-first, not luxury). We landed early in the morning, breezed through immigration, and were immediately hit with that warm, spicy air that somehow already smells like vacation.
First impressions? Busy, chaotic, but beautiful. Denpasar Airport was surprisingly efficient, and our pre-booked transfer to Seminyak went smoothly. If it’s your first time in Bali, book your pickup ahead of time—it removes the stress of dealing with aggressive taxi drivers after a long flight. Also: have some rupiah on hand or download GoJek or Grab. Bali isn’t just postcard-perfect spots; it’s also a place where modern travel tools meet a deeply traditional island vibe. That contrast? It’s part of what makes Bali special.
Where We Stayed and Why It Worked
We picked Pelangi Bali Hotel & Spa in Seminyak because it hit the sweet spot: beachfront access, not too touristy, but still walkable to great food spots and beach clubs. It cost us around $105 USD (Php 6k) per night with breakfast included. That price point is a great example of why affordable Bali resorts in 2025 are still very much a thing—especially if you book ahead. The rooms were simple but clean, the pool was a dream, and the staff made you feel like they actually remembered you each morning.
✔️ What made it worth it:
👉 Steps away from Seminyak Beach—ideal for sunset walks
👉 Breakfast included with local + western options
👉 Easy access to cafes, beach clubs, and convenience stores
👉 Quiet enough for sleep, lively enough for fun
❌ What we’d skip next time:
👉 Limited shuttle service—expect to book a ride often
👉 The spa was okay but not memorable
👉 Rooms are starting to show a bit of age
We didn’t need anything fancy, just somewhere clean, close to the beach, and easy to come back to after a long day out. For what we paid, this place nailed it. It felt relaxed without trying too hard, and we were genuinely comfortable the whole time. If you’re traveling as a couple and want a spot that’s easygoing and doesn’t wreck your budget, I’d stay here again in a heartbeat.
Our Full Bali Itinerary (No B.S.)
We didn’t overthink this trip—we just made a plan and stuck to it. For once, it worked out. Some places were worth it, some weren’t, but overall the mix felt right. This is the exact Bali itinerary we followed, no filters or fancy edits.
Day-by-Day Breakdown:
➡️ Day 1: Landed in Denpasar, checked into Seminyak, dinner near Double Six Beach
➡️ Day 2: Instagram tour—Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga, Tukad Cepung Waterfall
➡️ Day 3: Ubud temples, coffee swing experience, and civet coffee tasting
➡️ Day 4: Nusa Penida island tour (long but stunning)
➡️ Day 5: Trans Studio Bali for something different, dinner in Canggu
➡️ Day 6: Pool day + beach club (Vue), sunset at Tanah Lot
➡️ Day 7: Souvenir shopping in Denpasar before flying out
We booked most of our tours through Airbnb and Klook. No partnerships or promos—just what looked solid and had good reviews. If you’re planning a full week in Bali, make sure to leave a couple of days open. It’s easy to get burned out with early tours and hot weather if you don’t slow things down.
The Most Worth-It Tour We Took
I know the “Instagram Tour” gets mixed reactions online—some people call it overhyped, others swear by it. We booked it with low expectations, mostly to see a few spots in one go. But honestly? It turned out to be one of our favorite days. Long, yes—but worth it. The balance of temples, natural backdrops, and chill drives between places gave us more than just pretty photos. Lempuyang Temple was the big draw, and yeah, the mirror photo trick was clever—just a piece of glass under your phone, but it does the job. Still, what I remember most is the quiet. Watching strangers soak in the view, hearing the wind pass through the gates. That moment stuck with me way more than the picture did.
What we loved about this tour:
👉 Early pickup = fewer crowds at Lempuyang
👉 Our guide explained Balinese customs, not just logistics
👉 Tukad Cepung waterfall was peaceful and not too crowded
👉 Tirta Gangga was photo-perfect and surprisingly relaxing
I’d do it again next time. Our Instagram tour came with a personal driver and photographer, which made everything easy. The photographer wasn’t just there to snap pictures—he helped with poses, showed us where to stand, and even took some nice videos. It was fun, stress-free, and a great way to see a bunch of places without worrying about planning it ourselves.
Unexpected Favorites
I’ll admit it—I didn’t think the luwak coffee stop would be anything special. I figured it would be another tourist trap with overpriced beans and a rushed tasting. And to be fair, parts of it leaned that way. But the farm we visited actually took time to explain how kopi luwak is made (ethically, thankfully), and sipping that strong, earthy brew in the middle of the forest hit different. One cup was around $5 USD (₱280 PHP)—not cheap, but it came with quiet, trees, and no rush. Honestly, it ended up being one of those slow, grounding moments I didn’t realize I needed.
There were other things we didn’t plan for that ended up being just as memorable. The Bali swing near Ubud? We almost skipped it. Arcy was holding on for dear life while I couldn’t stop laughing. The ride itself was over in a flash, but the view after—rice fields, soft light, no Wi-Fi—was what really stayed with us. It felt like a glitch in the usual travel pace. No selfies, no scrolling, just sitting still for once.
Spending on Food: Street Eats vs. Sit-Down Spots
I didn’t go to Bali expecting to have a bad meal—and I didn’t. Most days, we spent between $2 to $15 USD (₱110 to ₱850 PHP) per person, depending on where we ate. Local spots were the cheapest and most flavorful; sit-down restaurants in Seminyak or Canggu cost a bit more, but still felt reasonable. Bali isn’t as cheap as it used to be, but if you'll compare it like Bali vs Thailand in 2025, it's still great value. Portions were generous, and the food had real character—spicy, rich, and full of local flavor.
We leaned into a mix of street food and mid-range cafes. A plate of nasi campur or bakso from a roadside stall cost next to nothing and hit the spot after long tour days. On nights we wanted something slower and quieter, beachside restaurants or warungs gave us that without feeling tourist-trappy. Nothing felt like a splurge, and we never once regretted what we spent on food.
Personal favorites (and what we’d order again):
✅ Ayam Betutu – spicy, slow-cooked chicken that’s loaded with flavor
✅ Babi Guling – if you eat pork, this is a Balinese staple you have to try
✅ Nasi Campur – perfect if you want to try a little bit of everything
✅ Fresh fruit smoothies + dragonfruit bowls for breakfast
✅ Satay skewers from random roadside stalls—trust your nose
We weren’t chasing fancy dinners, and honestly, we didn’t need to. Some of our favorite meals came from small warungs—those no-frills, family-run spots where you point at what looks good and get a plate piled high. Think of them as Bali’s version of a karinderya back home. Sure, resort restaurants have their place, but the heart of the food scene is local. If you're trying to stretch your budget, this is one part of the trip where you can spend less and still eat like royalty.
Beach Clubs, Sunsets, and Semi-Luxury Treats
Watching the sunset with a drink in hand and your feet in the water just feels good. We went to The Edge and Vue Beach Club, and while they had different vibes, both were worth checking out. The Edge was more high-end and quiet, while Vue felt more relaxed and didn’t cost as much. You don’t have to visit these places, but they added a nice break to the trip and made it feel like a real vacation.
Cost breakdown:
✔️ The Edge: Entry + minimum spend was around $35 USD (₱1,990 PHP) per person
✔️ Vue Beach Club: Minimum spend was about $10 USD (₱570 PHP), but we ended up spending more on food and drinks
✔️ Best time to go: Arrive around 3–4PM, stay through sunset
These spots were a little more than we’d usually spend, but they were worth it. You don’t need to stay in a fancy resort to enjoy a bit of luxury—just find a nice view, good music, and take it slow. The sunsets really are something else here.
Theme Parks and Side Adventures
This might sound random, but Trans Studio Bali—an indoor theme park—ended up being one of the most fun stops on our trip. The rides were better than we expected, and it was nice to be in air-conditioning for a few hours. We could relax, goof around, and just do something different for a change. Tickets were around $25 USD (₱1,420 PHP) each, and we stayed long enough to feel like we got our money’s worth.
You don’t really hear people talk about going to a theme park in Bali, but I think more couples should check it out. After a few early mornings and back-to-back tours, it was nice to do something different. No sunburn, no temple dress codes—just a relaxed day indoors that didn’t take much effort.
The best part of Trans Studio for me was the Fear the Walking Dead attraction. I’ve been a fan of both The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead for years, so walking into that setup was wild. It’s a full immersion experience, and honestly, it got me a little more than I expected. They recreated some of the most iconic scenes—like the prison from Season 3, Alexandria, and even a few dark corridors that felt way too real. If you’ve followed the shows, you’ll catch a lot of familiar details. I’ll probably write a full post about that experience alone because there’s a lot more to say, but for now—if you’re into the series, don’t miss it.
Local Culture That Felt Familiar
What surprised me most was how familiar Bali felt in little ways. As a Filipino traveler in Bali, I kept picking up words that sounded like our own—anak, mata, kanan, kambing. Even the way some people spoke reminded me of home. A few locals even asked if I was Balinese, which honestly made me smile. That small connection made things feel more personal.
There’s a calm feeling in Bali that’s hard to explain. People move with purpose, but they’re never in a rush. It’s a place built on ritual and respect, and you can feel it whether you’re at a temple, walking through a market, or watching an offering ceremony by the roadside. It’s those quiet details that stick with you the most.
What We’d Skip or Do Differently
Travel isn't just about what goes right—it's also about what you'd skip next time. And while we wouldn’t change much, there were a few things we could’ve done better. For one, Nusa Penida island tour was stunning but exhausting. If you're not great with boats or rough roads, it’s a tough day trip. Still worth doing—but maybe as an overnight, not a rushed itinerary add-on.
Things we’d skip or approach differently:
➡️ Plan transport better: Booking private drivers for long trips is better than winging it
➡️ Do more nothing: Bali’s made for hammocks, lazy breakfasts, and aimless walks
➡️ Avoid overpriced souvenir shops near temples—same items, double the price
This wasn’t about disappointment, just clarity. Sometimes you only learn what works for you after you try the popular thing and go, “yeah… once is enough.”
The Tattoo I’ll Never Regret
Some people collect magnets. I collect ink. Toward the end of our trip, I decided to get a small souvenir tattoo in Seminyak—something simple, meaningful, and tied to the trip. I booked an appointment at The Ink Factor, a studio with solid reviews and a clean, modern vibe. The artist was easy to talk to and patient while we worked through the details. I chose a Sanskrit design that combines the lotus, om, and unalome symbols. Together, they stand for creation, strength, resilience, and rebirth. These meanings really speak to who I am—not just where I’ve been. It felt right to mark that in a permanent way.
Why a tattoo? Because this wasn’t just another vacation. It was the first time in a long time I felt fully present, in sync with Arcy, and in a place that somehow felt familiar and brand new all at once. The tattoo isn’t just a souvenir—it’s a reminder that yes, we were really there. We really did it. And yes, we’d do it again in a heartbeat.
Was It Worth It? Here’s What We Took Home
If you’re wondering, “Is Bali worth it in 2025?”, I get why. There are so many places to choose from, and not all of them live up to the hype. But for us, Bali really did. We got to see beautiful temples, try new food, relax at beach clubs, and have small moments we didn’t plan for. We didn’t try to do everything—just enough to feel like the trip was full.
In total, our Bali trip cost was around $1,900 USD (₱107,500 PHP) per person. That covered flights, hotel, tours, food, and even the tattoo. It wasn’t a super cheap trip, but it felt worth every peso. If you're putting your own version of this trip together, I hope some of this helps.
