Bali: Our best travel tips for the south ouf the island
In the 3rd week of our Bali trip, we had even more amazing experiences. Get inspired and find great travel tips for your next vacation in Bali.
The Bukit peninsula in the south of the island is my favorite part of Bali and I have visited this area several times over the years. A lot has changed and tourism is also on the rise here. Nevertheless, the relaxed backpacker and surfer vibe is still present.
La Cabane
For our first overnight stay, we opted for the small Hotel La Cabane near the beautiful Balangan Beach. This accommodation is almost too good to be true. At least for all boho lovers out there! There are only 6 bungalows and one villa, which are spread out in a green garden. Around the pool you can find a small restaurant, a bar as well as comfortable loungers and beanbags. And not to forget: the insta-famous swing, on which many influencer have posed over time. La Cabane is just soooo beautiful and lovingly decorated, ultra cozy and full of boho vibes wherever you look. We were in love with La Cabane in a heartbeat! It’s always great to find a place where everything is just perfect! Since we only had one night at La Cabane, we enjoyed this magical place to the fullest and didn’t go on any excursions.
Mu Bungalows
Our remaining week we spent in one of my favorite hotels in Bali, where I stayed as a guest for the first time over 15 years ago. Actually, pretty much everything is perfect in this small bungalow complex, too – but the absolute highlight for us is the Cliff Bungalow. Definitely one of our top travel tips for Bali.
The Cliff Bungalow
This room is built into the steep cliff, the walls are the natural rocks. A staircase leads down to the completely private Cliff Bungalow, which boasts one of the best views anywhere. What has – unfortunately – changed over the years is the newly added front glazing of the room. This has taken some of the charme away the room used to have some years back. The Cliff Bungalow used to be completely open, but the monkeys stole stuff and trashed the place too many times. The hotel management therefore had to intervene at some point. A bit of a shame but completely understandable.
More Mu please
Another highlight is the beautifully situated open spa on the edge of the cliffs. The view from here is simply magical and you are automatically relaxed before the treatment has even begun.
If you don’t want to relax in the spa, you can relax by the infinity pool, sip fresh coconuts or cocktails and enjoy the peace and quiet.
In the evening, the restaurant is extended around the pool so that you can enjoy an unforgettable dining experience right on the edge of the cliff with breathtaking views. The food is delicious and the setting with the cosy lighting and lanternes rounds up the experience. The sound of the sea comes free of charge.
If you are on vacation in the Bukit area, you should definitely pay a visit to Mu. We had a fantastic time at the Mu Resort every time and we are already looking forward to our next stay.
Bingin Beach
Just a few minutes walk from the Mu Bungalows you can find the increasingly famous and popular Bingin beach. This bay has always fascinated me and it holds a special place in my heart, I don’t even know why Bingin is just pure bliss to me. However, if you want to get to the beach, you should be prepared for the many, many steps involved in the experience. The way down is easy, but you have to get back up at some point, my firend! For that reason a visit to Bingin is also a great butt workout. Yey.
The bay is lined with small restaurants, inns and cafés, some of which are wildly stacked on top of each other along the cliff. The vibe is relaxed and life here mainly takes place during the day – Bingin is not a party beach.
Cafés, restaurants, stores and boho vibes
If you set off on foot from Mu towards the small main road that leads to Uluwatu, you will soon find yourself in the hustle and bustle of Bukit. The street is lined with many cozy cafés, hip restaurants and stores. As we always keep our eyes open for our beloved boho style, we quickly became aware of the beautiful café and restaurant The Place with No Name. It doesn’t get more boho than this. The menu is really appealing as well and the dishes are beautifully presented and super tasty! In addition there are also many other really unique restaurants along the main street that are well worth a visit.
If you continue along the road towards Uluwatu, you will reach one of my absolute favorite beaches on the island just a few minutes later.
Padang Padang Beach
For a small entrance fee, you can visit the beautiful Padang Padang bay, which makes visitors’ hearts beat faster with its light sand and turquoise water, after a steep descent down some stairs. You gotta earn it, my love! Padang Padang is just as popular with surfers as it is with people that just want to hang out and go for a swim. Small stalls with snacks and refreshments and a few surf schools line the bay. Fortunately, Padang Padang has remained relatively unspoiled, as hip beach clubs and fancy restaurants are nowhere to be found. Yet. The small bay became famous when Julia Roberts filmed here for the movie Eat Pray Love. That’s when padang Padang got its nickname Julia Roberts Beach. Therefore the little bay is no longer a real insider tip, but still beautiful and always worth a visit.
Karma Kandara Spa and Beach Club
Towards the end of our trip, we treated ourselves to a very special day out. I had pre-booked a morning of wellness at the Karma Spa many weeks in advance, so I was delighted when the time finally came and we made our way to the southernmost end of Bali.
The plan for the day included: A wellness massage followed by private use of the Ocean Spa Suite and a session with Reiki healer Eryka. Afterwards, were were going to round up the experience with lunch and a relaxing day at the beach at Karma Beachclub.
I have to say, my expectations were very high and I can give away that much: But the reality has exceeded all expectations.
Ocean Spa Suite
The entire spa area is amazing, whether you are in the open reception area or in one of the treatment rooms. But the undisputed highlight is definitely the Ocean Spa Suite. Not only the view of the sea and the white beach at the end of the cliffs are spectacular. The facilities in the Ocean Spa Suite also leave nothing to be desired.
Whether it’s an infrared sauna followed by an ice bath, a wellness shower with a view of the ocean or a dip in the relaxing warm water pool. You will get the ultimate wellness exerience for sure! The treatments we booked were fantastic as well and we can absolutely recommend the visit at Karma Spa.
Karma Beach Bali
After a blissful spa morning, we made out way down to the beach. Guests can lounge around on comfortable beach chairs, sip drinks and swim in the sea. You can also enjoy time at the Club 22 restaurant or the Tiki or Phoenix Bar. The stretch of beach, with its light-colored sand and turquoise sea, is really exceptionally beautiful. Karma Beach Bali also invites you to a variety of events, such as movie nights, live music, DJ events and much more. Check out their events calender. It certainly won’t be boring here.
Single Fin, Uluwatu
To round off our trip, we couldn’t miss out on a favorite spot in Bali. Our personal sunset spot winner for enjoying the sunset in a great atmosphere with a view of the famous surf spot in Uluwatu is hands down the Single Fin We booked a sofa corner for the experience, although there is a set minimum consumption for the booth. Our travel tips for Single Fin Bali: It’s worth getting there early, as the sunset spots are highly sought-after and are often already full from late afternoon, as only the seating areas can be reserved. Also: be sure to try the frozen daiquiris and the Korean chicken wings. Yuuum! For me, a visit to Single Fin is always an absolute highlight on any trip to Bali, because I love the relaxed vibe, the music is great, the cocktails taste good and somehow everything just fits! Whoop!
To sum up: We enjoyed our three-week trip starting in Dubai, a week in Nusa Lembongan, followed by a round trip in the northern part of Bali and ending in the south to the full, had an incredibly wonderful time and made memories for life.
To summarize: Bali is the answer. Who cares what the question is.
There is only one thing left to say: Bali is the answer. Who cares what the question is. See you next time, Bali. We miss you already! On to Singapore…
