As we escaped the chaos of south Bali, one of my friends commented, “Look at how the landscape has changed,” and I couldn’t help but agree. After just two days (not for me, I had just arrived in Bali the night before), they had had enough of the crowds. Too much traffic, too many foreign faces. After just two days in Seminyak, you start to wonder, is this all there is? Is it entirely like this? Well, not at all…
In this blog post, I’ll share how we left Seminyak on the first day of my trip to discover the most authentic side of Bali. If you have limited time on the island – around 8-9 days – this 2-day central Bali itinerary is perfect for experiencing the island’s true soul.
You’ll explore the unspoiled natural beauty everyone raves about and simply get lost in the slow pace and simplicity of life typical of traditional Balinese communities.
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Is Central Bali Worth Visiting? Here’s What to Expect
Is Central Bali Worth Visiting? If you’re craving an escape from the touristy/expat-vibe of Seminyak and Canggu, then YES, absolutely!
My very first memory of Central Bali is the drive from Seminyak. At first, it was all scooters, low buildings, and glimpses of those beautiful red sandstone gates and Balinese god statues. Then, almost suddenly (or maybe I just woke up from a five-minute nap), everything changed.
Fewer scooters, replaced by the occasional kid zipping by on a motorbike or a cart overflowing with fresh vegetables. The buildings disappeared, leaving behind family-run warungs, tiny shops selling crafts, and… rice terraces so green that kept making me whisper “oh” in all my videos. The first one I saw was a breathtaking shade of green – a vibrant, almost unbelievable color, thanks to the rainy season.
These rice terraces, lined with tall palm trees, just kept unfolding, stretching as far as the eye could see. Traditional homes were scattered here and there, but the landscape was mostly a sea of green. That’s what captured my heart in Central Bali: the omnipresent wildness of nature, which refuses to be organized.
Coming from Seminyak, the other thing that struck me was the noticeable lack of tourists. Which, if you ask me, is a huge plus.
Everything felt so much more authentic, like the spiritual, simple Bali I had imagined but found hard to discover in the more crowded areas: no internet cafes, no malls, no fancy restaurants.
Just simple homes with their family temples, greenery everywhere, the occasional tiny shop, and, of course, those beautiful, colorful canang sari offerings lining the sidewalks.
Getting To & Around Central Bali
Here’s the thing about Central Bali: the sights are a bit spread out. For our 2-day itinerary, we hired a private driver – definitely the easiest way to get around. Unlike in the south, you can’t just hail a Grab or Gojek, but don’t worry, finding a driver in Bali is so simple! Most drivers are happy to be booked for several days and can even double as tour guides if you need one.
To find a reliable driver (or tour guide), you can check out Viator or Klook. Just make sure to give your driver a heads-up on where you’re staying and the various stops you’ll be making so they can plan ahead and ensure they’re always on time.
Another benefit of hiring a driver is that you can leave your luggage in the car or van and just bring what you need for the day—there is no need to worry about luggage storage or lugging everything around.
To hire a driver for the day, you can expect to pay around $20-$30 depending on the driver, the group size, the duration of the booking, and the distance (10 hours will definitely be more expensive than 3). Overall, Balinese drivers are very welcoming and friendly; make sure to explain all the details clearly.
Day 1. Spectacular Rice Terraces & Waterfalls
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
We left Seminyak early, on a rainy morning in late December, and honestly, we couldn’t have been happier. Even though I was tired, I tried to stay awake to witness the scenery transform from our van window. Busy, traffic-jammed roads gave way to open stretches where our driver could finally speed up.
My eyes saw every shade of green imaginable as nature unfolded before me, volcanoes rising in the misty, gray sky. Around 2/2.5 hours later, we were already in the central area of Bali, ready for the first stop of our itinerary: Jatiluwih Rice Terraces.
And wow. Even before you actually arrive, the views from the car are so mesmerizing. Endless rice paddies, a green so vibrant it’s almost unreal, stretch to the horizon beneath those dramatic volcanoes. I think I have around 20 videos picturing those roads surrounded by palm trees and sandstone gates, I couldn’t stop filming.
Once you’re actually within the Jatiluwih site, the mix of vivid green, the red of the andong merah plants, and (on a clear day) the bright blue sky is a sight to behold. I couldn’t stop taking pictures!
But Jatiluwih is more than just a pretty backdrop. It’s part of this ancient irrigation system called Subak, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Subak connects nature, spirituality, and humanity to ensure the island has the water it needs. Here, the ingenuity of Balinese farmers is truly impressive.
We paid about IDR 50,000 ($3.50) to enter and explore the terraces along the purple trekking route. If you have more time, the white route and a bike tour could be fun! Afterward, we had a fantastic Indonesian buffet lunch at Gong Jatiluwih, the restaurant just in front of one of the entrances, with amazing views of the terraces.
Want to know more about planning a trip to Jatiluwih and whether it’s the right rice terrace for you? Check out my full blog post!
Leke Leke Waterfall
After stuffing ourselves with delicious Indonesian food at the restaurant (and, I have to admit, I did wonder if jumping into a waterfall right after a big meal was the brightest idea… but luckily, we escaped any stomach troubles), we hopped back in the van and headed to our next stop: Leke Leke Waterfall.
It’s supposed to be just a 36-minute drive from Jatiluwih, but we hit some unexpected traffic, and it ended up taking closer to an hour. Even so, the drive was incredible! Seriously, the scenery in central Bali is just mind-blowing, and hiring a driver was a lifesaver, as the roads can be a bit… adventurous.
The entrance fee to Leke Leke was only 50,000 IDR (about $3.50). The walk down to the falls was supposed to be a 30-minute stroll, but it had just rained, so the path was a bit muddy and slippery – a mini-adventure!
The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and lush tropical plants, and the sounds of the jungle surrounded us.
And then we saw it: Leke Leke Waterfall. It’s like water magically appears between two rocks, carving its way through the stone and plunging powerfully into this crystal-clear pool below. We couldn’t resist taking a dip and feeling the rush of the cascading water on our skin.
We practically had the place to ourselves – just us and a couple busy trying to get the perfect Instagram shot. It felt so magical and secluded. If you’re looking for a waterfall experience that feels truly special, Leke Leke is the place. Want all the details to plan your trip? Check out my full blog post here.
The Ideal Escape in Central Bali: Village Above the Clouds
After snapping a few more photos and taking one last dip in the refreshing pool beneath the falls, we hiked back up the jungle trail.
But not before trying out the famous Bali swing! I hadn’t planned on it, but it was completely empty, so why not? And wow, what an adrenaline rush! Being launched out over the jungle is thrilling and a little scary – definitely an experience! (More details about the swing in my Leke Leke post!).
Back in the van, we had another 20-minute drive to our accommodation: Village Above the Clouds. It’s tucked away in the Bedugul region, down a paved road lined with traditional Balinese houses – the kind that look like mini-temples. (Just a heads-up: watch out for the dogs! They’re small, but they definitely want you to know they’re there.)
Village Above the Clouds is a beautiful complex in a gorgeous garden full of colorful flowers and plants surrounded by rice paddies. The bungalows have huge floor-to-ceiling windows, which allow for amazing views.
The bungalows themselves are simple, but with such a view and setting, you don’t need anything more. Depending on the period, you can expect to pay around $50 for a double room, but booking.com often offers discounts for this property. A couple of weeks ago, there was an offer for $30.
We had a delicious homemade Balinese dish for dinner, prepared by the staff. (Followed by a slightly less magical spider hunt in one of my friend’s rooms – because, well, Bali is all about nature, right?)
The next morning, I was up early to explore. After my walk, we enjoyed the most calming sunrise over the rice paddies: waking up earlier was so worth it.
Afterward, we had a yoga class with the Village’s yoga instructor. Jungle views, soothing music, and gentle (more or less) stretches – the perfect start to the day. Then it was time for breakfast (included in the price of the stay), we packed up and got ready for our next stop.
Other Places to Stay in Central Bali
Day 2. Water Temples & Rituals
Pura Ulun Danu
Back in the van, we had supposedly just a 20-minute ride to our next stop: Pura Ulun Danu. (I swear, every time I write down the travel time in Bali, I have to question it later. Balinese traffic is always full of surprises!).
Pura Ulun Danu is one of those iconic Bali spots you see everywhere on social media, and I was so excited to finally see it for myself. I’d heard it could be crowded, but I wasn’t prepared for just how touristy it felt.
It wasn’t even the number of people—we got there early enough to avoid the worst of the tour bus crowds—but the whole atmosphere. There were stalls, shops, animal feeding attractions, and even a kids’ playground! It had a bit of a theme-park vibe, which was a little disappointing.
But, I have to say, even with all that, the setting left me speechless. The temple sits right on Lake Bratan, with these beautiful multi-tiered shrines that seem to float on the water, and the mountains rising up behind it are just incredible.
That view alone is worth the trip, and it’s why I’d even consider going back (maybe I’d try a lake cruise next time instead of actually going into the temple grounds). We paid 75,000 IDR (about $5 ) to enter.
Getting there early is a good idea if you want to avoid the biggest crowds and enjoy more peace. So, yes, even with the slightly cheesy theme park feel, the natural beauty and the significance of the temple make Pura Ulun Danu worth visiting.
If you’d like to know more about the temple and its importance to the Balinese community, check out the full post here.
Pura Tirta Empul or Pura Mengening (or both)
Our two-day central Bali adventure was almost over, and we started heading back towards Ubud, with the famous Pura Tirta Empul as our next stop (about a 2-hour drive). Tirta Empul is known for its Melukat purification ritual, which involves a bath in holy spring water that’s supposed to cleanse you of negative energy.
I was really looking forward to it, but when we got there, something just felt off. It was packed with people, and the atmosphere wasn’t nearly as peaceful and spiritual as I’d imagined. So, I skipped the ritual itself, but I’m really glad I still explored the temple.
Tirta Empul is a truly impressive place, with work-of-art traditional Balinese architecture and a definite spiritual energy. If you get past the main courtyard and the pools where everyone does the ritual and wander around the inner area, that’s where the shrines are, and it feels much more peaceful and sacred.
If you’re interested in the Melukat ritual but want a more tranquil experience, I’d recommend checking out Pura Mengening. It’s a smaller temple nearby, just downstream from Tirta Empul, and I’ve heard it’s much calmer and more intimate. I didn’t have time to visit it myself on this trip, but it’s definitely on my list for next time.
If you have the time, I’d suggest visiting both temples: Tirta Empul for the architecture and the overall spiritual vibe and Pura Mengening for a more authentic and peaceful Melukat experience surrounded by the Ubud jungle.
After our visit, we stopped for lunch at Tebasari, located right in front of Pura Tirta Empul. It’s a great option (despite being a bit more expensive than Balinese standards) if you want to try some Indonesian specialties or have some Western comfort food.
Want to Extend Your Central Bali Itinerary? Other Sights To Explore
It’s totally fair – I felt the same way! I definitely wanted more time to explore central Bali. There’s so much to see! I’ve already started a list for my next trip, and it includes:
- Sekumpul Waterfall (50 minutes from Pura Ulun Danu)
- Munduk Waterfall (40 minutes from Pura Ulun Danu)
- Bali Botanical Garden (6 minutes from Pura Ulun Danu)
- The Twin Lakes Area and Viewpoint (the twin lakes on the other side of the Bratan Lake, with a viewpoint on Mount Agung
Where to Go After Central Bali?
After exploring central Bali, our next stop was Ubud, where we spent three fantastic days. It’s a perfect follow-up to the central region, with tons to see and do. Whether you’re into nature, temples, or Balinese culture, Ubud has something for you. You can plan an authentic cooking class or craft the perfect vase at a pottery studio.
If, on the contrary, you’re coming from Ubud and want to continue the authentic Bali-themed tour, I’d recommend heading west to explore the areas around Sidemen and West Bali. The nature there looks amazing.
Saying goodbye to the tranquility of Central Bali was hard: its raw beauty, genuine warmth, and slower pace of life felt so different from the south or what awaited us in Ubud (I loved Ubud, but it’s definitely crowded).
If you’re looking for secluded, lush Balinese nature, a 2-day Central Bali Itinerary is exactly what you need. Remember to pack your sense of adventure, respect for local traditions, and an extra dose of patience for those Balinese roads. So, are you ready to discover the magic of central Bali? Let me know in the comments below!
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