10-Day Bali Itinerary for US Travelers: Ubud, Seminyak, Uluwatu Adventure
If Bali’s been sitting on your travel wishlist forever, consider this your sign: go. There’s a reason people fall in love with this island including me! It’s equal parts tropical paradise, cultural, food haven, and blissful escape from the everyday hustle. If you’re up for lush jungles, beach days with cold coconuts in hand, or sunsets on dramatic cliffs, or non-stop partying, Bali is the place to be.
For travelers coming from the US, getting there is easier than ever thanks to plenty of flights through hubs like Singapore, Seoul, or Dubai. Once you land, though? That’s where the real adventure begins.
Here’s how I’d spend 10 days soaking up the best of Ubud, Seminyak, and Uluwatu. We hired Budi, a local driver prior arriving in town. Budi drives my friend’s family from Australia every time they’re in the island. The cost was around Rp 500,000 per day.
Days 1-3: Ubud – Greenery, Temples, Monkeys, Repeat
Ubud is literally a relaxing place to be, with jungles everywhere, rice terraces so green it doesn’t look real, and more temples than you can count.
First night? Settle into a villa tucked among the trees, wander Jalan Raya Ubud for souvenirs and street eats, and definitely grab a plate of nasi goreng at a local warung.
Rice terrace mornings (Tegalalang is worth the early wake-up) and monkey-filled afternoons at the Sacred Monkey Forest are a must.
Don’t skip the art markets ( batik, carvings, jewelry) or an evening dance performance at Ubud Palace—it’s touristy, yes, but totally worth it.
Bridges is a great spot for a nicer dinner—get the grilled fish with sambal.
Luwak coffee aka Cat Poop coffee
Days 4-6: Seminyak – Beach Days and Boutiques
After Ubud’s calm, Seminyak is a shift: trendy, buzzy, beachy. Think beach clubs, shopping streets, and sunset cocktails.
Stay somewhere close to Jalan Petitenget so you can walk to everything.
Spend lazy days at Double Six Beach or Petitenget Beach watching surfers do their thing.
Lunch at Potato Head is practically a Bali rite of passage. Order something fresh and cold—poke bowls, tuna tartare, you get it.
Evenings mean Eat Street for seafood platters or burgers at Sisterfields, and if you’re feeling it, late-night drinks at La Favela.
Side trip alert: Canggu is only 30 minutes away for chill beach vibes, more great food, and Tanah Lot Temple which is a cave in the water.
Days 7-10: Uluwatu – Cliffs, Fire Dances, Endless Ocean Views
Uluwatu slows things way down. This is where you go to stare at the ocean, feel very small (in the best way), and maybe get into yoga or surfing—or both.
Book a villa with ocean views if you can. It’s worth the splurge.
Spend mornings at beaches like Padang Padang or Dreamland, and afternoons watching waves roll in from your pool.
Uluwatu Temple at sunset? Unmissable. The Kecak fire dance might feel a little staged, but it’s a total vibe against that cliffside backdrop.
Wrap up with a sunset seafood feast on Jimbaran Beach, barefoot in the sand, prawns on the grill. Perfect ending.
A Few Quick Tips for American Travelers:
When to go: April–October is usually recommended because it’s dry, sunny, and basically perfect. We went early November and we encountered rains. I’ve gone to Bali end of February and Christmas time and both times rained.
Visas: Required
Flights: It’s a haul about 20+ hours but worth it. Singapore Airlines, Emirates, etc., make it easy.
Pack light: Flip-flops, a sarong for temples, lots of sunscreen. Don’t forget a power adapter (Type C/F).
Why You Should Just Go Already
Between the jungle mornings in Ubud, the sunset swims in Seminyak, and the cliffside calm of Uluwatu, you’ll find exactly what you didn’t know you needed.
Locals are warm and welcoming, English is widely spoken, and there’s something oddly comforting about how quickly Bali feels like home even when you’re halfway around the world.
Start planning, book the flight, and go see why people never shut up about this place.
If you want to know more or planning to travel to Bali, I can connect you to our trusted local driver or a local tour operator based out of Malaysia & Indonesia. Trust me, Bali is a must-see place!