I have been poring over this forum, but still cannot decide on where to go.

Background: There will be 3 people in our group - myself, my boyfriend a friend. My friend and I want to chill, but my bf will want to be a little more active. We arrive late on the first night and leave early evening 4 days later so we have 4 full days. None of us have visited Bali before. We know we want to spend some time in Ubud and that we will likely want to do something at the volcano.

I know that people have said with that short amount of time to spend the whole time in Ubud, but others have said Ubud isn't the best...

So - will we get bored/are we wasting our Bali visit if we spend our whole time in Ubud? Should go somewhere else? I was thinking it might be nice to hit the beach, but if they're not spectacular, we're ok skipping it. We wouldn't dive but we would snorkel. My boyfriend really doesn't want to go to the Seminyak/Kuta/Sanur area (he's a bit worried about potential issues still popping up in the big resort areas and isn't into crowds and pretensions) but I do want to go shopping in Seminyak at some point.

I was originally thinking maybe West Coast (Amed?) for 2 days by the beach, then going to Ubud. But, I saw Amed is 3 hrs from the airport, and if we don't land until 11pm, might not be the best idea.

Is it smarter to just do Ubud the whole time, and take day trips? Then stop in Seminyak for a few hours (shopping and massages at Jari Manari) on the way to the airport?

Where are the best places to go on day trips?

Would you guys recommend an early morning hike up Batur or the bicycle ride starting at Batur and ending up down in Ubud?

Anything else I forgot to ask?

Thank you!!

jk, You could easily fill up 4 days in Ubud, both chilling and participating. There are many options of places to stay that are relaxing, spiritual, serene and have access to the more active side of Bali.

Having said that, I personally like the beach in Bali, especially the Seminyak area, so if staying near the ocean is a plus for you I wouldn't eliminate that possibility.

Snorkling isn't the water sport of choice in Bali. There are some good reefs in the Northwest and on the east coast, but I wouldn't consider it a must-do in a short timeframe. The beaches that abut the reef areas are not so good though there are some pleasant resorts nearby.

You sound like active people and you won't be disappointed by what Bali has to offer. You can accomplish most everything in day trips from a base in the Ubud area (not necessarily in the town, but in the general area) but for marine activities you need the ocean so the decision is really personal.

There are several volcanoes in Bali and limitless opportunities to climb and trek, both uphill and just around the rice paddies and river valleys.

Thanks for your quick response, marmot! I am starting to lean toward staying in Ubud and spending our whole last day down in Seminyak. We live in Singapore so we can easily go to Thailand to hit a nice beach if the Bali beaches aren't a 'must do'.

Quick Ubud hotel question - I've read a lot of good things about Kajane Mua and they're available while we're there, but only the cluster villa. Has anyone stayed in one of those? Since we're a group of three, if it's one small room, it might be as relaxing to all be cramped together. It's hard to tell, and I'm awaiting a reply from the hotel itself. Others available for that time: Waka Namya (which looks like we'd have 2br), Tepi Sawah (also seems like just 1 room) and Tegal Sari (but we'd need to change rooms each night, which would be a bit of a pain).

Any specific recs on one over the other?

Thanks again!!

Sorry for the extra post, but I just got an email that Ketut's Place is available as well...Please add that to the mix for recommendations. Thanks!

I've never stayed at Ketut's but it's the Ubud place of choice for my son and his twenty-something friends. It's not particularly luxe, more old-style Bali village, but Ketut's family will take very good care of you. They offer lots of cultural input and advice on activities.

Don't know the other places.

Another idea, you might spend two nights in Ubud town and two nights in the country side. I like Alam Sari but there are many smallish places along the river valleys that ooze atmosphere.

I don't know if this will help but I have had good luck from this site when it comes to Bali travel.

http://www.baliblog.com/