My husband and I are planning a 4-5 night side trip to Bali from Singapore and are trying to decide which area in Bali would suit us best.

We are in our mid-30s and are looking for a relaxing, semi-active few days - some sightseeing and exploring towns, some walking and biking, lots of photography, a little shopping, some time indulging in spa treatments and hanging around in the pool. We are looking for a laid back, soak it in sort of experience rather than anything too busy or hectic. We don't care much about nightlife, although a cool bar where we are staying or within walking distance is definitely a plus.

Ubud sounds really cool, and we are leaning toward staying there, but we haven't given up the idea of staying near the ocean. I get the impression though that the coastal areas are more commercialized though, which isn't what we are looking for. We'd like a relatively natural area, but with enough going on to keep us occupied when we want to be.

Any guidance is greatly appreciated.

Thanks

I prefer Ubud but both times I went to Bali we split it between the beach and Ubud, which is ideal. With only 4 or 5 nights, you may not want to split up your time though. Ubud is much more cultural but if you stay there, you will be nowhere near the beach.

You could stay near the beach and do a day trip or two to Ubud and visit the galleries and villages that specialize in the areas you are interested in (wood carving, silversmiths, etc), or stay in Ubud and hire a car and driver from there to other parts of the island. The island is small so nothing is more than a few hours away and most things can be done as day trips.

Or, you could spend three nights in one area and two in the other. If you can add a sixth night and do three and three, you won't regret it.

Splitting up your time is the best way to see Bali. Ubud is a 'must' IMO.

For beaches, I like Sanur as the best balance between nice beach, good restaurants and not too many hassles from touts. I've only visited Lovina on a day trip, but if I had the time I would definitely give it a try. It seems even less 'commercial' than Sanur.

i second sanur.....there are tons of places there at all levels...

the bali hyatt, while older, is nice, but the rooms are old style...

i am staying this time at both the puri santrian and at the tandjung sari, both in sanur....in ubud we will be at alam shanti

As both Michael and Bob said, Sanur is a nice, laid back beach area. It's my choice for a beach on Bali.

I've been to Bali 3 times and much prefer staying in Ubud. I find the beach areas of Bali disappointing and the culture, shopping, hiking/walking, restaurants, and everything else to be much better in Ubud. For a 4-5 nite trip, I wouldn't want to change hotels, either.

J Correa, I think you could easily fill up 4-5 days in the Ubud area; however, the ocean is the ocean and there's no denying its appeal. I would therefore lean toward the advice to split your trip 2 + 3.

I've been to Bali so many times that I really can't imagine the impression of a first timer in Ubud. To me it's a rather depressing town -- some good shops and restaurants and some excellent performance venues, but it just isn't that compelling for wandering and exploring. I would recommend that you stay outside of Ubud and make day trips around the area.

You will want to avoid too much time spent on transportation as the real magic of Bali is best experienced when you get out and walk around. A guide can lead you or you can venture out on your own on the back lanes and through the rice paddies on your own.

The Ubud area is rich with both arts and crafts and performing arts as well as with natural beauty. As I said you could easily fill up several days with a few hours excursions plus a few hours at the pool or spa.

I personally LIKE the beach area in Bali. Is it commercial? Well, Bali's been a beach resort for a 100 years so yes people do go there to do whatever people do all over the world at the beach, but it's still Bali! The service, the ambience, the occasional processions, the offerings -- they're all apparent at the beach as well.

For people in their 30's I would recommend the Seminyak area for a couple of nights. Plenty of cool -- Bali cool, not New York cool -- bars, restaurants, shops, spas, a long beach for walking, pounding surf and spectacular sunsets.

My two cents: with only 4-5 nights,stay in one location. If you really want a beach location, pick another destination.

I'd spend your entire stay in Ubud. It has everything your looking for; hiking, numerous photo ops, biking, villages to explore, art museums, dance performances, shopping, a great variety of VG restaurants, cafes/bars w/live music, nearby sightseeing and an extremely peaceful vibe to soak in. "Nature with enough going on" - head to Ubud.

Ubud. Happy Travels!

finally someone who says ubud is not the cat's meow.....i'm hoping to find something i like about it on my second trip there, but i also remember my chiang mai experiences...ugh!!

The town of Ubud in the center itself is rather touristy and not my style...but go out of town 10 minutes and it's one of my favorite places anywhere. Although I love beaches, I prefer the inland areas of Bali to the coast by far...there is more to do for us inland.

Thanks for all the responses - has definitely given us some things to think about.

We are definitely leaning towards staying in 1 place and taking day trips to others rather than moving mid-stay - if we had a longer trip, then we'd probably just pick 2 locations.