Day trips · Southern Bali base · Boat, mountain, terraces or temples
Day Trips from Bali: Five Routes from Ubud to Penida
Live check just now: Reviewed boat, snorkel and land day from US$70.00
Find your Bali experience
Choose the day by what you want to do
Start with your base. From Kuta or Seminyak, Ubud and Sanur are different departures; the terraces, volcano and eastern temple each need a separate road plan.
- Pick Ubud for a town and forest day.
- Pick Jatiluwih for the subak landscape, or Batur for a predawn hike.
- Pick Besakih for a sacred complex, or Penida for an island crossing.
| Option | Our verdict |
|---|---|
| Ubud · inland town | Walkable stops after one road transfer. |
| Jatiluwih · Tabanan highlands | Walk working rice terraces; arrange a return driver. |
| Mount Batur · Kintamani | Commit to a predawn start and mountain conditions. |
| Besakih · eastern slopes | Visit a living temple complex with its local guide. |
| Nusa Penida · offshore island | Book a return boat before island sightseeing. |
Ubud: leave time for the town
From a southern hotel, Ubud works as a town-focused return trip. The road back is the limit: keep enough daylight after the Sacred Monkey Forest.
- Arrange a return vehicle from your southern base; road time varies with traffic.
- Walk the town centre before choosing one paid visit.
- If entering the Monkey Forest, arrive before its final admission at 17:00.
Good to know
- The Monkey Forest lists daily hours of 09:00–18:00; some temple interiors are closed to visitors.
On your own
Best for an unhurried town day; arrange the return journey.
With a guide
Choose a tour only when its named stops match your interests.
Jatiluwih: walk the subak landscape
Jatiluwih is a landscape visit, not a quick terrace photograph. Its rice fields belong to a living cooperative irrigation system recognised within Bali’s World Heritage landscape.
See the reviewed Jatiluwih circuit
- Arrange a return car toward Tabanan; Indonesia Tourism estimates about two hours from Denpasar.
- Walk the rice-field paths without entering planted plots.
- Add Ulun Danu Beratan only if the return plan leaves enough daylight.
Good to know
- The reviewed western circuit joins Jatiluwih and Ulun Danu; confirm admissions and pickup area.
On your own
Keep the walk as long as you like, with a reliable return car.
With a guide
The reviewed circuit handles several western stops but gives less time to the fields.
Mount Batur: a hike, not just a sunrise view
A Batur sunrise hike starts before daylight. UNESCO identifies the caldera and lake as the landscape; a Kintamani viewpoint is a different, less strenuous day.
- Confirm a predawn pickup and actual trailhead.
- Allow roughly two and a half hours for the ascent, then time to descend.
- Keep the afternoon light for the return road to the south.
Good to know
- Indonesia Tourism estimates 2–2.5 hours by road from Denpasar to Lake Batur, depending on traffic.
- A tour buys logistics, not a guaranteed clear sunrise.
On your own
Choose a daytime Kintamani viewpoint with your own return transport.
With a guide
The reviewed predawn trek adds pickup and trail guidance; check the exact option.
Besakih: enter a living sacred complex
Besakih is a working Hindu sanctuary on Mount Agung’s slopes. Give it time as a cultural visit and follow the local guide included with visitor entry.
- Allow roughly two hours by road from Kuta in normal conditions; arrange the return vehicle.
- Enter during listed 07:00–18:00 visitor hours and follow dress rules.
- Let ceremonies and restricted areas shape the route.
Good to know
- Published visitor entry includes a local guide, sarong hire and one electric shuttle ride.
- The visitor rules restrict inner-area access for people who are menstruating.
On your own
Arrange the drive; visitor entry already includes a local guide.
With a day tour
Pay for the eastern road and extra stops, rather than duplicating the site guide.
Nusa Penida: boat and land in one day
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Penida is the offshore day here. A fast boat from Sanur generally takes 30–45 minutes each way, before travel over hilly island roads.
See the reviewed Penida boat and land day
- Confirm the Sanur pier and reserve both crossings; Maruti lists each direction separately.
- Choose one island coast rather than covering both.
- Keep Kelingking as a viewpoint unless you have time for the steep descent.
Good to know
- The reviewed option combines a return fast boat, snorkelling, lunch and a west-island land stop. Manta sightings are not guaranteed.
- Sea conditions can change the sequence; leave a buffer before a same-evening flight.
| Item | US$ per adult | € |
|---|---|---|
| Reviewed boat, snorkel and land day, from | US$70 | ≈ €64 |
| Extra public boat needed in reviewed option | US$0 | ≈ €0 |
On your own
Book both crossings and an island driver; control the coast you choose.
With a guide
The reviewed option joins boat, snorkel, lunch and land travel, subject to weather.
Budget about US$70 for the reviewed Penida boat and land day; confirm mainland pickup and optional costs.
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per adult, selected Penida boat, snorkel and land day; mainland transfer and optional costs excluded
If you can spare only one full day
Our first choice from a southern hotel is Ubud for a flexible cultural day. Choose Penida if the island cliffs are your priority, accepting fixed boat times and rougher roads.
Good to know
- Batur rewards hikers willing to start before dawn.
- If you are sleeping in Ubud, spend the excursion on Jatiluwih or Batur.
Attractions & day trips from Bali
What it costs, and where to book
| Plan | Tickets and transport | Book |
|---|---|---|
| Penida boat, snorkel and land day | US$70 | Book the reviewed Penida boat and land day |
Prices checked 18 Sep 2026 · per adult, selected Penida boat, snorkel and land day; mainland transfer and optional costs excluded. Amounts over 20 are rounded up. Ticket prices are per person for the first reviewed ticket and change by date.
Explore Nusa Penida Before You Book
Take a virtual drive or walk, then find tours and tickets for the places you like.
Pay for the logistics that matter
A driver gives Ubud and Jatiluwih flexibility. A guided Batur ascent solves the predawn trail, while a Penida package joins boat and island transport. Compare precise inclusions before choosing.
Mubboo compares flights and tours and may earn a commission when a traveller uses a partner link. Booking and payment happen with the provider.
Questions people ask
Can I do Nusa Penida without a tour?
Yes. Book both Sanur crossings and arrange an island driver. Allow time for the roads after the boat.
Is Mount Batur the same as a Kintamani viewpoint day?
No. The sunrise hike requires a predawn ascent; a Kintamani viewpoint avoids the climb.
Do I need an extra guide inside Besakih?
Published visitor entry includes a local guide, sarong hire and one electric shuttle ride.
Is Ubud better as a day trip or overnight stay?
A day works for the centre and one paid stop. Stay overnight for several slower cultural days.
Plan deeper in Bali
Sources (14)
Every figure above was checked on the dates shown.
- Indonesia Tourism, Bali regions — www.indonesia.travel/us/en/explore-indonesia/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali/ (checked 2026-09-18)
- Monkey Forest Ubud, visit and hours — monkeyforestubud.com/visit/ (checked 2026-09-18)
- Indonesia Tourism, Jatiluwih — www.indonesia.travel/id/en/destination/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali/bali---jatiluwih (checked 2026-09-18)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Bali subak — whc.unesco.org/en/list/1194 (checked 2026-09-18)
- UNESCO, Batur Global Geopark — www.unesco.org/en/iggp/batur-unesco-global-geopark (checked 2026-09-18)
- Indonesia Tourism, Lake Batur access — www.indonesia.travel/id/id/destination/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali/danau-batur (checked 2026-09-18)
- Indonesia Tourism, Bali mountain activities — www.indonesia.travel/id/id/explore-indonesia/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali/ (checked 2026-09-18)
- Indonesia Tourism, Besakih visitor conditions — www.indonesia.travel/id/id/travel-ideas/pilgrimage/pura-besakih (checked 2026-09-18)
- Indonesia Tourism, Besakih road access — www.indonesia.travel/id/id/destination/bali-nusa-tenggara/bali/bali---pura-besakih (checked 2026-09-18)
- Indonesia Tourism, Nusa Penida crossings — www.indonesia.travel/id/id/travel-ideas/adventure/nusa-penida (checked 2026-09-18)
- Maruti Fast Boat, directional schedule — www.marutifastboats.com/ (checked 2026-09-18)
- Reviewed Jatiluwih results — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=98&term=Jatiluwih+rice+terraces+Ulun+Danu+from+Bali&mode=keyword&language=en¤cy=USD&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)
- Reviewed Batur results — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=98&term=Mount+Batur+Sunrise+Trekking+Tour+-+Bali+Volcano+Adventure&mode=keyword&language=en¤cy=USD&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)
- Reviewed Penida results — mubboo.flights/api/tours/search?destinationId=98&term=Nusa+Penida+day+trip+from+Bali&mode=keyword&language=en¤cy=USD&sort=featured (checked 2026-09-18)