12 Free & Actually Fun Things to Do in Bali (for Broke Backpackers)
Bali is the Island of Gods but it’s also the land of nickel-and-diming. Every attraction, from waterfalls to towns (and now the island of Bali itself), charges a nominal entrance fee. Sometimes enterprising locals set up shop in front of a natural attraction and boom, now that pretty waterfall, lake, or roadside sign has an admission charge. I respect the entrepreneurial spirit, but for travelers on a budget I’ve compiled this list of actually free things to do in Bali.
1. Visit a Local Night Market
The night markets in Bali don’t get as much love from foreign tourists as the ones in other SE Asian travel destinations like Thailand and Vietnam. I will say, that even though Balinese local street food isn’t as internationally known it is very tasty. I am especially a big fan of Balinese desserts like Es Campur. The cool thing about Indonesia is that all of the islands have their own regional cuisine, so if you go to a night market in Flores or Lombok it might be completely different than the local food from one in Bali – definitely worth trying at least once!
The Best Night markets I’ve Been to in Bali
- Gianyar Night Market
- Sindhu (Sanur) Night Market
- Gili T Night Market
Guide to the Ubud & Gianyar Night Markets where you can find the very best street food!
2. Take in the Views at Munduk Twin Lakes Viewpoint
Munduk is a high mountainous region of Bali which has a completely different climate and landscape than the rest of the island. If you do any activities in North Bali, for example swimming with the dolphins in Lovina or scuba diving in Amed, you will have to drive through Munduk and it’s well worth it to stop by the Twin Lakes Viewpoint. Bonus, there’s a cute little village around the base of the lake where they have dozens of farmer’s markets set up – the area is known as the “Bread Basket of Bali” and is a great place to do some local produce shopping.
Tip: If you don’t mind spending 50K IDR, you can also go to Wanagiri Hidden Hills where they have set up a bunch of fun-themed photo nests overlooking the lake.
ULTIMATE guide to swimming with the dolphins in Bali.
3. Walk Along the Rice Fields in Ubud
The most famous rice terraces in Ubud, Ceking Rice Terrace and Alas Harum Agrotourism (also called Cretya), are both commercialized and cost around 50K IDR per person – but – there are some free and less touristy rice field walks not many people know about.
My favorite non-commercialized rice fields in Ubud
- Kajeng Rice Field Walk (my favorite)
- Penestanan Rice Field Walk
- Campuhan Ridge Walk (can get crowded)
complete guide to the best Rice Fields and how to get there + the best ricefield viewpoint cafes.
4. Participate in a Balinese Hindu Religious Festival
The vibrant Balinese Culture is what makes the island so special, and if you stay at any locally run guest house I’m sure you’ll get invited to participate in a ceremony at least once. During my time in Bali, I’ve been invited to multiple weddings, purification rituals, cremation, and even circumcision – the Balinese people are outrageously welcoming to foreigners.
Tip: Try to time your visit to Bali around the time of Nyepi (the biggest holiday in Bali, usually in March) and stay near Ubud, the island’s cultural heart.
5. Go to a Coffee Tasting at a “Plantation”
There are a ton of “Balinese Coffee Plantations” advertised around Ubud, but the name is a misnomer. The coffee is usually grown in an area of higher elevation, like Munduk, and transported down to touristy areas like Ubud for sale. The Coffee Plantations tourists go to are more like coffee-tasting centers where they also teach you how the Balinese grow beans traditionally. If you want a cool free activity, lots of these plantations offer free coffee tasting, as a means to get you into their gift shop at the end to buy higher-quality beans as souvenirs.
Coffee Plantations near Ubud that offer free tasting
- Bali Pulina
- Satria Agrowisata
Make an informed decision with this complete guide to Kopi Luwak, the most expensive coffee in the world.
6. See Bali’s Wild Macaques in Action
The Sacred Monkey Forests near Ubud is a not-to-miss tourist activity for any first-time visitor to the island. If you’re looking for a free alternative, just walk around nearby – yes, really. The monkeys aren’t fenced in at all, and you’ll usually be able to see just as many Balinese Macaques bothering tourists on the street outside the Monkey Forests as there are inside.
Monkey Spotting Tip: If you’re not visiting Ubud you can also see wild Balinese monkeys in action at Uluwatu Temple and Padang Padang Beach in the south of the island.
Wondering if the Ubud Monkey Forest is safe to visit? Or if the monkeys have rabies?
7. Watch the Sunset on the Beach (West Side) & Visit Sand Bar
The sunsets in Bali are best facing the west side of the island, where Canggu is located – A great 100% free spot for enjoying the sunset is the steps facing the ocean next to La Brisa Beach Club. Every day come sundown hundreds of travelers gather there to watch the sky change colors. The same spot is also close to Sand Bar nightclub, where pretty much everyone ends up around 1 AM. It’s just a bar on the beach where they play extremely loud music (and everyone is extremely drunk) Sand Bar is, in my opinion, way more fun than other venues in Canggu that charge cover like Old Man’s and the Vault.
8. See the Local Craftsmen in Action & Shop the Art Markets
Visiting a Balinese art market has been a staple for every Bali itinerary ever since Julia Roberts toured the Ubud Art Market in the 2010 movie “Eat Pray Love”. While the markets are 100% free to stroll through, you won’t find any local craftsmen there as the market stalls are run by wholesalers. If you’d like to see the craftsmen who actually make beautiful handmade products, you can visit Mas Village Carving Center and see the artisans in action.
Less-Touristy Tip: For shopping, I recommend visiting Anjuna Art Market, a few streets over from the official “Ubud Art Market”. It gets far fewer tourists and has a more quaint market-like vibe.
Guide to the brand new Ubud Art Market, where Julia Roberts famously fell in “love” in Eat Pray Love.
9. Visit La Brisa Farmers Market on Sunday
La Brisa Beach Club doesn’t charge an entrance fee, but it’s expected that if you visit you will order something. If you’re looking for an even more budget-friendly activity every Sunday La Brisa hosts a free-entry market every Sunday from 10 AM – 4 PM where local craftsmen, farmers, and food-stall vendors come and set up shop for a few hours.
10. Stop into the Ubud Water Palace & Other Free Balinese Temples
Many of the temples in Bali have either been commercialized and now charge an entrance fee, or they are closed off to foreigners – but there are a few exceptions. Notably the Ubud Water Palace (also called Saraswati Temple), which is considered one of the most beautiful, is free and open to the public.
11. Visit an Abandoned Place: Planes, Amusement Parks, Resorts
Bali can be an Urban Explorer’s paradise – There are quite a few failed business ventures that have been left to be overtaken by the jungle. The most famous are the abandoned planes scattered all over the island, some of which have been converted to Airbnbs, but you can still bribe a watchman to be let into the ones that are still empty. There’s also an abandoned waterpark and resort, both of which are rumored to be haunted.
12. Take a Photo at Adilla’s Spot
Adilla’s Spot is actually a road leading up to Tibumana Waterfall. Recently, the spot has become Insta-famous for being an incredibly picturesque street, with lots of influencers waking up at 6 AM to be the first people there. While Tibumana Waterfall charges a small entrance fee, there’s no charge for visiting Adilla’s Spot (yet) – so visit while it’s still free!
