Solo travel as a woman on a budget is a whirlwind of emotions—exhilaration, nerves, and awe. Japan’s orderly chaos dazzled me, Vietnam’s vibrant streets fueled my soul, and now, from Kolkata, Bali and Nusa Penida beckoned with promises of turquoise waters and temple serenity. Planning this 8-day journey as a budget traveler, with a drone and a hunger for culture, was a meticulous thrill. Here’s how I turned anticipation into an unforgettable adventure, soaking in Indonesia’s landscapes and flavors one step at a time.
The Prep: Research and Destination Choice
Choosing Bali and Nusa Penida was deliberate: affordable from Kolkata, safe for a solo woman, and rich with natural and cultural wonders. I devoured Nomadic Matt’s budget hacks and Adventurous Kate’s solo travel tips, then cross-checked with vlogs—Kara and Nate’s Bali rice fields, Allison Anderson’s Nusa Penida cliffs. Flights from Kolkata via Skyscanner cost ₹18,000 round-trip to Denpasar, with a long layover in Kuala Lumpur—12 hours spent wandering KLIA’s food courts, sampling nasi lemak for ₹200. For booking flights and more, I snagged deals on Trip.com—explore their offers below!
Accommodation Quest
Stays needed to be safe, central, and cheap. Hostelworld offered ₹500 female-only dorms in Kuta and Ubud; Booking.com listed ₹1200 guesthouses in Uluwatu and Nusa Penida with Wi-Fi and breakfast. I scoured TripAdvisor reviews—Kuta’s noisy dives were out—and emailed hosts for secure locks and quiet vibes, locking in a Kuta hostel, an Ubud homestay, an Uluwatu guesthouse, and a Nusa Penida stay. For more budget stays, check the deals below!
Visas, Drones, and Insurance
Indonesia requires no visa for Indians—just immigration formalities at the airport. My drone needed caution—check the latest info on permissions, as rules vary near temples and airports. Insurance from GoDigit cost ₹1400 for 8 days, researched via r/solotravel—covering medical emergencies and cancellations was essential.
Itinerary: A Feast for the Senses
I planned 8 days: Bali (5)—Kuta (1), Ubud (2), Uluwatu (2)—and Nusa Penida (3). Blogs, vlogs, and Maps.me pins shaped my route, with room for spontaneity.
Packing and Takeoff Jitters
Excitement surged as I packed my 40L Osprey—cotton kurtas, a rain jacket, my Canon EOS M50, and DJI Mavic Mini. Meds included paracetamol, Imodium, antihistamines, and antibiotics (CDC-approved), plus mosquito repellent for Bali’s humidity after WebMD checks. I noted Ubud’s BIMC Hospital for emergencies.
Touchdown: Apps and First Bites
After a long layover in Kuala Lumpur, I landed in Denpasar, installing Gojek, Maps.me, and Google Translate, practicing “terima kasih” (thank you). Bali’s humid buzz—scooters and incense—hit me first. In Kuta, I savored nasi goreng (₹150) at a warung, its fried rice spiced with kecap manis and topped with a fried egg, and walked 12k steps daily, hydrating with coconut water.
Kuta: Beaches and Bustle
Breathtaking Views and Culture
Kuta Beach hummed with surfers, its golden sands stretching under a fiery sunset. Legian Street buzzed with hawkers, a chaotic echo of Kolkata’s markets. The Hindu culture here felt familiar—temples with flower offerings—yet distinct, with Balinese gamelan music replacing Bengali dhak beats.
Foods of Kuta
I dug into sate ayam (₹150)—chicken skewers with peanut sauce, smoky and rich. Soto ayam (₹200)—turmeric-laced chicken soup with noodles—warmed me up. A roadside pisang goreng (₹50)—fried bananas drizzled with chocolate—sweetened my night.
Ubud: Rice Fields and Cultural Heart
Breathtaking Views and Culture
Ubud’s Tegalalang Rice Terraces glowed emerald, their tiered slopes a serene masterpiece. Monkey Forest’s cheeky residents swung through ancient trees, while Pura Taman Saraswati’s lotus ponds mirrored temple grace. I visited Campuhan Ridge Walk, its green hills a peaceful trek, and Tanah Lot Temple at sunset, waves crashing against its rocky perch—a sight that rivaled Bengal’s coastal shrines but felt uniquely Balinese with its Hindu-Buddhist blend. Locals taught me “om swastiastu” (greetings), their rituals akin to Durga Puja yet spiced with island flair.
Foods of Ubud
I relished nasi campur (₹200)—rice with satay lilit, spicy sambal matah, and lawar veggies. Bebek betutu (₹300)—slow-cooked duck in banana leaves, tender with galangal—melted in my mouth. At a café, bubur injin (₹100)—black rice pudding with coconut milk—offered a sweet, earthy finish.
Nusa Penida: Rugged Cliffs and Ocean Bliss
Breathtaking Views and Culture
Nusa Penida’s Kelingking Beach fascinated me—its T-Rex-shaped cliff plunging to turquoise waves was a postcard I’d dreamed of. Diamond Beach’s white sands dazzled, Broken Beach’s natural arch framed roaring tides, and Atuh Beach’s cliffs offered solitude. I badly wanted to visit Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan too—their dive sites and mangroves taunted me from afar—but time constrained me to Penida. Fishermen shared sea spirit tales, their Hindu prayers echoing India’s coastal pujas, though simpler and sea-focused.
Foods of Nusa Penida
Lunch was ikan bakar (₹250)—grilled fish with sambal terasi, tangy and fiery. Pepes ikan (₹200)—fish steamed in banana leaves with turmeric—burst with flavor. I snacked on kue dadar (₹80)—pandan crepes with coconut filling—and sipped es kelapa muda (₹100)—young coconut water—under a palm.
Uluwatu: Cliffs and Temple Serenity
Breathtaking Views and Culture
Uluwatu Temple perched on cliffs, waves smashing below, while kecak dancers chanted at dusk—a hypnotic ritual unlike India’s aarti but sharing a devotional pulse. I explored Padang Padang Beach, its hidden cove a gem, and Jimbaran Beach, its seafood shacks glowing at sunset. Bali’s Hindu culture mirrored India’s idol worship and incense, yet its laid-back island vibe and animist undertones set it apart. Locals invited me to a ceremony, flowers in their hair.
Foods of Uluwatu
I savored babi guling (₹350)—suckling pig with crispy skin, spiced with bumbu Bali. Gado-gado (₹150)—veggies in peanut sauce—offered a light bite. At Jimbaran, grilled prawns (₹400) with garlic butter paired with sea breezes, and klepon (₹60)—sticky rice balls with palm sugar—ended my day sweetly.
Fitness and Downtime
I clocked 15k steps daily—Ubud’s ridges, Nusa Penida’s cliffs—plus yoga on Kuta’s beach. I skipped heavy cocktails, opting for fresh juices. Downtime meant drone edits and journaling—sambal heat, temple bells—scribbled in ink.
Tech, Guides, and Culture
My Canon snapped cliffs; the drone soared over Kelingking—check the latest drone permission info online. Guides—₹800 scooter drivers, ₹1200 boatmen—came via hostel tips, their stories trumping apps. Food research on BaliFoods.com led me to babi guling and gado-gado, each bite a cultural thread—Balinese rituals, Nusa’s sea lore—woven into my blog.
Memories in Motion
Photos froze rice paddies; drone clips framed Nusa’s cliffs. My journal brimmed—fish sauce tang, kecak rhythms, a vendor’s grin—fueling posts that pulse with Bali’s heartbeat.
From Kolkata to Bali and Nusa Penida, this was a budget traveler’s dream—wild, radiant, and soul-stirring. As a solo woman, I found my rhythm amid its flavors and vistas, already craving more.
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