Here I am, traveling to the other part of the world. Again. Part of me is excited knowing that I need to get out of my comfort zone to keep creating that cool version of myself. The other part just wants to chill at home instead. Solo female travel in Bali was something I had been thinking about for months, and I finally committed.
Feeling content with my daily little routine, feeling like I could just veg and watch videos instead of going out there. When I'm out there, I have to be more on my game; especially traveling as a solo woman. But hey, I'd rather focus on all the good otherwise I create unnecessary anxieties within me.
It's so interesting to notice how I still get that mild fear sneaking in when I'm about to travel. Even after hitchhiking solo across North America and traveling to India alone, I still get that fear of the unknown. The thing is that I choose to embrace that fear because it's by overcoming it that I create the best version of myself. These travels are really not about finding myself but about creating myself.
The high frequency in Ubud is still very much alive and well. You feel it the second you walk into places like The Yoga Barn. And if you really want to vibrate on a higher plane, you have to hit the Pyramids of Chi. Getting lost in a sound healing session inside those massive structures is a total sensory reset. It's that deep, soulful, "we're all connected" energy that makes Ubud what it is.
To make the first leg of the trip less of a headache, here's what I figured out. Get your e-VOA (Electronic Visa on Arrival) early. Don't be the person stuck in the 2-hour airport line. Do it online before you fly at the official immigration portal. It takes five minutes and saves you enormous stress on arrival.
Agoda is the MVP for accommodation in Southeast Asia. They have the best deals and the most flexible cancellation policies. For 45 days in Bali, my accommodation came out to around CAD $600. That's roughly $13 a night. It's hard to beat.
Download Grab. It's the Uber of Southeast Asia. You can schedule your airport lift in advance, and the driver stays updated on your flight arrival time through the app. I booked 4 months out on a flight comparison site to snag a deal. Planning ahead in Southeast Asia pays off enormously.
At roughly CAD $600 for 45 nights of accommodation, you're looking at about $13 a night. Meals from warungs run $2 to $5. A scooter rental is $5 to $7 a day. Indonesia is genuinely one of the most budget-friendly destinations on earth for solo female travelers.
Bali is famous for ecstatic dance events, breathwork, and all sorts of somatic healing modalities. If you're doing a wellness trip, Bali delivers on every front. Research on breathwork and ecstatic movement shows significant reductions in anxiety and stress, which is basically what Ubud delivers naturally.
The verdict: I hope this inspires you to take that leap and get uncomfortable. Indonesia is truly one of the most budget-friendly and spiritually rich places on earth. The One Love vibe is real. You know what you've got to do to get started.
For more practical Indonesia tips, read my guide to how to skip the airport lines in Bali. If you're island hopping, my Gili Air honest guide is worth reading before you book. And for all the accommodation and activity platforms I personally use, check the Travel Deal Seekers page.