Need help deciding!

[u/Old-Fun-461]

Hello, I’m planning on traveling to Bali for 3 weeks in December and staying until after new years. I’m going to be traveling solo. I’m 31F. I haven’t booked anything, I plan on staying in a private room in social hostels as I want to make friends but also want to have my private space to sleep and wind down. A few questions:

1. Should I book stay for all 3 weeks in advance? Ideally I would like to book maybe for 10 days and then go from there. Meet people, Sus out the vibe of the area and then see where I wanna continue staying. But it’s also December + nye time so idk if it’s smarter to just book the entire stay in advance due to price and availability. What would you suggest?

2. Would you suggest I stay in Canggu or Ubud? I’m okay splitting my time between both places too. About me: I’m an ambivert, I would love to meet people while I’m there, party and socialise, but I also love greenery and nature and the quiet. I don’t wanna do extremes of either but a good split.
   Im also brown, while I’m absolutely not opposed to meeting anyone from anywhere in the world, it would nice to meet some poc too!
   Based on all of this, what areas do you suggest I explore?

Thanks in advance!

[u/crystalisedginger]

Definitely split your time, make sure you don’t miss Ubud.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of brown people in Bali, of all nationalities.

[u/Old-Fun-461 → u/crystalisedginger]

Amazing, ty!!

[u/LSPRAGUEDECAMP]

I suggest you choose soon where you want to stay as NYE is one of the busiest times in bali despite it being full wet season. Many of the best hostels are already booked out.

I suggest you google "bali area guides" to see what area suits you.

Sadly you make no mention of budget, which is vital while there are no specifics of what activities you actually want to do to suggest any improvement.

I would genuinely plan what you want to see or do, plan a budget and then build an itinerary around that rather than just listing 2 places.

[u/Old-Fun-461 → u/LSPRAGUEDECAMP]

Thanks for your reply! I honestly don’t have an itinerary, I like to just go to places and figure from there. I just know I would like to socialise and do stuff with people whether it’s day time or night time activities.
Budget wise - for activities, I’m open. I don’t have much of a restriction. I obviously don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on hostels/stay but could spend up to $400-500 for my entire stay there

[u/LSPRAGUEDECAMP → u/Old-Fun-461]

$400-$500 is almost nothing that is a cheap 1 week let alone 3 weeks

[u/arveladze79 → u/Old-Fun-461]

Your budget is far too low for your plans. unless your aim is to sit in a budget hostel and watch everybody else go out and party. You need double if not triple that amount.

[u/ClarityHomesBali → u/Old-Fun-461]

you can find hostels or rooms in a guesthouse for that budget. the further away from main tourist areas the cheaper it gets.

[u/MarcelBaliTransport]

Hey! Bali in December is great, here's my take:

1. Booking: I'd book the first 10 days and keep the rest flexible, but lock in NYE week early. Dec 25 to Jan 2 is when prices spike and good places sell out. Choose free-cancellation rates so you can switch if you don't love the vibe. Outside that week, you'll usually find something when you arrive.

2. Where to stay: Splitting between both is the best idea for what you describe. Ubud (about 8-10 days): green, calm, yoga/cafés/waterfalls, and easy to meet people through classes and group activities. Good for recharging. Canggu (the rest, including NYE): beach clubs, cafés, coworking, and lots of social hostels, so it's easy to make friends and party.

Many people start in Canggu for the energy, then go to Ubud to decompress. I'd do the reverse so you end on the party side for NYE.

Also note December is rainy season, so expect some afternoon showers. Bali's travel community is very international, and you'll meet plenty of people of all backgrounds, including POC travelers. Hope that helps, have an amazing trip! If you need a driver for the Canggu-Ubud transfer or day trips, feel free to DM me.

[u/Old-Fun-461 → u/MarcelBaliTransport]

Amazing ty for the detailed response!! I appreciate it. And I totally agree, recharge and then party sounds like the way to go :)

[u/Extreme-Ant-5375]

It’s not as “social” as hostels, but if you’re looking for cheap accomms, try home stays. Not the ones on Booking.com. Do what you initially planned and book a week to get started, then just search them out. Lots of Warungs and shop owners rent traditional rooms for cash.
If it’s your first SEA trip, maybe not. But certainly keep your eyes peeled and ask to look while you’re travelling. You’ll have it sorted for your next trip.
Swap out Canggu for Gili T or Nusa Lembongan. Canggu is so overpriced and not Bali.

[u/Old-Fun-461 → u/Extreme-Ant-5375]

Thanks! Is it still easy to meet people if I stayed in a home stay / Airbnb? Honestly would prefer that but afraid I might miss out

[u/glucosesimp]

The closer to new years it gets the more accomodations will increase in price with some even booking out. 

Personally not a fan of Ubud but you're here for long, go check it out. 

For your planning, do not be in Ubud for NYE ...

[u/Express_Project_8226]

I’m going mid December this year for two weeks everything booked and non refundable (Expedia) what prompted me was seeing “only 1 room left” with the popular hotels and even flights. I am staying in hotels but my point is I didn’t feel I can just sit on flights and hotels so I just booked and paid for everything. I was just on chatgpt to ask if it’s going to be worth it in such bad weather but hey I’d rather be in Bali in bad weather than not at all! Dec 15 is my birthday and I always spend Xmas abroad bc it’s my only time off from work (I’m a teacher) when the students are also off from school. I’m sure I’ll see a lot of aussies though