Is Bali is safe for solo female travellers? Where to visit, what to do, where to grab coffee, where does the best coconuts? here's our honest guide from gals who have visited!!
is bali safe for solo female travellers? our honest 2026 guide
okay so here's the tea!! bali was the first destination we ever ran a group trip in so it holds such a special place in our hearts. The sunsets, the fresh coconuts, the incredibly friendly locals, the amazing food and beautiful waters. It really is a dream destination and one of the perfect places to visit a solo female traveller. We're going to give you all our inside advice on how to stay safe when travelling to bali!
Is Bali actually safe for solo female travellers?
in our experience, yes! we felt incredibly safe in bali. bali is known for it's friendly locals, incredible cafe's and an amazing solo traveller hub. it's incredibly well connected, english is spoken almost everywhere and everyone seems friendly and wants to help whether that's with food recommendations, directions or some inspo on where to travel next!!! our biggest recommendation on travel in bali is to know it's incredibly busy with scooters. One of the biggest risks to tourists in bali is scooter safety. You can get local drivers via grab or gojek and it's an amazing way to see bali and get places quickly but always, ALWAYS wear a helmet!!! scooter accidents are rare but they do happen. always wear a helment and don't get on the back of a motorbike if someone has been drinking or doesn't seem fit to ride. Bali is such a beautiful island and you want to be able to explore safely and freely!!
what about bali belly?
okay, this one is always a big question with our girls group chats and in our DM's!! how to avoid bali belly? well, bali belly can be caused by a combination of things, dehydration, trying new foods that don't agree with your stomach, drinking water from the taps. from our perspective it's not as common as the horror stories you see on social media but you should be mindful. If you've travelled long and far to visit bali make sure you take the time and rest you need before heading out, flying can be incredibly dehydrating so make sure you drink lots of water, take some electrolytes or have a coconut when you arrive to replenish!! stick with foods you feel safe with for your first few days and only drink bottled water.. ice is regulated in bali so if you see this in your drink at a cafe or restaurant it's okay to drink!!
the best places to visit in bali as a solo female traveller
ubud
okay a personal fav and theres a reason we visit it on both our gals who travel bali bliss trip and our gals who travel bali paradise. it's the perfect spot for relaxation, jungle vibes and feeling zennnn!! ubud is a bit of a wellness hub, yoga studios in beautiful surroundings, stunning waterfalls only a short motorbike away and peaceful boutique hotels and of course, you can't forget the iconic rice terraces. we'd recommend ubud to any of our gals looking for a relaxing break, to read a good book and unwind!!
Canggu
Canggu!! okay we love canggu, it's the perfect place to start your trip around bali and it's filled with solo travellers, backpackers and cute cafe's to meet people!! It has amazing foodie spots, incredible gyms, spas, and beach clubs and nightlife!! Check out some of our personal favs such as Casa Tua, Penny Lane and Warung Dandelion for some delicious food!!! Canggu is where our gals who travel bali paradise trips starts and loops back round too and is so easy to get too from the airport!!
Seminyak
if you're picturing stylish hotels, beach clubs and gorgeous bean bag beach sunsets with a cocktail in hand, seminyak is the place for you. there's a reason it's the first stop and last stop on of our 10 day bali bliss trip and it's because when you arrive in bali you want to arrive in style!! seminyak is filled with cool local boutique shops, beautiful restaurants and stunning beach clubs. head to seminyak if you want a little more luxury when visiting bali!!
gili t!!
gili islands, you have our heart!! if you've had enough of the hustle and bustle of canggu or seminyak, the perfect next stop is the gili islands. stay on gili t for pure island vibes. if you've seen on pinterest the crystal clear waters of bali, the white sandy beaches and turtles swimming just off your boat, it's probably the gili islands. although not technically bali, they're just a short ferry ride away. Gili t is a carless island meaning the only way to get around is by bicycle or horse and cart (we'd recommend using bicycles) and it's so small you can cycle around the whole thing in about 40 minutes!! make sure you too book the premium fast ferry to get to gili t, you may have seen tiktoks of small fast boats heading over with rocky waves but we've always had a smooth sailing, air conditioned experience on our fast ferry across. make sure to book the right ferry to have a relaxing chilled experience!!
Bali Solo Travel FAQs
Is Bali safe for solo female travellers in 2026?
Yes and it's one of the destinations we recommend most often to women taking their first solo trip. Most solo female travellers spend weeks in Bali without experiencing any issues at all. Like anywhere in the world, it's important to stay aware of your surroundings, keep valuables secure and use trusted transport options, but overall Bali is considered one of the safest destinations in Southeast Asia for women travelling alone.
What are the safest areas in Bali for solo women?
If it's your first time in Bali, we'd recommend ubud, canggu, seminyak, the gili islands or sanur.
Ubud is our personal favourite for solo travellers thanks to its wellness vibes, walkability and endless opportunities to meet other women travelling alone!!! Canggu is ideal if you love social vibes, a boogie in the evening, beach clubs and fun hostels, while Seminyak and Sanur offer a slightly calmer and more boujee experience!!
Is Bali good for first-time solo travellers?
Honestly? We think it's one of the best places in the world for your first solo trip!!! English is widely spoken, transport is easy to organise, there's a huge solo travel community and you'll constantly meet other women exploring independently. It's adventurous enough to feel exciting but accessible enough to feel manageable.The perfect combo!!!
Where should I avoid in Bali as a solo woman?
Bali is generally very very safe, but we'd recommend being a little more cautious in Kuta after dark, as with anywhere and our general advice be aware of your surroundings, take reputable transport, tell your friends where you're heading, watch your drinks on nights out.
Is Bali safe at night?
Yes, particularly in popular tourist areas like Ubud, Seminyak and Canggu. That said, some roads outside the main areas can be poorly lit, so we'd usually recommend booking a Grab or Gojek rather than walking home late at night.It's affordable, easy and gives extra peace of mind!!
Is it safe to ride a scooter in Bali?
Only if you're already confident riding one!!! We're going to sound like your mum for a second, actually scratch that, big older sister!! but Bali is not the place to learn unless you book in with an actual riding school. Scooter accidents are one of the most common causes of tourist injuries on the island unfortunately. If you've never ridden before, you'll honestly have a much more relaxing trip using Grab and Gojek instead. super easy, super cheap, so much less stress!!
Do I need to dress modestly in Bali?
Not particularly. Bali is much more relaxed than many travellers expect. At the beach, beach clubs, cafés and restaurants, wear whatever you'd normally wear on holiday. When visiting temples, you'll need your shoulders and knees covered, and most temples provide sarongs if you don't have your own!! in all our packing lists we'll suggest getting a few different sarongs before you travel, perfect for covering your shoulders, great for covering up at the beach, or even wear as a head scarf or top!!
What's the best way to get around Bali safely?
For most travellers, Grab and Gojek are the easiest options. They're affordable and reliable. For longer sightseeing days, hiring a private driver is also extremely common and a fab way to explore waterfalls, temples and rice terraces safely.
Is Bali expensive for solo female travellers?
Compared to the UK, Europe, Australia and North America, Bali is still incredibly affordable. You can find accommodation, food and activities for almost every budget, which is one of the reasons its great for a solo trip. whatever kind of adventure you're looking for, bali has a range of options!!!
Is it easy to make friends in Bali?
This might actually be one of the best things about bali!! Whether you're joining a yoga class, surf lesson, cooking class, a group trip or simply working from a café, you'll be surrounded by people from all over the world.If you're worried about feeling lonely, Bali is probably one of the easiest destinations on earth to meet like-minded women.
Is group travel better than travelling Bali solo?
There's no right answer it completely depends on the experience you're looking for. Travelling solo gives you complete freedom.Travelling with a women-only group gives you instant community, vetted accommodation, organised logistics and a built-in friendship group from day one. That's why around 90% of the gals who join our bali group trips come solo!!!
If Bali has been sitting on your vision board for months (or years), consider this your sign.
Book the flight.
Take the trip.
Trust yourself.
The island will still give you butterflies. But it might also give you memories, confidence and friendships that last a lifetime. And if you'd rather not do it completely alone? We'll see you at the welcome dinner!!!
