Where to stay in Bali as a woman travelling solo

When travelling overseas alone as a woman, finding the right accommodation can take just as much time and effort as planning the itinerary itself.

Before setting off on my solo trip to Bali, I made a short list of what I wanted from my accommodation. I was looking for places that were affordable, comfortable and good value for money, while also hoping to experience a few different local styles along the way.

So I started comparing listings and reviews across several booking platforms. Besides wanting to stay somewhere that reflected the character of Indonesia, I also hoped to meet new people during the trip. In the end, I chose three different types of accommodation: a hostel, a homestay and a rustic thatched-roof hut.

Overall, Bali is very welcoming for women travelling alone. The locals are warm and friendly, and I rarely felt unsafe even when exploring by myself.

My accommodation experience over the week was mostly positive, although there were also a few things I did not enjoy. I will share both the highlights and the downsides below.

My Bali trip lasted seven days, and I planned to explore three main areas: Kuta, Ubud and Jimbaran. This meant changing locations twice and staying in two or three different places along the way.

As I had always wanted to experience hostel life, I chose this hostel as my first stop after landing in Bali. For anyone who is not interested in staying at a hostel, this stop can easily be skipped. You can simply head straight from the airport to your hotel.

This hostel works particularly well as a convenient place to stay on the day of arrival. It is located very close to the airport and is also affordable, at around A$17 per night, or approximately RMB 80.

When researching the property before my trip, the photos made it look like a large accommodation complex. In reality, it is a small, cosy house tucked away beside a busy street.

There is a small communal area near the entrance, as well as a swimming pool and a spacious square terrace outside the balcony. The terrace was a peaceful place to meditate in the morning.

The rooms were also very clean. I booked a four-bed female dorm, which had two bathrooms - more than enough for everyone.

I visited Bali in December, during the rainy season, which appeared to be a quieter time for tourism. At the time, only one other guest was staying in my room, a German woman, so it never felt crowded and I still had plenty of personal space.

We quickly found ourselves getting along well. She had spent a month teaching yoga in Ubud, and when she learned that Ubud was my next stop, she shared a long list of restaurants she had saved and recommended that I try them during my stay.

My second stop was Ubud, but unfortunately, this is not a place I would particularly recommend.

The overall experience did not quite match the price. It cost around A$66 per room per night, or approximately RMB 320, and the room could accommodate two people.

There were still a few positives. The location was convenient, the property felt safe, and it had a slightly jungle-like setting, a swimming pool and breakfast included.

However, the room itself was quite small, with a large bed taking up almost the entire space. There was also very little natural light, so the room felt rather dark.

Those issues were manageable. What bothered me most was the strange scratching and rustling sounds coming from inside the ceiling at night, as though small animals were moving around above the room. There were also insects inside.

As someone travelling alone, I found this a little frightening and struggled to sleep well at night.

For the final few days of my trip, I wanted to stay near Jimbaran, so I moved to this area. This place also had both advantages and drawbacks, but overall, I quite liked it.

The property feels like a small resort, with a large courtyard filled with individual thatched-roof huts. I have always loved this kind of little house. Apart from the electric fan, there was almost nothing made of metal inside. Everything was built from wood, and even the windows and doors were secured with old-fashioned wooden latches.

The price was also reasonable, at around A$45 per room per night, or approximately RMB 220, for up to two people.

Travellers who prefer staying in a central area may find the location a little remote. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes by car to reach Jimbaran Beach. However, the property is very close to Balangan Beach, only about a five-minute walk away. I chose it specifically so I could spend time by the sea and watch the sunset.

Balangan Beach is also relatively quiet and less crowded, which makes it a lovely place to enjoy the sunset in peace.

The main downside is the isolated location. There are very few restaurants nearby, and the bathroom is partly outdoors, so you may occasionally see small insects. The room is also quite rustic, with no air conditioning and only a fan.

Still, I was usually out exploring during the day, and after showering in the evening, I did not find the room too warm. Instead, it reminded me of childhood summers, when nights felt simple, quiet and unhurried.

Finally, here are a few small tips for women planning a solo trip to Bali.

Many flights arrive in the late afternoon, evening or even after midnight. For your first night, it may be worth choosing accommodation near Kuta or the airport. That way, you will not have to spend a long time in the car immediately after landing, especially when you are already tired from the journey.

Most other areas felt relatively comfortable, but Ubud is located in the rainforest in central Bali, so the air can feel noticeably more humid and you may be more likely to encounter insects. When choosing accommodation there, read the reviews carefully and check whether previous guests have mentioned bugs or animals in the room.

Overall, Bali is a lovely destination for solo travel. Indonesians are warm and welcoming, and there is something about tropical life that makes worry seem very far away.

I hope that somewhere in the breeze of the Indian Ocean, you will also find a peaceful little place that feels right for you.