Bali should be on everyone's bucket list, and if you're reading this it is definitely on yours. Bali is the place to be when you're craving a peaceful destination but also want to have fun. Bali is made for content queens who prioritize the perfect Instagram shot! Especially if you are planning a solo trip to Bali, Bali is the perfect place to find the friendliest locals disguised as professional photographers, who will hype you up and give you pose ideas.

From the lush green rice terraces to the majestic waterfalls, Bali will not disappoint your photography vision!

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First, I want to welcome you to my very first blog post! My goal for this blog is to be extremely honest and authentic about my experiences. I'm someone who can write in their journal for hours, so I hope to bring that same energy here. For now, I will keep it simple. I went to Ubud in late April for about a week. Stayed at the Natya Resort Ubud. Overall, it was the perfect weather and wasn't overly crowded with tourists. You can go to all these places via the best transportation; Scooter :)

Now, let's dive into the top locations in Ubud for that aesthetic picture you're dreaming of.

1. Rice Terraces

Bali is known for their Rice Terraces so they are everywhere. This photo was taken at the Natya Resorts in Ubud. As you enter this resort you are welcomed by this lush bright green rice terrace that descends beautifully in abstract waves.

If you are not staying here, don't worry you will certainly see rice terraces on the way from destination to destination. Below in point #6, I will go over a very popular rice terrace in Ubud which is a great location for Instagram pictures!

Check prices here.

2. Ubud Monkey Forest

Ubud Monkey Forest is a MUST-VISIT when in Bali. If you search Ubud Monkey Forest on Instagram you will be mind-blown with all the funny cute pictures people take with the monkeys. The monkeys will make funny faces so you just have to match them. Especially if you've never seen a monkey in your life, this must be on your bucket list!

Admission: Super cheap at around $3 USD per person.

Firstly, once you enter you will see signs saying you're not allowed to touch the monkeys. I got lucky and one came to me, it was love at first sight. You can pay the local workers a lil something to take really cool pictures with them. Walking through the forest in Ubud Monkey forest is so magical you will feel like you're in a dream, it is also big enough for you to enjoy and wander for hours.

3. Gate to Heaven

The name "Gate to Heaven" is fitting for this place. This is one of the most popular instagrammable spots to take pictures in Bali. Once you're there, the local workers slash professional photographers take really cool pictures of you adding a mirrored sheet, giving an illusion of water reflection (as seen above).

On a busy day, you are given a number and you wait until the workers call your name to walk the runway and showcase all your amazing poses. Being able to watch many people take their photos, I saw people very creative, doing things like:

• Advanced yoga poses

• Jumps

• Handstands

• Funny group pictures

• Model struts

Getting there: We took a taxi from our hotel that leaves you at the parking lot where you can then purchase your ticket.

Fee: Around $7 USD per person

Access: You purchase your ticket and a group bus takes you to the top. Once you're there, there's usually a big lineup of people waiting to take their picture. Luckily, we were dead last :) But, it's okay the picture turned out pretty cool in the dark. Overall, if you go early enough to avoid the big crowds, you will be happy you witnessed it and added one-of-a-kind pictures to your camera roll.

4. Kanto Lampo Waterfall

Visit the most refreshing aesthetically beautiful waterfall in Bali, Kanto Lampo Waterfall. This waterfall is a must as it is most importantly not packed with people. This is extremely important for especially content creators who need to get that perfect shot without having to use photoshop to crop the people in the background out. This waterfall is great because there are areas where only you can stand and there will be no one in the background. You also always have a Balinese local there to take a more professional shot, and guide your poses while hyping you up.

Fee: Less than a $1 USD

Access: There's quite the walk to get here through some steps, but it's really not too hard and once you see the waterfall it will all be worth it.

5. Marigold field in Besakih

Bali is known for their beautiful Marigolds, a flower I didn't even know existed until seeing them here in Bali. They are vibrant in an orange color and perfect for Instagram pictures. I recommend wearing a flowy bright dress for the perfect Instagram shot of you running through the field.

These are the ones I recommend:

Fee: Free

Access: We got lucky to stumble across this random house in Besakih filled with fields of them. I wish I knew the exact location, but if you ask a Local, they can help you find one near you.

6. Swings at the Rice Terrace Tegalalang

Especially if you want to get that cute Instagram picture or Pinterest aesthetic you must go on this famous swing at the Rice Terrace Tegalalang.

Fee: 1 USD

Access: At first, we were a bit confused about how to get inside, there were different entrance points where local guides are pressuring you to enter through them. We ended up near a restaurant, where a vibrant outgoing lady helped us down to the swing. There are different points set up for taking pictures, not just the swing. The lovely workers pushing the swing yelled "open your hands, be free, enjoy it!" while I'm in the air screaming (scarier than it looks). As an adrenaline junkie, this satisfied me. The pictures and videos came out great and the experience was super fun. Once done, there are a bunch of restaurants nearby selling delicious food and especially smoothies!

Located within the same rice terrace, we took a tour and tried Bali's famous luwak coffee/poop coffee. Shocked at first at how coffee can be called poop coffee, we learned that the coffee beans indeed come from the poop of an animal called a civet. Of course, after it is gone through a long process, it does taste really good. We tried some different teas with our lovely tour guide and watched it pour down rain on the rice terrace, which was a beautiful moment.

7. Uluwatu Temple

Visit Uluwatu temple where you can find the most clever cellphone-stealing monkeys roaming this place. It was both adorable and shocking to see how they recklessly dove into the trash, opened a closed bottle, and drank the remaining juice out of it; a highlight indeed. Uluwatu is a great place for pictures without huge crowds in the background.

Besides the monkeys, many people come to Uluwatu for the stunning temple scene of rocky hills and ample ocean views. This is a sacred place for Hindus, the main religion in Bali.

Fee: Free entry for the Uluwatu views. Here, you can also purchase tickets to watch a traditional Balinese dance show at sunset. It was beautiful and entertaining and it turned into a really funny show towards the end. They made it interactive by picking people from the crowd to join (Thank God I wasn't picked haha)

8. Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot is a magical place. Home to the sacred and ancient Balinese temple of Pura Tanah Lot. We went right after sunset, the beautiful temple mixed with the ocean view and waves was breathtaking, perfect for that Pinterest or Instagram aesthetic you're looking for.

Fee: Free

Access: You park at the main parking lot and it may seem confusing on where to head so ask a local for the right direction. You will know you're on the right path once you start seeing local stores. Once you see a mini "Gate to heaven" replica, you have arrived.

9. Padang Padang Beach

(Please google this beach for more visual ideas) Padang Padang beach is an absolute must-have on your list! It was so good I forgot to take pictures. It is the most beautiful secluded beach I've been to. Great for surfing (you can rent or bring your own), tanning or just relaxing. There are some shops around that sell clothes, bracelets, and beach necessities. Also, there are monkeys everywhere.

Fee: Entry ticket around 1 USD

Access: You park at the main parking lot which I believe is free. You cross the street until you see the stairs, there you will pay for your entry ticket, and take the stairs all the way down until you are rewarded with the beauty that is Padang Padang beach. There is also a clean bathroom just before the entry stairs.

10. Sunset at Seminyak Beach

Seminyak beach is an extremely popular location spot for people to visit in Bali. This beach is a must, especially during sunset, I was shocked at how surreal the sky looked as the sun was setting. There are restaurants nearby with lively music, comfortable beach chairs, and bean bags. You get your lil pina colada and relaxxx honey, you deserve it. You can also rent surf equipment as the waves are pretty good. I got the one made for kids and had a blast.

Fee: Free

Access: There is a lot of easy access parking especially if you are coming on a scooter.

Overall, I had the most memorable experience in Ubud. Besides the beautiful aesthetically pleasing pictures you have on your phone, it is the memories that you will really cherish for the rest of your life. Ubud is the perfect place for a getaway to de-stress and let it all go. You will be so present and feel so blessed.

Planning on going to Bali? Been already? I would love to know your experience and what you did differently, or if you have any questions please let me know in the comments!

Until the next trip, adios! <3