I’ve been dreaming about visiting Nusa Penida for a long time. Nusa Penida is a beautiful island southeast of Bali, next to Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Ceningan. It is still relatively unknown as many tourists choose to stay in Bali during their holidays. It takes approximately 40 minutes by boat from Nusa Dua Harbor to get to the island.
We recommend staying at least 2 days on Nusa Penida to be able to visit both sides. In this guide, you will find everything you need to know to visit Nusa Penida, all the best sights, how to get around the island, where to stay, eat, and more!
NUSA PENIDA DAY 1: WESTERN SIDE
KELINGKING BEACH
ANGEL’S BILLABONG
Continue your Nusa Penida tour by driving 30 minutes to Angel’s Billabong, a beautiful rock formation that looks like a natural pool. We found this place quite busy compared to the others as the area in Angel’s Billabong is not very big. The walk is relatively easy and there is a small temple you can rest at. Although some tourists go into the pool, it is not a good idea as some tourists have injured themselves due to the strong currents that come to the rock pool.
Tip: Sunrise is the best time to get in the water, as the sea level is very low and you will not get hit by the waves.
BROKEN BEACH
Next to Angel’s Billabong is a little bay that has a natural arch leading out into the ocean locally known as “Broken Beach.” The water is crystal clear and the views are amazing from above. Parking is easy on the dirt parking lot right next to the path. It is a pleasant walk around the arch and not as crowded as we were expecting. You can also get some amazing drone shots over Broken Beach!
Tip: You will also find little local cafes where you can buy water. Try their grilled corn for only 20,000 IDR (~$1.50)!
CRYSTAL BAY BEACH FOR SUNSET
NUSA PENIDA DAY 2: EASTERN SIDE
DIAMOND BEACH
THOUSAND ISLAND VIEWPOINT
Only a few minutes by car from Diamond Beach is Thousand Island Viewpoint. I hope you brought your energy because getting to the viewpoint means you will need to climb some stairs. It will take you 15 minutes to get to the lookout and reach the famous Nusa Penida treehouse. There are many points where you can stop for a while and admire the beauty of the island. We were impressed by the colors of the water, it was so blue, so pure.
NUSA PENIDA TREEHOUSE
After spending some time appreciating the view of Diamond Beach from the distance, you will find the two little treehouses at the top of the viewpoint. These treehouses are actually on AirBnB and you can rent them for the night if you want to watch the sunset, although there’s no Wifi, AC or anything nearby. But it is the perfect place to relax away from everyone.
You may also need to queue to get the famous photo up on the treehouse as they are empty during the day. After you are done here, keep going up the hill and you will find the last lookout with a little temple looking to both sides.
TELETUBBIES HILL
HOW TO GET AROUND NUSA PENIDA
The only way to get around Nusa Penida is by car or by motorbike. We would recommend hiring a private driver as he will know the exact way and all the secret paths.
We found motorbikes a little dangerous as Nusa Penida does not have proper roads and they are all very bumpy. In fact, we saw two accidents of tourists that were driving bikes. And it is also very easy to get lost and Google Maps is not the most reliable, so hiring a private driver for the day is more comfortable and safer.
WHERE TO STAY ON NUSA PENIDA
We stayed at La Roja Bungalows while visiting Nusa Penida. This place was exactly what we had imagined before coming to Nusa Penida. It is the perfect place to organize a floating breakfast in their pool and you can ask them to arrange it for you for an extra cost.
If you want to stay at a luxurious hotel for an affordable price, we may suggest Adiwana at Nusa Penida. Other well reviewed hotels include Semabu Hills Hotel, Ocean Terrace Suites, and Coco Resort Penida. You can also find decent options on AirBnB depending on your preferences.
WHERE TO EAT
It may be a little difficult to find healthy options in Nusa Penida as it is quite remote compared to Bali. These are some of the restaurants we found on the island where they served vegetarian options, smoothie bowls and traditional food. Some of our favorites included:
Don’t be afraid to try local restaurants, or “warungs.” We tried some on our way to the different places and they were all very kind and helped us veganize our menus.
WHAT TO KNOW FOR VISITING BALI
INDONESIA VISAS
The typical visa to visit Indonesia allows you a free 30 day stay depending on your country of nationality. Be sure to check the official Indonesia visa website for the latest information.
CURRENCY
The currency used in Indonesia is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). The current exchange rate is approximately 1 USD to 14,000 IDR. You can check the latest IDR exchange rate on Google.
While traveling, our number one tip is to use a free Charles Schwab Debit Card which gives unlimited worldwide ATM Fee Refunds and the true exchange rate.
BEST TOURS IN BALI
Some of the best tours and things to do in Bali are:
WHERE TO STAY IN NUSA PENIDA
We recommend booking your hotels on Booking.com to get the best rate and many hotels offer free cancellation in case your plans change.
Some of our favorite hotels on Nusa Penida are:
AirBnB is also a great option in Bali! Save up to £34 on your first booking.
For more hotel options, be sure to read our 9 Epic Places To Stay In Bali article!
BEST TIME TO VISIT INDONESIA
The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season between April and October. July and August can be very crowded, so we prefer the shoulder months of April, May, September, and October.
BEST BOOKS ABOUT BALI
Read more about Indonesia before you go! Some of the best books about Bali are:
WHAT POWER ADAPTERS DO YOU NEED
Indonesia uses standard 2 prong Type C adapters also commonly used in Europe.
You can buy a universal adapter that will work in any country and has extra ports for USB cables to charge your phone and other devices.
We also always travel with a portable battery pack which is great to keep your phone charged on long journies.
TRANSPORTATION IN BALI
- Public Transportation: There is limited public transportation in Bali. You can take public ferries between islands by using a website like Bookaway.
- Rental Cars: It is possible to rent a car at the airport in Bali, though driving might be challenging due to road congestion and local rules.
- Uber: Uber is sometimes available in Bali, though it depends on the area. Many local drivers do not like Uber so you may want to use the licensed Blue Bird Taxis or hire a private driver for the day instead.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Our top recommended travel insurance companies for Bali are:
- World Nomads: Comprehensive coverage for medical, travel delays, and electronics.
- SafetyWing: Cheaper monthly coverage primarily for medical.
MORE ARTICLES ABOUT BALI
We loved our trip to this beautiful island called Nusa Penida is beautiful, such a unique place to discover. I highly recommend visiting and we hope you enjoy it as we did.
We hope that this article has helped inspire you to visit Nusa Penida. If you have any questions about the destination or have your own travel tips to share please leave these in the comments below.
Want to share your own travel tips by guest writing for We Are Travel Girls? Go to our Contribute page for guidelines and to submit your article.
We Are Travel Girls Contributor Andrea Torres of BohoAndSalty.com
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Samuel John says
Amazing place..never heard of the place before. Its my neighbouring country. Should visit one day
Andrea says
Thank you so much. Nusa Penida was one the most beautiful places we have ever seen! Definitely worth visiting it!
Guide your Travel says
This is the post I needed when I first went to Nusa Penida two years ago. It’s by far my favourite island in Indonesia to blog about. Incredible nature and so much to see. Thanks for all the tips, definitely a few things in hear I hadn’t heard before and will add to my notes!
Andrea says
Thank you so much for your kind words!! It means a lot that you liked my article:)
Andrea, The Fruit Goddess