How to overcome the fear of solo travel in Bali (First-time solo traveller guide)
If you’re feeling scared about your first solo trip , especially to Bali or anywhere in Asia, you’re honestly not alone.
Fear of solo travel is extremely common, even when you really want to do it. One part of you is excited, and the other part is imagining everything that could go wrong at the airport, in a taxi, or on your first night in a new country.
I’ve been there. And my first solo trip to Bali was the one unlocking my life as a digital nomad and full-time solo traveller, not because it was perfect, but because it showed me that you don’t need to feel fearless to start. You just need the right setup.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how I overcame my own fear of solo travel in Bali, and how you can make your first solo trip feel safe, social, and actually enjoyable.
Why Bali is one of the best places for your first solo trip
Bali is often recommended for first-time solo travellers, and for once, the internet is kind of right. It’s not because it’s “easy” in a superficial way, but because it naturally supports you:
it’s very social (especially Canggu, Ubud and Uluwatu)
there are many structured activities
it’s easy to meet other solo travellers
and you can choose your level of comfort (from hostels to boutique hotels to coliving spaces)
When I went for my first solo trip, I didn’t try to see everything or follow a perfect itinerary. I built my trip around something I already loved: yoga.
My first solo travel experience in Bali (and what actually worked)
My first stop was a yoga retreat in Canggu called Pelan Pelan. And honestly, I would 100% recommend this kind of start for first-time solo travellers. It’s small, relaxed, and structured enough that you’re never truly “alone unless you want to be”.
You wake up, do yoga, eat, maybe surf, maybe rest and because everyone is on a similar rhythm, you naturally start talking to people.
No pressure. No awkward forced socialising. Just a very soft landing into solo travel.
That’s when I realised something important: the easiest way to overcome fear of solo travel is not to start alone, it’s to start around a shared activity.
The easiest way to start solo travel (this is the real hack)
This leads me to my next point. If you’re scared of solo travel, don’t start by choosing a country. Start by choosing a passion anchor:
yoga
surfing
diving
fitness
salsa social
creative workshops
anything structured with other people
Because suddenly:
you already have a reason to meet people
you’re not “approaching strangers”, you’re just showing up
conversations happen naturally
It removes so much pressure.
The real reason solo travel feels scary
It’s rarely about safety. It’s more about:
not knowing what your days will look like
worrying about loneliness
feeling like “everyone else has it figured out”
information overload from social media
So instead of trying to eliminate fear, the goal is to reduce uncertainty. And Bali is actually great for that.
Getting around Bali
In Bali, almost everyone uses Grab (or Gojek).
It’s:
cheap
reliable
easy to use
If you’re not comfortable on scooters (very normal), you can just use Grab cars. It’s slightly more expensive and slower because of traffic, but it will be an easy way in.
Don’t get stuck in Canggu, explore the whole island
🌊 Canggu → the social hub
Great for arriving, meeting people quickly, partying and easing into solo travel.
🌅 Tanah Lot → easy sunset escape
A short trip from Canggu, perfect for a half-day or sunset visit at the iconic sea temple when you want something quieter and scenic.
🌿 Ubud → nature, rice fields, and slower days and yoga
Lush, green, and more introspective. A good reset from the busier coast, yoga, walks, wellness, and a very different rhythm of travel.
🌴 Uluwatu → cliffs and ocean energy
More spread out, dramatic landscapes, surf culture, and beautiful beaches. Feels more open and less dense than Canggu.
🌊 Balian → quiet, underrated coastal Bali
Much slower, more remote, and perfect if you want to disconnect, surf, or just escape the social intensity of the main hubs.
🏝️ The Gili Islands & Lombok → the next step beyond Bali
If you want crystal-clear water, slower island life, and a more “barefoot island” feel, the Gilis and Lombok are a natural extension of a Bali trip.
🌋 Lesser-known islands (like Nusa islands) → raw and less curated
Places like Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan feel more rugged and less polished — great if you want dramatic scenery and fewer crowds.
However, you don’t need to see everything. Bali is better when you mix energy levels.
How to meet people while solo travelling in Bali
This is usually the biggest fear, “what if I don’t meet anyone?” But in Bali, that’s rarely the problem.
My top 6 ways of meeting new people :
gyms and fitness classes (very social here)
hostel events and group dinners
yoga / pilates studios
cafés or nail appointments
cacao ceremonies and women’s circles
WhatsApp groups from your accommodation or activities
And sometimes it’s as simple as, looking at the other solo women traveller (believe me, there will be lot) and say “Hey, are you travelling alone too?”. That one sentence can change your whole trip.
Where to stay (this matters more than people think)
Even if you have the budget, unless it;s just for a few days, I usually don’t recommend staying too much in resorts as it’s usually favoured by couples and can be a bit anti-social. And believe me, your accommodation shapes your entire experience but don’t worry, still lots of options out there :
boutique hotels. In Bali there are lots of them and some can be surprisingly socials. Look at reviews and notice if a lot of solo travellers are commenting or if the social atmosphere is mentioned. Hotels with a yoga shala or an offer of surf classes tend to be more social as well.
hostels, easy to meet people instantly.
coliving spaces, perfect for digital nomads and often comes with a nice community around it.
My prefered coliving in Bali is Sokkool, with a very active community, beautiful room and Haren, the community manager there is one of a kind.
If you’re trying out working remotely in Bali
Bali is one of the most established digital nomad hubs in Asia.
You’ll find a plethora of coworking spaces, cafés with reliable WiFi and coliving with work spaces included.
Internet is generally solid, but like anywhere in Southeast Asia, it can vary depending on location.
A few practical things:
some places have backup generators (like Sokkool)
power cuts can still happen occasionally
Starlink is now available in Bali, which has improved connectivity in more remote areas (like Balian, I worked at Supersenang hotel and it worked amazingly well). Most hotels advertise it clearly but definitely worth sending a whatsapp to the hotel if you want to check if they have it.
A few real safety things to be aware of
Bali is generally very safe for solo female travellers, but it’s still important to stay aware:
Dengue fever → use mosquito repellent, especially in the evenings
Bali belly → be careful with water and food hygiene at the beginning. Most people get it, but if it last longer than 2-3 days, go to the clinic if you can or ask support from your hotel.
Alcohol safety → stick to reputable places and be cautious with very cheap spirits
Scooter accidents → the most common issue; don’t rush into riding one if you’re not confident
Nothing extreme, just basic travel awareness.
Final thoughts
If you’re scared of solo travel, you don’t need to “fix” that before you leave. You learn confidence by actually going. For me, Bali wasn’t a perfect trip, but it was the first time I realised that travelling alone doesn’t mean being alone. And that changes everything.
Need help planning your first solo trip?
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about where to start, how to choose your destination, or how to structure your first solo trip, I help travellers turn that confusion into a clear and realistic plan based on their travel style. You can start with a short “Ask me anything” call, and we take it step by step from there.