Have Bali on your mind? Check out this Bali travel guide to discover things to do on this paradise island and find out where to stay on your next tropical vacation.
An Introduction to Bali, Indonesia
Bali is one of the 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago. Its capital, Denpasar, is located in the southern part of the island. While a majority of the population in Indonesia is Muslim, one of the many defining aspects of the island of Bali is that it’s a predominantly Hindu island. The over 4 million inhabitants on Bali practice the unique form of Balinese Hinduism. Learn more about how to discover their rich culture in this Bali travel guide.
From surf and digital nomads in Canggu to the beautiful black sand beaches in Lovina and Keramas, Bali has many attractions that are perfect for nature lovers, water lovers, and people interested in historic and religious sites. In addition, the country is well known for relaxing yoga and meditation retreats, mostly centred in the popular town of Ubud.
The primary language spoken in Bali is Balinese, a Malayo-Polynesian language, with the official currency being the Indonesian Rupiah. The conversion rate is approximately 10,000 Indonesia Rupiah to 1 Canadian Dollar.
What to See in Bali
There are plenty of wonderful things to do in Bali! To start, there are several historic and religious sites open to the public. These sites include Tirta Gangga Water Palace, which was the former royal palace in eastern Bali. There is also Klungkung Temple, a historic royal complex situation in the city of Semarapura in the southeast. Also popular is the Tanah Lot Temple, a rock formation and pilgrimage temple.
There are a number of nature parks in Bali, including Bali Bird Park, which houses over 1,000 species of birds. Between all the waterfalls and rice fields, there are a ton of nature-related things to do in Bali. Looking for something a bit more intense? Do a guided sunrise trek up Mount Batur, an active volcano.
Want to spend time in the water? There are a wide variety of diving sites off the coast of Bali, including the world-famous USS Liberty wreck and the reef of Nusa Penida.
Surfing is also popular, with famous surf spots like Uluwatu, Impossibles and Padang Padang (the “Balinese Pipeline”) attracting surfers from around the world. Don’t worry, there are plenty of beginner surf spots too like in Kuta and Canggu.
Just want to relax in the sun? Check out the stunning beaches of Nusa Dua Beach (great for families), Echo Beach, and Balangan Beach. Whether you’re searching for an outdoor adventure, an intense wellness retreat, or just up for whatever comes your way, Bali is the place to be!
Bali Travel Guide: What to Eat
Balinese cuisine incorporates indigenous traditions with influences from China and India. Some local specialties include:
- Babi guling: roasted suckling pig
- Jaje bantal: packages of sticky rice, coconut, sugar, and fruit
- Bubur injin: black sticky rice with coconut milk
- Nasi goreng: an Indonesian staple, literally translated as “fried rice”
If you’re looking for food made by top-class chefs, you’ll find restaurants such as Kubu Restaurant in Mandapa, offering Mediterranean-European cuisine prepared with Bali-sourced ingredients. The Restaurant at The Legian Bali serves sensational French fare, and FIRE at W Bali has great vegetarian and vegan options.
If you want a quick dinner that won’t stretch your wallet, try SizzleWraps in Mengwi or Fatboy’s The Burger Bar Bali in Seminyak.
If you’re a coffee lover, you’re in luck! Bali is famous for kopi luwak, also known as civet coffee. The beans for civet coffee are among the most expensive in the world because of its unique process! The coffee beans are fed to the Asian palm civet animal and the partly-digested coffee cherries are harvested from their feces. The beans are thoroughly washed and the resulting coffee is a true delicacy, especially knowing you can buy beans directly from the farmers.
Bali on Nightlife
The nightlife in Bali caters to a wide range of crowds, styles, and budgets. There are laid-back beach clubs like the Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak as well as world-famous nightclubs like Sky Garden in Legion.
Parts of the island really come alive after dark with plenty of fun things to do in Bali. No Bali travel guide would be complete without a mention of one of Bali’s oldest practices – Balinese dance! Be sure to head to Ubud and check out a Balinese dance show. This tradition has been around for centuries and the locals are keen to keep the practice alive. For less than $10 you can experience an hour-long show of Balinese dance, which is unlike any other form of dance in the world. It involves some fire dancing and a lot of traditional Balinese chants throughout the performance.
Getting Around on Bali
Bali is filled with different transportation options! If you want, you can hire a driver for your time in Bali or grab a cab or a motorbike taxi at any corner. You can also rent a car, motorbike/scooter or bicycle for your own self-guided tour. There are public buses (bemo) you can board or you can get on a private bus or tourist shuttle for specific destinations.
There are taxi-based apps available in Bali but there is currently tension between these drivers and the regular taxi drivers. Please read up on Uber and other apps before using them as the situation seems to change daily.
Bali Travel Guide: Climate
Bali is right underneath the equator so you can expect a year-round climate that is tropical, warm and humid. There are two main weather seasons: a dry season and a rainy season.
The dry season is between April and September, with average daily highs hitting over 30 degrees Celcius. The rainy season runs between October and March, with the heaviest periods being between December and February.
Note that the temperatures are considerably cooler in Bali’s central mountain region, with much more rainfall than in the coastal areas.
When to Visit Bali
Bali attracts the most tourists in July and August, as well as winter holidays like Christmas and New Years. The best months to visit Bali are April, May and June because these months fall outside the busy seasons and before the monsoon season.
If you plan to visit during any of these peak times be sure to book your hotel in advance.
Where to Stay in Bali
In Bali, you can stay in everything from shoestring backpacker hostels to luxury “eco-resorts”. Make sure to book what works best for your budget, but we do have some suggestions on where to stay in Bali. Alternatively, you can stay in a local losmen. That’s the Balinese term for a homestay and is basically a bed and breakfast. Travellers pay for a simple room, usually with a private bathroom and breakfast on the property of a local family. While this has become a less popular option as more and more eco-resorts are being built (at the expense of some rice fields) across the island, losmens remain an excellent option for where to stay in Bali.
Find where to stay in Bali using the search tool below!
Getting In & Out
The island’s only commercial airport is the Bali Ngurah Rai International Airport, also known as Denpasar International Airport. It is located just south of Denpasar, giving travellers direct access to many attractions and accommodations.
If you’re already in another Asian city, there are many inexpensive direct flights to Bali. If you’re travelling from farther away, you can still find cheap flights but you will most likely have a layover elsewhere. Keep in mind, that while the flight might seem expensive, the cost of living and travelling is low once you arrive in Bali.
Looking for a great deal? Check out the Skyscanner search engine for the best prices on flights and hotels. Find the best deals on where to stay in Bali with a simple search!
