Bali

To many who visit this island, Bali is heaven on earth. It has water like blue glass. Black sand beaches and coral reefs. Wild mountain scenery, monkeys, brightly colored exotic birds, temples, and emerald green terraced rice fields. It is one of the most popular island destinations in the world. And you can understand why. It is not only visually dazzling, but it has an added spiritual element and highly artistic culture. Tiny religious offerings cradled in leaf trays are everywhere. As are temples facing the sea. Handicrafts, carvings, and Balinese paintings and dances offer a colorful layer of experience to any visit to Bali.

Best things to do in Bali

Bali is a small island crammed full of different activities for tourists to do – one of the main reasons for the huge amount of visitors that arrive every year. What are the best places to go, things to see and activities to take part in when coming to this Indonesian island though?

Visit Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana

This is one of the most spectacular places in the whole of Bali. It is a large area of rainforest – something that is spectacular in its own right – but the real attractions are the three temples that are found here. These temples are all inhabited by a number of seemingly cute macaque monkeys – but beware, as they have a tendency of stealing your lunch!

Go Diving

Bali is one of the undiscovered gems of the diving world and is also the perfect place to learn how to partake in this excellent hobby. The many dive sites – such as Tulamben and Amed – are all filled with marine flora and fauna and therefore are incredibly spectacular places to dive. There are a number of diving schools on the island, but to make the most of it, try to complete your PADI certification before arriving.

Learn to Cook in Ubud

Ubud is known to be the culinary capital of Bali, and as such it is the perfect place to learn how to cook in the traditional Balinese way. Although the staple food of the island is without doubt rice, it is the accompanying food that you will want to learn to make – and to taste! These include various satay style dishes, gado gado and cap-cay. For the really brave, you could even lean to prepare the various grubs and bugs that are commonly eaten as well!

Climb Gunung Agung

Gunung Agung is the tallest mountain in Bali and is therefore a mecca for those looking to climb in South East Asia. Getting there does involve a long trek but the view from the top is well worth all of the effort expended to get there.

Party on Kuta Beach

Kuta Beach is the place to be if you are young and looking for a great place to let your hair down in the evening. With a number of great bars and clubs, as well as a huge amount of tourists all there to have a great time, this is an opportunity not to be missed!

Go on an Elephant Safari

There is no better way to see the Balinese countryside than on the back of an elephant. Traditionally used by locals as a form of transport, tourists can now also experience this great feeling for a very low price. Many will also stop off at some of the important temples and monuments on the island.

Eat at Ary’s Warung

This is a restaurant located in Ubud and is renowned for serving some of the best food in Bali. All of the food is perfectly cooked and the menu varied, meaning that everyone will find something to take their fancy here. The prices are very low as well, so even those on the tightest of budgets can afford to eat some quality food!

Learn Balinese Woodcarving

Bali is world famous for the intricate and beautiful wood carvings that it produces, the training for this takes years to complete but anyone can have a go. For a taste of how difficult – yet enjoyable – this art is, sign up for one of the many different woodcarving classes that can be found on the island.

Get a Massage

Bali is well-known for the blind masseurs that it has – something that has been made possible by a government sponsored scheme. Blind people in Indonesia have a tough life, so getting a massage from one of them not only eases aches and pains, but also really helps them to get some money in their pocket.

Drink Local Coffee

Although it doesn’t produce coffee at the rate of South and Central American countries, coffee is still widely grown on this island. There is nothing nicer than sampling a cup of espresso or cappuccino where the beans have never even been packaged – instead, they have gone straight from the crop to the cup in a matter of days.

Walk with Nature

There are a number of different national parks in Bali and all of them are home to a huge number of animals, birds and butterflies. Walking through one of these parks is akin to going to the zoo – there truly is wildlife around every corner! Of all the national parks, probably the best is the West Bali National Park, which is a massive park on the western most tip of the island.

Relax in the Sun

Okay, so this might not be the most energetic of past times, but Bali is blessed with massive amounts of sun and therefore not taking advantage of this would be like sacrilege! In between the various excursions and activities, try spending the day catching the rays on one of Bali’s many pristine beaches.

See a Devdan Show

A Devdan Show is Balinese theatre at its best, as it takes the audience on a journey through Bali and Indonesia. Featuring dance, music and acting, this is a true example of the versatility that goes into most Indonesian performances. There is usually some great aerial acrobatics as well!

Visit Pura Ulun Danu Bratan

Pura Ulun Danu Bratan is one of the most spectacular temples in the whole of Bali, set in the middle of a lake and built on various small islands. For a really great experience, take a boat over to the temple at sunrise or sunset – you’ll never see a more awe-inspiring sight!

See Gunung Batukau

Gunung Batukau is another of Bali’s mountains and is a spectacular sight for everyone that has the fortune to visit there. Although most don’t actually climb it, the views – combined with the surrounding scenery of rice paddies – make this a trip well worth taking.

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