Bali tops the list of the best resorts in the world. And no wonder: what could be better than a vacation on a tropical island, where you can not only enjoy beach days, but also go on exciting adventures into the wild jungle? Traveling to Bali promises to be an unforgettable experience. There's Instagram-worthy destinations and the amazing nature of Indonesia. While traveling, you will be immersed in a world of exotic landscapes and amazing sights. Keep our Bali travel guide here.
A few facts about the island
- Bali is located in the Malay Archipelago (Indonesia) and is covered with lush vegetation, volcanic regions, beaches and rice paddies as far as the hills. The island is quite large, with a population of over 4 million people.
- Approximately 80% of the island's economy is tourism. The locals are engaged in agriculture and live in small villages.
- The island's agriculture consists of rice cultivation. Rice paddies can be seen everywhere, and some of them are so picturesque that they attract the attention of many tourists. Tegallalang is considered a particularly photogenic place. There are even special photo zones.
- Bali vacations are not always about visiting beaches: you may encounter big waves, strong underwater currents, rocks and reefs underwater. But the ocean around the island is warm and crystal clear. And also in Bali you can find unique beaches with black sand - the result of the volcanic activity of the island.
- When to vacation in Bali? The period from May to September is considered the most favorable time to travel to Bali, as at this time there are practically no rainy days. The best month to rest in Bali for budget travelers is October. It is considered the period after the peak of the season. Therefore, it is often chosen by tourists with a limited budget as the most "cheap" month for traveling.
- For a more comfortable visit to Bali, it's worth learning a few basic phrases in the local language, Bahasa Balinese. Indonesian is also widely spoken. And friendly locals are always ready to help tourists in basic English and with the help of gestures. The friendliness of the Balinese is due to their belief in karma - they believe that negative actions in the present will definitely affect the future.
Denpasar is the capital of Bali
A trip around Bali can start with the largest city of the island - Denpasar. At first glance it seems like a cozy province with orange roof tiles and an endless stream of motorcyclists on the roads. But Denpasar is home to almost half a million residents. At the same time, the capital is growing and developing, but without fanaticism.
Local architects try to "fit" new projects into the historical image of the city, not to demolish the old, but to build new. The whole point is that the island is very protective of architectural monuments, especially those related to religion. In order not to miss out on anything, it is better to ask a professional guide for a walk around Denpasar, who will tell the history of the city, show the most popular sights, cafes and stores.
Religion is an integral part of every Denpasar resident's life, so the temples here are never empty. The most interesting in terms of architecture is the Pura Jagatnatha temple, dedicated to the god Sangyang Vidi. In the classical version of Hinduism, the three main deities are Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. Sangyang Widi, on the other hand, was chosen by the Balinese to personify not only the Indonesian religion, but the nation as a whole. The Pura Jagatnatha temple itself is quite small, but bright and colorful, as befits a sanctuary decorated in the Hindu style. It can be visited on any day except Friday.
Tourism outside the capital
But the most famous temples are located far away from Denpasar. For example, one of the most significant and sacred of them is located northwest of the island's most party town, Kuta. Puro Tanah Lot Temple is located on the coast, as evidenced even by its name, which literally translates as "Land and Sea". According to official data, it was built in the 16th century. However, legend says that two centuries before that the place was already considered sacred. In those days, a monk lived here, who founded the temple.
Due to the recent Instagram tourism boom, many people now travel to Bali to enjoy food, drink and shopping. The island's art and culture has increasingly gone unnoticed. And yet Bali is famous for entire villages of skilled artisans who pass down their craft from generation to generation.
Among them are the small villages of Mas and Kemenuh, where there are many woodcarving workshops. The locals create not only figurines but also furniture out of wood.
It is worth visiting Butulan village to see with your own eyes how stone statues are created. They stand all over the island, guarding houses and temples, greeting visitors at the entrances to stores and beaches. Local craftsmen work day and night to create sculptures that reflect the mythology of the Indonesian island in all its glory. You can buy them here, and at a fairly affordable price.
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Balinese cuisine
The local cuisine is unique and peculiar, because it is essentially the result of a combination of traditions of many tribes and peoples of Indonesia. Despite the fact that Bali's neighboring islands (Java and Lombok) have similar dishes, Balinese cuisine has no analogues. For example, in Muslim areas of Indonesia, pork is not eaten, while in Bali, Hindus do not adhere to such prohibitions.
Even the unofficial national dish, nasi goreng, literally translates as "fried rice". The ingredients used in its preparation may vary from region to region. Spices, vegetables, eggs, chicken or shrimp - sounds delicious and hearty, doesn't it?
Visitors are also often advised to try pepes - meat seasoned and cut into bite-sized pieces, wrapped in banana leaf and grilled. An equally frequent recommendation from lovers of Balinese cuisine is suckling piglets rubbed with turmeric, ginger and chili. The carcass is roasted over low heat on a spit. This dish is one of the most popular in Bali.
Balinese desserts are often characterized by a heightened sweetness, but not bubur injin. It combines black rice, pandan leaves, palm sugar, banana and coconut milk, distinguished by its balanced but unexpected flavor. Bubur injin is perfect on a hot day, which means you should try the unusual dessert as a refreshing snack.
Natural wealth of the island
In the center of the island is a nature reserve where you can observe monkeys in their natural habitat. The animals roam freely all over the island, jumping on branches and are not afraid of people at all. For example, the forest of Ubud is home to hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaques. These smart and playful monkeys are also not averse to interacting with visitors, but sometimes not in a friendly way. Macaques can bite, hit, steal food or any other object and demand a treat in return. So don't forget to take precautions: keep a close eye on your belongings, don't try to pet the animals and don't look them in the eye.
If simply contemplating nature seems like a boring pastime, why not try your hand at summiting? Climbing Batur is one of the most exciting hiking routes in Bali. But it's not just a mountain, it's an active volcano. Batur, which is almost 1,700 meters high, is about an hour's drive from Ubud. The climb takes 2-3 hours, but the time spent is more than compensated by the stunning panoramic views of the Balinese jungle.
Or go down to Suluban Cave, one of the most mesmerizing but hidden places in Bali from most people. Perhaps the main reason for this is the rather difficult way to get there. Everyone who wants to visit will have to walk up a long staircase. It starts on the beach and leads to a cave hidden behind limestone rocks - the Goa Gajah temple, the so-called "Elephant Cave".
At the entrance are intricately carved stone figures of animals and demons (quite creepy, admittedly). Inside you will see a picture frozen in centuries: niches for meditation, ancient statues with offerings, a sacred bath for ablutions before spiritual practices. The temple and other structures in the pre-temple area are more than a thousand years old, but they are still functioning.
When a vacation without a beach isn't a vacation
One of the most famous resorts in Bali is Kuta Beach. It is a paradise for surfers and a party center of the whole island. The place is very popular among young people. The well-developed infrastructure of the beach has contributed to this, making Kuta the most densely populated area of Bali.
Located near Kuta, Seminyak and Legian also do not suffer from lack of attention from tourists. The waves here are strong and constant, if desired, you can rent a sun lounger and umbrella, go to a cafe or local restaurant.
You can relax and rest not only your soul but also your body on the beach in Jimbaran, the main advantage of which is the calm warm ocean. White sand and clear blue water make the beach really paradise.
In order to enjoy all the benefits of the island, it is worth taking care of your accommodation in advance. Bali offers more than 4 thousand hotels for every taste, color and budget. In addition, a gorgeous view from the window is guaranteed regardless of the cost of accommodation, because the island has postcard-like scenery everywhere.
For example, in the vicinity of Ubud you can find many cozy villas and bungalows with their unique atmosphere. But there are also minuses - not all of them can boast quality service and other amenities. But, agree, this is not so important for real travelers.
