Planning your trip to Bali or are you already here and wondering what to do? We will tell you our five favourite spots and things to do while being here. Choose the ones that suit you the best and enjoy your time in Bali – The Island of Gods. If you would like our help on booking any of the experiences mentioned here please contact us here or message us via WhatsApp or Instagram.
1. Explore the island of Nusa Penida
Nusa Penida is a beautiful island on the shout-east side of Bali. It is known from it’s spectacular landscapes. The island has everything from beautiful beaches to hidden waterfalls. On top of that, some of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Bali can be found there. So put on your snorkels and dive into the water to explore corals and exotic fishes. If you get lucky, you can even spot a Manta Ray!
The island is easy to get to from the main island of Bali. You can take a fast boat which approximately takes about 30 minutes to arrive from Sanur harbour to Nusa Penida. You can do a day trip and see the main attractions like Angel’s Billabong, Broken beach, Kelingking beach and Crystal Bay.
On the other hand if you stay a few nights, you will be able to explore the hidden gems of Nusa Penida. Tembeling beach and forest, Peguyangan waterfall, Teletubbies hill, Diamond beach and Goa Giri Putri temple are definitely worth visiting.
2. Hike Mount Batur
Mount Batur is an active volcano located in the north of Bali. It is 1 717m high and last erupted in 2000. It is mostly known from it’s breathtaking sunrise hike. Once you reach the top, you can see one of the most beautiful sunrises in Bali. The hike down is stunning as well as you can enjoy the view over the lake Batur.
Almost every town in Bali has a tourism agency that organizes trips to the mountain. Usually the trips include a pick up and drop off from and to your hotel/villa, guide for the hike and a small breakfast at the summit while watching the sunrise.
You should be aware that the hike is approximately two hours long each way and at parts the trail is very steep and requires some climbing; the guides are there to help tho, so you will not be left to deal with this alone. Also the Sun rises around 6am in Bali which means that the hiking starts around 4am from the meeting point in Kintamani where your transport will drop you.
Tip: During the hike you will feel very hot but once you reach the top it gets very windy and the atmosphere is chilly. We recommend taking a jacket or a hoodie and if possible, bring an extra shirt with you, so you can change the sweaty one to a fresh one to keep you warm on the top.
3. Surfing
Bali is famous for it’s surfing scene. In Bali you can find waves that suit surfers of all levels. The blue water, beautiful beaches and amazing waves make Bali one of the best places to surf in the world. From time to time, you can even see some of the world’s top surfers train in Bali.
Kuta and Canggu offer the best waves for someone who just wants to try surfing or is still learning. Most of the intermediate and more advanced surfers enjoy the waves in Canggu and Kuta area as well. Intermediate and more advanced surfers can also surf in Uluwatu. There the waves are bigger and steeper which is why surfing there requires more advanced skills.
Even if you don’t want to try surfing yourself, checking out Uluwatu surf scene is definitely worth the time. Head to Bingin or Suluban beach and enjoy a cold drink and watch the pros ripping on the waves.
Best way to learn surfing is definitely to take a surf lesson; especially if you haven’t surfed before. If you take a lesson, you will get the best experience possible and avoid any accidents. Those typically happen when unexperienced surfers enter the water alone without a clue on what they are doing or the rules of surfing. Contact us for more info about surfing or check out surf page on our website. Book your surf experience with us here!
4. Visit Tirta Empul
Tirta Empul is a 30 minute drive from Ubud to the north. This magnificent temple offers you a great chance to experience a piece of the authentic balinese culture. Tirta Empul translates to Holy water temple. The name describes the temple well, since inside the temple you will do a cleansing ritual in the crystal clear water.
To enter the temple you should wear appropriate clothes: a shirt that covers your shoulders and at the entrance you will be provided with a sharong to wear while walking on the temple’s grounds. In the changing room you will find appropriate outfits to wear while doing the cleansing ritual in the water. Alternatively you can also bring your own kebaya (traditional balinese outfit).
During busier times the place pretty crowded which means longer lines in the water. If you go earlier in the morning, you will most likely have to wait less to complete the cleansing. Note that women on their period can not enter the temple.
5. Explore in rice paddies
Bali is very well known from it’s stunning rice paddies that are part of UNESCO World Heritage. There are spectacular rice paddies all over Bali and it’s easy to spot them while traveling around. For someone who has never seen rice paddies, the first time experience is definitely a memorable one.
One of the most well known rice fields is located in Tegallalang, approximately 15-20 minutes drive from Ubud. The area is huge and the amount of green is unimaginable. You can go trekking in the middle of the rice terraces or take a swing on one of the many famous swings while enjoying the view. The area also has several nice restaurants where you can have a delicious lunch while admiring the astounding landscape.
Tip: We recommend going there early morning since during the day it might be a bit too hot for trekking in the rice fields. Mornings are also usually less crowded,
Another good spot to see more untouched rice paddies in Bali is in Jetiluwih. In our opinion the views are even better than in Tegallalang. Jetuluwih rice paddies are definitely less known hence they are also less crowded. Finding a good western restaurant can be difficult nearby the rice fields. If you want to taste some authentic indonesian food you may do so, in one of the many warungs in the area.
More: Take a waterfall tour
Bali has several incredible waterfalls. Most of them are located around Ubud and in the north of Bali. Usually the waterfalls are easily accessible by car or scooter but there is usually quite a hike down to the actual waterfall. The hike is definitely worth it tho. Jumping into the cooling water and taking in the jungle vibes are definitely an experience worth trying. Some of the best waterfalls in Bali are Tegenungan, Leke Leke, Aling Aling and Kanto Lampo waterfall.
Please note that usually to get to the waterfall you need to pay a small donation to support the local community. Typically the donations vary between 1-3 USD.