The ultimate Bali travel guide will help you find out what to do in Bali. Bali has a unique atmosphere. You will feel it once you land in Denpasar. One of the most popular destinations in Indonesia, and the second most visited city in south East Asia. You will meet lots of different people here, travellers, honeymooners, surfers, and digital nomads. I used to work in Bali for 7 months in Jimbaran town as a marketing assistant back in 2015. Le me show you the best things to do in Bali Indonesia.
When is the best time to visit Bali Indonesia
Indonesia has a tropical climate with two seasons, the raining season and the dry season. Bali can be visited at any time of the year. The climate in Bali remains pleasant the entire year, due a tropical climate. In other word is hot all year round, with a rainy season from November to March, and a relatively dry season from April to October.
The best time to visit Bali is between June and September, during the dry season. However because of the high season the flights are more expensive and quite crowded with tourists. Dry season is the best time to climb Mount Batur, and participate to water sport activities, visiting rice field and have a tour on your bike around Bali
Things not to do in Bali, Indonesia : How to stay safe
Bali is perhaps one of the safest places in Indonesia and one of the most popular places in the world to travel. Violent crime, scams and theft are the most common form of crime in Bali, however relatively low.
Indonesia has one of the strictest anti-drug laws in the world. Don’t do drugs in Indonesia you can be sentenced to up to four years in prison or forced rehabilitation, and death sentence for drug trafficking.
You can easily go party in Bali, however you will need to be careful. Indeed the risk of alcohol poisoning is more common in Bali than the other part of Indonesia. Some cases have occurred when some foreigners almost die after consuming methanol.
Now let’s talk about monkeys and beaches.
I know bunch of friends who got stolen their sun glasses by monkeys, if you plan to visit the monkey temple some could be aggressive, remember they are wild cheeky animals. Don’t look them into the eyes, don’t feed them, don’t touch the babies (some rules of the park), always be cautious and keep your belongings by your side.
Some beaches in Bali are only made for surfer not too swim, if there are waves breaking, be extra cautious, they can carry you away very quickly. Above all learn about rip currents before swimming in the ocean. If there are waves, don’t swim in places where there are no other people around. Make sure there are warning signs before entering the water.
In conclusion Bali is 100% safe, go, explore, discover, and keep you eyes open, enjoy your trip in Bali my friend!
Top 5 things to do in Bali Indonesia
1. Explore South Bali – Uluwatu
Uluwatu is located in Brazil, nah just kidding, Uluwatu is well known to be the best spot for surfers in Bali, even in the entire world. You will meet lots of Australians and Brazilians on the road to Uluwatu beaches with their surfboard riding their bikes.
Located on the South of the island, Uluwatu is famous for the beautiful wild beaches, you can also enjoy the performance of the iconic dance called the “Kecak dance”. It’s a group of men using their vocals as instruments to tell a story in the form of dance. The spot is located near Pura Uluwatu temple on the edge of a cliff that stands 70 meters above the sea.
I like to go to Uluwatu, there is epic cliffs were you can enjoy the sunsets. I used to ride along the coast and stop whenever I find a great spot.
Here the list of the best beaches in Uluwatu: Balangan Beach, Nyang Nyang Beach Bingin, Padang-Padang, and Suluban Beach.
2. Hike Mount Batur
Mount Batur stands at 1717 meters (5,633 ft.) above sea level, many travellers visit this volcano for its stunning sunrise and views of Lake Batur. This is one the most prominent things to do in Bali Indonesia. The climb is doable by anyone; it will take you 2-3 hours to get to the summit. Mt Batur sunrise tour cost Rp$350,000 per person. If you are planning to stay longer in Indonesia, Mount Batur could be a good training to climb mount Rinjani, located just next to Bali, Lombok Island.
3. Discover the Balinese culture in Ubud
Ubud is a lovely place for couples, you can experience the Balinese culture, enjoy dinner between the rice fields, find countless temples, countless waterfalls, enjoy Balinese art, and yoga retreat.
If you enjoy the nature: go to:
- Tegalang Rice terraces: enjoy the scenery of countless layers of rice fields. It is best to visit early, to avoid the crowd.
- Campuhan Ridge walk
- The waterfall: kanto Lampo: save to swim in. Easy access.
If you enjoy culture : here the best temples to visit :
- Yeh pulu
- Gunung kawi
- Goa gajah
- Pura Kehen
- Pura tirta empul
4. Enjoy the best fish in Jimbaran
I had a friend visiting Bali couple years ago. I took him to Jimbaran to enjoy the sunset and have some dinner. Jimbaran is well known for its fish (it was a fishing village long time ago). He mentioned to me that he doesn’t like fish at all. I took him to a seafood restaurant on the sandy beach of Jimbaran, where you can pick your fish and will serve you up a delicious traditional seafood barbecue. Once he tried the fish, I remember seeing his face turning into “what is this fish “ hahaha. I can tell you that his reconciliation with fish has been made in Jimbaran beach. Travellers, if you are passing by Jimbaran stop by and enjoy the golden sunset while eating some delicious fish.
5. Take a trip to Nusa Lembongan
If you are thinking to escape the busyness of Bali, looking for some nice snorkelling activities in the middle of the wildness, Nusa Lembongan is a pretty good deal. The natural landscape is gorgeous with clean and sandy beaches.
Things to do in Nusa Lembongan : 4 days trip
1. Explore the most beautiful beaches of Nusa Lembongan
- Dream Beach
- Mushroom Bay
- Coconuts Beach
- Jungutbatu Beach.
2. Go to the Devil’s Tear
Watch the waves crashing against the cliffs of Nusa Lembongan. It is located right next to Dream Beach (one of the best beach on the island)
3. Snorkelling/diving
A 20 minute boat to take your to the best spots for snorkelling and diving.
4. The yellow bridge
I like bridges, do you? The bridge connecting Nusa Ceningan and Nusa Lembongan also known as the ‘Bridge of Love’ (Jembatan Cinta).
How to get to Nusa Lembongan ?
To reach Nusa Lembongan from Bali, catch a fast ferry at Sanur or Padang Bai. From Ubudu or Uluwatu it is approximately around 70-80 minute drive to the port of Sanur. Once you arrive at the ports you can usually rent a motorbike, which I highly recommend to visit the island.
Boat price to Nusa Lembongan
How to Get from Bali to Nusa Lembongan ?
- Public Boat: 90 minutes, from $4 (budget-friendly)
- Perama Boat: 90 minutes, from $12
- Speedboat: 35 minutes, from $19 (fastest)
Bali Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Cheap guesthouses/ hostels cost around 75k-200k IDR ($5-14) per night.
- If you are looking for budget hotel cost around 315k-700k IDR ($22-50) per night.
- Hotel with a pool cost around 425k IDR ($30) per night.
- Airbnb cost around 150k IDR ($11) per night for a shared room. For an entire home or apartment, it will cost you around 350k IDR ($25) per night.
Food
- Local food is cheap; you can eat for 10k IDR ($0.75) street food.
- Local meal in restaurant cost around 15kIDR ($1.10).
- Fast food around 60k IDR ($4.50)
- A bottle of water around 5k IDR ($0.40).
Transportation
- You can get GOJEK (taxi motor) from 15k to 30K ($1-$4) depending how far you are going. All you need is to download the Go-Jek app. It works exactly like an Uber app.
- Scooter rentals will cost you starting from 60k-100K( $5-8) per day. Make sure you have already experience on driving motorbikes.
- Taxis are a bit more expensive but still affordable. The starting cost around 85k-110k IDR ($6-8).
- Buses are cheap. Between towns cost could start from 25K – 150k depending on where you going.
- Ferry –To get to west Bali from (east Jawa) Banywangi it cost only 7k IDR /$0.50. And from Bali (Padang Bai) to Lombok is cost about 65k IDR ($5) (one way).
Hope you enjoyed the things to do in Bali Indonesia travel guide, enjoy Bali !