An image of a temple in Bali, Indonesia

Bali, Indonesia: How to Travel Like a Local

Why Should You Visit Bali?

Bali, Indonesia is extremely popular and for good reason. It is a beautiful island known for its stunning beaches, lush rice terraces, and ancient temples. A popular tourist destination for people from all over the world looking for a relaxing vacation or an adventure-filled trip, Bali has something for everyone. 

Man standing between the Gates of Heaven. A famous site within the Pura Lempuyang Luhur temple

WHAT TO EXPECT

Main cit(ies) Denpasar
Main airport(s) Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport
Language(s) Balinese, Indonesian, English
Best time to visit April – October
Cost to visit $$
National dish Nasi Goreng
Currency Indonesian Rupiah
Exchange rate 1 USD = 0.000067 Rupiah
Visa requirements Depends on your home country
Plug type Type F and Type C

$ = <$1,000, $$ = <$3,000, $$$ = <5,000, $$$$ = >5,000 for a 2 week trip for 2 people

Top 5 things to do/see In Bali

Ancient Temples

There are many beautiful, ancient temples that can be found all throughout Bali. Just a couple options include the Tanah Lot Temple and Besakih Temple. 

Tanah Lot Temple

Image of the Tanah Lot Temple with the ocean in the background

The Tanah Lot Temple is perched on a cliff overlooking the ocean, and is one of the most iconic images of Bali. It is a popular tourist destination and a beautiful place to visit at sunset. 

Besakih Temple

Image of the Bali Besakih Temple Complex

The Besakih Temple is the largest and holiest temple in Bali, located in the mountains of Eastern Bali. It is a complex of over 200 temples and a popular pilgrimage site for Hindus from all over Indonesia. 

Hiking

Hiking in Bali is a great way to experience all of the stunning natural beauty of the island. Bali is home to a variety of different landscapes, from lush rice terraces to active volcanoes. Hiking is a great way to see this diverse island up close and personal.

Mount Batur Sunrise Hike

Mount Batur in the background lit by the sunrise. A number of hikers on a peak in the foreground.

Mount Batur is a popular hike that takes you to the summit of Mount Batur, an active volcano. We recommend starting the hike early so you can catch the sunrise over the caldera lake. 

Sidemen Rice Terraces Hike

A couple in the foreground looking out over the Sidemen Rice Terraces stretching into the background.

Visit the Sidemen Rice Terraces for a relaxing hike that takes you through the beautiful rice terraces of Sidemen. This hike is a great way to experience the traditional way of life in Bali, and the views of the rice terraces are stunning. 

Surfing

Bali is a world-renowned surfing destination with waves suitable for all levels of surfers. Whether you are an experienced surfer looking for long, powerful waves, or a beginner looking for smaller waves and classes to learn, Bali has something for every level of surfer.

Uluwatu

An image of the Uluwatu beach focused on the waves and ocean.

Uluwatu is one of the most famous surf spots in Bali known for its long, powerful waves. Uluwatu is a great spot for experienced surfers; however, these waves can be challenging to those new to the sport. If you’re a beginner to surfing, we highly recommend you check out Canggu while you get your feet wet. 

Canggu

An image of Bali's Canggu beach with people relaxing on the sand and surfing in the ocean.

Canggu is a popular beach for all types of activities and has a large surf scene. Canggu has a variety of waves, so it’s a great location for beginners and experienced surfers alike. 

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Ubud Monkey Forest

The Ubud Monkey Forest is one of the most popular destinations in Bali, home to over 600 Balinese long-tailed monkeys. The Monkey Forest is a beautiful, unfenced park inside the center of town where all of the mischievous monkeys spend the majority of their day. 

Ubud Monkey Forest

A monkey atop a statue in the Bali Ubud Monkey Forest

Pay attention and you’ll see the monkeys fed three times a day by the sanctuary staff, who feed them an assortment of foods like sweet potato, coconut, banana, and papaya leaf. The public (including you) are no longer allowed to feed the monkeys to both protect their health and prevent monkeys from jumping on tourists for food. 

Finally, don’t forget to look around you once you’ve gotten your fill of visiting the monkeys. The forest itself is huge, taking up to two hours to fully wander through and explore the nature and ancient temples. Many of the trees you’ll find within the forest are considered holy so listen carefully and observe and you’ll likely see the local residents giving prayers and offerings to the spirits of the trees. 

Beaches

If sitting on an idyllic, white sand beach under an umbrella or jumping off limestone cliffs into a deep blue ocean sounds like your type of vacation, Bali has some of the best beaches in the world for you. 

Padang Padang Beach

An image of Padang Padang Beach showing the ocean, sand, and walkway down from the cliff.

Padang Padang Beach is a secluded beach located in the South of Bali. It’s known for its beautiful white sand, clear waters, and barreling waves. It’s a beach for everyone; a great spot for surfers and sunbathers alike.

There are a few restaurants and cafes near the beach, but once you descend the steep staircase from the top of the cliffside, you’ll be on your own with only the food and drinks you’ve brought with you so we’d recommend bringing your own drinks and some snacks if you’re planning on spending more than a couple hours in the sun. 

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Bali, Indonesia: Top 12 Photo Locations
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Bali, Indonesia: Top 12 Photo Locations
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Bali, Indonesia: Top 12 Photo Locations