Ultimate Guide to Bali: Everything You Need to Know
Idyllic beaches, tropical jungle, endless lush rice terraces, colourful historical temples, cascading waterfalls, volcanic vistas and seductive spiritual energy. Bali has so much to offer every kind of traveller. Read our guide to Bali for everything you need to know for an incredible and memorable visit.
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Bali really is the definition of a ‘Paradise Island’. You’ll find yourself falling under its captivating spell and visiting time and time again. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular travel destinations in the world and a haven for digital nomads.
Surrounded by azure ocean and golden beaches with a lush, tropical interior, there are endless activities for everyone on this stunning Indonesian island.
History and culture lovers will be fascinated with the beautiful temples and local legends around Ubud. Those who crave adventure will be in their element whether it’s white-water rafting through the jungle or hiking up volcanoes for sunrise. Water babies will have their fill of the fantastic array of watersports.
I (Helen) spent three weeks travelling around this wonderful island so I’ve put together this guide to Bali for you.
Starting with the top things to do in Bali then where to stay, how long to spend, the best time to visit Bali and much more. Once you’ve read this guide, you’ll know everything you need to visit Bali and get the most from your stay.
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Contents
Best Things to do in Bali
Watch Sunrise Over a Volcano; one of the best things to do in Bali
I’ll start this guide to Bali with the highlight of my visit; hiking up Mount Batur for sunrise.
Bali is renowned for its spectacular sunrises so combining this with a volcano hike was a truly magical experience and one of the absolute top things to do in Bali.
You’re picked up from your hotel at about 2:30am (hear me out, it’s totally worth it) and start the hike at 4am. It’ll take approximately 2 hours to reach the summit.
Once you reach the top and the sun starts coming up, the adrenaline kicks in and you soon realise the insanely early start was worth it.
The views are incredible!! As it got lighter, the golden rays lit up the sky and you could see the silhouette of Mount Agung with Lake Batur shimmering underneath it.
All tiredness is gone. All aches and pains are gone. It’s not even 6am and look what you’ve achieved with your day!!
Our Top Tip: Make sure you have sturdy shoes for hiking Mount Batur. Much of the terrain is slippery loose volcanic rubble.
Stay on the Picture-Perfect Gili Islands
Next up in my guide to Bali are the picture-perfect Gili Islands. Technically, they’re part of Lombok but can be easily visited from Bali. There are 3 islands with very different vibes and they’re all a vision of paradise!
In a nutshell; Gili Trawangan or ‘Gili T’ is the liveliest and the biggest of the islands. Gili Meno is the perfect romantic escape, and Gili Air is a mix of the two with similar facilities to Gili T but a more hippy laid-back vibe rather than partying till all hours.
Whichever Gili Island you choose you’ll be rewarded with white sand beaches lapped with delicious turquoise waters, coconut palms, and incredible marine life.
Diving in the Gili Islands is a must! There are tons of dive sites around the islands where you can spot black and whitetip sharks, mantas, lionfish and octopus among many more. The Gili Islands are also the turtle capital of the world and who doesn’t love spotting turtles?!
If you don’t have your PADI, book a snorkelling trip. The visibility is fantastic and you’re still bound to see turtles and other colourful marine life.
You’ll need to take a boat from Bali to the Gili Islands which can be booked online below depending on the island you visit. This is recommended so you don’t need to worry about organising transport when you’re there.
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Watch a Cultural Performance
One of the best cultural things to do in Bali is see a traditional dance and music performance. As Bali’s cultural heart, Ubud is the best place to do this. There are various types of dance and the one I saw was Legong.
Legong is a beautiful and ancient art form that tells stories through expressive facial expressions, gestures, tricky footwork and intricate finger movements. It’s highly regarded by the Balinese and is performed at ceremonies, festivals and shows for tourists.
Girls start learning the expressions from as young as four!
Most performances are held at Ubud Palace; home of the Ubud Royal Family.
You can combine a Legong Dance Performance with visiting Tegalalang Rice Terrace, the Ubud Palace and the Ubud Art Market with a local knowledgeable guide so you can really make the most of your time.
Visit the Monkey Forest
One of the absolute best activities in Bali is the Monkey Forest. Technically named the ‘Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary’, this is a nature reserve and Hindu Temple.
Local residents view this area as an important spiritual, economic, educational and conservation centre for the village. It’s also home to more than 700 monkeys!
I visited the forest twice for around an hour each time. It’s great fun watching the monkeys in their natural habitat and you can really see how we descended from them. They push, shove, torment and annoy each other just like we do as kids.
There’s a stall just outside the forest where you can buy bananas. Keep them in your bag until you want to feed the monkeys because as soon as you step foot in the forest, the monkeys will be on you (quite literally) grabbing them from you!
Our Top Tip: don’t take anything you don’t need into the forest as the monkeys will grab them and anything you do take in make sure it’s secure. Also, pay attention to the guidelines at the entrance!
The Monkey Forest is one of the most popular places to visit in Bali so get here as early as possible.
Hire a Scooter
The best way to see the highlights in this guide to Bali is by scooter. This gives you the freedom to explore what you’d like on your own time and discover places you wouldn’t have otherwise.
I based myself in Ubud for a week and a half and drove down a different road every day to see what hidden gems in Bali I could find.
One of the best hidden gems in Bali I discovered was where the Balinese offerings are made. You’ll quickly notice these beautiful offerings outside houses, businesses and temples. They’re called Canang Sari and are a form of gratitude to the Gods who have blessed them with blessings in their lives.
Canang Sari are small woven baskets made from coconut leaves filled with flowers, gifts and an incense stick. Finding this was incredibly unique and something I’d have never seen if I hadn’t hired a scooter.
I also drove to Besakih Temple; one of the most beautiful places to visit in Bali (more on that later). Although it’s only 50km from Ubud it took about 3 hours. This was partly due to the road conditions but also the scenery. The views as you drive around Bali are unreal!
Our Top Tip: before you drive off, take photos and note any scratches. It’s not uncommon for dodgy places to demand you pay for damage that already existed if there’s no proof you didn’t cause it. You’ll also need to hand over your passport as ID.
Visit the Rice Terraces
It should be a crime to visit Bali and not visit the rice terraces! Even just driving around the island you’ll come across endless green landscapes. The most famous of which is Tegalalang, close to Ubud.
There are several ways to get to Tegalalang from Ubud:
- An organised tour that includes other fantastic things to do in Bali
- Taxi – the traffic around Ubud is very busy so this option may take a while
- Scooter – allowing you to continue exploring the nearby countryside and waterfalls
Our Top Tip: if coming by scooter, get here as early as possible. Tours start arriving at 10am and it gets very busy. There’s also no shade once you’re in the fields and the sun is no joke so take plenty of water and sun cream.
You’ll be asked for donations of 10,000 IDR (0.61 USD) from the farmers. This is optional and isn’t a big ask considering they’re allowing people to trample through their fields.
Visit Besakih Temple; one of the most beautiful places to visit in East Bali
Besakih Temple (Pura Besakih) is the largest and holiest temple in Bali.
Pura Besakih is actually comprised of 23 cascading separate yet related temples each serving a different purpose.
Situated 1000m up the side of Mount Agung, the tallest mountain and volcano on the island, this is one of the most dramatic and beautiful places to visit in East Bali.
Nominated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, the temple is thought to have been saved by the Gods. During a catastrophic volcanic eruption from Mount Agung in 1963, the lava flows only narrowly missed the temple!
Various celebrations take place at Pura Besakih. Each of the 23 temples has its own festival and larger festivals take place in the whole complex so I’m sure you’ll be able to time your visit when something’s going on!
The easiest way to get to Besakih Temple is on a tour with pick up and drop off from your accommodation at various locations.
Alternatively, you can go by scooter. The temple is around 50 kilometres from Ubud. This will realistically take a few hours due to the road conditions, traffic and incredible scenery you’ll want to constantly stop and take photos of.
Go White Water Rafting
White water rafting is a great thrill-seeking way to see more of Bali’s lush jungle scenery.
Raft down white water rapids, past waterfalls, intricate rock carvings, monkeys swinging through the trees and tropical jungle surroundings for about 10km. You’ll also have the chance to swim in the river and waterfalls.
After about an hour and a half to two hours, you’ll reach a charming riverside restaurant where you’ll enjoy an Indonesian buffet-style lunch.
Our Top Tip: wear strapped shoes. Flop flips can easily fall off and you walk through the jungle at various points. You’ll also end up soaking wet so take spare clothes.
See the Sunset in Lovina; one of the best places to visit in North Bali
Escape the crowds on the beaches at Kuta and Seminyak and head to Lovina; one of the most beautiful places to visit in North Bali. Lovina isn’t as easy to reach as other areas of the island; allowing it to retain its Balinese laid-back charm.
The main beach in Lovina is a black volcanic beach which stretches for a few kilometres and here you’ll find a variety of accommodation options and restaurants.
One of the best things to do in Lovina Bali is to watch the sunset. Find yourself a nice quiet spot along the beach and watch as the sun fades away over the water and savour the quiet and stillness.
Lovina is also a great place for snorkelling. You can organise a tour to take you to a small nearby island for some wonderful marine life viewing.
Our Top Tip: Lovina is renowned for sunrise dolphin-watching tours. Although the tour operators assure you it’s ethical, these tours are hugely popular and animal welfare groups have concerns they cause the dolphins distress. Some mornings 100 boats are chasing after a dolphin once it’s spotted!
Take a Dip in Tegenugan Waterfall
I’ll end my guide to Bali by swimming in Tegenugan Waterfall; one of the best things to do in Bali. Located in a tropical jungle oasis, a trip to Ubud is incomplete without a swim here!
When you arrive, there’s a fantastic viewpoint down to Tegnenugan Waterfall on your left.
To reach the falls you need to walk down about 100 steps but it’s totally worth it.
Like most places in this guide to Bali, you can either take a tour, get a taxi or hire a scooter!
Our Top Tip: get here early! Since I visited in 2014, Tegenugan Waterfall has become one of the most popular places to visit in Bali. It’s open from 6:30am and as it’s warm at that time, a morning swim would be a wonderful start to your day!
Everything To Know Before You Visit Bali
The best time to visit Bali
Bali is a great year-round destination but is categorised by two seasons: the wet season and the dry season.
The dry season runs from April to October. Bali will be at its busiest and most expensive during July and August, so if you have the flexibility to avoid these months then I’d recommend doing so.
During the wet season, there’ll be a higher chance of rain but it can still be a great time to go. Places will be quieter and accommodation and flight costs will be lower. Bali will also be a lot greener.
How long to spend in Bali
I’d recommend a minimum of 2 weeks to see most of the highlights in this guide to Bali and get a good feel for what the island offers. I spent 3 weeks and there will still places I wanted to visit but didn’t get the chance to.
Where to stay in Bali
As Bali is quite compact, it’s easy to have a base somewhere and travel out rather than being on the road every few days. I’d recommend a minimum of two stops; Ubud for the lush tropical interior and then move on to one of the beach hotspots.
Other areas I’d recommend staying are the Gili Islands for a few days of postcard-perfect beaches and total relaxation and Lovina.
Do I need a visa?
You can apply for an e-visa before arrival on the Indonesian immigration website. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa on arrival for 500,000 IDR for a maximum stay of 30 days.
What currency do they use?
Bali uses the Indonesian Rupiah. At the time of writing 1 USD is approximately 16,276 IDR.
What money should I take with me?
I’d recommend taking a Monzo and/or Revolut card and withdrawing money at the airport so you don’t have to pay commission/exchange rate fees.
If you’re travelling to Indonesia by land/ferry then I’d recommend changing at least 20 USD into cash before you arrive.
What plug do I need?
The standard plug used in Bali is a two-pin round plug, like the ones found in most areas of Europe (Type C/F) with a voltage of 230 V.
I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to Bali. If you have any questions feel free to leave a comment below. Also, make sure you’re following us on Instagram to stay up to date with us in real-time.
If you’re travelling to Bali from the UK you have to fly indirectly so why not break up the journey with a couple of days in Singapore, Dubai or Kuala Lumpur?
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Beyond stunning beaches and magical temples, Bali has virtually every kind of natural beauty. Glorious mountainous areas with lush greenery, scenic lakes, gorgeous waterfalls, iconic rice fields, flower gardens, gushing sacred rivers and secret canyons all make up the island’s landscape