Temples, beautiful rice terraces, golden sands, and affordable accommodations, Bali truly has something for every traveler, whether you love adventure, culture, or simply just want to relax on your honeymoon.
In the last few years, it’s no secret Bali has skyrocketed in popularity, and with this has come an abundance of new resorts and activities on offer, making the logistics slightly overwhelming.
Whether you're in the initial stages of planning your Bali trip or putting together your travel itinerary, our recommendations and tips below will help you curate a trip of a lifetime.
Why Travel To Bali?
Bali has become a hotspot for young travellers and honeymooners in the last few years, but this Island of Gods has still managed to retain its charm and spirituality, thanks to its strong Balinese culture.
It’s a perfect tropical destination for anyone who wants to go on a more meaningful holiday where they can relax at a resort yet immerse themselves in cultural activities and soak up the wellness culture, full of yoga and meditation.
Bali is also incredibly affordable, making it the ideal celebration destination on a budget with incredible food options and charming locals.
Bali Travel Advice
Before we get into our recommendations, let’s begin with our Bali travel advice.
- The best time to visit Bali is from April to October, when Bali is driest, with July and August tending to be the most popular months.
- Transportation: Scooters are a popular way to travel the island, but you need to know how to drive one before renting or you can use Gojek and Grab to have someone transport you on a motorbike. You can also hire a private driver or use taxis.
- Currency: Cards are mostly accepted in touristy areas, but it’s better to keep Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) on you for all local activities, market shopping, etc.
- Dress: In touristy areas like Bali beaches, you can typically wear what you want, but in more local areas, it’s more respectful to dress modestly and wear sarongs when visiting Bali temples.
The Best Bali Beaches
Bali truly has some of the most picturesque coastlines, but that’s not to say every beach in Bali is the best for swimming and relaxing.
Some of our top Bali beach recommendations are:
- Padang Padang Beach: In Uluwatu, Padang Padang Beach is one of the best beaches for surfing. It is a small beach, but very Instagrammable and worth a short visit.
- Blue Point Beach: Also known as Suluban Beach, this beach has a dramatic cliff access and is located in Uluwatu with clean swimming water and beautiful caves and rocks with a strong surfing community.
- Karma Beach: This is one of the most beautiful beaches in Bali, with a relaxed setting for couples and a backdrop to many proposals! It’s also great for adventure with canoeing, bodyboarding, snorkeling, and paddleboarding on offer.
- Nusa Dua Beach: Nusa Dua has some of the cleanest beaches in Bali, compared to more unkept areas like Seminyak, perfect for swimming or just taking a stroll. The smaller waves also make it ideal for kids.
- The Gili Island Beaches: These are a group of tiny islands near Bali and are worth the trip over if you want some seclusion and relaxation with no automobiles allowed on the islands!
The Top Bali Temples
A visit to the best Bali temples is a must if you want to learn more about the culture and spirituality of Bali.
Some popular choices are:
- Tirta Empul: One of the most amazing water temples in Bali. The Balinese often come here if they feel depressed, as they believe that the water is purifying.
- Tanah Lot: Built in the 16th century, this temple is the best place to see the sunset.
- Ulun Danu: This is one of the most photographed temples in Bali, reflected by the lake with a misty mountain backdrop.
- Gunung Kawi: An 11th-century temple carved into a cliff located by the Pakerisan river.
- Pura Lempuyang: Also known as Heaven’s Gate, this temple is connected on two levels by a long, steep staircase. It is 100% of the most picturesque temples in Bali!
Best Bali Resorts
Now, where to stay in Bali? Bali has everything from treehouses to private villas and resorts.
For the no-stress, laidback celebrations, these are some of our favorite resort picks:
- ANYA Resort: This is a huge resort in Bali with plenty of dining options and activities, a hydrotherapy pool, and a gorgeous beach.
- Grand Hyatt Bali: With 41 acres and a prime beachfront, the Grand Hyatt Bali is a family-friendly resort with exceptional service and lots of immersive dining options.
- Four Seasons Jimbaran Bay: This beautiful resort consists of well-maintained villas with two pools, a spa, and excellent dining options.
- Anantara Ubud: A nature escape in the Balinese jungles, with a stunning view of the rice terraces, this hotel's villas have private plunge pools with delicious alfresco dining options, and honor Balinese traditions with a traditional spa.
- Andaz Bali: This hotel is more for adults with a serene, laid-back design. There are free bicycles to move around the resort, and you get your own lagoon pool by your villa. There are also incredible restaurants on offer.
Best Things To Do In Bali
There are so many things to do in Bali, from exploring temples to hiking and trying traditional Balinese coffee.
- Try some Balinese coffee: Bali is well known for its tea, but it also has exceptional coffee, some of the most well-known is Kopi Luwak.
- See the rice terraces: The rice terraces in Bali truly are stunning, with the Tegalalang rice terrace being one of the most famous for photography.
- Visit the waterfalls: Bali has some of the best waterfalls, some to name are Tukad Cepung, Leke Leke, Gitgit, and Banyumala.
- Watch the sunrise over a volcano: Do the Mount Batur sunrise trek in Bali, this is an active volcano where you hike overnight to see the most stunning sunrise.
- Nyang Nyang Beach: A secluded, long white beach in Bali with turquoise waters and an untouched atmosphere. It’s hard to reach but worth the journey.
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