From the young back-packers to the super rich affluent class – there is something for everyone in Bali. It is quaint, beautiful, clean, safe and a perfect haven for honeymooners or anyone who is keen on spending some quality time with either one’s partner or Mother Nature – that does not mean it’s not a haven for party people – the place is full of life and beauty. So go ahead and take your pick!
Priyanka Saxena Ray
Bali, the famed Island of the Gods, with its varied landscape of hills and mountains, rugged coastlines and sandy beaches, lush rice terraces and barren volcanic hillsides all providing a picturesque backdrop to its colourful, deeply spiritual and unique culture, stakes a serious claim to be paradise on earth. With world-class surfing and diving, a large number of cultural, historical and archaeological attractions, and an enormous range of accommodations, this is one of the world’s most popular island destinations and one which consistently wins travel awards. Bali has something to offer a very broad market of visitors from young back-packers right through to the super-rich.
With a population recorded as 4,521,000 (3 years back) the island is home to a vast majority of Indonesia’s small Hindu minority. Around 93.18 per cent of Bali’s population adheres to Balinese Hinduism, while most of the remainder follow Islam. It is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music.
Though no artefacts or records exist that would date Bali as far back as the Stone Age, it is thought that the very first settlers to Bali emigrated from China in 2500 BC, having created quite the evolved culture by the Bronze era, in around 300BC. This culture included a complex, effective irrigation system, as well as agriculture of rice, which is still used to this day. Bali’s history remained vague for the first few centuries, though many Hindu artefacts have been found, which lead back to the first century, indicating a tie with that religion.
Their culture reflects in their hospitality – their warm and helpful nature and radiant smiles. Bali’s reputation as a tourist destination is already established in the minds of so many people around the world. It is known as a beautiful island with mountains, temples, palaces and visits of terraced rice fields. Bali is known as a place where traditions of art and culture predominate, where the village way of life based on their strong religious beliefs is still in place. But, it is also a place where modern sports such as diving, sailing, rafting and above all surfing have taken hold and are enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year. It is a place where the ultimate luxuries of life: fine dining, spas and massage have reached the peak of perfection. Behind all of this is a single unseen premise; none of these practices, pursuits and pleasures are created as tourist industries in Bali, but are based on the talents, dedication and skills of the Balinese people in their normal course of life.
The friendly people and the overall safety guarantee visitors a totally relaxing stay. Bali is basically easy and safe. And if you respect some basic rules you will not get into trouble and you can roam around on this beautiful Indonesian Island without problems and enjoy a lifestyle atmosphere that is indeed difficult to describe. Check out the hotels, restaurants, activities on our partner site. You can find everything your heart desires – Bali is perfect for backpackers and for super luxury holiday seekers looking for a private villa with cook, driver and spectacular views. The amount of choices at hand can be quite overwhelming. You might look for one of the best surfing experience Indonesia has to offer. If you are seeking a relaxing, luxurious time out and keen on discovering a different culture authentically, stay in the best hotels and resorts that offer you great value for money. Try the Ayodya Resort or the Westin Nusa Dua, which are truly outstanding in their hospitality. If you wish to go beyond, try the Grand Nikko and you will truly be impressed with its ‘grandness’.
Activities in Bali
Bali’s white beaches are a favourite for family holidays. There are a variety of water sports available, such as banana boats, parasailing or jet skiing, swimming or plain sunbathing. Cruises to the surrounding islands can be taken from here as well as submarine dives to watch the tropical underwater life from within safe compartments.
Most well known among Bali’s beaches is the Kuta Beach, the best spot to watch dramatic sunsets. Further back along this stretch are an array of hotels – ranging from five stars to simple home stay – restaurants and shops and cafes, while in the evenings the area throbs to the beat of disco music. Those looking for a quieter evening enjoy the beach at Jimbaran, a popular spot to eat fresh barbecued seafood in the evenings, while watching from a distance the lights of planes landing and taking off from Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport. Located here are some of Bali’s best hotels like the Four Seasons and the Bali Intercontinental hotel. Jimbaran is also renowned for the Barong trance dance.
Further west of Kuta are Legian and Seminyak. On the other side of the peninsula is the more sedate Sanur Beach, which is also dotted with hotels and restaurants, or visit Nusa Dua, where more private beaches front super de-luxe hotels.
Surfing and Diving in Bali
A good start for surfers is Kuta beach. But the best waves in Bali are at Uluwatu, at the southern tip of Bali, which is the site for international competitions. Here are the long, and perfectly formed hollow-barrelled reef-breaks at three unique lefts, while at Nusa Dua and Sanur three complementary rights can be found. The time to surf is during April through September when winds are predominantly east-southeast.
Surfers also love the waves at Nusa Lembongan near Nusa Penida, sister islands due south east of Bali facing the Indian Ocean. These islands are a 45 minutes boat trip from Nusa Dua or from Sanur. Here the waves are known as Playground Surf Break, Shipwreck Surf Break, Ceningan Reef Surf Break to Lacerating Surf Break.
For thrilling dives Bali offers excellent underwater challenges, with a range of options to suit beginners, while others should only be attempted by advanced divers.
At Nusa Penida, there are strong currents as this strait separates Bali from Lombok. At Nusa Penida’s south western coast are the Manta Point and the Malibu point where divers can swim with Travally, big rays and even sharks. At Blue Corner find Moia Moia fish. At Bali‘s most eastern end is Padang Bay and Cemeluk, better known as Amed Beach for great dives, where you can find cardinal fish, black snappers and damsel fish. While along Bali’s north-western coast in the Bali Barat National Park, the best dive spots are at Menjangan with its reef flat, anchor wreck, eel garden and caves to explore. Nearby and still in the Bali Barat Park is Pemutaran Island.
Rafting, Cycling and Eco-tours
Bali offers first class adrenaline pumping white water rafting down the spectacular Ayung River by Ubud. Here you can also go bungee-jumping from a cliff down to almost touch the river. If you enjoy cycling, Ubud and its surrounding is a wonderful town to bike around, as found by Elizabeth Gilbert, written in her bestselling novel “Eat, Pray, Love”. There are also good cycling paths at Uluwatu in the south.
Mountain climbers may want to climb up Gunung Agung. Begin your ascent from behind the temple or through the village of Sebudi. However, make sure to ask permission first from the temple authorities, as Balinese religion prescribes that no one may stand higher than the sacred temple especially when ceremonies are being held. The tough climb takes 6 to 8 hours, and you are recommended to start out early in the morning, and be led by an experienced guide.
Bali Barat National Park
For serious trekking, head for the Bali Barat National Park at the western part of the island. This is a large park covering 76,312 hectares in the districts of Jembrana and Buleleng. Entrance at the Jembrana side is at Melaya off the Denpasar-Gilimanuk highway. The Park offers pristine tropical nature, and is the last home of the most endangered Bali starling with only some one hundred remaining. These are very pretty white birds, with black wing tips and a brilliant blue streak around their eyes. Here is also the endangered wild Javan buffalo or banteng, with only 30 to 40 left living deep in the forest. Other animals are the rusa deer, the mouse deer, leopards, civets, macaques and a number of species of monkeys.
Visitors to Bali Barat must first obtain a permit available free of charge at Cekik, at Labuhan Lalang or at the Forestry Ministry office at Renon, Denpasar. Although shelters are available, trekkers must bring their own bedding, mosquito protection, food, water and utensils. There are simple hotels at Labuhan Lalang or at Gilimanuk and Negara.
Shopping
Bali is an island that produces great artists and artisans, where creativity exudes from every village. Painters, woodcarvers and dancers are experts, with artistic traditions handed down from generation to generation. Your best buy in Bali, therefore, will be paintings. For best paintings visit at leisure the galleries at Ubud, and admire artists at work, before you decide which painting you like best. Most Balinese paintings go best with a Bali carved wooden frame. For fine woodcarvings, go to the village of Mas, where are the master woodcarvers. If you are looking for gold or silver jewellery, head to the village of Celuk. But if you are thinking of bringing home souvenirs for friends and relatives, your best bet is the souvenir market at Sukowati, where you may be overwhelmed by choice. For casual and chic summer wear the place to browse is Kuta, which has a large variety of boutiques and shops, selling everything from bright T-shirts, surf- wear, flip-flops to creative trinkets. If you wish to buy dried food stuffs, Bali coffee is most aromatic. You may also want to buy aromatherapy essential oils to sprinkle your bath with.
Spa and Wellness
Bali today has become the leader of Spas in South East Asia. Almost all deluxe hotels offer unique top class Spa facilities where guests enjoy luxurious treatment and pampering, for which Indonesia is so justly famous. Here you will be spoilt with aromatherapy massages, herbal wraps and scrubs with essential oils, foot reflexology, detoxification, from highly respected traditional treatments once only enjoyed by princesses in the ancient courts, to modern technology methods. Two spa resorts in Bali offer thalasso therapy, based on the restorative powers of the sea rich in miner and oligo elements that are massaged in and absorbed into the bloodstream to restore the balance in the body.
A number of spas are set amidst breathtaking views of green hillsides and winding rivers or jut out to sea where the lapping of the waves of the Indian Ocean provides peace and rest. Each spa has its own unique feature. Most incorporate salon treatment for facials, cream bath, manicures and pedicures, everything to make you feel refreshed and come out feeling completely different person.
A weekend at Bagus Jati provides the opportunity to enjoy delicious, healthy food, lots of activities and pampering in a tropical forest. Here the Indonesian herbal treatment or “Jamu” restores the body, mind and spirit, cleansing the body from all toxins. Regular Yoga exercises complete the course.
