WELCOME TO BALI (Selamat Datang di Bali)

Bali is a tropical wonderland full of beautiful beaches, lush jungles, ancient temples, vibrant nightlife, a fascinating culture and smiling locals.  To help you plan you can use these Travel Guide pages to help you select the best areas to visit, find the hidden things to do, as well as the tried and tested places to eat.

BALINESE CULTURE:

Balinese culture is a vibrant blend of spirituality, art, and daily rituals, deeply rooted in Hindu traditions unique to the island. Known as “Tri Hita Karana,” the Balinese philosophy of harmony between people, nature, and the divine shapes everyday life.

Temples are everywhere and are more than just places of worship, they are the heart of village life. Ceremonies are frequent, colourful, and often accompanied by gamelan music and traditional dance. If lucky you might just find yourself caught in a procession of locals dressed in bright sarongs and flower offerings as part of a temple festival or family ceremony.

Art and craftsmanship are part of the culture, from stone carving and batik to the intricate work of silversmiths. Dance and storytelling, especially through performances like the Barong or Legong, reflect myths, history, and spiritual beliefs.

Despite Bali’s popularity with tourists, traditions remain strong. The Balinese calendar is packed with religious and cultural events, such as Nyepi (the Day of Silence), Galungan, and Kuningan.

Community and family are central. Most villages are close-knit, and life revolves around the banjar (local council). Offerings, or canang sari, are placed daily in homes, shops, and temples as acts of gratitude and balance.

This rich cultural heritage is what gives Bali its intrinsic charm timeless, deeply spiritual, and beautifully expressed in daily life.

WHERE TO STAY

·       Ubud – Culture and Nature

o   Think rice terraces, yoga, temples, and monkey forests.

o   Great for digital nomads, art lovers, and wellness seekers.

·       Seminyak – Trendy and Social

o   Boutique shopping, beach bars, and Instagram-ready cafes.

o   Best for foodies, fashionistas, and party-lovers.

·       Canggu – Surf and Sunset Vibes

o   Laid-back surfer town meets boho influencer paradise.

o   Beach clubs, coworking spaces, smoothie bowls galore.

·       Uluwatu – Dramatic Cliffs, Beaches and Luxe Resorts

o   Dreamy ocean views, high-end resorts, world-class surf spots.

o   Perfect for honeymooners, surfers or sunset chasers.

·       Amed – Quiet Escape

o   Ideal for diving, snorkeling, and disconnecting.

o   Way less touristy. Bring reef shoes.

·       Gili Islands – Tropical escape with no traffic

o   Swim with turtles and snorkel coral reefs

o   Island-hop between Trawangan, Air, and Meno

·       Legian – Beach days, sunsets and shopping

o   Wide sandy beach with beginner surf

o   Relaxed nightlife, mid-range hotels, market shopping

·       Lovina – Dolphins, hot springs, and calm vibes

o   Sunrise dolphin-watching boat trips

o   Visit waterfalls and hot springs nearby

·       Nusa Dua – Polished resorts and calm beaches

o   Gated beachfront luxury and family resorts

o   Great for sunrise walks and Sunday brunches

·       Nusa Lembongan – Quiet island charm, ocean views and sunsets

o   Surf, snorkel, see mantas and scooter the coast

o   Connect to Nusa Ceningan via the Yellow Bridge

·       Nusa Penida – Wild cliffs and epic views

o   Iconic photo spots like Kelingking Beach

o   Best explored by scooter or private driver

·       Sanur – Relaxed, retro beach town, Euro and older crowd

o   Long paved beach path for bikes

o   Calm water and laid-back cafes

·       Jimbaran – Seafood, sunsets, and soft sands

o   Dine on the beach at sunset

o   Quiet bay with swimmable waters

·       West Bali National Park – Nature, reefs, and remote beauty

o   Snorkel or dive Menjangan Island

o   Trek through forest and spot deer and rare birds

·       Sidemen – Rice fields and slow living

o   Explore terraces and traditional villages

o   Great base for Mount Agung treks and rafting

FOOD AND DRINK

With over 16,000 restaurants in Bali you will be guaranteed not to go hungry!  In most of the tourist centres you will find budget through to high-end restaurants serving delicious Western, Asian and Indonesian cuisines, as well as local warungs, food markets and cart vendors offering both Indonesian and Balinese specialties.  For those who cannot live without a fast food fix, the usual multinational restaurant chains are also established in the southern parts of Bali.  Each of the Travel Guide pages will give you some recommended restaurants and bars to try.  Also keep an eye out for regular updates on newly opened restaurants.

·   Must-Try Local Dishes:

o   Nasi Goreng – Fried rice with egg. Basic but beautiful. Ask for ayam if you would like chicken added.

o   Mie Goreng – Fried noodles, Bali-style.

o   Babi Guling – Spit-roasted suckling pig (a Balinese specialty that often sells out before lunch time).

o   Sate Lilit – Spiced minced meat on lemongrass sticks.

o   Tempeh – Vegetarian friendly fermented soybeans, served crispy or in curry.

o   Nasi Campur – Rice with mixed meats, vegetables, sambal, and traditional Balinese flavours.

o   Gorengan – a variety of deep fried fritters normally sold as street food.

o   Ayam Betutu – chicken or duck marinated in spices and slow cooked.

o   Lawar – minced meat, vegetables, and grated coconut, often including blood and a variety of spices.

o   Sate – commonly small chicken or beef pieces cooked over open coals and served on a wooden skewer.

·   Drinking Water?

o   Stick to bottled or filtered water, definitely nothing from a tap.

o   Many hotels, restaurants and cafes offer refill stations – better for your wallet and the planet.

o   Ice from a reputable bar or restaurant is safe to drink.

·  Drinks & Nightlife

o   Bintang is the go-to local beer.

o   Trendy beach bars in Seminyak and Canggu serve up cocktails with an awesome sunset view.

o   Be cautious with cheap local spirits and stick to places that serve imported alcohol.

CULTURE AND ETIQUETTE

·   Temple Rules

o   Wear a sarong and sash (you can use your own, rent or buy them).

o   Women on their period are traditionally asked not to enter temples.

o   Avoid pointing your feet at altars or step over offerings.

·   Daily Offerings

o   The small woven baskets with flowers and incense are called canang sari, and you will see them everywhere.

o   Avoid stepping on them.

o   Take a moment to discreetly watch the process around prayer and placing of these offerings.

·   Shopping Tips

o   Markets are great for souvenirs, sarongs, jewellery and bags.  Check out some of the fixed price market stores along Jl Sahadewa in Legian (Garlic Lane).

o   Haggling is expected in most market stores.  Be polite but do not accept the first price.

o   Boutiques are plentiful in parts of Canggu, Seminyak, and Ubud.  Lots of up and coming designers as well as upmarket labels are available.  Take care with sizing as in many instances it is Asian not Western sizes.

o   Most areas will have a pasar traditional (traditional market), usually opening around 5am and serving goods firmly aimed at the local Balinese.  Do not forget your camera for this and do try some of the food on offer such as dadar gulung.

WELLNESS AND SPIRITUALITY

Bali is known for its strong spiritual energy and traditions that support personal wellbeing. Wellness here is not just a trend, it is part of daily life. From early morning offerings and temple rituals to yoga, massage, and meditation, you will feel a natural rhythm that encourages balance and reflection. Whether you are joining a breathwork class, detoxing at a retreat, receiving a traditional healing, or simply unwinding in nature, Bali offers a peaceful space to reconnect with yourself in a meaningful way.

Ubud is known for its yoga and you can also find healers in many areas.

Massages are cheap and pretty much available everywhere.  Try to look for a spa that offers private rooms and in a peaceful location.  Quality and cleanliness definitely varies between spas and whilst price is often an indicator, it is possible to find a place and therapist who will give you “the best massage you ever had” for less than Rp 200,000.

MUST DO ACTIVITIES

Whilst we all holiday for different reasons, some of the experiences and activities that are unique to Bali include:

·       Watch a Bali sunset at Tanah Lot or Uluwatu Temple.

·       Take a Balinese cooking class in Ubud.

·       Find stunning waterfalls – try Tegenungan, Sekumpul, or Leke Leke.

·       Diving and snorkeling at Menjangan Island, the Nusa Islands or Amed.

·       Hike Mount Batur at sunrise.

·       Explore rice terraces in Tegallalang, Jatiluwih or Sidemen.

FINAL TIPS

·       Do not try to do it all – slow travel is better in Bali.

·       Respect the culture, and you will be welcomed warmly.

·       Expect the unexpected – life in Bali has its quirks like spontaneous ceremonies, power cuts, and slow Wi-Fi!

·       Bring an open mind, a bit of patience, a spirit of adventure and you will Wander Beyond Ordinary.