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13 Top Things To Do In Bali, Indonesia

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    Jonathan Chum
    Twitter
    @jchum

Introduction

Bali is a beautiful and exotic destination, a paradise island that attracts millions of tourists each year. It's also one of the most popular places for yoga retreats, so we've put together a list of our favorite things to do in Bali.

Ubud

Ubud, Bali's cultural capital, is home to a community of artists and yoga enthusiasts. It's a great place to learn about Balinese culture and nature; many tourists choose to stay in Ubud for their vacation because it has so much to offer.

  • The Monkey Forest: Located just outside of town, this park is home to over 200 monkeys who are free to roam around the area as they please. Visitors can easily spot these playful creatures while strolling through the dirt trails that wind through this beautiful forest. Be sure not to feed any food items or try to touch them though---it could cause harm!

  • Tirta Empul Temple: Within walking distance from Ubud center is Tirta Empul Temple, one of Bali's most sacred temples dedicated specifically to holy water bathing ceremonies (Tirta). The temple grounds consist of three pools where locals often wash before entering other parts of this complex such as Pura Dalem Puri Penataran Agung Padang Tegalalang (Royal Palace).

Tirta Empul

Tirta Empul is a holy spring in the village of Tampaksiring. The water from the spring is believed to have healing powers and is used for ritual purification by locals and tourists alike. The spring is fed by a natural spring, which has been channeled into pools that are each dedicated to one god or goddess. There are four pools in total: one for Ganesha, one for Brahma (the creator), one for Vishnu (the preserver), and another dedicated to Saraswati (goddess of wisdom).

There are many temples around the area where you can take part in rituals such as bathing ceremonies at the springs, which involve washing your face with water from sacred wells before praying at shrines around Tirta Empul village

Monkey Forest Sanctuary

The Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud is a sacred sanctuary for monkeys. The most popular attraction is the temple that lies at its center, which houses a monkey statue called Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal. As you walk through the gardens, you'll meet many adorable monkeys as well as birds and other wildlife species. Be sure to bring your camera because you'll likely get some great photos!

If you're looking for an exciting adventure, then definitely check out this place! It's fun for all ages and it only takes about 30 minutes by car from Ubud town center so it's easy to find too

Seminyak Beach

Seminyak Beach is one of the best beaches in Bali, and it's also a great place to spend the day relaxing. The beach itself is lined with many restaurants and bars, so you don't have to go far to get food or drinks. If you want to cool off after swimming or snorkeling in the ocean, there are showers located along the beach for this purpose as well.

Tanah Lot

  • Tanah Lot is a stone monument and a popular tourist attraction.

  • It's also a place of worship, with many Balinese people visiting the site to pay their respects to Dewi Danu, the goddess of water.

  • The temple sits in its pool, which is said to have healing properties. You can get closer to this by entering through a cave at one end of Tanah Lot Temple.

  • As we've mentioned before, Bali is famous for its beautiful beaches---and there's no better way to enjoy these than from the top of this tower-like structure!

Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking

If you're looking for a fun way to explore the natural beauty of Bali, then this is the activity for you. Rising to 2,717 meters (8,950 feet), Mount Batur is an active volcano that has been dormant since last erupting in 1963. The volcano has many beautiful spots including waterfalls and hot springs, but perhaps its most popular attraction is the sunrise trek.

The hike begins at 3:30 am (though some people start earlier) and takes around 4 hours to reach the peak of Mount Batur. You'll experience both tropical rainforest and sub-tropical vegetation along with breathtaking views---and if you're lucky enough to arrive at sunrise time, you can watch an incredible display of color as the day breaks over this incredible mountaintop!

Explore the rice paddies

The rice paddies of Bali are a significant part of the island's culture, and visiting them is an essential part of any trip. They can be seen all over the island, but are particularly concentrated in Ubud.

You'll want to make sure that you plan your visit during harvest season to see how it works firsthand. There are plenty of guided tours available if you don't feel comfortable driving yourself or taking public transport (which can be limited at times).

If you're staying in Ubud itself, there are plenty of great hotels with fantastic views of nearby fields as well as attractions like temples within walking distance. The city center has plenty of restaurants so that you'll always have something on hand when hunger strikes!

Go white-water rafting

If you are looking for an activity that the whole family can enjoy, white-water rafting is a great option. There are many places to go white-water rafting in Bali, so you have a wide range of options to choose from. Depending on the rapids you want to experience and your level of fitness, you can choose from one-day excursions or multi-day trips. You can also book private tours if there are only two or three people in your group who want to do it (and don't mind paying extra).

Experience Balinese culture in Ubud

Ubud is the cultural center of Bali and has many art galleries, museums, and shops. Its main street is lined with restaurants offering traditional Indonesian fares such as nasi campur (rice with assorted curries), gado-gado (vegetables in peanut sauce), sate lilit (minced meat in banana leaf), and other dishes. Not forgetting the ubiquitous warungs (small roadside stalls), which provide a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy these foods. Ubud also has a large number of high-end restaurants serving Western cuisine for those wanting something different.

There are many things to do in Ubud:

  • Attend Balinese dance performances at local cultural centers or Pura Taman Saraswati temple

  • Learn about Balinese dance at one of the many dance schools

  • Go on tours around rice fields, waterfalls, or through jungle forests where you might spot monkeys playing among trees or hear roosters crowing before dawn

Adventure sports in Nusa Dua

In Nusa Dua, you'll find one of the most popular beaches in Bali. This is where many tourists visit and stay at hotels and resorts. The area has a huge beachfront with lots of activities like swimming, snorkeling, diving, and surfing. There are also several restaurants and bars along the shore if you want to enjoy a meal while watching the sunset over Mount Agung.

The Gili Islands

The Gili Islands are a must-visit for any Bali traveler. The three islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno, and Gili Air are all located in the Lombok Strait and were once known as the Gilis. Each island has its unique character but they do share some similarities.

The best time to visit these islands is between April-November when it's dry season and temperatures are milder than their rainy season counterparts (December-March). The best way to get here is by boat from Bali or Lombok. If you're feeling adventurous there is also a helicopter option which takes around 30 minutes from Bangsal Harbour on Lembongan Island but this can be quite expensive!

Gili Trawangan is the largest of all three islands with plenty of restaurants, bars, shops, and hotels offering everything from budget dorm rooms to luxury bungalows on stilts with private pools overlooking pristine waters that surround them; perfect for snorkeling or trying out some standup paddle boarding (SUP).

Gili Meno offers more serenity with fewer tourists than its larger neighbor where you can find great beaches away from crowds by taking a private boat trip across one of many small mangrove channels between other islands nearby including Pemenang Island which has two beautiful white sand beaches where no motorized boats are allowed so it's perfect if you want peace & quiet away from busy areas!

Waterbom Park

Waterbom Park is one of the most popular water parks in Bali, and it's easy to see why. The park has more than 20 different slides and pools, including a surf simulator and a wave pool. There is something for everyone here, from children to adults, so the whole family can spend a day at Waterbom Park having fun together.

The park also features a variety of restaurants if you get hungry or thirsty during your visit. They sell meals made with fresh ingredients grown on their farm!

Scuba diving with manta rays

Manta rays are the world's largest fish and can reach up to 20 feet in diameter. They are filter feeders and eat plankton, so you can expect to see a lot of them on your dive.

The best place for manta ray diving is near Indonesia's Komodo National Park, where there are two major sites: Blue Corner and Narcondam Reef. They offer PADI courses from beginner up to instructor level as well as day trips if you're not an experienced diver or if time is limited.

If you get lucky enough to see a manta ray while diving, don't worry---they aren't dangerous! Just enjoy the experience and try not to get too close so as not to disrupt their natural behavior or disturb other creatures around them (like sharks).

Conclusion

These are some of the best things to do in Bali. Make sure to plan your trip and get all the necessary permits, so you can maximize your time and have an unforgettable experience.