Where to Stay and What to See in Bali

Dear Traveler,


 Where to stay in Balí?

The majority of accommodations (ranging from hostels to 5-star resorts) are concentrated in the southern part of the island, in near proximity to the Airport. Southwest of the airport, Kuta is popular among backpackers, Seminyak & Jimbaran Bay area are known for its five-star resorts, brand-name shopping, and gourmet dining. On the southeast side of the island, the town of Sanur is a low key vacation spot, known for its relaxed vibe, art, and local crafts scene. Settled by the Dutch in the early 1900s, Sanur draws a lot of European families seeking a quiet and relaxing getaway. South of Sanur, Nusa Dua area is another alternative for discerning travelers offering luxury resorts and long sandy beaches. If you scuba dive, the majority of dive resorts are situated on the East Coast, where one can find world-class dive sites. 
Seeking healing and wellness? The cultural heart of Balí, the town of Ubud, located in the midlands of the island shouldn't be missed. The "Island of the Gods" is world famous for its natural healers and eco yoga retreats (check out Floating Leaf, eco-luxury retreat), with their main concentration in Ubud. 
Travel Tip:  
To optimize your vacation experience, stay in two different parts of the island like Ubud ( to immerse in the local culture) and Nusa Dua (beach vacation).
Travel Tip: 
 Although Seminyak offers a wide choice of upscale hotels and nightlife, If you expect to bask on the beach and go for a swim, Seminyak might not be the right choice. The beach is not well maintained and the water is rough.

                                                                              Traditional boat, Sanur beach

                                                     Sanur boardwalk where local artists display their art for sale

A few ideas on what to See in Bali for a Week: 
With its diverse landscape of hills and mountains, dramatic coastlines, and sandy beaches, paired with a rich cultural heritage and archaeological sites, Bali can satisfy a wide range of travel tastes.
Travel Tip:  
To optimize your stay, arrange most of your activities ahead of time.

                                                                                         Kecak dance show
  • Reserve a show to see the unique Kecak dance during sunset in Uluwatu temple.
My husband and I  found that a great introduction to the Balinese culture was seeing a traditional Balinese dance show on the first day of our arrival. There are many dance performances to choose from that take place in various temples, but arguably, one of the most scenic settings is in Uluwatu Temple. It is a public temple built in natural dramatic settings, on top of a cliff with the Indian Ocean splashing underneath. We arranged a private driver with Bali Golden Tour.
​Travel Tip:
If you can visit Uluwatu Temple during the week vs the weekend to avoid the crowds

                                                                                         Luwak Coffee sampling

                                                                                       Local craftsman
  • Visit a coffee plantation near Ubud to sample Luwak Coffee or a craftsman village
Did you know that in Balí you can sample one of the most expensive coffees in the World? It goes for $600 per pound... The coffee, known as the "poop coffee" is produced by beans "pre-eaten" by a particular species of indigenous cat (the Kopi Luwak). ...Since the beans are required to be pre-eaten, this variety of coffee is sometimes referred to, tongue-in-cheek, as "cat-poo-chino"....At any rate, it's a great option is to see the Luwak cat and then learn about the production techniques for this specialty at the Lumbung Sari House near Ubud.

Floating Leaf, one of the premier yoga retreats in Ubud

                                                                                           Canang offering 
  • Stay or visit Ubud, Bali's cultural and spiritual center.
The town is surrounded by a lush rainforest and terraced paddies dotted with Hindu temples. Once a sleepy town, today Ubud is renowned for its world-class yoga retreats and its natural healers (after Eat, Pray, Love movie put it on the traveler's map). Consider spending at least two or three days there.
Travel Tip: 
Typically the natural healers must be reserved ahead of time and a local guide can help you to make the arrangements

                                                                                Pura Ulun Danu Bratan
  • Visit the scenic Balinese temples
Did you know that Bali is also known as the "Island of Thousand Temples"? Some people say that there are more temples than houses. The Balinese word for temple is "Pura" and the number three has an important significance. Temples are divided into three spaces: an outer courtyard, in addition to two holier inner yards. Each temple also has spaces of worship the three chief Hindu deities: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. Within the Balinese village, there is something called the "Three temple system". Among the Must-See are Pura Besakih (the "mother temple") Uluwatu (built on the top of a cliff), Tanah Lot (famous for its spectacular sunsets), Pura Ulun Danu Bratan ("floating temple"), Taan Ayun (the Royal Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Pura Tirta Empul (Holy Water Temple).

                                                                        Jatiluwih terraces after rain

                                                                                    Subak irrigation system
  • Visit Jatiluwih emerald green rice terraces
Although you can see rice fields everywhere in Balí, the most beautiful as the name refers to, is "Jatiluwih". Located in the remote part of west Balí, Jatiluwih is difficult to access, unless you hire a local guide. These rice terraces are comprised of over 600 hectares of rice fields and the emerald green color is contributed to the Balinese Irrigation system known as "Subak" that dates back to the 9th Century. Today Jatiluwih is on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

                                                                                    At Manta Point
  • Go scuba or snorkeling
Balí is one of the best places on our planet to see the wonders of the underwater world. The island is part of the Coral Triangle (a geographical area that covers the tropical waters of Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Timur), and recognized as a global center of marine biodiversity.
Travel Tip:
 If you scuba dive, some must-explore dive sites are the Tulamben shipwreck and Manta Point by Nusa Penida (click Best dive sites Balí for the complete list). Located in the southeast part of the island, the town of Sanur is a convenient jump-off point to many of them.

                                                                  The Monkey Forest in Ubud
  • Visit the "Monkey Forest" in Ubud
​The Ubud Monkey Forest is a sanctuary and natural habitat of the Balinese long-tailed macaque monkeys. Keep your sunglasses, cameras, and jewelry secure- Monkeys are notorious for stealing!

Ready to start planning your adventure in Bali?

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