Bali, Indonesia

Enigmatic Bali is the proverbial jewel in the crown of Indonesian tourism. Bali sits in the middle of Indonesia, decked with an abundance of mountains, rocky coastlines and sandy beaches. Bali is a favorite destination for many people around the world and it’s easy to see why! From its list of unending idyllic beaches, captivating spiritual energy, terraced rice fields and exotic sunsets. There is so much to see and experience on this magnificent island paradise!

Going to Bali feels like going on a never-ending adventure – there is an activity to suit every soul! Experience surfing, yoga, meditation, trekking, delicious food or amazing nightlife. Certain areas of Bali have been influenced by tourism, with hubs of cute cafes, hip bars, and vegan restaurants. Other areas are still quite remote, maintaining their uniquely Balinese beauty and charm.

Bali Geography

Among 17,500 islands across the Indonesian archipelago, Bali is one of the 33 provinces of the Republic of Indonesia, the largest archipelagic country in the world, made up of 2,000,000 km2 of land with a chain of islands stretching over 500,000 km from Sumatra to Papua, and covers territorial waters of more than 5,000,000 km2.

Situated between Java and Lombok, the island of Bali is located 8 to 9 degrees south of the equator with the Java Sea to the north, the Indian Ocean to the south. Bali’s covers an area of 5,636 km2 or 0.29% of Indonesia, measuring just 90km long the north-south axis and less than about 140km from west to east.

Divided into three areas of water, the North Bali Sea is about 3,168km2, the East about 3.350km2, and the West about 2,982km2. Bali Sea covers an area of 9,500km2. The North Bali sea runs along the coastline of Buleleng, the East Bali Sea runs along the coastline of Karangasem, Klungkung and Gianyar, and the West Bali Sea include the coastline of Badung Tabanan and Jembrana.

What to see in Bali

1. Kuta Beach

Once a sleepy fishing village, Kuta gained fame as a great spot for surfing during the 1970s, and it has remained Bali’s premier vacation destination ever since. Located on the southern point of the island in the village of Kelurahan, the long, broad stretch of sand one of the best-maintained and most scenic beaches on the island. Known for its active nightlife, the southern section of the beach is usually crowded, day or night. A short stroll to the north end of the beach, however, offers visitors a quiet sense of solitude.

2. Ubud

Perched among the terraced rice fields that climb up the foothills of Bali’s central mountains, Ubud is considered the island’s cultural heart. Ubud is home to the island’s most important museums, including the Neka Art Museum with its expansive collection of Balinese paintings. There are dance and music performances every day throughout the city as well as numerous art galleries and craft shops to explore. Although Ubud has long been valued as a great place to learn about Balinese culture, tourism in Ubud boomed exponentially after it was featured in the book and movie “Eat, Pray, Love.” Fortunately, it only takes a short walk or bicycle ride to escape from the crowds and commercialism. Ubud is surrounded by gently rolling rice paddies which create a beautiful impression of greenness.

3. Tanah Lot Temple

This famous sea temple is a religious and cultural landmark, cherished for its natural beauty. Perched on an offshore rock by the ocean, it has an idyllic backdrop of the vast blue, and is itself a spectacular backdrop for a magnificent selfie, especially at sunset.

4. Uluwatu Temple

Sitting at the edge of a magnificent cliff, this awe-inspiring temple has more cultural value than meets the eye. As a tourist you get to learn about the local customs in your visit, with traditional dance and drama performances atmospherically taking place at sunset.

While it’s not the highest point on Bali, Mount Batur is situated on one of the island’s most dramatic landscapes. Dominating the northeastern section of Bali, the 1,717-meter (5,633-foot) peak is a sometimes-active volcano that includes four craters, a lake and several villages. Climbing to the top of Mount Batur to watch the sunrise is a popular activity. It’s a relatively easy climb that anyone in reasonable shape can achieve in around two hours. Visitors also come to Mount Batur to see Pura Ulun Danu Batur, one of Bali’s nine major Hindu temples.

6. The sacred monkey forest

Bali, the paradise island of Indonesia, is known for its natural beauty and protected wildlife. One of the well known forest reserves is the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud. As per the legend, the forest is home to thousands of monkeys who are said to be the guardians of the forest god.

7. Lovina

The largest resort area on the north coast of Bali, Lovina is best known for the black volcanic sand of its 5-mile beach. Encompassing several small villages, the area is a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving adventures as the northern waters are calmer than those to the south. Local skippers operating the traditional outriggers known as perahu stand ready to take visitors to the best diving areas. The calm sea is perfect for swimming and dolphin watching too, making the area an ideal vacation destination for families.

8. Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida island had gained quite a popularity with time that almost everyone visiting Bali take a trip to this beautiful island. If you want to get access to the unspoiled beauty of Bali, you should definitely put Nusa Penida on your list of the places to visit on your Bali vacation. This is surely among the best Bali tourist attractions. You may not find many restaurants or hotels to stay on the island. Though it has numerous lagoons and temples that you can visit.

Shopping in Bali

If you haven't already shopped your way through Bali’s markets, consider the delightful goodies they offer to all classes of shoppers reason enough. Inspired by the architecture of high-end metropolitan malls, the structured, brightly lit and opulent Bali Collection mall could just be at the top of our wish list. Find gem-studded jewels designed by honed Balinese artisans alongside some hot faves in imitation jewellery at the Celuk Market. Shopping for local handicrafts, wooden carvings, Kamasan style paintings, etc. at the Sukawati Art Market is the best gift you can give to yourself. Visit the shop-lined streets of Kuta Square and it's like you've just fallen onto the runway of your favourite designer. Score items from any label you could possibly love, from the classic (Gucci, Versace and Armani) to the new and sporty ones and everything in between. And if your heart beats for artsy stuff, you will fall in love with Tegallalang Handicrafts Village. Look below at our guides for all the info you need.

What to eat in Bali

Balinese food has been influenced by Chinese, Indian, and Middle Eastern cuisine and mixed with indigenous recipes over thousands of years. The basis of most Indonesian/Balinese cooking is chili, garlic, shallots, and coconut oil. Depending on the dish, various spices and fresh ingredients will be added to create amazing cuisine. The different areas across Bali have their own distinctive variations to all meals, which just add to the foodie adventures. Bali’s most popular dish is Nasi Goreng. A fragrant rice dish made from chicken, prawns, and vegetables, topped with shredded omelet or a fried egg, I find it to be the ultimate in comfort food.

Best Time to Visit Bali

The best time to visit Bali is during the island’s dry season. From May to October, you won’t have to worry about rain ruining any outdoor activities, and humidity levels are low all summer.

If you don’t mind the short rainstorms, visit Bali between November and April. There are still plenty of things to do, and it’s the cheapest time to go!

How to Reach Bali

Being the most popular holiday destination in Indonesia, Bali is well connected to different parts of the world. The best way to get to Bali from India is by air. One can get flights to Ngurah Rai International Airport also called Denpasar International Airport located in Southern Bali from all the major international airports in India. The total distance between India and Bali is 5829 km and it takes approximately 9 hours to reach Bali from India.