Bali: Travel Guide and Tips
Bali is one of those places that is difficult to tell simply as a seaside destination. It is an island made of contrasts: Hindu temples surrounded by greenery, terraced rice fields, hidden waterfalls in the jungle, busy streets, small villages, beach clubs, sunsets over the Indian Ocean and luxury resorts where you can completely slow down the pace.
It is precisely this combination that makes Bali so special. In a few days you can move from the spiritual and almost mystical atmosphere of Ubud to the coast of Jimbaran, where the landscape changes completely and the sea becomes the protagonist.
On my trip I chose exactly this approach: first Ubud, to immerse myself in the greener, most cultural and spiritual Bali; then the south coast, staying at the AYANA Bali, to end the trip between beaches, temples, swimming pools, sunsets and relaxation.
If you are planning your first trip to Bali, this is one of the best combinations in my opinion.
Bali: where it is and why go there
Bali is part of Indonesia and is one of the more than 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago. Is it located between the island of Java, to the west, and Lombok, to the east, and is crossed by the Equator line? No: Bali is located just south of the Equator, in a tropical location that determines a warm climate throughout the year.
The capital is Denpasar, while the main international airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), located in the southern part of the island, not far from Kuta, Seminyak, Jimbaran and Nusa Dua.
Bali is known as the Island of the Gods, and is not just a tourist slogan: the Balinese Hindu religion is an integral part of everyday life. Temples, floral offerings, processions and ceremonies are part of the landscape as much as rice fields and palm trees.
The result is an extremely scenic destination, but also culturally very interesting.
How to get to Bali
For those leaving from Europe or the United States, the journey is inevitably long. Often you have to plan at least one stopover, usually in one of the great hubs of the Middle East or Asia or for Australian travelers there are many options for direct flights.
The reference airport is Ngurah Rai International Airport, indicated by the DPS code. An important tip: do not organize the first day of Bali as a day full of visits.
After an intercontinental trip, Bali traffic and jet lag can make travel much longer than it looks on paper. Better to arrive, move to the hotel and really start exploring the next day
Documents and entry to Bali: what to know
This is probably the part to check most carefully before departure, because Indonesian procedures may change. For citizens for whom visa exemption is available, the Visa on Arrival (VoA) is available. The VoA normally allows an initial stay of 30 days, with the possibility of extension once. The cost indicated by the Indonesian immigration is 500,000 IDR.
The passport must have a residual validity of at least 6 months at the time of visa application.
Then there is another thing that often surprises those who visit Bali for the first time: the Foreign Tourist Levy, a tourist tax intended to protect the culture and environment of the island. The amount is currently IDR 150,000 per person and you pay only once during your stay in Bali. Payment can be made online through the official Love Bali system, before arrival. At the end, a voucher with QR code is generated that you should keep on your phone. My advice is simple: do it before leaving, so when you arrive you have already arranged one of the bureaucratic procedures.
How many days do you need for Bali?
Bali seems small on the map, but don’t be fooled by the distances. Traffic can be heavy and a few kilometers can take a long time. For this reason, rather than focusing on the number of kilometers, it is better to divide the trip by zones.
For a first trip I consider ideal at least 7-10 days, while with two weeks you can explore the island much more calmly.
The combination I recommend is:
Ubud → south coast of Bali
In this way you get a very balanced trip:
- Nature and rice fields;
- Temples;
- Waterfalls;
- Balinese culture;
- Kitchen;
- Swimming pools and resorts;
- Beaches;
- Sunsets;
- Nightlife and beach club.
First stop: Ubud, the green heart of Bali
If this is your first time in Bali, Ubud should be practically mandatory.
It is the part of the island that best represents the image that many have of Bali: rice fields, tropical forests, temples, small villages, Hindu statues and roads that get lost in the green. Ubud is considered the cultural and artistic center of the island and is surrounded by spectacular countryside. The rice terraces of Tegallalang, in particular, are among the most representative landscapes of this area.
Where to stay: Bambootel
For my stay I chose Bambootel, a structure perfectly in line with the atmosphere of Ubud. The beauty of staying outside the most chaotic center is precisely being able to experience the most natural side of the island: vegetation, silence, rice fields and architecture immersed in nature. Bambootel is located in the Mas area, south of Ubud, and is therefore a good base for exploring the attractions of the area without necessarily being immersed in downtown traffic. My advice is therefore not to necessarily choose a hotel in the center of Ubud. If you have a car with a private driver, a structure surrounded by greenery can make the experience much more pleasant.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
One of the first images that come to mind thinking about Bali are the terraced rice fields. The Tegallalang Rice Terraces are among the most famous on the island and are located north of Ubud. The traditional Balinese agricultural system is based on the subak, an ancient community irrigation organization that is one of the most important elements of Bali’s cultural landscape. The best way to visit them is not to limit yourself to the viewpoint. Go down the paths and walk among the terraces: the landscape is constantly changing and, especially in the morning, the light is spectacular. It is one of the most photographed attractions in Bali and during central hours it can become very crowded so my advice is to go there early.
Tirta Empul: the spiritual side of Bali
One of the temples I recommend the most in the Ubud area is Tirta Empul. The complex is famous above all for its sacred springs and for the purification ritual called melukat. Here you can perceive very well a fundamental characteristic of Bali: religion is not something separate from everyday life, but is continuously present. Visiting a Balinese temple therefore also means observing the local culture. Remember, however, that these are religious places, not just tourist attractions. It is important to dress appropriately and respect the rules of the temple.
The waterfalls around Ubud
Another reason to dedicate at least a few days to this area are the waterfalls. Among those that can be included in the itinerary are Kanto Lampo and Tegenungan, both very scenic. Kanto Lampo, in particular, is a waterfall characterized by a series of rocks on which water descends creating small natural levels. It is also a place considered sacred by the local community, so it is important to behave with respect. The waterfalls are beautiful, but they have a small contraindication: to reach them you often have to walk and take stairs, so don’t consider the visit a simple photographic walk.
Ubud and Monkey Forest
In the center of Ubud is the famous Sacred Monkey Forest. It is a huge green space where forest, temples and macaques coexist within the same complex. It is one of the most famous attractions in Ubud and allows you to combine nature and culture in a single visit. An important recommendation: do not bring too much food, glasses, hats or easily graspable objects near monkeys. They are wild animals and can be much more resourceful than the photographs suggest. Ubud also offers temples and the beautiful Ubud Palace as well as the market, essential stops in a day in the city.
Second part of the trip: the south coast of Bali
After Ubud, my advice is to move to the coast. It is here that Bali completely changes its face. The green of the interior gradually leaves room for cliffs, the Indian Ocean, beaches and large resorts.
For the second part of the trip I chose AYANA Bali, in the Jimbaran area. And it was a deliberate choice: after a few days dedicated to temples, rice fields and waterfalls, I wanted a more relaxing and luxurious part of the trip.
Staying at AYANA Bali
AYANA is not just a hotel. The resort is so big that you can easily occupy a substantial part of the day without having to go out. Swimming pools, beaches, restaurants, bars, spas and several viewpoints are distributed within the complex. The location on the cliff and the view of the Indian Ocean are probably the real strong point. Among the experiences not to be missed there is definitely Kubu Beach, a small white sand bay reachable inside the resort. It is completely different from the great tourist beaches of Bali: more collected, scenic and very pleasant to spend a few hours.
Rock Bar: the sunset not to be missed
If you stay at AYANA, one of the experiences that I consider practically mandatory is the Rock Bar. The bar is built directly on the cliff and overlooks the Indian Ocean. The best time is of course the sunset. The structure develops along about 270 meters of coastline and access is via an inclinator that goes down towards the bar. You don’t necessarily need to go there for dinner: even a drink at sunset is enough to live the experience. However, book in advance, especially if you want to go right at sunset. There are also some possibilities for AYANA guests of priority access to certain areas.
Uluwatu and the temple on the cliff
One of the most beautiful excursions to do from the Jimbaran area is south, in the Bukit peninsula. Here is Uluwatu Temple, one of the most spectacular temples in Bali, built on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. It is a destination that I recommend especially in the late afternoon. The cliff landscape is impressive and the sunset makes the atmosphere even more evocative. But beware of monkeys here too: they can be very skilled at subtracting small objects from visitors.
The beaches of the Bukit peninsula
The Uluwatu area is also the right one to go in search of the most spectacular beaches in southern Bali. Among the best known there are:
- Padang Padang
- Balangan
- Dreamland
- Suluban Beach
- Thomas Beach
Don’t necessarily expect the classic tropical beaches with always calm water. Many beaches in the south are characterized by cliffs, waves and surf. They are spectacular especially for the landscape.
Jimbaran Bay
The Jimbaran area is also famous for its seafood restaurants on the beach. It’s a completely different experience than the Rock Bar: much more informal, with tables on the sand and a view of the sea. The best time is once again the sunset. After a few days spent between resorts and temples, a dinner on the beach can be a perfect way to end the day.
How to get around Bali
This is probably one of the most important aspects to understand before you leave. Bali is not a destination where it is convenient to rely exclusively on the distances indicated by Google Maps. Traffic can be very heavy, especially in more touristy areas. For longer excursions, I personally recommend using a private driver for the day.
It is a very convenient solution because it allows you to organize different stages without constantly worrying about parking, traffic or orientation.
For short trips, however, taxis and ride-hailing apps are widely used. In more touristy areas it is generally easy to organize travel.
When to go?
Bali has a tropical climate and, in general, there are a drier and a more humid season. The driest months are generally those between May and October, while the rainy season mainly affects the following period. However, this does not mean that it rains continuously in the wet season. In fact, showers are often intense but relatively short. The real problem to consider is rather the fact that the climate can completely change the experience of some activities: waterfalls, rice fields, beaches and sunsets are very sensitive to weather conditions.
Bali: is it worth it?
Absolutely yes, but on one condition: don’t just expect a seaside destination. Bali gives the best of herself when combining very different experiences. A morning among the rice fields of Ubud, a temple immersed in the jungle, a waterfall, a Balinese lunch, a few hours in the pool, a beach on the south coast and finally a cocktail watching the sun set over the Indian Ocean. It is precisely this variety that makes the island special.
And perhaps the best way to describe Bali is precisely this: a journey in which nature, spirituality, luxury and everyday life surprisingly manage to coexist in the same place.
For me, the combination of Ubud + south coast was the one that allowed both souls of the island to live: first the green, spiritual and authentic one; then the sophisticated, seaside and decidedly more glamorous one.
And it is precisely this balance that I would recommend to anyone who is preparing their first trip to Bali.
