BALI TRAVEL GUIDE With Map
Updated Jan 2024
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BALI TRAVEL INFO
LANGUAGES | INDONESIAN, BALINESE (English is also widely spoken)
CURRENCY | INDONESIAN RUPIAH
POPULATION | 4.4 million people live on Bali
INTERESTING FACT | Bali is the only Hindu majority Island in all of Indonesia.
After years of dreaming and months of planning, an erupting volcano we had finally made it. Like many eager travellers before us we had packed our bags, and left the UK to backpack around South East Asia.
Our first destination was the almost mythical and legendary island of Bali. With warm tropical weather, incredible natural scenery, turquoise waters and golden beaches it was a dream of a destination.
Neither of us had been this far east before and stepping off the plane, working out an extended visa, navigating the taxi rank to find a ride to our hotel was an invigorating experience.
We had booked ourselves into the nicest hotel we had ever booked for the first few days. We planned to just relax for a while, after all we were going to be spending a month on the island. The previous year of planning, moving and either getting rid of or packing all our belongs away had been quite the journey.
Bali has a pull that is hard to shake. It is there in the back of your mind reminding you of the tropical paradise that exists while you are wrapped in a blanket on a cold winters night back in the UK.
When we visited Bali we were just getting started as travel writers and in this guide we aim to help you make the most out of your time on the island of Bali. We share where we stayed, where we ate and what to do.
Where is Bali?
Bali lies between the islands of Java and Lombok. Bali is 1 of 17,000 Indonesian Islands and is also referred to as the Island of the gods. Known for its stunning beaches, lush rice terraces, and vibrant culture and volcanoes.
WHEN TO VISIT?
The dry season is generally the best time to visit between the months of April - October. However, Bali does remain a good all year round destination. We spent the month of December on the island and experienced mostly dry weather. We did had 5 straight days of rain in Ubud and if you were only spending a couple of weeks on the island then this would massively affect your decision on when to visit.
WHERE TO STAY?
There is so much choice of accommodation on Bali. You can find a place to suit every budget. Check out our guide of where we stayed to get an idea of what the island has to offer.
HOW TO GET AROUND?
If confident enough and if you have previous experience then by far the best way to get around the island is on a small motorbike. Remember that if you are from the UK (other countries may also require one) then you will be required to have an International Driving Permit. You can obtain these from the Post Office for around £5.50. If you don’t have one and you get pulled over then expect a heavy fine and possible other consequences.
You can also use Uber and other taxi services to get around as well as buses and local transport.
WHERE TO EAT?
Bali is the perfect place for a foodie, we literally experienced every type of dish you could imagine. From meat lovers to vegans there is something for everyone. We found the best thing to do was just to walk around, look at what was popular and to try lots of different dishes and don’t be afraid to ask what the staff would recommend!
WHAT TO DO
MOUNT BATUR AND MOUNT AGUNG
Both volcanoes have had a devastating impact on the Island and both are beautiful to view from afar. Mount Agung almost stopped our adventure to Bali at the end of 2017 when it started to emit smoke and threatened an eruption that eventually calmed down.
CANGGU
Known for is laid back vibes and beaches, ideal for surfers because of the strong surf. We loved walking to Canggu beach and watching the surfers at sunset before grabbing a drink at one of the bars in the evening. The high street has plenty of boutique shops selling everything and anything. The many swimwear and beach clothing stores fit in with the feel of the town. Surrounded by rice fields you very much have that Bali feel in Canggu.
THE LAWN CANGGU
The perfect place to spend the afternoon over looking the black sand beach of Canggu. Relax on the lawn and enjoy a drink. Take a dip in the pool and catch those afternoon rays. It is very popular and can get busy very quickly, so plan ahead if you want to visit.
THE SACRED MONKEY FOREST
Home to over 1000 Balinese Long Tail Monkey and set in a beautiful jungle sanctuary. We loved spending a couple of hours exploring the Monkey forest and watching the cheeky monkeys get up to all sorts of trouble. We found a back way into a secondary car park which we could ride into down some very small sketchy paths on our motorbike. We then managed to park right by an entrance and get into the forest.Make sure everything is hidden in your bag as the monkeys are very clever and quick at stealing everything not tied down.
UBUD
Surrounded by jungle and rice fields, Ubud is located more centrally on the island away from the coast and beaches. Ubud is very much what you think of when you see pictures of Bali. The weather can be more unpredictable compared to the coastal areas and you often feel like you are living in a rain forest. Many high end Balinese resorts are located in the Ubud region and it is the ideal place for a wellness escape or a honeymoon.
TEGALLALANG RICE TERRACE
Yes it is a very touristy spot, but get up early enough and you can explore the entire place to your self and watch a beautiful sunrise over the rice fields. We did get the sense that this entire place was kinda just set up for tourists. It is still worth the visit though if you do the morning and spend an hour or so walking around and then leaving before it gets busy.
ULUWATU TEMPLE
We loved this temple at sunset with it’s big open complex and peaceful atmosphere. There were a lot of people who came to watch the sunset but it was easy to get away from the crowds and we hiked off to other parts that had views over the cliffs and the ocean which make this a great place to explore. Watch out for the monkeys though…
TEGENUNGAN WATERFALL
Big, beautiful, powerful and close to Ubud. Tegenungan is popular as it is easy to get to and one of the biggest waterfalls in Bali. We have to admit that we visited when it was raining and it kept the crowds away. The whole town surrounding the waterfall is geared towards tourists and felt very commercialised. If you can ignore that though and are prepared to wait a while to get a decent photo then it is worth a visit. You can then have lunch in one of the many warungs located nearby.
NUNGNUNG WATERFALL
When you think of Bali you might think of waterfalls, and when you think of waterfalls in Bali this is exactly what you imagine. Nungnung was our favourite waterfall. We arrived early so that we could have the place to ourselves. Feeling the power of the waterfall and the spray hitting you is incredible. We loved it here, be careful though as the rocks are extremely slippy.
TUKAD CEPUNG WATERFALL
Considered sacred and located in a cavern. After a beautiful scenic walk along a rocky path, you eventually find what you are looking for. The contrast of the white water of the falls lighting up from the day light against the black rock is beautiful. It does get busy and very crowded here. most people seem respectful though to allow people a turn to get a photo and enjoy the water falling on your back.
AIR TERJUN TIBUMANA
Another very iconic Balinese waterfall. Erosion recently has caused some of the sides to cave in, so please be careful when close to the falls as another landslip could happen. The refreshing pool is great on a hot day to float about in and surprisingly if you are lucky you can get the place all to yourself.
DREAMLAND BEACH
A popular beach amongst surfers, with dramatic views from the cliffs above. We preferred Balangan and Bingin Beach over dreamland as they are quieter especially in the case of Bingin. However Dreamland has a large luxury resort being built and will be open late 2020. Jumeirah resort Bali does look incredible but will totally change this beach forever. Despite this, you will love dreamland if you love your surfing and is a good spot to learn to surf.
BALANGAN BEACH
We loved Balangan for its beautiful cliff top views across the beach and its laid back surfer vibe. The turquiose water, soft golden sand and perfect location for memorable sunsets make this beach a winner.
PADANG PADANG BEACH
Reasonably quiet with rest facilities nearby make this an easy beach to get to and enjoy despite a few steps down to the beach itself. The tsunami warning signs as you walk down the stairs make you feel like you would have very little time to escape up if you needed to. Once on the beach though you can enjoy the shallow water and soft golden sand. Be careful though as there are large slab like rocks in the shallows which can be very slippy.
BINGIN BEACH
The journey to Bingin beach is not an easy one, navigate small alleyways and many many slippy steps down. Eventually you are rewarded with breathtaking views out across the Indian Ocean and some of the best surf in the world. Bingin boasts 5 star waves and is a hot spot of surfers. We stayed in a traditional Balinese beach house with the waves crashing underneath at night. We really felt like we had escaped modern life and were enjoying a much more simple set up. There are limited places to eat on the beach, but enough to avoid the long journey back up the steps.
