The Bali Travel Guide

South Bali

Kuta, Bali, Indonesia: Overwhelmingly Bali’s largest tourist center, party central, features a 12km long beach.

 

Legian, Bali, Indonesia (choice for families, couples)

• Legian Beach (extension of Kuta Beach to the north. Quieter)

 

Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia (stylish, more expensive area in the Bali core)

 

Kerobokan, Bali Indonesia (Similar and adjacent to Seminyak)

• Kerobokan Beach
• Batubelig Beach

 

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia  (great beaches, epic surf, pleasantly cool & trendy businesses owned mostly by expats, popular with long-term visitors. Public transport near non-existent. Need a scooter here)

• Canggu Beaches (B#39)
• Batu Bolong Beach
• Echo Beach
• Berewa Beach
• Prancak Beach
• Nelyan Beach

 

Tuban, Bali Indonesia

• Tuban Beach, Bali

 

Bukit Peninsula, Bali, Indonesia (hot, arid and hilly. Booming area has great beaches and lots of new development with great ocean views.)

• Balangan Beach, Bukit, Bal
• iBingin Beach, Bukit, Bali
• Padang Padang Beach, Bukit, Bali (Saturdays and Full Moons there are beach parties with bands and grilled seafood)

 

Jimbaran, Bukit, Bali, Indonesia

• Jimbaran Beach, Bukit (One of Bali’s best beaches, 4km long, bay is protect by coral reef – great for swimming)
• Jimbaran Fish Market, Bukit (stop in the morning)
• Morning Market, Jimbaran, Bukit (one of Bali’s best markets)

 

Ulu Watu, Bukit, Bali (SW tip of peninsula, world-famous big wave surfing spot along cliffs)

• Suluban Beach, Ulu Watu, Bukit

 

Ungasan, Bukit, Bali (Area of exclusive cliffside resorts, with hidden cove beaches accessed by stairs/trails)

• Green bowl Beach, Bukit, Bali (deep turquoise water)
• Sunday’s Beach Club (private beach club offers full day of activities and surfing. $20/day, but incl $10 credit for drinks. Weekend afternoon DJs, sunset bonfires. Beach side spa. Elevator up and down cliff.
• Pandawa Beach, Bukit, Bali

 

Nusa Dua, Bukit, Bali (gate compound of resort hotels: Westin, Hyatt, St. Regis, etc.)

• Nusa Dua Beach, Bali, Indonesia
• Pasifika Musem, Nusa Dua, Bukit (Collection of art from all over pacific cultures, also includes works by masters like Matisse and Gauguin)
• Beach Prominade, Nusa Dua, Bukit (5km long beach promenade)

 

Sanur, Bali, Indonesia (genteel alternative to Kuta, expat haven, beach is sheltered by a reef here, resulting in low key surf. 4KM long Beachfront Walk, follows sand and passes beach bars and cafes.)

• Sanur Beach, Bali (4km long Beachfront walk

 

Denpasar, Bali (1.1 million; Bali’s Capital)

 

Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia (The Bali many never find: cheap beer, $15 rooms on the beach, quiet. From beach front surfer shacks to luxury resorts this islands has oceanfront accommodation in every price range.)

• Jungutbatu Beach. Nusa Lembongan (almost cliched idyllic)
• Hiking: (Can circle the island in a day on footboy trail/beach, or less by bicycle ($2/day rental) on roads)

 

Nusa Ceningan, Bali, Indonesia (Smallest Island; connected by a suspension bridge to Lembongan)

• Very rural, key roads are paved. Hilly island. Good for exploring by bicycle for a few hours/half day.

 

Nusa Penida, Bali, Indonesia (Largest Island; overlooked by tourists, said to be like Bali was in the 70s, before the tourists, population of 60,000 is predominately Hindu. Few but spectacular beaches. No accommodations outside of two main towns, but growing in popularity with backpackers looking to escape Bali’s over-development)

• Manta Point, Nusa Penda
• Crystal Bay Beach, Nusa Penda
• Motorcycle (Circle the island is half day- $4/day rental or less than $25/half day for a car and driver/guide)

 

Center of Bali/Moutains

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia (Eat. Pray. Love. Chilled out restaurants & bars. Bali art/crafts)

• Monkey Forest, Ubud
• Downtown, Ubud
• Campuan Ridge, Ubud
• Sayan Valley, Ubud

 

Ubud Area/Central Mountains

• Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave), Bedulu Village (Archeological sites, not elephants or caves. Extremely beautiful area where two streams meet a river, a river junction like this is/was considered sacred.
• Tegenungan Waterfall, Bali
• Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Bali
• Gunung Kawi Shrines, Bali (large ancient shrines cut out of the rock face)
• Gianyar Night Market, Ubud area, Bali (20 minutes from Bali, driver/car cost $10, including wait time for a couple hours at market. Some of the best and freshest food on the island. Average dish is $1. Can have a feast for two for $10 including lobster, prawns, and fish cooked however we want. BBQ is generally the best.)

 

Artesian towns south of Ubud

• Mas, Bali (woodcarving town south of Ubud. Everything from custom sandalwood carvings to teak furniture which is imported from other islands)
• Celuk, Bali (Silver/Gold craftsmen. Shops on main road have inflated prices. Backroads are filled with artisans working out of their homes. Most don’t have much inventory, but will make high quality jewelry from sketches.
• Batubulan (stone carving town. Source for the stunning temple gate statues all over Bali. Most use a porous grey volcanic rock. Also a center for antique recreations, textiles, woodwork and craft shops)

 

Gunung Kawi Temple, Bali (countries most impressive ancient site)

 

Tirta Empul Holy Springs, Bali: Holy springs believed to have magical powers. Main source of the Pakerisan River. Tirta Empul Temples in next door.

 

Pura Kehen Temple, Bangli, Bali (min version of Bali’s most important Temple)

 

Semarapura, Bali (regional capital)

• Klungkung Palace, Semarapura, Bali
• Semarapura Market, Bali (East Bali’s best market 5a-6p)
• Bukit Jambul Rice Terraces, Bali
• Gelgel, Bali (Once the seat of Bali’s most powerful dynasty. Town’s decline started in 1710.
• Road to Tembuku (passes through tiny traditional villages through lush valley and rice terraces)

 

Sidemen, Bali (quieter alternative to Ubud, more traditional, local charm, 90 minutes north of Ubud. In one o f Bali’s most beautiful river valleys.

• Sidemen Road, Bali, Indonesia (Winds through one of Bali’s most beautiful river valleys, paddy-field scenery and delightful rural character)
• Rendang-Ampapura Road, Bali (alternative to sideman road which has heavier big truck traffic)

 

Pura Besakih Temple, Bali (Bali’s most important temple. Extensive complex of 23 separate but related temples dating back 2,000 plus years to prehistoric times.

 

Mount Agung, Bali (highest mountain in Bali. Spiritual center of Bali.

 

Kintamani Volcano (Mount Butur), Bali, Indonesia (UNESCO, rise at 2am, and hike 2 hours to the summit for sunrise. Tours about $45)

 

Danau Batur Villages, Bali (Lakeside mountain villages on the flanks of Mount Butur)

• Cycling around the lake (great way to spend the day exploring villages, hot springs and the lake; UNESCO)
• Canoe tour the lake

 

Danau Bratan, Bali (Misty mountain country with villages around a lake. Tasty local strawberries)

• Good canoeing and hiking. Guided trips are cheap.

 

Danau Bratan to Gunung Batar backroad, Bali

 

Rendang to Amlapura Road, Bali, Indonesia (Runs through superb countryside)

 

Munduk, Bali (One of Bali’s most appealing Mountain retreats; cool misty ambience in lush hills of jungle, rice fields and fruit trees. Waterfalls by the dozen. A place you come for a day and stay for a week)

 

Gunung Batukau, Bali (Bali’s second highest mountain.

• Pura Luhur Batukau Temple, Bali
• Jatiluwih Rice Fields, Bali (UNESCO)

 

Antosari Road, Bali

 

East Coast

East Bali Coast Road, Bali (Sanur to Kusamba; runs past beach after beach. Food stalls an cafes run its length. Pretty much any side road leading to the ocean leads to a beach)

• Panti Klotek Beach, Coast Road, Bali (Leads to nice beach and temple)
• Pantai Lebih Beach, Coast Road Bali (Spot to eat seafood. Boats line the beach and Pakerisan River reaches the ocean here. BBQ fish, fish satay and rich seafood soup are the specialties, but most anything is available. As fresh as it gets. Also a large convenience store here.

 

Padangbai, Bali, Indonesia (Small town on little beach in a small bay. The port for the ferry connecting to Lombok and fast boats to Gili’s. Also a car ferry to Nusa Pinda. Nice spot with cheap accommodations, good cafes/bars and great snorkeling and beach)

• Blue Lagoon Beach, Padangbai, Bali

 

Kusamba to Padangbai Road, Bali

 

Padangbai to Candidsa Road, Bali (11km drive past nice stretch of coast.

• Manggis to Putung Road, Bali (great view points)
• Tenganan, Bali (Home to Bali’s original descendants before Majapahit arrival in the 11^th century; postcard like beauty, a real village – not a touris

 

Candidasa, Bali, Indonesia (retirement/older crowd, beach not nice). Mimpang Island, a 1 hour boat ride has great snorkeling)

 

Casdidasa to Amlapura, Bali

• Dream Beach (Pasir Puith), Bali, Indonesia (Found secret beach now features a dozen beach bars. Difficult access keeps it fairly uncrowded)
• Teluk Penyu (Turtle Bay), Bali (Just a bend in the road, turtles come here sleep and nest)
• Amlapura, Bali (district capital, multicultural with Chinese shops, mosques and royal palaces)
  • Puri Agung Karangasem, Bali
  • Penis rock, Amalapura (2m long ancient fertility rock, exposed by a big storm)

 

Tirta Gangga, Bali

• Taman Tirta Ganga water palace, Bali

 

Amed to Ujung Road (backroad through small villages, with great views)

 

Amed/Far east coast, Bali (area of small fishing villages with beaches/coves. Great snorkeling. Place to come get away from crowds. Worth exploring)

 

Tualamben to Yeh Sanih Road, Bali

 

North Coast

Yeh Sanih, Bali (famous hot springs)

 

Singaraja, Bali (Bali’s second largest city, regional capital. 120,000)

 

Lovina, Bali, Indonesia (8 km tourist area stretching over a few villages. Great sunrise dolphin watching

• Kaliasem, Lovina, Bali
• Kalibukbuk, Lovina, Bali (Center of Lovina)
• Anturan, Lovina, Bali (Lovely little fishing village, travelers hangout)
• Tukad Mungga, Lovina, Bali

Pemuteran, Bali, Indonesia (oasis in NW corner of Bali, gateway to Menjangan Island, nice beaches)

• Menjangan Island, Bali, Indonesia (aka Deer Island, Great snorkeling, some of the best in SEA. Forbidden to spend the night on island)

 

Bali Barat National Park, Bali

 

West Coast

Tanah Lot Temple, Bali (Island temple, favorite of photographers, esp. at sunset)

 

Taman Ayun Temple, Bali (one of Bali’s top temples, huge royal water temple; UNESCO)

 

Cemagi, Bali (waterfront area being developed between Canggu and Tanah Lot)

 

Tabanan, Bali (Rice fields, UNESCO)

 

(rolling area of dunes and knolls overlooking pounding surf, great place to escape or surf)

 

Jembrana Coast, Bali (Bali’s most sparsely populated area)

• Medewi, Jambrana Coast, Bali (surfing mecca)

Negara, Bali (district capital; fertile area set between the sea and mountains is tidy and prosperous. Not much to see)

 

Palasari, Bali (Catholic community)

 

Belimbingsari, Bali (Protestant community)

 

Gilimanuk, Bali (Town where ferry’s travel to Java)

 

Nyang Beach, Bali, Indonesia

 

Pasir Pitih Beach, Bali (swimmable, nice sand, mellow vendors)

 

Balian Beach, Bali