Bali is one of the most memorable and popular tourist islands in the entire Indonesian archipelago. This tropical escape manages to be an adventurer’s paradise, a spiritual sanctuary, a family getaway, a food lover’s heaven, and a surfers’ oasis all at once. The warm and welcoming attitude of the locals toward their rich cultural and religious heritage is complemented by landscapes that include rocky coastal cliffs, coral reefs in aquamarine oceans, steep volcanic mountains, and emerald-green rice fields
It only takes visiting Bali once to feel an irresistible desire to come back again and again!
So what should an adventure lover do in Bali?
Even though Bali has countless places and activities you could choose from, we’ve highlighted a few of the brightest ones, in our opinion
Waterfalls
Bali is not only about beautiful beaches and sunset cocktails. This paradise island is also home to stunning waterfalls such as:
- Gitgit Waterfall in Singaraja
- Munduk Waterfall in Buleleng
- Sekumpul Waterfall in Singaraja
- Nungnung Waterfall in Petang
- Aling-Aling Waterfall in Sambangan
- Tegenungan Waterfall in Ubud
- Jembong Waterfall in Sukasada
- Tibumana Waterfall
And many more…
Temples
Some people say a Bali vacation isn’t complete without visiting one of the island’s most famous temples. Many travelers also consider visiting a Balinese temple to be one of the best things to do in Bali. There are many Hindu temples on the island, each with its own uniqueness and history. That’s why Bali has earned the nickname “the island of a thousand temples”
Some of the must-visit temples we recommend:
- Besakih Temple
- Tanah Lot Temple
- Uluwatu Temple — Pura Luhur Uluwatu
- Ulun Danu Bedugul Temple at Lake Beratan
Beaches
When it comes to beautiful beaches, Bali has an almost endless number to visit, and each one seems better than the last. With gorgeous turquoise waters surrounding the island, idyllic white sand, and of course fantastic weather almost every day of the year, it can be almost impossible to tear yourself away from the beach to explore all the other things to do in Bali!
Bali’s beaches are not only among the best in the world, but also among the best free activities on the island. Bring a beach towel and claim a spot. Relax and sunbathe for free
For a few Indonesian rupiah, you can rent a sunbed and umbrella. Even better is renting a house right on the beach — there are tons of Airbnb listings in Bali on the oceanfront. There’s no better place to wake up than the beach
Some of the best beaches:
- Bias Tugal Beach or Secret Beach
- White Sand Beach or Virgin Beach (Pantai Pasir Putih)
- Black-sand beaches Keramas and Masceti
- Gunung Payung Beach
- The stunning Melasti Beach
- And of course Nusa Dua Beach
Surfing
Surfing in Bali is one of the scenes that helped tourism develop on the island. It began along the southern shores, where rolling waves and quiet, beautiful beaches turned into the popular playgrounds for wave riders we know today. The island’s first surfers discovered the incredible surf back in the 1930s, and since then there have been even more. Indeed, Bali is one of the best places for surfing
Bali’s surf crowd includes both experienced riders and beginners who want to join the action. Pros can head to the outer reef breaks of the Bukit Peninsula, while beginners can try smaller waves in the lagoons. Bali is a great place to rent boards and take surf lessons. Most beginner schools are located along the Kuta coastline. For intermediate surfers and выше, beaches like Bingin, Padang Padang, Balangan, Canggu, and Uluwatu are suitable
Diving
Scuba diving in Bali has great potential for attracting a large share of tourism
Bali’s waters are home to many rare marine creatures and colorful reefs, which are the main draw for divers from all over the world. Natural reefs and clear, calm water create excellent diving spots even for those who are trying diving for the first time
Another unique feature of diving in Bali is Manta Point, located off the coast of the neighboring island of Nusa Penida. Its special appeal is that you can see amazing underwater creatures — manta rays
Mantas are the largest представители of the ray family. They can reach 4–5 meters in size and weigh up to two tons, while posing no danger to humans. Other popular dive spots include Padang Bai, Tulamben, and Menjangan National Park
Mount Batur
Set your alarm very early. A hike to Mount Batur starts a few hours before sunrise, and it’s worth noting that the volcano is active. The early wake-up is worth it to reach the top of Mount Batur and watch the sunrise. It’s easy and one of our favorite things to do in Bali — and we would do it again
Rice terraces
If you are a photographer looking to capture Bali’s beautiful emerald rice fields, the Tegallalang or Jatiluwih rice terraces should be at the top of your list
One of the main natural attractions located about 30 minutes north of Ubud, the Tegallalang Rice Terraces are among the most famous areas to photograph these iconic landscapes and absorb their timeless beauty. Keep in mind that locals ask for donations along the most popular trail through the rice fields here, and many charge entry and parking fees along the road. Visitors can relax and enjoy the lush scenery at one of the many restaurants and cafés overlooking the fields
About 90 minutes from Ubud, the Jatiluwih rice terraces cover more than 600 hectares of rice fields along the slopes of the Batukaru mountain range and are generally less crowded than Tegallalang. You will also find fewer tourist hawkers here, so it’s easier to walk and explore without being disturbed
Both locations use a traditional water management cooperative called “subak,” a UNESCO-recognized irrigation system that dates back to the 9th century
Monkey Forest
Just a 10-minute walk south of Ubud town center, the Monkey Forest — also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary — is one of the best things to do in Ubud. It’s also one of the best places to visit in Bali if you love animals or photography
Besides the playful troops of grey long-tailed macaques that call this place home, much of the appeal is the evocative jungle setting where monkeys roam freely. Paved paths lead through dense forests of giant banyan and nutmeg trees, where moss-covered statues and ancient temples appear through the thick foliage, creating an almost mystical atmosphere. Feeding a monkey from your hand can give you an unforgettable feeling
Ubud Market
Ubud Art Market is one of the attractions in central Ubud, conveniently located прямо across the road from the Ubud Royal Palace. The market has countless small shops run by local vendors selling a wide range of items such as beautiful silk scarves, light shirts, handmade bags, baskets and hats, statues, kites, and many other locally made and handcrafted products
Most of the goods you can find at Ubud Market are produced in nearby villages such as Pengosekan, Tegallalang, Payangan, and Peliatan. Naturally, bargaining is necessary. Ubud Market was briefly featured in the Hollywood film “Eat, Pray, Love,” showing a scene with Julia Roberts walking through the stalls — which are bustling with activity in real life
Kecak Dance
A must-see when you are in Bali, the Kecak fire dance is incredibly beautiful, and there are night shows both at Uluwatu Temple and in the town of Ubud. Based on the Ramayana — the famous Sanskrit epic — the performance includes about 60 people who chant and tell the story through dance. It all begins at sunset and ends outdoors at dusk with flickering bamboo torches
With bright, colorful costumes and plenty of drama in the story itself, it definitely makes for a fun and entertaining night. Watching a traditional performance as the sun sets truly makes a great end to another day in paradise!
Traditional Balinese massage
After a busy day of activities in Bali, simply relax with a Balinese massage using coconut oil. Massages in Bali are not only wonderful, but also very affordable — about $5 per hour for a Balinese massage
Most massage salons offer several types of massages, facial treatments, and more. Such a massage helps relieve headaches, boosts immunity, supports digestive health, and creates a sense of inner harmony. If it starts raining in Bali, go for a massage — you’ll forget about the rain
And to make it easier to choose what to do and which activity to go for on the sunny island of Bali, we recommend contacting the professional team at BaliSoulTrips (website link)
