Why You Should Absolutely Discover Bali

Why You Should Absolutely Discover Bali

20 September 2019

Image thanks to Qantas

Bali is probably Indonesia’s most famous island: tropical beaches, world-class surf spots, mountains, volcanoes and thousands of temples. Bali is a magical place and it looks like people are noticing. Back in 2018 the island hosted 15.8 billion tourists and this number is rising fast. But if you want to avoid the crowds, Bali still offers plenty of secret spots, as well as traditional culture and amazing food which makes this place unique. The variety of Bali’s activities and landscapes makes this island paradise a must-see destination.

Seaside: Beach and Surf

Bali is famous for its incredible surf spots and numerous beaches. The Island offers a wide range of landscapes for all kinds of travellers. From pro surfers to pro sun tanners, there’s a beach in Bali for everyone. Here’s just a few of Bali’s beaches with some incredible activities.

1. Bali’s Surf Spots

Image thanks to Hotels.com

Bali is well known for its incredible surf spots, and surfing is the main activity in Bali. With so many beaches, there’s always a spot for surfers at any level.

  • Kuta Beach is one of the best spots to learn to surf. This popular beach of 8kms is the safest place to learn.

  • For experienced surfers, the Bukit Peninsula is THE PLACE TO BE. Located in the south of Bali, this place offers beautiful tropical beaches with the world-class surf spots that made Bali famous. The Balangan, Bingin or Impossible beaches are some of the best in the peninsula. And of course, the famous Padang Padang wave is the best spot for professional surfers to carve up some waves.

 

2. Bali’s Black Sand Beaches

Image thanks to Bali Tourism

If you want to discover out of this world landscapes, you can’t go past Bali’s incredible volcanic black sand beaches. This famous area stretches north of Seminyak from the Canggu area to Medewi and are great spots to chill out with a picnic and admire the sunset. The most famous are:

  • Keramas beach

  • Amed Beach

  • Tulamben

But the island also offers secret, less crowded, beaches such as Soka Beach with its unique view of Mount Agun.

 

3. Spot Dolphins in Bali

Image thanks to Lovina Balinese Taxi

In the north of the Island, Lovina Beach is the best place in the world to see dolphins in their natural environment. You should go by boat early in the morning for this unique experience.

Heart of the Island

The heart of the island offers incredible places to visit. Bali’s natural environment is incredibly diverse and has plenty of magical landscapes.

1.  Magical Waterfalls

Image thanks to Medium

Bali is full of magical jungle waterfalls. Hike through the lush landscapes, crossing wooden bridges and rocky steps to discover huge waterfalls in the middle of nowhere. The island has about twenty waterfalls. The most famous of them are:

  • Gitgit Waterfall, one of the easiest to find and reach by road

  • Sekumpul Waterfall in Singaraja, considered as the most beautiful of the island

  • Tegenungan Waterfall in Ubud

But with so many waterfalls, it’s great to just get there, explore and see which ones you can find.

 

2. The Hidden Canyon

Image thanks to Traveling UK

If you want to delve deep into the heart of Bali, you’ll love Hidden Canyon. Situated in the south of the Island, and only a 30-minute drive from Ubud, this underrated place is still not very famous so it’s perfect if you’re looking to escape the crowds. If you like climbing, jumping and clambering, this is the place to be. The trek takes 1-2 hours and needs a guide.

 

3. Incredible Volcanoes

Image thanks to Intrepid Travel

Bali is a volcanic island and has 3 volcanoes.

  • Mount Bratan is most famous for its three caldera lakes.

  • Mount Agung is the highest mountain in Bali. This Active Volcano stands tall over 3100 meters and is the biggest trek of the island but not really difficult to climb.

  • Mount Batur is the most active volcano on the island and probably the one which offers the best view. You can climb it by night to see an incredible sunrise and a panoramic view of the area, a magic moment!

 

4. Rice terraces fields

Image thanks to Bali Hello Travel

 During your trip to Bali, you’ll see rice fields left and right, but which ones are worth checking out? Here are some of the best:

  • Tegalalang

  • Antosari

  • Busungbiu

  • Karangasem

  • Jatiluwih

  • Pupuan

  

Cultural Bali

Bali is an island rich in history and culture, and there’s plenty of incredible Balinese cultural experiences on the island.

 

1. Bali: The island of 10,000 temples

Image thanks to Chill Bali Trips

Bali has named the island of 10,000 temples, so finding one isn’t that hard. All you have to do is just go for a walk and you’ll see a marvel in no time!

The most popular temples in Bali are:

  • Pura Taman Saraswati Temple in Ubud;

  • Uluwatu temple located at the edge of a cliff which offers an awesome point of view;

  • Tirta Empul Temple in the centre of the island

If you explore the outskirts of Ubud, you’ll find a plethora of hidden temples where you can explore Bali far from the tourist circuit.

 

2. Traditional Balinese arts

 

Image thanks to Bali Plus

A big part of Balinese culture is the Bali Art Festival: the annual cultural event which showcases Bali’s artworks and cultural achievements. The festival runs in June and July and features parades with traditional suits, music, traditional dance, ballet and more!

 

Night and Food in Bali

 

Image thanks to Pinterest

Bali is famous for its nightlife, whether it’s having a beer on the beach or dancing up a storm in a nightclub. As Bali is becoming more and more popular, there are now more places than ever to party.

  • Kuta is one of the most popular beaches in Bali. If you want to have a drink and admire the sunrise, it’s probably one of the best places to go, featuring many bars and nightclubs for everyone.

  • Seminyak is another place to go in club in Bali, a little bit more "chic".

If you want more info on Bali’s nightlife, check out this awesome article.   

 

CONCLUSION

Bali is a unique island: here you’ll never have time to be bored. The island offers a large variety of beautiful landscapes, from mountains to beaches, to an incredible jungle where thousands of treasures are hidden. Don’t wait, go discover Bali!