Bali holds a special place in my heart. It is like the first love that you never forget. I have travelled there many times, and each time I go, I feel enchanted by this place.
Bali is known to make that impression on its visitors; hence why so many people move there, invest there, and open restaurants and hotels there. Over the past couple of years, Bali has gone through a huge development phase to the point where there is a much bigger supply of accommodations, restaurants, bars, and spas.
There is a good and bad side to this. For tourists, it means endless opportunities to experience great meals, cheap accommodations, and tons of activities. For the island, it means overdevelopment and a lot of pressure on its infrastructure and environment.
Nonetheless, let’s focus on the positive aspects and why Bali is one of the best tropical destinations to visit…
Bali is one of the most popular travel destinations for Australians. Why is it that out of all Asian countries, the majority of tourists flock there, not to mention decide to live there? There is something so special about this place that enchants people who visit; you just keep coming back for more.
Witness a Hindu ceremony on the street
What is great about Bali is that despite the extreme development and westernization, it has retained much of its authenticity and culture; you can still feel the real vibe of Indonesia here. The Hindu culture is widely cultivated in Bali, and that’s another reason why it’s so special. Immerse yourself in Hindu ceremonies in nearby temples, or witness a procession on the streets of Bali (they occur quite often). There are often traditional dances and performances happening all over Bali. I recommend checking out a Ketcha dance performance, as it is quite unique. You may notice Balinese people preparing little offerings: a composition of flowers, rice, plant, and a scent that they place on the ground to show gratitude.
Get the most out of each part of Bali
The great thing about Bali is that it is quite small, but each region offers a completely different vibe and array of experiences. Let me break this down for you so you know what to expect from each area.
If you are after fancy beach clubs, great restaurants and shopping – Semyniak and Canggu
Seminyak and Canggu are the centre of the action. I wouldn’t go anywhere else to experience a feast of absolute divine food and beach club culture.
Each year, a dozen new places pop up on the island and make it to the top of my must-see list. I have never experienced anything like this anywhere else in the world; however, there are still some old classics that are worth visiting if you are experiencing Bali for the first time.
Must-see beach clubs – Potato Head, Finns Beach Club, La Brisa and more
Each of these beach clubs offer great vibes for a cocktail and a pool session and are highly recommended for sundowners. A trip to Bali wouldn’t be complete without visiting at least two of these spots. My favourite picks are La Brisa (a new one) and good old Potato Head. If you are after a casual beach chill on comfy bin bags I recommend good old La Plancha.
Other classic places that will not disappoint you are: W Hotel, Mrs Sippy, Mexicola, Kudeta, Tropicola.
As for restaurants, you can find some real gems in Seminyak, fine dining experiences that won’t empty your wallet.
For great shopping, visit Seminyak Square or the main street in Canggu. In Bali you can’t go wrong with the shopping experience. Little roadside boutiques flow endlessly for kilometres and offer great fashion that will satisfy every picky shopper.
The most incredible restaurants to visit – Sardine, La Lucciola, Mamasan Bali
For must-eat places, I recommend the oceanfront La Lucciola for a super romantic experience with oceanfront views. Sardine offers incredibly light rice paddies during the evenings and spectacular food. Jemme Jewellery has breathtaking chandeliers and interiors. Visit Mamasan Bali for its incredible Asian cuisine, Barbacoa for a Latin BBQ experience in a spacious, redesigned warehouse, and the classic Sarong for modern Indian cuisine. All of these are located in Seminyak, where you can find most of the great eatery places that will leave you in awe.
For breakfast, there are so many places to choose from that I don’t even know where to start. Try Biku, Pettitenget, Sisterfields, Revolver Espresso in Seminyak. In Canguu visit amazing and cheap The Crate, The Loft and Shady Shack for a vegetarian paradise. For more options, check out this list of delicious breakfast places in Bali.
Evening agenda in Seminyak and Canggu – Tropical nights
Most of the beach clubs have great ambiance at night, so you can’t go wrong here. La Favela is one of the most scenic places for an evening cocktail or two. Visit Champagne Bar for a grotesque VIP-like experience (fake red carpet-style) in this little roadside bar. The winner for me is La Brisa, perfect spot for a lazy afternoon by the pool, and a great candle dinner with its stunning lights and chill music.
If you are after more bespoke venues, venture to Pretty Poison bar, which has an indoor skating rink! Not far from here, you can discover a hidden bar that has a secret entry via a fridge in a mini-mart! This is the coolest thing I have ever seen. Bali certainly has it all!
Dine at the beach and enjoy sunset cocktail – Jimbaran Beach
When in Bali one must experience dining at the beach where the ocean washes your feet! There is nothing like this, and if you are a seafood fanatic like me, this will make you smile for days!
The Jimbaran beach dinners start at 7 p.m. Use this opportunity to enjoy a sunset cocktail at the nearby Hotel Intercontinental beforehand; it is only a couple of metres away. They have super comfy day beds facing the ocean, where you can order the most elegant cocktail you can imagine and watch the sun go down. What more could you ask for? Jimbaran gets super full, especially the Menega restaurant, so put your name down on the list before you head to Intercontinental. At Menega, order a grilled whole fish, fresh prawns, and grilled pippis (they’re truly to die for). This feast for two won’t cost you more than AU$40.
Nusa Dua for clean water and resort-style holidays
Nusa Dua caters perfectly to family holidays; its clean water and beaches make it perfect for a family getaway. If you are looking for a more sophisticated experience, this is where you should head. I find resort-style places a bit boring, so you won’t see me there often.
Ubud – Jungle, monkeys, and tranquillity
Ubud is one of my favourite parts of Bali. I remember it being quiet and peaceful; however, these days you need to venture a bit further away to get that tranquility. Ubud became very popular after the release of the famous Hollywood movie Eat Pray Love.
Monkey Forest should be on your must-see list while in Ubud. It is incredible to see so many monkeys in one spot. They are quite playful and might occasionally jump on you to play with your hair or bags. They might try to steal a thing or two, so don’t carry anything too flashy. As you can se below – I completely got smothered by the monkeys…and I loved it.
Vegetation in Ubud is just breathtaking; there are stunning rice paddies, palm trees, and lush green plants everywhere. There are plenty of activities to choose from, such as cycling through rice paddies, abseiling, canoeing and…trekking Mount Batur (if you’re feeling adventurous). I sure did!
Surfing in Bali
Bali is a world-class surfing destination. For skilled surfers, the best spots for riding waves are Uluwatu, Bingin, Balangan, Sanur, and Nusa Dua. If you are less confident in your surfing abilities, you can try Canggu and Padang Padang Beach for smaller waves and great learning experiences. If you are not into surfing, there is still plenty to do if you want to get active.
Climb Mount Batur – An active volcano
If you fancy a solid workout with a great reward at the end, this could be a good one for you. You will be picked up at 2 a.m. (that’s right). All tour operators have that time fixed, so spare yourself time trying to find someone who can do it later (I’ve already tried). Then you will be taken to the parking lot, where you will start trekking in pitch darkness up the mountain. It is quite an experience and I absolutely recommend it to anyone. The view from the mountain was astonishing, and to see the sun rising between pink/orange vanilla puffs was incredible
Cycle through rice paddies and visit coffee plantations famous for their coffee made from cat’s poo
Bali can be super busy. Roads often get jammed with cars and scooters; therefore, a great way to get out of the busy streets and traffic is to book a cycling trip through the scenic rice paddies and nearby temples. You can book them anywhere in Ubud. For AU$30, you will be taken to the downhill of Mount Batur, where you will explore a small village surrounded by rice paddies and palm trees. The highlight of my trip was the coffee plantation Bali Cat Poo Chino, which is famous for their coffee made from cat’s poo.
Fine dining in Ubud – Kubu in Ritz Carlton
Ubud has several world-class resorts and spas. It truly is the mecca of luxury. One of these is the signature bamboo restaurant called Kubu, set along the river at Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve. Ritz–Carlton Reserve offers a retreat among the greenery in Ubud.
I fell in love with this cute place Folk Pool and Gardens. Perfect for a late arvo chill after a whole day of activities in Ubud.
The coast side of Bali for a beach paradise and tropical ambience – Uluwatu, Bingin, Padang Padang
Many of the beaches in Bali have black or grey sand. I am not a fan of the beaches in Canggu and Seminyak, but I really love the coast of incredible beach strips like Bingin, Uluwatu, and Balangan.If you’re in search of a nice sand beach and clean waters, that is where you should go. What makes these places so enticing is the incredibly relaxing and tropical vibe that is hard to find anywhere else.
One of the classic places to visit in Uluwatu is Karma Kandara with its luxury amenities. You can rent a luxury hat over the cliff or simply enjoy their stunning beach club.
Stay in gorgeous beachfront Dreamsea Surf camp Bali in Uluwatu while enjoying surfing lessons.
Bingin Beach
Book a local bungalow near the Bingin cliff to experience the ultimate coastal paradise. Most of its accommodations are not available online; in fact, it’s best to knock at the door after your arrival, but if you are too anxious to do that, try Family Bingin Bungalow or Temple Lodge, located just at the cliffs of Bingin Beach. Temple Lodge offers a great boutique restaurant with incredible ocean views. You can also stay there (but there are only six or so rooms available), and they offer great massages and yoga.
Seafood feast at the beach – Bingin Beach
If you missed the legendary seafood dining in Jimbaran, you can make up for it by dining at the adorable Bingin Beach. While many people love Padang Padang, Uluwatu, Balangan, and Dreamland, this one is my favourite beach in Bali. Luckily they are all quite close to each other.
Unique beach clubs – Uluwatu
As time passes, even this area is being developed to attract more tourists. You’ll certainly want to visit Single Fin for a beer. It has stunning views and big waves, and on Sundays they have parties that can be quite large. There is also a huge new beach club complex called Omnia Beach Club, which hasa huge architectural jewel in the middle of it.
Nearby islands – Lembongan, Gili Islands and Lombok
If you have more time during your stay, I highly recommend visiting nearby islands like Lembongan, Gili Islands, and Lombok.
Each one has a completely different vibe and setup. My personal favourite is Nusa Lembongan, a divine island only 40 minutes from Bali by speedboat. I like to think of it as Little Bali. There are no cars there and you can walk around barefoot. The island has a bunch of hidden pockets, but you need to venture out to discover these rare gems.
Visit Ohana‘s in Nusa Lembongan, a vibrant boutique hotel, pool bar and restaurant.
If you fancy more of a party vibe, Gili Islands are perfect for you.
Lombok offers more complex vegetation; it has beautiful rock formations and wildlife. I recommend staying in the incredible Novotel Lombok. Remember that Lombok is Muslim so you won’t experience anything Hindu there.
And there is still so much that one can explore in Bali…why would you ever want to leave..?
This post is also available in: Polish
