There is so much to Bali that even after weeks of wandering, one wouldn’t get tired of the natural spirit and charm of the place. With nature and water all around, one feels calm and serene down to the core as if the waves are washing away the exhaustion of the soul. But it can get hard to figure out what to do and where to go when in Bali. New travelers get confused and sometimes just stick to the holiday pamphlet.
But here, with this post, we will take you through the entire Bali region, answering all your questions about how to make your trip to Bali memorable:
Beginning with South Bali, the region of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak spreading out for 12 kilometers is a place for having fun. With diverse shopping spots, beach bars, and local food stalls, it is the spot for people-watching near the Kuta Beach. Out of the whole trip, we found our time in South Bali to be the least exciting but that is mainly because there are much better places to see and explore.
Where to stay: There are many places to stay around here, luxury resorts and hotels like The Legian Bali and Ananta Legian Hotel.
Must-Do things include conga lines and trying coconut cocktails. Do try the food at Eat Street or Jalan Kayu Aya. Since this is a shopaholic’s paradise, make a shopper’s stop at Jalan Laksmana.
Canggu Enclave is a hub for creative Bohemians who hang out at the La Laguna, driving around in their scooters, drinking at Finns Beach Club and enjoying the view of the beaches. Greater Canggu houses Echo beach, Berawa beach, Umalas, and Pererenan beach among others. We also went to the Canggu club to enjoy the water park, trampoline and try our hand at bowling. It was an entertaining day overall, so afterward, for some spiritual relaxation, we also went to the nearby temple that sits atop an isolated rock amidst the waves.
Where to stay: Tugu Bali for a luxurious experience or Frii Bali Echo Beach as a cheaper accommodation.
Must-Do: Enjoy the seaside feast at La Laguna.
Bukit Peninsula, Nusa Dua, and Jimbaran Bay
Bukit Peninsula offers diverse versions of beaches for tourists. The famous waves of Ulu-Watu are popularized through the holiday brochures of Bali. Another main attraction is the Rock Bar at Ayana Resort. It overlooks Jimbaran Bay and is a glamorous venue. It was great finding out that the hype was real.
Jimbaran bay also offers delicious seafood cuisines and we also went to Seasalt for a different dining experience. Nusa Dua also has many five-star resorts and top-of-the-line golfing experience.
Must Visit: Bingin, clear waters if Dreamland as well as Padang Padang.
But there is more to Central Bali than just Ubud. There are Gunung Batukaru Valleys and botanical gardens and lakes in Bedugul. We also journeyed to the rice terraces of Munduk and then ended it with a holy bath at Tirta Empul Temple. The crowds in central Bali made it clear to us that this was the true Bali tourist destination. The places thrived with many tourists and at every step, there were plenty of places to explore.
Where to eat: Locavore, La Cevicheria to try ceviche. Another nutritious meal at Paradiso Ubud with a rich organic and completely vegetarian meal along with a movie experience.
East Bali is not to be forgotten. While there is a lot to see in Southern and Central Bali, East Bali has a charm of its own. It has the best dive spots in the entire Island whether it is the shores of Amed and Candidasa or the high point of Gunung Agung.
The special highlight for us turned out to be the floating palace of Puri Taman Ujung and also the Amed fishing village. As we walked through gardens of Aiona, it was a naturally pleasant experience.
The main attraction of East Bali would have to be Sanur. While on one hand, it is a laid-back fishing village, it also offers great dining and lodging. We heard great stories about the Kite Festival in Sanur but unfortunately were not visiting at the time it happened.
Must eat: Mahi Mahi
Where to stay: The Griya Vilas and Spa
North Bali is the place for the nature lovers. With dolphin-watching in Lovina, while floating in canoes and bathing in the waterfalls of Sekumpul, Sambangan and Gitgit, we spent the day completely in the lap of nature. We also made a pit stop at Singaraja which is a town near the administrative center and offers a direct peek into Bali’s history and past.
Where to stay: The Lovina Bali Resort
Must Eat: The Le Jaenzan restaurant in North Bali offers delicious cuisine. It had the best tuna and great lobster ravioli.
In the end, there is West Bali. West Bali often is the spot for surfers who blaze their way to Java or Madewi. We explored the wild and stunning Taman Taman National Park of Bali which had incredible beaches and wild deer.
Menjangan Island in West Bali is one of the best dive spots in the island because it is least crowded and also has the appeal of marine life.
Must eat: Ayam Betutu which is a wood-smoked chicken broth. Do visit Bali Tower Bistro and Puri Dajuma Beach Eco Resort.
Where to stay: Watu Dodol Hotel or Baru Dua Beach hotel.
There are also off-shore options such as Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida which are around 30 to 40-minute boat ride away. They made our Bali experience a true vacation because we spent most of the time in our days relaxing, snorkeling, diving and kayaking. Another great experience was walking on the yellow suspension bridge.
Where to stay and eat in Nusa Lembongan: Le Pirate Beach Club in Nusa Ceningan.
Nusa Penida is larger than Nusa Lembongan and the main thing we enjoyed there were its white-sand beaches. There were also coastal cliffs, temples and limestone caves to explore. The place is also a birdwatcher’s delight with varied species of endangered birds.
Where to stay and eat in Nusa Penida: Agung View offers sea-viewing accommodation. There is also a Penida Colada which is a charming little café that also offers seafood barbecues and cocktails in the evenings.
In the end, our trip to Bali was refreshing, enthralling and a spectacular delight. If you ever decide to visit Bali, do visit the places mentioned above for a complete holiday experience. Bali is not only a great place for solo travelers but also popular as a family tourist spot. With great beaches, huge waters and so many refreshing things to do daily, surrounded by nature it is the one-stop destination for all passionate travelers. There are places that have crowds, but you can also easily find a secluded spot to spend some isolated time. Bali offers something for all kinds of travelers.
