Hotels in Bali

As the most popular destination in Indonesia, Bali is known to be a romantic, spiritual and exotic island. It offers various unique, natural to spiritual attractions such as villages, beaches and temples. Bali temples mostly gain influence from Hindu culture and appear in almost every area and street corners.

Bali’s rich traditional arts are also tourists’ favorite attractions. Varying from paintings, sculptures, wood carvings, handmade crafts to traditional dances, most traditional arts are also heavily influenced by the Hindu culture.

Fast Facts

Languages: Balinese (Bali), Indonesian, English

Currency: Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)

How to Get There

If you’ve booked flights to Bali, you will arrive at Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar. From the airport, Denpasar is around 13 kilometres away or 30 minutes by car. You can either use taxis or the cheaper public transport called ‘bemo’. When you take a bemo, tell the driver your destination considering that you may not be the only passenger.

Getting Around in Bali

There are various types of transportation available when you arrive in Bali. Taxis are easy to find in Denpasar. You can also opt to ride the Trans Sarbagita bus. This light blue coloured bus is one of the cheapest public transport in Bali. This bus serves routes to 4 major areas in Bali: Denpasar, Badung, Gianyar, Tabanan, including the airport.Trans Sarbagita bus operates everyday from 05:00-21:00 WITA (local time) and leaves every 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, many tourists choose to rent a car or motorcycle in Bali. However during traffic hours, bike and motorcycle are more preferable. Rental fee varies depending on vehicle type and other extra charges including driver, fuel, and parking fee.

Things to Do in Bali

Bali is well-known for its puras (temples) and shrines. One of the most prominent is Pura Agung Besakih, the largest and considered the holiest Hindu temple in Bali. It is a complex of 23 temples with Pura Penataran Agung as the most important. Pura Basukian, the forerunner of Hindu Dharma in Bali, is also located at the complex of Pura Agung Besakih.

For those who want to watch Tari Kecak (Balinese dance) on top of a cliff, Pura Luhur Uluwatu is a must-visit. Another temple you can check out is Pura Tanah Lot. Located in Beraban Village, it is around 20 metres from the shoreline. Tourists usually gathered here during sunset to enjoy the beautiful view of both the temple and the sea. An interesting fact about Pura Tanah Lot is the cave that keeps a holy black-white snake. The locals believe that it is the caretaker of the cave.

Do check out Padang-Padang beach as well. It has a unique entrance. The route to this beach is the same as the route to Dreamland beach. Hollywood movie “Eat, Pray, Love” starring Julia Roberts has two scenes at Padang-Padang beach.

Sacred Monkey Forest (Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana) in Ubud is also a must-visit. As the name suggests, this area is crowded by hundreds of monkeys (Macaca fascicularis). The holiness of this area is symbolized by Pura Dalem Agung PadangTegal located in the middle of the forest. Two other temples in this area are Pura Dalem Agung and Pura Pemandian Suci. Pura Pemandian Suci covers 3 types of pools: Utama Mandala (ritual), Madia Mandala (sacred) and Nista Mandala (public).

For those who would like to surf or learn how to surf, you must visit Kuta beach. This area also offers you a beautiful sunset view. You can spend time by bar or cafe-hopping. Kuta has the biggest water playground in Asia which is called Waterbom Park. It is only a stone’s throw away from Kuta beach.

If you are looking for a beautiful view of the nature, then Tegalalang Rice Terrace is your destination. Not only unique but also popular since it is close to other tourist objects such as Tirta Empul and Mount Kawi Tampaksiring. Trekking, visiting art shops, or chillaxing at one of the cafés are common activities in this area.

Where to Stay in Bali

Looking for the best accommodation in Bali? Depending on your budget, personality, and the general vibe you want to be in, there are several options for you. The southern area of Bali is perfect for beach lovers since this where the famous beaches in Bali are located.

Kuta is a good choice if you love the party scene. There are many bars and nightclubs in this area. Another plus is that it is also near the airport so it’s very accessible. Seminyak or Canggu are the alternatives for a more laidback surrounding. Uluwatu, on the other hand, not only offers great beach clubs, but also a good spot for those who want to explore Bali’s temples.

If you want a more chill environment, you can stay in Ubud, which is also considered the “culture capital” of Bali. It is also where the Monkey Forest and famous Yoga Barn are found. Towards the east, you can visit Lombok that is believed to be the ‘better Bali’.

Nightlife in Bali

Besides beaches, villages and temples, Bali nightlife lures visitors with its charm. Kuta has several popular nightlife spots such as Zappaz, Ye Olde Foo-kin Pub, Sky Garden Lounge and Vienna coffee shop.

In Ubud, you can listen to jazz music while enjoying Asian cuisine at the Jazz Café. Besides that, you can also visit Napi Orti, Ozigo and Lebong Café. Meanwhile, Sanur has some of the finest bars and cafes such as Borneo Bobs, Café Billiard, and Lazer Sport Bar. In Lovina, you can watch live music performances at Kantin 21. Other options are Triple 9, Poco Lounge and Volcano Club.

Travel Tips