Bali is so famous that it’s almost impossible to find someone who’s never heard of it. For travelers who are constantly counting the numbers of countries they’ve been to, it would be surprising if Bali is not on their list.

As for me, I’ve only been there once. Unfortunately, the last time I was there, I wasn’t able to enjoy as many of the island’s splendors as my friends had. The good thing is, Bali is a place you can keep coming back to, and will always find something new.

If you haven’t been to Bali, these 5 reasons might convince you to visit it at least once in your lifetime.

Kuta Beach is the most famous beach in Bali because it’s the first tourist destination for many visiting the island. If you wander further, you’ll realize that Kuta beach (which is located in the city of Kuta) is not exactly the best beach in Bali. But it IS a great spot for surfing and partying.

I spent my last day in Bali in Kuta — I was just watching my friend, Antoine, surfing actively on the continuous waves. I tried keeping myself busy too; I went running after baby crabs on Kuta’s sandy beach!

There are amazing local beaches the locals don’t want tell you about. These hidden beaches are “hidden” for a reason. Thank goodness you’ve stumbled upon this article! Now you’ll learn about a few of Bali’s lesser known gems like:

Feeling adventurous? While it’s always hot, you can get the chills in Bali too.

Believe it or not, there is a village in Bali where the deceased remain among the living. These bodies are laid on the ground at the Trunyan Cemetery after they undergo their funeral ceremonies. Feeling the creeps already? Me too.

There’s a reason why the locals do it. It’s part of their culture, and they believe that the presence of the banyan tree (which is considered to be holy) at the cemetery will ward off the smell of the corpses and any other kinds of health concerns.

Looking forward to getting even more goosebumps? Then head down to Muaya Beach. This renowned tourist spot is loved for its beautiful white sand and sounds of calming waves. But did anyone mention the Jenglot?

You must be wondering what that is. Jenglot is believed to be a “doll vampire” that feeds on blood. According to locals, the jenglot usually attacks animals, and is known to be dangerous and has killed living beings before. Don’t be surprised if you happen to see one getting washed up on the shores. Just be sure to not bring one home.

The best place to relax and rejuvenate is somewhere peaceful and quiet. I honestly thought Bali was just another travel destination flooded with tourists, and finding quiet places was nearly impossible. Thankfully, I was wrong.

Of course, there are high chances of you bumping into people almost everywhere you go. Maybe someone you went to school with! Who knows? Explore the island more and you’ll find amazing places away from the general population, and close to peace and tranquility.

Want to know what makes Bali a traveler’s choice for relaxing vacations?

For one thing, the people of Bali are generally friendly and welcoming. You’ll find locals with bubbly personalities in the city and even on the outskirts of town.

There are also many natural wonders with pristine blue oceans flanking the island. On top of that, Bali’s traditional music is not only amazing but also very soothing.

Spas and massage centers are not the only places people go to in order to find ‘me time‘ for themselves. Bali’s stunning waterfalls and peaceful rivers are just as relaxing. If you’re lucky enough to find a place with no one else around, take all the time you want to sit, reflect upon things, exercise or meditate.

If you are any of the above, Bali is the right place for you. There’s plenty of food to choose from; from street food to fine dining, you will love Bali’s local dishes.

Below are the top 3 Balinese dishes that you might want to try:

Try Bebek and Ayam Betutu for a taste of authentic Bali cuisine. A whole chicken or duck is used with traditional spices stuffed into it. Then, it gets wrapped in banana leaves before being enveloped in a banana bark. After that, it is put to bake in a coal fire for the next 7 hours. The result is tender, juicy meat that smells just heavenly.

Another Balinese dish that involves banana leaves is Pepes. Steamed, grilled or boiled, various foods get wrapped up inside banana leaves and sewn together into little packages. You can choose your ingredients, although fish and meat are common. Vegetables are also used to make the dish vegetarian friendly.

Okay, I have to admit that I can’t get enough of tahu (tofu)! And the best thing about it is that it can be served in various ways. Treat it as an accompaniment to your afternoon tea time, or even a main course meal. Let’s not forget about tempe too. This soy bean curd is just as delicious as tahu. I prefer it fried, mixed with a bit of chili!

Most people will think of beautiful beaches and luxurious resorts when they imagine Bali. But did you know Bali also offers some of the best and quirkiest accommodations?

At the Mara River Safari Lodge in Gianyar, you can pretend that you’ve just flown halfway across the world to enjoy a memorable adventure in an African Safari.

Wait, there’s more!

In Bali, you can look at green rice fields while you relax in a nice pool, sipping on fresh coconut juice.

At night, crickets and fireflies accompany you while you sleep in a tree house. The Thematic Village Houses at Bambu Indah offers stunning above-water villas for you to experience — hopefully, with someone special. On the following day, don’t forget to visit the villa’s natural pool where you can rope swing and pretend you’re the female version of Tarzan. Woohoo!

For couples seeking for a romantic getaway or honeymoon retreat, the Komaneka Hotel at Monkey Forest Street is an option worth considering. Its strategic location also makes it a wonderful choice, and guests can simply walk to nearby tourist attractions such as the Ubud Monkey Forest and Ubud Market which are less than 1km away.

Now that I’ve given you five great reasons to visit Bali at least once in your lifetime, are you going to get a flight ticket to Bali now? As icing on the cake, Traveloka’s cheap fares will also give you more reasons to take a holiday in Bali.

If you haven’t done it yesterday, why not do so today?