Discover The Beautiful Island of Gods – My 5 Best Bali Experiences!
Bali is - hands down - one of my very favourite places in the world! It has an atmosphere so unique it is hard to describe - maybe somewhere between ultimate serenity, ancient wisdom and otherwordly beauty?! The lush green jungle, iconic rice paddies, imposing volcanoes and the clear blue sea make for breathtaking sights. It's the perfect place to wind down and take it slow! The Balinese people are some of the warmest and friendliest in Asia, always in close contact with nature and the gods through little offerings. Bali has so many amazing things on offer, you could write a book about it. It's hard to pick the best, but today I'd like to introduce my ultimate 5 best Bali experiences to you!
A Quick Word about Bali
Indonesia is the world’s largest archipelago with a total of 17,508 islands. Bali is one of the 6000 inhabited islands of Indonesia, situated between Java in the East and Lombok in the West. Bali is the only island in the Indonesian archipelago with a Hindu majority population while all the rest of the country is majority Muslim.
Maybe the unique Hindu background is what makes the island so special, maybe it’s the breathtaking nature that makes it so unique. Those two factors are deeply intertwined as the local Hindu culture strongly believes in the power of nature. Spirits and ancestors play a vital role in the Balinese everyday lives, which is why you will always see people engaging in rituals and preparing offerings all over the island.
It’s no wonder the Balinese like to keep nature happy because they live on a small island with three volcanoes, of which two are still active! Mount Agung, Mount Bratan and Mount Batur are dotted throughout the island and always make for an unexpected impressive sight. Often hidden behind clouds, you sometimes get a glimpse of these amazing mountains, wondering how you could have missed it before. Mount Agung is the highest, at about 3000 metres tall and is still active. The last very memorable eruption of Mount Agung was only in 2017, disrupting the lives of the locals and the busy air traffic around South East Asia.
Where to Stay on the Island
The most popular and busy tourist areas of the island are in the South. Denpasar is the capital of Bali and the location of Ngurah Rai International Airport. Only a few kilometres north of the airport, you then find the busy beach areas of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak. Fancy beach resorts stand shoulder to shoulder with cheap hotels, restaurants and bars. Staying here is quite convenient, but also very touristy and busy.
North of the mainstream tourist beaches, you find Canggu, the most popular spot for the young and hip digital nomads. If you fancy a young crowd, barista coffee and vegan delights, Canggu is the place for you to be. South of the airport, you find Jimbaran, home to big brand name resorts and fancy restaurants. The blobby looking peninsula in the South of the island is Nusa Dua. It’s the quiet high-end part of Bali dotted with expensive luxury resorts where the upper crust comes to relax. On the West side of the island, you have Sanur, also very popular with tourists, but much quieter than the West Coast of Bali.
If you have read the book ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ you surely have heard of Ubud. The small town lies hidden deep in the mountains of Bali and made yoga and meditation classes fashionable since the movie came out. It is still my favourite place on the island, with its lush green jungle and stunning rice paddies. Before COVID hit, the small town got so popular with tourists it was nearly impossible to get through the tiny streets by car. Even though it got extremely busy, Ubud still has such a unique, ancient atmosphere – I just love it!
While the South of Bali is busy with tourists, the North is much more local and sees fewer visitors. Part of the reason is that you’ll find white sandy beaches only in the south of Bali. The rest of the island only has black volcanic sand along the beaches. Most visitors to the northern parts of Bali are not first-timers to the island but have most probably outgrown the party scene in Kuta. Here, Lovina and Pemuteran are the most popular to stay at the volcanic northern shores.
My Top 5 Favourite Experiences in Bali
The first time I came to Bali was in 2015 and I fell in love with the island from the moment I touched down. Since then, I have been back every year exploring more of this stunning little island. That is, of course, until COVID hit in 2020 and the island has been closed to foreign visitors. Over the years, I had the chance to explore different parts of the island – partly for work, partly for fun – and a few things just stuck with me. So, without further ado, let’s look at my favourite things to do in Bali!
#1 - Brunch at Sundara - Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran
We start off with a day of absolute indulgence! Lavish beach clubs have probably been invented in Bali because there are plenty! You’ll find one for every preference and every budget.
My absolute favourite place for a day of luxury and indulgence is the Sundara Restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Jimbaran. Make sure to plan your trip to Bali to be in the greater vicinity of Jimbaran on a Sunday. On Sundays, the Sundara offers Bali’s Longest Sunday Brunch, an event you shouldn’t miss out on! The stunning restaurant overlooks Jimbaran beach behind the beautiful infinity pool and luxurious pool cabanas. In the distance, you see the planes take off and land at Ngurah Rai airport, a light breeze comes from the sea to break the heat – you truly feel like royalty coming to this breathtaking place.
Bali's Longest Brunch
Bali’s Longest Brunch starts at 11.00 am and ends at 3.30 pm – that’s 4.5 hours of Bali’s best food and drinks, so you need to plan and pace yourself. Make sure to book a table or, if you prefer, you can also book one of the beautiful poolside daybeds. Bring some swimming gear, because you can make use of the inviting pool in between your meals.
Unlike many other ‘All-You-Can-Eat’ packages, you don’t have to line up at a buffet. At Sundara, you have the delectable menu at hand and you order all dishes freshly made. Start with some seafood, including sashimi, bamboo lobster and oysters or go with something more meaty like the foie gras sliders or confit duck ravioli. For mains, choose between Angus Beef, Orange-glazed Roast Duck or Salt-Baked Tasmanian Salmon and many more. If you are missing some vegetables here, don’t worry. Both starters and mains menus offer each three seafood, three meat and three vegetable options.
With your bottomless brunch, you obviously get water, coffee and tea included. However, who wants to sip on water while being served some of the best food on the island? The Sundara offers several drinks packages to go with your lunch package. Indulge in their amazing cocktails and beers or go with the wine and champagne package. No matter what you choose, it is an unforgettable dining experience in one of Bali’s most beautiful locations!
The Costs
All of this indulgence doesn’t come for free, of course. It is, therefore, best to plan a bit of extra cash into your travel budget for this day!
The brunch package cost 750,000 IDR per adult (about 45 EUR or 52 USD) and 375,000 IDR for teens (13 – 17 years) (about 20 EUR or 24 USD). The different drinks packages start from 125,000 IDR (about 7 EUR or 9 USD) for non-alcoholic beverages, including virgin cocktails. Alcoholic packages range from 750,000 IDR per person and 1.2 Mio IDR (up to 70 EUR or 83 USD), depending on your preferences.
Please also note that all prices are quoted with ++ (plus plus), which means taxes and service fees will still be added. It’s a common thing to do in Asia.
It’s not a cheap day, but it will be one of the greatest if you enjoy amazing food and drinks in one of the most stunning locations Bali has to offer! Believe me! It’s worth it!
Bonus Experience: Sunset Drinks at the Rock Bar
If you can’t stop spoiling yourself that day, book a table at The Rock Bar, only a 10-minute drive from Sundara. This breathtaking bar is set at the Ayana Resort & Spa in a truly spectacular location. To get to the bar you have to take a cliffside inclinator to get down the cliff where the bar is located. The sunset views over the bay are unrivalled, a glamorous end to a perfect day! Make sure to make a booking since it is usually extremely popular.
#2 - Campuhan Ridge Walk in Ubud
Bali has, without a doubt, some of the most beautiful and spectacular seaside places in the world. Yet, my favourite place in Bali is Ubud, about 1.5 hours drive inland. The tropical forest, the green rice paddies and traditional Balinese houses have a unique atmosphere that is hard to describe. You can rent a little Balinese villa with your own plunge pool set amongst rice paddies for a small coin. For a more luxurious experience, you can find stunning high-end resorts in the hills surrounding the small town. Here, you feel transported into a different world, with nothing around you other than the tranquil ancient jungles of the Balinese highland. Truly a dream come true!
No matter where you stay, one of the Must-Do’s in Ubud is the Campuhan Ridge Walk! This little hiking path starts just about 1 km to the west of the centre of Ubud. You get off the main road and over a little bridge through the jungle. If it is open, you might start with a visit to Pura Gunung Lebah, a beautiful elaborate temple complex right at the starting point of the ridge walk. You then just follow the little path that brings you through thick jungle, rice paddies and local villages. I would recommend starting early in the morning to avoid the full heat of the day or in the late afternoon if you can’t get out of bed early. Along the way, treat yourself to breakfast in one of the little restaurants or ‘warung’ as they are called in Indonesia. You can relax from the early morning effort and enjoy the stunning views over the rice paddies and the surrounding jungle. The full ridge walk is 9 km long, but obviously, it is up to you to decide once you had enough.
It is one of the most scenic walks around Ubud and will definitely make you fall in love with the area even more!
Bonus Experience: Wellness stay at Bagus Jati
Ubud is the premier place in Bali for Wellness retreats. I was lucky enough to visit Bagus Jati, one of the most stunning holistic retreats in the area. Set in the lush forest about 30 minutes outside of Ubud, you stay in traditional Balinese A-frame villas looking out into the dense jungle. The retreat offers a range of programs from spa treatments to yoga and meditation classes as well as Ayurveda and detox programs. The resort facilities come complete with a day spa, yoga rooms and a restaurant that uses fresh organic vegetables grown in the gardens on site. You can book different stays and packages depending on your personal preferences. Believe me, you don’t need to be a wellness freak or a yogi to enjoy this absolutely breathtaking retreat. If you deeply crave some relaxation and pampering in the most serene surroundings, you have come to the right place at Bagus Jati!
#3 - Bulian Homestay Experience
Staying at the Bulian Homestay was my most favourite experience in Bali by a mile! If you really get close to what local living is like on the island, you have to stay with Gede and his family in the rural village of Bulian!
Gede used to be a tour guide at the company I last worked at in Bangkok, guiding international tour groups around Bali and the rest of Indonesia. He recently decided to fully concentrate on running his homestay with his wife, showing visitors his beautiful home and culture. And what a fantastic experience those two offer their guests!
The Homestay
Bulian is a tiny rural village in the North of Bali. You stay at Gede’s family compound, where you can choose between different accommodation options from dorm rooms to cosy twin and double rooms. The private rooms come with en-suite bathrooms and are all lovingly decorated. At the bottom of the lush gardens, you’ll find the restaurant and bar area. It’s a cosy little place, where you can relax with a drink and a good home-cooked meal. You can join the offered cooking classes, showing you how to cook the Balinese delicacies yourself with the lady of the house. All chosen dishes can easily be replicated at home. A fun experience and best of all you get to eat your own creations!
The essential idea behind Gede’s homestay is, however, to not only improve his family’s lives but to also create opportunities for the entire village community. One example is to educate the community about how to deal with trash, a big problem on the island. He, therefore, started the global Trash Hero initiative in Bulian. Furthermore, activities and transport for his guests are mostly provided by members of the local community, which helps to bring money into the village. Staying at Bulian Homestay benefits the local community and last but not least – you!
Getting to know Bulian!
For me, however, the most unforgettable experience was preparing and joining the traditional ceremony to thank Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa. Dressed in traditional Balinese garments, you prepare (or in my case – you try!) the Canang, the little parcel shaped offerings. If you have travelled to Bali, you see those little parcels all over the island, usually on doorsteps and on the pavements. Made out of coconut leaves and flowers you form your little Canang offering. We then went to the temple next door, where an old priestess came to officiate the ceremony. It was a truly moving experience that didn’t make you feel like an outsider. At the end of the ceremony, you get the traditional Tridatu bracelet from the priestess, symbolising the powers of the three main lords Brahma, Wisnu and Siwa. The ceremony gave me a beautiful glimpse into the local culture, away from the fake tourist shows. Afterwards, Gede also took us around Bulian and its surprisingly many ancient temples and explained what modern life here meant. I absolutely loved my time with Gede and his family. It was such a beautiful experience I can’t recommend it highly enough!
Bonus Experiences: Stay at Villa Bantes & Go Mountain Biking
Apart from the homestay, Gede also offers accommodation at Villa Bantes, a lovely property located a few kilometres outside the village. It’s a rustic-chic kind of place, without frills, but a lot of privacy and a beautiful pool area overlooking the surrounding fruit farms. If you want a few peaceful days to relax, Villa Bantes might be the right place for you.
Another great activity offered here is a cycling tour around the stunning area. Grab a mountain bike and get ready to start sweating! Your local North Bali Cycling mountain bike guide will take you around the hills and fruit plantations. Enjoy the breathtaking views over the lush hills, paddle down to the lowland rice paddies and end your trip at the ocean! Cycling around the steep hills in the heat is not for the faint-hearted, but it is so beautiful and rewarding getting to know this untouched stretch of land.
#4 - Visit Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
No visit to Bali would be complete without exploring the iconic rice terraces. The bright green of the rice plants against the dark green of the jungle in the background is a sight hard to forget!
With the increasing popularity of rice terraces, in many places, giant swings have been installed. Haven’t we all seen millions of pictures of young, attractive female bloggers and vloggers, skimpily clad, swinging over Balinese rice terraces, longingly gazing into the distance! If you need a swing to make your rice terrace experience complete, you should visit Tegallalang Rice Terrace, located close to Ubud. Don’t get me wrong, Tegallalang is stunning, but it ended up being very overrun by tourists before COVID hit.
I would therefore recommend visiting the lesser-known Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in the cooler highlands at the foot of Mount Batukaru. The dramatic landscapes offer breathtaking scenery you can wander through without hordes of other visitors. Take your sweet time to take undisturbed pictures of this exotic beauty! With a size of 600 hectares, Jatiluwih is also the largest expanse of paddies in the whole of Bali. Situated about 700 metres above sea level, the air is distinctively cooler here than down by the sea. This makes it perfect for taking a walk through terraces and getting lost in the amazing landscape. Take your time exploring and reward yourself afterwards with a drink or a meal at one of the small restaurants overlooking the rice terraces! It is a stunning experience you should definitely add to your to-do list for Bali!
Bonus Experience: Visit Ulun Danu Beratan Temple
The drive from the busy South to Jatiluwih Rice Terraces takes about 2 hours. While you are in the area, you might as well add a visit to Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, one of the major Hindu temples on the island. The temple complex is located at the shores of Lake Bratan, which supplies the entire region with water. This is why the temple was built in adoration of Danu, queen of water, lakes and rivers.
Temple lover or not, you can’t help being impressed with the beautiful temple buildings reflecting in the calm waters of the lake, creating the illusion that it’s floating. The surrounding misty Bedugul mountain range makes for a stunning backdrop. The complex comprises 4 groups of shrines as well as 4 gates facing each of the cardinal points.
Visiting Jatiluwih Rice Terraces and Ulun Danu temple together during a day trip is the perfect combination of nature and culture!
#5 - A Day at Virgin Beach
Generally speaking, the East Coast of Bali is still relatively unexplored and a fantastic area to escape the crowds. Great views over majestic Mount Agung, authentic village life and a beautiful coastline make this area so special.
One of my favourite unexpected experiences in Bali was a day trip to Virgin Beach, close to Candidasa. As one of the few white sand beaches, this little gem offers perfect swimming conditions and tranquil relaxation!
To reach Virgin Beach – or Pantai Perasi as the locals call it – you drive a steep road down until you reach a big wooded parking area. Hidden behind the trees, you’ll find beautiful Virgin Beach! Dotted with rustic beach bars, snorkel shops and little restaurants, you can easily spend an entire day here to swim, snorkel and relax. You feel like a castaway in the best sense! What an amazing experience!
Bonus Experience: Overnight at Ashyana Candidasa Resort
One of the closest seaside places to Virgin Beach worth staying at is Candidasa. About a 20-minute drive from Virgin Beach, Candidasa offers a good selection of beach resorts. My favourite, down-to-earth yet beautiful place to stay is Ashyana Candidasa Beach Resort!
Candidasa as a whole doesn’t have much of a beach. The Ashyana Resort offers, however, stunning sea views complete with a lush pool area. You can’t help not falling in love with this beautiful seaside resort. The onsite restaurant offers delectable Balinese delicacies as well as some Western cuisine highlights. The breakfasts with views over the Bali Sea are just to die for. The traditionally Balinese style double rooms around the pool area ensure a luxurious stay with the best views over the pool and the sea!
From Candidasa, it’s easy to arrange transport to Virgin Beach with your accommodation provider.
A Few Closing Words
Just talking about all the wonders Bali has to offer makes me want to go back immediately! I cannot wait for the day it will be possible again to travel to this island paradise.
Bali is suffering badly during the COVID pandemic, with tourism as their main source of income has been taken away. Many locals don’t have an alternative way to earn money and it’s been hard to make a living over the past 1.5 years. The government had planned to open the island again to international visitors by July 2021 but with rising COVID cases the plans to re-open were put on hold. We can only hope that an increase in vaccination rates and a decline in cases will soon make a return to the island of the gods possible again!
I hope you enjoyed our little exploration of Bali and got some helpful tips on what to do on the island, away from the mainstream tourist haunts.
Join us next week again for more adventures you can plan for when the world opens up again! If you enjoyed this post, give it a Like and Subscribe to get notified once the latest posts come out!
Have a fabulous week and until next time!
