The Best Things to See in Bali

• By Ceasar Cotting
• 02 May 2023 - 24 min read

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We enjoyed a four-week break in Bali during Finland's winter season. Despite being a small island, Bali has numerous fascinating spots to explore. Our firsthand experience led us to compile a list of nine must-visit attractions. Check out our article and discover what Bali has to offer.

Bali

Bali is a tropical island and a very popular holiday destination for tourists from all over the world. This island is one of the most liberal regions in Indonesia, making it particularly attractive, especially to young travellers and nomads.

Where is Bali?

Bali is situated in Southeast Asia. Its northern side is bordered by the Java Sea, while the Indian Ocean lies to the south. Other Indonesian islands surround this island; the nearest foreign countries are Malaysia and Australia. It takes a few hours to fly to Australia and a little less to reach the northern part of Borneo, which is part of Malaysia. As Bali is an island, flying is the most practical mode of transportation to reach it.

Bali is located in the tropics, which means that the weather is typically hot, humid, and occasionally rainy. The temperature usually ranges from 20 to 32 degrees Celsius. The rainy season lasts from November to April and rains almost daily. Despite this, there are still plenty of sunny hours, so visiting Bali during the rainy season is not a bad idea. You must plan your daily activities carefully to avoid getting caught in heavy rain showers.

Bali is easily accessible from major cities in Asia, such as Singapore and Hong Kong, but if you are coming from Europe, you will most likely need to connect flights somewhere in Asia. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the US to Bali. To find the best routes and fares for your trip to Bali, check out flights on Skyscanner.

How Many Days is Enough in Bali?

We suggest that visitors to Bali allocate a minimum of 7 days to fully explore the island. Despite its size, Bali offers a plethora of sights and experiences to enjoy, and the traffic can be congested. Due to this, it is recommended that the number of places to visit each day be limited.

If you travel to Bali from far-off countries, we recommend staying at least 2 weeks. The connecting flights can be lengthy, and jet lag may also be a factor. The cost of living in Bali is reasonable, and a longer stay is usually not limited by financial constraints. However, the length of your holiday may be determined by other factors, such as the number of vacation days you have from work.

The Dangers of Bali

Our 4-week Trip to Bali

We had a 29-day trip to Bali from Helsinki. Our trip both ways were 3-leg flights with Cathay Pacific meant we had to sit in the plane for long hours, but luckily, the airline offered superb quality, which kept us happy on each flight. As we had ample connection time, we also had the chance to visit Plaza Premium Lounge in Frankfurt during our inbound flight and we visited Chase Sapphire Lounge on our outbound flight in Hong Kong.

We made a practical choice to stay the whole holiday in the same hotel: Swiss-Belhotel Rainforest Kuta. This decision eliminated the need to pack and unpack luggage during the holiday, should we have chosen to transfer to a different accommodation.

Review of Cathay Pacific

Rainforest Kuta was practically located in north Kuta, so it was always easy and affordable to hire a taxi whenever we needed one. Transportation costs were surprisingly low, despite our daily use of taxis multiple times.

Sightseeing Places

We list the best attractions of Bali based on our own experiences.

Uluwatu Temple

Uluwatu is a region in the southern part of Bali. It has stunning beaches suitable for surfing and snorkelling, but Uluwatu Temple is perhaps this area's most well-known tourist attraction.

The temple is also called Pura Luhur Uluwatu. The Hindu temple is on a cliff overlooking the Indian Ocean. Its big size and location make the temple one of the busiest Hindu temples in Bali. Uluwatu Temple offers amazing ocean views and is also home to a group of monkeys.

We think there are three good reasons to visit the temple: It has a long, rich history, the views from the cliff are fascinating, and you can watch the famous Balinese dance, Kecak, in the evenings in the temple area. We recommend pre-booking a ticket to the Kecak show as there are usually hundreds of spectators, and so to ensure you'll be admitted. Otherwise, you will miss it. You still have the opportunity to purchase tickets on the spot, but please note that only cash payments are accepted.

You can easily spend the whole day in Uluwatu. In the daytime, you can try one of the beaches nearby or enjoy delicious Balinese cuisine. Due to the long distances, you'll need a taxi to travel between places. A taxi from Kuta to Uluwatu Temple takes approximately 90 minutes and costs around $10 one way.

Taxi Apps in Bali

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are known for their picturesque landscapes, which are characterised by the traditional subak irrigation system. The stunning beauty of the fields and their cultural significance have made the terraces a popular attraction for travellers daily. Moreover, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces have been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2012. The terraces represent a living cultural landscape that the Balinese people have shaped for centuries.

Visitors to Jatiluwih can hike or cycle around the rice fields, enjoy delicious Balinese cuisine or hire a guide to listen to detailed information about the fields.

We visited Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in the late afternoon, but morning could be a better choice since the sky is usually clearer. We were surprised to find an entrance fee for the area and additional parking costs for our taxi. We recommend allowing ample time to stroll without feeling rushed and take in the views. After exploring the area, you still have time to go to another destination - a hot spring.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are in Tabanan Regency in the middle of Bali. A taxi ride from Kuta to the Terraces takes more than 2 hours and costs approximately $ 18 one way.

Ubud Monkey Forest

Ubud Monkey Forest is a sanctuary located at Padangtegal, Ubud. The area covers approximately 0.1 square kilometres and contains at least 115 different species of trees. About 1,260 Balinese long-tailed macaque monkeys live in this sanctuary.

The monkey forest is a famous tourist attraction where people come to see the monkeys. Visitors can observe the monkeys' daily activities, including mating, fighting, and grooming. The monkeys have lost their fear of humans, so they continuously contact the visitors. They are not aggressive, but if they suspect that a visitor has food, they may try to steal it or, in the worst case, bite the visitor. That is why you should avoid eye contact with the monkeys. It is also best to keep a distance from the monkeys, and in case they jump over you, don't panic. Instead, remain calm so as not to provoke the monkey. However, if you want to have a selfie with a monkey, it is possible to have it for a small fee, and only the authorised staff can handle it to ensure the safety of the visitors .

The park is forested, and it has many hills and stairs. Trails allow visitors to access the various parts of the park easily, but individuals with disabilities need to select routes more carefully.

We visited Ubud Monkey Forest on a private Ubud tour. Walking around the park and watching the monkeys engage in their daily activities was a relaxing experience. Unfortunately, our guide had made a too-tight schedule. We could have spent more time in the monkey forest, but then we wouldn't have had the opportunity to see any other attractions. If you intend to visit the monkey forest with a tour guide, it could be wise to ask the guide to give you a few hours, and maybe you can skip a few shops on the way.

Tour guides love to take you to expensive touristy shops on the way to get their commissions.

Ubud Monkey Forest is about a 1-hour drive from Kuta. A ride costs $ 15 one way. It is common to combine many Ubud attractions into a single tour.

Sekumpul Waterfall

Sekumpul Waterfall stands tall at 80 meters and is considered to be the highest waterfall in Bali. The waterfall ends in a valley covered with lush greenery, and the constant flow of water keeps the air around it humid. It feels like being in a steam sauna if it has rained recently. It is advisable to carry dry clothes to be changed into after the visit, irrespective of the weather conditions.

When you arrive at the ticketing booth, you will be asked which of the two options you will take: 1) Medium Trekking, which will allow you to see the Twin and Hidden waterfalls, or 2) Long Trekking Package, which will get you to the Twin and Fiji waterfalls. The price of both packages includes a donation to the village, swimming in the waterfalls, and a local guide. Each visitor will get a bottle of mineral water with the Long Trekking package.

This scenic place is a combination of three different waterfalls. The two waterfalls are located at the corners of the valley, and the Grand Sekumpul is the tallest one in the centre.

To access the waterfalls legally, it is mandatory to hire a local guide from the stalls at the official parking area. The guide will help you navigate the valley and answer any questions you may have. A good guide will also help you move safely and take care of your belongings. It is most likely that it will suddenly become rainy while visiting there late in the afternoon, as we had.

We hired a taxi from Kuta to Sekumpul Waterfall, which took over 3 hours. The 'official' parking area was challenging to find, and there were fake checkpoints selling "tickets" along the way to the waterfalls. Fortunately, our driver ignored them. Once we arrived, we were given a guide who didn't provide much value for the money. He followed us without giving any information about the attraction. Instead, he was walking in a hurry ahead of us. We still recommend hiring a guide since it is mandatory by the local regulations.

Sekumpul Waterfall is situated in northern Bali, which is quite distant from Kuta. You should anticipate a journey of more than three hours to get there. Furthermore, your return trip may take even longer in the evening due to increased traffic, and the weather conditions may worsen. A round-trip transfer to the waterfall will be around 50 US dollars if your point of origin is Kuta.

Kuta

Every Bali visitor knows Kuta. It is a busy tourist region, divided into smaller villages: Legian, Kuta, Seminyak, and Tuban. The villages are similar, but they also have differences. The best nightclubs are in Legian; Kuta is more hectic, and Seminyak has perhaps the best beach. While the Kuta area is not the most beautiful region in Bali, it is the home of many commercial services. There are big shopping malls, restaurants serving local and international cuisine, nightclubs and museums.

Many travellers, like us, stay in Kuta. The availability of commercial services is one of the best things that Kuta can offer. Kuta also has a long beach with restaurants and bars. Unfortunately, finding peaceful nature spots in the Kuta area is almost impossible.

If you stay somewhere else in Bali, we recommend spending at least one full day in Kuta exploring its villages. Aside from spending the day on the beach, allow some time to visit Vihara Dharmayana Buddha temple and Beachfront shopping mall. Kuta is full of tourist restaurants, so why not try inexpensive street food that costs only a few dollars?

Kuta is near Denpasar Airport, so the location is perfect for people arriving by air. For example, we stayed our whole holiday in Swiss-Belhotel Rainforest Kuta .

Nusa Penida

Bali is a small island but its neighbour, Nusa Penida, is even smaller. Nusa Penida is about 30 kilometres east of Bali. The travel industry in Nusa Penida is still developing, so the commercial services are not of the same quality as those in Bali. However, nature in Nusa Penida is lush and beautiful, and the locals are friendly. As a small, isolated island, the price level is higher than in Bali, as everything must be transported to the island. Many beautiful Bali-related Instagram photos you have seen were taken in Nusa Penida.

We hired a driver for 6 hours in Nusa Penida. After the tour, he fetched us from the port and returned us to the same location. Six hours were enough to see only a few major attractions on the island, as it was slow to move around due to the poor condition of the roads. To see all the parts, you need to stay on the island for 3 days. Our driver paid all the parking fees, but we had to pay an entrance fee to the island. The driver also took us to an expensive restaurant where a waitress practically "forced" us to buy lunch for the driver, too. Although we enjoyed the island, we believe they are overcharging visitors there.

Nusa Penida can be reached by a fast boat. From Kuta, you need to take a taxi to Sanur and then continue by fast boat to Nusa Penida. The taxi ride takes an hour, and the boat ride is a little longer. Remember to reserve enough cash because cards are not accepted in Nusa Penida, and it isn't easy to find an ATM

Angseri Hot Spring

As a volcanic island, Bali has numerous natural hot springs scattered throughout its landscape. These hot springs offer a unique and relaxing way to experience the island's geothermal features and unwind amid Bali's lush forests, mountainous terrain and rice paddies.

One of the most popular hot springs is the Angseri Hot Spring. Angseri Hot Spring is a natural mineral hot spring from the nearby Batukaru volcano. The water contains high levels of minerals, believed to have healing properties for various ailments.

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Several pools, private soaking tubs, and massage services exist. Restaurants serve Indonesian cuisine even though the menus are simple and English is not widely spoken. The hot spring is near several hiking trails offering scenic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

We visited Angseri Hot Spring in the afternoon. We decided to book a private pool, but after bathing privately, we also tried the public pools. The water in the pools was warm but not uncomfortably hot. It was also possible to cool under small waterfalls that were refreshingly cold. After bathing, we enjoyed lunch in a local restaurant. The selection was simple, but the price level was also low.

It takes about 90 minutes to drive from Kuta to Ansgeri Hot Spring, costing 10 US dollars one way. We recommend combining a visit to Jatiluwih Rice Terraces on the same day.

Luwak Coffee Plantation Ubud

Luwak Coffee (kopi luwak) is made from the beans of coffee berries, which civets have eaten and then passed through their digestive tract. People like us describe the taste as smooth and not bitter with a complex aroma. Due to the slow manufacturing process, kopi luwak is the world's most expensive coffee.

In Ubud, there is a luwak coffee plantation where you can meet civets, see how the coffee is produced and taste different coffee flavours. In addition, you can try a Bali swing in the middle of the lush jungle.

We visited Luwak Coffee Plantation on our Ubud tour. We had perfect timing: the sky was cloudy, but it was not raining yet. First, we met civets and saw how coffee was produced. After that, we tried a Bali Swing in the jungle. After the exciting swing rides, it was time for complimentary coffee and tea tasting. We paid a little extra to try luwak coffee. It had started raining then, so it was the perfect time to do some coffee shopping at the plantation's store.

The visit and a guide to the Luwak Coffee Plantation were free. Trying Bali Swing, tasting luwak coffee, and shopping were the paid services.

It takes 90 minutes to reach Ubud Coffee Plantation from Kuta. We recommend buying a Ubud tour, which combines attractions in the Ubud area. The tour price is approximately $ 40 for the whole group, excluding entry fees and additional services.

Nusa Dua Beaches

Nusa Dua is a luxury area in Bali. It is the home of premium hotels, and the environment is clean and well-maintained. If you are looking for the best quality hotels and nice beaches, Nusa Dua is the place for you. Travellers not staying in Nusa Dua can visit the beaches.

We visited Nusa Dua Beach in the afternoon. It was a hot day, despite the rain in Kuta when we left. Immediately, when arriving at Nusa Dua, we were surprised at how clean the area was and how well it was maintained. We could easily see that it's the premium area of Bali with the best hotels there. The beach was a lovely, white-sand beach with moderate waves. The sea was suitable for swimming, but the waves made snorkelling impossible. Sea currents in Bali are strong, so only people with good swimming skills should enter the sea.

A taxi from Kuta to Nusa Dua takes about 45 minutes and costs 8 US dollars. If you wish to save 20 minutes, you can ask the driver to use a shortcut, Bali Mandara Road, which is built over the sea. This road is fast but has a toll fee of a few dollars.

Where to Stay in Bali?

The first decision to be made is if you wish to stay in a single location or move from one location to another during your vacation. Staying in a single location for the entire holiday, as we did, is practical because you don't need to pack and unpack your belongings multiple times, and the total price also becomes more affordable. However, you need to use many taxi services, but they are cheap in Bali. You save time in taxis by booking accommodation in multiple places, but the overall budget may increase. It is up to your preferences which arrangement you like more.

Kuta is a simple choice in Bali because it has all the services tourists need and a wide selection of hotels. As a drawback, the area is crowded and noisy.

Ubud is another popular location for travellers, but it has one major con: No beaches. However, Ubud has natural beauty, and one can easily experience Balinese culture there. Ubud also offers a wide range of accommodation options, from budget hotels to luxury apartments.

Nusa Dua is the choice for people who want to stay in luxury hotels in a safe and clean area. You will surely get good value for your money, but you may also miss the real Bali. We recommend Nusa Dua only for those seeking relaxation without plans to explore Bali's natural destinations and cultural attractions.

Review of Rainforest Kuta

Bottom Line

Bali is an excellent destination for a short or longer getaway. You can easily spend weeks in Bali and still find new and interesting things to see every day. Even though the island is small, transportation is slow, and you can easily be over-optimistic about your schedules. To save time, we recommend combining visits to a few different attractions on the same day, provided they are located near each other. Use local taxi apps, like Grab, to prevent you from being overcharged.

Nature attractions are perhaps the best that Bali can offer. For example, you can see how Luwak coffee is produced and taste it yourself. Try a Bali Swing or cool down under a waterfall. One thing is common: A lush jungle and humid air surround you. And when you get hungry, you can always find a restaurant with friendly staff and delicious food.

Are you a frequent Bali visitor? What is your favourite attraction? Share your best tips below!

Tags: Bali, travel guide, tour
Destination: Indonesia