There is no place on earth quite like Bali. In fact it is called the Island of the Gods. And quite deserving of its title. You really cannot help but be impressed with the island. It’s got everything! Beach goers will have a ball of a time in many of its seashores, some busy, some calm, others with smooth white sand and some with volcanic black sand. Towering mountains and volcanoes present awesome adventure opportunities. Temples are also abound. And you can’t help but be intrigued by the exotic cultures and peoples throughout the island. What should you do? Where should you go? No worries. We’ll help you out. Just get there. Bali is calling for you!

Beaches:

One image immediately pops out when one thinks of Bali is its long stretch of bright blue oceans. Something you’d only see in postcards. Well, it is real and they are here with options all over the place. Let’s get down to it.

South Bali:

• Kuta – Probably a bit too crowded and party-like for many. But for visitors seeking those exact points, Kuta will be well served. If you’re a surfer dude, then hit the waves here.
• Sanur – A lot quieter than the previously mentioned Kuta. The atmosphere appeals more to middle-aged folks looking to escape the high energy atmosphere of the previous mentioned beach. Many absorb the atmosphere with a relaxing bike ride along the splendid paved beachfront cycle-path.
• Jimbaran – Another quiet option in South Bali where the sands are white and smooth and the waters calm, perfect for swimming. There are three clusters of seafood restaurants that really add character to the evening. The perfect place to spend your time watching the sun set.

West Bali:

• Medewi Beach – This is considered a tiny, remote seaside village. The waves are nice here too, so surfers are in for a treat as well. Non-surfers will also enjoy their time here, a quiet place and one akin to how Bali was back in the days before the influx of tourism.

North Bali:

• Lovina – The famous black sand beaches are the characteristics of Lovina, located in North Bali. Expect to find calm waters up here, in comparison to the wild waves of the south. Diving, snorkeling and dolphin watching are the main activities as well as relaxation.

East Bali:

• Candidasa – Another beach famous for its black volcanic sands. The beach, however, is totally engulfed by the ocean at high tide. The nearby hills at Tenganan are home to a Bali Aga settlement, known as the very first settlers in the island.
• Amed – If you are looking for a slow pace of life, this is it. Amed is a fishing village by nature so the relaxing atmosphere is expected. The black sand beaches and silhouette of Mount Agung in the background adds to the ambiance.
• Padang Bai – Don’t be fooled by its ‘port to Lombok’ tag. This is a nice relaxing village in itself. It certainly helps knowing that there are some nice dive and snorkeling sites nearby.

So, there you have it. A wide range of Bali beaches. There certainly is a little bit of something for everyone here. But as we know by now, there’s more to Bali than just beaches. Let’s head over to the mountain/volcano side of Bali.

Volcanoes:

• Mount Agung – Towering 3,142 meters above sea level, it is the island’s highest mountain and the country’s 5^th. Bear in mind that it is an active volcano; its last eruption almost resulted in the destruction of Besakih Temple and killed about 1500 people. This is a sacred mountain, but one you can trek up to, with three routes available. One is easy, one is moderate and one is for the fit. Trek at night, so you can get up to the top in time to see the sunrise. Excellent views!
• Mount Batur – A slightly shorter volcano measuring at 1717 meters above sea level. The main attractions here are Lake Batur, the crater lakes and the vast volcanic caldera. The area provides tons of photo opportunities, with memorable treks as well. Get there in the morning though, because clouds will eventually come and obstruct your view.

Temples anybody? What is Southeast Asia without visiting one, or two or more? Here are some of the island’s best.

Temples:

• Besakih Temple – This is the most sacred one of them all.  As mentioned earlier, it was almost destroyed in the 1963 Mount Agung volcanic eruption. The lava flow was just centimeters away from the temple. And that has added even more to the mystical nature of the site.
• Tanah Lot – You wouldn’t find a more picturesque one than this. The temple sits on a large offshore rock which has been shaped continuously over the years by the ocean tide. We advise you to fully charge your camera, because countless photo opportunities will present itself to you here. The sun sets behind the structure, making it the best time to snap shots.
• Tirta Gangga – Alright, it is not quite a temple, but this water palace is still a sight you must check out. You’d be hard pressed to find another place site like this, one filled with fountains, verdant gardens, mazes of pools, elaborate tone carvings and statues.

Art:

You have come to the right place for the arts. Bali is known for some of the most exotic out there. Where is the center for the arts in Bali?

• Ubud – Located in Central Bali, Ubud consists of numerous art galleries and workshops. Even with the continuing growth of Bali as an island, certain parts of the area remains untouched. Scenes of rice fields along rivers and quiet village life carries on relatively undisturbed.

Bali, covering an area of just over 5,600 square kilometers is a destination with endless opportunities. There’s so much to do here, whether cultural or natural. The Island of the Gods is fitting for a big family, romantic enough for the lovely couple and even rowdy for the group traveler looking to have some fun.

Itching to go now, aren’t you? Explore some of these sites and more with our Bali Explorer tour. This is the perfect orientation to the island, introducing you to her main attractions as well as some hidden gems for a thorough experience in Bali.

And that’s not all, folks. Bali is just on island out of over 17,000 that comprises a whole country. Find out the experiences, memories and adventures that await you by browsing through our Indonesia tours page.

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