So you’re planning your trip to Bali. Let us help you with that: we’ve put together a very detailed guide with attractions and various activities for your vacation. From it, you’ll learn about the main cities and popular locations, and you’ll also be able to make a plan for a week or two of vacation.
How It Works
You arrive in Denpasar, the capital of Bali. Here, 95% of tourists take a taxi and go to the check-in point. If you are not a fan of museums, temples and shopping, follow the same strategy. The city is cozy, calm, without night parties and expensive restaurants. For tourists with children, we recommend taking a tour of the city on a horse-drawn carriage (dokar). The main party areas of Bali are Kuta and Seminyak. They have a similar format: 24-hour parties, megawatts of light and sound, lively streets with bars and restaurants. The differences are in age and wallet. Kuta is for democracy and simplicity. There is cheap alcohol, a bunch of surf schools and ideal conditions for catching a wave. Young people choose Kuta, and Kuta chooses young people – but if you spent your vacation in Bali and did not leave Kuta, then consider that you have not seen the real Bali. Seminyak is chosen by more respectable tourists. The area begins behind Arjuna Street and Double Six Beach and stretches north. In terms of content, it is similar to Kuta, only it is well-groomed in a European style. It is expensive here, and in some places it is downright luxurious.
Ubud is the esoteric capital of Bali. A place where former office clerks become spiritual teachers, destinies change, and purposes are revealed. Satsangs, retreats, channeling, vipassana, ecstatic dance, rapé, the game “Lila”, tarot – if you understand at least half of the words from this list, then you will find yourself in Ubud.
Canggu is a collective name for the areas of Canggu, Tibubeneng (Brava), Pererenan. The place is experiencing a powerful surge in popularity. Both Balinese and Indonesians live here, as well as expat freelancers and tourists. Canggu has a hipster spirit of unpretentious relaxation: there is a quirky and sometimes careless design all around, lots of markets and shops, an avalanche of greenery. The area is home to many yoga and healthy lifestyle enthusiasts, who for some reason did not like Ubud. For something completely different, you can pair Bali’s tranquility with an exhilarating online gaming experience on platforms like Dragon Slots casino. It’s the perfect mix of island vibes and thrilling fun!
Most tourists call the areas of Pecatu, Ungasan and Kutuh the word “Uluwatu”, while the real Uluwatu is the famous temple in Pecatu, in the south of the Bukit Peninsula. Here are the most picturesque white beaches, clear and blue water, and on the cliffs there are chic clubs with swimming pools with views. There are fewer shops than in Seminyak, but along the roads leading to the main beaches and surf spots there are some pretty European cafes and restaurants. The area is rapidly developing, gaining fame as the “new Canggu”.
What to Do in Bali
Develop Spiritually
They say that the meme phrase “breathe with the womb” has Balinese roots. The community pf “winterers” has been actively populating Southeast Asia since the 2000s: Thailand, India, Vietnam. But it was in Indonesian Bali that a specific community was formed – esotericists, energy practitioners, coaches, yogis, tarologists, astrologers, regressologists, theta healers. The Ubud area is considered a spiritual forge, start your sacred search here.
After lunch — a channeling session with higher beings. Working on the lower chakras. A tarot reading, a game of “Lila”. Dinner with a view of the sunset (this is not a sunset!), after sunset — ecstatic dance.
You can live quite comfortably in Bali without esotericism: after all, there is sun, sea, surfing, and fruit. People vibrating at high frequencies are an additional modifier. If you are in the know, you will easily find like-minded people. If this annoys you, know: you will be annoyed often.
Surfing
If you type “best surfing spots” into a search engine, Bali will definitely be in most of the tops. There are really a lot of spots (read: places to ride). There are some for beginners and experienced ones. The Indian Ocean generously distributes waves for every taste.
You can surf all year round, but the best time is from April to October. For beginners, we recommend the Kuta Beach and Canggu Beach spots. Experienced ones will like the Uluwatu and Keramas beaches. All of these are names of villages and districts. If you are in Bali for surfing, then you should look for accommodation nearby.
Hike Volcanoes
What do Kamchatka and Bali have in common? Surfing and volcanoes. Indonesia is located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area with high seismic activity and a huge number of volcanoes, including active ones.
There are two main volcanoes in Bali that are climbed – Batur and Agung.
The ascent to the first peak at a height of 1,717 meters does not require special training – even children and elderly people can do it. Meeting the sunrise on the volcano, looking up at the clouds from below – an extraordinary feeling! After the ascent, you can have breakfast at the top and, after going down, soak in the hot radon springs with a view of the volcanic lake. Sounds like an ideal weekend, and for the residents of Bali – just another Saturday.
