Places to Explore in Bali
Exhausting all the memorable places to visit in Bali will take you weeks. Although Bali is just one of Indonesia’s more than 17,000 islands, it claims a majority of the tourism in Indonesia. Many visitors never leave the island, and for good reason.
Despite the popularity and abundance of development, Bali certainly isn’t all concrete. Green vines and blooming flowers keep the air smelling like paradise, assuming you aren’t too close to one of the busy roads. The volcanic beauty and Hindu vibe have kept Bali at the top for honeymoon destinations in Asia.
1. South Bali Beaches
Perhaps the primary reason that people come to the island, the beaches in South Bali are wide with great sand and famous surf. Kuta is the party epicenter with plenty of nightclubs and opportunities to compare notes about the day’s surfing lessons. While rambunctious and certainly a little obnoxious, Kuta is close to the airport and is often the first stop for newcomers in Bali.
Fortunately, the sprawl in Kuta has only partially consumed neighboring beaches; there are still plenty of quiet and romantic places where electronic music doesn’t thump. Tuban, Legian, and Seminyak are popular beach alternatives to Kuta and are more upscale than their vibrant neighbor.
2. Ubud
Although busier than ever before thanks to additional fame from the hit movie Eat, Pray, Love, Ubud still manages to cling onto some of its charm and serves as Bali’s cultural hub. A monkey forest, numerous temples, and a vibrant atmosphere make Ubud hard to leave.
Ubud is a center for holistic healing; many healers, artists, and creative individuals have settled around Ubud lending a healthy, peaceful vibe. Boutique shops, galleries, and spas abound in town. Ubud is considered the obvious choice for experiencing a traditional Balinese dance performance.
While in Ubud, be sure to check out the nearby Goa Gajah (Elephant Cave) temple which dates back to the 11th century.
3. Kintamani Region
The green Kintamani Region north of Ubud in the eastern part of Bali is an excellent escape for some time away from the beaches. Mount Batur rises above the landscape of green rainforest and volcanic lakes. Small villages line Mount Batur and the lake; you’ll have plenty of opportunities to purchase handmade goods and observe the local way of life. Pura Pencak Penulisan — Bali’s oldest Hindu temple — sits at the top of 333 leg-burning stairs and offers a picturesque view of the island.
If climbing stairs or an active volcano aren’t your thing, you can simply relax in the volcanic hot springs and enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Kintamani region is easily visitable on a day trip from Ubud.
4. Lovina
The calm waters, black-sand beaches, and dolphin watching draw people to Lovina’s relaxed atmosphere on the northwest coast of Bali. Lovina is famous for dolphin-spotting boat excursions. Moreover, the diving opportunities are excellent here; many dive shops offer PADI certification classes as well as day dives.
5. Tulamben
The small fishing village of Tulamben on the northeast coast of Bali is famous for the wreck of the USAT Liberty, a US Army transport ship that was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in 1942. The damaged ship was brought back to Bali for repairs; however, the Liberty sank at the beach in 1963 when Mount Agung erupted.
Today, the Liberty is a highly popular dive site as it is one of the world’s few shallow, beach-accessible shipwrecks. Consequently, snorkelers can see the top of the ship at a depth of just 15 feet.
