🏝️ Bali: 15 secrets of a perfect vacation

Last updated Feb 10, 2025

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When a vacation without a beach is not a vacation

Bali occupies a leading position in the list of the best resorts in the world. And no wonder: what could be better than a vacation on a tropical island, where you can not only enjoy beach days, but also go on exciting adventures in the wild jungle? A trip to Bali promises to be an unforgettable experience, during which you will be immersed in a world of exotic landscapes and amazing sights.

Some facts about the island

Bali is located in the Malay Archipelago (Indonesia) and is covered in lush vegetation, volcanic regions, beaches and rice fields all the way up to the hills. The island is quite large, the population is more than 4 million people.
Approximately 80% of the island's economy is tourism. Local residents are engaged in agriculture and live in small villages.
The island's agriculture consists of rice cultivation. Rice fields can be seen everywhere, and some are so picturesque that they attract the attention of many tourists. Tegallalang is considered a particularly photogenic place. There are even special photo zones there.
Holidays in Bali are not always associated with visiting the beaches: you can encounter large waves, strong undercurrents, rocks and reefs underwater. But the ocean around the island is warm and crystal clear. And in Bali you can find unique beaches with black sand – the result of the volcanic activity of the island.

The period from May to September is considered the most favorable time to travel to Bali, as there are practically no rainy days at this time. October is considered the period after the peak season. Therefore, it is often chosen by tourists on a limited budget as the “cheapest” month to travel.
For a more comfortable visit to Bali, it is worth learning a few basic phrases in the local language – Bahasa Balinese. Indonesian is also widely spoken. And friendly locals are always ready to help tourists in basic English and with gestures. The friendliness of the Balinese is due to their belief in karma – they believe that negative actions in the present will definitely affect the future.

Denpasar is the capital of Bali

You can start your trip to Bali from the largest city of the island – Denpasar. At first glance, it seems like a cozy province with orange tile roofs and an endless stream of motorcyclists on the roads. But Denpasar is home to almost half a million residents. At the same time, the capital is growing and developing, but without fanaticism.

Local architects are trying to “fit” new projects into the historical appearance of the city, so as not to demolish the old, but build a new one. The thing is that on the island they treat architectural monuments very carefully, especially those associated with religion. In order not to lose sight of anything, while walking around Denpasar it is better to contact a professional guide who will tell the history of the city and show you the most popular attractions, cafes and shops.

Religion is an integral part of the life of every resident of Denpasar, so the temples here are never empty. The most interesting from an architectural point of view is the Pura Jagatnath Temple, dedicated to the god Sangyang Vidi. In classical Hinduism, there are three main deities – Brahma, Shiva and Vishnu. The Balinese chose Sangyang Widi to personify not only the Indonesian religion, but also the entire nation as a whole. The Pura Jagatnath temple itself is quite small, but bright and colorful, as befits a sanctuary decorated in the Hindu style. It can be visited any day except Friday.

Tourism outside the capital

But the most famous temples are located far from Denpasar. Thus, one of the most significant and sacred of them is located in the northwest of the most party city of the island – Kuta. Puro Tanah Lot Temple is located on the coast, as evidenced by its name, which literally translates as “Land and Sea”. According to official data, it was built in the 16th century. However, legend says that two centuries earlier the place was already considered sacred. At that time, there lived a monk who founded the temple.

Due to the recent Instagram tourism boom, many are now coming to Bali to enjoy food, drink and shopping. The island's art and culture have increasingly gone unnoticed. But Bali is famous for entire villages of skilled craftsmen who pass on their craft from generation to generation.

Among them are the small villages of Mas and Kemenuh, where there are many wood carving workshops. Local residents create not only figurines from wood, but also furniture.

It is worth visiting the village of Butulan to see with your own eyes how the stone statues are created. Moreover, they are located all over the island: guarding houses and temples, greeting visitors at the entrances to shops and on beaches. Local craftsmen work day and night to create sculptures that reflect the mythology of the Indonesian island in all its glory. You can buy them here, and at a fairly affordable price.

Balinese cuisine

Local cuisine is unique and original, because it is essentially the result of a combination of traditions from many tribes and peoples of Indonesia. Despite the fact that Bali's neighboring islands (Java and Lombok) have similar dishes, Balinese cuisine has no analogues. Thus, in Muslim areas of Indonesia they do not eat pork, while in Bali Hindus do not adhere to such prohibitions.

But, of course, rice remains the basis of all dishes. Even the unofficial national dish, nasi goreng, literally translates as “fried rice.” The ingredients used in its preparation may vary depending on the region. Spices, vegetables, eggs, chicken or shrimp – sounds delicious and satisfying, doesn't it?

Visitors are also often advised to try pepes – meat seasoned and cut into pieces, wrapped in a banana leaf and grilled. An equally frequent recommendation from lovers of Balinese cuisine is suckling pigs rubbed with turmeric, ginger and chili. The carcass is roasted over low heat on a spit. This dish is one of the most popular in Bali.

Balinese desserts are often characterized by increased sweetness, but not bubur injin. It combines black rice, pandan leaves, palm sugar, banana and coconut milk for a balanced yet unexpected flavour. Bubur injin is ideal on a hot day, which means it’s worth trying this unusual dessert as a refreshing snack.

Natural wealth of the island

In the center of the island there is a reserve where you can watch monkeys in their natural habitat. Animals walk freely throughout the island, jump on branches and are not at all afraid of people. Thus, hundreds of Balinese long-tailed macaques live in the U Buda forest. These smart and playful monkeys are also not averse to chatting with visitors, but sometimes not in a very friendly way. Macaques can bite, hit, steal food or any other item and demand a treat in return. Therefore, do not forget about precautions: carefully monitor your belongings, do not try to pet animals and do not look into their eyes.

If simply contemplating nature seems like a boring pastime, why not try yourself as a mountain climber? Climbing Mount Batur is one of the most exciting hikes in Bali. But this is not just a mountain, but an active volcano. Batur, which is almost 1,700 meters high, is about an hour's drive from Ubud. The ascent will take 2-3 hours, but the time spent is more than compensated by the stunning panoramic views of the Balinese jungle.

Or head down to Suluban Cave, one of the most fascinating but hidden places in Bali. Perhaps the main reason for this is the rather difficult path to get there. Everyone will have to walk up a long staircase. It starts on the beach and leads to a cave hidden behind limestone rocks – the Goa Gajah temple, the so-called “Elephant Cave”.

At the entrance there are intricately carved stone figures of animals and demons (quite creepy, I must admit). Inside you will see a picture as if frozen for centuries: niches for meditation, ancient statues with offerings, a sacred bath for ablution before spiritual practices. The temple and other structures in the pre-temple area are over a thousand years old, but they are still functioning.

When a vacation without a beach is not a vacation

One of the most famous resorts in Bali is Kuta Beach. This is a paradise for surfers and the party center of the entire island. The place is very popular among young people. The well-developed beach infrastructure also contributed to this, thanks to which Kuta has also become the most densely populated area of Bali.

Seminyak and Legian, located not far from Kuta, also do not suffer from a lack of attention from tourists. The waves here are strong and constant; if you wish, you can rent a sun lounger and an umbrella, or go to a cafe or local restaurant.

You can relax and unwind not only with your soul, but also with your body, on the beach in Jimbaran, the main advantage of which is the calm, warm ocean. White sand and clear blue water make the beach truly heavenly.

In order to calmly enjoy all the benefits of the island, you should take care of your place of residence in advance. Bali offers more than 4 thousand hotels for every taste, color and budget. At the same time, a gorgeous view from the window is guaranteed regardless of the cost of housing, because everywhere on the island there are landscapes like from a postcard.

For example, in the vicinity of Ubud you can find many cozy villas and bungalows with their own unique atmosphere. But there are also disadvantages – not all of them can boast of high-quality service and other amenities. But, you see, this is not so important for real travelers.