The Greenest Resorts in Bali That Promote Sustainable Tourism

We all know what mass tourism can do to pristine and lovely places like Bali, Indonesia. We've seen how once-verdant rice fields and forests have been converted into resort villas, and how small dirt roads have now been turned into 4- or 6-lane highways that are filled with smoke-belching buses and cars. While tourism certainly provides much-needed employment, many people today wonder at what cost. If you'd like to visit Bali, but you'd like to leave the smallest possible footprint, here's a look at a few of the greenest resorts in the Island of the Gods.

Kali Manik Eco Resort

If you're looking for things to do and see in Bali, but you'd like to do it in a way that won't damage the environment, then visit the island's best eco-tourism resorts! One of the island's best and most earth-friendly resorts is Kali Manik Eco Resort on the north coast.

Kali Manik Eco Resorts offers refreshing and amazing views of the sea, the rice paddies, hills and mountains, all from the window of your cottage.

The resort has three individually-designed cottages which conform to the strictest environment standards. The cottages are made from bamboo and stone, and clean solar energy powers the water heaters. All meals are also made from organic produce. The resort owners even hold workshops on sustainable tourism to their staff, and they involve the locals in their earth-friendly practices too.

Udayana Kingfisher Eco Lodge

Located in lovely and relaxing Jimbaran Heights, Udayana Kingfisher Lodge is the perfect place to escape the crowded beaches, the gridlocked streets, and the stressful noise of the city.  Here, you can truly be one with Mother Nature, and yet be so conveniently close to the airport, and other major destinations in Bali.

The eco lodge is perfect for family retreats, and is great for solo travellers too who have relatively limited budgets. What's so nice is that guests will have dramatic views of Mount Agung, Jimbaran and Benoa bays.

The resort is also certified as an eco-friendly tourist establishment, which means that its owners and staff are dedicated to educating and empowering local communities in sustainable development and long-term conservation.

Bali Eco Stay

Tucked amidst the lush rice fields and jungles on Mount Batukaru, Bali Eco Stay has five unique bungalows or cottages that are set up to naturally blend with the area's natural environment. The land where the resort is built is owned by locals, while an Australian couple manages and runs the resort. The facility also has its own hydroelectric power plant, organic vegetable garden, wastewater recycling systems, natural spring-fed pools and waterfalls.

Here, guests can participate in cultural workshops and cooking classes, as well as join locals in implementing earth-friendly practices. The establishment truly deserves to be named as one of the most earth-friendly Bali Indonesia Hotels Resorts!

The Must-See Charms Of Lovely Sanur, Bali

The different districts of Bali, Sanur is well-known for having the “first tourist resort in Bali”. The name of the place is derived from two Indonesian words “Saha' and”Nuhu” which literally mean “the passion to visit”. And if Kuta and Jimbaran are famed for their dramatic sunsets, Sanur is famous for its glorious sunrises and long stretches of beautiful sandy beaches. The area has a healthy sprinkling of plush hotels and market stalls, restaurants, and other exciting outdoor activities. Here's a peek at the must-see lovely charms of Sanur.

Griya Santrian Gallery

One of the best things to do and see in Bali, as well as in Sanur, includes a visit to the Griya Santrian Gallery. Located within the Griya Santrian Boutique Hotel, the open-air art gallery is host to book launches, art exhibitions, workshops and other art-related activities involving local and international artists.

It's also one of the most reputable galleries in Bali, as it features various sculptures, painting and carvings from artists who do classical styles of art. Among the notable artists whose art works were featured here include Auw Kok Heng, Ni Nyoman, Syahrizal Koto, Le Mayeur de Mempres and Sujana.

The Beaches Of Sanur 

With a long and lovely 8-kilometer coastline from north to south, visitors will enjoy several notable beaches in Sanur. A paved footpath connects joggers and hiker from the coastal border of the Gianyar regency to the mangrove forests of southern Denpasar.  This makes the whole coastline a perfect place to jog or ride a bicycle any time of the day.

According to frequent visitors, two areas of the beach are hailed as the most pleasant – the area towards the center nears the Bali Hyatt and north to The Shack, and in the northern end near the Inna Grand Hotel. Overall, the beaches of Sanur are perfect for family outings and other adventure activities, and offer lots of shade, good swimming, as well as good reef surfing, and it's only 30 to 45 minutes away from Kuta!

The Le Mayeur Museum

Tucked right on the main Sanur beach of Sindhum, behind the long line of art and souvenir stalls, Le Mayeur Museum is home to the artworks and personal history of Brussels-born artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur. Le Mayeur was so impressed by the beauty and tranquility of the shores of Sanur (and the sweet charms of its women), that he decided to stay here and marry a Legong dancer named Ni Pollok (who is extensively featured in his oil paintings).

The museum has five rooms, with the main building designed with classical Balinese elements, sculpted walls and red terrazzo floor tiles (and previously served as the couple's living quarters). 

Sanur is also home to a wonderful array of BaliIndonesia Hotels Resorts. From the luxurious five-star Sanur Beach Resort to the Mercure, Puri Santrian, the Inna Grand Bali Beach and a sprinkling of 3 and 4-star hotels, villas, bungalows and even nice home-stays!

Jimbaran, Bali: A Go-To Guide

If you're going to Bali, and you'd like to see more of the sights, and not just settle in popular areas like Kuta, Seminyak or Legian, it’s nice to know that there are lots of places in the island that have yet to be discovered by many. Located south of the international airport lies Jimbaran, a region previously known as a fishing village. Today, it's home to 5-star beach resorts, temples, art galleries and more! Here's a peek at a few of the top attractions in Jimbaran.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

For arts and culture buffs, if you think the island is just for avid surfers or hikers, don't worry because there are lots of things to do and see in Bali, from an arts and culture perspective.  

If you're heading to Jimbaran, don't forget to visit the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. Most locals refer to it as “GWK”, and the park covers 250 hectares in the hills of Ungasan, which is a couple of minutes drive from the main district.

The park is situated on a limestone plateau high in the Bukit Peninsula, and offers a majestic view of Jimbaran Bay and Kuta to the west, as well as Tanjung Benoa and Sanur to the east.

It's main attraction is a giant but yet-to-be-completed statue which depicts the Hindu god Vishnu riding on the back of the mythical “Garuda' eagle. You'll also find exhibition halls, amphitheatres, gardens and parks here.

Dreamland and Padang-Padang Beach

Dreamland Beach is the first beach to rise to international fame in the island's southern Bukit Peninsula. It is home to one of the best reef breaks in the world, and it's just a 30-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. Here, visitors will find attractive resorts, several surfing classes, and lots of “warungs” or food stalls selling Balinese and Western food treats.    

Padang-Padang Beach is referred by locals as Pantai Labuan Sait, and features a 100-meter long stretch of sand that's accessible down a flight of stairs. The waves here are generally for advanced surfers, although the beachfront is perfect for everyone, including whole families.

Jenggala Gallery

This gallery displays the ceramic arts and crafts of one of the island's most legendary ceramic produces, Jenggala Keramik. Here, you'll find hand-painted ceramic artwork of various shapes and sizes, which are inspired by the symbols, patterns and hues commonly found in Indonesian culture. Adults and kids can also sign up for the “paint-a-pot” workshop.  

If you want a mix of fun, adventure and a little bit of the island's rich culture, don't forget to visit Jumbaran. And if you want to stay longer, what's great is that the area is also home to many of the best Bali Indonesia Hotels Resorts!