3 Activities to Try for the First Time Bali Tourists

The numerous activities you could do in Bali, Indonesia will blow the minds of new visitors and long-time travelers. Bali is known to be deeply both spiritual and fun. Though Indonesia isn't made up only of Bali, but first-timers can say it's the first thing that comes to mind whenever Indonesia is mentioned. 

For a first timer, deciding on what activities to do can sometimes be frustrating. If you're staying only for a short while, you can let loose, stay fit, and explore. In fact, there are a lot of things to do and see in Bali for first timers like you. It’s only a matter of how you plan your stay there efficiently.

Here are some activities you could do:

DIVING IN TULAMBEN

There are a lot of places to dive in Bali. However, the best diving spot you could try out is in Tulamben. Here, you can see a shipwreck underwater that’s just 10-15 meters away from the beach. If diving isn’t you cup of tea, however, you could always do some snorkeling and a bit of free diving.

CLIMBING EITHER MOUNT BATUR OR MOUNT AGUNG

In Bali, you have two choices for mountain climbing; it can either be climb mount Batur or mount Agung. People usually hike these mountains before dawn so they could see the sunrise from the peak. You may think Bali is more on the tropical side with its beaches did you? Bali can also give you sights such as these.

VISIT THE ELEPHANT SAFARI PARK

Taro’s Elephant Safari Park is world renowned as the world’s best elephant park and it’s a must visit place for the first timers like you. 

The park features amazing day trips that takes you away from the hustle and bustle of the city and see these creatures up close. You can even ride these creatures and feed them with your own hands. 

There's also a museum you could visit, a buffet restaurant overlooking the lake, and a luxurious safari-styled lodge for extended stays.

These are just some of the activities you could do at some of the tourist attractions in Bali, Indonesia. There are a lot of them to be mentioned in one article. However, if you want to try them all, you can freely explore and experience what Bali has to offer you, a first time tourist.

The Top 3 Must Visit Places In Bali, Indonesia

You’ll often hear people say that Bali is too overrated, quite touristy and/or not worthy of visit. Well, it actually depends on how you would enjoy the place. Bali is definitely popular in its own right, and you’ll surely love its people, food, culture and tradition.  

Regardless of the time that has passed and places that have grown, there are still a lot of things to do and see in Bali.  Especially during peak season, you’ll enjoy the various little businesses dotted around to cater tourists – one of the many reasons to love Bali. 

Here are top three (3) must visit places enough to pique your interest.

Uluwatu Temple – PuraLuhur

Have you watched the movie “Cliffhanger?” This place is somewhat similar to a scene from that movie - a large rugged limestone cliff with a temple perched on it. It is located in the island commonly known as Bukit Peninsula, where Bali’s few best beaches are situated. 

The temple’s structure is majestic, constructed and expanded by several famous safes since the 11th century. It’s perched at the steep cliff of 70 meters above the Indian Ocean. If you go to the cliff’s higher grounds, you will be rewarded with breathtaking sceneries like sunsets. 

PuraTana Lot

It is considered as one of the magnificent rock formations that lays as foundation of popular pilgrimage temples in Bali. It is famous for its serenity and cultural significance as it is associated with Balinese mythology. Visit PuraTana Lot during low tide and you’ll experience walking across the water to the temple. 

Dolphin Sightings at Lovina

In Bali Indonesia hotels resorts are abundant with multi-cultural shows and events. However, if you are fond of dolphins, Lovina is the right place for you. It is one of the best places in the world to do dolphin sighting on a boat trip. 
Usually, you’ll leave the beach at dawn to seek for dolphins. Although it might be crowded with tourists, the trip is worth it especially when you see a number of dolphins happily jumping.

5 Important Things to Remember When Visiting Bali

Bali has been a long time tourist destination since time immemorial. It’s a tropical island basked everyday with natural beauty, gorgeous resorts and white beaches. In fact, Elizabeth Gilbert’s book entitled “Eat, Pray, Love” has put Bali on the globe as a solo gal’s romantic getaway. 

Despite the usual “things to do and see in Bali” which you often hear and read, this island has a lot to offer. You can dress up in accommodations and still have grand experience. The spirit of Bali is immersed in daily tradition of accustomed dress, flower offerings, pavilion homes and ornate rituals.
So, before you book that flight to Bali, here are five important things to remember. 

Don’t Forget About Souvenirs

Unlike other islands in Indonesia, Bali has strong craftsman’s demeanor. From wooden fixtures to giant stone-carved sculptures, the island’s best souvenirs are its offering on artistry and affordable value. Moreover, the Balinese are so good when it comes to both stone and wood carving.

Internet Connection Is Available, But Not Always Free

Although this one should not be that essential especially during vacation, there are times that Internet connection is a must – posting pictures in social media sites or emailing someone. Anyway, don’t fret as WiFi is available in most areas in Bali. However, situations like when your guesthouse doesn’t offer it, you will be required to go to cafes or restaurants, usually with purchase or something. 

Rent a Motorbike

If you want to sight-see Bali in the best and enjoyable way, then rent a motorbike. Motorbike driving is mellow, and it allows you freedom to visit the countryside. In Ubud, the rent usually cost around $6-$10/day. Well, why don’t you do yourself a favor and rent a motorbike!

Try Krupuk – The Street Snack

Krupuk is the name of Bali’s deep-fried rice sugar, and this can be too addicting. You can find a lot of them being sold on the streets. But, hey, they’re cheap and can get you over until your next meal. 

Don’t Like Motorbikes? Go With Taxis or Bemos

Ways to get around Bali Indonesia hotels resorts can be limited, but you do have options – bemo or taxi, if you won’t go with motorbike. They are the cheapest form of transportation in the island. You’ll definitely enjoy the sightseeing while on your way to your destination.

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!

So Many Things To Do And See In Bali – On Land And At Sea

Everyone – kids and adults alike – will surely enjoy Bali. A travel destination perfect for the entire family, even for those going solo, Bali is just the right place to spend your holidays.

Wherever you maybe in the island, be it at sea or land, you will always find some things to do and see in Bali. Below are just a handful, such as:

Dolphin Watching

Lovina Beach, around three hours drive north of Bali, is where the dolphins are. A boat owner is too willing to take you in his traditional outrigger boat towards the middle of the sea where you can see or if with luck, play with hundreds of them. Just make sure to go there during the peak season which is estimated to be between June and November plus, be there before sunrise say, between 5:30 to 6:00 in the morning. Otherwise, it will just be a waste of time as you may not find even one of these friendly gentle creatures.

The beach is famous among revelers for its magnificent panorama, coconut trees dotting the coastal area, making it suitable for a lazy lounging.

Sunset Watching

Wherever you are in Bali, the sunset will always be a spectacular phenomenon to behold – the skies exhibiting a wild but exquisite mix of yellow, orange and purple, at around 6:00 in the evening. No visitor will ever continue doing his own business but, stop and stare when the sun starts sinking into the ocean.

You actually have some options at hand -  a quite sunset on a serene beach while you're on your own, a lively sunset with your drinking buddies in a stylish bar, or a breathtaking sunset while you're going downhill from your trek.

Monkey Fun

Take time to stroll through the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, a nature reserve and Hindu temple complex in Ubud. Get the chance to see cheeky monkeys up close, watch them play and their every move. There are long-tailed ones that has become quite an attraction because guests are allowed to feed them. A ten-minute drive from Ubud to the Bali Zoo will also give you a sight of other creatures, not only monkeys - lions, crocodiles, tigers, and more.

Before you fly to Indonesia, be sure to book first in one of the chic yet affordable Bali Indonesia hotels resorts. With no lodging worries, you're sure to enjoy your holidays.

The Most Admired Alternative Destinations In Nusa Dua, Bali

Among the different districts or areas of Bali, Indonesia, many often have this notion that the Nusa Dua area is purely an enclave of high-profile luxury hotels and resorts. One may also think of well-manicured lawns are often reserved for the rich and famous, or the elderly. However, what many don't know is that Nusa Dua also offers visitors lots of wonderful experiences and activities. Let's look at a sampling of the top alternative destinations and activities in Nusa Dua.  

Tanjung Benoa

If the spotlessly clean and well-manicured lawns in the area's five-star resorts bore you to sleep, then maybe it's time to do something more adventurous at Tanjung Benoa beach! According to our friends at the Bali Tourism Board, Tanjung Benoa has perfect golden sand, and loads of exciting and fun beach activities.

Here, tourists can enjoy watersports activities like wakeboarding, water skis, water jets, banana rides. The local guides can even teach you how to dive or swim with the lovely sea turtles! But, if you don't like to sweat it out in the water, you can just take a relaxing beachside stroll, drink juice or beer, and feel the cool sea breeze.

Geger Beach

Another area that's fast becoming one of the island's top beach destinations is Geger Beach. With white golden sand and turquoise blue waters, this is home to a couple of seaweed farmers, plus none of the noisy and pesky vendors. Here, you'll also find two establishments that rent out surfboards and other swimming gear, along with a few “warung” offering delectable Balinese food. 

Puja Mandala

This one is no doubt a living testimony of the world's different religions living side by side in peace and harmony. Here, visitors will find a complex which consisting of a Hindu, Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant and even an animist house of worship. The multi-religious complex is a brainchild of the previous tourism minister, who floated the idea of putting together 5 different places of worship in one location.

Nusa Dua Theatre

If you're looking to sample the island's cultural traditions in Nusa Dua, make sure you visit the Bali Nusa Dua Theatre. This facility hosts the Devdan Show which features large and well-designed traditional puppets, aerial acrobats, and song and dance performances showcasing the country's rich heritage.

From lovely, unspoilt beaches to ornate places of worship, classy resorts and restaurants, and world-class art galleries, there's just so many things to do and see in Bali, particularly in Nusa Dua!  We hope to see you, and your friends or family, here soon!