Bali Holidays: The Ultimate Bali Travel Guide

Dreaming about a holiday to Bali?

Visiting Bali is on most people’s bucket lists. The place is freaking gorgeous! Bali is a paradise on earth that has something for everyone of every age! There is much to see and do on this gorgeous island paradise, from its idyllic beaches and alluring spiritual aura to wide rice fields and spectacular sunsets!

Dreaming of Bali Holidays? Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed vacation, Bali is the perfect destination.

Bali offers surfing, yoga, hiking, meditation, wonderful food, and exciting nightlife. These features make Bali a must-visit place with its hotspots for Instagram-worthy cafes, vegan restaurants, and trendy bars. The regions are tranquil and retain their allure and beauty that captivates you.

If you want to enjoy Balinese charm and don’t want the rain to interrupt your outdoor activities, consider visiting in the dry season. In Summer, the humidity levels are minimal. The only problem you may have is booking flights as it is the best time to visit the place. You need to make advanced reservations for hotels also.

Keep reading if Bali is on your bucket list for the next holiday destination. This travel guide includes everything you need to know to make the most of your visit to Bali.

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Table of Contents:

1. Things You Need to Know Before Heading to Bali

2. Bali’s Top Destinations

3. Top Bali Holiday Travel Tips

4. List of Bali’s Best Holiday Resorts

5. Summing Up Holidaying in Bali

1. Things You Need to Know Before Heading to Bali

Bali is one of the places that is extremely peaceful yet chaotic simultaneously, depending on your destination. One minute you may explore Ubud’s rice fields; the next, you may pass a swarm of scooters close to Kuta.

Therefore, knowing as much as possible about this beautiful Indonesian province is crucial before going there. Keep in mind the given information to make your visit travel friendly.

The Balinese Drive on the Left-Hand Side

Okay for us Aussies – we are used to it. But our American friends may find it surprising that Bali has left-hand side driving. So, if you’re from a place where people drive on the right, you should use extra caution when crossing Bali streets. When you first arrive in Bali, you’ll find a lot of traffic delays because there aren’t any motorways as such.

You may take some time to get used to the chaotic nature of Bali’s traffic, where you may see people crossing the street, dogs bounding across the road, and drivers making abrupt turns, so it is necessary to remain vigilant at all times.

Bali has Very Limited Public Transport

One thing that startles travellers visiting Bali for the first time is limited public transport. While there are trains and buses to take you throughout Java, Bali’s public transportation system is practically nonexistent or limited to only a few areas.

However, fortunately for travellers, two more options are easily accessible: motorbikes and taxis, which lead them to their next visiting spots.

Download the Go-Jek App for travelling

You may hear many confusing and conflicting things regarding Uber’s legal status in Bali. That is why locals and visitors have started using the “Go-Jek” app.

In addition to getting you where you need to go, the drivers in green helmets also handle your shopping, acquire meals from one of the more than 2000 registered eateries, and deliver items. They’ll essentially fulfil whatever request you have.

What a fantastic service—definitely check it out!

Bali has Many Places to Explore

Places like Seminyak and Kuta are just the tip of Bali’s iceberg – these areas are really busy and tend to cater for the younger set. Don’t, under any circumstances, limit yourself to just these spots. Bali’s Bukit Peninsula entails a line of exotic and picturesque beaches, making them the favourite location of the island.

The most breathtaking natural and cultural settings are in Ubud and farther north. Before making your hotel reservations, check out the Bali island region guide!

Make Sure You Take Reusable Water Bottles

While Bali is cleaner, you should refrain from consuming tap water. But you may use it to clean your teeth. Even though the waste issue is terrible in Bali, you don’t necessarily have to spend on bottled water.

Bringing a reusable water bottle to the trip will save you from this problem. Many coffee shops and eateries have free refills.

2. Bali’s Top Destinations

Mount Batur

Hundreds of tourists start their ascent of Mount Batur’s 1,700 meters summit every day in the early morning. When they reach the peak, they observe the sun rising over the luscious patchwork of mountains covered in mist and foggy clouds. Mount Batur’s should be at the top of your list if you’re seeking couples-friendly romantic activities in Bali.

This revered active volcano sits in the Kintamani District of Bali’s central highlands, around an hour’s drive from Ubud. It normally takes two to three hours to complete the moderate hike along well-marked routes.

On sunny days, you can enjoy the views spanning the entire Batur caldera, the surrounding mountain range, and the stunning Lake Batur, the island’s primary irrigation water source.

Banyumala Twin Waterfall

Banyumala Twin Waterfall in Bali is not as well-known or as regularly visited as other waterfalls, yet it retains its pristine natural beauty. It lies at the heart of a major highway that goes from Singaraja to stunning Denpasar, Banyumala Twin Waterfall offers breathtaking views.

Nothing worthwhile ever comes easily; finding a waterfall like this is unquestionably a great way to add to your travelling experience. You’ll walk across rocks, beautiful giant trees, and a river. Plus, the stunning waterfall will surround you to help you unwind and succumb to nature.

Campuhan Ridge Walk

Bali is well-known not just for its terrific beaches, which visitors from all across the globe love to visit, but also for its stunning natural landmarks.

The Campuhan Ridge Walk, for instance, is one you shouldn’t miss out on when you’re in Bali. This picturesque mountain valley hiking track is undoubtedly a nice escape to get fresh air, even in crowded and quite sophisticated Ubud.

You will pass through the most amazing hillside scenery along the 9km track journey and the verdant Sungai Wos River valley. If the weather is kind to you and you’re lucky, you could even glimpse Mount Agung along the route, making it a truly memorable trip.

GWK Cultural Park

Looking for a tour that includes a gorgeous historical site, fascinating traditional dances, and action-packed activities all in one place?

GWK Cultural Park is an ideal destination for your trip. GWK Bali lets you watch exquisite dances such as the mesmerizing Kecak, the royalty dance known as the Legong dance, and many other unique, culturally rich events.

Don’t forget to relax by the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue, which was finally finished 28 years ago and is now 120 meters high, in the GWK’s Lotus Pond. A journey like this will make your holiday wonderful.

Pura Luhur Lempuyang

Lempuyang Temple, a historic mountain temple located in Bali’s east, is another popular Instagram location. This temple is 1,175 meters above sea level and existed before most Hindu temples on this island.

The height is attainable with the help of the given staircase, which is steep, has more than 1,700 steps, and is lined with many sights and smaller temples. This combination of a mountain walk and an intriguing ancient site would appeal to thrill seekers.

Even if you don’t like hiking, you can take in the breathtaking scenery from the mountain’s base. Lempuyang Temple has an exotic, conventional, beautiful, and historical view and is a perfect setting for your amazing vacation!

3. Top Bali Holiday Travel Tips

Do you want to feel more welcoming when visiting Bali? Follow these holiday travel trips.

You Need a Visa to Go to Bali

Australians will need a visa to enter Bali. You can organise a Visa upon arrival at your local International Airport. Visa’s to Bali cost about $50 and allow for a 30-day or less stay with the following requirements:

• You must have a current passport with at least six months of validity.
• You have a return flight to your home country booked, or an onward flight to another country.
• A minimum of two Covid vaccinations taken 14 days or more before your departure date.

For more details and information on applying for a visa for Indonesia, visit the Australian Embassy Indonesia.

Get Yourself Familiar with Useful Balinese Phrases

People in the area always enjoy it when you try to speak their language. Grab yourself a Balinese Phrasebook.

Here is a brief list of common Balinese phrases:

Thank You	Terima Kasih (Tuh-REE-mah KAH-see)
Hello	Halo (HAH-lo)
Good Morning	Selamat Pagi (S’LAH-maht PAH-ghee)
Excuse Me	Permisi (pehr-mee-see)
Please	Tolong (TOH-long)

Remember that good manners cost you nothing and are seen in Bali as a sign of respect and courtesy.

Dress Modestly Outside Resorts in Bali

The majority of staff members at Bali hotels and resorts wouldn’t blink an eye if they saw visitors wearing fairly revealing apparel. It’s a vacation spot that attracts a variety of travellers. However, outside of resorts, if you’re going to see certain tourist places, like temples and mosques, it’s different. Always dress conservatively with your shoulders covered, long pants or a skirt that covers your knees.

We highly recommend you take a shawl when visiting temples or sacred sights so it’s easy to drape over your shoulders.

Within the Balinese resorts – you can wear what you like! Bali is tropical, so pack lots of t-shirts and shorts, summer dresses and thongs.

Never Walk in front of a person who is praying

Make sure to turn off your camera’s flash when photographing someone praying. You can stay to observe a religious service, but you must not interfere.

Avoid Touching a Balinese Local’s Head

Even kissing a gorgeous kid on the head is prohibited in Bali. For Bali people, the head is a new feature of the body.

Follow the Rules in Bali

Although the legal system in Indonesia may appear complex and inconsistent, it is preferable to comply with any “fines” imposed and avoid arguing with authorities if you are falsely accused of breaking the law. Expecting special treatment simply because you are a foreigner is unreasonable, and it should go without saying that engaging in drug-related activity is never a good idea.

4. List of Bali’s Best Holiday Resorts

Bali has some of the world’s most beautiful and affordable holiday resorts. Here is a list of the best of them!

For some great deals check out Luxury Escapes – they often have sales on trips to Bali!

Amandari, Ubud, Bali

• Location: Kedewatan, Ubud
• Rating: 9.6 (Booking.com)

Amandari is the ideal retreat you can book to spend your holidays in. It was constructed on the brink of the Ayung River Gorge in a style modelled after a traditional Balinese village. It is located in Kedewatan (a town) and has standalone suites accessible via the winding pathways that encircle it. The resort has a variety of suites and villas that boast views of the sky above.

Some villas have modern kitchens, terraces, and swimming pools; others include lush courtyards, infinity pools for visitors, and outdoor eating spaces.

Best of all – they only have 30 suites – so even when it’s busy – it is quiet.

Hoshinoya, Bali

• Location: Ubud
• Rating: 8.7 (Booking.com)

Hoshinoya appreciates the harmony of nature and is tucked away in a Balinese jungle with a sacred river that flows beneath the resort. You can feel the mystique of the river all around you, yet the surrounding clean air gives you an unparalleled sense of calm and pleasure. This miniature village resort is the ideal spot to unwind and revitalize, with canal-like pools joining the villas and thick woods spreading out practically everywhere.

Padma Resort

• Location: Legian
• Rating: 9.3 (Booking.com)

A tranquil bamboo forest surrounds Padma Resort Ubud, while a flowing river flows via the valley. This resort is a luxurious getaway. This Bali lodging is a 45-minute drive from Ubud for those willing to venture further. It is undoubtedly a spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city without sacrificing all the modern conveniences of a top-notch resort.

This Bali hotel has a selection of stunning, opulent rooms and suites, each of which is a roomy haven of classy ambience and unique Balinese tones combined with contemporary comforts like cable TV, iPod docks, and free WiFi. You can take in the breathtaking views of the valley and woodland from your private balcony or terrace.

Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort

• Location: Uluwatu
• Rating 8.4 (Booking.com)

Anantara Uluwatu is perched on a cliff at Bali’s southernmost point. It lets you explore breathtaking views encased in silence and tranquillity. Although the terraced architecture is beautiful, the villas and rooms are furnished with the most luxurious amenities.

The rooms cascade down the Cliffside, providing amenities, including galleries with Jacuzzis, private pools, courtyards, and kitchenettes, in addition to panoramic pools and expansive outdoor areas.

COMO Shambhala Estate

• Location: Payangan
• Rating: 9.6 (Booking.com)

Looking for a wellness-focused trip?

The COMO Shambhala Estate may be the right choice to stay during your visit to Bali. It is a health haven close to Ubud, Bali, focusing on holistic well-being with ayurvedic treatments, massage therapies, and integrated wellness programs. You can enhance the wellness-focused trip by having nutrient-balanced foods and outdoor activities like climbing and hiking.

5. Summing Up Holidaying in Bali

Bali is a mystical land that enchants travellers with its amazing places and beauty. In their most natural and unadulterated forms, travellers may escape the chaos of the outside world while enjoying entertainment, culture, and nature.

As Bali offers the ideal getaway with its artisan towns, farmers’ markets, vibrant nightlife, and spiritual experiences, you can explore it more with the help of the given information. Book yourself an opulent resort and indulge in the views Bali offers.

First time visiting Bali? Here are a few tips to help you get started!

Bali is a beautiful Indonesian island that is perfect for a holiday. Bali has something for everyone, whether you want to relax on the beach, go on an adventure, or experience the vibrant culture. The best time to visit Bali is from April to October when the weather is dry and sunny.

The peak season is from June to August, so if you want to avoid the crowds, plan your trip for outside of these months. Bali has many airports, so it is easy to get to from most places in the world. Once you are on the island, there are plenty of things to do.

You can lounge on the beach, go surfing or snorkelling, visit temples and rice paddies, or go hiking in the mountains. Bali is also famous for its delicious food, so be sure to try some of the local specialities. Whether you are looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed vacation, Bali is the perfect destination.

Thinking about your Bali holidays? Read this first!