Of all the tropical islands of Indonesia, Bali is the best known tourism destination, and surely for a reason. The inexpensive Bali hosts great beaches as well as excellent surfing and diving conditions. This tropical island destinatiopn offers also lovely landscape with palm trees, lush forests and volcanic mountains. The many hot springs and spas, and the intriguing exotic culture and ancient Hindu traditions of Bali make the island, known also as the Island of Gods, a truly magical place!
The Island of Gods located between the islands of Java and Lombok, Bali is the only island in Indonesia that still retains the ancient form of Hindu religion in a largely Muslim Indonesia. It is home to plenty of temples and religious festivals that can be visited. Bali receives 80% of all foreign visitors coming to Indonesia. Most tourism destinations on Bali are located along the coast in the southern side of the island.
The capital city Denpasar is not a major tourist destination, but it is interesting for those wanting to experience more local lifestyle. There are several good golf courses in Bali to enjoy. Bali has an estimated 20,000 beautiful Hindu temples, many of which are easily accessed. The most famous temples in Bali include Uluwatu, Besakih, and Tanah Lot. There are also plenty of colorful religious festivals around the island. The biggest festival in Bali is the 10-day Galungan Festival held in the end of March or the beginning of April. There are also many theme parks in Bali located around the island that are great entertainment especially for children, while the many spas in Bali are perfect for relaxation.
The rugged interior of Bali offers not only great hillside scenery, volcanoes, hot springs, and lush rainforests, but also plenty of activities from trekking in Bali to white-water rafting and horseback riding. The large Bali Barat National Park offers also opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
The Island of Gods located between the islands of Java and Lombok, Bali is the only island in Indonesia that still retains the ancient form of Hindu religion in a largely Muslim Indonesia. It is home to plenty of temples and religious festivals that can be visited. Bali receives 80% of all foreign visitors coming to Indonesia. Most tourism destinations on Bali are located along the coast in the southern side of the island.
Sights and activities in Bali: beaches, spas, diving, trekking, golf and shopping
Bali is a diverse holiday destination with something for everyone, from stunning beaches and nightlife in Bali to cultural attractions and from golf courses to jungles and shopping in Bali. Surrounded by the warm Indian Ocean, Bali offers plenty of beaches, of which the most famous and popular ones are in Kuta, Legian and Sanur. There are also plenty of beach resorts in Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Seminyak and Kerobogan. Beaches in southern Bali usually have white sand, whereas the ones in the North and West have black sand. Kuta and Legian are the most popular locations for surfing in Bali as well as centers of nightlife in Bali. The island is surrounded by coral reefs that offer great opportunities for snorkeling and scuba diving in Bali.The capital city Denpasar is not a major tourist destination, but it is interesting for those wanting to experience more local lifestyle. There are several good golf courses in Bali to enjoy. Bali has an estimated 20,000 beautiful Hindu temples, many of which are easily accessed. The most famous temples in Bali include Uluwatu, Besakih, and Tanah Lot. There are also plenty of colorful religious festivals around the island. The biggest festival in Bali is the 10-day Galungan Festival held in the end of March or the beginning of April. There are also many theme parks in Bali located around the island that are great entertainment especially for children, while the many spas in Bali are perfect for relaxation.
The rugged interior of Bali offers not only great hillside scenery, volcanoes, hot springs, and lush rainforests, but also plenty of activities from trekking in Bali to white-water rafting and horseback riding. The large Bali Barat National Park offers also opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife viewing.
Bali travel information and practical tips
The climate of Bali is tropical with warm weather around the year. There is a distinct rainy season in Bali from October to March and a dry season from April to September, although rains can occur at any time of the year.
Photo: michis_0806, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
The coastal areas of Bali are hotter than the high mountain areas in the island’s interior, but there is a sea breeze that tempers the heat. The mountainsides also receive more rain than coastal areas. The main tourist season in Bali is in July and August, as well as during Christmas and New Year.
Traveling to Bali is usually done by air via the capital city Denpasar. It has an international airport that receives flights to Bali from all over the world. You can also travel to Bali by a ferry from many other islands in Indonesia.
Public transport on Bali is handled by buses and local minivans called bemos. There are also special tourist shuttles running between the major tourist destinations, and you can easily rent a car in Bali, as well as a motorcycle or bicycle, or charter a minivan with a driver. However, remember that traffic in Bali is often chaotic.
Accommodation & services. There are plenty of hotels in Bali to choose from, including both cheap hostels and luxurious resorts. Restaurants in Bali and other tourist services are also widely available in the main tourist centers of Bali. Due to the importance of tourism on the island, English is a common third language in Bali and all people in service professions speak at least a bit of it.
Safety. Bali’s popularity as a tourism destination has unfortunately lured also terrorists into the island. There have been terrorist attacks against tourists on Bali in 2002 and 2005. Therefore, security is now tight in nightclubs and restaurants frequented by foreigners. You should also be careful for scam artists and pickpockets, but in general, Bali is still a quite safe and friendly travel destination.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Lombok
