1) Beach & SurfBali has a number of pristine white sand beaches and secluded coves, the most famous beaches being in Nusa Dua where long stretches of soft white sand will soothe and comfort the soles of your feet. Many hotels have their own private stretch of beach with a Beach club or restaurant. With beaches, come waves and with waves come surfers from all over the world. Kuta and Uluwatu are well known for their surf which makes Bali one of the most popular surf destinations in the world. All the coastal towns from Canggu, Seminyak and Legian to Kuta share the same long stretch of beach. In Kuta it would be more crowded with many street hawkers but if you go to other areas, you will have more peace and quiet if this is what you are looking for.
2) Padi fields
The beautiful terraced green padi fields are another must see for a visitor to the island of Bali. Most tourists will automatically head to Ubud in Gianyar Regency, about a 45 minute drive from Bali International Airport to stay in a hotel and villa overlooking the padi fields. But if you do find yourself in this area, the best padi field scenery is at Jatih Luwih and Tegallalang, not too far from Ubud. This is best seen on a half day or full day tour which will most likely take you to other scenic sites along the way.
3) Galleries and Museums
Bali has a large concentration of art galleries and museums. Beautiful paintings can be found in Ubud, home to many of Bali's aspiring artists. The peaceful scenery and tranquility of the area must be an inspiration for these artists who produce remarkably detailed paintings and whose works are displayed in the numerous art galleries and museums found in Ubud village. Some of the more well known galleries are The Agung Rai Museum of Art, Neka Museum, Antonio Blanco Renaissance Museum, Komaneka Gallery and Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women just to name a few.
4) Dance and Music
Dance and music play a very important part of the life of a Balinese. Every ceremony and festival is almost always accompanied by traditional dance and the soothing sounds of the Gamelan. You will find many locations in and near Ubud where you can watch these dance performances. Dancers wear glittery and colourful costumes, executing to perfection elaborate hand movements and facial expressions to convey stories of the Ramayana. You can watch the elegant Legong Dance and listen to the Gamelan orchestra playing at the Ubud Palace in central Ubud, or see other entertaining performances such as the Warrior Dance and Kecak Dance at other locations within the town. Wayang Kulit, or Shadow Play performances are also a common evening entertainment for the local Balinese and tourists alike.
5) Yoga and Spa Treamtents
With the luxurious and romantic resorts come the ultra indulgent and sensuous spa treatments at the growing number of world class spa facilities and health resorts appearing all over Bali. Using natural herbs and indigenous products, the amazing variety of spa treatments available in Bali is enough to get you hooked and wanting more. Spa treatments are ideal for relaxation and what every person who needs a break from this fast paced world of work, family and stress will surely appreciate. A variety of massages using Aryuvedic, Shiatsu and hot stone techniques are on the menu for you to choose from. Traditional treatments such as Boreh and Lulur are common. Facials, foot massages, healthy meals and private spa facilities are also available at some hotels and salons. Holistic resorts offer yoga programs and have resident teachers who will guide you to peace of mind and nirvana.
6) Festivals and Ceremonies
Religion plays a central role in the life of every Balinese. The island has hundreds of temples, for which each and every one has a temple anniversary, called Odalan. On this day, the villagers visit the temple for prayers and socializing. It can be considered a community event to bring the villagers together. With the Balinese Hindu religion comes many daily practices such as placing offerings of trays of flowers called Canang Sari in temples, shrines and symbolic locations to ward off evil and to please the Gods. The Balinese new year, Nyepi Day is a time which many tourists like to visit Bali to witness the noisy and colourful Ogoh-Ogoh procession or simply see them being built during the days before Nyepi. Galungan is another major festival for the Balinese which at the end of 10 days is marked by Kuningan Day. This festival occurs every six months so you will have the opportunity to see it in another half year if you miss the first round. During this time you will see the Barong Dance procession which goes through the village performing in front of shops and houses as an act of purification. Cremations are another village affair where the entire family and friends of the deceased are involved. The body is carried from the home grounds through the village to the cremation site where it is place in a towering sarcophagus and burnt to the ground.
7) Sea Sports
Bali has some of the most colourful and interesting sea life you will ever see. Well known dive sites are located in Amed and Tulamben where there are ship wrecks, in Menjangan Island in the North West, and Pandang Bai and Lembongan Island in the East to name a few. Nusa Dua and Sanur are ideal for snorkeling but there are many other areas as well.
8) Fly like a bird or Travel to higher altitudes
Paragliding is a sport not many are familiar with but with the beautiful coastal scenery, this sport is becoming more and more popular. If flying free like a bird is not your cup of tea, another option is a helicopter tour or book a heli transfer to your hotel for a view from the sky along the way. The cost of heli tours are not for the average tourist but if you want to try something different, viewing Bali from this perspective is very exciting and you will get to see places that not even the locals have the opportunity to see such as the very top of Mt Agung, coastal scenery that is difficult to reach and much more.
Indonesia has hundreds of volcanoes and Bali has some of its own famous ones as well. Kintamani town is where you will see the 2800m high Mount Batur, a popular tourist destination in Bali. The volcano has a large caldera lake and it is possible to go on a sunrise hike to the top of Mount Batur if you can wake up early enough! Mount Agung, the location of Bali's largest and most sacred temple, Puri Besakih, is Bali's highest and most sacred mountain at 3142m high. Pura Besakih, the Mother Temple is where Bali's most important ceremonies are held and worth visiting if you have the opportunity to go on an East Bali tour especially in April when the temple has its anniversary.
9) Land Adventure Activities
Apart from the southern tourist towns, Bali is an island still very much in its natural state compared to other tourist destinations. You will soon realise that there are many locations that provide the ideal terrain for exciting adventure activities. The rivers, mountains and jungles are all places where you can experience Bali away from the tourist crowds. White water rafting down the scenic Ayung River or down the heart stopping Telaga River rapids is one of the more popular activities for tourists who come to Bali. Mountain cycling through the padi fields and villages from Kintamani is another leisurely activity for families and individuals alike. How about an Elephant Safari? Bali is home to the world famous Taro Elephant Park, complete with accommodation, activities and fun for all ages. You can ride an elephant through the jungle, marvel at their intelligence and let them make you laugh when you visit the Taro Elephant safari park in Bali. Quad/buggy driving and even canyon tubing where you sit in a tube and coast down a river through the jungle is something new in Bali. Horse riding and camel riding are other fun activities you can enjoy. A new attraction, the Bali Safari and Marine Park is a unique blend of wildlife conservation and culture. Packages which include lunch at the park can be purchased.
10) Shop till you drop
And of course there is shopping and more shopping to do. You have Kuta Center, Galeria Nusa Dua, Matahari in Legian and Ubud Market where you will find bargains of all sorts. The Balinese are well known for their creative and artistic skills evident in the numerous arts and crafts found throughout the island. Many craft factories are found in Tegallalang and the surrounding area. In Celuk, you will find skilled silversmiths who sell their creations in eclectic shops in Ubud. Sukawati art market is where you will find many of the fabrics used in Balinese clothing as well as hand made crafts such as woven baskets at bargain prices. Crafts and statues are made from natural products found on Bali such as coconut wood, bamboo and volcanic sand stone. Masks and puppets make interesting gift items. You will also find many earthy coloured home decor items such as table runners, lamp shades and wall decorations to give your home a touch of Bali style. Furniture items are often available at attractive prices compared to if you were to purchase them from outside of Bali.
So there you are, a list of many things you can do in Bali. Relax, get fit, have fun, gain new experiences and most of all, have a memorable holiday. And if you count them up, you've got a lot more than 10 things to do there. This is by no means an exhaustive list but more than enough for a 3 to 7 day trip to this wonderful and magical island of the Gods. by Trias Bali Travel
