Things to Do in Bali

Waterbom Bali provides water-themed activities for the whole family, with slides, saltwater pools, adrenaline-pumping rides, and kiddie pools—plus dining, shopping, and shaded gazebos. The park is set in a tropical garden and provides habitat for endangered species, with more than 50 percent of its area maintained as natural green space.

 

Waterbom Bali offers enough activities to fill an entire day, or even two. Race on the dueling “Fast ‘n Fierce” or “Twin Racer” slides, test your balance on the “Flowrider” wave field, take a spin in the “Superbowl” aqua-tube, or zip down the terrifying “Climax” slide, which contains a loop and near vertical drop. You can also relax on the waterfall-filled lazy river, get a treatment at the onsite spa, or sip cocktails at the swim-up bar. 

Basic 1- or 2-day admission tickets are available, as well as bundles that include VIP express entry, lunch, gazebo rentals, and family photos. You can also book a private transfer to the park, which includes 1-day admission as well as hotel pickup and drop-off.

 

Waterbom Bali is located in downtown Kuta, 21 miles (40 kilometers) south of Ubud. The park is 1.8 miles (three kilometers) from Ngurah Rai International Airport, and is within walking distance of Kuta Beach and the Discovery Shopping Mall. As public transit is not prevalent in Bali, taxis or private transfers are good ways to travel. 

 

With year-round temperatures averaging around 80°F (27°C), tropical Bali is a good place to visit year-round. The waterpark is open daily from 9am to 6pm and is closed only on the day of Nyepi, a Balinese public holiday.

 

The park’s “Constrictor” slide slithers an impressive 792 feet (241 meters) through the park’s lush tropical gardens. The ride’s entrance is located in a back corner of the park, near the similar “Python” and “Green Viper” slides. Rde by yourself or hop in a double raft with a family member or friend.

A royal water temple, built for the kings of Mengwi, Taman Ayun Temple (also known as Pura Taman Ayun and Mengwi Temple) forms part of Bali’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. With some 50 buildings, including many tiered shrines, a moat, river, park, gardens, and streams, Taman Ayun is one of Indonesia’s most beautiful Hindu temples.

 

Most often visited as one stop on a day trip from south Bali or Ubud, Taman Ayun Temple—dating back to 1634—is designed to symbolize the mythological home of Hindu gods, Mount Meru, floating on the sea of eternity.

 

The vast grounds are much less busy than other popular Bali temples, such as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Tanah Lot, or Uluwatu, although it is a regular destination for Bali cultural tours. A guide is not required but can improve the experience as Balinese Hindu beliefs are complex.

 

 

About 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Tabanan, just outside the bustling town of Mengwi, Taman Ayun Temple is on “bemo” minibus routes and some bus routes from Denpasar, but these can be hard to access if you don’t speak Indonesian. Whether coming from Ubud or south Bali, most prefer to self-drive, hire a private driver, or enjoy the convenience of an organized Bali tour with round-trip transport.

 

Taman Ayun Temple is open year-round and at its most colorful during the major Balinese festivals and specific celebrations unique to the temple itself. It is generally quieter during the morning, which is also a good bet for avoiding showers during Bali’s rainy season (roughly October to March).

 

UNESCO recognizes Bali’s rice terrace landscapes and water temples with a World Heritage listing. Taman Ayun Temple is the most architecturally important of the temples, which include Ulun Danu Bratan. To put Taman Ayun Temple in context, it’s worth making a stop at another water temple, perhaps Tanah Lot.

The king of Karangasem built his fantasy water palace at Tirta Gangga in 1948, and it’s one of east Bali’s most beautiful sights. Lush rice paddies back three levels of ornamental gardens with swimming pools, fountains, stone carvings, stepping stones, fish ponds, and airy pavilions. It is one of Indonesia’s most striking royal palaces.

 

Tirta Gangga water palace is one of east Bali’s most famous sights and an essential stop on any east Bali day tour. The entrance fee is inexpensive and the water garden is rarely crowded, while the manicured grounds and shady pavilions are delightful to walk in.

 

Just 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Amlapura, it’s also a short hop from the diving meccas of Amed and Tulamben, and a popular stop en route to Amed. Bali tours often pair Tirta Gangga palace with other relics of the Karangasem kingdom, such as Ujung Water Palace.

 

 

The easiest way for tourists to reach Tirta Gangga Water Palace is on the Perama shuttle, which runs to and from the airport, Kuta, Sanur, Ubud, Amed, Tulamben, Padangbai, and Candidasa. Self-driving is also possible, although as the journey from Kuta can take up to three hours, a door-to-door Bali tour or even a private tour is easier for most.

 

Tirta Gangga's name means "water of the Ganges." It is open seven days a week, year-round, with the exception of Nyepi (the “Day of Silence” holiday). The spacious grounds are rarely crowded, even on Indonesian public holidays. During Bali’s rainy season (roughly October till March), you stand the best chance of clear skies earlier in the day.

 

East Bali is perhaps the least visited area of Bali and remains substantially unspoiled and often very poor. Yet the kingdom of Karangasem, established in the 17th century, was once one of Bali’s richest and most powerful kingdoms. At many times, Karangasem's Hindu kings ruled not only swathes of eastern Bali but also half of the island of Lombok, next door.

One of the many aspects that sets Bali apart from other Indonesian islands is its distinctive cuisine"”one of the most complex cuisines in the world. The Casa Luna Cooking School offers insight into the culture, beliefs and daily life of Balinese people through the lens of food and cooking.

Classes take place on the grounds of the Second Honeymoon Guesthouse near Ubud and include discussions on the relationship between food and Balinese society, ceremonial uses and religious importance of food, and culinary myths. Each participant is provided with class notes and recipes to take home, and everyone is invited to take part in the preparation of a traditional feast before sitting down to eat.

Each weekday features a different menu of Balinese classics, and the weekend calendar often includes special workshops on topics like food as medicine or preparing smoked duck.

The village of Tenganan undoubtedly belongs to one of the rarest sights in Bali. Unlike the rest of the island, Tenganan is not inhabited by Hindus, but by the Bali Aga, a small part of the population who has kept their pre-Hinduistic faith and traditions. They have no caste system and they also reject other Hindu customs, such as cremation and choose to bury their dead instead. Thus, Tenganan has always been strictly isolated from the outside world and even weddings are only permitted within the village community. Those who don’t adhere to the rule are expelled and it doesn’t come as a surprise, that the population is dwindling and today, only about 500 people live in the town. 

The village with its rectangular center and checkered floor plan consists of only two parallel roads and is surrounded by a long boundary wall. The simple houses with their thatched roofs look like Polynesian long houses, mixed in are some shrines and pavilions and roosters, dogs and cows roam the streets. Apart from a couple modern power poles, the architecture remains largely authentic. Since the Bali Aga see themselves as artists and guardians of their religion, they not only have this unique building style, but also practice very distinct dances, cultural expressions and one famous craft: weaving the valuable double ikat fabrics. These textiles as well as typical Balinese maps hand drawn with macadamia ink on bamboo leaves can be purchased in the stalls. Nothing is mass produced and instead, is handmade in long and intricate processes, which of course, comes with a price.

This picturesque town in central Bali is known for its ancient temples and famed archeological sites. The Gunung Kawi Temple and Senang Hati Foundation have been drawing history-loving travelers to their gates for decades and the sloping hills of this former kingdom prove ideal for visitors looking to explore the natural landscapes of this stunning island. 

Travelers can explore the iconic Tirta Empul Temple, with its natural pools and public showers used for sacred cleansing rituals, or tour the larger-than-life stone reliefs of Gunung Kawi. Tampak Siring is also home to one of six presidential palaces. A visit to this more modern structure, which was built in the late 1950s for President Soekarno, offers up incredible views of nearby Tampaksiring Tirta Empul Temple and Mount Agung. 

The stunning Tegalalang Rice Terrace, part of the Cultural Landscape of Bali Province UNESCO World Heritage Site, comprises cascading emerald-green fields worked by local rice farmers. Just outside Ubud, it has become a destination for travelers making their way between Bali’s sandy beaches, towering mountains, and steaming volcanoes.

The Tegalalang Rice Terrace, an agricultural icon on the cliffs of a traditional Balinese village, make for an ideal place to spend a morning or afternoon absorbing the natural peace of remote island life. Many guided day tours from Ubud include a visit to the rice terrace along with stops at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud Palace, Balinese temples, the Ubud craft villages, Sekumpul Waterfall, a coffee plantation, or the active volcanic landscape of Kintamani.

If not visiting the terraces with a tour guide, one of the best ways to get there is by scooter. It is about a 25-minute drive from Ubud, and parking can be found right on the edge of the fields.

If you want to snap some photos of the rice paddies without other visitors getting in the way, plan to visit first thing in the morning. The terraces are often at their most beautiful just after planting, when the small green shoots are just emerging from the glassy pools.

Near Tegalalang you will find a small café and several souvenir shops, including villagers selling hats made from woven coconut leaves. You can purchase wooden carvings from the nearby village of Pakudui.

Built at the beginning of the 20th century, Ujung Water Palace is the former palace of the King of Karangasem. It’s located just a few kilometers from Amlapura in Bali and features several pools and a number of historical structures, all set against the backdrop of Mount Agung and the eastern shoreline of the island.

The park features a combination of Balinese and European architecture throughout, and has three large pools, with a central building connected to the edge of the main pool via a bridge. The other pools were added later, along with a number of pavilions, meditation quarters, and the Taman Gili floating pavilions.

The site was virtually devastated following the eruption of nearby Mount Agung in 1963, and was later shaken by an earthquake in 1979. However, multiple restoration efforts throughout the decades have restored the site to its former glory, and it continues to attract both locals and visitors, who come to marvel at the flamboyant architecture and magnificent views.

Home of Ubud’s royal family since the late-19th century, Ubud Palace (Puri Saren Palace or Puri Saren Agung) sits in the heart of downtown Ubud near the traditional art market. Explore the pavilions and gardens. There are also traditional Balinese dance performances in the courtyard each evening, a must for any visitor to Indonesia.

No admission tickets are required for Ubud Palace, which, like Ubud Market, is free for everyone to enter. Tickets for the dances, however, are chargeable, and can be reserved around town or on the day. To get the maximum insight into the architecture, the history, and the beliefs behind the palace, it’s worth joining a day tour—whether of Ubud or Bali as a whole—that includes it.

The typical tour package makes only a short stop as the palace, while fascinating, is not large. Full day tours from Kuta and south Bali often include attractions such as the Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Puri Lukisan art museum, ARMA Museum, Ubud Market, and the traditional art market at Sukawati.

Ubud Palace is slap-bang in the center of Ubud, by Monkey Forest Road and Jalan Raya Ubud, and easy to walk to from most of Ubud. The cheapest way to reach the royal palace from south Bali is by the Kura-Kura tourist bus, although many prefer to hire a driver for the day, self-drive, or join a cultural Ubud tour or Bali day tour.

The central location and free admission means Ubud Palace can get very, very crowded. Visit early in the morning to beat the worst of the Bali tourist rush. The royal palace is at its most fascinating in the run-up to royal cremations—guides and accommodation will know when one is due to happen—but also colorful during major Bali festivals such as Kuningan and Galungan.

For almost all of its history, Bali was ruled by a range of competing dynasties, typically comprising nine separate kingdoms. So, royal palaces, temples, and pleasure gardens are scattered among Bali island's rice fields and rice terraces. Ubud’s royal family, like other Balinese royal families, remain highly influential but have no actual power.

Most of Bali's beaches offer up stunning sunset views--perhaps that's why this Indonesian destination is a top spot for newlyweds and honeymooners in search of a romantic getaway. But travelers say it's the shores of Batu Belig Beach that showcase the best sunset in the land. 

Batu Belig offers up peaceful stretches of sand that are quieter and less-visited than nearby Seminyak or Kuta. Travelers will find fewer hawkers and more locals at this gay-friendly beach where local eateries, restaurants and cocktail bars line the coast and provide the perfect location for watching the sunset. 

Not far from Ubud, Tegenungan Waterfall foams in a white cascade over black stone cliffs into a quiet pool. At around 66 feet (20 meters) high, it’s an impressive flow, and that’s not all the site has to offer. Besides climbable cliffs, a secret smaller waterfall, and simple food stalls, a charming grotto houses a sacred spring.

Tegenungan Waterfall is a pleasant place to spend a hot, dry Balinese day swimming, climbing to the top of the falls, or just hanging out. Tegenungan features on many tours of Bali’s natural attractions, alongside sights such as Tegalalang Rice Terraces, as well as general cultural tours around Ubud. Tours typically take you up the waterfall steps, leave time for a swim, introduce you to the sacred spring, and perhaps include a dip in the Tukad Petanu River.

The Tegenungan falls are about 7 miles (10 kilometers) south of Ubud. You can reach them from either Tegenungan village (at the base) or Blangsinga village (at the top). As there is no public transportation, your best options are to pay a private driver or join an organized tour.

While many waterfalls are best visited during the rainy season when water levels are high, Tegenungan is at its most attractive during the dry season, when the towering cascade flows down white, not chocolate brown. Generally speaking, Bali’s dry season runs from April until the end of September. Come early in the day to beat the big groups.

Indonesia is currently experiencing a small epidemic of selfie-related fatalities, while visitors have tumbled to their deaths from waterfalls in pursuit of the perfect Instagram. Tegenungan Waterfall has seen at least one selfie death in recent years. Exercise extreme caution when taking selfies high on the cliffs or atop the waterfall itself.

Singaraja is an old trading town and the former colonial administrative capital of the whole Lesser Sunda Islands. The economic growth of that particular region was mainly due to this old port and especially China had a big influence in Singaraja. The town had been trading with Chinese junk boats since the 10th century and these East Asian as well as colonial influences are still evident, not only in the local cuisine, but also in some of the buildings, such as the Chinese temples, wide and grand streets and the large gardens. Singaraja is to this day the economic center of Bali and you can still admire some of the old warehouses along the old harbor, which once housed the goods that made the town the main hub in the East Indies. 

The city is best explored on foot or by rickshaw, passing along Chinese shops and through quiet, tree-lined neighborhoods. Scattered throughout the city are lively bazaars, a couple temples and two mosques. An attraction of a special kind though is the Gedong Kirtya Lontar Museum, which offers diaries from colonial times, metal plates with royal decrees from the 14th century, Balinese calendars and a palm leaf library. The palm leaf collection includes ritual books and seals, as well as historical narratives, magical formulas and future predictions.

Set on the grounds of the Ramada Bintang Bali Resort in Kuta, Theta Spa by the Sea is a contemporary spa with Indian Ocean views. Tropical rituals, massages, and remedies use techniques from China, India, Indonesia, and beyond. Natural ingredients such as fresh herbs, and organic essential oils are used in treatments set in a luxury-minded spa.

Guests to Theta Spa by the Sea can visit independently, or opt for package deals that include hotel transfers. This luxurious beachfront Kuta spa is within 10 minutes’ drive of Bali airport, making it a great choice for a pre-departure splurge. Besides the Indonesian lulur body scrub and massage rituals that are typical of Bali, holistic treatments include remedies for jet lag and sunburn.

Less than half a mile (800 meters) from Discovery Mall, Theta Spa by the Sea sits within the 5-star Ramada Bintang Bali Resort in the heart of bustling Kuta, a 10-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport. To reach the hotel by public transport, catch the Kura-Kura bus to Lippo Mall, a few hundred feet (300 meters) away.

Theta Spa by the Sea is open morning to late-evening, seven days a week. To make the most of the sea views, it’s best to visit during daylight; sunset appointments, around 6pm or 7pm, are in high demand. It’s wise to book ahead over the weekends and during Bali’s tourist peak (from roughly mid-June through August).

Skilled Balinese massage therapists are in demand across the region. To ensure a relaxing massage anywhere on Bali, be sure to confirm your preferred room temperature—some like it cool, others like it warm—and your desired level of pressure.

Situated just outside Kuta on Bali’s southwestern tip sits an ancient temple perched atop towering seaside cliffs. At Uluwatu Temple, one of Bali’s most important directional temples, Ganesha statues welcome visitors who’ve come to enjoy spectacular views, observe wild monkeys, or watch a traditional Balinese dance at sunset.

Uluwatu ranks among the most popular of the more than 1,000 temples on Bali. Its clifftop location makes sunset visits particularly appealing, so many guided day trips around the island culminate with a sunset stop at the temple and the chance to watch a traditional Kecak dance performance in this atmospheric location. An evening Uluwatu Temple tour can be combined with a fresh seafood dinner on Jimbaran Beach. Tours to Uluwatu Temple often include pickup and drop-off in either Denpasar or South Kuta.

Uluwatu Temple sits about 45 minutes from the Denpasar airport by road. The most convenient way to get there is on a guided tour, but it’s also possible to arrive by taxi from just about anywhere on the island.

The magnificent view of the sun setting over Jimbaran Bay and the Indian Ocean makes evening the most popular (and crowded) time for visiting Uluwatu Temple. If you’d like to explore the temple grounds with a bit more elbow room, plan to visit earlier in the day.

The clifftop temple isn’t Uluwatu’s only appeal. The area is also deservedly famous for its white-sand beaches. While strong tides make for unsafe swimming, Padang Padang Beach and Jimbaran Beach attract surfers year-round with their consistent waves.

Bali’s most popular sacred spring, Tirta Empul Temple dates back more than 1,000 years. Travelers from around the globe flock to its holy waters to bathe beside Balinese pilgrims; accept blessings from healers, priests, and shamans; or simply soak up the atmosphere. The temple is northeast of Ubud in Tampaksiring, not far from Gunung Kawi.

Tirta Empul Temple is easy to visit independently yet is also a very popular stop for Bali tours, large and small. (In general, due to heavy traffic, winding roads, and language barriers, booking a private guide or joining an organized tour can help you get the most out of your Bali trip.) Prebooking a tour is one of the easiest ways to enjoy a Balinese Hindu water blessing. To check off several of Ubud’s most celebrated temples in a single day, many Bali temple tours include a stop at Tirta Empul.

Tirta Empul Temple lies about 9.5 miles (15 kilometers) northeast of Ubud in the village of Tampaksiring. Unless you speak Indonesian and have a lot of time, private transportation is essential.

Balinese Hindu temples generally host ceremonies on the full moon, new moon, and other auspicious days calculated on a complicated calendar. Around these times, and during the Balinese festivals of Galungan and Kuningan, Tirta Empul Temple gets very busy. Any day you visit, come early to catch the temple at its best as worshippers start to arrive and make their offerings.

Balinese lore relates that when the god Indra did battle with the demon king Mayadanawa, he tapped the elixir of life from the ground at Tirta Empul. As such, Tirta Empul—just one of many holy water temples on Bali—is sacred to Balinese, who visit on their birthdays, and a key part of Bali’s subak irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage landmark.

Occupying a swath of Bali's northwestern corner, West Bali National Park (Bali Barat National Park) is Bali's last true wilderness. Highlights include the reefs around Menjangan Island,  mangrove and tropical savanna landscapes, and wildlife the likes of monkeys, deer, macaques, and the white Bali starling"”the preservation of which was a main reason the park was created in 1941.

Independent guests to West Bali National Park must pay national park fees and use its chartered guide service. Boat trips are through the park's fixed-rate charter service. As the park is far from popular tourist destinations, many visit with a tour or with a prearranged private driver/guide. The park is near Gilimanuk, where ferries leave for Java, so some tours stop between Ijen Crater (Kawah Ijen) and other East Java attractions.

West Bali National Park is hard to reach by public transport. Pemuteran Shuttle runs a shuttle service from Ubud, Kuta, and Sanur to the resort town of Pemuteran, around 15 miles (25 kilometers) away. Public buses run from Denpasar's Ubung terminal to the port of Gilimanuk, around 6 miles (10 kilometers) away. If you speak some Indonesian, you can pick up a "bemo" minibus from Gilimanuk or Pemuteran.

The dry season (roughly May to October) is the best time to watch wildlife in the park, both from a comfort perspective and because the grounds are less overgrown with greenery, but the park is worth visiting year-round. If you're staying in Pemuteran or the resorts on the fringes of the park, aim to start wildlife watching around 6am when the animals are most active.

The West Bali National Park was once home to the Bali tiger"”but the last sighting was more than 80 years ago, and that one was shot. There is no leopard population, but there are leopard cats. Despite their leopard-like patterns, they are not much larger than a standard domestic cat.

Set just off the Bali coast in West Bali National Park, Menjangan Island (Pulau Menjangan, or Deer Island) is a white-sand gem. The island itself has no facilities beyond a simple bathroom and some open-air bale shelters, but offshore its sheer reef walls decked in undulating sea fans and lush soft corals are a magnet for marine life, divers, and snorkelers.

Diving is Menjangan Island's major draw. Most visitors come to the island as part of an organized tour with a local dive or snorkeling operator, virtually all of which include equipment and the West Bali National Park entrance fee. Mainland resorts also offer diving options, although budget travelers typically arrange Menjangan scuba trips from the mainland dive town of Pemuteran. Most operators offer trips for both qualified and beginner divers. 

Menjangan Island is in the far northwestern corner of Bali, several hours' drive from Ubud and the south Bali tourist districts. Tours typically depart from the mainland town of Pemuteran and travel around 12 miles (18 kilometers) to the dock at Labuhan Lalang for the 30- to 40-minute crossing to the island. The cluster of resorts on the fringes of the national park can also arrange boats.

With good visibility, warm water, and very little current by Indonesian standards, Menjangan Island is a great year-round dive destination for both beginners and advanced divers. As with other tourist destinations in Bali, it is at its busiest in July and August. The rainy season (roughly October to March) is less noticeable in this part of Bali than elsewhere. 

Divers who make the journey out to Menjangan Island from south Bali should spend a couple of days exploring the sites around Menjangan itself and in the mainland dive resort of Pemuteran. Popular sites around Menjangan Island include Eel Garden, home to ribbon eels, and the cavern at Cave Point, but it's hard to go wrong with Menjangan's stunning coral walls. Pemuteran's artificial reef makes a fascinating dive.