An island paradise in the heart of Indonesia, Bali is known for its rich assortment of beaches, volcanic mountains, and iconic rice paddies.
Whether you want to soak up the Balinese culture by visiting the many rural religious sites or party the night away in bar-infested resort towns, there’s something for everyone to enjoy in this ideal holiday destination. It’s this very reason why Bali receives millions of tourists per year. However, don’t be put off by this—breathtaking Bali has the perfect balance of busyness and serenity.
Perhaps you’ve already had a taste of island life and are eager to go back for more, or maybe you’re just considering whether this Indonesian oasis is worth traveling thousands of miles for. Either way, I’m here to tell you that you’ll never regret your decision to go to Bali.
How to Get to Bali
Bali is a popular vacation choice for many nationalities. It can be challenging trying to find direct flights to Bali, unless you live in a nearby big city.
From Sydney: You can fly with Virgin Australia, Qantas, and Jetstar, which takes approximately six hours and 30 minutes.
From Auckland: The flight time is around eight hours and 45 minutes with Emirates.
From Singapore: You can fly direct with Jetstar, Air Asia, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, KLM, Silk Air and Garuda Indonesia, with the plane journey taking approximately two hours and 45 minutes.
From Dubai: The flight time is around nine hours with Emirates.
Best Time to Visit
Even though Bali has visitors at all times throughout the year, the months of July and August are considered peak season. The Australian/New Zealand schools are on their summer break in December, so this is also a super hectic time.
If you want to avoid the rush, head to the island in April, May, June, or September. That said, just be mindful that the dry season is from May to September and the wet season from October to April.
Where to Stay
Kuta, Seminyak, and Ubud tend to be the most popular resort towns, but it all depends what kind of vacation you’re after really.
Kuta: This is known as “backpacker central” where budget travelers like to stay and shop for designer knockoffs. With its abundance of bars and club nights, it’s also great if you love to party.
Seminyak: Considered the “luxury” village of Bali, Seminyak is mostly family and couples-orientated with plenty of plush hotels and villa resorts. Expect boutique shopping and upmarket restaurants galore.
Ubud: There are plenty of cute cafes and art galleries in Ubud. This artistic area may be a backpacker favorite, but you can also find a nice mixture of couples, families, and groups of friends staying there.
Where to Eat
Bali has a diverse range of eateries, from independent restaurants serving the local cuisine to Western-style cafes and bars. Put it this way: you certainly won’t go hungry while you’re on the island!
Ku De Ta: This all-in-one restaurant, bar, and beach lounge has incredible sunset views. Take your pick between the fine dining or a la carte menu options—they both might seem a little pricey at first, but the yummy food makes it totally worth it.
Sisterfields: Situated in Seminyak, Sisterfields is an Australian-style all-day cafe with a varied brunch and lunch menu. I love their excellent selection of coffee, juices, and smoothies.
La Lucciola: Also situated in Seminyak, this Italian restaurant has the most wonderful beach views and some of the best seafood I’ve ever tasted in my life.
Potato Head Beach Club: Overlooking the beach, this sunset lounge provides sophisticated cocktails and tasty bar food for an elite crowd. Listen to its soulful music as you watch the sun go down and be prepared to be amazed.
Points of Interest
There’s so much to see and do in Bali to keep you busy for a one, two, three, or even a four-week vacation. However, if you purely want to relax on the beach or around the pool, you can still have a brilliant time doing that too.
Tegenungan Waterfall: A true scenic beauty situated near Ubud, you have to trek into the thick of the Balinese jungle to get to this waterfall. However, you’ll be glad that you made the journey.
Ubud Royal Palace and Shopping Markets: Located in the charming village of Ubud, the Royal Palace was built in the 17th century to serve as the official residence of the royal family. Visit this marvel and then grab some bargains at the shopping markets across the road. Shopaholics rejoice, as there’s everything that you can imagine on offer—from clothing to homeware and gifts.
Pura Tanah Lot and Uluwatu Temple: Immerse fully yourself in the Balinese culture by visiting these famous religious sites. Even though Pura Tanah Lot sits on a rock formation and Uluwatu Temple is perched high on the Bukit Peninsula cliffs, both are equally as spectacular.
This is a guest post written by contributor Katie Davies - a freelance writer, blogger, and world traveler. Originally from England, Katie’s currently living and working in New Zealand where she writes about her three favorite subjects of fashion, marketing, and travel. When she’s not producing content, she’s either shopping for clothes, exploring a new place, or sitting somewhere having a good cup of tea. You can find her personal blog at www.katiekat.co.uk.
