One of the so-called problems of travelling to a destination for the first time is knowing which activities are the ones that you really should try to do whilst you are there. If you travel to Bali the problem is somewhat different in the sense that there are so many outstanding experiences and activities available, that your biggest problem is going to be trying to fit them all into the time you have available.
To give you just a small taste of some of the great activities that you can try in Bali, we are going to highlight 5 of them, and we have tried to make these as diverse from each other as we can so that hopefully there is at least one that will everyone reading this will be keen to do. So, let get started…
#1: View The Sunset
We will start with something that everyone can enjoy and that is watching the awesome sunset that occurs each evening over Bali. Bali’s sunset is simply spectacular and turns the sky into a kaleidoscope of orange, red, pink, and yellow.
The sunset can be enjoyed in all parts of Bali, but there are also some locations in particular where your view will be enhanced. These include The Lawn Beach Club in Canngu, La Laguna Restaurant, Tanah Lot Temple, Uluwatu on the southern tip of Bali, and of course, any beach of your choice.
#2: Visit The Rice Terraces
Bali is famous for its rice terraces and the most famous rice terrace of them all is Tegalalang, which is near to the town of Ubud. If you would prefer to see the largest rice terraces on Bali, head west to the Jatiluwih rice terraces which are stunningly beautiful.
One word of warning is that the rice terraces are extremely popular with tourists and are a regular stop on bus tours, therefore, you should expect them to be relatively busy. To avoid this you should set out early and try to arrive by 8 a.m. so that you are there before the busiest periods.
#3: Go Surfing In Canggu
For the more adventurous, physically fit, and water sports-minded amongst you, surfing is on the agenda in Canggu. Specifically, we are talking about Canggu’s Batu Bolong Beach where the surfing conditions are exceptional.
There is no need to pre-book as you can simply turn up and hire a surfboard from one of the shacks that are clearly visible. The cost can vary but it is extremely low. If you require or wish to have surfing lessons from an instructor the fee for a 2-hour lesson is around 35 Australian dollars.
#4: Visit Ubud Monkey Forest
Apart from the fact that the Ubud’s Monkey Forest is stunningly beautiful thanks to having more than its fair share of tropical trees, and a river flowing through it, it is also the home to a temple and dozens of monkey families, which makes the forest a must-see destination when are in Bali.
Whilst the monkeys are friendly, they can also be mischievous too, so make sure you keep your hat, sunglasses, and wallet secure, otherwise, you must just find them being stolen by one of the monkeys and whisked away to the top of the nearest tall tree.
#5: Walk Along Campuhan Ridge
The Campuhan Ridge Walk is one that offers some of the most stunning views in all of Bali. Whether you walk it in the morning as the sun rises, or in the evening when the sun sets, the array of colours on display from the jungle that surrounds it, is a sight to behold.
There are no entry fees, and with a total round distance to walk the entire ridge and back of around 3 miles, you should allow up to 2 hours to complete it, assuming you wish to stop and take photographs, although in truth you can take as long as you wish.
There are many things Bali has no shortage of including great restaurants, stunning scenery, fantastic beaches, and another you can add to that list, is amazing beach clubs. Whether you are looking for some awesome food and refreshing drinks, a place to meet up with friends, or simply looking for somewhere to relax and chill for a few hours, there is a beach club to suit you.
One of the great things about Bali‘s beach clubs is no matter which area you are visiting, you are almost certain to have a beach club nearby. For that reason, we thought it would be fun to highlight 5 different beach clubs, but instead of them all in one area, we have a beach club in five different locations across Bali and its adjacent islands. These are Canggu, Jimbaran, Legian, Nusa Lemgongan, and Seminyak.
Beach Club #1: Finns Beach Club, Canggu
One of the best-known beach clubs in Bali, which has almost taken on an iconic status, is Finns Beach Club in Canggu. Situated on the wonderful Berawa Beach, you have the option of swimming in the sea or in their infinity pool. Finns serves a wide range of food and drinks and for those music lovers amongst you, there are resident DJs. Opening at 9 am and closing at 11 pm, Finns is free to enter. It is also extremely popular so reserve your seats and loungers in advance.
Beach Club #2: Sundara Beach Club, Jimbaran
If you are looking for a beach club which offers amazing dining options then the Sundara Beach Club in Jimbaran is one you must visit. It’s menus include seafood nights, Sunday brunch (which includes unlimited orders), romantic dinners and desserts to go. There is also a kids menu for the little ones. Between meals you can relax on seating or loungers, and there is also an infinity pool adjacent to Jimbaran beach. Opening hours are 11 am to 1 am and entry is free.
Beach Club #3: Azul Beach Club, Legian
For stunning views of the sunset over Padma Beach in Legian, the place to be is Azul Beach Club which is directly opposite the said beach. Equally eye-catching is the beach club itself which is constructed over several levels and made from bamboo, which from afar, makes it look like a giant beach hut. It has a menu to suit all tastes and is famous for having Bali’s first-ever tiki bar. Provided you meet the minimum spend levels, there is no cost to enter and use their seating.
Beach Club #4: Sandy Bay Beach Club, Nusa Lemgongan
This is another beach club where you can watch a beautiful sunset and do so whilst eating a meal chosen from Sandy Bay Beach Club’s extensive menu which consists of Asian and European dishes as well as snacks, salads, and desserts. Sandy Bay can also be booked for events, and should you wish to stay overnight, accommodation is available. For pampering, there is a spa and a boutique for those who wish to partake in some clothes and accessories shopping.
Beach Club #5: Potato Head Beach Club, Seminyak
The curiously named Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak is one that will suit all ages and all preferences. For those who are active, there is the swimming pool, for those who prefer to relax there is plenty of loungers, and the group who are especially going to love being here, are those who like fine dining. Regarded as one of Seminyak’s top restaurants, the Kaum Restaurant in this beach club serves traditional Indonesian dishes within beautiful surroundings.
As is often the case when you travel abroad, if the location you are visiting is Bali, then as well as your passport, you may need a visa to be able to enter the country, bearing in mind that the country Bali is part of is Indonesia. As such it will be the visa requirements of Indonesia that apply when you visit Bali.
In mirroring a trait of the rules regarding visas in many other countries, Indonesia’s visa requirements differ depending upon the length of time you wish to stay in the country and the purpose of your trip there. It will therefore be helpful to you if we went through the main visa regulations of Indonesia, and by default, those which apply to anyone who wishes to travel to Bali in particular. If that includes you, then you will be pleased to know that we start with good news.
Tourist Visa
If you are holidaying in Bali and your length of stay is definitely going to be less than 30 days, including the days of your arrival and departure, then the good news we mentioned above is you do not require a visa. Instead, your date of entry will be stamped in your passport on arrival, which effectively acts as your tourist visa. Provided you leave Bali within the required 30 days, there will be no fee to pay.
You cannot extend the length of time and must leave within 30 days. Should you fail to leave you can be fined IDR 1,000, 000 for each day, which is equivalent to a daily fine of 90 Australian dollars. You could be also refused permission to leave if the accumulated fine is not paid. Ultimately you could be detained and imprisoned for breaking Indonesia’s visa regulations, which is why you might wish to consider the next visa type.
Visa On Arrival
If there is the slightest possibility that you might wish to extend your stay in Bali beyond 30 days, or if you simply want some reassurance that should some emergency or drama arise, you are not risking fines and imprisonment for staying longer than 30 days, then a ‘Visa On Arrival’ is what you should opt for.
You pay for this visa when you arrive at Bali’s Ngurah Rai International Airport, and the cost should be around $45. When you purchase this visa, your initial entitlement to stay is still 30 days, as before, however, you now have an option to extend that, should you wish to. The extension period is a further 30 days, meaning you can stay for a total of 60 days in Bali.
Social and Business Visa
If your trip to Bali is not as a tourist but is instead related to some business or commercial interests or activity, then the visa you can apply for is a ‘Social and Business visa. This entitles you to remain in Bali for up to 180 days, and the cost will be between 360 and 450 Australian dollars.
The reason for the range of prices is that in order to obtain a social and business visa you must have a visa agent who acts as your sponsor. They also complete the necessary administration required for this type of visa to be issued. The price you pay will depend on which visa agent you choose, due to the fact that they each charge different amounts for their services.
Important Note
Depending on when you read this and the level of Covid-19 restrictions which are currently in place in Bali, there may be differences to certain visa regulations than to those which normally apply.
If you have booked a stay for you and your loved ones in a luxury Bali villa, then you can now look forward to a well-deserved holiday. You’ll be able to relax poolside, lounge at the beach, and enjoy traditional cuisine and Balinese culture. However, while you might be researching where the best places to stay in Bali are, or what the best tourist attractions are, don’t forget to look into and understand the etiquettes and customs. The more you know, the better your holiday experience will be.
Put a Smile on Your Dial
How often would you walk past someone in the street and grin at them? In most places, it’s not common. However, in Bali, you will look out of place if you don’t smile. One of the best forms of communication in Bali is a smile. Balinese locals think nothing of smiling at each other as they pass in the street, so make sure you return the favour.
Keep Calm
Balinese locals do not think highly of public displays of emotion or confrontation. They avoid it wherever possible. If you argue, get emotional, or become loud and aggressive, you will not earn the respect of the locals – nor will any complaints be taken seriously.
Make Time for Conversation
One thing you will notice as you stay in Bali villas is that most people are very social. The further out of the tourist areas you get, the more locals want to stop and chat. It’s not uncommon to become involved in lengthy discussions with locals that end in invitations to their homes for meals.
When you decide to travel with your children, finally checking into your luxury Bali villa can feel like the best thing in the world. After all, trying to organise not only yourself but your children on a long-haul flight can feel like achieving the impossible. However, when you master it and make it to your destination and settle into your Bali villas for a relaxing holiday, you now feel like you can tackle anything.
Travelling with children is not the most straightforward task, but when you follow these tips below, you can make it a far less stressful experience. You can then start your holiday on the right foot.
Do as Much in Advance as Possible
Trying to keep excited children contained when you’re waiting in an airport queue can feel like herding chickens. If you want to skip the fuss, take care of as many airport tasks at home as possible. Rather than wait in queues to get your boarding passes and check in, print them at home then check in using your provider’s app. You can then sit down, chill out, and wait for your plane to arrive.
Know the Rules
Every airline has a different list of rules when it comes to travelling with children. It is not the same across the board. Therefore, when you’re preparing your itinerary and flights and booking your Bali villas accommodation, it’s worthwhile to read the fine print on your flight information. Find out whether any young children need their own seat and at what age they can sit on your lap. Most airlines allow young children under two to sit on your lap, but it’s not the case for all.
Bali is known for its surfing and swimming and its many beaches are popular spots for tourists who are into the beach or surfing scene. Anyone who loves surfing needs to book accommodation at one of the luxury Bali villas that are close to the beach. Then they can step out at daybreak and ride the waves even before breakfast.
Not all beaches in Bali have good surfing waves. Some are more suitable for families, with young children being perfectly safe splashing in the shallow, calm waters. Others are good for confident, strong swimmers who prefer to be in the water rather than on a surfboard. Here are 7 of the best surfing beaches in Bali.
Uluwatu on the southern tip of Bali is a paradise for pro surfers; due to the world class waves many international surfing competitions are held there. Competitors come from many countries to participate. In the surrounding area, Padang-Padang is known for its long, barrel waves and 8-metre high breaks that all pros dream of. Blue Point, Sulaban, Bingin and many more in this area offer fine waves for surfers who know what they are doing.
Keramas Beach is another great surfing spot. It is located 2 hours from Kuta on the east coast of Bali. This beach too, is used to host international surfing competitions.
Kuta Beach is famed for many things, not least being its waves. Many surfers are taught the art of surfing on Kuta and nearby beaches and areas including Padma, Kuta Reef and Halfway. Due to the variety of waves, the area is good for beginners while still offering pro surfers breaks that satisfy.
If you are going to Bali for a holiday, it is important to choose good accommodation so you can really enjoy your stay. Instead of the usual hotel room, why not choose one of the many luxury Bali villas to stay in. You will get a place that is not right in the middle of the city, but this can be a good thing when you are trying to sleep.
Once you get settled it is time to look around and see the amazing sights that Bali has to offer. You can catch a taxi or hire a car with a driver for the first few days. Then you will get used to the traffic and decide to hire a motor scooter or even a car if you have a family. In this way you can get around independently for an affordable amount. So what do you need to know before driving in Bali?
Driving in Bali is not like any other country. Bali is unique and you have to learn to accept this. One of the main things to know is that you are responsible for whatever vehicle is in front of you, even if it cut in illegally, which is quite likely. You have to slow down and make room for it.
If you want to overtake – not recommended – you need to blow your horn loudly to let those ahead of you know you are coming. Otherwise they may decide to move across the road with no signal – this is normal practice in Bali and it is up to you to notice them.
If you’ve watched Night at the Museum, a night at the Bali Zoo is not anything like that. However, it does give you the opportunity to see nocturnal animals moving around, which doesn’t happen on a day tour. If you see those animal at all, they will be sound asleep, which is a bit disappointing. However, if you can manage to leave your comfy luxury Bali villa accommodation, one night at the zoo is an experience that you will never forget.
Night zoo visit
In fact, you don’t spend the whole night there. The ticket you book is for 4-5 hours which is plenty of time to experience the zoo once the sun has set and everything seems to change in the darkness. You can have fun feeding the elephants and encountering animals that are suddenly very energetic when in their natural night time zone.
The ticket price also includes insurance, pick up and drop off at certain hotel areas, dinner and watching the Fire Dance Show, so it is well worth going. How many people have been to the zoo at night? Very few in Australia at least, since most zoos here close at the end of the day. However, many animals are naturally nocturnal and are seen at their best during the night hours.
Day zoo visit
If going at night is not your thing you can still visit the zoo during the day. Going to the zoo is something that all children will love, but even adults can have a lot of fun because feeding and petting many animals is encouraged. You might never get another chance to feed deer or hold a snake or baby crocodile. Of course, if that thought makes you shudder, you don’t have to hold them. But the kids are sure to want to do it while you pet the rabbits.
