Great, you made it to Bali. So what’s the best part of the island for you? Let me start with an unpopular opinion: don’t go to Bali just for a beach holiday. Our pro-tip is to build in some beach time at the beginning or end of your trip, but get yourself inland to Bali’s cultural hub of Ubud.
Ubud
For all of you in the back row, this is for you: if you’re coming to Bali, you have to go to Ubud.
Ubud’s the reason for coming to Bali. This little town has been drawing travelers and artists since the 1920s, because of its natural beauty and incredible culture.
Terraced rice paddies in Ubud
Ubud’s up in the hills surrounded by terraced rice paddies, and rivers flowing through steep jungle valleys. But Ubud is best known for culture: famous for traditional dances, ceremonies, and festivals.
There’s tons of shopping, restaurants, spas, white water rafting, rice terrace hikes, and most of Bali’s best hotels are in or around Ubud.
In addition to culture, Ubud is a hub for wellness and spirituality. You’ll find plenty of yoga studios and meditation centers around town. There are also massage places where you can connect with your inner self and, maybe, find inner peace. If not, at least you have a good excuse for a massage. There are tons of art galleries, from high end to street art and everything in between. It’s also a great place to shop for clothing, homewares and local arts and crafts and you can shop for knick-knacks at this market that runs the length of this alley.
Shop for clothing and homewares in Ubud
In terms of food: of course, there’s great Balinese and Indonesian food, but lots of western restaurants and bars too if you are missing home.
We think Ubud is a Bali must-see and that you should budget at least 2 or 3 days. However, to set expectations: this small town isn’t as small as it used to be. It sometimes feels a bit overrun by foreigners like me, and the traffic can be bad. But you only need to search a little to find Ubud’s charms… they’re all around.
South Bali
When most people think about Bali, they think about South Bali: Kuta, Seminyak and Jimbaran Bay, all close to the airport.
I wouldn’t be surprised if you also think about long white beaches.
Well, let’s talk about Bali’s beaches for a minute. You should know that most beaches in Bali are black sand. Those long stretches of pristine white sand you’re picturing? In most parts of Bali, those don’t exist. A lot of areas have steep cliffs and rugged coastlines, which are great for views but not so great for beach time. Many, if not most, are also kind of dirty. If you’re coming from North America or Europe, there are hundreds of better beach destinations closer to home.
A black sand beach in South Bali
If you do head to the beach areas in Kuta, Seminyak, and Jimbaran Bay… here’s what to know.
South Bali – particularly Kuta and Seminyak – is crowded, overpriced, and a little bit soul-sucking. There are some decent beaches and lots of nightlife, but the hotels tend to be cookie-cutter mega resorts, and the hawkers on the beach can get annoying. If you’re looking for a more authentic, local experience in Bali, I’d steer clear of these tourist hotspots all together. You won’t miss anything… I promise.
Uluwatu
This is where to come if you do want to hit the beach in Bali. Uluwata boasts a rugged, beautiful coastline and is only 30 minutes from the airport. So it’s a great way to get some beach time as you ease in or out of Bali.
We have a great hotel recommendation there. If you don’t have a big budget, here’s our tip: stay somewhere without a view and hit a nearby beach club for the day. The Single Fin bar in Uluwatu is also a great place to catch a beautiful sunset.
East Bali
East Bali is where the mountains meet the ocean and rice fields give way to coconut plantations. Everything feels laid back and unhurried, with far fewer tourists. It’s at least 1.5 hours from the airport, but around Manggis and Candai Dasa there are some nice beaches and some of Bali’s best hotels, including the Amankila.
East Bali is also home to the Sacred Mt Agung, Bali’s tallest volcano.
Fishing village Amed in East Bali
Maybe the best-kept secret of East Bali is Amed, a small fishing village with clear water and green hills. It’s also home to some of Bali’s most significant temples, like the Tirta Gangga water palace. If you want to get away from the crowds, Amed is hard to beat. With that said, it’s a bit grungy. The beaches are rocky and the area is best suited to backpackers and budget travelers.
West Bali
West Bali is another option but it’s pretty remote, almost 4 hours from the airport and there are few hotels in the area. But if you are into diving, this is your best bet in Bali.
In our Bali travel guidebook, we have a great hotel recommendation in this area. Check out our Bali travel guidebook here.
