The Holy Grail Guide to Bali

This beautiful island is located in Southeast Asia, often mistaken as its own country, Bali is actually part of Indonesia -the largest archipelago in the world, consisting of over 17,508 islands. Bali itself is a province of Indonesia that has an approximate land area of 2,231 square miles. The island itself is situated between Java and Lombok (another beautiful island that’s a  30-minute plane ride from Bali). 

Now that you know where Bali is located, have you ever wondered why Bali is often dubbed as the Island of the Gods? it’s due to the number of temples located on the island, historically it is known that the water that is used to grow rice flows from the temples, and each house in Bali would have its own smaller-scale temple that is used for daily prayers, there are also a number of bigger temples around the island as it showcases the presence of Balinese Hinduism in everyday life. 

The Balinese Culture

Indonesia has 5 main religions: Christianity, Buddhism, Catholicism, Hinduism, and Islam. So what is the culture in  Bali like? The majority of Balinese follow a form of Hinduism which is known as Hindu Dharma, you will notice a huge influence of it on the architecture in the islands, starting hotels, museums, and sacred temples. Like other parts of Indonesia, Bali has their own traditional dances, one of them being “Tari Kecak” a beautiful performance that has the symbolism of the epic Hindu tale of Ramayana. There are also multiple paintings, jewelry, carvings that are laced with intricate designs, the rituals, and customs of Balinese Hinduism are also kept alive without being influenced by globalization or the huge boom of tourism. 

Penglipuran Village, Bali, Indonesia

Best time to visit 

The best time to visit the island would be around April, May, September, and October. Which is the dry season, June, July, and August is usually packed with tourists and people from other parts of Indonesia since the school holidays usually start around those months. 

Even though the island has a dry season, it should not stop you from traveling there since it is usually sunny all year round, even during the so-called “rainy season

Transport 

Public transportation is not something that is quite as readily available since most Balinese has their own vehicles, if the bus is your preferred method of transport it is an option, using the BRT of the island, it runs multiple routes around several points and it’s one of the most affordable options there is, if you are arriving from Ngurah Rai International airport, you can walk straight, around 100m from the arrivals area and there should be a sign that states that it is the bus’s waiting zone.

You can also rent a bike for around $4 for a whole day or around $50-65 for a month, it is a great option since there are roads that are only accessible by bikes and other smaller routes that are usually jam-packed and using a bike is a faster way to travel. Just please be mindful of the culture and etiquette of renting your motorbike, always use a helmet, follow the rules that are set to avoid fines (trust me, it will ruin your day), have your motorbike driving license ready. 

You riding a bike is not your cup of tea, you can always opt to rent a car, it will be an easier and safer experience for you, if you do rent any vehicles always keep in mind to store a safety kit in the luggage area. 

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

Where to stay 

If you’ve done your research about Bali, you’ve probably heard these areas by no: Canggu, Ubud, and Kuta. Well let me break it down for you based on what these areas have to offer so you can weigh your options around it 

Ubud

If you prefer a more quiet and serene area, opt for Ubud. indulge in your senses by waking up to an array of rice fields, visit the Tegalalang rice terrace to enjoy the ultimate view, the entrance to the rice terrace is completely free but expect to shell out a dollar or less for parking. The monkey forest is also a fun place to visit, it can be quite humid inside the forest so please dress accordingly, also be very careful with your belongings since these seemingly innocent and cute monkeys are able to take them while you’re distracted, so a little tip is to not use sunglasses on top of your head or wear caps. 

Ubud is also known as a “healing” area, a lot of foreigners visit Ubud to meditate, do yoga, and just enjoy the modern yet traditional scenery of Ubud, it is also filled with cute little coffee shops, corner bookstores, unique restaurants, and accommodations. Explore the Ubud art market and find locally crafted and handmade goods, such as shoes, handwoven bags, hats, silk scarves, and loads more! 

Tegallalang, Gianyar, Bali, Indonesien

Seminyak

Into the party life and prioritizing a slightly luxurious area where you can shop and relax? then, head down to Seminyak,  this upscale area is filled to the brim with delicious restaurants, cafes, cocktail bars, beautiful villas, and numerous beach clubs, the most popular ones would be Potato Head and Ku De Ta.

Hanging around Seminyak does not have to break the bank, casually stroll the beach and opt for the food stalls or independent sellers that are usually wandering around the beach, they will be selling grilled corn, rice dishes, cotton candy, beverages, and so much more. 

Seminyak Beach, Bali, Indonesia

Canggu

Canggu is known as the digital nomad and a remote worker hub of Bali, there are multiple co-working spaces and cafes that allow you to sit and do your work peacefully for a period of time.  Canggu can be quite crowded depending on the time of day but is definitely worth it! Enjoy the beach parties, amazing food from vegan to pescetarian, you name it, they have it. 

The accommodation can be on the pricier side but it’s always best to opt for guest houses or other co-living spaces. 

The Lawn in Canggu, Canggu, Bali, Indonesia

Uluwatu 

If you’re in Bali for the waves, definitely head down to Uluwatu. Known as the surfer's paradise, you can find plenty of beaches that has amazing waves, perfect for pro surfers! The access down to these beaches might be steep, depending on which beach you’re going to but the view is worth every drop of sweat. 

There are multiple stalls that rent out surfboards at an affordable price, might as well add in a surf lesson while you’re in Bali.

Uluwatu, Bali, Indonesia 

What to do when you're feeling adventurous

If you’re more towards thrill-seeking, there are options to choose from: paraglide and enjoy the views of Uluwatu, Parasailing in lake Beratan, or head down to Nusa Dua for watersport activities like banana boat, jet skis, sea walkers, and loads more.

Parasailing, Bali, Indonesia 

Nightlife  

Enjoy the nightlife in Canggu for a more relaxed vibe and parties near the beach, or dress up and head to Seminyak and Kuta for all the amazing clubs there, remember to not wear sandals because some clubs would not let you in if you do so.

Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, Uluwatu Street, Ungasan, Badung Regency, Bali, Indonesia

What to eat?

Indonesia is a haven for food, and Bali has a bunch of unique local food, the resorts there really knows how to cook up an amazing brunch or dinner with a premium taste for an affordable price, there are multiple cafes and coffee shops selling dishes and comfort food all around the island, most people would usually opt for a smoothie or pitaya bowl and it’ll usually be less than $6, another favorite would be fresh poke bowls that are readily available in most places. 

Plant-Based Asian infused salad

Don’t be scared to try local delicacies such as “Nasi Ayam Betutu” or rice that is paired with chicken which takes hours to cook, chicken skin, peanuts, a side of veggies, and a delicious broth to create the perfect combo. If you’re into pork, Bali is famous for their “Babi Guling” or a roasted suckling pig that has the perfect crunchy and fatty skin. 

Sate Ayam or Chicken Satay, Indonesian food. Bali

Working out in Bali 

After all that food, it’s not a surprise if you want to workout ASAP, well the gym memberships in Bali can cost anywhere from $12 - 60 per month depending on what sort of gym you opt for, and if you want to exercise the beach is a great way to run and nourish your body and soul at the same time, the best time to run would be before sunrise and sunsets, the only cons is that there will be a lot of food stalls in the beach tempting you, so you've been warned.  

Waking up to catch the sunrise with the early morning yoga routine.

 

Tips when you’re in a Bali 

Most locals and other residents are very relaxed and friendly, they would often help you in any way that they can, but of course, it is not something to be taken for granted, here are a few do’s and don’t when you’re visiting Bali 

• Do wear appropriate clothing when visiting temples, your legs must be covered or you can rent out a “sarong” that is usually available at the entrance of the temples.
• There will be a “Canang Sari” on the road, it is a square-shaped box made from palm leaves adorned with flowers, and incense, it is a form of daily offering offered by the Balinese Hindus. Do avoid stepping on it or riding over it.
• Don’t drink tap water, it is highly not recommended.
• Don’t wear shoes when you’re entering people’s homes.
• When you try to bargain goods in the market it’s good to know how much the value of the item is but do not push too hard over the bargain over a small amount since it may mean a lot more to them. 
• Prepare travel insurance before going to smoothen the process if anything were to happen.

Canang Sari, offerings to the Gods, Tirta Empul Temple

All in all, Bali is the perfect destination for digital nomads as it gives so much flexibility and gorgeous accommodations if you're working from home, the island is also one of Indonesia's green zones -where most of the population is vaccinated and there are little to no cases of Covid-19. The cost of living is also relatively low, you can expect to spend below $1,500 per month in Bali and that includes accommodation, food, and entertainment, of course, it depends on the type of lifestyle you're living. If you want to explore around, there are also surrounding islands such as Lombok, Nusa Lembongan, Gili Trawangan and so much more of Indonesia to explore.

And wherever we are going in this world it’s always good to take note of what not to do in each country or destination and respect their culture and values to create a respectful environment where everyone is appreciated and having loads of fun! So what are you waiting for? Check out the trips to Bali that are offered on our site or create your own using the guide above, if you need more inspiration on where to travel check out the Top 10 countries for digital nomads so whatever your choice is you can always find a great community with Join My Trip.