Things To Do In Bali - Nusa Penida

Things To Do In Bali – Nusa Penida

Searching for the perfect getaway this summer? You might want to consider visiting Bali in Indonesia, a country in Southeast Asia. There are a plethora of things to do in Bali. Bali is Indonesia’s offer of a paradise for travelers from all over the world. This place is famous for its pristine beaches, stunning waterfalls, and a culture that’s unlike any other across the globe. Bali is one of Indonesia’s provinces. Situated east of Java and west of Lombok, this province includes the main Bali island and a few smaller offshore islands. 

Bali is more than just a place. For many travelers, this Indonesian province is a mood, an aspiration, and a tropical state of mind. Tourists and adventurers from different corners of the world love Bali so much that it’d be difficult to move on from the first time they set foot on this land. Their experiences have created lasting memories they take with them wherever they go, from mingling with the Balinese people to blending in with nature. You’ll definitely never run out of things to do in Bali. 

Here Are 10 Best Things To Do In Bali, Indonesia

Your best summer getaway awaits. Here are some of the best things to do in Bali.

1. Where Else Is The Best Place For A Beach Hopping Adventure Than In Bali?

Bali is the ultimate summer destination – well, most of the time. Tourists from across the globe visit this place and enjoy the things to do in Bali for its one-of-a-kind beaches. First-timers in Bali want to see its beaches from the moment they arrive. They don’t care about running out of sunscreen or getting their skin toasted under the sun. Bali’s beaches drive the local economy. 

You can start your beach hopping adventure at Pasir Putih, where you can find some of Asia’s best white sands. It is located in an off-the-beaten area that those who want to take a road trip will love. Here, you can also grill some seafood barbecues to chew on while reeling in all the views. 

Then, head over to Nusa Lembonga, another virgin coast in Bali accessible via Sanur’s main harbor from where you’ll take a 30-minute boat ride to the island. If you love to trek before seeing paradise, then Suluban Beach is right for you. It is located nearby cliffs, so you’ll have to descend the steps of Uluwatu and pass by some caves before you see its turquoise waters.

If you have the energy for more, you can continue your beach hopping and visit Balangan Beach, Padang Padang Beach, and Jimbaran Beach, to name a few of Bali’s best beaches.

2. Have Your Photo Taken With The Split Gates Of The Pura Lempuyang Luhur Temple

Before your trip, as you look around for the best things to do in Bali, you’ll see photos of tourists who have visited the place taken at what appear to be split gates of an Indonesian temple. They probably did it at the iconic split gates of Pura Lempuyang Luhur, a Hindu temple located 1,175 meters above sea level on the summit of Mount Lempuyang. It is one of the oldest and most venerated temples on the island of Bali.

However, be prepared to trek before reaching the temple. But it will all be worth it. If you want the best outcomes for your photos, visit Pura Lempuyang Luhur on a clear morning where Mount Agung stands bright in the background with the split gates. 

Welcome to our ultimate “things to do in Bali” guide. Did you know that our blog also listed Bali as one of the best photographic locations in the world

Things To Do In Bali

Things To Do In Bali

3. Surf The Balinese Waves

Bali is often listed as one of the best destinations in the world for surfing. While this Indonesian island is legendary for world-renowned waves such as Uluwatu and Padang Padang, there are many other surfing spots for surfers of all skill levels. 

For beginners, remember Canggu and Kuta Beach. Canggu has plenty of spots where you can rent a surfboard, as well as surfing schools that offer lessons. Another beach for surfing for beginners is Echo Beach, known for its mellow waves, very ideal for those who are just getting their hands in surfing. More surfing schools can be found along Kuta Beach where the waves are tame, best for learning. 

4. Plunge Into Bali’s Waterfalls

Bali’s waterfalls are also famous to the rest of the world. They are secondary to its beautiful beaches. Many travelers who visit Bali also make it a point to include visiting the waterfalls on their list of things to do in Bali. 

You can begin exploring Bali’s waterfalls at Tibumana. The Tibumana Waterfall is one of Bali’s hidden gems. Just a 45-minute drive from the town of Ubud, the waterfall is part of the Bangli regency, which is one of the nine kingdoms in Bali that flourished during the turn of the previous century. 

The trek to Tibumana Waterfall (yes, there’s a trek before you see paradise) is stimulating with so much movement. You’ll pass by palm trees and seemingly endless rice fields where you can even see farmers working. 

Another equally stunning waterfall in Bali is SingSing Waterfall. To reach this waterfall, you need to go through a 10- to 20-minute trail through the low forested terrain that commences at Bale Banjar, a neighborhood in this Indonesian province.  

Some of the other best waterfalls in Bali are the GitGit, Niagara Munduk, Jembong, Blahmantung, NungNung, Banyumala, Aling Aling, Sekumpul, and Tegenungan waterfalls.

5. Swim With Giant Manta Rays At Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida is an island in Bali regarded as one of the most enchanting. Many consider this location as a private island, so if you are willing to spend a little bit more to experience Balinese luxury, Nusa Penida is the place to be. 

Viator offers a tour around the island where you’ll hop on your own exclusive, private boat, but not just this. You’ll also get the chance to swim with gigantic manta rays, snorkel to see colorful corals and fish underneath the waters, and enjoy a sumptuous lunch.

Loving this “things to do in Bali” piece so far? We’ve also listed Bali as one of the best vacation destinations to visit this October. Click this link for the story

Things To Do In Bali - Sekumpul Waterfall

Things To Do In Bali – Sekumpul Waterfall

6. Attend A Silver Jewelry Making Class Class In Ubud, An Ages-Old Balinese Craft

Silver jewelry making is an ages-old craft done in Bali. The products created from the process are vital to the island’s rural economy. While in Bali, you can participate in a silver jewelry making class in Ubud. 

In this private tour, you will be able to try making the craft coached by a local silversmith in a traditional workshop setting. You will also get the opportunity to tour the village to further understand the craft’s importance to Bali’s culture, society, and economy, as you learn to shape, cut, and finish your design before you bring it with you as a souvenir. Great memories here. This is one of the things to do in Bali that you should try.

7. Dive Bali’s Waters And See A Whole New World

Bali’s beaches are splendid in themselves, but deep down, there’s a whole new world that brings out the charm of the place and treats you to a visual spectacle that you will remember for so long. 

Indonesia is also situated right at the center of the Coral Triangle, a marine area in the western Pacific Ocean. So, the country boasts some of the richest marine habitats on Earth, and its Bali province, of course, has its share of top diving and snorkeling spots. 

A good place to start your diving adventure in Bali is at the island of Nusa Lembongan. You can access diving day trips to areas where you can dive with mantas and avail of full certification courses from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors. PADI is the world’s leading scuba diver training organization.

Don’t want the crowd? Head over to Menjangan Island off Bali’s northwest tip. The place also offers world-class diving, but without the high traffic of people. You’ll see various reef fish, turtles, reef sharks, and if you’re lucky enough, you’ll also be able to see whale sharks and dolphins. A beginner in diving? Fear not! Menjangan Island rents out kayaks, and offers guided diving and snorkeling tours around the island.

So many things to do in Bali, right? For sure, you must be a beach enthusiast reading this guide. How about learning the best things to do in Honolulu, another fascinating summer destination? 

Things To Do In Bali - Pagoda

Things To Do In Bali – Pagoda

8. Go White Water Rafting At The Ayung Valley

Feel that your things to do in Bali experience is a little bit slow and boring? You want some adrenaline rush? Why don’t you try white water rafting in Bali? Well, the province admits that it is not the most challenging rapids across the globe, but they won’t discount the fact that as you take on the waters, you’ll see Bali’s Ubud town from a totally unexpected angle. 

Here in Bali, jungle rivers cascade down from its volcanic highlands, carving great ravines that are one of the most striking features of the province’s geography. Plus, the southern hills are quite densely populated, making rafting here among the best experiences while you’re here in these unspoiled jungle canyons.

9. Find Your Inner Peace And Balance, Practice Yoga In Bali

Do you feel like practicing yoga indoors already feels restricting for you, and feel you’re ready to do those yoga poses with nature? Yoga has been practiced in the predominantly-Hindu island of Bali for over 1,000 years (yes, you are reading that right). However, the boom of commercial yoga only started during the beginning of the 2000s. One of Bali’s towns, Ubud, in particular, has been dubbed as “the yoga capital of Southeast Asia.”

You can attend yoga classes at Yoga Barn, which began with just one humble yoga shall or practice space in 2007 but because a lot of people want to practice yoga in this serene province, this space has grown to become a fixture on the Ubud scene. Now, it has seven studios conducting a whopping 130 yoga classes a week. Yoga Barn also has a restaurant, yoga store, café, and even accommodations for yoga practitioners who visit for teacher training or specialist courses.

On the other hand, if you want a more low-key yoga experience, you can head over to Radiantly Alive. This yoga studio in Bali is located on a quiet alleyway within the old town. Many students who prefer a more intimate and communal atmosphere pick this place. Radiantly Alive also has a branch in Canggu. This is certainly one of the things to do in Bali that must be on your bucket list.

10. Visit A Splendid Rice Terrace

Asia is known for its beautiful rice terraces, with rice being the staple food of its people. You can find breathtaking rice terraces in Vietnam, Japan, China, Nepal, and the Philippines, among others. In Bali, the prettiest of them all is the Tegallalang Rice Terrace. 

Located north of Ubud town, the Tegallalang Rice Terrace uses an ancient irrigation system that dates back to the eighth century. This system is what produces its series of sloping rice paddies that will attract you to grab your cameras and take photographs of the place. 

Furthermore, its elevation gives the area a cooler climate, which gives tourists a contrasting ambience from the warm atmosphere in Bali’s beaches. If you wish to see the rice terrace more magically, those who have been here advise that you arrive around before lunchtime.

After reading this “things to do in Bali” guide, we also recommend that you head over to our guide to Cancun, Mexico. 

Things To Do In Bali - Rice Terraces

Things To Do In Bali – Rice Terraces

More Things To Do In Bali: Best Outdoor Experiences

Bali, Indonesia is the perfect venue to experience the best of Southeast Asian outdoors. Here are the best outdoor experiences you can try in this destination. More of the things to do in Bali. 

  • Flyboarding at Benoa – Flyboarding is an extreme water sport wherein practitioners use an equipment known as the flyboard. A flyboard rider stands on the board connected by a long hose to a watercraft, hoisting them up in the air through a jet of water. But you don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy this sport. In Bali, the best place for flyboarding is at Benoa. 
  • Cliff jumping at Aling Aling Waterfall – If you feel you need to exert more so you can enjoy Bali’s waterfalls to the fullest, cliff jumping at Aling Aling Waterfall is the right match for you. Aling Aling Waterfall’s physical attributes make this a great place for this adrenaline rush.
  • ATV ride around Ubud – There are so many amazing views around Ubud, and if you are looking for the most unique things to do in Bali while you’re here, it is recommended that you try riding the ATV. 
  • Paragliding at Denpasar – You actually don’t need to travel outside Bali’s capital city, Denpasar, for your outdoorsy fantasies. Be amongst the birds and get a taste of Bali’s skies as you paraglide in Denpasar. For beginners, it can be scary, but your fears will be washed away by the beauty of the beaches and lush greenery unfolding before you from up above.
Things To Do In Bali - Ubud

Things To Do In Bali – Ubud

Take A Break!

Bali is a well-recommended destination for everyone, even for kids. To tell you, with so many things to do in Bali, this place is a haven and the perfect retreat for every traveler. There’s no Mickey Mouse, there’s no Gordon Ramsay restaurant or bright city lights with limousines after limousines, no casinos next to each other, and there’s no theme park named after a movie studio. Are you looking to visit Bali? Then, you must be the best nature warrior you can be. If life has been stressing you out lately, take a break and head over to Bali.