Things to Do in Bali, Indonesia
Island of the Gods — Temples, Rice Terraces, and Spiritual Serenity
- Average daily budget
- $40–$100/day
- Currency
- Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
- Language
- Balinese / Indonesian
- Best for
- Spirituality, Surf, Yoga, Honeymoons
About Bali
Bali is Southeast Asia's most celebrated island, a place of extraordinary natural beauty and deeply rooted Hindu culture. From the emerald rice terraces of Ubud to the surf-battered shores of Seminyak, from ancient temples perched on clifftops to yoga retreats hidden in jungle valleys, Bali offers an experience that is simultaneously spiritual and hedonistic. The Balinese people's warmth, the island's affordability, and its sheer diversity of experiences have made it one of the world's most visited destinations.
Top Attractions in Bali
Tanah Lot Temple
Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop in the sea, Tanah Lot is Bali's most photographed temple. Visit at sunset when the silhouette against the blazing sky is absolutely breathtaking.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
These UNESCO-listed stepped rice paddies north of Ubud showcase the ancient Balinese subak irrigation system. Walk among the emerald fields at sunrise before the crowds arrive.
Ubud Monkey Forest
Home to over 700 long-tailed macaques, this sacred forest sanctuary also contains three ancient Hindu temples dating back to the 14th century. Hold your belongings tight.
Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
Wake at midnight for the 2-hour hike to the rim of this active volcano. The sunrise view from 1,717 meters above sea level — with clouds below and Lake Batur glittering — is one of Bali's most memorable experiences.
Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Fire Dance
This clifftop temple 70 meters above the Indian Ocean hosts nightly Kecak fire dance performances at sunset — one of the most dramatic cultural shows in all of Southeast Asia.
Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud
Beyond the monkeys, Ubud itself is a cultural hub with excellent restaurants, art galleries, traditional craft markets, and the Royal Palace at its center.
Seminyak & Kuta Beaches
Bali's most popular beaches offer everything from serious surf breaks to glamorous beach clubs. Catch world-class sunsets from Potato Head Beach Club or the quieter Finns Beach Club.
Best Neighborhoods in Bali
Ubud
Bali's spiritual and artistic heart is set among rice fields and jungle. The area is home to healing retreats, cooking classes, the best restaurants on the island, and a thriving arts scene.
Seminyak
The sophisticated, upscale end of Bali's tourist strip, with designer boutiques, beachfront restaurants, rooftop cocktail bars, and sunset beach clubs.
Canggu
Bali's digital nomad and surf community hub, with an easy-going vibe, excellent coffee shops, rice paddy views, and the famous Echo Beach surf break.
Uluwatu
The rugged southern tip of Bali is wild and dramatic, with cliff-face temples, world-class surf (Padang Padang beach), and increasingly chic clifftop restaurants.
What to Eat in Bali
- Babi guling (suckling pig) at Ibu Oka
- Nasi campur (rice with mixed sides)
- Mie goreng (fried noodles)
- Fresh coconut on the beach
- Smoothie bowl at a Canggu café
- Bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck)
Best Time to Visit Bali
April to October is the dry season — the best time to visit with clear skies, low humidity, and ideal beach conditions. July and August are peak season with the highest prices and crowds. November to March is wet season but still workable, and prices drop significantly.
Getting to and Around Bali
Ngurah Rai airport (DPS) is at the southern neck of the island. Fixed-fare airport taxis run about IDR 150,000 to Kuta, 200,000–250,000 to Seminyak, 300,000–350,000 to Canggu, 350,000–400,000 to Uluwatu and 400,000–450,000 to Ubud (roughly $10–$30); Grab and Gojek app rides are usually 30–40% cheaper once you are past the airport pickup zone. Bali has no trains and no public buses that visitors use, so the choice is a scooter (IDR 70,000–100,000 a day, international driving permit legally required, helmet always), a car with driver (IDR 700,000–900,000 for a 10-hour day, the best option for temple circuits) or app rides for short hops between Seminyak, Canggu and Kuta. Distances are short but traffic is slow: Seminyak to Ubud is 30 km and 1–1.5 hours, Ubud to Mount Batur an hour, Seminyak to Uluwatu an hour. Some villages, notably Canggu and Ubud, restrict app pickups in favour of local taxi co-ops, so ask your hotel for the going rate. Fast boats to Nusa Penida and the Gili Islands leave from Sanur and Padang Bai.
Where to Stay in Bali
Where you sleep in Bali shapes the trip more than in most places, because traffic makes cross-island hopping slow. Ubud is for rice terraces, yoga and temples: guesthouses and homestays at $20–$50 a night, jungle-view villas $100–$250 and the river-gorge resorts from $400. Seminyak is polished and central for restaurants and beach clubs, with pool villas at $80–$200 and boutique hotels $120–$300. Canggu suits surfers and remote workers at $30 hostel beds to $150 villas, but expect 30-minute scooter crawls at rush hour. Uluwatu is for surf and cliff sunsets, with clifftop resorts from $200 and simple surf lodges from $40. Sanur is the calm, family-friendly beach base with older hotels at $60–$150. A common split is three nights in Ubud, then a coastal base. July, August and Christmas need bookings months ahead; in the wet season the same villa is often 30–50% cheaper.
3 Days in Bali: A Sample Itinerary
Every stop below is one of the places named in this guide. Use it as a starting point, or let the planner build a version around your dates, pace and budget.
Day 1: Ubud
Morning: Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Tegallalang Rice Terraces at sunrise, 30 minutes north of town, then the Ubud Monkey Forest by 9:30 before the heat and the tour buses.
Afternoon: Sacred Monkey Forest, Ubud
Babi guling at Ibu Oka beside the Royal Palace, the Ubud Art Market, then a Balinese cooking class or the Campuhan Ridge walk in the late-afternoon light.
Evening: Ubud
The Legong dance at the Ubud Palace at 7:30pm, then bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck), which most restaurants ask you to order a day ahead.
Day 2: Mount Batur, then the coast
Morning: Mount Batur Sunrise Trek
A 2am pickup for the Mount Batur Sunrise Trek with a registered guide, breakfast on the rim at 1,717 metres, and back in Ubud by 9am.
Afternoon: Seminyak & Kuta Beaches
Drive to Seminyak or Canggu, nap, then nasi campur at a warung and a first surf lesson or smoothie bowl at Echo Beach in Canggu.
Evening: Seminyak
Sunset at Potato Head Beach Club or Finns Beach Club, then mie goreng from a roadside warung.
Day 3: Tanah Lot and Uluwatu
Morning: Tanah Lot Temple
Tanah Lot Temple soon after it opens at 7am, when the tide and the crowds are low, then a fresh coconut and a café breakfast in Canggu.
Afternoon: Uluwatu
Drive south to the Bukit for a swim at Padang Padang beach and lunch at one of the clifftop restaurants in Uluwatu.
Evening: Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Fire Dance
Uluwatu Temple and the Kecak Fire Dance at 6pm (buy tickets from 4:30pm), then grilled seafood on the sand at Jimbaran Bay on the way back.
Plan this trip — get a personalized day-by-day Bali itinerary with drive times, restaurant picks and a packing list.
Bali Travel Tips
- Rent a scooter for the most flexible way to explore — but be cautious on narrow roads
- Always dress respectfully when entering temples — a sarong and sash are required (often provided)
- Haggle gently at markets — it's expected and part of the culture
- Book sunrise Mount Batur treks through a registered guide for safety
- Bali belly is real — drink bottled water and be cautious with street food early in your trip
Bali FAQ
When is the best time to visit Bali?
April to October is the dry season — the best time to visit with clear skies, low humidity, and ideal beach conditions. July and August are peak season with the highest prices and crowds. November to March is wet season but still workable, and prices drop significantly.
How much does a day in Bali cost?
Plan on an average daily budget of $40–$100/day in Bali. The local currency is the Indonesian Rupiah (IDR).
How do I get around Bali?
Rent a scooter for the most flexible way to explore — but be cautious on narrow roads.
What should I know about safety and etiquette in Bali?
Always dress respectfully when entering temples — a sarong and sash are required (often provided). Haggle gently at markets — it's expected and part of the culture.
What are the top things to do in Bali?
Top attractions in Bali include Tanah Lot Temple, Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Ubud Monkey Forest, Mount Batur Sunrise Trek and Uluwatu Temple & Kecak Fire Dance. Bali is best for spirituality, surf, yoga and honeymoons.
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