25 Things to Do in Bali
Bali, Indonesia was our first stop on our two-year world tour.
We spent about 13 days exploring the island, and in this article, we’ll cover 25 fun things to do in Bali.
We started our journey in Ubud and spent 7 days there exploring the city, the rice terraces, and the many beautiful temples that surround this area.
1. Monkey Forest
We started with the Monkey Forest in Ubud which houses around 600 monkeys. I do not mind saying I do not particularly care for the monkeys. My wife loves them but I feel uneasy around them. Remember these monkeys are walking around freely. Please follow the rules these monkeys are not domesticated pets and they can become aggressive.
2. Goa Gajah Elephant Cave
Next, we went to the Goa Gajah Elephant Cave, which includes a beautiful fountain and this very intriguing cave that they once believed looked like an elephant hence the name. It also has lovely scenery and other small temples to see. I enjoyed the thriving plant life, the water and how it is flowing through the area. The trees are vast and sore above you as you walk through the area. I have been in some huge caves and this was not that. It felt a little claustrophobic to me.
3. Tegennunan Waterfall
We ended our first day in the cool and refreshing waters of Tegununan Waterfall. This spot is great for cooling off and getting some great pictures. I really love waterfalls so this was especially nice. There were a lot of tourists there and really no where to leave our things so we took turns entering the water. Still it was well worth the hike to see and enjoy the waterfall. My advice would be to not bring a lot of belongings and dress to enter the water. This can be difficult for some of us because we have cameras and expensive equipment. Also, there are a number of stairs and some as I recall are uneven. I would recommend using proper shoes or secure sandals for this trip and not flip flops.
4. Pulina Coffee Plantation
Next, we checked out the Pulina Coffee Plantation for a coffee tasting. They have several different delicious varieties to try.
The star of the show though is the luwak. The Luwak is a catlike creature that eats coffee berries, the coffee bean inside the berry ferments as the Luwak digests it. The Luwak will eventually poop the coffee bean out whole. The bean is then cleaned, peeled, roasted and used to make coffee. They affectionately call this coffee cat-poop-chino because the Luwak looks like a cat and the coffee bean is taken from its poo.
5. See a Bailese Dance Show
We also got to hear traditional Gamelan music and Balinese dance. I really enjoyed the dance especially the one with the ladies. They have a particular movement of the eyes and arms I have not seen in other dance forms. I would say it’s a bit hypnotizing.
6. Take a swing and nest picture
Aloha swing is a fun place to go for a quick thrill and some great pictures. Swinging out there was surprising scary at first, but you get used to it pretty quickly. We suggest getting there early so there is less of a line though. The swings and nest photo stations do get busy.
There are also swings and nests at the Tegallalang Rice Terrace as well. There is less of a wait there and is also a great option for good pictures.
7. Tegallalang Rice Terrace
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We loved wandering through the Tegallalang Rice Terrace. It was huge and beautiful. The ground was a bit uneven so be sure to wear comfortable, sturdy shoes. Be careful the exit signs are difficult to see and you could lose your way. I loved it there so much that I took the opportunity to meditate while I was there.
8. Tirta Empul Water Temple
Tirta Empul is a water temple that has sacred water used to bless and heal worshippers. We were lucky enough to go on a full moon day, meaning that the temple was especially crowded. Holy men are there to bless worshippers and there was a long line to get to the sacred water fountains.
9. Take a class (i.e. cooking, yoga, dance, or meditation).
Another fun thing to do in Ubud is to take a class. Usada has lots of fun options. I took this Balinese dance class and I also took a meditation class there and really enjoyed them.
10. Taman Ayun
About an hour from Ubud you can experience the lovely temple of Taman Ayun. This Hindu temple is surrounded by water creating a lovely complex of gardens, temples, and a pond.
11. Jatilwih Rice Terrace
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We also checked out another rice terrace. The Jatilwih rice terrace is about an hour away from Ubud, but it’s worth the drive. The wide open spaces allows you the opportunity to see miles and miles of lush green rice fields with hills in the background for contrast. The landscape is so beautiful there. You don’t want to miss it.
12. Go out dancing (night life)
David and I love to dance. This is a good way for us to mingle with the locals. This is why we were so pleased when we found salsa dancing both in Ubud and Kuta. If you are looking for nightlife, why not try a little salsa while in Bali. In most cities you can easily find social dancing on Google or Facebook.
13. Tanah Lot
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Tanah Lot has two beautiful sea side temples. You can stand in awe as you watch the tide come in and crash against the rocks of these temples. We went in the evening. The waves were really powerful and you could visibly see them roll in and here the thunderous sound they made as the waves crashed against the rocks.
14. Ujung Water Palace
About 2 hours away from Ubud, you have the Ujung Water Palace which was used by the royal family back in the 1920’s. Be sure to climb to the top for great views of the palace and the ocean.
15. Tirta Gangga
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Tirta Gangga was a personal favorite. This garden has a pond with pavers that you can walk on. It was so fun to be so close to the water and to see the koi swimming right underneath you. I highly recommend this one.
16. Ulun Danu Temple
Ulun Danu temple is at a scenic location by a lake and surrounded by hills. Take a walk and enjoy the lovely flowers and the peaceful breeze.
17. The Handara Gate
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The Handara Gate is a great spot to get a photo. Luckily the line was short when we arrived, but it gets long quick. For sightseers like us the wait is worth it. You may have to wait as passers by move on to get the epic photo you want.
18. Nusa Dua Beach
Nusa Dua was a nice beach to visit. It was clean, peaceful, and not too crowded. It was even free which was a nice bonus.
19. GWK Cultural Park
The GWK Cultural Park had large statues of Hindu gods like Vishnu and his bird. I thought the best part was the indoor cultural museum. You get your own guide who teaches you about Balinese culture and takes your picture in the different cultural scenes. It was a fun way to spend a couple of hours here.
20. Padang Padang Beach
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Padang Padang beach was David’s favorite. He loved the rocks that line the shore. It was a bit more crowded there but still very lovely. This beach would be perfect if it were a bit more secluded. You go down a winding staircase in what feels like a mountain that opens up into this wonderful beach oasis.
21. Uluwatu Temple
Uluwatu is a temple on a cliff with great views of the sea. Around 6pm they have a Kecak dance performance which is really cool to see. It includes a choir of 70 men singing as the dancers demonstrate the story of lovers Rama and Sita. This was quite the sight to see. The cliff feels like you are just beneath the heavens looking down over the huge crashing waves below.
22. Surf Lessons
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Next, we moved to Legian specifically to take surfing lessons at Up 2 You Surf school. We learned a lot, fell a lot, but after an hour of falling we were finally able to ride a few waves. The water is powerful but only waist deep so it’s great for beginners. The coaching was amazing and made me want to continue learning in the future. Rock on surfer dudes!
23. Eat at a traditional Indonesian food at a Warung
For food you want to check out the local warungs. We ate at Sun Sun Warung and Taman Curry. And the total meal for both us together was only $9. Good delicious, fresh, Indonesian food is not that expensive. Try it for yourself
24. Hire a private driver
We hired a private driver because Bali doesn’t have public transportation. Hiring a driver for 10 hours was not too expensive. It’s only $30-$40 a day with Klook. You get to plan your own itinerary going where you want when you want, but your driver is always there to give you tips about attraction hours, restaurants, suggestions, and the best time to go somewhere.
25. Rent a scooter
Many people also rent a scooter to get around which is even cheaper than hiring a driver, but it just was not for us because we have no experience driving a scooter, we don’t speak the language, we didn’t know where we are going, they drive on the left and we only know how to drive on the right, and I was not willing to drive during rainy season. All those scooter riders looked miserable in the rain. Naturally you can pick your preference though. If you are interested in hiring a driver. Check out Klook in the link below to get $5 off your first booking.
