I have been to Bali several times, once in 2011 and another time in 2013. In this article, I will talk to you about Bali, this island located in the Indonesian archipelago in Southeast Asia. It is situated between Australia and Malaysia to be more precise. Each region of Bali has its own particularity, and I will talk to you about each of them.
Essential to remember
Bali is an Indonesian island located in the Lesser Sunda Islands archipelago, at 8°S of the equator. It lies between Java to the west and Lombok to the east, about 1,000 km southeast of Jakarta. Direct flight from Paris: 18 to 20 hours with a stopover.
Where is Bali located?
Bali is located in the Indonesian islands north of Australia and south of Thailand and the Philippines in Southeast Asia. It is between the island of Java and Lombok.
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Did you know?
Bali represents only 0.3% of the Indonesian territory but concentrates 80% of the country’s tourists. The island measures only 153 km from east to west and 112 km from north to south: you can drive around it in 2 days.
Which destination in Bali should you go to?
Bali is appreciated by tourists for its beautiful beaches and Indonesia is one of the cheapest countries in the world. What you need to know about Bali, located between Java and Lombok, is that it has a population of 4 million inhabitants. It is the main tourist destination in Indonesia for tourists and locals alike. The island has a tropical climate, so there is a rainy season (November to March) and a dry season (April to October), but each year is different. I went once in May with some rain and once in October, there was no rain.
| Data | Value |
|---|---|
| Area | 5,780 km² |
| Population | ~4.3 million |
| Capital | Denpasar |
| Main religion | Hinduism (90%) |
| Time difference with France | +6h winter / +7h summer |
| Currency | Indonesian Rupiah (IDR) |
I am going to talk to you about destinations in Bali with tourist attractions:
Ubud Bali
When you arrive in Bali, you mainly have the choice to stay in three places: Ubud (in the Northwest), Kuta (south of the airport), or near the Airport in Denpasar.
People who choose to stay in Ubud do so for several reasons: the calm, a tourist hub for inexpensive day trips to all parts of the island, there are also many hotels, guesthouses at lower prices and even better.
There are many restaurants, bars, and tourist shops. You can visit the ‘monkey forest’, see Balinese dance shows, discover Balinese culture, see rice terraces.
This is the cultural center of Bali, you can if you wish learn to cook Balinese food or get a massage. It is a neighborhood for all audiences, rather calm and quite touristy. Located north of the airport and in the middle of the island, there is no beach.
I recommend you stay in this place. See the accommodations in Ubud.
Seminyak and Kuta in Bali
People who go to this place are there to party, shop, and surf. There are many tourist-oriented shops, I am sure you will find what you are looking for.
A day in Kuta Seminyak sums up to surfing or going shopping during the day, bars and nightclubs in the evening. It is very easy to rent a surfboard for a few hours on the beach. The renter quickly teaches you some basics of surfing and off you go.
This is also the place where you find beautiful sunsets, aperitifs by the beach.
Here are the accommodations in Seminyak.
Kuta is the neighborhood of bars and nightclubs. There are multi-level nightclubs and it is the place to party on the island of Bali.
It is a neighborhood rather suited for backpackers, surfers, young travelers or people who want to party.
My experience
I had a revelation while looking at the map of Indonesia: Bali is a very small island in a huge archipelago of 17,000 islands. Leaving Bali to go to Lombok, the Gili Islands or Flores completely changes the perception of the country: fewer tourists, wilder landscapes, lower prices.
Here are my activities in Kuta Bali that I did during my travels.
Here are the accommodations in Kuta.
Sanur or Nusa Dua in Bali
Located not far from Denpasar or Kuta, Sanur is a seaside resort appreciated for its beaches. Travelers in Sanur are mostly there to enjoy the beach, relax in nice hotels.
Suitable for families, it is much less touristy than Ubud and Kuta. Nusa Dua is located a little further south on the east coast of Bali and has a similar profile to Sanur, a beautiful sandy beach, suitable for families and a seaside resort.
See the accommodations in Sanur.
Advantages
- Pleasant tropical climate all year round
- Small and easy to explore island
- International air hub (Denpasar)
- Very low cost of living
- Unique Balinese culture in Indonesia
Weak points
- Heavy road traffic in the south
- Over-tourism in Kuta and Seminyak
- Wet monsoon from November to March
- Sometimes disappointing beaches in the southwest
Amed in Bali
Located in the east of Bali, Amed is the Bali region with black sand beaches due to the volcanoes; if you have never seen any, this is your chance to go. People who come to Amed are there to do scuba diving or snorkeling.
You can see beautiful fish, coral reefs, and there are also shipwrecks dating back to the Second World War.
It is a very quiet place with far fewer tourists, ideal for early birds and those who want to take their diving certification or dive in the best spots in Bali.
If you want to know where to dive in Bali, I recommend reading this article: Where to dive in Bali?
See the accommodations in Amed
The classic trap to avoid
Don’t judge Bali by Kuta and Seminyak, which are the most touristy and least authentic areas. Head towards Ubud, Munduk or the east coast (Amed, Sidemen) to understand why this island has left such a mark on travelers.
The south of Bali island
The south of Bali island is appreciated for its beautiful beaches such as Balangan beach, for surfing, there are nice waves in this part of the island. Very accessible from Kuta or Sanur or even Nusa Dua. Every evening, many tourist buses come to watch the sunset at the Uluwatu temple. This place is impressive because it is a temple located near cliffs. There are also good spots for diving.
Of course, there are many things to do and other places in Bali but I only talk about the main places. For example, you can climb Mount Batur volcano and/or Mount Agung or visit a Balinese village.
To delve deeper into the subject, the guide on where to dive offers additional practical advice. You will also find interesting leads in our article on snorkeling in Bali, and if you are preparing the next part of your trip, the one on 2013 Germany Bali is just right.
Some tips for Bali:
- You can rent scooters at a very reasonable price in Bali to tour the island, but you need to know how to use them well because traffic is very dangerous in some parts of the island.
- The Balinese are very persistent; you often have to give them a firm no because there are many street vendors. They are very persuasive.
- Be careful with your personal belongings; theft can happen very quickly. There are many tourists in Bali, and during my stay, I met many people who were robbed in nightclubs.
If you want to be covered by insurance during your trip, I recommend reading my travel insurance comparison.
If you plan to visit and explore other places in Indonesia, I recommend the diplomacy site for Indonesia to know the latest information or precautions to take.
Here are some guides to help you:
And you? What did you enjoy in Bali?
Bali, which country is it in?
Bali is an island of Indonesia, located in the archipelago of the Lesser Sunda Islands, between Java and Lombok.
How long is the flight from Paris to Bali?
18 to 20 hours with a stopover (Singapore, Doha, Dubai, or Kuala Lumpur). No direct flights.
What is the best season for Bali?
May to October: dry season, ideal for visiting and enjoying the beaches.
