Bali may be overrun with tourists for many years, but it still if for many reasons. Not only does is there many must visit places in Bali, there are also many things to do in Bali.
Travelers here would not be bored and will definitely find something to do that will suit them. Be it from just partying at the beach and drinking the night away, to culture, arts and history or from adventures to relaxing with spa and yoga, Bali does have a lot of things to do.
With so many to choose from, here are some of the recommended things to do in Bali for you to start with:
Interact with locals
One of the best things in independent travel is that you have the ample time to truly connect and interact with the locals. Eat at the local warung, chat up with the owner, take a local public transport and talk to people around you, ask for direction, ask for ideas, talk to the people you meet on the streets and just join in some of the fun stuff they are doing. With this you can learn the Balinese way of life and the how friendly and hospitable the people can be.
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| Join People in Bali Harvesting |
Join a festival like Bali Arts Festival
The Balinese knows their arts well and they celebrate in style. Bali Arts Festival is an annual event, normally held from June to July. This is a well known event throughout the world where travelers from all over the world travel to Bali to catch this festival of a full month of daily cultural performances, handicraft exhibitions and many more arts related activities.
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| Opening Ceremony of Bali Arts Festival, Indonesia |
Splurge and have a cocktail in Ayana Bar on Rocks
Ayana bar on rocks is known as the best bar in bar with long line of people daily trying to get in and have a drink on this bar that is perched on a cliff overlooking the sea and waves crashing the rocks below. Get a cocktail here, which is surprisingly good, and drink your night away staring at the roaring sea that seem to stretched into infinity with white waves crashing in like a spectacular natural show.
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| Bar on rocks @ Ayana, Bali |
Learn to surf on Kuta Beach
If there is one place on earth you want to learn to surf, Bali may be one of the good choice. Kuta beach have the waves breaking over sand rather than corals, making it a haven for beginner surfers. There are many good surf schools here so you are not short of choice, with famous ones like Odyssey or Rip Curl Schoo of Surf, else you can always hire a local guide for a cheaper alternative. After the surf, relax and unwind with drinks and sunset at Ku De Ta.
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| Learn to surf at Kuta Beach, Bali |
Climb Mount Batur at Kintamani
If the surfs have not break your bones yet, you may want to try yet another adventure in Bali. Climb the famous Mount Batur, a volcanic mountain that rise over a lake which beautifully mirrors it. It is best to be conquered in the morning, where there are hikers starting their ascent as early at 4am to reach in time to catch the sunrise at 6am. It may be cold so remember to bring a jacket and always remember to be careful as it is a an active volcano and there are accidents that happened in this mountain before. This is not a physically demanding hike, unlike its cousin Mount Rinjani on nearby Lombok Island which takes several days, Mount Batur which stands at 1,700m can be done in just a morning.
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| Hike Mount Batur @ Kintamani, Bali |
Watch Kecak Dance in Puri Dalem Taman Kaja
Kecak dance is one of the traditional dance and musical drama in Bali that is enchanting and favourite among travelers. Kecak dance have 150 performers wearing check cloth around their waist chant the word “cak” while throwing up their arms in depiction of the battle of Ramayana, with roots of the dance dating back to sanghyang, a trance-like exorcism dance of the old. The best place to watch it is in the temple grounds of Puri Dalem Taman Kaja, where you will find authentic atmosphere and setting.
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| Kecak Dance at Bali, Indonesia |
Explore Bali on two wheels
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| Tegallalaang Rice Paddy Fields, Bali |
There are many cycle tours popping up in Bali now simply because it is such a wonder to explore Bali this way. For those who rather go independent, you may also rent a bicycle and do your own exploring to your heart’s content. Some of the places to explore is the surrounding villages and rice paddy fields, soaking in the arts and culture and the hard working locals. Also cycle to Monkey Forest to visit the crab-eating macaques and then head on to Goa Gajah, known as one of the most holy place in Bali. Then end your day in village of Petulu, where you might catch a massive migration of Heron returning to their roost.
Recommended cycling tour is http://balicountryside.blogspot.com
White water rafting on Ayung River at Sayan
Ayung river, right down inside the Ayung gorge, is very scenic for a white water rafting. Imagine yourself rafting through the very heart of Bali, with you riding the wild rapids through rice paddies, people working the fields and children playing. You will feel like your are traveling in speed and style through a motion picture of the hidden part of Bali. There are two well established operators that you can find at the main road in Sayan, but there are also other new operators which open up in recent years
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| Sunset Seafood dinner at Jimbaran Bay, Bali, Indonesia |
Eat seafood in Jimbaran bay
At Jimbaran Bay, you may walk down along the beach and find it dotted with warungs and candle-lit tables like mushrooms after rain. Here you can dine on prawns, squids and fishes fresh of the sea onto your table, almost literally. Couple it by feasting over a sun setting over the horizon make this authentic setting much more atmospheric.
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| Snorkel and Diving at Bali, Indonesia |
Snorkel or dive the reefs of Bali
While Bali have so much to offer on land and beaches and mountains, do not forget the marvels of what’s under the sea. Here the sea is full of wild marin life such as manta rays and turtles while surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. For the best snorkeling experience, take a boat out the coastline to Lembongan Island, where the reefs surrounding it are spectacular. Here divers can also experience a 40 m drop off into the wonders of the sea.
