Bali Travel Tips & Highlights

Here you will find my Bali travel tips to ensure you are well-prepared for your trip. Bali - once a destination for package tourists and honeymooners - is attracting more and more independent travelers and backpackers. Everyone loves the Island of the Gods.

Wonderful beaches, a wide range of activities, indescribable nature, and diverse culture. In addition, there are the incredibly friendly people who always have a smile on their faces and are always helpful.

After visiting Bali for the first time in 2006, I finally returned here ten years later. Bali is unrecognizable. Especially Ubud, which once consisted of a "main street" and a few cafés and restaurants, now offers an incredible variety of accommodations, restaurants, and cafés in all price ranges. The selection of yoga studios and vegan and vegetarian restaurants has also exploded. When I traveled here for the first time, the options were countable on one hand.

Back then in the south, Seminyak was the last tourist destination heading north. Now, Canggu is the hotspot and hipster place for backpackers from all over the world. To me, it's just a bit too crowded and hyped. Taxi prices have also exploded. In 2006, I could take a taxi from Kuta to Seminyak for 20 cents. Today, it's at least 20 €. And the trend is rising.

Nevertheless, Bali hasn't lost its charm. The people are still incredibly helpful and friendly. Once you leave a tourist area, you will find authentic places with hardly any tourists. Therefore, my tip: rent a scooter and just ride around!

Everything you need to know for your trip to Bali and what Bali has to offer is summarized here in my travel tips for Bali!

Bali is the perfect travel destination for Southeast Asia newcomers. For me, Bali was also my first encounter with the Asian continent. Before my trip, I had no idea what to expect. Friends promised me that the people are very friendly and helpful and that it's also very easy to get from A to B. So I booked the trip with no expectations.

But everything I had expected has been surpassed. Balinese are Hindus. Despite tourism, most of them have stayed true to themselves along with their traditions and religions. They are also extremely helpful and nice without being forced. They always have a smile on their faces and find a solution to any problem.

In Bali, you can combine all the comforts of the Western world with Balinese elements. You simply don't miss anything here. The fruit and dishes are delicious, and with a scooter, you can easily get from A to B. Drivers offer their services at every corner if you don't want to brave the admittedly chaotic traffic on two wheels.

If you leave the tourist hot spots, you will find authentic places surrounded by rice fields and waterfalls. Small alleys where hardly any cars fit and Balinese holding ceremonies in temples are common sights.

For me, Bali has never been a destination for dreamy beaches. Instead, it's a destination for small, beautiful hotels with amazing pools and rooms. If you want to see beautiful beaches, you must travel to the Gili Islands or to Nusa Lembongan. In Bali, coral and especially trash are scattered everywhere along the beach. Unfortunately, this is not a pleasant sight in many places.

Bali is part of the island nation of Indonesia and is not its own country - as many may think. The Island of the Gods is the only non-Muslim island in the country.

Bali is not its own country but an island belonging to Indonesia. It is located in the Indian Ocean just south of the equator. Therefore, you must be careful in Bali, as even a short stay in the sun can lead to a severe sunburn!

Bali is the westernmost of the 'Lesser Sunda Islands' in southern Indonesia. The island of Java lies just 2.5 kilometers to the west. Eastward lies the somewhat smaller island of Lombok and the increasingly popular islands of Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida, and Nusa Ceningan. The famous Gili Islands and the Secret Gilis are also located east of Lombok.

As a regular tourist, you currently receive a free visa-on-arrival if you plan to stay in the country for only 30 days. If you plan to stay longer like I did, it becomes more complicated.

If you are coming from Europe, no vaccinations for Indonesia or Bali are mandatory. Standard vaccinations like Tetanus, Diphtheria, Hepatitis A and B, Rabies, and Typhoid are recommended for travel to rural areas. Please consult your doctor for more information. Generally, you should always check your vaccinations before any trip and refresh them if necessary.

I am frequently asked if I take malaria prophylaxis for my trips to Bali. During my first trip in 2006, my doctor prescribed me doxycycline, which I took daily for four weeks. The conclusion: I fell ill on the Gilis, had infected sinuses, and all medications were ineffective due to the antibiotic treatment. I flew home in that condition. I would never do that again.

Now, ten years and many trips to malaria-risk areas later, I am much more experienced in dealing with it. I have Malarone with me (from my previous trip to Africa), and I am here during the rainy season. I am not taking malaria prophylaxis. I don't perceive the mosquitoes as particularly numerous. I regularly use mosquito repellent like Anti-Brumm or Autan with DEET. However, you must decide for yourself if you want to take malaria prophylaxis or not. I must mention that dengue fever can also be contracted. Friends have already had unfortunate experiences.

In general, I recommend consulting your doctor for vaccination advice if you are uncertain.

View my travel pharmacy checklist

Questions about travel insurance arise for many vacationers only shortly before departure. But then it's often too late. If you fall from a ladder shortly before your trip and break your leg, you could lose a lot of money.

That's why I wrote down which travel insurances (travel baggage insurance, trip interruption insurance, ...) are sensible.

First Bali trip in 2006:

Seminyak - Ubud - Gili Air - Sanur

During my first Bali trip, I mainly traveled in the hot southern part of the island. We took a short break on the small island of Gili Air. On the way there, we made a 3-day stopover in Kuala Lumpur to acclimatize a bit.

Bali Trip 2016:

Starting point Ubud. I lived here for six weeks. We also spent two nights in Uluwatu. We stayed on Nusa Lembongan for three nights. I visited the Gilis for five nights (Gili Air, the quietest of the islands). Additionally, I undertook many excursions around Ubud.

The best guidebook for Bali with insider tips is the German Bali guide "122 Things to do in Bali" by fellow blogger Melissa from the Indojunkie blog.

There are amazing things to discover in Bali: temples, volcanoes, beaches, and much more. I have gathered the most important attractions here:

A true highlight is the Pura Tanah Lot. The most visited and arguably the most photographed temple in Bali, with over 3 million (!!) visitors annually, attracts almost all tourists. Especially at sunset, this sanctuary is overcrowded. My Lonely Planet guidebook states, "...the site has the authenticity of a stage set." The original rock has indeed gradually eroded and has been partially artificially reconstructed for the protection of the temple.

Even though the temple attracts many tourists, it is one of the most important and revered sea temples on the island. For me, this place is one of the most beautiful things Bali has to offer. However, I didn't visit the temple at sunset. If you travel to Tanah Lot during the day, it is very hot, but you won't be overrun by the crowds.

The temple can only be accessed on foot at low tide. However, this is only permitted for locals.

Ubud is the spiritual center of the island. During my first visit in 2006, it was very quiet and cozy. Since the movie "Eat, Pray, Love," it has become overcrowded and even touristy. Nevertheless, there are still wonderful accommodations. Especially if you stay outside the center, you are surrounded by beautiful nature and rice fields.

Moreover, you find great luxury hotels in stunning locations surrounded by rice fields in the rainforest.

In the outskirts of Ubud, there is the Sacred Monkey Forest. Officially called Mandala Wisata Wanara Wana - which no one can remember. Aside from the monkeys, as the name suggests, there are three sacred temples.

Caution: The monkeys constantly ambush tourists and can be quite pesky. Please do not feed the animals. Entrance fee for adults is 30,000 Rp.

-> My tips for the best excursions around Ubud

The Alila Ubud is located in the midst of the rainforest. Our room had a terrace overlooking the rainforest and an outdoor bathroom and shower. The hotel is very expensive, but for 2-3 nights it is definitely worth treating yourself.

It's something very special to live in the rainforest! Who can say they stayed in a hotel with the world's best pool?

The Alila Ubud hotel and the grand Infinite Pool with a fantastic view of the rainforest and rice fields:

In the morning, you are served the finest breakfast here. Everything is grown by the Alila Hotel itself! Delicious shakes and fresh fruit! This is how every day should start. I wouldn't mind that!

View accommodation on booking.com

During my visit, Ubud, which was once sleepy, has now become a real tourist hotspot. Back then, there were hardly any restaurants or cafes except the famous Lotus Cafe and the renowned market where artists sell their crafts. Now, you find many hipster cafes with vegan food, yoga studios, and a huge selection.

The three islands of the Gili Islands are tiny tropical isles. White sandy beaches, coral reefs, and coconut palms - with donkey carts on sandy paths. Mopeds are banned just like dogs. A paradisiacal image - what more could you wish for? To my trip, it's still a hidden gem - today the fastest-growing tourist destination in Indonesia.

I've been to Gili Air twice - the smallest and quietest island of the Gili Islands. It's the quickest to reach from Lombok, just 2.5 hours by speedboat from Bali.

The liveliest and most touristy of the Gili Islands is Gili Trawangan - also known as Gili T. Here you can party until morning. Trendy restaurants and hotels are as plentiful as the party crowd. However, this doesn't match my idea of traveling. Gili T is too loud and crowded for me.

Most tourists go to Gili Meno for diving. Otherwise, this island is largely quiet, especially during the off-season and rainy season.

On the Gilis, you can rent snorkeling gear, diving masks, and fins for cheap. Unfortunately, I didn't have my diving certificate during this trip. Once you are 1-2 meters into the water, the ground drops off steeply. Even with a snorkeling setup, you can explore the coral reefs. Very cool and great visibility.

Every now and then, a brief but heavy monsoon rain sweeps through the island's paths. They become muddy afterward, making it hard for the donkeys to get around. The great thing about Gili Air is that the island is so small that I walked around it in 1.5 hours.

The Gilis are hotter than hot. Our simple accommodation unfortunately only had a drippy AC right above our feet. I don't like air conditioning. However, in this case, we can't do without it. It's too warm. The conclusion: I got sick the next day.

My experience on arrival with a flight from Denpasar to Lombok and then taking a speedboat to Gili Air: Everywhere, very unfriendly Muslims were looking at us with hostile gazes. A Western woman without a headscarf and even wearing a tank top. That's too much for the devout Muslims in Lombok. Adding to this is that our driver from the airport to the speedboat forgot us... so we quickly took a taxi to Senggigi, from where the speedboat to Gili Air departs. The taxi ride was quite the adventure on the bad roads through the hills in the pouring rain.

Once we arrived at Gili Air, at least it had stopped raining. The room is very simple, and the worst part: only saltwater, a bucket of fresh water for showering daily.

-> My detailed tips for the Gili Islands

My tip: Genuine insider tips for the Gili Islands can be found in the Lombok travel guide from Home is where your bag is.

Bali is a paradise for surfers. Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or pro, you will find plenty of surf spots year-round and in every season.

You can rent a surfboard for as little as 3.50 euros for about two hours.

My tip: The best surfing tips for Bali with many other hidden gems for your vacation can be found in the new Surf Guide for Bali. Further tips can be found in the 122 Things to do guide (in German) by Indojunkie (view and purchase here).

Seminyak itself feels overly touristy and luxurious. No wonder you find many high-quality hotels here. The beach is world-class: very wide, spacious, and much less crowded than in Kuta. This is only because the beach here is accessible by far fewer roads. More likely on foot from hotels. That's good.

You can walk along the beach from Seminyak to Legian to Kuta. You can stop for lunch at one of the many hotels.

Seminyak has quite a bit to offer for party tourists, especially Australians. I don't enjoy the fuss. Since the bombings, the streets were empty at dusk, leading us into the center: Jalan Double Six where we enjoyed delicious fish at Blue Ocean. The fish was very fresh, and the atmosphere was cozy. The normally well-frequented clubs are empty (due to the attacks).

The Puri Madawi Hotel is suitable for acclimatizing after arriving from Germany.

We stay for three nights in a two-story hut that is small and simple but clean and cozy. The hotel's restaurant serves Balinese cuisine right by the pool, which we enjoy to the fullest. Fresh fish, lots of rice, and everything with coconut or nice and spicy with chili.

The atmosphere is very family-like and relaxed. You can reach the beach-located away from the big commotion-on foot. The international airport in Denpasar is only a 25-minute drive away.

Where tourism in Bali once started is now the Ballermann 6 of Mallorca for Australians - Kuta. Many tourists arrive in Denpasar and only come as far as Kuta. No further. The alleys are packed in the evenings with tight crowds. If you're here to party, Kuta is the "epicenter." Except during my visit. Due to bombings and the recommendation to avoid crowds after dark, it was almost glaringly empty. I'm not here to party anyway.

At the surfer beach in Kuta, the Hindus make offerings to appease the gods. Observing these rituals is genuinely fascinating. Of course, many camera crews are on site. Unfortunately, it is getting dark, and everyone avoids crowds after the attacks, fleeing the streets and beach.

Normally, there is a party atmosphere in Kuta until the early morning, and the alleys are filled with people from all nations. Unfortunately, only a few tourists still find their way into the cozy bars and restaurants.

You will inevitably pass the memorial to Paddy's Bar, where the "big" bomb exploded in 2002, resulting in over 220 deaths, if you stroll through Kuta away from the wide beach.

What is eerie: Everywhere, there are WANTED posters with the faces of the two terrorists killed in the Kuta and Jimbaran attacks two days ago. However, the Balinese have returned to their daily lives and explain to us that they pray for the attackers that their next life will be better. A total positive thinking. This is pure Hinduism, which is hardly conceivable for us.

In Europe or the Western world, there is a different mindset. These people here are so positive that everyone should take a slice of this.

Due to the Taman Kertha Gosa, a detour to Semarapura in East Bali should be on your itinerary. Semarapura, the capital of the Klungkung province, has been called this since 1992. However, most Balinese still refer to the provincial capital as Klungkung. You will also find many local maps still showing the name Klungkung. The market in Semarapura is among the best in East Bali. From 6 am to 8 pm, you can purchase jewelry here for a fraction of the price compared to other places in Bali.

Here, according to the Bali Guide, you can embark on a journey "into the past" and visit a Bali Aga village of the descendants of the Balinese indigenous people. Allegedly, this village is not a tourist attraction, and no cars or motorcycles are allowed inside. My impression was quite different. I was very annoyed to follow our guide. In the simple, original huts, there were indeed televisions and luxury goods. There's no pressure to buy textiles, but disapproving looks await if you don't.

If you enjoy traditional gamelan music and dances, you will be in for a treat here.

At Alila Manggis, we have lunch, then continue to Tenganan, a Bali Aga village. Here, "indigenous people" still reside. Well, you shouldn't believe too much of what the tour guide says. Everything is highly touristy, and aside from the huts, it's all a tourist trap. Such things should NOT be supported. Never again.

In the evening, we explore Sanur, but here too: the same things are sold everywhere (even giraffes that you typically bring as souvenirs from South Africa...). Sanur is absolutely the most touristy town of our trip, and you are constantly approached. I feel like I'm at a market in Tunisia... it's not fun and just annoying. Eating at a hotel with live music, then sleeping and recuperating...

Caution: The sea in Sanur is not fun. At low tide, you have to walk hundreds of meters over broken corals to reach the shallow water. The sea here is not meant for swimming, which the hotel manager later confirms.

An authentic insider guide (in German) has been written by Melissa from the Indonesia blog Indojunkie. Here you can purchase what I think is the best Bali guide (click the button):

In the past, there were severe bombings in 2002 and 2005. In 2002, in a nightclub in Kuta, and in 2005 - during my visit - in Kuta and on the beach in Jimbaran. Tourism had suffered greatly as a result. Since then, everything has been peaceful, and the number of tourists has skyrocketed in recent years.

My trip to Bali coincided with the last "major" bombings in 2005. However, this was no reason to leave early. I stayed because I felt safe. In all my travels in Asia, I have never met a more friendly and positive people than the Balinese! I never felt unsafe.

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