Bali was one of the first Indonesian islands to attract visitors. With its Hindu traditions, gentle people, captivating scenery and colourful cultural festivals, Bali has been popular for many decades.
Despite being a major international gateway to Indonesia, you don’t have to go far in Bali to avoid the crowds. One of our favourites locations is Bali Barat National Park in the west, where you can stay in luxury at The Menjangan.
Jimbaran Bay is a good choice for a stopover with its popular fish restaurants and good hotels. On the south coast, Uluwatu temple is set on the cliffs and especially rewarding to visit at sunset.
For a taste of the true Bali, travel inland to the small town of Ubud, known as the cultural centre of Bali. Shop for finely made arts and crafts, visit holy temples (some home to resident macaques) and enjoy the surrounding scenery with the forest high above the valley and rows of ancient terraced rice fields.
Bali makes a good hub from which to visit other islands, as many international flights arrive in Denpasar, its capital, from where connections can be taken to many islands after a night or two to enjoy the island.
