BALI — THE ISLAND OF THE GODS
My first time visiting Bali was in June 2019. What originally was supposed to be a week of teaching yoga turned into 5 months of travel, adventure and self-discovery. Needless to say, I fell a little bit in love with Bali… okay, maybe a lot. I always knew Indonesia would be where I took my first international trip (thank you Elizabeth Gilbert). I had heard so many amazing things about Bali, that it was an easy “YES” when making the decision to host my first two yoga retreats there (psst. I’m planning on hosting a third one this year)!
After traveling around the island, I wanted to share all the places I explored and things I did to create a helpful guide if you decide to visit one day!
This island is full of pure, undeniable magic — beautiful nature with pristine beaches to explore, secret waterfalls and lush green rice fields to visit, heart-warming people to meet and lots of great food and cultural experiences to be had. Each spot in Bali offers something unique and different.
Below are some of my favorite places and activities to do in Bali, from the most famous touristy spots to even the more private hidden gems. I highly encourage you to visit Bali and see all these places for yourself.
GETTING AROUND
First things first: decide on how you want to get around. Depending on what vibe you’re after and if you plan on moving from place to place, I recommend hiring a car or renting a scooter. It’s a good idea to look into purchasing traveler’s insurance to keep you protected, especially if you decide to stay long term.
One side note: please don’t forget your helmet! You may see some people driving without helmets, but I assure you it’s much better to be safe than sorry, especially when visiting a foreign country. Be aware that driving on the roads of Bali is more like Mumbai than the US, the traffic laws are much different, so only do it if you feel confident. Renting scooters is fairly cheap, around $4-5 per day or $40-50 per month. Gas only costs around $1.40 to fill up a full tank, which usually lasts for 1-2 weeks… yeah, ridiculously cheap. The first few weeks in Bali, my boyfriend and I actually walked everywhere by foot. Depending on where you stay, if you’re in the town centre, a lot of local shops and cafes are in walking distance. But I will say, once we learned how to ride scooters, we never wanted to walk again! It’s a lot quicker and overall more convenient to have your own ride. You can download the app ‘GoJek’ which is similar to Lyft or Uber where you can call a driver. However, in certain locations such as Ubud or Uluwatu, Gojek is banned because it takes away business from local taxi drivers. If you hire a taxi or private driver it’s usually more expensive, so be sure to keep these things in mind!
ULUWATU
Uluwatu is my favorite area to chill on the island of Bali. It has an off-the-beaten path, tropical and rugged beach-y vibe with trendy sunset restaurants and local shops. Located about 45 minutes from Seminyak and about an hour and a half from Denpasar Airport (the only airport on the island), the hilly peninsula of Uluwatu is home to some of Bali’s most scenic luxury villas and resorts, beautiful hidden beaches and world-class surf breaks.
Favorite Food Spots: The Loft, Single Fin, Kelly’s Warung, Suka Expresso (we ate here almost every day — order the Banana Brûlée pancakes and thank me later!)
Places To Stay: D’Padang Guesthouse (free breakfast included), Uluwatu Beach Cabin (free breakfast), The Edge Hotel (luxury), Alila Villas (luxury)
Things To Do: Uluwatu Temple, Thomas Beach, Surfing, The Yogi Lab, Omnia Bali Dayclub, Ulu Cliffhouse, take a day trip to Nusa Penida
KUTA/SEMINYAK
Kuta and Seminyak are two of the most popular tourist destinations in Bali. With Kuta being closer to the airport and home to some massive nightclubs and night life, and Seminyak (Canggu’s older brother) containing lots of hotels, restaurants and beaches to enjoy. Both being about 20 minutes by taxi, Uluwatu 45 minutes and Ubud about an hour and a half away. If you came to Bali for rice fields and tranquility, you might want to limit your time in this general area, as it has more of a city vibe and traffic can get quite congested. But the food options at these places are definitely delicious and the location of Kuta/Seminyak is quite convenient as it’s in the center of most places, so you can easily take a day trip to other areas of Bali.
Favorite Food Spots: Downtime (try the fried tempeh burger!), Tasty Vegan, Cafe Organic, Nalu Bowls, Shelter Cafe
Places To Stay: Johan’s Villa, The Legian Bali, The Colony Hotel Bali, Sahana Villas
Things To Do: Get a massage, chill at the beach, shop on the main street of Seminyak — Jl. Laksmana (Jl. Kayu Aya), visit Pura Petitenget Temple
UBUD
Located up in the hills, about an hour and a half away from Kuta, Ubud provides a more leafy, earthy alternative to the beach scene. You’ll find it serving up an abundance of amazing health-conscious foods and activities for the mind, body and spirit. The first time I visited Ubud, I ended up staying for four months. I’ve heard from many others that it tends to have that effect on people. Ubud has healing qualities. It’s not only a place of concentrated art and culture, but it has also been an important place of spiritual growth throughout history. Ubud is derived from the Balinese word Ubud, which means medicine.
Favorite Food Spots: Coffee-To-Go Cafe (order the fruit-topped waffles), Namaskara, Lazy Cat, Sayuri Healing Food, Famous Pizza Ubud, Clear Cafe, Bali Buddha, Pizza Burger Liquor, Alchemy, Zest (smoothie bowls), La Pacha Mama, Sage,
Places To Stay: Arki Guest House (stayed here with the sweetest Balinese family for 4 months — definitely recommend this place!), Wooden House Ulin (walking distance to Coffee-To-Go), Bambu Indah Hotel
Things To Do: sound healing at the Pyramids of Chi, yoga at Radiantly Alive or Yoga Barn, Tegalalang Rice Fields, the Monkey Forest, spa/self-care day at Rembulan Span, Campuhan Ridge Walk, shop at Studio. K Organic & Ethical Yoga Wear Shop (my favorite store), buy souvenirs at the Ubud Art Market, chase the Tegenungan Waterfall
CANGGU
Canggu is one of the most up and coming spots in Bali, Indonesia — if not the whole of SE Asia. The beauty of Canggu is that the area is divided into 3 main sections that are interspersed with rice fields, restaurants and villas. There are hardly any large hotels in Canggu (for now) and most tourists stay in private villas or boutique accommodation. As the restaurants, spas and shops are all spread out, there’s not one hectic main drag. Canggu is a beach lover’s dream and also a top destination for digital nomads.
Favorite Food Spots: Crate Cafe, The Shady Shack (vegan cheeseburger is to die for!), KYND Community, Motion Cafe, Debbie Does Salad, Taco Casa, The Compass, I Am Vegan Babe, Plant Cartel, Give Cafe, In The Raw Beach Garden
Places To Stay: Aston Canggu Beach Resort (1min walk to the beach), Desa Seni, Hotel Tugu, Frii Hotel
Things To Do: La Femme Tattoo, The Lawn Canggu, Surfing, Echo Beach, Tanah Lot (great spot for sunsets), party at Old Man’s, Sandbar, check out Dojo and Outpost for co-working spaces, yoga at The Practice and The Chillhouse
Tejakula
Tejakula is a coastal village and diving resort area in the Buleleng regency of Bali, not even included on many tourist maps. It’s away from all the hustle and bustle of the crowded areas and honestly one of the most beautiful, tucked away places. Only one and a half hours by road north of Ubud. This is where my first yoga retreat was held and the first place I felt like I really got a taste of what I had envisioned Bali to be like — I had my first real coconut here! Some of Bali’s oldest communities known collectively as the Bali Aga, are in Tejakula. It's a great spot to learn about sustainable ways of life of a local fishing community. Definitely not the place if you’re looking for nightlife or surfing, it’s more of a quiet and peaceful location. Tejakula is about 40km east from Lovina Beach, the more popular tourist hub in North Bali.
Favorite Food Spots: Cili Emas Oceanside Resort, Bondalem Beach Club, The Villas Tejakula, Warung Kelapa, Kintamani Restaurant (buffet-style, an hour drive from Tejakula but has a beautiful overview of Mount Batur), The Lookout Resto and Bar
Places To Stay: Desa Saya Eco Resort, Sea Community Villa, Gaia Oasis, Bali Beach Villas at Tejakula
Things To Do: Mount Batur hike, Batur Natural Hot Springs, Les Waterfall (one of the tallest on the island), take a trip to Lovina Beach, scuba diving, snorkeling, Ponjok Batu sea temple, Les Village Market for shopping
Lombok
Lombok is sandwiched between the island of Bali and the remote, uncharted Sumbawa Island of West Nusa Tenggara. Despite rising popularity and growing development, there is still much to discover in this island beyond the now mainstream spots. Unlike the Hindu-majority Bali, the residents of Lombok are predominantly Muslim. From Bali you can either take a connecting flight to Lombok International Airport, a fast boat off the coast or a cheaper public ferry from Padangbai port to get to Lombok.
Favorite Food Spots: El Bazar Cafe & Restaurant, Waroeng Alam Damai, Tomato Cafe,
Places To Stay: Qunci Villas, Mentigi Bay Dome Villas, Katamaran Hotel and Resort,
Things To Do: Visit the beaches of Kuta Mandalika, Senggigi, Tanjung Aan and Batu Payung, hike Mount Rinjani (Indonesia’s second-highest volcano), hop to the Gili Islands, Pusuk Monkey Forest, Selong Belanak viewpoint, Pink Beach, visit the Mosques and Hindu temples, take a guided tour to get to know thee Sasak culture, visit the numerous waterfalls (mostly in the northern part of the island), Tiu Teja, Tiu Kelep or Sendang Gile.
The Gili Islands
Floating off the coast of Bali and Lombok are three tiny islands adorned with white sand beaches, crystal-clear turquoise water, swaying palms, fresh clean air, quiet roads (there are no cars or motorbikes) and breathtaking sunsets. With a relaxing sunny island atmosphere combined with a very lively party scene, the Gili Islands are the perfect paradise blend of buzz and bliss, and are a must-do if you have enough time to explore! There are two main options to get to these islands: a boat from Sanur in south east Bali which will take around 3 hours or (if you prefer more time on land and less time on water) a boat from Padang Bay where the trip only takes 1.5 hrs. Once you reach the islands, the only modes of transport are by horse and cart, bicycle and foot. Depending on your own views on responsible tourism, keep this in mind when booking your accommodation. Please make sure to do your research on the horse and carts that are on the islands. These animals are known to not be well cared for, left standing in the heat, working all day and with stories of many of the animals dying in the streets. We personally did not want to support this mode of transportation, so instead, we packed light and walked most places or used bicycles to avoid using them. The islands are small enough to where you can get anywhere by foot or bike. Bike hire ranges from IDR 40-70 (US $6) per day and most accommodations have these included.
There are three islands in the Gilis, Gili Trawangan, Gili Meno and Gili Air. Which order you see them in doesn’t really matter as they are all very close and boats between take around 10-15 minutes. There are plenty of things to do on the Gili islands, and each of the islands has its own character and charm.
Gili Trawangan
Known as the party island with a lively reggae-ganja-magic-mushroom-vibe, Gili T attracts a crowd that in large part want to party. But that being said, quiet can be found on the western side of the island, where there are far fewer bars and shops and arguably a much nicer beach. From this side of the island you also get to enjoy sunset over the ocean from one of the many over water swings.
Favorite Food Spots: Tiki Grove, Casa Vintage Beach Cafe, Persona, Warung Dewi, Jali Kitchen, Kayu Cafe, Pearl Beach Lounge, Karma Kayak Tapas, Regina Pizza, La Dolce Vita, Thai Garden
Places To Stay: White Coconut guest house (includes breakfast and bikes), Le Pirate Beach Club
Things To Do: Lounge In the overwater swings, sunset cocktails at happy hour, check out the Night Market, sail and drink on a Booze Cruise, watch a movie at the beach
Gili Meno
Meno is the smallest and quietest of the three islands. You can walk or bicycle around the whole thing quite easily, so if you have a few days on the island you will likely see every part of it! Take a few days here to totally escape from it all, enjoying the beautiful beaches, visiting the lake in the centre of the island, snorkelling in search turtles and enjoying a beach front cocktail (or even a Mushroom shake if that’s your thing) at sunset.
Favorite Food Spots: Karma Beach, Diana Cafe, Adang Adang, Warung Pak Man Buati, Sasak Cafe, Ya Ya Warung
Places To Stay: The Mahamaya Resort (luxury), Villa Bagus
Things To Do: Divine Divers, hang by the bean bags on the beach, bike around the island
Gili Air
If a quiet bungalow, a chill beach bar and remote relaxation is what you’re after, Gili Air is the island for you. Gili Air’s vibe sits somewhere in between Gili T and Gili Meno, there are plenty of restaurants and bars, but it still retains the calmer atmosphere of Gili Meno and hasn’t quite reached the crazy party scene found on Gili T. Plus this island has the best beaches, by a mile! So if crystal clear water is what you are looking for then head to this island first, but you may never want to leave!
Favorite Food Spots: Pachamama Organic Cafe and Private Villa, Ruby’s Cafe, Mowie’s, Sunrise Beach Club, Shark Bites
Places To Stay: Flowers and Fire, Indah Bungalows
Things To Do: Take a day boat trip out to the ocean to snorkel with fish and swim with turtles (it’s worth getting a private boat), take a yoga class at Flowers and Fire
I hope this post has helped you to plan your own trip to Bali and the surrounding islands. Wherever you stay and whatever you decide to do when you’re there, I have no doubt it will be one of the best travel experiences of your life (it was for me)! Let me know how your trip goes, and I would love to hear your own tips and favorite locations in Bali by commenting below or sending a message. Thanks for reading!
All my love,
Jessica