Things to Do in Bali

Kuta Beach on Bali / Photo by Greg Rodgers

The small island of Bali in Indonesia has become one of the most popular holiday spots in Southeast Asia, and certainly in all of Indonesia. Flights to Bali typically use Denpasar International Airport, which also serves as a major air hub for all of Indonesia.

From partying and sun worshiping, to unique Hindu culture and romantic excursions, Bali's popularity is due to the fact that the island has a little magic to offer everyone who visits.

Try Surfing

Surfing first took off in the 1930s on Kuta Beach, Bali's busiest beach. Predictable breaks, a lack of coral, and soft sand with plenty of surf schools and lifeguards makes Kuta one of the most popular places to try surfing for the first time.

Surf schools are dotted through Kuta, and independent instructors patrol the beaches with their boards. Once you've had a few lessons with the newbies on Kuta, more experienced surfers move on to Uluwatu to take advantage of the consistent swells, and eventually to the pipeline at Padang Padang where even experts regularly meet their match.

Climb an Active Volcano

Mount Batur, or Gunung Batur, in the Kintamani region of Bali is an extremely active volcano at the base of Bali's largest volcanic lake. Tourists can hire guides to scramble up the 5,633 feet to the top for an unforgettable sunrise and spectacular views of the island. The price of a trek usually runs US $40; reaching the top without a guide is possible, however, a Swedish tourist fell to his death in the crater in 2010.

For those who prefer not to climb, the Kintamani region of Bali offers breathtaking views of green jungle, a blue volcanic lake, and jagged volcanoes. The tiny villages around the base of the volcano are interesting to explore, and most have great fruit and handicrafts markets. Relax in one of the many hot springs in the area after a long day of exploring!

Explore an Ancient Temple

Pura Besakih, also known as the “Mother Temple,” in East Bali is spread along the steep slopes of Mount Agung. This important Hindu temple draws pilgrims from around the world who come to explore and worship at the 23-temple complex.

Per Hindu traditions, a ritual known as the Eka Sasa Rudra must be performed every 100 years to purify the world so that the gods do not destroy it. The ceremony was scheduled to be performed at Pura Besakih in 1963, but Mount Agung erupted unexpectedly -- blasting the top 400 feet from the volcano! Miraculously, Pura Besakih wasn't damaged during the eruption. The temple is nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Get Healthy in Ubud

The town of Ubud, Bali, is considered by many to be the cultural hub of the island. A multitude of holistic medicine practitioners have settled there; yoga schools, spas, and various other natural healing centers can be found everywhere.

A big draw to Ubud is the Monkey Forest, a shady refuge which winds through the ruins of several temples. Hundreds of monkeys come out to interact with tourists and to pose for photos.

Ubud is also considered the premier place on Bali to see a traditional Balinese dance performance.

Flights to Bali

Bali is easily reached from both Australia and all major cities in Southeast Asia. Cheap flights to Bali can be found from Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, and every major point in Indonesia.