10 Reasons to Visit Bali, Indonesia: Temples, Sunsets and Smoothies!


Bali: sun, beaches, rice paddies, volcanic mountains, good food, nice people. Bali has it all - and more - but above all it has exactly what you need: the perfect space to relax and chill. And it doesn't matter what your style of relaxation is, be it through action-packed extreme sports like mountain biking, surfing and scuba diving or just chilling by the pool and reading a book, Bali's got you covered. So what are the 10 reasons you need to visit Bali (imo)? [Note: this post was updated on the 6th of May, 2023]


10 Reasons You Need to Visit Bali

#1. THE TEMPLES


Although Indonesia is predominately Muslim, the island of Bali is predominately Hindu - roughly 1.7% of Indonesians are Hindu, but 83.5% of Balinese people are Hindu. Hinduism in Indonesia incorporates native Austronesian elements. Balinese Hindu temples are everywhere in Bali - it won't take you long to find them. Famous ones include Uluwatu Temple, Pura Agung Besakih and Pura Tirta Empul. But you don't just have to visit the famous ones, take a short walk or ride to find a normal one and enjoy it's magical beauty and serenity. [You can read more here: Bali travel tips from Chantae!]

#2. THE SUNSETS


Bali has some of the most gorgeous sunsets we've ever seen in Asia, and indeed in the entire world. Grab a cocktail and watch the magnificent sun sink below the horizon.

#3. THE SMOOTHIES


Coconuts, bananas, dragon-fruit, guava, watermelon and so many more types of exotic fruit thrive in Bali. Most fruit is sold the day it's picked which means it's as fresh as it can get. One of the best ways to enjoy the fruits of Bali is with a smoothie - nothing will make you feel healthier than a Balinese fruit smoothie

#4. SURFING


Bali is renown as a prime spot for surfing and both beginners and experts alike can enjoy surfing here. With strong currents and rough waves it's safest to go on a professional Bali surfing class.

#5. RICE PADDIES


Balinese rice fields are iconic, and for good reason. They are absolutely stunning and show how fertile the country is. You can go on a rice-paddy tour, or simply wander around and make your own tour - Bali has plenty of rice-paddies to choose from.

#6. BIKING

A post shared by TheChillhouse (@thechillhouse) on

Bali is a dream destination for any mountain biker. Take a Bali Mountain Bike Tour for all levels. Alternatively (or additionally), exploring Bali by push-bike is an enjoyable activity.

#7. THE FOOD


Bali is a volcanic island, which means its soils are very fertile. It also has the perfect climate for growing a great variety of food - it's very sunny and warm, but it gets plenty of rain too. It's not just rice and tropical fruits that grow on Bali but spices and vegetables too. And of course sea-food is plentiful. Must-try dishes include Indonesian curry and tofu wrapped in banana leaves. You ca find out more about Bali Foodscapades right here.

#8. YOGA


Bali is a mecca for yogis: Bali oozes zen and yoga classes and retreats are everywhere. Even if you are a complete yoga novice, you must try yoga in Bali - you'll be hooked in no time.

#9. BEACHES


What Bali lacks in white sand beaches and clear blue waters, it makes up for in variety. Black sand beaches, beaches with rough surf-able waves, perfect scuba diving spots - Bali has it all and more (and it still has a couple of white sand beaches too).

#10. THE CHILLHOUSE


If you're looking for a place to stay in Bali that celebrates all of the above points, look no further than the Chillhouse. At the Chillhouse they truly have it all: comfortable and welcoming accommodation, incredible food (breakfast and dinner is included), yoga classes, mountain bike tours, surf classes and so much more. [To find out more, read our full review: The Chillhouse: Yoga, Surf and Bike Retreat in Bali.] We loved Bali the most because of all the lovely Balinese people we met there - and not just at the Chillhouse. Every single Balinese person we met was friendly, kind and funny!

5 Islands You Must Visit in Bali

Bali is an extremely popular holiday destination that has something for everyone. It is spiritual, it’s full of wonderful wildlife and history, the locals are friendly, the views are breathtaking and everything is very affordable. A trip to Bali doesn’t mean that you have to stay in that one location the entire time, which is why it is such an enjoyable place to visit. There are actually loads of little islands that are easy to travel to when you go to Bali and they all have something different to offer. If you are planning on taking a trip to Bali and want to know more, then here are five amazing islands that you need to visit while you are there. 

#1. The Gili Islands

The Gili islands exist as a group of three small coral islands that can be found off the Lombok coast. These islands are famous for their fancy resorts, nightlife and white sandy beaches. The biggest island is Gili Trawangan, also known as Gili T, and it is the place to visit to have a few drinks. If you prefer a quieter location, then take a look at going to Gili Meno, which is the smallest island and attracts a more upmarket crowd. Finally, there is Gili Air, which is described as a mixture of the other two islands, but contains some great scuba diving resorts. There are many fast ferries that you can catch when it comes to getting from Bali to Gili quickly.

#2. The Nusa Islands

The Nusa islands are another collection of three islands located near Bali; these have been described as the easiest islands to visit. The first island is Nusa Penida, which has fantastic beaches and blue waters that are definitely Instagram worthy. The second island is Nusa Lembongan, which is the perfect place to visit if you are looking for a short and quick getaway from Bali. Finally, there is Nusa Ceningan, which is a small island that is joined to Nusa Lembongan via a bridge.

#3. Komodo Islands

If you love nature and wildlife, especially reptiles and marine animals, then you need to pay a visit to the Komodo islands. These islands have beautiful beaches and loads of places to climb, so you can see the sights from up high. There are lots of snorkeling experiences and boat trips to choose from that will enable you to get up close and personal with the islands’ marine life. The Komodo National Park should also be a must visit as it is full of wild Komodo dragons in their natural habitat.

#4. Java

Java has been described as one of the greatest islands in the world. You could easily spend your whole time away here. There is so much to see, like Mount Bromo, the city of Jogjakarta and temples like Prambanan and Borobudur. There are also numerous beaches, waterfalls, volcanoes and a range of scenic locations, like the Dieng Plateau.

#5. Lombok

Lombok is a big island found to the east of Bali. There is a lot to see and do here, such as visiting Mount Rinjani (Indonesia’s highest volcano/mountain), exploring the beautiful waterfalls, and shopping in one of the many beach towns. Lombok is perfect for people who are adventurous and enjoy spending their vacations off the beaten path. We recommend spending a week or two at Lombok to explore it properly.

Flights to Bali


Bali Airport (DPS) is an international airport with numerous airlines ready to fly you pretty much anywhere in the world. You can find the cheapest flights to Bali and you can find the shortest flights to Bali, but these too don't often go hand-in-hand. Sometimes the cheapest flight will also be the shortest flight, but sometimes the cheapest flight will include 3 changes and a 10 hour stop-over in Kuala Lumpur. But by paying say $20 more you might find a direct flight!

Wrap Up: 10 Reasons To Visit Bali, Indonesia

If pictures speak a thousand words, then video must speak like a billion. Check out our Bali video which has lots of footage of beaches, surfing, atmosphere, temples, yoga and more in Bali. It's accessible to anyone who speaks English! Also, The pristine and unique islands that surround Bali make it the perfect holiday destination for all. You just need to make sure you research the islands before you visit to make sure you pick the right ones, especially if you aren’t in Bali for long.


P.S.: If you're interested in a way of travelling and getting accommodation cheaply, you might wanna check out house sitting. Trustedhousesitters.com was kind enough to provide us and our readers with a 10% discount, feel free to click on the link to use it :)

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ABOUTME

We overland. We eat plants and fungi. We live outside as much as possible. We are all connected. A female travel blogger overlanding and writing about ecotourism, ethical and sustainable travel, socially conscious travel and housesitting. An online travel magazine since 2015.

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