One thing we don’t think you’ll be short of when you visit Bali is having enough things to do. There’s a reason that a Bali holiday is one of the most desirable breaks on the planet, and it’s because beyond the beautiful Balinese culture, this corner of SE Asia is packed with enough to do to last a lifetime or more.
Our friends at Best Beach Clubs Bali have helped us put together a list of places both on and off the beaten path that take you beyond the yoga studios in Canggu and Ubud and ensure you can appreciate this amazing place as they do.
People love Bali, and once you’ve visited all these places, we’d be willing to bet that you will love it too.
Our Pick Of The Best Things To Do When You Visit Bali
Party At FINNS Beach Club
There’s no doubt that at the top of the things to do in Bali list for almost every tourist is the mission to visit one of the island’s beach clubs.
And while Bali has more than 100 beach clubs to visit, FINNS Beach Club is, without a doubt, the best of them.
It sits on 170 meters of gorgeous oceanfront facing the best sunset view in the world. It has some of the most iconic architecture on the island of eco-friendly bamboo.
But that’s not the main reason that sometimes over 6,000 people a day head to FINNS. FINNS is so popular because it has the best entertainment and music on the island. It’s a place to let your hair down and party from the day into the night.
The best way to see FINNS is to book one of their legendary daybeds or cabanas, rock up early in the day, and enjoy a swim in one of their nineteen pools! Indulge in some food and drink from their 3 restaurants and multiple kitchens set up, and then soak in the legendary sunset before hitting the dance floor to really feel free.
FINNS isn’t a beach bar or beach restaurant; it’s the heart and soul of a global beach club scene. And it’s surprisingly affordable when compared to any of the other major beach club destinations around the world.
Acquaint Yourself With The Rice Terraces Of Jatiluwih And Tegallalang
Bali has only one UNESCO World Heritage site (that’s not by accident or for a shortage of things to see and do – Bali asked not to be considered for any more sites to prevent overtourism) and that’s the Subak System of agriculture.
This typifies the tri hita karana philosophy of perfect balance between the divine, the land and its people and the two most spectacular examples of this system are the Tegalalang rice terraces and Jatiluwih rice terraces. While Jatiluwih is most associated with the Subak system, the system is actually in every rice terrace on the island.
So, wherever you are on the Bali mainland, if you want to see the rice fields, you can guarantee you won’t be too far away from them.
We should note that the Tegallalang rice terraces are the easiest to get to, as they’re just a short drive and drop-off outside of Ubud, whereas Jatiluwih is a longer drive (but a rewarding one as this terrace is not just more attractive but sees fewer visitors, so you can have it all to yourself).
Witness A Living Culture At Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot Temple, Ulun Danu Beratan Temple And More
Bali is known as a land of a thousand temples, though by the latest count there are over 20,000 temples on the island! It’s the island of the Gods, and while you can’t hope to see every temple, even if you spend your whole life here, you can see some of the highlights.
We’d go with the clifftop temple at Uluwatu, which is also home to the amazing cultural performances of the Kecak fire dance. Bali’s most iconic traditional performance.
Then, we’d head up the coast to Tanah Lot, which sits on a small island offshore and looks spectacular at sunset, bathed in the golden rays of light.
And if you have time, the floating temple on Lake Beratan, of Ulun Danu Beratan, is an unforgettable experience, particularly in the rainy season (rather than the dry season) where the water levels make it look extra special.
Frolic In Ubud’s Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Another place with some beautiful temples is the Ubud monkey forest. This sacred place is in the heart of the town, and as the name suggests, it’s home to an awful lot of monkeys.
While these fascinating creatures are definitely amazing to watch, we’d recommend not getting too close to them as they are wild animals and they can both bite and steal things from people.
The monkey forest’s temples are all easy to find, and it’s a very pleasant place to walk around without any possibility of getting lost.
We recommend going early in the day to beat the crowds and to explore the area in relative cool compared to the heat of the day.
Go Swimming With Manta Rays At Manta Point
Bali’s marine life is rich and varied, and you can enjoy everything from releasing sea turtles on Kuta Beach to snorkelling in Nusa Dua to swimming with manta rays.
Now, to experience the rays, you’ll need to take a short boat ride out to Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan (and you will need to go for longer than a day trip), and then you can visit Manta Point.
As the name suggests, this is the largest collection of rays in Southeast Asia. However, we must stress that this spot can be dangerous if you can’t swim very well, indeed.
There are plenty of other places where you can enjoy aquatic life while island hopping that are worth visiting and easier to handle than this one if you’re a novice swimmer.
Go Scuba Diving On Bali’s East Coast
While there are plenty of water sports you can get involved in here in Bali, probably the best opportunity to do something unique is to go diving or snorkelling on the East Coast.
There you can find the wreck of the USAT Liberty and some of the most incredible underwater life anywhere on the planet.
It’s also a great place to learn to dive, with plenty of PADI-qualified dive centres in the area, able to train you up and get you open water certified for much less money than it costs in most Western countries.
Amed, the main town on the East Coast, also has a very relaxed vibe and is much less party- and nightlife-oriented than the South Coast.
Get Purified At Tirta Gangga Water Palace
One of the most popular activities in Bali is taking part in the local culture, and what could be better than attending and taking part in a water purification ritual?
Tirta Gangga is THE place for visitors to enjoy melukat (the local name for the ritual), and it’s a beautiful traditional water palace complex built over a natural spring.
They will supply the clothing and blessings if you bring a little cash and a willingness to learn and be respectful.
Given that it’s not far from Ubud, it’s often easy to squeeze this activity into a one-week holiday program.
Be A Beach Person
Suluban Beach, Balangan Beach, Bingin Beach, Kelingking Beach, Berawa Beach, Nusa Dua Beach- there are so many amazing beaches in and around Bali that it would take much more than a week to explore them all.
There are white sand beaches, black sand beaches and everything in between. There are even secret beaches open only to the most intrepid explorers!
Bali is also one of the best surfing destinations on Earth, and you can catch some amazing waves on Bali’s beaches.
Climb A Volcano At Mount Agung Or Mount Batur
Indonesia is part of the Ring of Fire, and Bali has two (well, technically three but the third only barely qualifies) active volcanoes.
Mount Batur is relatively easy to climb for anyone with a basic level of fitness and offers wonderful sunrise views and the chance to cook your own breakfast eggs in the volcanic steam.
For those seeking more of a challenge, Mount Agung is the undisputed tallest mountain on the island, and it’s a tough climb to the summit, but the view from the top is most definitely worth it.
Experience West Bali National Park And Menjangan Island
It’s a bit of a trek from the usual tourist spots, but West Bali National Park is the only national park on the island and it’s full of amazing wildlife and some of the most varied terrain of any park on the planet.
Menjangan Island is part of the park area and offers incredible diving opportunities as well as the chance to meet a herd of Indonesian deer!
Honourable Mentions: Nusa Ceningan, Nusa Lembongan, Lake Beratan, Bali’s Giant Swing, Tegenungan Waterfall, Yoga Retreats In Central Ubud, Dolphin Watching In North Bali, Broken Beach, The Blue Lagoon
Final Thoughts On Things To Do In Bali
As you can see, there are so many things to do in Bali that you’ll never get bored with this paradise island.
From walking through beautiful rice terraces and rice paddies, to enjoying the rich Balinese food culture, to finding a pretty waterfall in the jungle, to surfing on beautiful beaches or finding secret spots that nobody else has discovered, you’re bound to have a great time in Bali. So, why not book your trip now?
