It’s no surprise that Bali is a bucket list destination for many people. The island is beautiful and full of rich culture. Best of all, there are so many brilliant things to do there! Here are the top 5 types of activities you should not miss on your trip.
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Pamper Yourself
Anyone who has read the book Eat, Pray, Love (or seen the movie) knows that Bali is one of the best destinations to “find” yourself – or simply experience a little pampering! And nothing seems more relaxing than soaking in a tub of flower pedals. This option includes a flower bath, massage, body scrub, and more!
Need to stretch after the long flight to Indonesia? Then look into a yoga class! There are tons of places where you can drop in for a yoga class, such as this one in Ubud. No matter if you are a complete beginner or an expert yogi, practicing yoga in a beautiful environment will help you relax and unwind.
Most of us live a life of distraction with our to-do lists flowing through our minds and our multiple iDevices notifying us constantly of more things we need to do! One of the best things you can do in Bali is learn the practice of meditation. This meditation class will provide an introduction to meditation and how it is used in traditional Balinese healing practices. Then you will learn methods and techniques to implement your own meditation practice at home.
Not into pre-booking experiences? Then you are in luck! You will see tons of places where you can walk in and experience wonderful and incredibly inexpensive massages, yoga classes, meditation practice, and more pampering experiences.
Snap Selfies at Insta-Worthy Spots (or Hire a Photographer!)
One of the reasons Bali is so popular is that people see wonderful photos of the island on their Instagram feeds. And it’s true – there are amazing places to serve as backdrops for beautiful photos! You can even book a tour focused on going to the best places.
Even better, you can book a tour that includes a professional photographer! By going this route, you don’t have to worry if your thumb is on the camera lens, or about all the fine lines and wrinkles that show up on your selfies, or how to use that blasted selfie stick! All you have to worry about is having the right type of flowy dress that looks great in the pictures.
Some Insta-worthy spots you don’t want to miss are Lempuyang Temple, Tirta Gangga, Tukad Cepung Waterfall, and Tegallalang Rice Terrace.
Learn a Craft
One of my favorite things to do in Bali is learning various crafts. I was able to participate in batik painting, wood carving, silver-making, and candle-making on a my recent trip. I was horrifically bad at all of it, but it was wonderful to learn about the history of craftmanship in Bali and see how talented the Balinese are!
There are so many options to learn various arts and crafts:
- Make silver jewelry
- Paint batik fabric
- Carve fruit into animals, flowers, and more
- Weave palm leaves into baskets, decorations, etc.
- Wood carving
- Cooking Balinese food
Not feeling artsy yourself but want to see others at work (and buy their creations)? Then this arts and crafts tour might be perfect for you!
Watch the Sunrise & Sunset
Bali has some of the most beautiful sunrises and sunsets you have ever seen, perhaps because of the many unique settings on the island. From volcanos to temples perched on peninsulas, there’s no shortage of great places to start or end your day.
- Hike to the top of Mount Batur and experience a stunning sunrise and breakfast cooked with volcano steam.
- See the sunrise at the stunning Gate of Heaven (Lempuyang) Temple and stop by most of the Insta-worthy destinations as noted above!
- Spend the late afternoon and evening seeing Taman Ayun Temple, visiting monkeys in the Alas Kedaton forest, and seeing the gorgeous sunset sinking behind Tanah Lot Temple.
- Visit Uluwatu Temple for a spectacular sunset, then experience a Kecak fire dance performance
Try Some Water Sports . . . Or Just Lounge on the Beach
Bali is an island and boasts great opportunities for water sports! First, Bali is famous for being one of the best places in the world to surf. The waves are consistent and you can surf all year. Don’t know how? It’s cheap to take a lesson and learn!
Bali’s Blue Lagoon beach is a terrific place for snorkeling. In the calm waters you will see coral reef and variety of marine life.
Certified for scuba diving? Then you must dive to see the USS Liberty shipwreck! This Army cargo ship was hit by a Japanese submarine torpedo during World War II. Originally beached in Bali, a volcanic eruption in 1963 moved the ship and it is now submerged in the water.
Does all of this sound too . . . industrious? Never fear! Another great option is to just lounge by the beach. Bali is home to many great beach clubs where you can visit for a day or book a multi-day stay. One option is Potato Head Beach Club in Seminyak. Actually, you can do all five of these brilliant things to do in Bali at Potato Head! You can get a massage at their spa, take some great selfies by their unique art installations, take a candle-making class, and have a perfect view of the sunset at their beach.
Did these things to do in Bali make you want to add it to your bucket list?
What do you want to do most? Tell us in the comments below! Subscribe to our newsletter, and make sure to check out the guides on our website to help plan your next vacation.
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