Curator’s statement
Bali was such a magical, peaceful place. While Indonesia is a mostly Muslim country, the island of Bali is 86 percent Hindu. The beautiful temples are everywhere—from grand to small. Godly offerings line the streets and the smell of incense permeates the air. The fresh organic food, the stunning waterfalls, and rice terraces of Ubud bring such peace and calm. Seminyak offers a different vibe—more lively, partying, beach culture. Spas and restaurants are in the downtown area, but you can escape to the black sand beaches just on the other side of the resorts.
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Things to do in Bali
A must-do is to visit all of the wonderful temples. Goa Gojah is a cave temple that was built in the 9th century and is a unique find.
Pura Tirtha Empul dates back to 962 A.D. and encompasses natural and sacred springs, and you can partake in a purification ritual.
The Monkey Forest in Ubud is a must-visit sanctuary. The monkeys are free to roam outside of the sanctuary but mostly stay inside the wild jungle.
The Tegalalong Rice Terraces are massive and awe-inspiring. You can wander through the terraces, sipping on a fresh coconut.
Visit the Luwak sanctuary, home of the wild cat that eats and poops the most expensive coffee beans in the world!
If you’re into yoga, Yoga Barn in Ubud is a must-visit, offering many classes throughout the day. Definitely worth spending a day here.
Massage parlors are EVERYWHERE and quite affordable. My favorite was Spring Spa in Seminyak, which was a bit more upscale but still incredibly affordable—only $20 for a 60 minute massage!
Of course, Bali has some incredible beaches. Aside from the beaches by the resort, we spent a day at Padang Padang beach in Uluwatu, where you climb through some pretty tight rock coves to get to it. Worth the trek!
Places to eat & drink in Bali
Chicken Satay in warungs are very popular and delicious
Cafe Organic in Seminyak (though they have a few locations) has delicious, organic, vegan and vegetarian food. We ate there a bit too often.
Seasalt is an upscale seafood restaurant right on the beach in Seminyak where you can sip cocktails and watch the Balinese sunset.
The Sayan House in Ubud is a very upscale restaurant (think American pricing) with delicious food and incredible views of the Four Seasons and the canyon of the Ayung River.
The Yoga Barn has a cafe with delicious salads and healthy bowls to snack on after you grab a yoga class in their outdoor pavilion.
Bee Cafe in Ubud specializes in duck and you can eat overlooking the farmers working in their rice paddies.
Need to know
I recommend hiring a private driver. As with most Southeast Asian countries, you need to be a skilled driver and scooters are very popular but often fall into rice paddies. Driving is best left to the locals.
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Regan Schaeffer
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Bali page.