How to Reach Bali
Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) in Denpasar receives direct flights from Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Sydney, Tokyo, and many other Asian cities. From Europe, connections through Singapore or Kuala Lumpur are most common. Taxis from the airport to Seminyak take 20–30 minutes; to Ubud about 90 minutes.
Hire a private driver for the day to visit multiple sites — the cost is very reasonable, they know all the best timing and angles for each location, and it's far more flexible and comfortable than organized tours.
Top Things to See & Do
1. Ubud & the Sacred Monkey Forest
Bali's cultural heart — a town of art galleries, traditional dance performances, rice field walks, and healing retreats set among deep jungle. The Sacred Monkey Forest with its ancient temples is extraordinary. The surrounding Campuhan Ridge Walk at dawn is one of the most beautiful easy walks in Southeast Asia.
2. Tanah Lot Temple
The iconic sea temple perched on a rocky outcrop surrounded by waves is most magical at sunset, when the silhouette of the temple against an orange sky creates one of travel photography's most recognized images. Arrive before sunset to find your position.
3. Tegallalang Rice Terraces
The ancient subak irrigation system creates the famous stepped rice terraces north of Ubud — emerald green stairways climbing the valley sides in patterns unchanged for centuries. Early morning or late afternoon light is best for photography.
4. Seminyak & Canggu
Bali's hippest coastal areas — excellent restaurants, beach clubs with infinity pools at the water's edge, world-class surf breaks, and a cafe culture that has attracted a global community of creatives and digital nomads. Potato Head Beach Club at sunset is a genuinely remarkable experience.
5. Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking
The 2-hour pre-dawn trek to the summit of the active Mount Batur volcano for sunrise over the caldera lake is one of Bali's most rewarding experiences. The view at first light across the volcanic landscape and out to Lombok is unforgettable.
What to Eat in Bali
- Babi guling — Bali's famous spit-roasted suckling pig, crispy-skinned and deeply spiced
- Nasi goreng — Indonesian fried rice with kecap manis, chilli, and fried egg
- Mie goreng — fried noodles, the beloved Indonesian street staple
- Sate lilit — Balinese minced fish or meat satay on lemongrass skewers
- Fresh coconut — drunk straight from the shell by the beach, the perfect Bali refreshment
Best Time to Visit
May to September is Bali's dry season — ideal beach and outdoor conditions. April and October are excellent shoulder months. November to March brings monsoon rains, but Ubud and inland Bali remain largely enjoyable.
