Bali Specials

DESTINATIONS IN BALI

Bali is probably the most popular and evocative tourist destination in Indonesia. And visiting it will spark your senses. Despite the chaos of the bustling main tourist destinations, it has a wealth of natural beauty. Apart from this, the island also offers attractions for all kinds of traveler.

You can enjoy a dip at the spectacular beaches of Sanur and Tanjung Benoa. There’s also the island’s cultural area of Ubud, which is popular for its picturesque rice terraces. But if you want to get away from the crowds of tourists, you can head on to its neighbour Lombok just northeast of the coast. Here you’ll find hidden waterfalls just waiting for you to explore. Not only that but you can still experience the old, classic Bali by straying off the beaten track.

On the other hand, the west coast part of Bali boasts of mountain ranges covered by bountiful vegetation, lush greeneries, and rich fields. Not to mention the numerous historical sites on the island, from holy temples to royal palaces.

Undoubtedly, our Bali Specials and Experiences can fill your holiday with nature, culture, and art, as well as a spiritual experience. Additionally, you’ll get a rare in-depth glimpse of Bali in these destinations.

UBUD

If you've ever seen photos of the amazing Balinese terraced rice paddies then you've got an insight into some of the beauty of Ubud. This village is about an hour or so drive from Kuta and is set at the foot of Gunung Batur, a sacred mountain in the north of Bali. The drive up to Ubud is picturesque and certainly deserves some shots from the camera. Ubud has a cooler climate than the beach but still tropical. The area is very lush, with huge trees shading the many rivers that grace the land. Ubud is an easy place to fall in love with - the slow pace of life, the arty shops, cafes and restaurants and above all, a magical atmosphere. I'd recommend you spend a few days of holiday in. It will add magic to your holiday!

UBUD

TANJUNG BENOA

Tanjung Benoa is a peninsular that extends north from Nusa Dua. While enjoying the same views over the ocean as Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa is quite a different place. The area has a lovely, relaxed local feeling about it. There is one main road running the length of the peninsula and dotted on either side are restaurants, dive shops, water sports centres and hotels. Like Nusa Dua, for a better choice of shops, restaurants and nightlife head to the Seminyak side of Bali.

TANJUNG BENOA

SOUTH KUTA

South Kuta (or Tuban) is the original village between the Airport and Kuta. It's a lovely beachfront area, somewhat sheltered from the surf by a reef (the south end around the airport is surfable). The area houses some of the nicest beachfront resorts in the whole Kuta area with acres of tropical gardens, huge pools and luxury rooms. South Kuta is constantly developing with tourist facilities, classy restaurants, shopping centres, nightlife and western fast food. To walk from the most southern hotel near the airport to Kuta Square should take about half an hour along the beach walkway, otherwise an inexpensive taxi might be a more tempting option.

SOUTH KUTA

SEMINYAK

Seminyak is the upmarket area of Bali with a myriad of luxury and boutique resorts, villas, spas, high-end shops and fashionable restaurants. To the south is Legian and to the north disappearing into the balmy mist are Kerobokan and Canggu. Seminyak is about 2 ½ kilometres long if you walked along the beach. Many expats have made their home in Seminyak and live in plush villas. You'll find European fashions available in shops and European style clubs and cafes. The beanbag beach cafes are definitely worthwhile, especially around sunset where you can relax with a cold Bintang beer and chilled music while watching the life on the beach as the sun goes down beyond the surf.

SEMINYAK

SANUR

Traditionally a fishing village, Sanur has managed to keep that lazy seaside feeling. The main street is lined with a mix of quaint little shops selling Bali knick-knacks mixed up with restaurants that have a real Balinese atmosphere and various types of accommodation. Sanur beach is sheltered by a reef which can be surfed when there's a good swell. During low tide it's too shallow to swim but it's still picturesque with an abundance of coconut palms and gold sand. There’s a wonderful walking track weaving its way along the beach. High tide turns the beach into a fun place of water sports and swimming. Sanur is a good place for families who are looking for a safe beach for the kids to swim at and for couples that want to get away from the crowds but don't want to be isolated. At night food stalls appear out of nowhere in the market area and sell local delicacies at a fraction of restaurant prices. This is a fantastic place to experience some amazing Indonesian dishes in a more authentic environment.

SANUR

NUSA LEMBONGAN

A 25 minute speedboat from Sanur Beach will take you across the incredibly deep Badung Strait to Jungutbatu Beach, Nusa Lembongan Island. Here the pace of life is slow and relaxed. It's a small island, about 8sqm in total. Nearby, making a cluster of three islands is the small Nusa Ceningan and the larger Nusa Penida. Traditionally Nusa Lembongan is a seaweed farming island. With its impressive reef breaks, the island attracted the surfers, then not long afterwards the hotels, resorts and villas arrived. Outside the accommodation and restaurants, the island facilities are basic and fairly rural, it really does feel like a village.

NUSA LEMBONGAN

NUSA DUA

This is Bali's top end beach resort area. Within the exclusive Nusa Dua area of beautifully manicured gardens, immaculately clean roads and walkways connecting some of the finest 5 star hotels in Bali. The area is encompassed on one side by an international 18-hole golf course and the other side by a dreamy gold sand beach. The beach is sheltered from the ocean swells by a reef, so when the tides in, the beach is a great place for swimming in the warm tropical waters. Within the Nusa Dua compound, the Bali Galleria shopping centre is a conglomeration of air-conditioned shops, restaurants and banks although you’ll find the choice is much better in Seminyak. Unlike the rest of Bali, there's an absence of hawkers. The area is often used for international conferences with facilities and capacity able to cater for thousands of delegates.

NUSA DUA

MENJANGAN

Menjangan Island forms part of the remote West Bali National Park. The island name means deer in bahasa Indonesia as a sizable population of Javan Rusa and Indian Muntjac deer live wild in the park there. Blessed with beautiful marine life and some of the world’s rarest species, Menjangan is one of the top dive spots in Bali. Located at the north western point of Bali it’s not far to the coast overlooking Java. Because of this it makes a great stopping point when travelling overland from Java. It’s about a 3 hour drive to the resort areas of South Bali.

MENJANGAN

LOVINA

Lovina is a quiet beachfront village spanning about 8km on the North Coast of Bali. Nothing much happens here which I guess is an asset is some ways. The nights are quiet; only a few bars and restaurants are open and are few and far between. With its north-facing vantage point, Lovina gets to see the spectacular sunrise and sunset daily - weather permitting of course. The sand is black here and the sea is calm. Step out in the water and you'll realise that it's clear water that can be snorkelled. Traditional outriggers called perahu pulled up on the shore are a reminder that Lovina is a fishing community at heart. At night, the fishing boats come out and with their spot lights hunting for squid. Dolphins also cruise around these waters and a morning boat trip can be taken to find some. Tickets for the boat ride can be purchased at the hotel or no doubt, someone will try and sell you one. Typically Lovina would be a stopping point for a few nights while exploring Bali.

LOVINA

LOMBOK

Lombok is an island east of Bali and is one of the more popular side-trips taken from Bali. It's remote south coast is known for beaches and surfing spots, particularly at Kuta (yes Lombok has a Kuta beach too!) Lombok is a lot less developed than Bali and many still live in traditional Sasak villages outside the main centres. Mt Rinjani sometimes erupts but is a popular multi-day hiking destination. It’s the 2nd highest volcano in Indonesia.

LOMBOK

LEGIAN

Legian, just north of Kuta Central and south of Seminyak fuses nicely with its party brother to the south and more chilled counterpart to the north. Legian takes up about 1 ½ km of coastline with surf, deckchairs and relaxed atmosphere dominating the area. A paved walkway runs the length of Legian between the hotels and the beach making it easy to walk to the edge of Seminyak and Kuta. At the northern end of Legian there are several restaurants along the walkway serve great food in a utopian atmosphere overlooking the beach.

LEGIAN

KUTA CENTRAL

Kuta Central is probably the area that most people think of when thinking about Bali. Kuta is where tourism began in Bali, starting out as a transit point of those seeking enlightenment in India. That was back in the 60's. Then the Australian surfies based themselves here to surf the breaks and from that time until now, Kuta has become the ever developing, ever changing tourist capital of Bali. Kuta Central is crammed into a tiny area of about 1 ½ km by 500 metres sandwiched between South Kuta and Legian. These days many of the restaurants have international gourmet menus. Shops are becoming more boutique and exclusive but you're still going to find great bargains, restaurant, bars and entertainment that flows into the night. The place is always on the go and it's easy to see why so many people go back year after year. It's got everything you want - the great choice of hotels of budget to luxury, the shopping experience, the beach and the non-stop buzz and excitement.

You'll always see surfers paddling their boards in the waves and the odd one catching a goodie, there'll be some Bali locals renting surfboards, selling fresh pineapple and cold drinks, the old massage ladies and plenty of sunbathers from around the globe. The beach disappears into the mist at either end and is a lovely place to walk in the early morning hours.

KUTA CENTRAL

JIMBARAN BAY

Jimbaran Bay is one of the prettiest bays in Bali, with calm blue waters and a beautiful beach. The bay is located just south of the airport and while planes can be seen flying majestically in and out, disturbing noise does not reach the beach. There's not much in the way of facilities for tourists outside the hotels here, except for the seafood restaurants that open up at night on the beach selling delicious BBQ'd seafood. Even if you're not staying in Jimbaran Bay, make sure you head down here for dinner one night. It's fairly basic, usually plastic chairs and tables out in the sand, but the setting is perfect, especially at sunset and it's one of my Bali highlights.

JIMBARAN BAY

GILI ISLANDS

The Gili Islands are a group of three small islands located just a 20 minute speedboat ride from the northwest coast of Lombok. The islands can all be walked or cycled around easily. Horse and carts are the alternatives to taxis as there are no cars or motorbikes on any of the islands. Fast ferries connect Bali with the Gili Islands and is often a more practical way of getting there compared to flying into Lombok and travelling up from there. Gili Trawangan, known as ‘Gili T’ or ‘the party island’ is the largest and most developed of the islands. Plenty of beachfront bars, cafes, restaurants, dive schools and nightlife here. It has a local population of around 1500. Gili Meno is more of a couples, or romantic island. It’s the smallest and quietest of the island. If you prefer a grass roots type atmosphere than Gili Air may be for you. It has the beach bars, cafes, dive shops and a choice of budget to casual luxury.

GILI ISLANDS

CANGGU

Canggu is a casual beach resort town about midway between Seminyak and Tanah Lot. It's surrounded by terraced rice paddies and known for the surf beaches like Canggu and Echo. Villa accommodation is set amongst the rice paddys. Finns Beach Club with its absolute beachfront location in front of the famous Berawa surf break draws nightly crowds from afar. Perfect for lazy days too with the infinity edge pool and swim up pool bar. Stay here for your whole Bali trip for a more chilled experience or spend part of your time here and the balance in Ubud or another beach area.

CANGGU

CANDI DASA

Not too many people make it up to Candi Dasa. You could say that it's quite a shame many people are missing out on such a slow paced tropical hideaway. Or on the flipside you could argue that because not many people get there, it remains a tropical hideaway. I've stayed there several times - granted, I didn't do much more than sunbathe, read a book, wander through the few shops and wile away a sunny afternoon at a local cafe, but that's what holidays are all about - relaxing. Candi Dasa (pronounced Chandi Dasa, although Candi does sound sweet and appealing) made it onto the tourist map of Bali back in the 1970's as a good dive and snorkelling spot. There’s not so much of a beach here but beautiful views looking over the ocean. Snorkelling and diving are good options for day trips at sea or inland it’s a good place to base yourself to explore North East Bali. As a general rule, tourists stay two or three nights here and the rest of their time at one of the main beach areas Kuta, Sanur, Nusa Dua etc) or else continue travelling around exploring Bali with stops in Lovina and Ubud.

CANDI DASA

BUKIT PENINSULAR (THE BUKIT)

This limestone peninsular, located south of Jimbaran Bay and west of Nusa Dua, encompasses some of Bali's best beaches including Balangan and Uluwatu. The Bukit is one of the latest areas to be developed and is home to many exclusive cliff top resorts and 2 18 hole golf courses. Due to it's more remote location The Bukit is an ideal place to base yourself if you intend to stay within your villa or resort and not take too many day trips. The endless Indian Ocean views from the resorts and the surf below are what draws romantic couples this way. It's a great place to get married!

BUKIT PENINSULAR (THE BUKIT)

AMED

Amed is a long coastal strip of fishing villages in North East Bali. Once known for its traditional salt farming it’s now known as a low key dive spot – in fact it’s one of the better underwater playgrounds in Bali with an historical shipwreck as one of the attractions. The beaches are lined with traditional jukung outriggers that are used daily by the local fishermen. The pace of life here is slow and relaxed. Nearby attractions on land include Mount Agung, Besakih Temple and Tirta Gangga water palace.