Travel around the island of Bali
Travel around the island of Bali – Bali is one of the most evocative and popular tourist islands in the entire Indonesian archipelago. A visit here awakens the senses. The heady aroma of incense and clove oil hangs in the thick tropical air. Peanuts sizzle in roadside stalls, petal-studded offerings burn on busy sidewalks, and traditional gamelan music clinks against the hum of mopeds.
Despite the commotion and chaos in the main tourist areas, the island is rich in natural beauty, with an appeal for every type of traveler. Surfers come for legendary waves, hikers can climb forest volcanic peaks to misty waterfalls, and cyclists can cycle through lush landscapes filled with rice fields and traditional villages.
The island’s rich art scene is another major draw, and if relaxation is your top priority, shopping in Bali and spa treatments are great – and affordable. Spirituality adds another layer to Balinese allure, and seeing the majestic temples and sacred Hindu ceremonies is a top thing to do in Bali.
Since the acclaimed book and film Eat, Pray, Love highlighted this enchanting island, the tourist crowds have undeniably swelled, but you can still experience ancient Bali if you stray from the usual paths. Find the best places to visit and some of the island’s hidden gems with our list of the best tourist attractions in Bali. Travel around the island of Bali
Ubud Monkey Forest
Just 10 minutes walk south of the city center in Ubud, Bali, Monkey Forest, also known as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, is one of the top things to do in Ubud. It is also one of the best places to visit in Bali if you are an animal lover or a photographer.
Aside from the entertaining army of gray long-tailed macaques that make their home here, a big part of the appeal is the evocative jungle setting where monkeys roam freely. The paved walkway passes through dense forest with giant banyan and nutmeg trees, where moss-covered statues and ancient temples soar through dense foliage, giving off an almost mystical feel.
Forests are meant to represent the harmonious coexistence between humans and animals. In addition, it also conserves rare plants and is used as a location for research into ape behavior, particularly their social interactions.
On the southwest side of the forest is one of three temples found here, the 14th-century Pura Dalem Agung Padangtegal, where hundreds of monkeys swing through the trees and climb walls.
In the northwest of the forest, an ancient bathing temple, Pura Beji, sits next to a cool stream and provides a beautiful backdrop for watching monkeys act.
When visiting the forest, be sure to secure your belongings and avoid direct eye contact with the animal (and smiling), as this can be interpreted as a sign of aggression. You should also not bring any food into the area.
Arts & Culture Ubud
Popularized by the book and film Eat, Pray, Love, Ubud is also the epicenter of Balinese art and culture. This is where the modern Balinese art movement was born, with the surrounding palaces and temples acting as the main patrons.
Today, several excellent local museums and galleries celebrate its evolution and tradition. Gaze at art is very beneficial here, as many collections are kept in traditional Balinese buildings surrounded by serene tropical gardens.
For an overview of Balinese art, your first stops are the Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) and the Neka Art Museum, which are located a short walk from Ubud Monkey Forest. Collections at both include works ranging from traditional to contemporary, including keris (ceremonial daggers), photography, and classical wayang (puppet figures) paintings.
Other art galleries and museums in the Ubud area that may be of interest to art lovers include the Setia Darma Mask & Puppet House featuring ceremonial masks from Asia and beyond; Puri Lukisan Museum, covering a variety of Balinese artistic styles; and the Don Antonio Blanco Museum, in the artist’s former home and studio.
If shopping for art is more your style, don’t miss the Ubud Art Market. This maze of stalls is filled with carvings, sculptures, jewelery, sarongs, paintings and household utensils and is one of the best tourist attractions in the city. Bargaining is important, and a good rule of thumb is to reciprocate half the asking price and barter up from there, always with a smile.
Opposite the market, Puri Saren Royal Ubud Palace is also worth a visit. Attending a traditional Balinese dance performance at night here is one of the top things to do in Bali at night – especially for families.
If you are a budding artist or have children, you can sign up for an art workshop in your local village, which may include painting
traditional crafts, mask making, and jewelry making. This is one of the popular things to do in Bali with children.
Tegallalang and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Bali
If you are a photographer who wants to capture the beauty of emerald-colored rice fields in Bali, Tegallalang or Jatiluwih rice fields should be the main agenda of your trip.
About a 30-minute drive north of Ubud, Tegallalang Rice Terrace is one of the most famous areas for photographing these iconic landscapes and soaking up their timeless beauty. Be aware that locals ask for donations along the most popular road through the rice fields here, and many are asking entrance fees and parking along the road. A relaxing way to enjoy the lush scenery is at one of the many restaurants and cafes overlooking the fields.
About a 90-minute drive from Ubud, the Jatiluwih rice fields cover more than 600 hectares of rice fields along the hillside of the Batukaru mountains and tend to be less crowded than Tegallalang. You’ll also find fewer tourist touts here, so it’s easier to walk around and explore without being disturbed. popular tourist places.
Both sites use a traditional water management cooperative called “subak”, an irrigation system recognized by UNESCO since the 9th century. Travel around the island of Bali.