Bali – What to do and where to stay

Being in a tropical country, Bali is the ultimate beach vacation for everyone, albeit for honeymoon or relaxation. Voted as one of the top destinations to visit in TripAdvisor, Bali is full of culture things to explore such as food, temples, handcrafts markets, dance, entertainments and more. I have been to Bali twice and each time I stayed in different hotels. One was a couple trip and another one was a family trip with kids. Both times, I truly enjoyed this beautiful island and its hospitality. So here I wish to share with you my tips on where to stay and what to do on this sunny island in Indonesia.

What to do in Bali

1. Temples

More than 80% of the population in Bali practise Balinese Hinduism. So there were lots of temples or pura wherever I went. Two of the famous Balinese temples that I had visited are Ulun Danu Bratan and Tanah Lot.

Ulun Danu Bratan temple is in the island’s highland and next to the beautiful Bratan Lake. At the right angle, you could see the reflection of the temple on the surface of the lake, just like a mirror image. It is just stunning. But be mindful of the chilly weather here because it is located on the central highland, so it is much cooler than the rest of the island. I didn’t know about this when our tour guide brought us there, so wearing a sleeveless dress with light-weight material and no cardigan or jacket, it was kind of chilly.

• Make sure to bring a light jacket or cardigan for the trip to Ulun Danu Bratan because it can get chilly there and sometimes foggy
• Wear comfortable shoes because there will be lots of walking
• you can enjoy paddle boats and other water sports if you are interested

Tanah Lot is totally opposite from Ulun Danu. This temple is right next to the sea. I could practically see and hear the crashing waves making their way to the shore and the rocks on the temple and its surrounding. Most importantly, you should go near sunset time because it is the best place to watch the sunset from this temple. You will be in awe.

• wear sandals or shoes suitable for beach eg. aqua shoes if you want to walk to the temple right in the middle of the rocks
• try to go before 6 pm so you can wait for the sunset and enjoy the view
• the waves can be very strong and hazardous, so be careful while walking towards the temple and follow the warning signs

2. Ubud Market

This is like an art market in Bali. You can find a variety of handcrafted bags, silk scarves, jewellery, hats, kites, painting etc. A good way to get your souvenirs here and to get to know more about Balinese culture. If you are not interested in shopping, there is Ubud Monkey Forest where you can watch macaques playing, swinging or simply just lazing along pathways.

• the best place to get souvenirs
• bargaining is acceptable so give your best price
• open daily from 8 am to 6 pm

3. Babi Guling

One of the must-try dishes in Bali is babi guling, means roast pork. This is actually a celebration dish and the roast pig is stuff with different spices. Then the roast pig is carved and served with rice and vegetables. The most famous warung or eatery that serves the delicious dish is Ibu Oka. So calling all meat lovers, you should try this when you are in Ubud Bali.

• best for meat lovers
• Ibu Oka only serves lunch and it is always packed with tourists and locals. So be prepared to wait or be there early

4. Jimbaran Seafood Cafes

One of the best places to have a romantic dinner, Jimbaran beach is famous for its sunset view and plenty of seafood cafes to choose from. You are spoilt for choice. There are 17 different cafes offering freshly grilled seafood for every budget. Simply take your pick. The dining experience is fantastic too. Our tour guide had arranged one cafe for us to dine in. Tables were arranged on the beach, so literally, we were dining on the beach while enjoying the sunset. After settling on the set menu we would like to try, we just relaxed, listening to the waves, looking at some beachgoers strolling along the beach or some playing football. The seafood was fresh and delicious. Together with the ambience, this place is best for couples to have candlelight dinner. Exquisitely romantic.

• best for candlelight dinner for couples
• a wide range of cafes to choose from so do look at your budget and choose the most suitable for you
• best to go during sunset so you can enjoy the sunset view and candlelight dinner when it turns dark

5. Water Bom

One of the most family-friendly places in Bali is non-other than the water theme park, Water Bom. Here, the theme park has all the fun water activities for the old and the young. You can play with toddlers in the toddlers’ friendly pool or thrilling water slides for the adventure seekers. After getting all the energy burnt, there are restaurants and cafes to enjoy a hearty meal and later go back for more actions. We went here for our family trip with our kids and it was a blast. Our kids had so much fun that they were not willing to leave the place. One of the highlights was the Euro Bungy where my kid really enjoyed. With Bali’s tropical weather, one whole day spends playing with water is like living in paradise.

• best for families
• admission fees apply, click here to check out their fees. There is a family package of 2 adults and 2 kids which can save you some money
• Euro Bungy is not included in the admission ticket, so it has to be paid separately. Adult IDR 75000 (approximately USD 5.40) and child IDR 65000 (approximately USD 4.70)

 

 

 

Where to stay in Bali

I had been to Bali twice. Each time I had stayed in a different hotel because they were different in nature. One for a romantic getaway and another one is family fun outing. Of course, I had stayed in a different type of hotels to suit my needs.

1. Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort

I must say this is a luxurious beach resort for couples who are willing to indulge in elegance and style. The resort only has suites and 1 penthouse. Each suite comes with an outdoor jacuzzi (at the balcony) that can accommodate 2 people, big spacious room with king size bed and a seating area, a big bathtub with the view of the seating area and bed.
The bed was so comfortable that I didn’t feel like waking up in the morning. At night, I could hear the sound of the waves rushing onto the shore but still slept like a baby. Evening time, we just lazed in the jacuzzi with a drink and watched the sun went by. Just like paradise. We had a really great time here, enjoying each other company and had quality time together.

A jacuzzi on the balcony of the suite

2. Holiday Inn Resort Baruna 

If you are bringing your kids to Bali for holiday fun-filled adventure, then this hotel is for you. We booked a studio garden room that comes with two separate rooms, one for the parents and another for the kids. The adults get a king sized bed with a sofa bed while the kids get a bunk beds in the smaller room adjacent to the adults’ room. In the kids’ room, a Wii console is provided for entertainment. What a great gesture from the Holiday Inn group. My kids just loved it, playing with the Wii and climbing up and down the bunk bed as well. No dull moment, I must say!
This resort is next to the beach. So in the morning, we went for a stroll on the sandy beach and evening, dined at the alfresco restaurant where we could see the sunset. During the day, we either went swimming in the resort’s big pool or let the kids join its kids’ club for fun activities. So this was the time when we indulged in some massage and spa time while the kids enjoying the arts and craft activities.
I highly recommend this resort for families with kids. Everyone gets to enjoy and experience Bali.

• best for families with kids below 12
• kids eat for free promotion from the resort
• centralised location so you can travel to Water Bom and shopping malls easily
• can let the kids join Kid’s Club activities while adults enjoy time spend away from kids

Both times I only spend 3 days 2 nights in this lovely island. But this short getaway is fun, exciting, entertaining, enjoyable and satisfying. If you are looking for some tropical beach getaway, choose Bali and I guarantee you won’t regret it.