When thinking about your life, either looking towards the future or reminiscing about the past, what holds value? For me, it’s experiences; being able to connect and grow with others, build a broader mindset to the possibilities of life, acquire a rich understanding of different cultures, first-hand, and give back to the community. How can you do this… through travel! So why travel to Bali?
1. The Beauty of Bali
Boy, oh, boy the beauty of Bali almost seems unreal! The lush vegetation, the tiered rice fields, the intricate craftsmanship of their temples and homes, the candle-lit restaurants, the presentation of food, the resourcefulness, the white sand, the clear blue water, the smiling Balinese people… it’s a magical place for anyone to visit! We toured the island of Bali for twelve days and were able to capture many beautiful moments. Not to mention, you’ll bring back souvenirs with meaning and have exquisite photographs for every room in your home!
2. The Culture of Bali
The culture of the Balinese people is very honest and open to tourists. On our first day, we woke up at 4 am and walked the barren streets of Ubud to a morning market. Throughout our twelve-day stay, we toured almost the entire island sometimes using back roads, finding beautiful beaches, and venturing into the mountains… not once did we feel threatened or endangered during any part of our trip. Because of their culture and way of life, the island is yours. This gives you an opportunity to explore the island on your own terms, which is something I value in finding the right travel destination.
The Balinese religion is a very integral part of their daily life. In the morning, you will pass Balinese Hindu offerings on the sidewalk, shop owners cleaning their entrances and traditional Balinese music filling the streets. The Balinese culture has a strong tie to their temples – visit at least three! Their formal attire with hair and makeup, Balinese dance, and traditions – the Kecak Fire Dance and delicious food make you fall in love with Bali even more! Take the time to learn about their culture and way of life.
Overall, the Balinese culture will make you want to be a better person. The Balinese people are beautiful inside and out. They are very welcoming, friendly, and accommodating! Besides the captivating elements of the island, the culture will make you want to return!
3. The Cost of Bali
Not everything should start with thinking about cost (as experiences are priceless!) and that’s why this is number 3, but Bali is to Australia, what Mexico is to the United States. Bali can be very cheap and on the flip side, Bali can be quite expensive… it’s really up to you! Your flight will be the most expensive purchase… it can be intimidating, but once you buy your flight, you can budget from there!
| Tip: When budgeting for a trip, figure out how much you can afford to spend on the ENTIRE trip. Start researching the cost of a flight (the more days you stay, the more money you spend for hotels/food/experiences). Next, map out must-do activities. Research a place to stay in those areas and you’ll see the varying costs depending on the type of accommodation you are looking to reserve. |
Stay:
You can book a guest house/homestay hosted by a family (still a professional atmosphere), hotel, and Airbnb/Vrbo. Due to the Balinese culture, most places include a complimentary breakfast! If you are staying for a week (I highly suggest at least a week depending on your time change) choose 2 different places to stay.
| Key: Part of traveling is experiencing different settings within the culture. |
If you are staying for ten or more days, you can book the first couple of nights and live with spontaneity for the rest of your trip or reserve everything before you go. The flexibility is up to you! We found the Bucu Guest House in Ubud, which is family-owned, for around $40 a night and in Seminyak, a pretty large indoor hotel, for around $70 per night. When traveling to Bali, we knew we were going to venture to every part of the island. We booked at least 2 nights per stay in the area of various attractions.
Food:
In general, most food in Bali is relatively on the cheaper side, less than $10 a person per meal. If dinner comes with an experience, of course, you will pay more. If you decide to have a meal on the Southern coast of Bali in the top tourist destinations (Canggu, Seminyak, Kuta), say at the W Hotel, you are looking at a $70-$100 sunset snack bill, not even dinner, for two people. When I say the cost of Bali is up to you, it really is up to YOU!
Shopping:
What most females loves to do! I have good news for you… Bali is relatively inexpensive when it comes to shopping! Almost every place go, there is an opportunity to bargain with the shop owner. Many items are not even labeled with a price, which makes it unfair – depending on who you are (local or tourist), but nevertheless, you can afford to find really neat items for loved ones, yourself and your home!
The question is what do you value from your trips. Would you like a item you can look at every day to remind you of that experience? Would you like to wear a souvenir shirt and become the reason for a conversation with your friendly neighbor at the grocery store? Do you want to reminisce your experiences with photographs in every room? Would you like to cook with a popular utensil and be reminded of the cooking class you once took in Bali? Purchasing an item can be a great reminder of the experience you had on a trip!
Experiences:
The cost of experiences in Bali can literally be next to nothing or hiring a tour guide for the day, or length of your stay. A stroll downtown, relaxation at your rooftop pool, walking around the farmer’s markets, visiting a donation-based turtle conservatory, entering into a temple, purchasing a one-time massage or daily massage… your options are limitless and you have the power to spend as little or as much as you’d like!
4. The Unique Experiences of Bali
This is what travel is all about and Bali will not disappoint in this area whatsoever!! We found unique experiences through online research, scrolling through blogs (like this), and purchasing a book to better aid in understanding the history, culture, and what Bali has to offer guests.
| Tip: If you want a better understanding of the history, culture and what Bali has to offer, I suggest purchasing a book. It will get you excited about your newfound destination and give you ideas on where to explore! We purchased Bali: The Ultimate Guide: To the World’s Most Spectacular Tropical Island. |
Here are some ideas of unique experiences in Bali:
Experience the Balinese Temples: Our favorite – Besakit (Mother) Temple
Take a peek into the Balinese lifestyle by visiting a beautiful temple!
Important Note: When visiting a formal Balinese temple, you must cover your knees and shoulders. An easy way to do this is to purchase a sarong! You can dress like a Balinese local for less than $10 with many color and pattern choices! Sarongs make great gifts as well! For women, do not enter the temple if you are menstruating for this is viewed as unpure in the Balinese religion.
Off to our favorite temple, Besakih Temple, often referred to as Bali’s ‘Mother Temple’!
This was, by far, the most empowering and heartfelt experience of my life. He brought tears of joy and a sense of inner peace I had never felt before.
Time for another temple! Here are some other ideas:
Get on “Bali time”
Slow down and admire the beauty and culture of the island. Watch the sunset, get daily massages, find a restaurant on the beach, rent a scooter for the day, people watch, walk the streets of Ubud, Seminyak, Canggu… the island is yours, so take your time and enjoy the journey!
Check out local artisans creating a masterpiece!
Leave the major cities and head towards the magic! Visit the Mas Village for wood carving art and observe the local artisans create a one-of-a-kind masterpiece! Items from these villages are different from the main hub – the quality is far better! Not only do you purchase a work of art, but now, you have a story to go with it!
Dance the night away with tourists and locals
You will find beach clubs, rooftop bars… you name it, Bali has it! For a night of dancing, stop by Motel Mexicola first and then head to our favorite spot, La Favela! La Favela is an indoor-outdoor, multi-level dance venue with different stages and various types of music! If you love to dance, this is the place for you! Sweat the night away with tourists and locals!
Pay tribute to the oldest artifact on the island and sign in!
Find the 9th-century artifact, the Prasasti Blanjong pillar, hidden down a side street in Bali! Take pictures and sign in!
Get up close and personal with the monkeys at the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary!
Experience the wonder of monkeys of all ages and walks of life! There is an entrance fee for the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, but it’s minimal and completely worth it! One super interesting fact – the monkeys are free to roam the island! The workers place food in cages to lure the monkeys into the sanctuary, which means monkeys do not live in captivity in Bali! A win-win situation!
…and the sanctuary is beautiful!
Visit the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, Turtle Conservation Center and the Monkey Bar at Bella Vista!
Take a trip to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park. Make sure to bring water and good walking shoes… it’s a journey, but well worth the experience!
Visit the Turtle Conservation and Education Center! Learn about the rescued turtles, feed and hold the babies! As there is no entrance fee, make sure to donate to this non-profit organization! Turtles can be adopted for release into the sea at this center that nurses them back to health!
Venture to the Monkey Bar at Bella Vista; a part of the Bella Kita Mountain Retreat & Spa! Enjoy a dip in the pool, a meal with a beautiful view, and relaxation from the mountain tops! You can stay here as well!
Try a water activity (maybe for the first time!) or visit a hot spring!
Island life cultivates the ability to enjoy many water activities! Try surfing for the first time; rent a board and rash guard for less than $5 with no time limit (the Bali way of life!) or hire a personal surf coach!
If you travel to the Northwestern tip of Bali, head to the Taman Sari Bali Resort and Spa. Rent or purchase snorkel gear and experience the Pemuteran Coral Reef Restoration Project. The project has installed electrolytic mineral accretion technology (Biorock) to stimulate coral growth!
If the ocean isn’t for you try a hot spring instead! There are many hot springs in Bali – find one in your area! If you are heading to the Taman Sari Resort, stop by the Air Panas Banjar Hot Spring!
For the foodies out there: Take a Bumbu Bali cooking class and enjoy the delicious meals!
Yes, you can take a cooking class around the corner from your home, but when in Bali take the time to learn about their spices, special rubs, and local favorites!
Bumbu Bali Cooking School, Nusa Dua: Find a cooking school in your area!
There are so many places on the island to find great food! Here are some of our favorites:
Clear Cafe, Ubud or Canggu: Our favorite restaurant of the whole trip! Clear Cafe has a well-designed atmosphere for couples, families, and groups of people! The food and drinks were amazing and the price was spot on!
The Dusty Cafe, Seminyak: Find Burning Man photos!
Bumbu Bali, Nusa Dua: Traditional Balinese cuisine with entertainment!
Blue Earth Village, Above Jemeluk Bay – Amed: You can also take yoga classes here!
So why Bali?
The beauty of the island, the culture of its people, the minor cost and the most unique experiences… give you a diverse trip and memories that will truly last you a lifetime!
…and the best thing about Bali, it’s really up to you! Book your flight. Figure out the rest later.
Safe travels and I hope this gives you a road map for why Bali should be one of your top travel destinations!
