Bali Bucket List
Take a deep breath. Bali invites us to think about time and what we sacrifice to the ticking of the seconds and the hands on the clock. We sacrifice it willingly, yet resentfully too. We say, “We have no time!” so readily when time is just a human contrivance after all, and we wither and sigh because that meeting ran over time and what will we ever do with the extra time today? Time demands sacrifices but time cannot sacrifice; time only takes, it can never give. However, we can learn to give of ourselves to time....
Why Bali belongs on your bucket list
Bali is an island of contrasts, where volcanic peaks meet emerald rice terraces and ancient temples sit alongside surf breaks and beach clubs. Its culture is deeply spiritual, woven into daily life through offerings, ceremonies, and a genuine warmth toward visitors that keeps travelers coming back again and again.
When to go
The best time to visit Bali really depends on what you are coming for. If it's just to escape the cold, the dry season from April to October is ideal. If you want that postcard-perfect image, come in May, June, or September. Surfers should aim for April through October when the swells are best. Culture seekers often visit in April, July, or December, though crowds can be heavy. Our personal favorites are October and November, when villa prices drop and the crowds thin out.
Must-visit places in Bali
Tanah Lot Temple
Definitely one of the most photographed places in the world, the temple almost looks like it's floating when the tide is high. While it's not as popular as some Greek island temples, this spot's beaches still get packed with legions of tourists. They arrive on boats an hour before sunset, in time for that stunning view of the ancient temple silhouetted against the setting sun. Cafes on the cliffs also offer that view, minus the slippery rocks and with a cold Bintang in your hand.
Uluwatu Temple
Located high on a cliff on the southwestern tip of the Bukit Peninsula, perched above the crashing Indian Ocean waves, this temple is blessed with a location as dramatic as they come. Inside the centuries-old temple grounds, dancers perform the fiery Kecak dance against the backdrop of the endless ocean and setting sun. With nothing but ocean behind the performers, it is an experience you'll never forget. Watch out for the resident monkeys, they are notorious for snatching sunglasses, food, and anything loose you're carrying. Don't miss the incredible surf break directly below the temple, one of the best in Bali, and the cliff-side cafes serving fresh-off-the-boat fish.
Tegallalang Rice Terraces
These rice terraces look their beautiful best as the sun rises. The light shimmers off the myriad levels of water-filled terraces, each a different hue of green or gold. The best way to experience the rice paddies is to wander on foot between them. Take off those shoes and get your feet wet. Several guided walks are also available and will provide you with some understanding of how the rice fields function. There are coffee shops in every village at the top to fuel up on caffeine in the morning.
Sacred Monkey Forest
Picture yourself surrounded by old, tall green trees, some of the tallest trees in the world, exotic birds flying overhead, their calls mixing with the crashing waves and the sounds of the tiny streams running through the valley. Humidity strikes you as soon as you step out of the car, and you are instantly soaked. This is a rainforest from the beginning of time itself, and you can feel its oldness and majesty all around you, in the towering trees, and the twisted roots you walk past. Monkeys run wild and in strong family groups, and you feel their eyes on you as they watch you progress down the path. Be careful, they are known to snatch anything loose you are carrying. The forest is massive and you can easily get off by yourself if you keep hiking past the popular sites.
Tirta Empul
Bali and its visitors have been cleansing themselves of impurities through the melukat ceremony for over one thousand years, using the spiritual waters of sacred fountains. If you approach this with sincerity instead of just being a tourist, it can be quite a powerful emotional experience. Don't be shy about participating. Wear a sarong (which will be provided for you), listen for instructions, and walk through the fountains in the correct order.
Seminyak
Seminyak is the Beverly Hills of Bali. It has the fancy beach clubs, shopping, and restaurants that you’d find in somewhere like Melbourne or LA. If you want to enjoy a sunset drink, Potato Head Beach Club is the place to do it. Get there midafternoon if you want to rent a bed, they fill up quickly! The best restaurants on the island are conveniently lined up in a row on Jalan Laksmana (Eat Street). But despite all of this, you’ll find flower offerings sprinkled all over the streets and traffic will come to a standstill as people march across the roads in ceremonies. Bali constantly reminds you to take notice.
Canggu
Canggu is where you will find people with a penchant for surfing and a rather bohemian lifestyle. Over here, you will also find a myriad of cafes that double up as co-working spaces. Among the numerous surf spots in Bali, if you find Echo Beach calling out to you, head to Canggu. This spot is relatively less crowded and hence is said to be best for surfers at an intermediate level. Rice paddies in relentless rows are another sight that adds natural beauty to Canggu. Lastly, the music combined with the pool party at Finns Beach Club is sensational.
Lempuyang Temple
Yes, we've all seen that impossible-seeming photo circulating on social media. But guess what? It's not quite as impossible as you'd think. The dividing wall is actually just a pool of water, and the illusion is created by the photographer's angle rather than any real gap in the gate. Still, the split-gate optical illusion is one of the most intriguing shots you can capture at Bali's Lempuyang Temple.
Nusa Penida
Only a 45-minute fast boat ride away from Bali and you might as well be on Mars. Kelingking Beach, or T-Rex cliff as you probably know it, has been blowing up everyone's Instagram feed, but the manta ray snorkeling at Manta Point is just as unforgettable. Angel's Billabong is a natural infinity pool perched right on the edge of a cliff and looks exactly like the kind of thing you'd see in a fantasy film. The pot-holed, extremely steep roads are not for the faint-hearted, so just bite the bullet and hire a driver. Don't even try to drive them yourself. A day trip is enough to cover all the highlights, but stay one night and you'll also get to experience the raw, otherworldly vibes of the island.
Padang Padang Beach
You'll exit the passage between the cliffs and find a tiny beach made of white sand, with limestone caves and jungle on either side. This beach is rumored to have been one of the film locations in Eat Pray Love. It's stunning, postcard-perfect beautiful. Nice for a swim, good for beginner surfers. And small. Be here after breakfast, and you'll have to fight for a spot in the water. Wanna practice your sun salutations in the sand? Start your day in downward dog. Climb a strangely fortified stairwell through a cave in the rock face to reach hippie heaven and cold Bintangs. Sit on your cushion and watch the sea spray. What more could you ask for?
Bali insider tips
- Scooter rental: Rent a scooter for 50,000-75,000 IDR per day. It's the most convenient way to explore the island in your own time. Always wear a helmet. Make sure you have an international driving permit with you. Be prepared for driving defensively, you will not understand how the locals drive for the first three days. If you don't feel confident driving a scooter, hire a driver for the day (400,000-600,000 IDR). No worries.
- Temple dress code: You need to wear a sarong and sash to enter any temple. While most temples will provide them for you, it is better to carry your own as it will save you time waiting in line at the rental. Just pack it in your bag.
- Offerings: Those small palm-leaf trays containing flowers (canang sari) which you commonly notice on the sidewalk? Yes, they are holy. Just avoid stepping on them. Don’t try to move them. And don’t haphazardly push them out of your way. Walk past them. Every time.
- Bargaining: Initial prices are often set 3-5 times higher than the actual value. You haggle that down to 70%, and they quote up to meet halfway at 30%. Everyone knows it. No one's upset about it.
- Cash: Smaller local stores and warungs do not accept credit cards. While ATMs are scattered all over the tourist areas, they are not so common once you get off the beaten track in Bali. Also, try to keep some small change on you. Asking to change a 100,000 IDR note at a tiny local warung will make you feel embarrassed and the shop owner annoyed.
Save your Bali bucket list
Do you want to visit the iconic places you saw in a movie or TV series? Triply can help you find every location, and even provide you with a detailed map of all of them. Then turn those saves into a day-by-day itinerary with flights, hotels, and friends, all in the same app.
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