Ultimate Guide: Best Things to Do in Bali, Indonesia

Bali is a vibrant and enchanting destination that offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and adventure. Whether you are looking for breathtaking beaches, lush jungles, sacred temples, or thriving nightlife, Bali has something for everyone. If you’re planning a trip to this tropical paradise, here are some of the best things to do in Bali.

Best Things to Do in Bali

Waterbom Bali

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One of the most fun places to visit in Bali is Waterbom Bali. This water park is voted the #1 water park in Asia. With seventeen slides, choices of dining outlets, surrounding tropical gardens, and plenty of fun activities, you can’t go wrong at this place!

Bali Safari and Marine Park

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Bali Safari and Marine Park is one the best places to enjoy a full day with your family. This is a great place to enjoy watching animals in their natural habitat. The Park combines the African and Bali natural habitats of many animals like the Sumatran elephant, Sumatran and white tiger, leopard, cheetah, and Komodo dragon. In addition to many animal exhibits, you can enjoy riding elephants in unique experiences.

Water Rafting

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Another water activity you can enjoy in Bali is water rafting. All rafting tours are run by professional guides who are well-trained and ready to deal with any situation should it arise. This is a unique experience where you can enjoy the Ayung and Telaga Waja Rivers among many others in Bali.

If you are more into immersing in water, diving is a great choice for you. Bali offers many diving trips to enjoy the reefs and submarines in the area. You also have the opportunity to train under the hands of professionals whether you want to dive for fun or become a professional.

You can also launch up in the sky by taking one of the unique helicopter rides in Bali. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of the beaches and the volcanoes in Bali. Some tours offer a wide variety of rides to choose from: from joy flights, and sundowners, to temples and coastline flights, these rides have it all!

Eka Karya Botanic Garden

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This heavenly botanic garden is situated on a mountain. With its clean fresh air, beautiful mountain scenery, and cool climate, Eka Karya Botanic Garden is definitely a popular tourist destination.

The Garden has a wide range of plants imported from many areas of the world, including Africa, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia, China, and North and South America. The garden is a center for research as well as recreation, and it also displays the unique Balinese architecture.

Bali has a lot more to offer in addition to the above-mentioned places and activities. Check out the Bali vacation villas on CuddlyNest, you will need a happy private place to go back to at the end of a long exciting day.

Ubud: Temples, Rice Terraces, and the Monkey Forest

Ubud is Bali's cultural hub, 36 km north of Kuta by road (about 1 hour by car). It operates completely differently from the beach resorts. No surf schools or beach clubs. Instead: temple complexes, rice terraces, traditional dance performances, and craft markets.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary. Entry: IDR 80,000 (approx $5). The sanctuary has 1,260 Balinese long-tailed macaques across 14 hectares of forest. Three temples are inside the forest grounds, dating from the 14th century. The monkeys are not dangerous in ordinary circumstances but will grab food, bags, and glasses if given the opportunity. Loose items are best secured before entering. Open daily 9 AM to 6 PM.

Tegalalang Rice Terrace. Free to walk the terraces themselves; vendors along the path ask for donations of IDR 10,000-15,000. The 600-year-old subak irrigation system creates the stepped terrace effect. Best visited before 9 AM when tour groups arrive. Located 9 km north of central Ubud. A short motorbike taxi ride from Ubud centre costs IDR 30,000-50,000 one way.

Pura Tirta Empul. Entry IDR 50,000 for adults plus sarong rental if needed. This is the most important water temple in Bali, with sacred spring pools used for purification rituals. Visitors can participate in the melukat purification ritual by wading through the outdoor spring pools. The temple complex dates to 962 AD. Located 12 km north of Ubud. Open daily 9 AM to 5 PM. Ubud hotels near the rice terraces on CuddlyNest from $35/night.

South Bali: Uluwatu Temple, Tanah Lot, and the Best Beaches

South Bali handles two different types of visitors: surfers based in Kuta or Canggu, and those after temple visits and the Bukit Peninsula cliff scenery.

Uluwatu Temple. Entry IDR 50,000. Perched on a cliff 100 metres above the Indian Ocean on the Bukit Peninsula, 30 km south of Kuta. The Kecak fire dance performance runs at sunset (IDR 150,000 entry, separate from the temple fee). The cliff views at sunset are among the most photographed scenes in Bali. The macaques at Uluwatu are more aggressive than those in Ubud. Secure everything valuable before entering. Drive or hire a driver from Seminyak: 45 minutes by car.

Tanah Lot Temple. Entry IDR 60,000. A sea temple on a rock formation 300 metres offshore in northwest Bali, 23 km from Seminyak (45 minutes by car). The temple itself cannot be entered by non-Hindus but the surrounding cliff walks and offshore views are the draw. Most popular at sunset. Tanah Lot is heavily visited; arrive by 4 PM for sunset position. Significant craft market around the entrance that can be skipped entirely by taking the direct path to the cliff.

Surfing. Kuta Beach is the learning surf beach in Bali. Lessons cost IDR 150,000-250,000 per hour including board rental. Waves are consistent but not large. Advanced surfers go to Uluwatu, Padang Padang, or Canggu. The surf season on the west-facing beaches runs April through October, when the Indian Ocean swell is strongest. November through March produces larger but less consistent waves. Kuta hotels near Bali beaches on CuddlyNest from $28/night.

Frequently Asked Questions: Things to Do in Bali

What is Bali most famous for?

Bali is known for four things: Hindu temples (there are over 10,000 on the island), rice terrace landscapes, surf beaches on the south and west coasts, and spa and wellness culture. As Indonesia's only Hindu-majority island within a Muslim-majority country, Bali's culture is distinct from the rest of the archipelago. The island's ceremonial culture is active year-round. Walking through Ubud or Seminyak on any morning, you will see freshly made offerings (canang sari) placed outside homes, shops, and temples. The combination of active religious culture, beach access, and low cost relative to comparable destinations in Southeast Asia makes it one of Asia's most visited islands.

How many days do you need in Bali?

7 days covers the main areas without feeling rushed: 2-3 days in Ubud for temples and terraces, 2-3 days in Seminyak or Canggu for beaches and nightlife, and 1 day for Uluwatu and the south coast. 5 days is the practical minimum for seeing both the cultural and beach sides of the island. 10 days allows you to add the north (Lovina, volcanic lakes at Bedugul) or the Gili Islands off the northwest coast. A 3-day stopover gives you time for one area only. Pick either Ubud or the beach zone; trying to do both in 3 days results in mostly transit time.

What is the cheapest month to visit Bali?

January and February are the cheapest months, coinciding with the wet season when western regions (Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud) see afternoon rain. Prices drop 20-30% versus the peak dry season. The east coast around Amed and Candidasa tends to be drier in the wet season due to different wind patterns. April and early May are the best value months for weather: dry season starts, prices remain below peak, and crowds are manageable before European school holidays drive up occupancy. July and August are peak season with the highest prices and most crowded beaches. Bali hotels for all budgets on CuddlyNest from $22/night.