Bali is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. The island attracts people from all over the globe, who come for its colorful culture, beautiful beaches and delicious cuisine. But Bali has a few secrets that you might not know about — like the fact that it's actually two islands separated by a narrow channel of water called "Bali Strait." Here are ten things you should know before visiting Bali:
Indonesia's most famous island is packed with cultural treasures, fine cuisine, beautiful beaches and hospitable people.
Bali is a beautiful island. It's also one of the most popular tourist destinations in Indonesia and Southeast Asia.
You can visit Bali any time of year and find great weather, but there are certain times when it's better to go than others. Bali has two seasons: wet season and dry season, which lasts from mid-May until September or October (depending on the year). During this time, you'll see lots of rainbows—but not much rain!
Bali is a great place to stay if you want to get away from it all for a few days or weeks at a time; however, if you're looking for some action after dark then head south for Kuta Beach where there are plenty of bars and clubs along Jalan Legian street near Benoa Harbor where passengers disembark from boats coming from Lombok Island or Nusa Lembongan Island heading into Uluwatu Temple area with its high cliffs overlooking crashing surf below them about 5 km south east towards Jimbaran Bay where many tourists come here just enjoy delicious seafood meals next door at Tandoori Seafood Restaurant & Bar (Telp +628525882085) Or if they prefer something less expensive try TJs Seafood Cafe that offers fresh seafood cooked simply yet tastefully presented served by friendly staff then walk down stairs toward ocean side park benches where one can enjoy watching boats pass by overhead while enjoying sunsets over sea horizon behind palm tree tops across street behind Hotel Nusa Indah (Telp +628625237750)
Bali is a small island, about the same size as Singapore.
Bali is a small island, about the same size as Singapore. This means that you can spend most of your time exploring it by foot, which is really nice for those who like to hike and explore new places.
One of the best things about Bali is that you don't need to rent a car if you don't want to--and usually it's not necessary anyway because there are lots of taxis available everywhere. Plus, since it's such a small island, getting around by taxi or motorbike is pretty straightforward; just ask at your hotel where they recommend taking a taxi from!
Bali is a surfing hotspot.
If you're looking to learn how to surf, there's no better place than Bali. The island is home to a lot of surfing schools that offer lessons and tours for beginners. There are plenty of waves here, and you can enjoy them without the crowds that you might find in other popular surfing destinations. And if the water temperature is too cold for your liking (or if it's winter), don't worry: most instructors will have wet suits available for rent or purchase at their school so that you can stay warm while learning this exciting sport!
Rice terraces are carved into Bali's volcanic hillsides.
Rice terraces are carved into Bali's volcanic hillsides. Rice terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of Bali's top tourist attractions. They're so important that you'll see them on all postcards and souvenir shops.
The rice fields are fed by small channels that run down the mountains, providing water for the crops in each section of land as well as creating an irrigation system that keeps everything hydrated throughout the year. The rice grows at different heights depending on how much water each section gets: lower levels have more moisture; higher up is drier soil but more sun exposure.
You can visit these magical fields any time they're not being harvested—in fact, it's best to go before noon when it's hotter out there (which is pretty much always).
There are about 20,000 temples on the island.
Bali is home to the largest concentration of Hindu temples in the world. Temples are built on top of the highest point in a village, and their location reflects important aspects of Balinese life. A temple is dedicated to a specific god, called a "Dewa," and each Dewa has its own day to be worshipped. Like most religions, Hinduism recognizes that evil spirits might try to possess humans; so by building temples on hillsides where they could be seen from far away, they hoped that bad spirits would be afraid to approach them.
Bali's temples also serve as places for meditation and prayer. It's common for locals who live near a temple (or even those who don't) to visit daily at sunrise or sunset for spiritual guidance or simply because it makes them feel good when they're there
Ubud is a great place to learn about Balinese arts and crafts.
Ubud is a great place to learn about Balinese arts and crafts. If you're interested in learning more about the art of dance, music or weaving, Ubud has many workshops and galleries where you can study with master artists from the community.
The Balinese love their shopping malls.
You'll find lots of shopping on Bali. There are many shopping malls, but they're not as big as most American malls. The island's cultural center, Ubud, has lots of shops too. Kuta is a popular tourist area with lots of shops and restaurants where you can take a break from your shopping spree!
Nusa Lembongan has great diving and snorkeling opportunities.
Nusa Lembongan is a small island near Bali, and it's well known for its diving and snorkeling opportunities. The waters are fairly shallow around the island, so visibility tends to be better than on other areas of the coast. There are quite a few dive shops on Nusa Lembongan, offering everything from introductory scuba classes to deep-sea explorations of shipwrecks in nearby waters. There's also plenty of places to stay if you want to spend some time at this beautiful spot—from simple guesthouses to villas with private pools!
If you're looking for nightlife, Kuta Beach is the place to be.
Kuta Beach is home to a lot of bars and clubs. The beach also has plenty of restaurants, so if you’re looking for sushi, this is the place to go.
Kuta Beach is also a popular spot for watching the sunset, which makes it perfect for sunset dates or photo shoots.
If you’re into partying, Kuta Beach has all kinds of clubs that offer late night events with live music and DJs playing house music until 2am. If you want to meet new people, Kuta Beach is a great place because it attracts tourists from all over the world!
Definitely try the local food, but stick to bottled water.
That said, it’s pretty hard not to eat the food. The Balinese are foodies and some of their dishes are delicious. Here are a few tips to make sure you stay healthy while eating in Bali:
Drink only bottled water. Tap water is not safe to drink in Bali because it is not treated with chemicals that prevent bacterial growth; therefore, locals boil their tap water before drinking. While boiling will help kill any bacteria, this also means that any minerals or vitamins from the water have been removed from your glass or cup of tea/coffee/juice...so stick with bottled instead!
Avoid uncooked foods. Indonesia has strict rules against selling meat and fish on the street (although sometimes there will be vendors selling them), but raw sushi at an upscale restaurant can seem like a good idea—until you get sick! All sorts of bacteria can live on uncooked seafood and cause food poisoning symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea and fever—not what you want when traveling!
Don't forget your sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
Bali is a tropical paradise, but the weather can be quite humid and hot. You’re likely to spend a good portion of your time outdoors, so make sure you have sunscreen and mosquito repellent on hand.
The heat and humidity can take their toll on your skin, so do some research before you go in order to find the best sunscreen for your needs. If you’re prone to getting burned or sunburned easily, consider using a factor of 50 or higher. Otherwise, anything between 30-50 will do just fine. As for insect repellent, bug spray with DEET is the most effective option (but may not be suitable for everyone).
If you're looking for an island with lots of things to see, do and eat, Bali is a great choice. It's small enough to explore in a few days but big enough to keep you entertained for weeks. If you want an even bigger adventure, take a trip around Indonesia's other islands!