My travel bucket-list: Bali, Indonesia

I know, I know what are you thinking about. I’m living at less than three hours flight from Bali, how could I’ve never been to Bali? 

I really don’t know but I need to settle this and fast.

What do you imagine when you hear Bali? For me it’s a tropical paradise. 

Bali is a province in Indonesia located east of Java and west of Lombok, and is approximately 8 degrees south of the equator, therefore you can expect a tropical, warm and humid climate all year-round with two main distinctive seasons: Dry Season and Rainy Season.

Average year-round temperature stands at around 26-27°C (79-80 degrees Fahrenheit) with a humidity level of about 85-90%. Water temperatures are always pleasant. The two seasons are not clear cut and fully predictable.

High season is during the months of July and August and Christmas / New Year (December till 1st week of January). This is the time Bali is the busiest. Definitely not good for me as I don’t like when is too crowded. However, for many reasons, best time to go to Bali is April, May, June and September, just before and just after high season.

It’s still dry season, it’s slightly less humid, and accommodation prices can be 30-50% cheaper than during high season, YES 😊 Many shops offer sales and promotions, restaurants are less crowded in mid-season months, and in general Bali is a bit more relaxed. October is not too bad either, still much less rain than November. 

Bali is Indonesia’s main tourist destination, which has seen a significant rise in tourists since the 1980s. Tourism-related business makes up 80% of its economy.

The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west have black sand, so impressive. Bali is also part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species. In this area alone, over 500 reef-building coral species can be found.

Bali’s central mountains include several peaks over 2,000 metres (6,600 feet) in elevation and active volcanoes such as Mount Batur. The highest is Mount Agung (3,031 m, 9,944 ft), known as the “mother mountain”, which is an active volcano rated as one of the world’s most likely sites for a massive eruption. In late 2017 Mount Agung started erupting and large numbers of people were evacuated, temporarily closing the island’s airport. In 2018 Agung remained on the boil until late June when it again erupted with 2 km high plumes interrupting air traffic. 

Bali’s volcanic nature has contributed to its exceptional fertility and its tall mountain ranges provide the high rainfall that supports the highly productive agriculture sector.

Balinese culture was strongly influenced by Indian, Chinese, and particularly Hindu culture, beginning around the 1st century AD. Bali is the only Hindu majority province in Indonesia, with 83.5% of the population adhering to Balinese Hinduism. 

The largest city is the provincial capital, Denpasar, near the southern coast.

Bali’s second-largest city is the old colonial capital, Singaraja, which is located on the north coast. Other important cities include the beach resort, Kuta, which is practically part of Denpasar’s urban area, and Ubud, situated at the north of Denpasar, is the island’s cultural centre.

Bali is famous for a very high value-for-money-ratio, which allows traveler to enjoy and afford the wonder of this island, regardless of their budget. Choose from basic home-stays run by friendly Balinese families, and 5 star beach resorts or luxurious, or privately-serviced Bali villas with your private pool.

Bali is the rare place that is both deeply spiritual and totally fun. Whatever your age or interest, whether you are traveling with your loved ones or alone, you are certain to find mental and physical satisfaction. Even during a short visit, you can let loose, stay fit, and explore the cultural and traditional roots of the island. In fact, with so many affordable options on offer, the only hard work in Bali is deciding what to do next.

From canyoning, sailing and speedboat cruises, scuba diving, visiting Bali bird park, sightseeing tours, ATV/ Quad tours, rafting, wake boarding park, fascinating temples, hot spring baths, rice-fields, mountain biking or trekking tour, climb the volcano for a magical sunrise then to not mention the beaches and sun…oh wow really the list is endless. 

Well I think we need at least one month trip to be able to enjoy everything 😊

See you Bali 😊

Bali
Photo credit and research: Google

67 thoughts

  1. I’ve never been to Bali and it’s definitely on my bucket list too, just I’m a bit further away from it than you. You should take advantage of your proximity and make it your next holiday destination? 🛫🏖🏝

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  4. Most of my friends visited Bali and it’s definitely a tropical paradise 😊hope I’ll be able to visit it soon
    Thank you for this informative post 💕😊

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      1. Well planning a trip always fail for me because I don’t travel alone so it’s always a last minute trip which minimizes our options the entire time for visa purposes and stuff
        Let’s hope it will be better this year 😊 good luck to you, start that plan ASAP 👍😊

  8. I’m curious—how many languages do you speak/write? I’m new to your blog and have been enjoying your perspective from the other side of the world. 🙂

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    1. It really is. Accommodations I’ve seen plenty. From the resorts hidden in the nature with breathtaking views to the ones by the sea. There are also a lot of hotels in the city…quite difficult to choose. 😊💕

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      1. thanks for reply…..you are really good writer…& nice to meet you…if you have time visit map195.wordpress.com my own blog & follow ….i am not good writer….but trying…

    1. Yes, I think it has everything one need. If you’re looking for quiete you can find it, if you’re looking for party you can find it, if you’re looking for nature there is plenty 😊 A great spot to visit 😊

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  15. I certainly didn’t know all of this or even a little bit about Bali; sounds fascinating! That might be a place considering visiting in those months you said would be best…..probably not right away though but maybe in 2 yrs or so; thanks for the short excursion by writing about it!

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  18. Great Post! I was just in Bali in February. It was hot but not too hot and really not too busy. AirBnB had loads of nice places for really good prices at the time. Or really anything from $25 to $200 a night, depending on how luxuriously you want to live. Easy to rent a motor bike and go off on your own.

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  19. Pingback: My travel bucket-list: Bali, Indonesia — Popsicle Society – Weights Weapons Wandering

  20. You have interesting places to visit in your travel bucket list. Indonesia is another country in the far East Asia I would love to visit. Already I have been to 13 country around the world including SS. Korea where I lived for four and half yyrs, Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, and some parts of Africa.

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    1. We do have a wonderful world! So many places to see as I always say that one lifetime is not enough 😊 Is so great to be able to travel! 13 countries, beautiful! I wish you much more 😉 I hope one day to be able to see them too 😊 Thank you for stopping by and for your interaction!

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  23. Love this post! So much information!! I’ve been dying to go to Bali for quite some time too! If my flight was only 3 hours I would have gone a long time ago haha!! Hope you make it out there one day!!

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  24. Thank you for all this information it’s a must see destination we have been there love the people and had a great time thank you very much and keep rising I love to hear some more thank you

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  29. Hi! Popsicle! Interesting pen name, first of all the for your beautiful writing. I personally love Bali, and I am an Indonesia. Was live in Bali from 2007 to 2015 before move to Melbourne following my true love. Until now after 4 years living in Australia we plan to move to Bali again in a next month. So yes! I wish your dream come true and who knows we can catch up and have some coffee together, I will definitely share my experience while I am living there. All the best for you!

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    1. Hello and thank you for stopping by! I’m glad you’ll go back! I’m sure Melbourne is beautiful but Bali has also its fashion 😉 Looking forward for your experience and I hope one day I’ll be able to visit it and who knows maybe having that coffee together 😉🌸

      Reply

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