
Beautiful Bali © michis_0806
Bali has long been equated with an exotic paradise, a
picturesque vision of green rice fields and plantations, soaring
volcanoes, cool lakes and rushing rivers, lush forests and palm
fringed beaches. It is Indonesia's number one tourist destination
and as a result suffers from commercialisation and overcrowding,
but this is confined to a few main areas. The original charm of the
'Island of the Gods' and its smiling people is still very much in
evidence, especially in the many small rural villages and
fascinating places of the fertile interior.
What makes it distinctive from the rest of Indonesia is the
belief in a predominantly Hindu faith, incorporating the ancient
Indonesian animist conviction that natural objects are inhabited by
good or bad spirits into every aspect of local life on the island.
It is evident in their ceremonies, daily rituals and attitudes,
visible in the offerings of flowers and food that adorn the
roadsides, the charms hung inside taxis, and the numerous vibrant
festivals that occur throughout the year. It is perceptible in
their reverence for the Holy Mountain, the soaring volcanic cone of
Gunung Agung, which is the spiritual centre of the Balinese
universe. Scattered around the island are thousands of Hindu
temples and places of worship. Art is also an integral part of
daily life and every village has its artists, from the
internationally acclaimed painter to the aspirational young cow
herder. Ubud, the cultural centre, with its streets lined with art
and crafts shops, also has performances of traditional Balinese
dance and music. Art, together with tourism, is an important source
of revenue for the island.
With its fine beach, the popular resort of Kuta is the most
visited destination, but there are numerous other beach resorts
around the island, and many more peaceful settings on the east
coast at Candidasa, Sanur and the fishing village of Padang Bai,
and on the northern coast at Lovina. There are a number of good
diving sites and reef snorkelling close by.
Despite the shock of terrorist bomb attacks in October 2002 and
2005, which were aimed at foreign holidaymakers and killed about
225 people in total, Bali is still the tropical paradise of rich
culture and beautiful land and seascapes that has attracted those
in search of an idyllic vacation for so long; however visitors are
still advised to contact their foreign office for the latest travel
advice before travelling to Indonesia, and Bali in particular.
Resorts
See our separate guides to the following Bali holiday resorts: Kuta and Lovina
Attractions

Bali Bird Park © A. www.viajar24h.com
Bali Bird Park
Featuring the largest and most spectacular collection of birds,
the Bali Bird park boasts over 1,000 birds of 250 different
species. Kids will love spotting their favourite bird and learning
about the species. Birds such as Macaws, peacocks, parrots, white
herons and many more...
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Bali Botanical Garden © JackVersloot
Bali Botanical Gardens
A great place for the kids to let off some steam, the Bali
Botanical Garden features a range of micro-climates for kids of all
ages to enjoy. There is something here for everyone, such as a lily
pond, waterfalls, a mambo grove, a...
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Stone carving © Jos Dielis
Batubulan
The small village of Batubulan is marked by stone figures of
gods and demons on the side of the road. Known mostly for its stone
carvings, Barubulan is popular with cultural tourism and travellers
looking for a unique souvenir to take home with...
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Elephant Cave entrance
Elephant Cave
Built in the 9th century, Goa Gajah, or Elephant Cave, is
located near Ubud and originally served as a sanctuary and is now a
UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a wonderfully carved elephant
entrance featuring menacing creatures and demons, children will
find a visit...
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Mount Batur © tropicaLiving
Gunung Batur
The still-active Gunung Batur volcano, is known as Bali's second
holiest mountain and symbolises the female element of the island,
while the male element is symbolized in Gunung Agung, a
neighbouring smaller volcano. A great place for hikers to stretch
their legs, the walk...
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Pura Besakih
Pura Besakih
Locally known as the mother Temple of Bali, Pura Besakih is
located on the slopes of Mount Agung and is the biggest and holiest
of all Balinese temples. Dating back to the 14th century, the three
main temples are dedicated to Shiva, Brahma...
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Pura Kehen © Jos Dielis
Pura Kehen
One of the most valued temples in Bali, Pura Kehen is a garden
temple located in the town of Bangli in East Bali and can be traced
back to the 11th century. Founded by Sri Brahma Kemuti Ketu, Pura
Kehen is the second...
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Balinese long-tailed Macaques © Sam Fraser-Smith
Sacred Monkey Forest of Padangtegal
Featuring over 115 species of trees, many of which are
considered holy and used in various Balinese spiritual practices,
the Monkey Forest in Ubud is a fantastic place for kids to spend
the day exploring. Children can see the Balinese long-tailed
Macaques up close...
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Tanah Lot at sunset
Tanah Lot
Meaning 'Land in the middle of the sea' Tanah Lot is an
exquisite sea temple built atop a rock formation off the island of
Bali. A popular tourist spot and a great location for fantastic
photographs, Tanah Lot is surrounded by poisonous sea...
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Waterbom © basibanget
Waterbom Bali
With thrilling rides, a spa, pool bar and even a food hall,
Waterbom Bali is the perfect place to take the family for a day of
cooling off in the Balinese heat. Older kids will love rides such
as the race track, the...
see full detailsExcursions
Prambanan Temple Complex
Rivalling the Buddhist monument of Borobudur, this magnificent
Hindu temple is the largest in Java and the most beautiful in
Indonesia. Prambanan was built in the 9th century, possibly to
compete with the splendour of Borobudur, or to celebrate the return
to power of...
see full detailsUbud
Set in the hills north of Denpasar, Ubud is the cultural centre
of Bali and the major attractions of the town and its surrounding
villages are the art museums and galleries, notably the Neka
Museum, containing a huge collection of traditional and modern
Balinese...
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