Bali, Indonesia has a long history of welcoming tourists from around the world. The natural beauty, accommodations, service, and food make this a wonderful place to relax and recharge. I have spent quite a bit of time here as it was a quick getaway when we lived in Singapore, being just over a two-hour flight.

Top three tourist areas in Bali

There are three main areas of the island of Bali and below is my point of view on each.

Nusa Dua– When staying here I don’t feel like I am in Bali at all. The large hotels make this area feel like any beach/resort location anywhere in the world. I generally avoid this area, but for some people the comfort of a large hotel and familiar chains with the overlay of nightly Balinese dancers at the hotel restaurant while eating ‘not too spicy’ dishes are just what they are looking for. Also, it’s sunrises versus sunsets on the water.

Ubud– If you are into the jungle, monkeys, spas, yoga, and generally healthy living go to Ubud. I have never stayed here, but I’ve hired a driver and drove out from Seminyak to check out the rice paddies (which are cool) and the mountain views. Ubud is inland near the volcano Mount Agung. This volcano erupts occasionally causing havoc with air travel in the region but hasn’t caused any harm to people or property since the 1960s. Visitors to Ubud often rave about the serenity of the location and some of the best spas in the world.

Seminyak– This is the heart and soul of Bali. All the action is here and it is where I spent most of my time. The accommodation of choice for us is booking a private villa. These are like Airbnbs, but with service. Villa services include food and drink delivery and massages can be arranged at your private pool. Going into town is easy with pre-arranged car services and cabs. Cabs are plentiful but agree on a price first.

Where to stay in Seminyak

We used Elite Havens to book our Villas when staying here and they are top-notch. We would generally book a multi-room villa which includes a kitchen, living area, outdoor pool and lounge area, and multiple private bedrooms. These accommodations are simply beautiful and with plenty of space to invite family and friends along on the trip. I have even ordered special meals to be served in our Villa such as a traditional baby roast pig. Again, the service in Bali is amazing.

The one hotel I am going to mention is The Oberoi. This hotel has a great mix of traditional and modern amenities. The service, again, is outstanding. From arranging tours and transports to popsicles poolside and everything in between they will bend over backward for you. It is an older hotel, but this only adds to the feeling that you are indeed far from home here with mature landscape and traditional buildings.

What to do in Bali

Bali has so many cool activities and things to see and experience you can get a flavor of the island in as little as a few days, but a week or even longer is best. I know people that have fallen in love with this place to the point where they simply moved and started a new life here. Below are a few key sites and activities:

• Visit local temples such as Tanah Lot (best at sunset but it is very crowded).
• Dive the Liberty shipwreck. A unique wreck right off the beach in northern Bali. A trek to get to (a 2-3 hour drive from Seminyak), but well worth it in terms of visibility and sea life. Most wrecks are deep and the visibility is rarely this good.
• Visit the slopes of Mt Agung and the rice paddies. You will realize what the color green is supposed to look like. A combination of volcanic soil, rain, and intense sun make for stunning vistas.
• Boutique shopping in Seminyak is an excellent activity as there are a lot of unique shops with clothes, crafts, and art made specifically in Bali. The clothing is made from nice materials and there is a wide variety of beach styles.
• A word about monkeys. They are everywhere. Now they may look cute, but can be quite vicious and love to gang up and take items right out of your hand or even off your head. So please don’t feed the monkeys and if you do know this is at your own risk.

Food and Drink in Bali

• Beach Clubs– Ku De Ta and Potato head are the two main staples. There is nothing quite like a beautiful brunch, listening to the waves crashing on the beach while enjoying a Bloody Mary. These clubs are nearly 24-hour affairs as they turn into dance clubs at night. There are many other beach clubs in Bali and they change frequently so ask around, there is always a ‘new hot spot’.
• Rock Bar– Located at the Ayana hotel is a great place for sunset drinks.
• Restaurants– These also change frequently so I will not provide a list, but will highlight a few things that are a must-try:
  • Seafood Barbeque– This can be found beachside and basically is fresh local seafood barbequed. These restaurants can be touristy, but always good fun for seafood on a beach under the moonlight
  • Nasi Jinggo– Rice and veggies wrapped in banana leaf with meat as a side.
  • Satay– Mostly comes in chicken or pork barbequed and dressed with a peanut dressing.
  • Babi Guling– Roasted pork.
  • Sambal– Wonderfully spicy Indonesian version of salsa. Eat it on everything.
• As with food in this part of the world, ask locals where they eat, and you will find the best stuff. Also, for local flavor, stay away from hotel meals as those will be tailored to western tastes.

Concluding Thought

When in this part of the world, remember to slow down. You are on an island and things move slower here. Enjoy every moment before they are gone.