This Official Bali Tourist Promotion Video is an introduction to the island of Bali and the many features, both cultural and tourist. Sit back and enjoy it in Full Screen.

Bali has been the favorite destination for locals and international tourists for ages. Full of magnificent beaches, breathtaking sceneries, marvellous trinkets and interesting culture, Bali is ideal for people wanting to escape from daily activities, enjoy a honeymoon, or even, have a great time with family and friends.

– Ministry of Tourism, Republic of Indonesia.

A mesmerizing getaway
A holy sanctuary
A captivating culture
Sublimely sacred
Yet also excitingly perfect
The ultimate paradise
A luxurious escapade
Here you have some of the hippest spots on the planet
Release your inhibitions for an adventure of a lifetime
Whether you fancy the beach, or golf
Just love food served exotically
Or adrenaline rushes
Enjoy an oasis of tranquillity
Where pampering is art perfected
Mysteriously festive
Tourism with its own history
Branded hospitality
The ultimate travel destination
And more
Bali wonderful

 

BALI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

Arrival

Proceed through customs & immigration. Many countries are eligible for a 30 day free visa. This visa cannot be extended. This 30 day free visa can be used for the purpose of tourism, business, education, government related tasks, socio – culture, family visits or transit. This 30 day Indonesia free visa cannot be used for journalism. Change a small amount of money before you exit the terminal if required. Better exchange rates in town. Your driver will find you and take you to your villa. If a driver is not arranged you should proceed to the Taxi Booth and purchase a voucher to your destination. The voucher system ensures that your fare is the standard fare. Note: Kuta, Seminyak, Kerobokan are all around the same area – however a slight fare difference is incurred.

Departure

Check your ticket and arrive 2 hours before your flight is due to leave. Your villa should provide a driver. Note: Purchase gifts, etc. before you leave. Airport prices are more “international.” As of 9 February 2015, all airlines departing from Indonesia are required to include the airport departure tax in the price of the ticket.

KUTA

Kuta, first discovered by the surfers and hippies of the 60’s, has now become known around the world for its magnificent sunsets, surf beach and nightlife. Once a sleepy fishing village it has now been transformed into the center of all the Bali action. Whether you are looking for leather, fashion, handicrafts, jewelry, shoes, DVD’s, paintings or exotic wood carvings – don’t forget to bargain. Kuta with its markets, street vendors, night clubs, hotels, restaurants, bars and plenty of entertainment, is full of nonstop action. If you want to find a bargain to bring home, just want to relax on the beach, or perhaps “party till you drop” – then you’ll find Kuta is everything and more.

Kuta, with its daily spectacular sunsets, is also the centre of night life activities in Southern Bali and a shopping mecca. It has rows of shops, boutiques, and galleries. Restaurants line the streets and accommodation ranges from small, inexpensive homestays to luxurious resorts. The beach of Kuta is one of the first beaches discovered by tourists and is still a favourite. On the south, the beach is fenced by the airport’s runway, which gives you a breathtaking landing experience. The beach stretches as far north as the eyes can see. As short walk away, north, the waves will invite you to test your surfing. Kuta is very short drive from the airport, and transport is readily available.

The white sands of Kuta are still arguably the best beachfront on Bali. The beach is much cleaner than just a few years ago, although the vendors remain annoying. Kuta is not the fishing village it once was: it is now a booming Pacific resort and its streets are amass with tourists and traffic during peak seasons. Legian is more quiet, less crowded, and more suitable for longer stays, although in many ways it has become an extension of Kuta.

NUSA DUA

Nusa Dua was designed for the luxury conscious with a heavy concentration of big name hotels lining the beautiful white sand beach. Some of the resorts have private beaches but most areas are accessible. The stretch past the Hilton Resort has been a public beach and during the wet season, the outer reef boasts a popular surf break. You will find some simple warungs selling good food at cheap prices along this beautiful stretch of white sandy beach that offers excellent swimming conditions in a protected lagoon.

Bali’s southern peninsula is where you find most of the island’s international 4 and 5 star hotels. Set in a manicured (not traditionally Balinese) garden environment. Quite nice beach with shallow water, no high waves. All kinds of water sports and an 18-hole golf course. Restaurant choice is limited outside the hotels and price is generally slightly higher than the Kuta or Sanur areas. Some more reasonably priced reaturants are located in adjacent Tanjung Benoa and Bualu village.

Shopping is split between the clothing markets at the front of Nusa Dua where you can barter for anything from socks to copy watches; and the designer stores of Galleria. Nusa Dua is only 25 minutes from the airport and 35 minutes from all the shopping and life of Kuta. Nusa Dua’s location makes it very easy to enjoy the best of both worlds. If up market villas and extensive resorts with huge pools overlooking the ocean; or being able to walk to a golf course, is what you visualize for a holiday, then Nusa Dua is the place.

SANUR

The best way to describe Sanur is like a small Balinese mountain village – by the sea. Sanur has one lazy street which winds its way behind the beachfront hotels, dotted with small restaurants, and shops which cater for every taste. Up until 1991 Sanur was the favoured area by the majority of tourists to Bali. With the advent of resorts in Nusa Dua and the Kuta side of the Island, it was relatively forgotten except for those who new better.

Sanur is one of the best places to stay in Bali if you are looking for some relaxation but still having the convenience of local shops and restaurants – without the constant hassling from hawkers. It is easy to travel anywhere from Sanur, the frenetic shopping and bartering and nightlife of Kuta is only 20mins away by taxi, Ubud is only 40mins, and the airport 20mins. The beach in Sanur is protected by a reef so is very safe to swim but only at high tide. At low tide, rock and some reef become exposed. The beach is white sand and quite wide. The best part about the beach here is the views offered across the water from a number of small hotels and the restaurant at the Raddin.

If you are looking for small Balinese style villas with perhaps a thatched roof or a resort style property with beautiful gardens, you will find it in Sanur. If shopping and eating in a laid back, relaxed style, contained within peaceful surroundings is what you are looking for, this is the place.

CANGGU

It is worth traveling on the main road that follows the western coast up towards Gianyar in the north for the scenery alone, but these drives can also lead to some beautiful surfing conditions. Just out of town is Canggu, where some hillside villas here offer simple under stated comfort and make the most of the great ocean views and wonderful surfing opportunities.

The mix of temperate whether and tropical water makes Canggu a surfing wonderland. Many people have been attracted to Canggu because of the great surfing it has to offer, and it is now one of the top surfing destinations in Bali. Canggu has developed into a “Hipster Heaven” in recent year and this attracts many your people to the various restaurants and bars. Located about 60 minutes drive from airport and 20 minutes drive to Seminyak and Kerobokan area.

Located near Canggu, just across the boundary of Badung regency, Tanah Lot is the most well-known and photographed temple. A truly remarkable and feature temple, Tanah Lot is built on a stony narrow piece of terrain, which the high tides transform into an island, making right of entry from the land impossible. Tanah Lot is particularly spectacular at sunset when the illumination springs back over the waves.

The beach around Tanah Lot is less comfortable for swimming but great for horse riding and watching spectacular sunsets. Although you can surf in this area, it is not recommended for the beginner.

DENPASAR

Don’t make the mistake of skipping Denpasar while touring the island. Although, like any city, it is noisy and polluted, there is lots to see and do in this ancient town. Denpasar was rebuilt after the Puputan massacre of 1906; when the royal families committed suicide rather than surrender to the invading Dutch Army.

Today Denpasar is a bustling city of some 800,000 inhabitants – and more vehicles per capita than Jakarta. There is an excellent art center, a museum and the colorful (and cheap) market in Jl. Sulawesi. There are also several large department stores. You will also find many restaurants and fast food stores. The restaurant selection is wide and varied. Some dedicated searching will discover excellent Chinese and Asian food varieties.

Denpasar is the largest and busiest city on the island and originally developed from a trading center. The name means “east of the market.” It is the headquarters for the government, the media, the island’s principal banks, airline offices, and hospitals. A hot, dusty, cacophonous city, Denpasar has grown fifteen-fold over the past 10 years. The inhabitants consist of Bali’s original gentry, the priest class, and the new Balinese techno and bureaucratic elites; as well as Indonesians drawn from other islands to this economic magnet. Denpasar is one of Indonesia’s most fully integrated and tolerant cities, with separate kampungs of Bugis, Arabs, Indians, Chinese, Madurese, and Javanese. Without doubt it is the richest, most important city in Eastern Indonesia.

UBUD

Ubud is a remarkable town in the middle of the island of Bali. For more than a century, it has been the island’s pre-eminent centre for fine arts, dance and music. While it once was a haven for backpackers, cosmic seekers, artists and bohemians, Ubud is now a hot spot for literati, glitterati, art collectors and connoisseurs. Famous names walk its busy sidewalks everyday. Elegant five star hotels and sprawling mansions now stand on its outskirts, overlooking the most prized views in Bali.

Nonetheless, Ubud is still popular with backpackers, mystics and all the finest fringe elements of global society. Ubud is not “ruined.” Its character is too strong to be destroyed. It still draws people who add something; people who are actively involved in art, nature, anthropology, music, dance, architecture, environmentalism, “alternative modalities,” and more.

The center of Balinese painting, Ubud’s Museum “Puri Lukisan” has a permanent collection of modern works of Balinese art dating from the turn of the century. There are also several art galleries and homes of famous artists, including the Dutch-born Hans Snel and American Antonio Blanco. The “Young Artist” style now popular in Balinese painting was introduced by the Dutch painter Arie Smith. In the past, other foreign painters inspired Balinese artists to adopt western techniques, but traditional Balinese paintings are still highly collectable. The Neka Museum has a wide collection of paintings by Indonesian as well as foreign artists who used to live in Bali.

Ubud is arguably the best place to use as a base if you’re visiting Bali; if you’re looking for culture, comfort, nature and inspiration. Ubud is surrounded by most of the things that bring people to Bali – scenic rice fields, small villages, art and craft communities, ancient temples, palaces, rivers, cheap accommodation and unique luxury hotels. And it’s central location makes it easy to get from Ubud to the mountains, beaches, and major towns.

CANDI DASA

Candi Dasa is approximately 2 hours drive from Denpasar Airport and the southern resorts of Kuta and Nusa Dua. Enjoy peace and serenity in the sleepy seaside village of Candi Dasa. From here one has easy access to East Bali’s spectacular unspoiled beauty. Dramatic views of Mt Agung, Bali’s sacred mountain; lush green rice terraces clinging to steep and sweeping valleys; traditional villages following age-old customs; colourful rituals and ceremonies; and crystal-clear seas rich in coral and marine life. Here there is a timeless quality as ancient cultures and traditions remain unchanged – an essential element of daily life

Discover the pre-Hindu weaving village of Tenganan and watch the textile-weavers create the magic cloth, “geringsing”; scuba-dive or snorkel in the abundant ocean – or skim across it in a glass-bottom boat, enjoying a fishing expedition! Explore the rich and diverse hinterland by bicycle, enjoy an easy trek or tackle the summit of the sacred mountain Agung.

AMED

Amed is approximately 3 hours drive from Denpasar Airport and the southern resorts of Kuta and Nusa Dua. The area is a series of small bays and quiet fishing villages. The beaches are lined with colorful Jukung fishing boats that sail each morning at sunrise and return later to unload their catch. The safe, calm waters are perfect for swimming and their is an abundance of vibrantly colored fish and beautiful coral. Some of the best snorkeling and diving in Bali can be found in this area.

Activities in Amed include Diving, Snorkeling, Fishing, Sailing, Trekking, Guided Tours. Tirtaganga and its majestic water palace. Cool, crisp, clear water and amazing views of the rice terraces. Amlapura is the capital city of this regency of Karangasem. It is a lovely old town – not yet used to tourists. It is delightful to wander around, taking in the colors, sounds, and smells.

Ujung is beyond Amplapura. Here is the site of the once splendid Ujung Water Palace – with a little imagination one can still conjure a vision of its former glory. The drive to Sidemen is one of my personal favorites in Bali. Go and have lunch at the Sacred Mountain Sanctuary, return via a different route.

If you just want to relax by the pool or on your verandah, take a swim, sip a cocktail, fresh juice or a cold beer, have a massage or read a book; Amed will provide the peace and tranquility you are looking for.

LOVINA

Lovina nestles at the bottom of steep hills on the north coast of Bali and is renowned for its gentle waves, cool sea breezes, sunsets and laid back beach life. Nearby are medicinal hot mineral springs, a Buddhist temple, waterfalls and exhilarating mountain village walks. Located only 4 km. west of Singaraja, the capital of North Bali, and a 90 km. drive from Denpasar.

Singaraja, the old Dutch colonial capital gives you the chance to soak up the atmosphere of a typical Indonesian town. Within an hour’s drive are lakes and waterfalls, hot springs and a Buddhist Monastery. A little further afield is the active volcano of Batur. Scuba diving excursions can be arranged to view the local reef off Lovina Beach which is rich in coral and tropical fish. Within a 1 hour drive is the West Bali National Park which has the best coral in Bali. Tulamben is close also, where you may dive the wreck of the USS Liberty. Early morning dolphin sightseeing tours can be arranged from Lovina.

PEMUTERAN

Located in Bali’s far northwest, Pemuteran sleeps quietly between Bali’s national park and the Bali sea. About 15 minutes to West Bali National Park and Menjangan island diving sites, 1.5 hours to Singaraja, capital city of north Bali and about 3 hours drive from Denpasar, the capital of Bali in the south.

This peaceful place is ideal for natural excursion activities such as trekking at the National Park, swimming, snorkeling and diving. Famous for its reef and turtle conservation programme, Pemuteran is also great as a base for short or long jungle treks or bird watching trips. Other activities include sea kayaking, cycling and horse riding both along the beach and into the surrounding hills. Pulaki temple, one of Bali’s oldest and most important temples, is close-by as are some relaxing hot springs.

History

Although there are no artifacts or records dating back to the Stone Age, it is believed that the first settlers in Bali migrated from China around 2,500 BC, and by the Bronze era, around 300 BC, quite an evolved culture existed in Bali. The complex system of irrigation and rice production, still in use today, was established around this time.

History is vague for the first few centuries. A number of Hindu artifacts were been found dating back to the 1st century (AD), which suggests that the main religion, around 500 AD, was predominantly Buddhist.

It wasn’t until the 11th century that Bali received the first strong influx of Hindu and Javanese cultures. With the death of his father around AD 1,011, Airlanggha, a Balinese prince, moved to east Java and set about creating unity. Having succeeded, he then appointed his brother, Anak Wungsu, as ruler of Bali. During the ensuing period there was a reciprocation of political and artistic ideas, and the old Javanese language, Kawi, became the language used by the aristocracy.

With the death of Airlanggha, in the middle of the 11th century, Bali enjoyed a period of autonomy. This proved to be short lived as in 1284, the East Javanese king Kertanegara, conquered Bali and ruled over it from Java. In 1292, Kertanegara was murdered and Bali took the opportunity to liberate itself once again. However, in 1343, Bali was brought back under Javanese control by its defeat at the hands of Gajah Mada , a general in the Majapahit, the last of the great Hindu-Javanese empires.

With the arrival of Islam in neighboring Java during the 15th century, a large number of courtiers, artists, musicians and craftsmen fled to Bali. As such, the Balinese have always been creative.

With the spread of Islam throughout Sumatra and Java during the 16th century, the Majapahit empire began to collapse and a large exodus of the aristocracy, priest, artists, and artisans fled to Bali. For a while Bali flourished and the following centuries were considered the Golden Age of Bali’s cultural history. The principality of Gelgel, near Klungkung, became a major canter for the Arts, and Bali became the major power of the region, taking control of the neighboring island of Lombok and parts of East Java.

The European Influence

The first Dutch seamen set foot on Bali in 1597, yet it wasn’t until the 1800’s that the Dutch showed an interest in colonizing the island. In 1864, having had large areas of Indonesia under their control since 1700’s, the Dutch government sent the troops to northern Bali. In 1894, the Dutch sided with the Sasak people of Lombok to defeat their Balinese rulers. By 1911, all the Balinese principalities had been defeated in battle, leaving the whole island under Dutch control. After World War I, Indonesian Nationalist sentiment was rising and in 1928, Bahasa Indonesia was declared the official national language.

Community

Life in bali is very communal with the organization of villages, farming and even the creative arts being decided by the community. The local government is responsible for schools, clinics, hospitals and roads, but all other aspects of life are placed in the hands of two traditional committees, whose roots in Balinese culture stretch back centuries. The first, Subak, concerns the production of rice and organizes the complex irrigation system. Everyone who owns a sawah, or padi field, must join their local Subak, which then ensures that every member gets his fair distribution of irrigation water. Traditionally, the head of the Subak has his sawah at the very bottom of the hill, so that the water has to pass through every other sawah before reaching his own.

The other community organization is the Banjar, which arranges all village festivals, marriage ceremonies and cremations, as well as a form of community service known as Gotong Royong. Most villages have at least one Banjar and all males have to join one when they marry. Banjars, on average, have a membership of between 50 to 100 families and each Banjar has its own meeting place called the Bale Banjar. As well as being used for regular meetings, the Bale (pavilion) is where the local gamelan orchestras and drama groups practice.

Religion

The Balinese are Hindu yet their religion is very different from that of the Indian variety. There is a caste system, but there are no “untouchables” and occupation is not governed by caste. In fact, the only thing that reflects the caste system is the language which has three tiers; 95% of all Balinese are Hindu Dharma, and speak Low or Everyday Balinese with each other; Middle Balinese is used for talking to strangers, at formal occasions or to people of the higher Ksatriya caste; High Balinese is used when talking to the highest class, the Brahmana, or to a pedanda (priest). It may sound complicated, but most of the words at the low and medium levels are the same, whereas High Balinese is a mixture of Middle Balinese and Kawi, an ancient Javanese language.

The main religion is Agama Hindu Dharma, which arrived in Bali with the spread of Hinduism via Sumatra and Java during the 11th century. Although originally from India, the Balinese religion is a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs, with customs that are very different from the traditional form of Hinduism practiced in India today.

The Balinese worship Brahmana, Shiva and Vishnu, who are seen as manifestations of the Supreme God Sanghyang Widhi. Ganesha (the elephant-headed god) is also visible, but more commonly, one will see shrines to the many gods and spirits that are uniquely Balinese. The Balinese believe strongly in magic and the power of spirits and much of the religion is based upon this. There is a belief that good spirits dwell in the mountains and that the seas are home to demons and ogres.

Most villages have at least three main temples; one, the Pura Puseh or “temple of origin”, faces the mountains and is dedicated to the village founders, another, the Pura Desa or village temple, is normally found in the centre and is dedicated to the welfare of the village, the last, the Pura Dalem, is aligned with the sea and is dedicated to the spirits of the dead. Aside from these “village” temples, almost every house has its own shrine and you can also find monuments dedicated to the spirits of agriculture, art and all other aspects of life. Some temples, Pura Besakih for example, on the slope of Mount Agung, are considered especially important and people from all over Bali travel to worship there.

“Offerings” play a significant role in Balinese life as they appease the spirits and thus bring prosperity and good health to the family. Everyday small offering trays (canang sari) containing symbolic food, flowers, cigarettes and money, are placed on shrines, in temples, outside houses and shops, and even at dangerous crossroads.

Festivals are another great occasion for appeasing the gods, where woman bear huge, beautifully arranged, pyramids of food, fruit and flowers on their heads. There are traditional dances and music and the gods are invited to come down to join in the festivities. There are many festivals that are well worth observing.

Dance & Drama

Dance and drama have historically played an important role in Balinese society. Through this medium, people learned about the tales of the Ramayana, Mahabarata, and other epic stories from Balinese history. The following are brief descriptions of some of the better known dance-dreams that are performed regularly on Bali.

Baris

This is a warrior’s dance. It is usually performed by men, either solo or in group of five or more . The dancers try to portray the full range of emotions displayed by a warrior, such as anger, courage, ferocity and passion. It is a dance that requires great skill, with the artist having to display the whole range of inner emotions, mainly through facial expressions.

Barong & Rangda

This is basically a story about the struggle between good and evil. Good is personified by the Barong Keket, a strange, fun-loving creature in the shape of a shaggy semi-lion, and evil is represented by Rangda, a witch. Ultimately, the two characters engage in battle, at which point the Barong’s keris bearing followers rush in to attack Rangda. The witch, however, uses her magical powers to turn the keris knives in upon their owner’s, who fall into a trance and begin to stab themselves. The Barong uses magic to protect his followers from the knives. In the end, the Barong triumphs and Rangda retreats to recuperate her strength for the next encounter. The Barong and Rangda dance is a very powerful performance and is not taken lightly by those involved, nor should it be by those in the audience.

Kecak

The Kecak, as a dance, developed in the 1930’s, in the village of Bona, where it is still performed regularly. The theme is taken the Ramayana and tells the story of Rama, who, with the help of the monkey army, tries to rescue his wife from the clutches of (the evil) King Rawana. This is a very exiting dance to watch, and is performed by a large group of chanting men sitting in a circle, chanting & waving their arms and swaying to and fro in unison.

Legong

This dance tells the story of Princess Rangkesari who is held captive against her will by King Lakesmi. Rangkesari’s brother, Prince Daha, gathers an army together to rescue his sister. Princess Rangkesari then tries to persuade Lakesmi to let her go to avoid a war, but he denies her her freedom. On his way to battle, Daha is attacked by a raven (a bad omen), and is later killed in battle. The dance only takes the story up to the point where the king departs for battle, and it is performed by three people, two ‘Legongs’ and their attendant, the ‘Condong’. The Legong is a classical and graceful dance, and is always performed by prepubescent girls, often as young as eight or nine years old.

Sanghyang Trance Dances

The Sanghyang is the force that enters the bodies of the entranced dancer. There are a number of Sanghyang dances, but the most common are the Sanghyang Dedari and the Sanghyang Jaran. The Sanghyang Dedari is performed by two girls, and is very similar in style to the Legong; the main difference is that the Sanghyang Dedari girls are supposedly untrained and can keep in perfect time with each other, even though their eyes are firmly shut. The accompanying music is provided by a female choir and a male Kecak choir. In the Sanghyang Jaran, a boy dances around and through a fire, riding a coconut palm hobbyhorse. This is frequently called the “Fire Dance”, for the sake of tourists. In both dances, a priest is always on hand to help bring the dancers out of their trance-state at the end of the performance.

Topeng (Mask) Dances

In Bali, masks are considered sacred objects and are revered as such. The best ones are traditionally carved on auspicious days and the dancers who wear them are believed to be possessed by the spirits of the masks. Characters can be identified from the shape of the features; noble characters always wear full, refined masks; while evil is represented by bulging eyes and garish colours. The characters are silent, but communicate using complex gestures of the hand, head and body. The story lines usually follow popular myths, or episodes from history.

Wayang Kulit (Shadow Puppet)

Wayang Kulit is one of the great storytelling traditions of the Javanese and Balinese. The Wayang show normally consists of a small 4 piece orchestra, which provides the musical accompaniment, to around 60 ‘puppets’ carved out of flat pieces of water buffalo hide and the Dalang (puppet master.) The Dalang has to be both incredibly skilled, as well as knowledgeable, and he not only manipulates all the puppets, but also provides a different ‘voice’ for each one. Good characters normally speak in ancient ‘Kawi’ and the evil or coarse characters speak Balinese. The Dalang, must be fluent in both languages.

Bali lies between the islands of Java and Lombok and is one more than 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian Archipelago. Bali is small, stretching approximately 140 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. Slightly off centre, and running east to west, are a string of volcanic mountains. The tallest is Gunung Agung, which last erupted in 1963, and is 3,142 m. at its highest point. Lying just 8° south of the Equator, Bali boasts a tropical climate with just two seasons, wet and dry and an average annual temperature of around 28° C. The rich volcanic soil and healthy monsoon season make this island extremely fertile and a range of crops are grown there. The wide and gently sloping southern regions play host to Bali’s famed rice terraces, among some of the most spectacular in the world. In the hilly, northern coastal regions, the main produce is coffee, copra, spices, vegetables, cattle and rice. The Balinese people have strong spiritual roots and despite the large influx of tourists over the years, their culture is still very much alive.

The main religion is Agama Hindu Dharma, which arrived in Bali With the spread of Hinduism through Sumatra and Java during the 11th century. Although originally from India, the Balinese religion is a unique blend of Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and ancient indigenous beliefs, with customs that are very different from the traditional from of Hinduism practiced in India today. With the arrival of Islam in neighbouring Java during the 15th century, a large number of courtiers, artists, musicians and craftsmen fled to Bali, creating an artistic renaissance. The majority of Bali’s 4 million people live, for the most part, in tight village communities with large extended families. The largest towns are the capital Denpasar, population approximately 800,000 and Singaraja in the north. The main tourist area is Kuta, situated near the airport. This small sleepy village became a major attraction during the tourist boom of the 70’s, because of its famed white-sand beaches, the surf – and stunning sunsets.

Today, Kuta is a major hustling and bustling resort town, with hundreds of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Those in search of a little peace and quiet tend to head for the more sedate resorts of Sanur and Candi Dasa, on the east coast, or Lovina in the north. Nusa Dua, another tourist enclave on the southernmost peninsula of the island, caters for the more up-market crowd and is home to almost all of the bigger 5-star hotels. The central village of Ubud, in the hilly region of Gianyar, has also blossomed as a tourist attraction and is now considered to be the artistic and cultural centre of Bali.

Helpful Hints

Attending Ceremonies

Remember these are serious occasions and should be treated as such. Religious guidelines:

• Always wear a sarong and sash.
• Do not walk in front of people praying.
• Do not use a flash camera or point your camera into the priest’s face!
• Never sit higher than the priest or the offerings.
• At cremations, do not get in the way of the attendees however important that photographic opportunity is.
• Women are not allowed to enter temples during menstruation.

When attending Special Ceremonies or Anniversary Celebrations as a guest or onlooker, small donations are gratefully received. Your donations will help in paying for the offerings and upkeep of the temple.

Dangerous Sports

Make sure you either have personal insurance or travel insurance that will cover any accidents.

Driving

In Bali always expect the unexpected, always keep your eyes open and your mind on driving. Beware of motorbikes. It is best to rent a car with full insurance as this will save time and money if you are involved in an accident. Always wear your motorcycle helmet.

Money Changers

Be very careful when changing your money; always check the rate of exchange. Most importantly, always count your money before you leave the premises and if you can, bring your own calculator, as the ones used by some places can be “a little inaccurate.” Never let the money exchanger re-count the money AFTER you. Click here for more information.

Petty Crime

Bali tourists can be a target for petty crime. There have been a few cases of handbags being snatched, particularly after tourists have cashed money at Banks or Money Changers.

• Put your money away in your “bum-bag” or hold into your hand bag tightly.
• When changing large amounts of money please check each note carefully as there are a number of (noticeably) fake notes in circulation.
• When trying on garments do not take your jewelry off and leave it lying around – give it to a friend or leave it in the hotel safe.

Swimming in the Sea

Currents and undertows can be strong, always swim between the red and yellow flags and don’t swim too far out. Do not leave your belongings unattended on the beach.