There are so many things to do in Bali, so to make it somewhat easier for you to plan your trip we have made a top 10 list. These are the things that you should do during your holiday on this wonderful island.

Number 1: Head to the beach

Bali is an island of beaches. So one of the things to in Bali is to at least spend a day or two at the beach. Learn to surf at Kuta beach or chill out on the other popular beaches such as Seminyak, Legian and Sanur.
If you prefer more quiet beaches then Padang Padang, Balangan, Dreamland or Lovina is a better option. For die hard surfers check out Uluwatu beach too.

Number 2: Admire the rice fields

If you travel to Bali it will be impossible not to spot them: the amazing rice fields and terraces that just seem to go on and on. If you want to see more of this amazing man made landscape you should plan a day trip to Jatiluih in Central Bali. A roadtrip past Rendang and Sideman in East Bali takes you along beautiful rice fields too.
But if you don't feel like driving around then you can head to Ubud and do a rice field walking tour or head to Tegallalang just north of Ubud where you can find the rice field terraces that are included in the Unesco World Heritage site.

Number 3: Relax at a spa

Visiting one of the many spas is probably one of the relaxing things to do in Bali. Choose between the different types of spas, from very modern and stylish to traditional or ones that are set along a river gorge or in the rice fields.

Enough choice for any kind of traveler...

Number 4: Watch a performance

When the evening sets in its worth to go to one of the many Bali dance performances in Ubud. Everywhere in the village there are performances such as Wayang Kulit (shadow puppet), Legong dance (classical traditional dance), Kecak (trance dance) etc.
Tickets are sold throughout the day until several minutes before the performance starts and they only cost around Rp 50.000.
If you are staying in the south part of the island you can watch the kecak fire dance at the Uluwatu temple. One of the best settings to watch this dramatic performance.

Number 5: Learn at one of the many Bali courses

Instead of admiring the different types of Bali arts, you can actually learn to make them yourself. Most big Bali hotels and everywhere around Ubud offer all kinds of courses such as woodcarving, painting, dance, cooking etc.
If you prefer something such as yoga, meditation and other types of health and well being activities there is enough choice on the island as well.

Number 6: Visit amazing temples

Bali is the island of the gods. So not surprisingly there are thousands of temples on the island. Most famous temples among travelers are Tanah Lot, just north of Kuta and the Besakih Temple. This temple is the most important temple for the Balinese and is considered the mother temple.
One of my favorite temple complexes are however Uluwatu Temple set on a dramatic cliff. Other favorites are the ancient temple complexes Gunung Kawi and Goa Gajah near Ubud.

Number 7: Meet the Lovina Dolphins

All the way up north at Lovina Beach you can watch dolphins catch fish every morning. Not only is it a spectacular sight to see large numbers of dolphins jumping out of the water and swimming near your boat, but the morning boat trip is a wonderful experience as well.
You can either arrange a boat once you arrive in Lovina or if you are not planning to stay there, other villages offer one day tours going to Lovina as well. Expect to wake up early for this!

Number 8: See Bali a different way

A great thing about Bali is that everywhere you go there is something nice to see. So what better way to do this then on a bike. Especially in Ubud there are many bike tour companies that take you through villages, pass rice fields and along the smaller trails.
It's a great way to see Bali up close. And the best thing is that you don't have to be an athlete to join. All ages are welcome so don't hesitate to put this on your things to do in Bali list!

Number 9: Check out the underwater world

If you are planning to visit Bali a little bit longer and you love to dive or snorkel then you should definitely go to Menjangan island, North-West Bali.
The coral and the large number of fish here are amazing. We have snorkeled in Amed, Lovina, Candidasa and Padangbai and from our experience Menjangan Island is definitely the best site for snorkeling and scuba diving in Bali.

Number 10: Hike through the mountains

The last activity of my 'Top 10 Things to do in Bali-list' is for the active among us: hiking. The mountains and volcano's on Bali island offer great opportunities for this. You can either choose for the toughest hike up Gunung Agung Mountain or the less difficult up Gunung Batur.
At Lake Bratan and surroundings lakes there are trails through agricultural land and rainforests that take you to refreshing waterfalls as well. There are nice Bali accmmodation options in Munduk.
If you happen to be in East Bali then the trails around Candidasa and Tirta Gangga are also wonderful, as they take you along the rice fields.

I hope I have been some help if you are working on your list of things to do in Bali. Have a great holiday

Bali Transportation Tips

Transportation in Bali comes in plenty of flavors, some more tourist-friendly than the others. If you're not relying on your hotel to get you around - not that there's anything wrong with that - you can get around town on foot, on rented bike or motorbike, or via bemo.

If you're seeking to go between towns, you can catch a ride on a public bemo, a public bus, or charter a private bemo, a taxi, a car/driver rental package, or rent a car to drive.

Due to its large and spottily-regulated tourist industry, Bali hosts an endless number of short- and long-distance transport entrepreneurs, each jostling to get your business. Some of them are honest brokers, some are… not. Follow our tips to ensure you don't get ripped off by unscrupulous Bali transportation providers.

Bali Transportation

Taxis in Bali

Riding a taxi in Bali works the same way it does everywhere else - you hail a taxi from the curb, a taxi stops to pick you up, and off you go.

Some taxis are not very honest: a few favorite tricks are claiming to have a broken meter, or taking the long way around, among others. The blue taxis marked "Bali Taxi" (known as Blue Bird Taxis) are the most honest, so much so that other taxi operatorstry to make trouble for these guys.

• Range: Limited to within South Bali and Ubud
• Cost: Flag-down rate of IDR 5,000 (about fifty cents' equivalent in U.S. currency), then IDR 2,500 (about a quarter equivalent) for every added kilometer
• Pros: Best way to get around South Bali - fast and available everywhere
• Cons: Limited mostly to South Bali, so if you're planning to go to Kintamani or somewhere similarly distant, you're out of luck

For more information, tips on taxis in Bali, and phone numbers of reliable taxi operators, read our article: How to Ride a Taxi in Bali, Indonesia.

Car Rentals in Bali

If you have cash to spare, you can hire a car in Bali, with the option to drive it yourself. If you rent from a reputable car company, you can have the benefit of driving your own vehicle to Bali's less-traveled destinations, with your range being limited only by your gas budget.

Don't bother, though, if you're not used to driving a right-hand-drive car, or panic easily when other motorists break the road rules. Bali's traffic is both chaotic and dangerous - get a car with a driver if you can't handle it.

Many independent contractors offer themselves and their vehicles as a car-and-driver combination; this arrangement is good if your contractor is trustworthy, but God help you if your driver gets a commission from bringing tourists to certain restaurants or shops; you will be guaranteed unwanted detours to these places.

• Range: Anywhere in Bali you can drive a car through, as far as your gas budget will permit
• Cost: Daily rates range from about $20 for a small car to about $60 for a large van; gas not included
• Pros: Great way to explore Bali on your own; allows you to create your own itinerary and bring your friends/loved ones along for the ride
• Cons: Expensive way of getting around; only right-hand-drive vehicles available; not recommended for newbie car drivers unused to Bali's chaotic driving conditions

For more information about renting a car in Bali, tips on driving on Bali's notoriously dangerous roads, and a list of car rentals, read this article: Renting a Self-Drive Car in Bali, Indonesia.

Motorcycle & Scooter Rentals in Bali

We've mentioned Bali's notoriously bad roads before, which should give you pause before you consider striking out on your own with a rented motorcycle or scooter in Bali. If you're a really good rider - or if you're not, but you're considering a particularly painful, disfiguring type of suicide - then by all means rent a motorbike and try riding through Bali's roads. Be a very defensive driver if you do this, make sure you have travel insurance, and be very, very careful out there.

• Range: Anywhere in Bali, as far as your gas budget will permit
• Cost: daily rates range from about $4 to $10 depending on the engine displacement; gas not included
• Pros: Great way to explore Bali on your own; allows you to create your own itinerary and explore the roads less-traveled at your own pace
• Cons: Bali's dangerous roads make this option absolutely not recommended for newbie scooter or motorcycle riders

For more information on motorbiking your way around Bali, with tips and contact details of motorbike rental agencies, check out this article: Renting Motorcycles & Scooters in Bali, Indonesia.

Bicycle Rentals in Bali

Rent a bicycle if you want to see Bali in the most earth-friendly way possible. If you choose to ride independently, you can see the Balinese countryside first-hand on your own schedule. Bali's bike tracks come in many forms, from paved roads to off-road tracks.

Organized bike tours of Bali are also available, catering to all types of bikers of all ages. Tour packages usually include meals, safety gear, and return trips from and to your hotel.

• Range: Generally limited to country roads in and around Ubud and Lovina - stay off of the highways in the south to be safe
• Cost: Tour operators may rent out bikes for about $2.50, or IDR 25,000 a day; package costs for day tours of certain Bali areas may cost more
• Pros: Biking is an environmentally-friendly way of exploring Bali, with greater range than just walking around
• Cons: Bali's main roads are too dangerous to visit. Inclement weather may also get in the way

For more information on exploring Bali via bike, read this article: Bicycle Rentals in Bali, Indonesia

Public Transport in Bali - Bemo

To get around Bali with the least expense, try riding one of the minibuses called bemo that run on set routes around the island. Despite the low prices, drivers will still charge more for foreigners - break out your haggling skills.

• Range: Everywhere in Bali
• Cost: starts at about IDR 5,000 for short distances, but you'll be charged more if the driver knows you're not from around town
• Pros: Cheapest way to get around
• Cons: Hot, dusty, open to the elements, and can be a hard slog between towns if you're riding long distances

Bali Driver Tips

While on the road, an important virtue to have here is patience! Although the road system in the heavily populated areas is in reasonable condition compared to other developing countries, it can be heavily congested at peak periods. Ceremonial processions sometimes occupy the whole road so if you are caught behind a procession, enjoy the colorful experience. Roads can also be quite narrow with heavy pedestrian traffic on each side. In less populated areas, roads may not be tarred and the famous “gang (very small road just big enough to accommodate one car, but very often two-way) is ever present no matter what area you may be in. This invariably tests the reversing skills of many drivers!

Bali Driver Tips

Take note of several important points while driving in Bali. It is not unusual for cars and bikes to swerve into your lane without indication. A system of “sharing lane” has developed because there are often obstacles on the sides of the road, such as parked cars or the frequent procession of bakso trolleys and paraphernalia salesman.
That’s okay if you’re used to it but can be quite a shock to the new driver in Bali! Be aware that drivers from side streets often don’t look when joining a main road and the larger vehicle is king of the road.

Quite often red traffic lights are considered “only as a suggestion” and there are a few places where traffic in the left lane may turn or continue straight through whilst the light is red with a sign “belok kiri jalan terus”.

Remember to “toot” your horn when going around curves on mountainous roads as drivers commonly drive in the middle of the road here. There are a lot of one way roads in Bali (meant to help traffic flow but it hasn’t really turned out that way). If you miss your turn off, you may have drive quite a distance before being able to turn back. This has resulted in motorbike riders riding a few hundred meters in the wrong direction, as a shortcut rather than following traffic flow. Be alert!

It is not recommended to drive at night especially on the road to Gilimanuk where the ferry to Java commences. Truck drivers to and from Java are notorious for overtaking on corners. Only a leafy tree branch often marks obstacles such as potholes or road construction. By the time you think, “What’s that there for?” you could well be in a pothole!
You can fill up at any of the numerous government owned petrol stations or in more remote areas as stalls by the side of the road displaying bottled of clear liquid. The quality may not be as good as at the petrol station. Please fill up your car rental at the government petrol station in the beginning of your daily adventure.

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