10 Things to do in Bali

My first trip to Indonesia was too short! We only had eight days to explore Bali. We did a lot within that time, but I can’t wait to go back again and explore even more!

Here are 10 things to do in Bali:

1. Take a bike tour. This really wasn’t on our radar, but our AirBnb host had a great connection with the owner, Ring, so we made a last minute reservation. He drove us up a mountain where we had breakfast overlooking the Mount Batur Rim and our bikes were ready to go. From there we toured through villages, a family compound, and then it all ended with a waterfall! A great way to really get engulfed in the culture.  2. Walk the rice fields. You can make this as long or as short as you want. The entrance is a little tricky with no clear signage. We were told if we got to the street with trees overhead, we went too far. So take a right up a hill right before that and follow it around until you see a little cafe. You will turn left in front of the cafe and follow a concrete path for about five minutes and then it turns into a pretty clear path through the rice fields. If you are wanting to walk to the pyramids, make sure you have clear directions!  3. Eat all the fresh fruit your pretty little hands can get ahold of! From smoothies, to fruit bowls, and street vendors, it’s all very fresh and delicious! And of course, try a freshly chopped coconut! (And I’m all for trying new things, so you can definitely go after the durian if you feel inclined!) 4. Attend a performance. There are a lot to choose, and we were told that you could attend all of them and hear a different story line from each. We chose the one by the rice fields as, that one was recommended and we highly enjoyed ourselves.

5. Visit the monkey forest. You might be a bit hesitant or you might be completely ecstatic, either way, there are rules to follow and you do have to pay an entrance fee. I was a little scared that one would come unhinged and just attack for no reason. I mean, these are wild animals in their (almost) natural atmosphere. Just don’t look them in the eye, try to take selfies with them, or eat in front of them and you should be good ;).

1. 6. Stroll the market. And put your haggling skills to the test (something I’m not so good at)! The market has vendor after vendor, some selling the same things as others, but there is still such a variety of things to buy. Everyone wants your sale and know that they will probably have to barter because a few stalls down you might be able to get it cheaper. A great place for souvenirs. 7. Do the sunrise hike on Mount Batur. We went when the volcano was supposed to erupt a month earlier, but the warnings were moderate, so our hike was still on. There should be a fitness level regulation on it, because the hike is fairly steep and you have to keep going at a pretty good pace to get up in time for sunrise. But once you are up there, you get a nice break and the view is 100% worth that hard climb up!  8. Eat at Garasi! Trust me, if you enjoy Bali food, you will not regret this decision! Served out of an old automobile shop/gas station, it has a great ambiance and a very local feel! This was by far my most favorite restaurant! Just be aware of their hours!  9. Visit a coffee farm! There are many to choose from and some of the tours you may book will often include this as a stop! The big highlight is the “cat-poop coffee” as they say it’s the most expensive coffee that is exported out of Bali as it doesn’t have any caffeine. It’s a very nice little tour they give you and the tasting is a great pick-me-up!  10. Relax! What better place to get a massage and hang out by the pool or by the beach?! We split our time between Ubud and Seminyak. Our last few days spent in Seminyak were all about relaxing. We did a day bed at Potato Beach Club and Ku De Ta. Depending on the scene you like, neither of these might not fit your taste, however, it’s worth looking into! 

Cheers, Bali! Until next time!

Also, on my last post documenting our trip to Bali, I ended it with places I would still like to visit. If you have any to add, I would love to know them! Best, Kristen