Bali Travel Guide for First-Timers

Bali, also referred to as the island of Gods, is undoubtedly one of the most popular tourism destination in Indonesia.

I’ve been visiting this beautiful island since I was a young. I was born in Indonesia and I speak Bahasa Indonesia fluently. Thanks to this, I am able to understand certain Balinese cultures and nuances in a way that foreigners can’t. So, I want to bridge that cultural gap and impart all the knowledge I’ve accumulated about Bali! Keep on reading

1. Overview of Bali

Bali needs no introduction – the island has become a dream destination for decades, starting with the tourism boom in the 1980s. Bali tourism has gone through some rough patches, with the rise of drug-related crimes and two terrorist bombings in the mid-2000s that claimed the lives of a staggering 202 victims, to the tourism revival that can be credited to Eat Pray Love in the 2010s. The book (and movie) has arguably led to what Bali is known for in the present day – wellness and spiritual healing, along with the beautiful beaches and nature.

With the rise of remote working (yes, even before the pandemic), Bali has become popular with digital nomads. These days it’s even very common to meet foreigners who are staying in Bali permanently.

Canang sari, daily offerings to Supreme God, made by Balinese. You will see this all over Bali!

Bali is part of Indonesia, a predominantly Muslim country that does not eat pork. It is exactly why Bali stood out, with 83% of the island practicing Hinduism. One of their best-known local cuisines is actually a pork dish – Babi Guling, which is a spit-roasted pig often served in the form of Nasi Campur (mixed rice).

Although Balinese adheres to Hinduism, the religion found in Bali is different than the rest of the world. Balinese Hinduism is a combination of the core beliefs of Hinduism as we know that originated from India, mixed with Bali’s own traditional beliefs.

This is perhaps why Bali is popular with domestic and foreign tourists alike – it is truly unique and you can’t find a place like Bali anywhere else in the world.

When is the best time to visit Bali?

Bali is great to visit all year round. The monsoon season (mid-December to March) brings rain, but isn’t too severe – the rain comes only a few hours during the day. After the rain, it’s more pleasant to wander around since the temperature would have cooled down.

In the recent years, several volcano eruptions were observed at Mount Agung – the tallest volcano in Bali. This spurred some flight cancellations, although it didn’t lead to anything more serious since Mount Agung is far from residential and tourist areas.

There had also been major earthquakes in the neighbouring island of Lombok, but Bali itself did not sustain major damage.

Public Holidays and Important Dates in Bali

Bali celebrates a number of Hindu holidays. As a visitor, you don’t have to worry too much about these holidays affecting your plans… except for Nyepi, which I’ll talk about more shortly.

Nevertheless, it’s always good to know about these holidays as an insight into the Balinese culture. I think their strong connection to the Hindu religion is what makes Bali such a magical island.

Bali operates on two calendar systems called Pakuwon, which contains 210 days, and Saka, which is based on the phases of the moon. It’s very possible that some Balinese holidays are held twice a year on the global Gregorian calendar system.

Here are two of the most important holidays in Bali:

1. Nyepi – A Day of Silence

I highlighted this holiday first and foremost, because this one will definitely affect your travel plans as a visitor. Nyepi marks the new year according to the Saka calendar. Nyepi is a day of silence, fasting, and meditation for the Balinese. It stems from the word “sepi“, which in Indonesian means “deserted”.

The Balinese believe that by staying quiet and leaving the island looking deserted, the evil spirits will believe that the island has been abandoned and will not bother them for the rest of the year. Thus, everyone is required to stay indoors and stay quiet. For 24 hours from 6 AM until 6 AM of the following morning, everyone is forbidden to go out, entertain themselves or perform any duties on the island.

Tourists are also forbidden to be outside. They can do whatever you want inside your hotel room, but light and sounds must be minimized. If you are staying in a resort, typically you can still use the facilities, provided that you stay within the resort grounds. Please do check with the resort!

2. Galungan and Kuningan – Triumph over Evil

I was lucky to be experiencing Galungan and Kuningan firsthand during one of the many times I visited Bali. Galungan is a Balinese holiday celebrating the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil). While the holiday is unique to Bali, it is related to Diwali, a major Hindu holiday celebrated around the world.

Galungan marks the beginning of the most important recurring religious ceremonies. The spirits of deceased relatives who have died and have been cremated return to visit their former homes. The current inhabitants have a responsibility to be hospitable through prayers and offerings. The spirits return after ten days, in a celebration called Kuningan.

During Galungan, the island is made extra festive by the presence of “Penjor” – the beautiful and colorful bamboo poles decorated with dried coconut leaves with offerings suspended at the end. These are installed by the side of roads everywhere in Bali by each home and business.

2. The Best Places to Stay in Bali

The best places to stay in Bali for first-timers are Seminyak, Ubud, and Canggu. However, depending on your requirements, you might want to consider other areas as well.

One of the things I love about Bali is the diverse range of accommodations you can find on this island. From exclusive five-star resorts to affordable accommodations, Bali has it all. Here are a few of picks:

Option 1: Five-star Luxury Resorts

These resorts are the best of the best five-star accommodations in Bali, known for their outstanding hospitality and luxury. They are often the accommodation of choice for couples on honeymoon.

It does come at a price, but I find even then they’re still reasonable compared to other destinations.

Ayana Resort in Jimbaran – Ayana is well known for the Rock Bar, a famous spot for sunset. It is also one of the biggest resorts in Bali -they have three accommodation options in their resort ground alone, at varying price points.
Alila Villas in Uluwatu – Located in the south of Bali in Uluwatu, Alila Villas is one of the most exclusive accommodation you can find in Bali. It’s perfect for special occasions.
Kamandalu Resort in Ubud – made famous on Instagram for their floating breakfast, where they serve your meal on a floating tray in the pool.

Option 2: Private Villas (with private pool!)

Aside from resorts, you won’t be short of options for private luxury villas whether you are traveling with a group of friends or as a couple.

For booking villas in Bali, I use Booking.com – they have good cancellation policy and does not impose random fees like Airbnb. They’ve made it so easy by having a dedicated search page for Villas. Alternatively, you can perform a search as usual but filter the property theme to “Villas”.

Here are some villas that I’ve personally stayed in:

Bali Island Villas and Spa – This is a 1-bedroom private villa within a complex of villas in Seminyak, each with its own private pool. The villa itself is a smidge outdated compared to other Bali villa but honestly, it’s still amazing. The main selling point is the location of this villa, it’s right at the heart of Seminyak. It’s located right off Jalan Petitenget, where you can find plenty of trendy restaurants and cafes, and also within minutes walk to Desa Potato Head Beach Club.
Secret River Villa in Canggu – A large 5-bedroom villa on the outskirts of Canggu. I rented this villa with 3 other group of friends. The villa was very spacious and beautiful with luxurious pool. There are three caretakers in the villa from 8 am – 4 pm every day. They will keep the place clean and run errands for you, such as light shopping and laundry. The only negative part is the difficulty in getting transport – you have to arrange a car ahead of time with the caretaker.
Mule Sayana Villa in Ubud – (Update: unfortunately I can’t find a place where they can be booked online anymore) A private villa with an attached spacious bathroom and private pool, a small shed in the garden where you can chill while looking out to the vast rice fields that surrounded this villa. However, the downside (or benefit?) is that it’s very secluded – it takes about 15 to 20 mins by motorbike to the central part of Ubud each way. It might not seem like much now but if you have to do this every day, it gets a bit tiring. But still, I loved my stay at the villa and still remember it fondly years later.

Option 3: Regular Hotels in Bali

If you’ll mostly be out exploring Bali, you should not spend too much on accommodation that you won’t get to enjoy fully. Well, you’ll be happy to know that there are tons of options for affordable but good hotels in Bali.

Here are my personal picks:

Uma Karan in Seminyak – My go-to affordable hotel in Bali for two people. It’s located close enough to the Seminyak / Petitenget area, about 15-minute walk. The hotel is a small property with only 10 rooms, but it’s clean and modern. The staff is amazing.
The Akasha Boutique Hotel in Seminyak – Located right on Batu Belig Road and a 2-minute walk to the beach! It’s a small hotel with good facilities.
Bali Mystique Hotel in Seminyak – A slightly older hotel, but the location is really good and the price is affordable – right in the heart of Seminyak and you can pretty much walk everywhere. The room is also very spacious.
Lloyd’s Inn in Seminyak – if you prefer to stay in a beautiful, modern boutique hotel that isn’t too pricey, this is a great option. The best selling point is their location – you can walk to Double Six beach from here. I haven’t stayed here, but there is a Lloyd’s Inn in Singapore and I’ve heard great things about them.