7 reasons Bali should be on your bucket list

Looking for an exotic beach getaway with tasty local food, friendly locals, gorgeous beaches, culture, and outdoor activities? Bali has all that and much more to offer. If Bali isn’t on your radar yet, here are 7 reasons why Bali should be toward the top of your bucket list.

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Bali’s best assets are its miles and miles of beautiful beaches | Photo by GettingStamped.com

Beaches

There is a beach for everyone in Bali. The most famous beach, Kuta Beach, is also known as Bali’s party beach due to its nightlife. Just outside of Kuta is Seminyak, a gorgeous and quieter alternative with great hotel options and an easy taxi ride to Kuta’s nightlife. Head to Nusa Dua for some of the most exclusive resorts in Bali and to nearby “Julia Roberts Beach” from “Eat Pray Love.” This famous stretch of sand is actually named Padang Beach, but if you ask the locals for Julia Roberts Beach they will know what you mean.

Sink your teeth into chicken satay, Bali’s most popular dish | Photo by GettingStamped.com

Balinese food

Often overshadowed by other cuisines in the region, Bali has plenty of culinary delights of its own. An international and local favorite is the sweet and savory satay. This Balinese dish is beef or chicken skewered on a bamboo stick and cooked over charcoal. In Bali, satay will come to the table served with an addictive and delicious peanut dipping sauce. Other dishes worth a try are Nasi Goreng, Indonesia’s version of fried rice; Gado Gado, a vegetarian dish served on a giant fish cracker with peanut sauce; and babi guling, crispy suckling pig.

The surf is always up in Bali with ridable waves most of the year | Photo by GettingStamped.com

Surfing

Whether you are an avid surfer or have never jumped on a board before, Bali is a great place to hit the waves. Head to Kuta Beach and watch the surfers catching waves. If you’d like to give the sport a try, there are several surf schools that will have you up on a board in no time. What better place to say you learned to surf than Bali?

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Relax. Seriously, relax—the massages cost only a few dollars. | Photo by: GettingStamped.com

Balinese massages

Sick of paying $60+ an hour at home? Bali not only has amazing Balinese massages, but you can often find them for less than $5 an hour. Indulge in daily massages; it’s one of the best things to do in Bali and they are so cheap you can’t pass them up.

The floating temple in central Bali is a must | Photo by GettingStamped.com

Temples

There are many unique and gorgeous temples in Bali. Close to the popular Kuta Beach are two spectacular temples, Tanah Lot and Uluwatu, located right on the ocean. The Ubud Monkey Forest is a unique nature reserve and Hindu temple complex with tons of monkeys. Beware of your belongings at all times when visiting the Ubud Monkey Forest as the monkeys are known for running off with your things thinking it may be food. If you’re short on time and can only make a few temples, be sure to visit Ulun Danu Beratan, a floating temple just off the shore in Lake Bratan.

Take in a Balinese dance performance while visiting Indonesia | Photo by GettingStamped.com

The culture

Bali is the only predominantly Hindu island in the entire 18,000 island archipelago of Indonesia. A trip to Bali can be a great cultural experience and a glimpse into the local culture and customs of this unique place. Be sure to witness a traditional dance performance while in beautiful Bali.

The sunsets on the islands of Indonesia are nothing short of amazing | Photo by GettingStamped.com

Sunsets

Bali has amazing sunsets night after night. No ticket required! Grab a drink or make your own happy hour on the beach. At the end of the day head down to the western shores of the island and pull up a spot on the beach to catch this free nightly show.

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