Must-See
Bali
Temples, rice terraces and surf beaches on Indonesia's island of the gods.
Bali is a small volcanic island in Indonesia, and the only one where most people are Hindu: temples stand in every village, offerings of flowers line the pavements, and ceremonies fill the calendar. Rice terraces climb the slopes of the volcanoes in the middle of the island, while the south has the surf beaches, cliff temples and most of the hotels.
Ubud, in the hills, is the center of dance, crafts and calm, among rice fields and forest, and the pre-dawn climb of Mount Batur ends with sunrise over a crater lake. Once a year, on Nyepi, the whole island falls silent for a day.
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- Best Time
- April–October, the dry season; July and August are busiest
- Ideal Trip
- 7 days; 10 days to add Nusa Penida or the Gili Islands
- Fly Into
- Bali (DPS), at Denpasar
- Getting Around
- A car with a driver by the day, or a scooter; ride-hailing apps in the south
The Short List
Type
Rank
Must-See
Must-SeeUluwatu
Bali
Bali's clifftop south, with a sea temple perched above the waves, a Kecak fire dance at sunset, world-class surf and hidden beaches.
Guide Coming Soon
Worth a DetourNusa Penida
Bali
A rugged island off Bali with towering cliffs above Kelingking Beach, natural rock arches, and manta rays to snorkel with offshore.
Guide Coming Soon
Worth a Detour
Worth a DetourSeminyak
Bali
Bali's stylish beach town, where a long sandy shore turns into a sunset scene of beanbags and beach bars, with boutiques and dining behind.
Guide Coming Soon
Must-SeeNyepi
Bali
March
Bali's day of silence: giant demon effigies paraded the night before, then an island completely still.
Guide Coming Soon
On the Map
Grey pins: guides still being written.
Good to Know
Getting Around
Roads are narrow and traffic in the south is slow, so most visitors hire a car with a driver by the day. Scooters are everywhere but risky for beginners, and ride-hailing apps work in the south. Fast boats leave for Nusa Penida, Lombok and the Gili Islands.
Weather
Bali is hot and humid all year. The dry season, from about April to October, is the best time; the wet season brings heavy afternoon downpours. The hills around Ubud are cooler than the coast.
Food
Try babi guling (spit-roast pork), bebek betutu (slow-cooked duck), sate lilit (minced seafood satay), lawar, and nasi campur with fiery sambal matah. Indonesian staples like nasi goreng are everywhere.
Before You Go
Visitors pay a tourist levy on arrival. Temples need a sarong and sash, often lent at the gate. On Nyepi the airport closes and everyone must stay indoors for 24 hours.