Five Do-Not-Miss Attractions When You Visit Bali

Bali is an island province in Indonesia and the largest tourist destination in the country. Its island population of nearly 4 million people is almost all Hindu, with tourism accounting for 80 percent of the island’s economy. It is one of the most incredible destinations in the world, offering beautiful sandy beaches with stunning coral reefs, epic mountains and extinguished volcanoes, amazing wildlife and five-star spas and restaurants staffed with incredibly friendly people.

In fact, Bali was given the prestigious Best Island award in 2010 from Travel & Leisure magazine, whose readers cited its attractive surroundings, diverse tourist attractions and excellent array of restaurants and spas.

Bali is renowned for its natural beauty, as well as a highly developed arts-oriented culture that includes both traditional and modern dance, music and artisans specializing in all sorts of sculpture, painting, leather crafting and metal-working.

One thing to be absolutely sure you visit on your Bali trip is the Sacred Money Forest in the village of Pedantegal. The walk-through tour of the nature reserve includes both the Balinese jungle and a sacred temple, the Pura Dalem Bentuyung Temple, where the governing council maintains the strict sanctity of the site. The monkeys are friendly and overly curious, so tourists are warned to hold on tightly to all their belongings, especially shiny objects such as jewelry and watches.

If you’re looking for a little exercise to keep things lively, be sure to catch the Jegeg Bali Cycling Tour. Small groups, and extremely knowledgeable and friendly tour guides, provide a passionate and personal exploration of this wonderful country; they teach about the locations, culture, people and religious ceremonies.

For a truly unforgettable experience, see a Barong Dance Performance. Many troupes perform this ritual dance.  The performance tells the story of a truly frightening god, Barong, who is summoned to defeat an evil woman bent on destroying one of the Balinese kings in the 10^th century. It helps to know the basic story behind the ritual, but you can enjoy it without knowing the background.  The dance is colorful, enthusiastic and unique.

Visit the mountains and volcanoes for a pleasant change from the beaches and lowlands. Danau Bretan, also known as Lake Bretan, is a gorgeous lake located in the crater of an extinguished volcano. It has a fantastic temple from the 17^th Century on the shore of the lake, Pura Ulun Danau Bratan, which is dedicated to the goddess of the lake.

And last, but certainly not least, you will probably want to spend at least a few days at the beach. There you can surf the waves, snorkel and scuba dive among the incredible coral reefs. You can also just relax and enjoy the beautiful white sand beaches. A popular resort is Nusa Lembongan, or Lembongan Island, where automobiles are forbidden and the setting radiates peace and serenity. The island is popular as a day destination or its waterfront huts are popular for overnight stays.

If you need further information on planning your trip to Bali, as well as specific recommendations on where to stay and what to eat while there, please check out Ryan Jamerson’s excellent review of travelling to the island on JustLuxe, “Escape to Bali!”