Here are nine reasons to keep Bali on your bucket list, according to travel companies Expedia and Escape Travel.
You don’t need to go looking for a dose of traditional way of life during a visit to Bali. There are over 20,000 temples on the island and spirituality and community is integral to Balinese people. Colourful festival and ceremonies are calendar fixtures and traditional Balinese dance, music, drama and local cooking classes allow visitors to immerse themselves in the culture.
Bali is great value for money where affordable flights and accommodation packages are available in abundance and the cost of living, including meals and shopping, is quite cheap. So why don’t you live like royalty in a private villa staffed by a personal cook, driver and butler? Your money goes further in Bali where you can splash out on a stay at a five-star resort with all the bells and whistles or snag a private villa in the likes of Seminyak or Ubud that feels far more glamorous than what it costs.
Further afield and you’re in the black sand beaches of Candi Dasa and the exclusive enclave of Uluwatu or the Indian Ocean-facing Jimbaran Bay. Kids love the Monkey Forest and the Bali Safari and Marine Park, couples looking for romance can take a sunset cruise or spa treatment, while those after adventure can enjoy some of the best snorkelling in the world and trek through the jungle, or take a quad bike tour or white water rafting trip,
1. Friendly locals
Bali is home to some of the friendliest and most welcoming people in the world, where no tourist demand is too demanding and service with a smile is standard. The friendly locals have a strong sense of spirituality, are proud patriots and go out of their way to make visitors feel comfortable.
2. Rich culture and heritage
You don’t need to go looking for a dose of traditional way of life during a visit to Bali. There are over 20,000 temples on the island and spirituality and community is integral to Balinese people. Colourful festival and ceremonies are calendar fixtures and traditional Balinese dance, music, drama and local cooking classes allow visitors to immerse themselves in the culture.
3. Show-stopping natural beauty
Picturesque rice terraces, soaring volcanoes, pristine crater lakes, sacred caves, lush tropical forests and a dramatic coastline are awe-inspiring, while the tropical beaches are a visitor favourite.
4. Chasing waterfalls
The waterfalls are a big drawcard. The Gigit Waterfalls are located to the south of Singaraja, around 70km from Denpasar. Spanning 40 metres, the waterfalls plunge into a pool popular with tourists. Locals will tell you couples who swim together will separate, so enter at your own risk. There are also plenty of other waterfalls to explore.
5. Shopping
Bali is a treasure trove for shopping. The markets at Kuta, Ubud and Sukawati are buzzing with people and stalls selling all sorts of knick knacks. Kuta’s Discovery Shopping Centre draws big crowds and there are plenty of edgy boutiques in Seminyak. Pop into Skull, where you can pick up hand printed passport holders or stop by Kody & K for a resin Buddha. Just don’t forget animal products and wooden items will need to be declared.
6. Value for money
Bali is great value for money where affordable flights and accommodation packages are available in abundance and the cost of living, including meals and shopping, is quite cheap. So why don’t you live like royalty in a private villa staffed by a personal cook, driver and butler? Your money goes further in Bali where you can splash out on a stay at a five-star resort with all the bells and whistles or snag a private villa in the likes of Seminyak or Ubud that feels far more glamorous than what it costs.
7. Adventure
Waterbom Bali, a water theme park, has a reputation for being fun for kids of all ages. If you don’t want to spend the day whirling through water rides, try white water rafting (you’ll still get wet!), high ropes courses or a visit to Kintamani Volcano.
More sedate but still jaw-dropping activities include a cycle past rice paddy fields.
8. It’s fairly close
At no more than six hours for east coast travellers and under four hours for those on the west coast, it is a manageable international flight that can be taken overnight to maximise time on the ground. Plus, a slick new international airport and cheap transfer options makes for a pleasant transition into holiday mode.
9. Ultimately, there’s something for everyone
There’s a diversity of experiences, whether that’s shopping, surfing, lounging, retreating, serenity-seeking, exploring or indulging. Kuta is a Mecca for surfers and backpackers looking for lively night-life and great waves, while Seminyak is Bali’s answer to the hipster movement where eclectic bars, cool cafes and chic international boutiques fill the streets.
Further afield and you’re in the black sand beaches of Candi Dasa and the exclusive enclave of Uluwatu or the Indian Ocean-facing Jimbaran Bay. Kids love the Monkey Forest and the Bali Safari and Marine Park, couples looking for romance can take a sunset cruise or spa treatment, while those after adventure can enjoy some of the best snorkelling in the world and trek through the jungle, or take a quad bike tour or white water rafting trip,
Published in 2014 by Escape Travel
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