Bali TOP 50 Things To Do
After living in Bali for over a year, we’ve compiled a list of 50 Things to do to have the BEST time in Bali. Some things are well known activities, some are hidden gems. In no particular order:
Get a smoothie bowl (dragon fruit)
Get yourself a smoothie bowl specifically a dragon fruit one. I don’t know where you’re from but dragon fruit was a very foreign fruit to us but now we’re obsessed with it. It’s super juicy and super healthy.
2. Eat a meal at a warung
Eat like a local and have a meal at a warung (a warung is a small family owned eatery).
Meals: nasi or mie goreng, chicken kari, beef rendang, or nasi campur which is a whole bunch of stuff with rice.
Warungs: Warung Local, Warung Indonesia, Warung Kolega, or just google “warung near me”.
3. Try chocolate martabak
This calorie filled dessert is Indonesias pride and joy, and rightly so. It’s freaking delicious! Just order ‘martabak manis’ on Gojek or Grab.
4. Go to a Beach club or 3
Some of our favourites include Palmilla Bali, Savaya, Finns, La Brisa, Singlefin, Mrs sippy, Potato head and The lawn
5. Balinese cooking class
We highly recommend Pemulan Farm Cooking School in Ubud. Watch our YouTube video here.
6. Bintang or a coconut on the beach
Self explanatory.
7. Minimart run
Grab some Indomie instant noodles, Beng Beng chocolates, Es teh manis, and always stay hydrated with these awesome isotonic and vitamin drinks: Bacari Sweat, You C1000, and Tolokangin packs for an immune system booster. Minimarts are all over, some include Alfamart, Circle K, Indomaret and there are family run minimarts as well. Also, they’re great to pop into after a night of drinking for a hotdog or bao bun.
8. Have a Bali breakfast
Bali is well known for its incredible cafes and breakfasts. Our favourite Canggu cafes are: Dua Umalas, Nook, Milu by Nook, or opt for a floating breakfast if your hotel offers one.
9. Go to Waterbom Eco Water Park
This is one of the most fun activities we did in Bali: Waterbom Water Park. The staff are amazing, the rides are SO SICK and it’s just the best day ever honestly.
10. Natural waterslide lemukih
This is a form of water park but mother natures version and that is a natural waterslide run by the locals in a village called lemukih, it was totally worth the drive up there, beware of scraping your spine! Here is the location: https://goo.gl/maps/4Sqe5ZEkArjxsvXeA
11. Surf lesson Canggu/seminyak
Sign up for a mandatory beginner surf lesson in seminyak or in Canggu. Go ride the waves bru. Just walk down to the beach anywhere in Canggu and Seminyak and you’ll find surfboard rental shops that offer lessons.
12. Rollercoaster to Karma beach
Karma beach is a beach club/restaurant at the base of a huge cliff but the way you get down is just so unique.
13. $10 massage or treat yo’self to a world-class spa
Treat yoself and get a $10 massage or treat yo’self extra to a worldclass spa. Either way, self love is the best love and there’s no better spas than the ones we’ve found in Bali. Our favourites are Sundari Spa, Jamu spa, or just a cheap spa on the side of the road.
14. Waterfall mission. Check out this video for our favs:
15. Mount Batur volcano sunrise hike
Bali is a volcanic island in Indonesia, why not climb up a volcano like we did? Mount Batur Sunrise Hike was just epic and so much fun with some friends. Watch the vlog here: https://youtu.be/XvXqrFCklTY. When you’re in Bali, ask a local to organise the trip for you.
16. River rafting with Bintang Water rafting
Another extreme adventured offered is river rafting with Bintang Water rafting. So much fun! And of course they’re not called Bintang for no reason, you stop for some Bintang beers in the gorge have way down the river. It’s perfect!
17. Yoga in Ubud
Bali and specifically Ubud is known for being a yoga and meditation retreat haven. You may as well give it a go too. They’re offered almost everywhere, just type in something on google and i’m sure you’ll find one close to you.
18. Vegan brekkie at forest cafe
Follow on the yoga with a yummy vegan brekkie at any forest cafe in Ubud. Listen to the insects and birds and just relax. Zest is great.
19. Sacred monkey forest
There’s just so much to do in Ubud itself, it’s ridiculous. Sacred Monkey Forest is one of them, good luck with these naughties!
20. Beach sunset with Bali dogs
One of our fav things to do when we lived in Canggu was to go down to the beach at sunset time to witness doggie playdate time. Your heart will burst with happiness.
21. Beachwalk XXI Cinema
If you happen to have any bad weather days, there’s still a ton you can do. One of which is to visit Beachwalk mall in Kuta to watch a movie with reclining leather chairs, a hotdog and a drink. Make sure to book Premier tickets here. This mall is truly stunning too.
22. Pottery class
Another bad weather activity option that I absolutely LOVED was a pottery class with my friends at Ceramic class (Instagram @ceramicclass). It’s so much fun, and you’ll be able to take something so special home after working on it for a few days.
23. Nightclub, pub or bar
Nightlife in Bali? The absolute BEST. Our favs are Mexicola, La favella, and Finns beach club
24. ATV’ing
Another epic activity for the adrenaline junkies is, ATVing through the jungle! You can do this tour with Kuber Adventures
25. Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Frolic in the Tegallalang rice terrace and take those iconic jungle baby photos. This is what makes Bali one of a kind, make sure to go early in the morning.
26. Tirta Empul Temple
Tirta Empul temple. If you’re needing some eat, pray, love vibes and really want to share Balinese spirituality and traditions with locals, bathe yourself at Tirta Empul temple. The Balinese are more than happy to share this experience with you.
27. Campuhang ridge walk
This is in Ubud and it’s a beautiful way to end the day in nature with peace and quiet, and in cooler temperatures too.
28. Kecak dance uluwatu temple
We highly recommend this one, you’ll never see anything like it anywhere else in the world. Head down to the Uluwatu temple at around 6 pm to see the dance at sunset
29. Balinese king dinner experience
https://tuguhotels.com/hotels/bali/experiences/
Tugu Hotel offers beautiful hotel rooms as well as cultural activities, one being a Balinese Kind dinner experience. If you’re looking to stay at the hotel USE PROMO CODE "Rhettnclaire" at https://tuguhotels.com/hotels/bali for 20% OFF your booking
30. Black sand beach (motorbike)
Another thing you’ll never be able to do anywhere else in the world, ride a kick-ass (motorbike) on a pitch black sand beach. Head to the west of the island to Pigstone beach. Your Instagram feed will appreciate you.
31. Double six beach with umbrellas and live music
You’ll probably end up here if you’re a tourist anyway, we did. This is seminyak double six beach with cute little umbrellas, live music and cheap cocktails
32. Silver jewelry making class
Something we weren’t able to do but wish we could have done is make our own jewelry at Sunsri House of Jewelry or Agung Silver in Sidemen.
33. Bicycle tour through local bali
Want to learn about Balinese customs, family orders, their daily lives and traditions? Do a bicycle tour through a local village with a tour guide. Contact our tour guide Predy, to organize the tour for you: +6281339555006
34. Lazy pool day
A mandatory lazy pool day is a must wherever you are, odds are there will be a pool where you’re staying. Grab a $1 coconut and chill out
35. Shopping at a boutique store
This is mandatory as well. Support locally owned clothing stores, or pick up some locally made furniture to take home with you.
36. Jatiluwih Rice fields
Drive through this unesco world heritage site on a motorbike or in a car. It’s truly spectacular.
37. Penglipuran village
On your drive to or from the rice fields, pop into one of the oldest villages in Bali.
38. GWK big statue (kecak dance)
This statue is so big you’ll see it from the plane as you’re landing at the airport. Take selfies with the biggest Garuda statue in Asia and watch the sunset Kecak dance if you haven’t yet seen it.
39. Sunday market at La Brisa
Sunday market at La Brisa where all the locally and internationally owned businesses show off their products and there’s organic food and produce too.
40. Amed beach (Mount Agung photo)
Take a stroll around this seaside town with black sand beaches and epic views of the active volcano on the island
41. Freediving or snorkeling or paddy certificate
If you’re into ocean activities, do Free-diving, snorkeling or a paddy diving course in Amed or on Nusa Lembongan
42. Tennis or paddle at Liga Tennis
Play a game of tennis or paddle at Liga courts where Djokovic has played in Canggu and where we often played a game of tennis.
43. Get a tattoo
You didn’t go to Bali if you don’t have a palm tree tattoo, right? Our favourite studio by far is Koloni tattoo in Canggu
44. Karang Boma cliff for sunset
Karang Boma cliff for sunset in Uluwatu is another fun and free activity
45. Tamblingan lake
Tamblingan lake in the north is beautiful, the area is very local and you can stop anywhere around the lake at a local food stand or a view point. We even did strawberry picking nearby.
46. Island hop to: Nusa Penida, Gili T, Lembongan
Island hop to: Nusa Penida, Gili T, Lembongan if you have the time. They’re neighbouring islands to the island of Bali and each have their own attractions that we wont be able to fit into this blog
47. Stay in a treehouse/bamboo villa
Like a true influencer, book yourself one night in a bamboo airbnb/treehouse for the experience. An example is Magic Hills Bali, or the world famous airbnb Hideout.
48. Wake boarding at Bali wake park
Wake boarding at Bali wake park for an adrenaline filled activity. Book in advance here: https://www.baliwakepark.com/
49. Karaoke in Jimbaran
If you’ve never done karaoke in SE Asia before, you’re missing out and may as well experience it in Bali with your mates. It’s honestly one of my favourite things to do in the whole world! Nav Karaoke Instagram
