Bali

Bali, Indonesia

Bali's breathtakingly beautiful scenery makes it easy to just settle for the imaginary cliche of the island as a tropical paradise and nothing more. But behind the luxury resorts, picture-perfect rice fields, and idyllic beaches lies a rich culture, steeped in tradition and spirituality, and one of the friendliest and most welcoming places you're likely to find anywhere. Dare to go beyond the comforts of the resort areas to truly explore all the island has to offer and let yourself be rewarded with memories to last a lifetime.

Population:

4.362 million (2019)

Currency:

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)
IDR10,000 ~ US$0,69

Emergency Numbers:

Police: 112
Fire Department: 113
Ambulance: 118

Opening Hours:

Banks, businesses and government offices are generally open Monday to Friday 08:00-16:00 or 09:00-17:00. Many shopping malls remain open until 22:00 or later. Street markets generally do not open until around 19:00 and remain open as late as midnight. Many smaller shops stay closed from dusk on Friday and Saturday night.

Newspapers:

Hello Bali
Jakarta Post
The Bali Times

The Island

Most first time visitors will be drawn to the south of the island, where most of the famous beaches and resort areas are located, in areas like Kuta, Nusa Dua and Seminyak, home to golden beaches, upscale hotels, restaurants and nightclubs. The buzzing regional capital of Denpasar is also located in the south of Bali. It is the capital city of Bali and the commercial and administrative center. Unlike other island or hinterland in Indonesia, this cosmopolitan city’s style contrasts with the calm Hindu temples, lush terrace, and beautiful beaches.

Venturing further north and deeper inland will take visitors to stunning natural beauty of another kind, green, lush mountains and hilly rice terraces. The town of Ubud can be found here, the island's hub for the arts, with museums and lots of arts and craft shops.

Elsewhere on the island you can find the West Bali National Park (west Bali), quiet and secluded beaches (north Bali), small coastal villages and volcanoes (east Bali) and fantastic diving spots (southeastern islands).

Do & See

Bali is quite simply a tropical paradise with a unique mixture of modern tourist facilities and breathtaking natural wonder, combined with great shopping, beautiful beaches and a rich cultural heritage. Besides spending your day lazing on the unreal beaches, you can also enjoy exceptional diving, snorkeling and wonderful day trips to nearby attractions, like the inland rice fields and cultural expeditions to Ubud.

Dining

Denpasar has its share of functional warungs (basic Indonesian eateries). For the best of Balinese and international cuisine, however, take a taxi to Seminyak or Kuta. Some of the best western, Asian, and international food can be found in the restaurants of the major resort hotels, which offer a wide choice of alternatives.

Cafes

Bali is one of the exclusive lists of islands that produce Kopi Luwak, coffee made from beans that have been eaten by the Asian Palm Civet, a small animal native to the area. Once the beans have passed through the animal, they are roasted like ordinary coffee beans. Try a cup if you're feeling brave, or stick to more traditional coffee or some of the fresh fruit juices available at the numerous cafes on the island.