10 Exciting Places to See in Every Region of Bali

(SPOT.ph) Off the eastern coast of Java is a tiny island famously called Bali. Tourists associate the place with relaxing by the beach the entire day and partying in almost all of the extravagant beach clubs at night—a perfect vacation, many would argue. The surprisingly open culture on the island, as locals would say, can be attributed to the influence of Australians who frequent Bali to surf during Australian winter.

This is in stark contrast to the history this place holds: Bali is the only remaining stronghold of Hinduism over the archipelago. When Islam triumphed over Hinduism in Indonesia, Bali became the refuge of the Hindu religious people. But such blending of all the cultures gave birth to Bali’s mesmerizing and magical culture today.

In our conversations with our Bali tourist driver, he said that Bali is a special tourist destination because tourism is the main driver of their economy. Locals in Bali are trained to work for the tourist industry and their main mission is to make the travelers welcome, happy, and safe.

Plus, you can hop on a plane from Manila for a four-hour direct flight to Bali. So why not make it happen on the next long weekend?

Also read:
10 Places in Bali for the Solo Traveler
10 Places in Bali for the Artsy Traveler

Here is a rundown of Bali tourist spots in every region:

North Bali

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

Inside the main complex, you will marvel at this main attraction: a temple floating on water with the backdrop of the lush green mountains and the glistening sunset. It is located approximately 50 kilometers north of Denpasar and is considered one of the nine most important temples to the Balinese. The temple is also a place of worship for the Goddess of Prosperity and Fertility, Dewi Danu.

The entrance fee is 50,000 IDR (approximately 200 pesos) but if you are feeling adventurous, you can rent a boat that will take you around Lake Beratan and see the floating temple up close.

West Bali

Tanah Lot

Tanah Lot means Land in the Sea, which perfectly describes the cliff where the Balinese temple is perched on. Picture the synchronization of the waves crashing against the cliff and the sunset casting the silhouette of Pura Tanah Lot— definitely, a sight to behold. The three temples in Tanah Lot were believed to have been built by Dang Hyang Nirartha and were formed to worship Bhatara Segara, the sea God. In Balinese mythology, Dang Hyang Niratha was believed to have been blessed with supernatural powers. He moves the whole rock to the sea and built a temple on it. To protect the temple from evil intruders, he created a poisonous sea snake that lives on the base of the island.

The entrance fee to the place is 60,000 (about 230 pesos).

Seminyak Beach

Bali sure is surrounded by a dozen of beaches but what makes Seminyak Beach stand among the rest is its easy access to everything. Best restaurants, luxury hotels, or world-famous beach clubs? You name it and Seminyak Beach probably has it. You can either learn how to surf or just soak in the sun by the shore while reading a book.

Some of the five-star hotels that you can find along the stretch include The Seminyak Beach Resort and Spa and Double Six Luxury Hotel. One of the most famous beach clubs you can find here and my personal favorite is the Potato Head Beach Club.

Central Bali

Ubud Royal Palace

Puri Saren Agung, commonly known as the Ubud Royal Palace can be found at the center of Ubud, Bali. It is the official residence of Ubud’s royal family, with the original historical buildings dating back to 1640. Its sophisticated architecture was largely attributed to the local artists designing the palace to showcase their artistic talents. It features a statue of Dewi Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge, music, and art. Although the complex collapsed during the 1917 earthquake, it was rebuilt to preserve the historical site for future generations.

The entrance to the site is free and the best time to visit is in the morning when it is not as crowded yet.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

This Ubud Monkey Forest is a nature reserve and Hindu temple complex constructed at around 1350, with a philosophical goal of creating harmony among humans, nature, and The Supreme God. More than 600 Balinese long-tailed monkeys are living in the forest and are divided into groups occupying five different territories. With a lot of visitors coming to the site day by day, these monkeys have completely lost their fear of humans. So a word of warning if you plan to visit, do not bring bags that contain food or bring sunglasses because they might grab those loose items from you. But on the flip side, these monkeys are also fun because they are expert Gen Z selfie-takers.

You need 80,000 IDR (around 300 pesos) per person to get into the huge sanctuary.

Pura Taman Saraswati Temple

The Pura Taman Saraswati Temple is a homage to Saraswati, the same goddess featured in the Ubud Royal Palace. What makes the architecture of this temple complex special apart from the rest is that it is surrounded by a water garden and a lotus pond. Especially on Saraswati Holiday, the people come here to worship and admire the beautiful lotuses that bloom in the water.

The entrance to the place is free of charge.

Tirta Empul (Holy Bath)

Tirta Empul, dedicated to the Hindu God of Water Vishnu, is a water temple deemed sacred by the Balinese. Considered sacred by the Balinese, it is believed that bathing in its waters brings blessings. Visitors stand in long lines waiting to dip their heads under the waterspouts and then proceed to the inner courtyard to pray.

You only need to pay 50,000 (about 200 pesos) to enter. The dress code is a traditional Kamen wrap or sarong.

East Bali

Lempuyang Temple

Lemuyang Temple, locally known as Pura Luhur Lempuyang, is one of the oldest and holiest places in Bali. This temple is known as the legendary "Gates of Heaven." Although getting to the best part requires a bit of a hike, the breathtaking views that you will see on top will be worth it. You will reach the Gate of Heaven and you will see Mount Agung from afar. What makes this place even more famous are the picture-perfect reflection shots of the temple. So before you get here, practice how to do it.

The entrance ticket is 50,000 IDR (approximately 200 pesos) and you need to wear a sarong.

Besakih Temple

Known as Bali’s Mother Temple, the Besakih Temple is the largest and holiest temple on the island of the gods. Three significant temples dedicated to the Hindu trinity can be seen here—temples of Shiva the destructive, Brahma the originator, and Vishnu the sustainer. Surprisingly, even during Mt. Agung’s series of eruptions, the lava flow spared the holy structure because it was believed that the gods want to demonstrate their power without destroying the sacred structure.

The entrance fee is 60,000 IDR (about 230 pesos) and wearing a sarong is required to preserve the sanctity of the place.

South Bali

Uluwatu Temple

The pagoda dates back as early as the 11th century, established by a Hindu priest named Empu Kuturan and expanded by Dang Hyang Nirartha. It is considered one of the most important temples in Bali and is believed to be a portal to heaven. The best time to go here is during sunset when the colors of the cliff views are a stunner.

Around this time also, you can witness the famous Kecak fire dance. The dance, created in the 1930s by the Balinese dancer Wayan Limbak and German artist Walter Spies, narrates the story of Asia’s most well-known epic Ramayana.

The entrance fee to the complex is 50,000 IDR (around 200 pesos) and you’ll need to wear a sarong to enter the temple.

Also read: 10 Exciting Things to Do in Indonesia