The Perfect Bali Getaway

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Advisor - Lydia Massop-Broomfield
Curated By

Lydia Massop-Broomfield

  • Indonesia

  • Bali

  • Beaches

  • International Travel

  • Off-the-Beaten-Path Travel

  • Island

  • Outdoors

  • Spiritual

Wooden hut hotel in Bali with ocean views.
Curator’s statement

Bali, Indonesia is the place where all your fantasies of vacation can actually come to life. It's a kind of place that you'll always dream about returning to. It's for both those on a budget and those with a luxurious vacation in mind. Whether you're looking for a spiritual awakening, individual growth, a time of rest and rejuvenation, breathtaking sights to see, enticing beaches with good surf or some of the freshest food on the planet, you can be sure to find it in Bali.

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Where to stay in Bali

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Things to do in Bali

Rice fields and palm trees in Bali.

Bali is a captivating destination with its breathtaking beaches and serene forests. There's so much to see and do for everyone. Ubud is a spiritual and majestic place. Away from the hustle and bustle, you can truly be still and fully free your mind from all of life's troubles. If you're interested in staying active on vacation, besides the many hikes you can take, the Yoga Barn offers various classes for everyone's wants and desires.  A visit isn't complete without a juice or 10 from their juice bar.

Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

If you've always wanted to play with a monkey in its natural habitat, then Ubud's Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary is a must. As you walk through the forest, you'll marvel at the gardens and the Bayan trees and the sweet long-tailed macaques will roam around you. There are also a few temples in the forest that you can admire from afar. This is one of Bali’s many sacred sites, so it’s important to always be mindful and respectful.

Sunrise at Tegalalang Rice Terrace

This is perfect for those early-morning adventurers. It's one of Bali's many top attractions. Going early is almost always a guarantee that you'll be there alone, allowing you to completely soak up the beauty and snap the best insta-worthy photos without other tourists potentially photo-bombing. Visiting during sunrise makes for a truly intimate experience. Once you've soaked up the beauty of the terraces, a trip to Bali Geo Luwak Coffee is a must. You can try various teas, see and learn about Luwaks and try their famous coffee. They have a great gift shop with many noteworthy souvenirs to wow your friends and family back home.  

Temples

There are so many beautiful temples to see in Bali. Tirta Empul, Bali's Sacred Water Temple, founded in 926 A.D., is still actively used by locals and tourists. The water is considered blessed, and for that reason, many come to bathe here for a purification ritual known as melukat. This temple is a sacred place, and everyone is asked to be respectful. To enter, you'll need to wear a sarong; if you don't have one, you'll be able to purchase one from one of the nearby vendors. This is definitely a special place to visit whether you want to visit the grounds, pray, or bathe in the holy water.

If getting wet isn’t your vibe, but temples are, you should make your way to Tanah Lot. The best time to visit is during sunset. It’s truly such a magical moment watching the sea crash into the rocks as the sky becomes a beautiful canvas. You’ll most likely want to stay until it becomes dark as the aftermath of the sunset continues to change. It’ll take your breath away. It’s recommended to get there early for the best viewing points, as it can be busy during peak season.

Dancing & Cocktails

For some, vacation equals dancing work sorrows and stress away. If that’s you, look no further: Motel Mexicola is exactly where you want to go. Not only do they serve awesome Mexican food and delicious cocktails , their music is always so on point that even those without rhythm will most likely gravitate to the dance floor.

Good vibes, views and the ultimate pool party can be found at one of Bali’s many beach clubs— Finns, Potato Head, Sundays Beach Club, Palmilla and Oneeighty to name a few. Some go for the food and day drinking, others for the DJ's and nonstop bangers, while some go simply to be at the beach while never coming in touch with the sand. Each club varies in price and aesthetic, but you’ll surely find all the chill and carefree vibes. From open to close, the party won’t stop.

Foodies

The foodies who are interested in learning more about Indonesian food should take a cooking class. It’s a great and fun way to immerse yourself in the culture and see how the locals source their food. Some classes offer a visit to the am market before cooking, giving you a truly local experience. Sometimes your villa will have added offers like a private cooking class, which I highly recommend. There are several companies to choose from, but Paon Bali is the most top-rated, and Ubad Ubud is another great option.

Spa

For those who seek pampering on vacation, then a visit to Spring Spa Canggu or Therapy Canggu is well worth your time. At Spring Spa, you’ll want to make an appointment for services. They offer a top-rated traditional Balinese massage. At Therapy, you can “awaken your senses” with a full-body lemongrass scrub or go with their reflexology. There’s nothing like a foot massage after a long day of being a tourist. The options are endless at both and they’re tourist and local-approved.

If massages aren’t your go-to but you enjoy a mani-pedi, then you must go to Maria Curau. It’s the cutest nail salon in Bali. All their polishes are vegan and completely cruelty-free. They also have amazingly talented nail artists who can literally make any design you want. Be sure to ask for their kombucha and sit on the swings overlooking the rice terrace as your nails dry.

Places to eat & drink in Bali

Smoothie bowl with pink, bananas and nuts help in one hand.

Alchemy: An incredible vegan restaurant in Ubud and Uluwatu. You can't go wrong with their smoothie bowls, pizzas and all their raw desserts. Be sure to check out their medicinal soups.

Sea Circus: Taco restaurant serving everything in-between. A pitcher of passionfruit guava margaritas is an absolute must. Go for the snapper ceviche or the herdy's burger and be sure to order the churros for dessert.

Rolling Fork Padang Padang: The best Italian food on the island.

Old Man's: A beer garden with happy hour and live music right by the sea.

Dough Darlings: Hand-crafted, artisanal doughnuts with gluten-free and vegan offerings as well as so many flavors to choose from. These doughnuts are the best on the island!

The Shady Shack: One of the cutest cafes in Canggu serving the tastiest vegetarian dishes. The gyro jack burger might be the best burger you'll ever have.

Casa Tua Canggu: Serving delicious Indonesian food in a beautiful open-air setting with free-roaming rabbits surprising you throughout your meal. Get the Nasi Goreng, Beef Rendang and Gado Gado.

Crate Cafe: Arguably one of the best breakfasts on the island. Can't go wrong with any smoothie bowl or a breakfast plate. This restaurant has gained a lot of popularity over the years so try to arrive early or plan for a little wait.

Cafe Organic: Another great vegetarian restaurant for breakfast, lunch and everything in-between. Serving up great food and good vibes. You can't go wrong with the matcha pancakes, all their smoothie bowls and especially their avocado toast. Coffee is a must, their kombucha's do not disappoint and their juices are as fresh as they come.

Rock Bar: Arguably the best views for sunset and cocktails, offering 360-views, 45 feet above the Indian ocean. It's breathtaking and very trendy so be sure to make a reservation well in advance.

Advisor - Lydia Massop-Broomfield

Travel Advisor

Lydia Massop-Broomfield

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