Things to Do in Bali

Bali’s activities span surfing, ancient Hindu temples, active volcano hikes before sunrise, rice terrace walks, and a well-developed wellness scene built around yoga and traditional spa treatments, most accessible on a moderate budget. The challenge is not finding things to do; it is choosing what to prioritise in the time you have.

Most activities in Bali can be arranged on arrival, but the best experiences book out days or weeks in advance during peak season. Sunrise volcano treks, small-group cooking classes, and Nusa Penida day trips with snorkelling are the three most common planning failures. Booking ahead locks in the time slot and is usually the same price as booking direct. See Bali travel guide for practical logistics and destination context.

Temples and Sacred Sites

Bali has thousands of temples, but a handful stand apart as genuine experiences rather than just photo stops. A respectful attitude matters at all of them: wear a sarong (most temples provide or rent one at the entrance), remove shoes where required, and do not enter inner sanctuaries unless invited.

• Uluwatu Temple. Clifftop sea temple on the Bukit Peninsula, 70 metres above the Indian Ocean. Entry around IDR 50,000 (~USD 3). The evening Kecak fire dance in the temple amphitheatre at sunset is one of Bali’s most memorable performances. Monkeys are present throughout the complex and will take phones, sunglasses, and loose food. Secure these before entering.
• Tanah Lot. Sea temple set on a rock formation offshore, best visited at sunset when the silhouette against the sky is at its most dramatic. Entry around IDR 60,000 (~USD 3.75). Busy in the late afternoon. The causeway to the rock floods at high tide, cutting off access to the lower temple levels.
• Tirta Empul. Holy spring temple near Ubud where Balinese Hindus perform ritual purification bathing in sacred pools. Respectful visitors are welcome to participate. Bring a change of clothes if you enter the purification pools; a sarong is required and can be borrowed at the entrance. Entry around IDR 50,000 (~USD 3).
• Pura Besakih. The largest and most sacred temple complex in Bali, set on the slopes of Mount Agung. A full visit takes 2–3 hours. Hire a local guide through the official guide association at the entrance rather than accepting offers from touts outside the complex.
• Lempuyang Temple. The split gate framing Mount Agung in the background is the most reproduced image in Bali photography. Entry around IDR 50,000 (~USD 3). The reflection pool shot requires queuing at the photographer’s spot; peak season waits can exceed two hours. The full temple complex climbs 1,700 steps to the summit; most visitors see only the lower gateway. Arriving before 7am cuts the queue significantly.
• Ulun Danu Beratan. Lake temple set on the shores of Lake Beratan in the central highlands near Bedugul. Entry around IDR 75,000 (~USD 4.70). The drive from Ubud takes around one hour. Add it to a north Bali day loop rather than treating it as a standalone trip.

Ubud and the Cultural Interior

Ubud functions as Bali’s cultural capital, a 90-minute drive from the airport and around 650 metres above sea level. The temperature is noticeably cooler than the south coast. Most of what makes Bali’s interior worth visiting is within an hour’s drive of Ubud’s centre.

• Ubud market. Pasar Ubud opens from around 6am and is busiest before 9am when local vendors occupy the stalls alongside tourist-facing sellers. The upper floor sells crafts, sarongs, and souvenirs. The ground floor is the genuine fresh produce market. Arrive early to see both operating simultaneously.
• Artisan villages on the road to Ubud. The road from Denpasar to Ubud passes through specialised craft villages: Batubulan for stone carving and daily barong dance performances, Celuk for silver and goldwork, Mas for woodcarving, Batuan for traditional Balinese painting. Each village concentrates on one craft type and workshops are open to visitors, usually with no entry fee. Knowing which village does which craft lets you plan stops without backtracking.
• Campuhan Ridge Walk. A gentle ridge walk through jungle and rice paddies starting from central Ubud, around 9km return. No guide needed, no entrance fee, and almost no other tourists before 8am. One of the best free activities on the island. The ridge is well-marked; allow 2–3 hours at a relaxed pace.
• Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA). Permanent collection of Balinese and Indonesian art spanning traditional and contemporary works. Entry around IDR 80,000 (~USD 5). The museum grounds include rice paddies and traditional Balinese compounds. The permanent collection puts Balinese painting in cultural context that the market stalls cannot.

For a full guide to the Ubud area — the Monkey Forest, Tegallalang rice terraces, temple sites, cooking classes, and day trips — see what to do in Ubud.

Volcanoes and Mountain Treks

Bali has two active volcanoes. Mount Batur is the standard sunrise trek; Mount Agung is the more demanding and spiritually significant one. Both require a licensed guide.

• Mount Batur sunrise trek. A 2-hour hike to the crater rim of an active volcano, departing around 2am to reach the summit before dawn. The view over the caldera lake with Mount Agung in the background is the reward. Tours typically cost IDR 350,000–550,000 (~USD 22–34) per person including guide and basic breakfast at the summit. Book through a registered trekking agency in Kintamani, or in advance through Klook or GetYourGuide. At least a week ahead is sensible; 2–3 weeks in July–August. Bring a warm layer: the pre-dawn summit temperature is 10–15°C cooler than sea level. Closed shoes only.
• Mount Agung. Bali’s highest peak at 3,031 metres and the island’s most sacred mountain. The summit hike takes 7–8 hours return and requires more fitness and preparation than Batur. A permit and licensed guide are mandatory. The dry season (April–October) gives the best summit visibility. For most visitors, the Agung experience is Pura Besakih at its base rather than the mountain itself.
• Kintamani caldera viewpoint. Non-hikers can see the Batur caldera from the rim road at Kintamani, lined with restaurants and warungs angled toward the view. No hiking required. Worth an hour added to any Ubud day trip heading north.

Waterfalls

Bali has more waterfalls than most visitors realise, and the better ones remain manageable because they require some effort to reach.

• Tibumana Waterfall. About 1 hour from Ubud, hidden in a narrow bamboo gorge. Entry around IDR 20,000 (~USD 1.25), with a 10-minute walk from the parking area. Arrive before 9am for the falls to yourself; tour groups begin arriving by mid-morning.
• Banyumala Twin Waterfall. Two cascades falling into the same natural pool in the northern highlands. Entry around IDR 20,000 (~USD 1.25). A mostly downhill 15-minute trek from the car park. The symmetry of the twin streams makes it worth the 2-hour drive from Ubud.
• Sekumpul Waterfall. Widely regarded as Bali’s most impressive waterfall, in the northern hills near Singaraja. Multiple streams descend through a jungle gorge. The hike involves steep stone steps and a river crossing; allow 3–4 hours for the full excursion. Hire a guide at the entrance, around IDR 150,000–200,000 (~USD 9–12). Combine with Ulun Danu Beratan and Munduk on a north Bali loop to justify the 2.5-hour drive from Ubud.
• Munduk Waterfall. In the highland coffee-growing area around Munduk village. Entry around IDR 20,000 (~USD 1.25) at the main access point. The walk takes 20–30 minutes through plantation forest. Several smaller falls and good highland trekking nearby if you have a full day in the area.

Surfing and Beaches

Bali’s beaches serve completely different purposes depending on which coast and which break. The south and southwest face Indian Ocean swell; the east and north coasts are calmer and better for swimming.

• Surf lessons. Kuta and Seminyak have the gentlest beach breaks and the highest concentration of surf schools, making them the best spots for learning. Canggu (Batu Bolong and Echo Beach) suits intermediate surfers. Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Impossibles are for experienced surfers only: powerful reef breaks with shallow take-offs. Lessons with board and instructor cost around IDR 200,000–300,000 (~USD 12–19) for two hours.
• Seminyak and Petitenget. The beach here is wide but the currents make it unsuitable for casual swimming. The point is the sunset, the beach clubs, and the restaurants a short walk back from the sand. Arrive around 5:30pm and walk the strip.
• Waterbom Bali, Kuta. A water park directly across from Kuta Beach with more than 22 slides, including the Constrictor, the world’s longest at 250 metres. A reliable option for a rainy day or a break from temples and beaches; see is it worth a day of your trip.
• Canggu. Echo Beach and Batu Bolong are Bali’s surf culture heartland. The breaks suit confident beginners to intermediate surfers. Both beaches have warung-style food and drink setups directly on the sand.
• Nyang Nyang Beach, Uluwatu. Reached by a steep path down the Bukit cliff, with minimal facilities and far fewer visitors than Padang Padang or Bingin. A long white-sand beach with reliable surf. The descent takes 20–30 minutes and the return uphill adds another 30 minutes. Worth it for the seclusion.
• Sanur. East-facing beach protected by a reef, producing calm flat water suitable for swimming and paddleboarding. Also the departure point for fast boats to Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan.

For a full breakdown by coast — swim safety, rip current warnings, beach club system, and which beaches require real effort to reach — see Bali beach guide.

For beach clubs, bars, Kuta clubs, and Ubud after dark, see Bali Nightlife.

Diving and Snorkelling

Bali has some of the most varied diving in Southeast Asia, from shallow coral gardens and a WWII cargo wreck to drift dives alongside manta rays and ocean sunfish.

• USS Liberty wreck, Tulamben. A 120-metre American cargo ship torpedoed in 1942, now resting close to shore on northeast Bali’s black sand beach. Shore entry from the beach. The wreck starts at around 5 metres and extends to 30 metres, making it accessible to both snorkellers over the shallow sections and scuba divers. Dive operators in Tulamben charge around IDR 400,000–600,000 (~USD 25–37) per dive including equipment.
• Manta Point, Nusa Penida. Manta rays gather at a cleaning station off the southwest coast of Nusa Penida. Snorkelling is possible and sightings are reliable from June through October. Most day tours from Sanur include a Manta Point stop as part of the route.
• Crystal Bay, Nusa Penida. The site for mola mola (ocean sunfish) sightings from July to October. The fish move into the bay at depth to be cleaned at the reef. Diving here involves cold upwellings and strong currents; check conditions with the operator before committing.
• Menjangan Island. Northwest Bali, reached by boat from Pemuteran (around 30 minutes). Part of West Bali National Park. Considered Bali’s best wall diving: the reef wall drops steeply with soft corals, sea fans, and visibility that regularly exceeds 20 metres. A day trip from Pemuteran including boat, guide, and park entry costs around IDR 400,000–700,000 (~USD 25–44).
• Amed. Northeast coast village with established shore diving and snorkelling. The Japanese shipwreck in Jemeluk Bay is an easy snorkel from the beach. Quieter than Tulamben with more long-stay dive resorts and lower accommodation prices.

Traditional Experiences

Bali’s Hindu culture produces visible, accessible ceremony year-round. The most meaningful experiences are often the ones that do not require a ticket.

• Kecak fire dance, Uluwatu. Performed nightly at the temple amphitheatre at sunset. Around 80 men produce a hypnotic percussion chorus using only their voices while dancers enact scenes from the Ramayana. Tickets around IDR 100,000–150,000 (~USD 6–9). In July–August, seats fill before the performance starts; buy from the temple office on the day or book through your hotel the night before. The performance runs about 45 minutes. Arrive 30 minutes early for a decent viewing position.
• Melukat (ritual purification). At Pura Tirta Empul, Balinese Hindus move through a series of purification pools fed by sacred springs, bathing under each jet in a prescribed order. Visitors who want to participate should understand this is an active place of worship, not a tourist performance. Bring a change of clothes since you will be fully immersed, dress modestly, and follow the lead of local bathers.
• Galungan and Kuningan. Bali’s most important Hindu festival, celebrated every 210 days on the Balinese Pawukon calendar. In the days before Galungan, every household erects a penjor: a tall bamboo pole arching over the road, decorated with woven palm leaf ornaments and fruit offerings. The transformation is island-wide and immediate. Kuningan falls 10 days after Galungan. If your trip overlaps with either date, you will see a Bali that most visitors do not.
• Barong dance. A traditional masked dance-drama depicting the ongoing contest between good and evil, performed daily at Batubulan village on the road from Denpasar to Ubud. Performances start around 9:30am and run 45–60 minutes. Tickets around IDR 150,000 (~USD 9). The more staged of the traditional dance forms, but the costumes and live gamelan orchestra are worth an hour if Balinese performance tradition interests you.

Wellness in Ubud

Ubud has developed a serious international wellness reputation over the past two decades. The offer ranges from multi-day structured retreats to walk-in yoga classes and a one-hour massage.

• Yoga Barn. The most established yoga studio in Ubud, with multiple daily classes across different styles and levels. Drop-in from around IDR 120,000–180,000 (~USD 7.50–11). Walk-in is usually fine outside of July–August peak; the early morning classes fill first. The studio also runs retreat programmes and has an on-site café.
• Sound healing. Available at several Ubud studios, typically 60–90 minute sessions using singing bowls and gongs. Expect to pay IDR 200,000–350,000 (~USD 12–22) per session. An alternative for travellers who find movement-based practice less appealing than something more meditative.
• Balinese massage. Available at every price point across the island. Warung-style shops in Ubud and Seminyak offer one-hour sessions from IDR 80,000–150,000 (~USD 5–9). The Balinese technique uses long, deep strokes with pressure-point work around the neck, scalp, and shoulders. Resort spas charge IDR 400,000+ (~USD 25+) for the same treatment in a more curated setting.
• Retreat programmes. Ubud has a full ecosystem of structured retreats: 3-day yoga intensives, week-long wellness programmes, silent meditation courses. Most specific retreat dates book months in advance. Walk-in single sessions at most studios are straightforward to arrange on shorter notice.

Cooking Classes and Local Food

Balinese cooking has a distinct identity from the rest of Indonesia, built around a spice paste called base genep that blends galangal, turmeric, shallots, garlic, ginger, and lesser galangal. The best way to understand it is to cook with it.

• Cooking classes. The standard format starts with a morning market visit to buy ingredients. The guide explains the spice paste structure and the role of ceremony in Balinese cooking before moving to a family kitchen to prepare 5–6 dishes. Half-day classes cost IDR 350,000–500,000 (~USD 22–31) per person, including the market visit, instruction, and the meal you cook. Ubud has the highest concentration of quality classes. Book 3–5 days ahead; a week or more in July–August as groups are kept intentionally small.
• What you will cook. Expect lawar (mixed vegetables with coconut, pork or chicken, and spices), satay lilit (minced fish or chicken on lemongrass sticks, grilled over coconut husks), and bebek or ayam betutu (slow-cooked duck or chicken wrapped in banana leaf with base genep). These are ceremonial dishes eaten at family gatherings and festivals, not everyday warung food.
• Eating local without a class. Nasi campur is the everyday Balinese meal: a mound of steamed rice surrounded by small portions of whatever the warung has cooked that day. A full plate at a local warung costs IDR 20,000–40,000 (~USD 1.25–2.50). The same dish at a restaurant aimed at tourists costs IDR 60,000–100,000 (~USD 3.75–6). Both are the same food; the setting and presentation differ.

Day Trips: Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan

Two small islands lie southeast of Bali’s main landmass and account for the most popular day trips from a south Bali base. Both are reached by fast boat from Sanur.

• Nusa Penida. The more dramatic of the two: Kelingking Beach (the T-Rex cliff viewpoint), Broken Beach, Angel’s Billabong, Crystal Bay, and Manta Point for snorkelling. Full-day tours including fast boat, guide, and island transport cost IDR 450,000–650,000 (~USD 28–41) per person. Kelingking Beach has a steep, rocky hiking trail down to the sand; allow 30–40 minutes each way. The trail is slippery when wet. Most tour groups see only the viewpoint. Book 1–2 weeks ahead in July–August. The fast boat crossing from Sanur takes 45 minutes each way. For a site-by-site breakdown of the west and east tours, see the full Nusa Penida guide.
• Nusa Lembongan. Smaller and more relaxed than Penida. The pace suits a slow beach day with decent snorkelling and paddleboarding in the protected bay. 30 minutes from Sanur by fast boat. Manageable independently for a day trip; the island is small enough to explore on foot or by rented scooter.
• Private driver for inland day trips. For a day covering Tegallalang, Tirta Empul, Ubud market, and a cooking class from a south Bali base, a private driver costs IDR 400,000–600,000 (~USD 25–37) for a full day. More flexible than a group tour and you control the pace.

Off the Main Circuit

Three areas of Bali reward visitors who look past the standard south Bali, Ubud, Nusa Penida loop.

• Sidemen valley. A working rice terrace valley 45 minutes east of Ubud, with Gunung Agung rising behind on clear days. Almost no tourist infrastructure compared to Tegallalang. The walks here are quieter and less staged. A handful of boutique properties and family homestays use the view as their main draw. Worth a half-day loop from Ubud or 1–2 nights as a quieter alternative base for the cultural interior.
• Amed, northeast coast. A string of fishing villages 90 minutes from Ubud with black sand beaches, shore snorkelling directly from the beach, and some of the cheapest accommodation on the island. The Japanese shipwreck in Jemeluk Bay is a 5-minute snorkel from the shore. Significantly quieter and less expensive than anywhere on the south coast.
• Pemuteran and Menjangan Island. Northwest Bali, 3 or more hours from the south coast. Pemuteran is a quiet bay with a coral restoration programme visible from shore snorkels. Menjangan Island (part of West Bali National Park, 30 minutes by boat from Pemuteran) has Bali’s finest wall diving. The drive through West Bali National Park passes dry savanna forest, a stark contrast to the terraced fields of the south and interior. This corner of the island sees a fraction of the visitor numbers of anywhere else on Bali.

Best Time for Activities in Bali

The dry season (April to October) is the default recommendation, and for most activities it is the right one: reliable weather for volcano hikes, calm seas for Nusa Penida crossings, clear summit visibility on Batur. July and August are peak months, with higher prices and booking pressure across the board. May, June, and September offer dry weather without the July–August crowd and price levels.

The wet season (November to March) brings short afternoon rains rather than all-day downpours. Outdoor activities remain possible with some flexibility. Prices drop, beaches are quieter, and the rice terraces are in active growth. The vivid green paddies that define Bali’s visual identity are most consistent from February to April, not in peak August when some fields are post-harvest and golden or bare. The Subak irrigation system staggers planting cycles across the island so Tegallalang always has some colour, but the surrounding valleys follow the seasonal harvest rhythm.

• Galungan. Falls every 210 days on the Balinese Pawukon calendar; the date varies each year. Every village road is lined with handmade penjor poles overnight. The visual transformation is island-wide and worth checking against your travel dates.
• Nyepi (Day of Silence). Falls in March, date varies annually. Airport closes for 24 hours, streets empty, guests remain within their accommodation. Hotels run special programmes. Worth knowing if any dates in your trip span late February to late March.
• Mount Batur visibility. Best from May through September. Cloud at the summit is common in the wet season, but guides advise on conditions at booking time and the hike runs regardless.