Bali

Beach Coastal Beaches Riverfront

Population: 4 million

Best Season to Visit:

Best Off-Peak Month to Visit: February–March

Famous For: Hindu temples (Tanah Lot, Besakih), Rice terraces, Beaches (Seminyak, Uluwatu), Traditional dance and ceremonies, Surfing, Yoga retreats, Volcanic mountains (Mount Batur), Arts and crafts, Balinese cuisine

Train Access: No

Bus Access: Yes (Bali Trans (public bus system), local minibuses (bemos))

Bali's southern coast centers on Seminyak and Kuta, where Padang Padang Beach and Uluwatu Temple perch on dramatic cliffs above turquoise waters. Inland, Ubud anchors the cultural heart with the Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Ubud Palace, and the Monkey Forest Sanctuary—a 27-hectare preserve where long-tailed macaques roam freely among ancient temple ruins. The island's volcanic spine includes Mount Batur, where pre-dawn treks reward hikers with sunrise views over Lake Batur and the surrounding caldera. Sanur on the east coast provides a quieter beach alternative with direct access to the Bali Strait, while the northern region around Lovina offers black-sand beaches and dolphin-watching tours. Balinese Hinduism shapes daily life: visit Tanah Lot temple rising from a sea rock formation, or Besakih Mother Temple nestled on Mount Agung's slopes. The island's intricate irrigation system, subak, sustains rice paddies and is recognized by UNESCO as a cultural landscape. Balinese cuisine centers on satay, nasi goreng, and fresh seafood at warungs throughout Canggu and Denpasar.

VRBO Vacation Rentals
Learn More

With over 2 million bookable vacation rentals, Vrbo connects homeowners with families and vacationers looking for something more than a hotel for their trip. The Vrbo community offers families an array of rental property types such as condos, cabins, lake rentals, beach houses, and more. Discover properties in destinations that everyone dreams of visiting.

VRBO Vacation Rentals

Planning Your Trip to Bali

Weather: Bali has a tropical climate with warm temperatures year-round, typically ranging from 26-31°C (79-88°F), with a wet season from November to March and a dry season from April to October.

Festivals: Nyepi (Balinese New Year, March–April), Galungan and Kuningan (Hindu festivals, dates vary by Balinese calendar), Bali Arts Festival (June–July in Denpasar), Omed-Omedan (March, Bangli Regency mud-throwing festival)

Best Things for Kids to Do: Bali Safari & Marine Park in Gianyar features drive-through safari zones with tigers, elephants, and giraffes, plus a marine park with dolphin shows and sea lion performances. Monkey Forest Sanctuary in Ubud allows children to observe long-tailed macaques in a forested temple setting with designated walking paths and educational signage. Bali Swing in Ubud offers rope swings suspended over jungle canopy and rice paddies, with multiple difficulty levels for different ages. Waterbom Bali in Denpasar is a water park with slides, lazy rivers, and shallow pools designed for young children. Bali Bird Park in Gianyar houses over 1,000 birds from 250 species in landscaped aviaries where visitors can hand-feed parrots and watch bird shows.

Hidden Gem: Tukad Cepung Waterfall, located near Bangli in central Bali, is a 15-meter cascade hidden inside a cave accessible via a river trek through jungle terrain. Most tourists cluster at Tegallalang and Ubud; this waterfall remains relatively quiet and rewards visitors with a natural pool for swimming and dramatic limestone formations framing the cascade.

Accessibility: Bali's accessibility remains limited; most temples and cultural sites feature steep stairs and uneven terrain that exclude wheelchair users. Nusa Dua's resort corridor and Denpasar's main streets have wider sidewalks and ramps at some hotels, but rural areas and Ubud's central market lack curb cuts and accessible restrooms. Sanur Beach has a dedicated accessible beach access point with ramps. Taxis and ride-hailing apps (Grab, Gojek) are affordable but vehicles lack wheelchair lifts; arrange accessible transportation through your hotel in advance.

For the Runner: The Seminyak Beach promenade runs approximately 3 kilometers along the coast from Kuta to Seminyak with flat, paved surfaces and ocean views, though sand sections require trail shoes. Ubud's Tegallalang Rice Terrace loop covers roughly 5 kilometers through paddies and village paths with moderate elevation changes and scenic vistas. Sanur Beach's waterfront path stretches 2 kilometers with a dedicated running track, flat terrain, and early-morning calm before tourist crowds arrive.

Restaurants in Bali

Bali offers an exceptional dining scene with world-class restaurants, beachfront establishments, and authentic Indonesian cuisine ranging from street food to fine dining. The island caters to diverse palates with international options, fusion cuisine, and traditional Balinese dishes prepared by skilled chefs. Dining experiences are enhanced by stunning settings, from rice terraces to oceanfront venues, with generally reasonable prices for the quality offered.

Where to Stay

Bali's accommodation spans budget warungs and guesthouses in Ubud and Canggu starting under $20 USD per night, mid-range resorts in Seminyak and Sanur between $50–150 USD, and luxury properties like Amanusa and Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran commanding $300+ USD nightly. Seminyak and Kuta cluster beachfront properties with nightlife access, while Ubud favors boutique hotels embedded in rice paddies and cultural zones.

Best Hotels: Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran sits on a private beach in Jimbaran Bay with clifftop villas, infinity pools overlooking the Indian Ocean, and di

Dog-Friendly Hotels: The Ritz-Carlton Bali in Nusa Dua welcomes dogs with pet beds, food bowls, and designated relief areas on the resort grounds. Karsa Kafe Resort in Ubud permits dogs in select rooms and provides access to garden spaces where pets can roam safely away from traffic.

Bali

Planning Your Trip to Bali

Restaurants in Bali

Where to Stay

Recommended Reading