What to do in Bali?

Where to go in Bali?

How do I get the most out of my trip to Bali?

What are the things not to miss in Bali?

A big part of my job is to create custom itineraries for our guests and retreat leaders, so I get asked these questions quite a bit.

What to see in Bali

While I absolutely suggest visitors to Bali experience the great temples, stunning landscapes and beautiful beaches that Bali has to offer; it is often times the things you can’t plan for that prove to be the most rewarding and enriching. Luckily, there are ways of vastly improving your chances of experiencing one of these potential life-altering moments.

Allow me to share my best tip for Bali travel with you.

Granted, this is not for everyone, it’s simply my personal preference. Bali offers something for everyone and this is why I am so passionate about this small island. Your mileage may vary, as they say.

From the moment I first arrived in Bali almost a quarter century ago, I knew the areas of Kuta, Legian and Seminyak were not for me. I wanted to discover the Bali I had read and dreamed about; the archetypal adventure and the mystical culture, not to be surrounded by other white people getting drunk on the beach while being hounded by hawkers (nothing against white people, ‘some of my best friends are white people’, some of my best friends are even drunk white people- but I digress).

We used to call Ubud our second home, but in the last few years, the shear number of tourists, dreadful traffic, and high prices stimulated us to relocate. Next we tried Sanur, which does not suffer from the same traffic gridlock, but has just as many tourists and every four steps a taxi honks at you. Not that we have anything against travelers, we run a tour company and realize the irony of the concept, we simply have an affinity for the profound Balinese culture and prefer to be rooted within it. We never quite understood why people travel hundreds or thousands of miles/kilometers to be surrounded by the same people that are back home, especially when this unique Balinese culture cannot be found anywhere else on the planet. Once Starbucks moved into Ubud and Sanur, we knew it was time to move out.

Why travel to Bali?

We realize and respect that folks have many reasons for travel, and we are not trying to assert that our preferences are more correct, PC or anything else. Our clientele desires an authentic experience and that is what we aim to deliver. Certainly, we visit some of these towns on our tours and retreats, but we prefer to reside in what has come to be known as “Old Bali”.

The Balinese are such kind, gentle and friendly people. Occasionally, I will ask a Western traveler what was the most rewarding interaction they had with a Balinese person. Those that have stayed in the aforementioned tourist areas, unfortunately, have little opportunity to spend time with the Balinese aside from a cab driver or waitress. Almost all of our retreats include excursions of cultural exchange, community outreach, a day of service, and the like. These tend to be among the most memorable and meaningful events of the trip, and rarely is there a dry eye at the end of the experience. For more on our work with local communities, please click here.

Where to stay in Bali

Sorry to get off on a bit of a rant here, but I do it to illustrate a couple points. First, to respond to the people who travel to Bali and report that its over-run with tourists, its dirty, there is no culture left, or even that’s its dangerous. Inevitably, they never left Kuta, Seminyak, or the other tourist filled locations. I will say that Ubud and Sanur are certainly a step up from Kuta and Legian in terms of culture and beauty, but there is 80% of the rest of the island that is free from this congestion, pollution, fast food, hawkers, and such. I want to encourage people to experience the true Bali.

Bali can be a transformational journey, if you give it the opportunity

And secondly, by and large, the people that I speak with that have visited Bali and had a profound, life changing experience, all say the same thing. Their transformative experience was not something that was planned, on their itinerary, or because they visited the “must see” places they read about in guidebooks. It was because they chose to spend time in “Old Bali” and improve their chances exponentially of happening upon a cremation ritual, a temple celebration, and old man who shared some wisdom, being invited into a traditional Balinese compound and seeing first hand how they lived, what was important to them, and deeply experiencing a new and exciting culture.

So, what is my advice for getting the most out of your Bali vacation?

• Seek something outside of your comfort zone
• See the countryside
• Don’t try to apply your Western logic to life in Bali. They have been doing this for much longer than we have
• Go to the beach that is not where all the other travelers go
• Spend sometime outside of your resort
• Rent a bike and ride down the small roads and see what you discover
• Stop and try to speak with the locals (even if you cant speak Bahasa Indonesia and they cant speak English, you might be surprised at how much you can communicate)
• Better yet, learn a few phrases before you leave so you can communicate a bit more
• Bring photos of your life back home to share with new friends
• Add a few small items into your luggage that will mean a lot to someone in need (and perhaps be the catalyst for a new friendship). Items like used clothing, art supplies, medical supplies, children’s toys, etc.
• Learn some of the local customs so you don’t accidentally offend anyone
• Smile, show respect and remember you are on vacation and here to grow and enjoy
• Consult with someone who specializes in authentic cultural experiences so you can make the most of everyday you have in Bali

The number one tip for what to do in Bali?

Don’t fall for the tourist traps. Choose to stay in an area with actual culture so you can spend quality time where the real Bali happens. You can always go into the main tourist areas whenever you like, but you will want to get out of the pollution, traffic, noise and mobs of tourists to find your piece of paradise.

Why don’t you come and experience the special parts of Bali for yourself?

Individuals and groups can take part in our soft opening specials and experience Bali’s rich heritage and profound culture, its majestic volcanoes and lush tropical landscapes. Bring a group and stay for free!

Floating Leaf offers… (click any of the green links for more information)

• Authentic Balinese experiences

• A traditional Balinese spa

• World-class surfing

• Cultural and adventure tours

• Eco-luxury accommodations

• Delicious healthy food, elixirs and juices

• Yoga, Meditation, Wellness and Art retreats

And so much more, all in a traditional Balinese village.

Contact us today to reserve your place in paradise. Use the code: ‘Paradise’ when booking your stay and receive a free spa treatment of your choice.