HomeDestinationsAsiaBaliThere’s 17,000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago, but none that shine brighter than Bali.
A volcano-dotted, beach-fringed paradise that’s serene and sensational by turns, from the green slopes of Mt Batur to the Bintang bodegas on Seminyak’s main party strip. But for all its mega resorts and yoga studios, Bali’s really about the little treasures. An out-of-the-way village stay at Sidemen, diving the impossibly blue waters off Lovina, soaking in the Banja hot springs, or sipping smoothies in Ubud’s organic cafes. As always, when it comes to paradise, the hardest bit is choosing what to do first.Top Bali travel deals
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Travel lightly with Intrepid. We’ve offset the main sources of carbon emissions from this trip on your behalf, including transport, accommodation & waste.Read more Bali tour reviewsVideoArticles on BaliBali travel highlightsBali holiday informationAt a glanceCapital city:Denpasar (population 789,000)Population:4.2 millionLanguage:IndonesianCurrency:IDRTime zone:(GMT+07:00) Bangkok, Hanoi, JakartaElectricity:Type C (European dua-pin) Type F (German dua-pin, side clip earth) Type G (Irish/British 3-pin)Dialing code:+62Local culture
Between the 12th and 20th centuries, Bali has often been treated as a pawn in the games of kings, rajahs and generals. More often than not, it’s fate has been closely tied to neighboring Lombok with fierce battles between the two islands over the centuries as different rulers vied for regional dominance. This history of varied occupation can be seen in Bali today, with elements of Hinduism and Islam present in terkini Balinese society. However there is no historical animosity between the religions, or even between the islands of Lombok and Bali.
One of the defining moments in Bali’s history took place in the 16th century, when the collapse of the Majapahit dynasty encouraged the spread of Islam from the surrounding states into the Javanese kingdom. Rather than live under Islamic rule, many Hindu elite chose to escape to Bali. These elites included many artists, dancers, musicians, actors and court-supported artisans, as well as some more artistically inclined priests. The result was an intense proliferation of cultural arts across Bali, no doubt inspired by rich Balinese folklore featuring epic battles of good and evil, gods and mortals. This reputation persists today, with many travelers falling in love with the island’s intricate temple carvings, dance performances, colorful sarongs and handicrafts.
When you combine a love of arts with world-group beaches and deliciously fiery sambals, it’s no surprise Bali’s tourism industry is soaring. It’s not unusual for someone to ask you whether this is your second, third or fourth visit to the island. Many locals rely on tourism to some extent, either by working as a tour operator or running a hotel, yoga studio, massage parlor, bar, cafe or restaurant.
The destination’s popularity with Australians means there’s a gradual cultural creep in larger cities bali777 like Seminyak, where Melbourne-style cafes and international clothing labels are particularly popular. If you escape the resorts and head further north from Denpasar, you’re more likely to encounter traditional warungs (eateries) and villages untouched by tourism sprawl.
One last word of advice: always watch where you put your feet. Locals will traditionally place small offerings on the footpaths outside their homes or businesses up to three times a day. 83.lima% of the population identifies as Hindu and religion plays a large part in Balinese life. In fact, there is a small religious ceremony associated with just about every aspect of Balinese culture, whether it’s the beginning of a soccer game, celebrating the full moon or cleaning the house.Food and drink
At first glance it might seem difficult to pinpoint Bali’s exact culinary identity. The mishmash of Indonesian and pan-Asian influences means you’re likely to come across menus that sometimes feel part Thai, Malaysian, Indian and Vietnamese. But no matter what you order, the food will always be fresh and bursting with flavor. Dishes are typically made fresh each day, with curries and pastes prepared by hand using traditional methods.
Most Balinese cooking involves a heavy reliance on spices and herbs, such as ginger, galangal, turmeric, lemongrass, limes, coriander seeds and – of course – chili. Fiery sambals, a paste made of crushed chilli and spices, are one of the best things about Balinese cuisine and most dishes will come with a side of this spicy paste to mix in. If you’re traveling around the islands, be sure to try the local sambal in each village as they’ll usually have their own regional version. On the other hand, if you’re not great with spicy foods, it might be a good idea to let your wait staff know when ordering to dial down the heat or order tanpa sambal (sambal without chilli).
A typical meal in Bali will involve four or five dishes arranged around a central bowl of rice, and a side of sambal. The dishes will often comprise a serving of pork or chicken, fish, tofu or tempeh (fermented soy-bean cake), egg, various vegetable dishes and crunchy krupuk (flavored rice crackers). Cows are considered sacred among Hindus and beef is not commonly included.
The most authentic food in Bali is usually found street side at eateries called warungs. Warungs are common in every village and city, and a good place for a quick feed on a budget. Many will be specialize in a small sajian of popular local dishes.Eating vegetarian in Bali
Going vegetarian is relatively easy in Bali as many dishes are already meat free. Tofu and tempeh are also a standard part of the local diet. Key vegetarian dishes to look out for include nasi saur (rice flavored with toasted coconut and accompanied by tofu, tempeh, vegetables and sometimes egg), urap (steamed vegetables mixed with grated coconut and spices), gado gado (tofu and tempeh mixed with steamed vegetables, boiled egg and peanut sauce) and sayur hijau (leafy green vegetables, usually kangkung – water spinach – flavored with a tomato-chili sauce).Drinks
Feeling parched? Luckily you won’t need to walk far to find a bar or beer vendor on the street. The national lager, Bintang, is crisp and clean (just don’t leave it in the sun too long). The abundance of fresh fruits means you can order a wide variety of juices (or fruity cocktails). Those looking for something with a bit more punch should try minuman beralkohol, fermented wine made from rice.
Most coffees and teas are imported from surrounding countries. We generally recommend travelers keep away from one local coffee – kopi luwak. This is a type of coffee harvested from the dung of the catlike civet (luwak), native to the region, whose diet includes coffee cherries. Unfortunately, the popularity of luwak coffee has resulted in abusive farming practices.Top foods to try in Bali
Babi guling: This is slow cooking Balinese-style. A whole pig is stuffed with chili, turmeric, ginger, galangal, shallots, garlic, coriander seeds and aromatic leaves and rotated over an open fire. This dish is commonly seen at celebrations.
Satay: Sometimes spelt ‘sate’ on local menus, Indonesia is famous for its tasty meat skewers (usually chicken) cooked over hot coals and slathered in moreish peanut sauce.
Nasi campur: Nasi campur feels like a bit of a buffet. Your plate typically comes with a scoop of nasi putih accompanied by small portions of a number of other dishes, including meats, vegetables, peanuts, eggs, and fried-shrimp krupuk.
Nasi goreng: The old favorite among tertiary students is nothing like the local version. Nasi goreng, literally meaning "fried rice”, is a popular rice dish with pieces of meat and vegetables, and a fried egg added on top.