Bali

Bali

• About Bali

  Bali is a paradise island in Indonesia at the east end of Java with a legendary reputation for hospitality. Beautiful beaches lead on to lush forests, rice paddies and stunning mountains and volcanoes. Bali is equally known for its arts and culture; especially dance as well as highly refined fine arts, including painting, sculpture and woodcarving. Such works are often imbued with deep spiritual significance. With opportunities for surfing and other watersports such as diving Bali is without doubt Indonesia's top tourist attraction. It really is a wonderful destination.

• Climate

  Bali is always tropical meaning warmth and humidity all year round. April to October is the drier season and November to March is more rainy but there is little difference with lots of rainfall throughout the year. Winter is more humid with a good chance of thunder and lighting.

• Travel

  Most holidaymakers arrive at Denpasar Ngurah Rai international airport. There are direct bus services to Bali from major cities on Java and Lombok which use the frequent ferry crossings. There are good organised trips around the island or you can take a metered taxi or rent a taxi for a half day or full day. Bemos are minivans which can be charted for the day. Car, motorbike and bicycle rental is also available.

• Did You Know?

  The Hindu New Year is celebrated by a day of silence. Each year on a spring day usually March/April everyone stays at home. The previous day parades of colourful monster sculptures take place before they are burned as a symbolic exorcism of evil spirits.

• Advice

  Travellers are advised to check local embassies for latest travel information following terrorist bombings in Kuta and Jimbaran tourist areas in 2005.

• Recommended Tourist Attractions

  Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary

  Dense jungle home of three holy temples and a tribe of mischievous monkeys who harass tourists for food. Highlights include Pura Dalem Agung - the Temple of the Dead - covered in grotesque statues.

  Ancient Shrines (Gunung Kawi)

  One of Bali's largest and oldest monuments. In a green valley ten 7m high shrines are cut out of rock faces. A number of different theories and legends surround these ancient rock carvings.

  Museum Le Mayeur

  Impressionist art works by Belgian Adrien Jean Le Mayeur de Merpes who lived in Bali from 1932. Subjects are drawn from the artist's travels in Africa, India, the South Pacific and Europe.

• History

  The island of Bali was inhabited in early prehistoric times but traces of early civilisation occur in the 9th century AD when Hindu Java society is documented, later developing into a highly elaborate kingdom. The first European influences were Dutch traders who started a long tradition of European settlers arriving on the island. Later the Japanese took control of Indonesia during World War Two. Independence was finally achieved after the war. Following a period of instability Bali has economically flowered by developing a hugely successful tourist trade and important trade agreements with the West. The island's tourist trade was devastated following the bomb attacks in 2002 but with heavily discounted packages it is now returning to what it once was.

• Things To Do

  Visit the numerous Hindu temples. Relax in hot water springs and spas. Go river rafting, surfing, paragliding or scuba diving. Visit one of the many adventure parks including paint balling and go karting. Take the family to one of the island's many zoos, wildlife centres and nature parks. If none of that thrills why not lie on a paradise beach and enjoy a Bintang or two? (Bali's most popular beer).

• Recommended Places

  Jimbaran

  Nice beaches south of Kuta.

  Kuta and Legian

  Surfer central in the south.

  Nusa Dua

  High quality beach resorts in the south.

  Sanur

  Fantastic beaches also at Southern end.

  Seminyak and Kerobokan

  Quiet high quality beach resorts in the south.

  Uluwatu

  Tiny village at the southernmost tip of Bali famous for its cliffside temple.

  Ubud

  The center of art and dance in the mountains.

  Sayan

  Very spectacular tiered rice terraces in Central Bali.

  Lovina

  Pretty villages and black volcanic sand beaches and reefs at Bali's northern coast.

  Kintamani

  Provides super view over the Batur volcano and the home to the impressive Batur temple.

  Amed

  The dry eastern side of the island with spectacular black sand beaches, coral reefs and shipwrecks to explore.

  Tirta Gangga

  Also to the east with spectacular mountain ranges and beautiful rice terraces to explore.

• Key Facts

  • Full Name - Bali
  • Population - 3,000,000
  • Time Zone - GMT 8
  • Main Language - Indonesian
  • Main Language - Balinese Hinduism