Bali Trip Planning

Like with any destination, you want to have some idea of where you want to visit and the sort of activities you want to do. A lot of people think Bali is all about the surf, but that's far from true. Let's run through some of the regional distinctions.

Kuta/Legain/Seminyak - Once a small fishing village, Kuta has developed into the heart of Bali's tourism industry over the past four decades. It's basically the closest place to Bali's Ngurah Rai Airport, so it's the usual go-to arrival and departure destination. Its long sandy beach is close to a wide range of accommodations, shopping, restaurants, and bars. This is basically party-central in Bali, and it's gotten so big that it's hard to tell where Kuta ends and its northern neighbors of Legian and Seminyak begin. 

Kerobokan/Canggu - Rapidly expanding Seminyak is starting to spread north into this area. There is already a healthy ex-pat community here and plenty of accommodation for tourists as well. The beaches can be a bit dirty, but there's lots of great shopping and dining. Villas set amongst the rice paddies and its proximity to the action south make this a popular destination. 

Northwest (Medewi) - Bali's northwest is quite different than the rest of the island due to a predominantly Muslim population (intead of Hindu). This area is mostly quiet and far less tourist-driven than the south. There are miles of sparsely populated black-sand beaches and some fun surf (well-suited for beginners). Just north of here is Gilimanuk, where ferries to/from Java depart/arrive.

Jimbaran - Famous for its lovely seafood barbeques right on the beach, Jimbaran is home to some fancy hotels and restaurants. This is a good central location for those looking to be close to the Kuta area and the Bukit.

Bukit (West) - Most of Bali's famous beaches (and surf breaks) are found along this stretch of coastline. Balangan, Dreamland, Padang Padang, and Uluwatu are all within a short 10-15 minute drive of each other. The famous Uluwatu temple is at the southern end of this peninsula. It's getting busier and busier in this area and the roads (well, really just one road) can't really handle it. Nighttime here is quiet and pretty much everything shuts down by 10 PM.

Nusa Dua/Tanjung Benoa - The Nusa Dua resort complex doesn't seem to stop growing. Home to a plethora of 5-star resorts including the St. Regis and Nikko, this area caters to people who want to be pampered. There is also plenty of shopping and restaurants so visitors don't need to leave. The hotels here are popular for Business conferences, and it will welcome the ASEAN Summit in 2014. Tanjung Benoa is Bali's main harbor, welcoming cruise ships and private vessels into its waters. Similar to Nusa Dua but slightly less exclusive and expensive, this is also a launching point for boats to neighboring Nusa Lembongan and speed boats to Lombok and the Gili Islands.

Sanur - Popular with older ex-pats and tourists in Bali, Sanur has plenty of high-end accommodation and restaurants to choose from. This was the first area setup for tourism outside of Kuta, and is nearly its polar opposite. Sleepy town for those looking to just relax. 

Northeast Bali - Though it's becoming more and more tourist-oriented as people look to get away from the hustle and bustle of the south, this is a relaxed area where traditional Balinese culture still shines. There are a lot of great spots for snorkeling, diving, and fishing, and plenty of scarcely-populated beaches. This is also home to Bali's famous volcano, Gunung Agung, that dominates the landscape here.

North Bali - Well-secluded from the popular tourist areas, the North is quiet and relaxed. It too has great snorkeling and diving in the Java Sea. Its historical significance to Bali's culture is really second to none.

Ubud (Central Bali) - Central Bali's lush forests, lakes, and rice paddies are often what people think of when Bali is mentioned. Arts and culture here have developed a strong tourist draw; less congested than the southern areas, this is popular with older visitors and has a growing ex-pat community.