The first Europeans to arrive on the island of Bali, in Indonesia, were the sailors of the ship captained by the Dutch explorer Van Houtman in 1597. The crew was fascinated with that haven of mist, rice fields and volcanoes so it is not surprising that part of her wanted to stay in that idyllic place.
Bali is located in the Sunda archipelago, between Java and Lombok. It has four million inhabitants and unlike the rest of the islands that surround it, its main faith is not Islam but Hinduism.
Knowing all Bali will be easy since any trip from one end of the island to the other is completed in just three hours by car. For this reason, it is recommended that as soon as you land in the capital, Denpasar, you set out to explore this volcanic pearl.
When leaving Denpasar you will see that Bali is a huge rice field but also a unique mix of exceptional culture, with dreamy landscapes and beaches, a tropical climate and cheap prices. Foreigners usually come to enjoy the honeymoon seduced by the coast, but the Balinese are more interested in the interior of the island and only go to the sea out of necessity.
However, as a good part of its inhabitants also live from tourism, now come closer to it to meet the demands of tourists during their vacations. For example, in Lovina boat trips are organized at dawn to spot dolphins, on the beaches of Kuta you can surf the waves and go scuba diving to see the reefs of Padangbal and in Sanur the fishing boats unload their catch for travelers to taste the fresh fish from the area.
Knowing the Balinese culture
Bali is famous for its paradisiacal beaches. However, not many know its fascinating culture. Ubud is considered the cultural heart of the island. In addition to being the home of Balinese artisans, it has beautiful temples, art centers, and great restaurants. From here you can make excursions to sacred places such as Tirta Empul or Goa Gajah, a network of stone and vegetation that is broken by the imposing presence of the Gunung Agung volcano, which is the center of the spiritual universe of the Balinese. The more adventurous can climb it but observing it from the south slope is less risky and just as beautiful. Especially because here are the Pura Besakih Temples dedicated to offering and prayer.
Furthermore, Ubus is also well known for the sacred sanctuary of the Monkey Forest, replete with moss-covered statues and cult apes. The monkeys are used to the presence of people in the area so those who like nature photography will greatly enjoy taking pictures of them. The Monkey Forest is also a nature conservation place in Bali. More than a hundred different kinds of trees have been cataloged here, some of them considered sacred. Also, this shrine is an important place of worship for Balinese Hindus known as Padangtegal.
Bali has a lot to offer the visitor but it is always advisable to take advantage of the trip there to know a little more about Indonesia, such as Yogyakarta in Java (cradle of Hinduism and Buddhism where you can visit the Borobudur and Prambanan temples, both declared World Heritage Sites by Unesco) and Singapore, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Asia.
The dream beaches of Bali
Now, if the island of Bali is known worldwide for something, it is for its paradisiacal beaches, which have very different characteristics. Those in the east are white sand while those in the west are black volcanic sand. Then we present some that you cannot miss.
Seminyak: Located in the south of the island, it is a long white sand beach surrounded by hotels, restaurants and luxury shops. The sunsets from this beach are incredible So we recommend you take many pictures of this place.
Padang Padang: It is considered one of the best beaches in Bali for its crystal clear waters and white sand. What's more, it is very popular with surfers Well, here one of the most important sports competitions in the world is organized.
Sanur: Diving lovers they will find in Sanur the beach of their dreams for its reefs and marine animals. We recommend you go aboard a glass-bottom boat to contemplate the deep sea without the need to soak.
Kuta: It is one of the most touristy beaches in Bali. Both during the day and at night, Kuta Beach is always busy. In the morning you can enjoy the landscape, the sea and water sports but when the sun goes down, the party takes over the beach.
Interesting facts about Bali
- Documentation: Passport and visa.
- Language: Bahasa Indonesia.
- Currency: Rupee.
- Health: It is advisable to get vaccinated against hepatitis A, hepatitis B and tetanus; Bring mosquito repellent and drink bottled water.
- Hours: Six hours more than in Spain.
- Climate: The island of Bali is located on the equator, that is why its climate is totally tropical, so Bali has temperatures of about 30 degrees throughout the year.
- Best time to travel to Bali: During the dry season, which also coincides with the European summer (from June to September).
- How to get there: From Spain there are normally two stopovers to get to Bali Ngurah Rai airport: the first in a European or Arab city; the second in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, located on the island of Java.