The first time I went to Bali was in 2010….how crazy is that! Little 21-year-old Kayla fell in love with Indonesia from that very first moment. And since then, I’ve spent years all over the country.
As wonderful as every single one of the islands are in Indonesia, the place that keeps pulling me back time and time again is Bali.
Of course Bali has changed a lot since the first time I went, but the one constant is that almost tangible magnetism that draws in millions of tourists from around the world every year.
There’s a reason that Bali is at the top of your travel list, or your yoga retreat list. To put it simply, it’s a special island, with a unique blend of offerings for all travelers.
So, let’s dive into where to visit in Bali!
Ubud
Calling all yogis! This one’s for you. Okay, but wait- even if you’re not a yogi, you’ll want to go to Ubud. Want to know how I know this? Because my wife is the most non-yoga-person EVER, and even she said this was one of her favorite places when she went for the first time recently.
Why is Ubud so great?
The Food!
Oh my gosh, I can’t rave about the food enough in Ubud. It’s a true veggie lover’s paradise, with a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, and raw food options.
However, it’s not Northern India, ok. It’s not like they don’t have meat at all. You can literally find whatever you want in Ubud, I just happen to love the vegan places the most (for obvious reasons).
A few of my all time favorites are: Sayuri, Kafe, Zest, Moksa, Sage, and Bali Buda.
Yoga
Like I said, Ubud is a yogi’s paradise, with top notch teachers, and jaw dropping Shalas sprinkled throughout the city. You’ve probably heard of Yoga Barn, which is certainly a beautiful place to practice. However, my favorite is Radiantly Alive. It’s the only place I go when I’m in Bali.
For a real treat, go to Jasmine’s class. She’s the owner, and one of my favorite humans.
Activities
Ubud is an epicenter for all the very Bali-esque activities you imagine when you decide to make the trek to Indonesia. Think rice terrace walks, white water rafting, swimming in waterfalls, markets and temple visits. There is all of that and MORE in, and around Ubud.
Canggu
Okay, I have to be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Canggu personally. However, it’s a hot spot in Bali for a reason: because there’s a lot to do there! It’s super family friendly, and also has a lot of great food options. Food alone is a reason to visit a place, imo 🙂
Surf
This is one of the main reasons Canggu has blown up into the scene that it is. The surf is incredible here for all levels. The biggest drawback is that it’s super crowded. But it’s still a great place to learn.
Shopping
Ubud has great shopping as well, although Ubud is more centered on artisan crafts and very Bali looking goods. Canggu is all about style, baby. There are countless chic boutiques with everything from inexpensive bikinis, to pricier nighttime wear.
Night Life
You all know I’m an alcohol-free girlie, but I wasn’t always. And once upon a time, your girl used to rage in Canggu. Now, since then the “cool spots” have changed, so I wouldn’t be of service to advise you where to go. However, wherever you stay will certainly point you in the right direction of the parties popping off every night.
The Bukit
Bingin Beach, Uluwatu, and Padang-Padang Beach are all a part of the southern most tip of Bali, otherwise known as The Bukit. And this area has been known for years as “Balifornia,” because of its laid back surfer vibes akin to my home state. Recently, the entire region has been built up a lot more, which naturally comes with pros and cons.
Pros, there’s a lot more restaurants and amenities. Cons, there’s more people.
Surf
Surfing The Bukit is not for the faint of heart. These are world class waves that some surfers will only ever dream about. You’ve probably heard of Uluwatu, which is one of the best surfing areas on the whole island. All the waves around here do have reef bottoms, so just be careful! But most of all, have fun.
Wellness
Some delicious spas have popped up around The Bukit in the last few years. A favorite is Our Spa, as well as an old faithful known as Esthetic Day Spa. But my ultimate favorite place for wellness is Istana in Uluwatu, where you can enjoy hyperbaric chambers, cold plunges, and saunas.
Food
This is the main reason it’s been so nice to see The Bukit develop over the last 10 years…the food! My two favorites are actually quite old, which are Land’s End Cafe in Ulutwatu, and Cashew Tree in Bingin. Newer favorites are Alchemy in Bingin (same as the one in Ubud!), Ours in Padang, and La Barraca in Uluwatu. So much goodness, so little time.
North Bali
North Bali doesn’t get the love it deserves, and I’m here to change that. This is truly the place to go if you want to experience the “real Bali” away from the touristy hustle and bustle of the previous locations I’ve listed. Now, with an authentic experience means less Westernized cafe culture and decadent shopping, but it also means peace, nature, and a glimpse into the culture beyond tourist performances.
Bondalem Beach
This was one of my favorite places for a long time. The archives of the blog might even have a post about it! I love to stay at Villa Selina, as a gorgeous, no-frills family owned business. Truly, one of the best places to unplug into peace and quiet. They’ll spoil you with home-cooked Indonesian style food, and a beautiful ocean-front property.
Waterfalls
There are too many waterfalls in North Bali to keep track of, honestly. Many of them don’t have a name, nor can be found on a map. But that’s kind of one of the best things about it! You can go on an all-day adventure literally chasing waterfalls. How do you find them, you ask? Well, that leads me to my next point…
Scooters
You’ll notice hundreds of thousands of people zipping around on motorbikes and scooters throughout Bali. And, if you’re new to riding bikes, it probably looks pretty intimidating, because there’s so many people on the road. But not up here. It’s so peaceful, it makes for the perfect place to explore Bali by bike.
If you haven’t already bought your ticket to Bali at this point, I don’t know what the heck else you’re waiting for. In case you can’t tell, I’ve only just barely scratched the surface on all there is to do on this mystical little island.
Pack your bags, get your sunscreen, and bug spray. We’re going to Bali!
xx,
K