Why You Should Visit Bali? 7 Inspiring Reasons

Authentic Culture and Traditions

Bali is a tropical island where culture and spirituality permeate every corner of life. Here, you won’t just see beautiful landscapes but will encounter vibrant traditions passed down through generations.

Unique Ceremonies and Festivals

The island hosts numerous ceremonies, each offering a glimpse into the Balinese worldview. Nyepi, the Day of Silence, when the entire island comes to a standstill: no lights, work, or movement. It’s a time for meditation and inner reflection. Locals spend it in silence to deceive evil spirits, who think the island is empty and fly away.

Honestly, when you first experience Nyepi, it feels strange: no cars, no noise—only silence and a starry sky. Even the airport is closed.

Influence of Indian and Balinese Culture

Balinese religion is a unique blend of Hinduism, Buddhism, and ancient local beliefs. The Pura Uluwatu temple perched on a cliff above the ocean and the Pura Tanah Lot on a separate rock in the sea are power places where architecture merges with nature and prayer.

At sunset in Uluwatu, Kecak dances take place with men in sarongs, accompanied only by voices and gestures, no musical instruments. This is not a show for tourists; it is part of the temple ritual.

Opportunity to Participate in Local Rituals

Many temples are open to guests. You can participate in the melukat purification ceremony with holy water. For this, you need a sarong (available for rent at the entrance), respect for the rules, and an open heart. Local priests conduct ceremonies with deep concentration, and you can truly feel the effects.

If you want to dive deeper into the island's culture, check out the program Journey to Yourself Bali Tours. There, we participate in ceremonies, visit temples, and meet local artisans together.

Practical Matters

• Budget: Participation in festivals ranges from 100,000 to 500,000 Indonesian rupiah (approximately $7–35).
• Tour Prices: Group tours to temples cost around 400,000 rupiah ($28), private tours start from 1,000,000 rupiah ($70).
• Visa: Citizens of most countries can enter without a visa for up to 30 days. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry.
• Hidden Costs: Transportation to temples, entrance fees (from 20,000 to 50,000 rupiah), sarong rental (if you don't have your own) around 10,000 rupiah.

Paradise for Surfers

Bali is one of the best places in the world for surfing. No matter your experience level, you will find your wave here.

Great Waves at Different Beaches

The western coast of Kuta, Seminyak, and Legian offers gentle, long waves, perfect for beginners and practicing technique. The southern coast at Uluwatu, Padang-Padang, and Bingin features reef spots that require experience and confidence.

On the eastern side, in Sanur, the waves are calmer, and during the rainy season (November–March 2027), the eastern coast becomes the best choice with gentler winds.

Surfing Spots for Both Beginners and Professionals

Kuta is a classic spot for beginners. Sandy bottom, gentle waves. Legian is slightly less crowded, with slightly higher waves. Uluwatu is for the experienced. Reef, strong waves, but the views are incredible. Canggu is a trendy place with a mix of beaches for different levels.

Opportunity to Take Lessons from Local Instructors

There are hundreds of surf schools in Bali. A good lesson with an instructor ensures safety, proper technique, and quick progress. Prices start from 500,000 rupiah (~$35) for 2 hours. Usually, the price includes a board, rash guard (sun protection shirt), insurance, and water support.

If you want to combine surfing with yoga and meditation, check the Weekend Retreat in Bali where we add morning surfing to the program.

Practical Matters

• Budget: Surfing lessons start from 500,000 rupiah ($35) for 2 hours. Board rental is about 100,000 rupiah ($7) per day.
• Tour Prices: Group tours with surfing and sightseeing start from 1,000,000 rupiah (~$70).
• Visa: Visa-free entry for up to 30 days (passport valid for 6+ months).
• Hidden Costs: Transportation to the beach (taxi or scooter rental around 50,000 rupiah per day), meals at beach cafes 100,000–200,000 rupiah (~$7–14).
• Budgeting Tips: Accommodation in guesthouses starts from 150,000 rupiah per night. Local cafes (warung) offer hearty meals for 50,000 rupiah. Renting a scooter is more economical than taking taxis.

Local Cuisine

Balinese cuisine is a blend of Indonesian traditions, Balinese rituals, and Indian spices. Food here is part of life, not just fuel for the body.

Variety of Dishes and Unique Flavors

Nasi goreng is fried rice with vegetables, egg, chicken, or seafood, served with spicy sambal. It can be breakfast, lunch, and dinner all at once. Satay features skewered chicken or pork with peanut sauce, perfect with a cold Bintang beer. Babi guling is roasted pork with spices, the island's signature dish, served with rice, vegetables, and crispy skin. Lawar is a salad made of meat, coconut, and spices. Spicy, flavorful, and traditional.

For dessert, sticky rice with coconut milk and palm sugar is simple but memorable.

Markets and Street Food: Where and What to Try

At the market in Ubud, you can try fresh fruits like mangoes, papayas, mangosteen, and salak ("snake fruit"). Prices are quite low—1 kilogram of mango for 20,000–30,000 rupiah.

Street cafes (warung) are the heart of Balinese cuisine. They are always cheap, tasty, and authentic. A meal in such a place costs 30,000–50,000 rupiah. Don’t hesitate to enter where locals eat; it’s the best sign of quality.

Cooking Classes for Those Wanting to Learn How to Cook

If you want not just to eat but also to understand how it’s prepared, sign up for a cooking class. You’ll go to the market, select ingredients, and then, under the chef’s guidance, prepare several traditional dishes. Prices start from 350,000 rupiah (~$25) per person.

In the Weekend Retreat in Bali, we sometimes include cooking classes, which is a great way to connect with culture through food.

Practical Matters

• Budget: Lunch at a warung costs 30,000–50,000 rupiah ($2–3.5), a mid-range restaurant 100,000–200,000 rupiah ($7–14), and a cooking class from 350,000 rupiah (~$25).
• Hidden Costs: Water in tourist areas is more expensive—bring your bottle and refill it at cafes. Drinks in restaurants can cost as much as food.
• Budgeting Tips: Buy fruits at markets instead of supermarkets. Look for warung off the tourist paths.

Diving and Snorkeling

The underwater world of Bali is a separate universe. Coral reefs, sunken ships, turtles, manta rays, and moonfish are all accessible for diving and snorkeling.

Unique Underwater Worlds Around Bali

The coral reefs around Bali are home to hundreds of fish species. Bright, noisy, and alive. In Tulamben lies the sunken ship USAT Liberty, one of the most famous dive sites in the world. The ship is covered in coral and inhabited by barracudas, groupers, and shrimp.

At Nusa Penida, you can see manta rays and sunfish (mola-mola); these are seasonal encounters but unforgettable.

Best Places for Diving and Snorkeling

Tulamben features a sunken ship accessible for beginner divers. Depth ranges from 5 to 30 meters. Nusa Penida offers mantas and moonfish, with strong currents. For experienced divers. Amed is a calm spot, good for beginners and snorkeling. Coral gardens and a variety of fish. Sanur has a shallow reef, warm water, perfect for families with children.

Safety and Preparation Recommendations

• Certificates: If you plan to dive, you need a PADI certificate or an equivalent. If you don’t have one, you can take the Open Water course in Bali for 3–4 days.
• Instructors: Choose reputable dive centers with good reviews. Don’t chase after the cheapest options; safety is more important.
• Health: Before diving, undergo a medical check-up, especially if you have heart, lung, or ear issues.
• Weather: During the rainy season (November–March 2027), underwater visibility may be worse. The best time for diving is April–October 2027.

Opportunity to Organize a Diving Tour with Jay Shambo

We organize diving tours tailored to your level and interests. The program includes transfers, equipment rental, instructor support, and, if desired, training and certification. You can learn more in the sections Journey to Yourself Bali Tours and Weekend Retreat in Bali.

Practical Matters

Budget: Diving with two dives starts from 1,200,000 rupiah ($85). The Open Water course starts from 5,000,000 rupiah ($350). Snorkeling tours start from 300,000 rupiah (~$21).

• Hidden Costs: Transfers to dive sites, meals, underwater camera rental from 200,000 rupiah.
• Visa: Visa-free entry for 30 days (passport valid for 6+ months).

Endless Rice Fields

Rice terraces are Bali’s calling card. This is not just agriculture; it’s an art, a philosophy, and a part of the island’s spiritual life.

Walks Through the Rice Terraces: A Visual and Spiritual Experience

When you walk along the narrow paths between the terraces, you hear the rush of water, the singing of birds, and the whisper of the wind. Green slopes transform into golden fields, depending on the season. It’s meditative.At dawn and dusk, the light becomes soft, and the fields seem to glow from within. You can pause, sit on the edge of the terrace, and simply breathe. Many guests say that it’s here they first felt true silence within for a long time.

How to Get to the Famous Fields

The most popular fields are located in Ubud (Tegalalang) and Jatiluwih (included in the UNESCO list).

• By scooter: rental is 50,000 IDR per day. It offers the freedom to move around.
• By taxi: from Ubud to Tegalalang costs about 200,000 IDR (~14 USD).
• Group tours: include transport, entrance tickets, and a guide. Prices start from 500,000 IDR (~35 USD) per person.

Photography and Nature Meditation Opportunities

Rice fields are the perfect place for photography and for stopping to be with yourself.

Tips for photographers: Arrive early in the morning (6:00–8:00) or before sunset (16:00–18:00) when the light is softer and the shadows are more interesting. Shoot from different angles: low to the ground, from heights, through plants. Use a polarizing filter to eliminate glare and enhance the greenery.

For meditation: find a quiet spot away from the main paths. Sit on the grass or a rock. Close your eyes. Listen. Breathe.

If you want to combine walks in the fields with mindfulness practices and yoga, check out the Journey to Yourself Bali Tours, where we hold practices in nature, including among the rice terraces.

Practical Moments

• Budget: entrance tickets range from 10,000 to 50,000 IDR (~0.70–3.50 USD). Scooter rental is 50,000 IDR per day.
• Hidden expenses: food and drinks in cafes on the fields are more expensive than in Ubud. Carry water with you. Cash is essential; cards are not accepted everywhere.
• Saving tips: have lunch at local warungs outside tourist areas. Renting a scooter for several days is cheaper.

Volcano Summits

Bali's volcanoes are places of power, challenge, and incredible views. Climbing to the summit is both a physical and inner overcoming.

Volcanic Trails for Outdoor Enthusiasts

• Mount Batur (1717 m): the most popular. The ascent takes 2–3 hours. The start is usually around 3:00–4:00 AM to catch the sunrise at the summit. Suitable for beginners.
• Mount Agung (3031 m): the highest point in Bali. The route is challenging and requires good physical condition. The ascent takes 4–6 hours one way.

How to Prepare for the Ascent

• Gear: comfortable trekking shoes, warm clothing (it’s cold at the summit even in the tropics), flashlight, water (at least 2 liters), light snacks (bars, fruits).
• Physical preparation: if you are not used to physical activity, start training 2–3 weeks in advance: running, squats, cardio.
• Guide: definitely take a local guide. They know the trail, the weather, and the risks. Cost starts from 400,000 IDR (~28 USD) per group.

Safety and Logistics: What You Need to Know

• Weather: check the forecast. Rain can make the trail slippery and dangerous. The best season for climbing is April–October 2027.
• Start time: set out early in the morning to avoid the heat and catch the sunrise at the summit. It’s also safer; clouds can obstruct the view during the day.
• Transport: it takes about 1.5 hours by car from Ubud to the foot of Batur. Transfers are often included in the guide's fee.

Climbing Opportunities with Jay Shambo

We organize volcano ascents with full support: transfer, experienced guide, water and snacks, breakfast at the summit. You can choose a route suited to your abilities, from the easy Batur to the challenging Agung.

To learn more and book: Journey to Yourself Bali Tours and Weekend Retreat in Bali.

Practical Moments

• Budget: climbing Batur with a guide starts from 400,000 IDR (~28 USD) per group. For Agung, it starts from 800,000 IDR (~56 USD). Transfer costs about 200,000 IDR (~14 USD).
• Hidden expenses: rental of warm clothing (if you don’t have your own) is about 50,000 IDR. Tips for the guide are optional, usually between 50,000–100,000 IDR.
• Visa: visa-free entry for 30 days (passport must be valid for 6+ months).

Bali is not just a resort. It is a space for transformation: through culture, nature, practices, and encounters. We create journeys that change you from the inside. If you feel the call, we would be happy to welcome you to our group.