about bali

Nature

Bali Island located between the islands of Java and Lombok. Bali is considered as the most developed tourist area In Indonesia. The island is 150 km long from east to west and 80 km long from north to south, administratively it covers 5,780 km2, or 5,577 km2 without Nusa Penida District, its population density is roughly 750 people/km2. Height up to 3142 m (Mount Agung), known as the "mother mountain" which is an active volcano.

Bali is also the largest tourist destination in the country and is renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. A tourist haven for decades, the province has seen a further surge in tourist numbers in recent years. The island is surrounded by coral reefs. Beaches in the south tend to have white sand while those in the north and west have black sand. There are various of tourist attractions and objects such as waterfalls, lakes, rice terraces, etc. Every place has different thing to offer.

Culture

Balinese culture was strongly influenced by Indian, Chinese, and particularly Hindu culture, beginning around the 1st century AD. The name Bali dwipa ("Bali island") has been discovered from various inscriptions, including the Blanjong pillar inscription written by Sri Kesari Warmadewa in 914 AD and mentioning "Walidwipa". It was during this time that the complex irrigation system subak was developed to grow rice. Some religious and cultural traditions still in existence today can be traced back to this period. The Hindu Majapahit Empire (1293–1520 AD) on eastern Java founded a Balinese colony in 1343. When the empire declined, there was an exodus of intellectuals, artists, priests, and musicians from Java to Bali in the 15th century.

Weather

Equatorial and sub-equatorial climate . The average temperature is around 25 C. Bali has two kind of weather, they are dry and wet. Dry weather starts on October to April, and wet weather starts from April to October.

Language

Indonesia has many kind of local languages, almost every island has different local languages and dialects. But Indonesia has one national language that everyone can speak - Bahasa Indonesia. In Bali people speak in Bahasa Indonesia and Balinese language. Most people in Bali are able to speak english.

Currency

Indonesian Rupiah (IDR). 1 USD equals around IDR 14.000, and keeps changing. Rates are constantly fluctuates markedly. Banknotes of IDR are 1000, 2000, 5000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, and the biggest amount is 100.000. Coins are 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 Rupiahs. It is recommended to exchange your money in authorised money changer. Credit cards are accepted mainly in expensive hotels, restaurants and shops, but not comfortable for daily expenses.

Visa and Custom

All tourists traveling to Indonesia must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and has one blank page. You can get Indonesian visa from the embassy or visa on arrival.

You are allowed to bring maximum 1 litre of alcohol per person.

Surfing

This royal sport attracts tourists to Bali from around the world, Australians, Japanese, Germans, French, Italians, Russians, etc. come because Kuta is known as great surfing spot, and you can do surfing in any time of the year.

The beaches in Kuta and Seminyak are sandy with good waves. it is a perfect place to study the basics of surfing for beginners and also great for professionals. You can take a surf lesson from one of many surf school here or with local surfers at the beach.

Waterbom

If you love water, pool, water slides, this is the water park you want to visit. Well-desinged water park with many types of water slides, from the fun to the scariest ones are placed here. This place is great for anyone, any age. Waterbom is located in front of Discovery Mall.

Party

Party time in Kuta is every time.

Legian - one of the main streets of Kuta, where you can find a lot of night clubs that is open all days in the week: Sky Garden, Bounty, Eikon, Apache bar and many others.

Luxury oceanfront clubs in Seminyak - open also for children's activities and family dinners, and at night turn into dance floors with the best cocktails on the island: Potato head, KU DE TA, Living Room, Cocoon beach club, Hu'u bar and many others.

Restaurants with live music

Great live music you can find in Jps warung in Diana Pura street, Hard Rock cafe and Espresso bar in Kuta

For jazz lovers we recommend you to have your dinner at Japanese restaurant with the best jazz live music on the island - Ryoshi in Raya Seminyak street.

Boutiques and shopping centres

Lets shop! Here you will find many brands of famous and lesser-known designers. You do not need to bring a lot of clothes when you visit Kuta and Seminyak because there are many great clothes shops with affordable price!

Kuta beachwalk - a huge tropical style mall located in front of Kuta beach. There are cinema and children's playrooms, some restaurants, cafes, boutiques, one of the best mall on the island.

Discovery shopping mall - shopping center on the beach in Kuta also. There are large number of boutiques and shops selling souvenirs and clothes, many wold-known brand shops also. Some restaurants and bars. Also every saturday night there is “Cinema under the moonlight” where you can sit in front of big screen, under the open sky in the evening, enjoying the movies.

Kuta square - the whole street is filled with popular youth and surfer brands. Products from python skin i.e. handbags, wallets, shoes, accessories. We recommend you to go to Eta Rossiya Shop that is located in Benesari street in Kuta, where you will find a many products, good prices and excellent quality.

Massages and SPA

When you feel tired after a lot of sun and activities, you can easily find massages and SPA place around Kuta. They’re almost everywhere and not pricey.

Looking for a great holiday atmosphere, shopping and surfing - Kuta and Seminyak is your choice!

Here you can feel the real non-tourist Bali, with small cozy restaurants and spa, with many wild beaches with black sand, where the pro surfers riding the waves. Many pro surfers ride here because the reef here is far from the coast and forms a large bulk waves. Kite surfing around Canggu beach is also doable as the wind is strong here.

Many rice fields around makes your evening feels war much better and relaxing as the frogs and crickets are singing.

Echo beach

a restaurant that’s located by the beach where you can have very tasty breakfast, lunch, and dinner. With beautiful ocean views, seeing surfers riding the waves, and perfect spot for enjoying sunset.

Villas in Canggu

are usually large and have the view of rice fields. Staying here bring you into the atmosphere of relaxation and serenity. Delicious dinners, massages on the gazebo while you enjoy the rice terraces and the beautiful sunsets.

Yoga

There are numerous schools of yoga, you can even invite a teacher to you villa or just attend yoga centers nearest to your villa. The atmosphere in this area is great for yoga.

Canggu Club

Bali’s premier entertainment and sporting center where everyone is welcome.
Set on a sprawling 4 are estate amongst the rice fields of Canggu and yet only a 10 minute drive to Seminyak.
Club has a complete Fitness Centre including lap pool and sports ground, Tennis Centre, Body Temple Spa, Sports Bar and Restaurants.
Splash Water Park, Bounce Trampoline Centre, Strike Ten Pin Bowling and Cubby House Kids Club!

Ecosfera

- great surfer hotel, where you can also practice yoga, martial arts, play poker with other guests, learn how to dance salsa and spend a great evening at a nice restaurant!

Organic Cafe Bali Buddha

with healthy and tasty food and many organic products, vitamins, cosmetics, sand delicious desserts!

Deus Canggu

- Art Studio, a great cafe and bar, bikes, boards, clothes designing, live music and film screenings - fantabulous place!

Bukit is located on southern part of Bali island and surrounded by naturally great white sand beaches. Peaceful and breathtaking views, you can find it here.

In Bukit there are some luxury villas with ocean views or beach access and small guest-houses. Some of them are placed on the higher ground of the green hill where you can smell the aroma of the ocean mixed with green plantation's aroma. You can spend your morning at one of the beaches and get a wonderful day enjoying the warm breeze and to surf and go to clubs to make a party at the villa in the evening.

Balangan beach

- one of Bali's most beloved beaches. Relaxing atmosphere and warm ocean with perfect waves for surfers or even swimmers. There are plenty of small cafes on the beach, where you can lay down on a long chair, sunbathing, reading books, drinking coffee or beers and enjoy the Bali sunset. The most beautiful beach in Bali!

Bingin beach

- a small beach whom surfers like to visit, big waves and lots of small cafes. Here you can find cheap guest-house and even budget hotels overlooking the ocean . This beach is between Padang Padang and Uluwatu, be patience to find this place and spend at least one day here!

Padang-Padang beach

- the famous beach for surfer. Located on the way to Uluwatu. Before you find the beach you need to go through a small cave with stairs, it seems like you go to a hidden beach, but the fact is this beach is famous, our advice is go to this beach on work days as it gets pretty crowded on the weekend. The beach is perfect for swimming with children, there is almost no waves and reef is located away from the coast.

Uluwatu beach

is a world known beach and temple. It is also a great surf spot which has huge waves and recommended for pro surfers. You can sit back and relax drinking a bottle of beer and seeing pro surfers riding the waves.

Green Bowl beach

is a small hidden beach with hundreds of rungs down to get here, but it's worth it - you will witness one of the most beautiful beaches , but be careful, even though the ocean looks calm, we do not recommend this beach for swimming because of the h2 current. Here you will find a cave with bats and a small little temple in it. Only few people know this beach so you may the only one at the beach when you come.

Pandawa beach

is placed close to Green Bowl beach. Pandawa beach has calm and warm water which is perfect for swimming and relaxing. Pandawa is getting more famous recently because of its landscape which is great. The access to go to Pandawa is easy and good, you will see big statues on the side of the way to Pandawa beach.

Nirmala

- popular supermarkets on Bukit where can find everything you need for your holiday, they have food and even souvenirs.

Bali Buddha

- organic foods cafe and shop that has delicious desserts, natural cosmetics and natural vitamins and teas.

Cafe Moka

- At cafe Moka you can try the best breakfast and biscuits on the way to Uluwatu.

Even though you are staying in another area - be sure to visit beautiful Bukit beaches!

The place where once was a fishing village on the south of the airport, then it turned to be a popular holiday destination in Bali.

Surfing

There is almost no wave and you can safely swim in the ocean. But sometimes when the ocean is getting wavy, many surfers from Kuta surf here for safe surfing.

Restaurants

Jimbaran has restaurants complex that is placed right on the shore of the ocean. They open in the afternoon until late. In the evening it even gets more interesting, hundreds of candles, delicious seafood aroma in the air and warm songs from talented local musicians who can sing many songs in different languages!

PEPeNERO. A great Italian restaurant with a ocean view serves stunning Italian cuisine! Try pasta and desserts, they are unique.

Rock Bar. Do not forget to visit one of the best and most popular bars in Bali. Placed in the middle of the cliff with fantabolous view. The foods and drinks are worth every cent you spend.

Fish Market. In Jimbaran there is also famous fish market where you can buy fresh fish in the morning. It’s a good idea to visit this place if you have barbecue party or about to have seafood dinner at the villa.

Remember to try to bargain the price as it is a traditional marker, don’t hesitate, we recommend you to ask staff from villa to help you.

Shopping Centre

Jimbaran Corner. One nice shopping centers in Jimbaran. Here you can find several branded shops. Also great popular restaurant Grocer and Grind with a large selection of Indonesian and European cuisine and the best desserts in Jimbaran! Wine supermarket, pharmacy, and elegant spa are here.

Nusa Dua is divided into two parts:

The hotel complex where the world-class hotels of Bali are located, with access to the white sandy beach and ocean is calm and has no waves.

There is a large shopping centre called Bali Collection, where you can go shopping or have a lunch in one of the restaurants here.

Outside of the hotel complex there is Tanjung Benoa.

Ocean is calm almost without waves and you can find here a lot of water sport activities: you can do parasailing, ride on a jet ski, banana boat, sea walker, etc. From the hotels complex of Nusa Dua to Tanjung Benoa is just 5 minutes drive.

We also recommend visiting the beach club Sakala, there sometimes you can join parties, barbecues and some other events. Along with stunning kitchen and wine list, you will find a truly luxurious atmosphere!

We recommend you to visit new beautiful Pandawa beach. This beach is a great place to relax, swim in the calm ocean and try delicious fried bananas in a small cafe on the beach.

Benoa Square - a large shopping center, located between Nusa Dua and Jimbaran, here you will find the money exchange, branded stores, Burger King, Domino's Pizza, Baskin Robbins and Hero supermarket.

Hardy's Nusa Dua - a large supermarket, you can buy essential products and a variety of crafts by local craftsmen.

Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa are ideal for families with children.

If you choose to stay at villa in Nusa Dua, the villa will be around this area, all the best beaches are close by!

The oldest tourism area in Bali and one of the most peaceful place on the island.

Sanur gives power and balance to tourists by its white sand beaches, quiet and warm life. Sanur is a great place for family vacation and elderly who are looking for serenity.

To go around Sanur, you do not need a car or motorbike, just walk or rent a bicycle that you can find almost everywhere. Don’t worry, the is no traffic jam in Sanur and the street is not crowded also.

You also can easily fly some kites here as the wind is ideal for kite-flying, if there’s a kite competition, it usually will take place in Sanur.

An of course it’s also a great place to do kite surfing, you can find Rip Curl School of Kite Surf that is located at the beach of Sanur. Away from the shore, the ocean offer good waves for surfing.

Sanur beach also has many restaurants with beach view, they’re open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

What you can find around Sanur:

Beach cafe - one of the most beloved, cozy and stunning kitchen. Here beside tables await you sunbeds on the beach. You can sip a cocktail or a delicious lunch.

Jco donuts is originally from Indonesia. They serve the best tasty donuts with many variants of flavour and the donut itself is super-soft. They also serve several types of coffee and tea and frozen yoghurt.

Massimo - a great Italian restaurant with a stunning kitchen and a pleasant atmosphere. With a large tropical garden, open kitchen and delicious Gelato ice cream! Benno's Restaurant - sea food restaurant with many choices of seafood, it is located on the beach.

Sari Bundo - Indonesian restaurant with excellent cuisine and the best curry sauce!

Sanur beach market - You can find many kind of Balinese souvenirs here. It’s located on the side of the small lane along the beach.

Street cafe - one of the best in Sanur, excellent foods and a great lounge.

Serenity - Spanish bar and restaurant - very beautiful place with great service and very delicious food with good price.

In Sanur you will also find many SPAs, where you can have the best Balinese massages and scrubs.

Danau Tamblingan street, here also you can find many cafes and restaurants, live music or dance salsa.

Rent one of Villas in Sanur and find peaceful Balinese hospitality. People in Sanur are pleasant and kind.

From Sanur it takes around 30 minutes to go to Bali Zoo and Bali Safari and Marine Park.

From Sanur harbour some boats leave to beautiful island around Bali, i.e. Lembongan island, Ceningan and Penida island.

And about 40 minutes drive to the big port Padang Bay, go where boats and ferries to other islands of Indonesia.

Only about 50 minutes drive to the black sandy beach of Candidasa and one of the most beautiful beaches - White sand beach.

A place that is surrounded by magical energy, green rice terrace, and valleys with small rivers. Ubud has cooler weather and great atmosphere. This place is filled with special power, known by its famous artists.

Pass through the centre of Ubud you will arrive in Tegalalang where is the centre of absolutely unique gifts and souvenirs stores. The souvenirs is made by many kind of matters such as ceramic, glass, wood, clay, shell, silver etc. There are also some clothes boutique by well-known designers. Everything is very unusual, affordable, and beautiful.

Look for unusual gifts and souvenirs - here their whole street, it's called Tegalalang and it passes through the center of Ubud on the way to Kintamani. Here beautiful ceramics and glass, whimsical works of masters of wood and clay, shops unusual instruments and pendants made of shells, Silver products, boutiques with clothes for yoga and little-known designers shops. Everything is very unusual, very affordable and very beautiful.

Passing through Tegalalang you will find beautiful rice terraces. You can make beautiful pictures and have tasty lunch or just drink coffee at the restaurants around it and enjoy the scenery of the rice terraces.

Passing rice terraces and a little further to the north brings you to the exciting world of Balinese coffee plantation, where you can stry different type of coffees and teas and also to witness pretty animal luwak which produces one of the most expensive coffee in the world, relax in a cafe look at the rice terraces and the river valley and see how to process a real Balinese coffee. You 'll see how to grow coffee, cocoa and other tropical plants and fruits.

There are some informations about restaurants in Ubud, they are so many, and write about all of them is almost impossible. You want to spend some of your time to go around trying every restaurants and cafes, because Ubud is also known by its great restaurants and cafes.

Sari organic - wonderful organic restaurant, great vegan foods and also they sell organic cosmetics. And this restaurants has a splendid view of the rice fields and a pleasant atmosphere.

Gelato ice cream - small cafes with delicious Italian ice cream!

White box - great cake and cupcakes! Be sure to visit this small cozy cafe.

Bali Buddha - Organic cafe with delicious foods, desserts, tea, and natural cosmetics.

Clear cafe - European style cafe with delicious cuisine and pleasant atmosphere.

Cafe des artistes - very tasty foods and many variants of cuisine. Here you can see exhibition of local artists - highly recommended!

Sisha lounge - a place with awesome atmosphere, excellent cuisine and hookah, with sofas and live band in the evening. Recommended look here in the evening.

Havana club - a great restaurant with live music and salsa dance club in the evening!

Ubud - this place is perfect place for yoga and massage, you can take private lessons or sessions, have the best yoga and massages in the nice small house in the valley with the river views, send us email for more information: booking@rentdomnabali.com.

For children, there are also interesting things to do - Monkey forest -great relic forest with monkeys that is located in the center of Ubud, you can feed them, and take pictures also.

Reptiles and birds park located near Ubud, here the have many types of birds and reptiles from all over the world.

Be sure to spend a few days in Ubud - this is an awesome place with great nature!