Bali, Indonesia

Bali can be visited in three (if not more) fairly different sections:
1:  Seminyak (pretty hip beach town with lots of restaurants, bars, etc.)
2: Ubud (an inland town described as an artsy community of cafes and galleries amidst rice patties - in other words, pure awesomeness)
3:  Nusa Dua (glam hotels/resorts)

So, here's the lowdown on each:

*** NUSA DUA ***The beach of Nusa Dua is gorgeous, which is probably why this area became the enclave of Bali’s famed resorts.  Unlike other areas of Bali, the government ‘protects’ this area – since it drives so much tourism – meaning that the beach is perfectly clean and well manicured (and, therefore, has a bit less character than other areas of Bali).  This is definitely a go-to-your-resort-and-never-leave kind of place.

*** UBUD ***
Located about an hour inland from the popular Bali beach towns, Ubud is a very artsy/yogi/spiritual community surrounded by stunning views of rice paddies and lush mountains.  As beautiful as the beach areas of Bali are, this place takes the big prize.  

 

View Bali, Indonesia (Ubud) in a larger map, with GPS

• Ibu Oka is a famous (casual, sit-on-pillows-on-the-floor) lunch spot, famous for its Suckling Pig 

• While the ‘bling-bling’ accommodations (Amandari, Four Seasons, etc.) are just outside of the town and are pretty incredible, check out Ka Ja Ne, which is just plain rad, and right in town.

• Bodyworks – $10 massages, $8 pedicures in the top of an old temple

• Café Wayan – great lunch spot (get the Nasi Goreng)

• Banyan Tree Cycling Tour – An absolute must!  

• Monkey Sanctuary – In the heart of town, monkey insanity! Hold onto your hats, and your water bottles – they’ll snatch anything right off you.

• Clear Café – beautiful restaurant with a great looking menu

• Naughty Nuri’s Warung –  little roadside eatery  just a few minutes outside the central part of town, known for it’s BBQ pork ribs and martinis (random, yes, but even Anthony Bourdain said they are the “best martinis in the world”!).  This is a must on any Ubud itinerary.

*** SEMINYAK ***
Avoid the nearby village of Kuta – unless you love drinking frozen margaritas out of yard glasses in Cancun – and stick to Seminyak (which seems as though it may soon, but hopefully not, become like Kuta).  The streets are lined with little clothing and souvenir shops (hundreds – maybe a thousand if you include those in nearby Legian), surf shops, bars (although many are annoyingly “clubby”), and hole-in-the wall restaurants alongside unbelievable restaurants with Michelin-starred chefs.  Behind them sits the local village and a view into the more poverty-stricken side of Bali.  

• SOS rooftop lounge at Anantara
• Trattoria - local Italian spot actually owned by Italians, and delicious
•  Ku De Ta – a must see beach club and restaurant
• Chandi - fresh, lively and welcoming atmosphere with over-the-top food

Hire a driver and check out the local surf spots & sites:

• Uluwatu Temple –a  sea temple 70 meters above the crashing waves of the Indian Ocean
• Padang Padang – surf spot with some of best waves in Bukit Peninsula
• Canggu – this is a long stretch of beach; head to Echo Beach and watch the surfers during lunch The Beach House – a great little bar and restaurant
• Tanah Lot – The most famous of Bali’s sea temples, and rightfully so - go for sunset
• Jimbaran Bay – famous for its fresh beachside seafood eats (select your fish from an ice chest of fish caught that morning; they'll grill it steps from your table)

Some hotels:

• Samaya – very nice
• Legian – Wow. Incredible!!
• Anantara – very nice
• Oberoi – very nice +
• St. Regis – Wow. Incredible!!
• Amanusa – Wow. Incredible. Would be off the charts if it was on the beach.