Bali Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Bali in Indonesia is a legendary tourist destination. This magnificent island is home to some of the world's best beaches and incredible scenery that attracts millions of tourists from around the world. A tropical paradise, it's the ideal location for water sports, sunbathing, hiking, and many other activities.

But there's more to Bali than just the beaches, as incredible as those are. Bali is also a great place to explore the unique and fascinating culture of Indonesia for yourself. This nation of over 17,000 islands is truly unique, and Bali offers the perfect place from which to explore it. Drop off your bags at a Bali luggage storage locker and immerse yourself in the vibrant culture and jaw-dropping scenery of this justifiably famous location.

17 Best Ways To Experience Bali In 2024

Visiting somewhere as unique as Bali is a special experience and one that you'll want to have lasting memories of. You can make those memories with the companies mentioned below. They will take you on hiking tours at dawn, mountain climbing on volcanoes, whitewater rafting on raging rivers, and scuba diving over coral reefs to help you create those extraordinary and unforgettable vacation moments that will linger in your mind for years to come. Don’t forget to leave your bags at a Bounce luggage storage in Bali so you can really enjoy yourself.

Best Hiking Tour – Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking

Wake before dawn to meet your personal guide from Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking before setting off for a two-hour trek up Mount Batur to watch the sunrise. It's not the easiest of hikes but one which pays enormous dividends when you reach the summit and the sun comes up.

Find out more about hiking up Mount Batur with Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking by emailing them at info@mountbatursunrisetrekking.com or calling them on 62 821-4672-0930.

Best Cooking Class – Anika Balinese Cooking Class

Balinese food is incredibly aromatic and delicately spiced. With Anika Balinese Cooking Class, you'll visit a local market first to purchase fresh produce then learn how to prepare ten different dishes. Your teacher-chef will also show you the correct way to use the herbs and spices when cooking Balinese-style.

Get ready for a master class by calling Anika Balinese Cooking Class on 62 818-889-369 or by emailing cookingclass@anikaguesthouse.com.

Best E-Bike Tour – E-Bikes Bali

Don't work up a sweat cycling in the Balinese heat and humidity and go on an e-bike tour with E-Bikes Bali. Ride through the rice fields, stop off at temples and coffee plantations, then park up while you wander around a bustling local market.

Plan your e-bike outing with E-Bikes Bali by emailing them at info@ebikesbali.com or calling 62 812-3866-408.

Best History Tour – Ubud Bali Day Tour

Immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Bali on a full-day tour with Ubud Bali Day Tours. You'll explore several locations like a coffee plantation, and some rice terraces with a personal guide who will also take you to popular temples and give you a real insight into what Bali is historically all about.

Make contact with a personal guide from Ubud Bali Day Tour by calling 62 877-6102-2499 or emailing ubudbalidaytour@gmail.com.

Best Full Day Tour – Bali Full Day Tour

Head out into the Balinese countryside for an entire day with a Bali Full Day Tour private guide. They'll take you on an adventurous exploration of volcanic craters, cascading waterfalls, and beaches where you can snorkel over coral reefs teeming with marine life.

Start sorting out your adventure with Bali Full Day Tour by emailing them at balifulldaytour@gmail.com or calling them on 62 851-0097-9184. 

Best Private Tour – Bali Tours Private

When you want to explore Bali on foot you need a guide by your side who is both professional and personable as well as being knowledgeable about the local customs and history. Bali Tours Private only employs quality guides who are experts in their field as well as being fun to be with.

Find out more about getting a Bali Tours Private guide by calling 62 819-1614-4390 or emailing them on info@balitoursprivate.com.

Best Rafting Tour – Bali Rafting Tour

Get a super adrenaline thrill by going whitewater rafting on the Telaga Waja or the Melangit Rivers on an organized rafting outing with Bali Rafting Tours. You'll be with a group of other fun-seeking individuals and a qualified guide who will steer the raft as it careens over the rapids.

Start putting your plans in motion by calling Bali Rafting Tours on 62 851-0097-9184 or emailing them at baliraftingtours@gmail.com.

Best Local Guide – Amansuka Tour

To get a real in-depth feel of the Balinese culture you need to be accompanied into the rural areas and villages by a local guide who knows his stuff. Amansuka Tour offers a friendly, one-to-one service, which is ideal for going off the beaten track in remote areas away from the usual tourist hype.

Make contact with Amansuka Tour by calling 62 813-3864-0415 or emailing him at amansuka@yahoo.com.

Best Ubud Tour – Bali Ari Tour & Driver

Get collected from your hotel or hostel to be driven at a leisurely pace around Ubud to see the sights by Bali Ari Tour & Driver. Get spiritually purified in the sacred waters of a temple, swim in the pool beneath a waterfall, and taste coffee fresh from the bush.

Reserve your place with Bali Ari Tour & Driver by emailing baliaritour@gmail.com or calling 62 812-3995-180.

Best Scenic Tour – Bali Magic Tour

Disappear into the Balinese countryside for three to five days with a Bali Magic Tour. Fill your senses with the beauty of nature as you travel over Bali's incredible landscape visiting lakes, villages, volcanoes, and temples on the way.

Get more details about a tour with Bali Magic Tour by calling 62 812-3969-077 or emailing info@balimagictour.com.

Best Scuba Diving – Tamarind Divers

Take a certified PADI diving course or go exploring the sea bed with Tamarind Divers. For experienced divers, a day tour along the coast of Nusa Lembongan includes two submersions or boat dives and all the equipment you'll need for diving in these protected waters.

Get more details about diving with Tamarind Divers by emailing them at info@tamarinddivers.com or calling 62 812-3862-7799.

Best Customized Tour – Land Bali Team

Make your day out your own by doing all the planning then hiring the Land BaliTeam to drive the vehicle and accompany you on your day. Wherever you want to go is exactly where they'll take you so you'll need to spend time researching the most interesting locations for you or just leave it to chance and let them decide.

Organize your day out with the Land Bali Team by emailing info@thelandbalitour.com or calling 62-812-4615-7474.

Best Tour Package – Bagus Tour Service

If you want every moment of your vacation in Bali organized for you then use the Bagus Tour Service. They can sort out days full of sightseeing for you that are also crammed with exciting activities like rafting, paragliding, and driving through the jungle on an ATV.

Start planning your adventure in Bali with Bagus Tour Service by calling 62 812-4628-8244 or emailing gus.sudarma@gmail.com.

Best Personal Driver – Umalas Bumbak Driver

If you prefer to have the same driver during all of your trips in Bali then Umalas Bumbak Driver is the one for you. They'll take you anywhere and everywhere in a first-class, air-conditioned vehicle with guide commentary or without if you prefer.

Reserve your personal driver by calling Umalas Bumbak Driver on 62 812-3715-7555 or emailing him at agungdriverseminyak@gmail.com.

Best Beach Tour – Exotic Paradise Tours

Discover all the best beaches in Bali on a day out with Exotic Paradise Tours. They'll collect you from your accommodation in the early morning then whisk you away to Jimbaran Bay, Canggu Beach, and Sandbar Beach so you can stroll on the Balinese sands. Don't forget your swimsuit and towel.

Get ready for Bali beaches by calling Exotic Paradise Tours on 62 856-9712-9421 or emailing info@exoticpardisebali.com.

Best Car Rental – Bali Sakti Tour

Sometimes it's just great to be independent and drive yourself rather than having a driver with you all day. You can go where you want when you want and not have to listen to someone else chattering when you want to be quiet or enjoy the scenery uninterrupted.

Find out more about vehicle hire from Bali Sakti Tour by emailing them at info@balisakti.com or calling 62 821-4655-4451.

Best Like A Local Tour – Bali Local Tour

You'll see the sights with a local guide and experience Bali like a local would if you take a tour or tour package with Bali Local Tour. You'll also eat and drink with Balinese people on your days out so you get a real taste of life on this Indonesian island.

For more details contact Bali Local Tour by emailing balilocal.tour@yahoo.com or calling 62 813 386 47313.

A weekend in Bali

A weekend in Bali is never going to be enough. Just seeing the best beaches of the island could take more than a couple of days, and that’s before you even get started on the cultural attractions. However, if you only have a short time in Bali, you can at least see some of the most spectacular attractions.

• Ulun Danu temple sits on the edge of Baratan Lake and is dedicated to the lake goddess. This striking shrine is one of the most peaceful places in Bali to visit, and is perfect for getting away from the bustle of the town and the beaches.
• Ubud is the cultural center of Bali and the perfect place to see how locals live. Located among rice paddies, this fascinating region is also full of art galleries where you can dive deeper into the artistic life of the island.
• You can’t visit Bali and not go to the beach at least once. Everyone has their own favorite, and Bali has enough beaches that each one has its own specialty. Nusa Dua is great for families, while Seminyak is the place to party. But really, with all the gorgeous beaches Bali has, you can’t go wrong.

Bali lockers

With its combination of magnificent scenery and fascinating culture, to say nothing of the incredible food, Bali has something to offer everyone. You'll be able to better enjoy what the island has if you travel light. Drop off your bags at a Bali luggage storage locker so you can explore more easily. Knowing your bags are safely looked after will be a weight off your mind as well as your back as you explore this justifiably famous locale.

Off the beaten path in Bali

With the number of tourists Bali gets, it's hard to believe you can escape the crowds. But as popular as the island is, there are still some places most tourists never reach. Drop off your bags at a Bali suitcase storage and visit some of these lesser-known areas.

• Amed is a collection of villages along the coast that most people never visit. The top attraction here is snorkeling and diving thanks to the incredible visibility of the water. It's also cheaper to go diving here than most other parts of Bali, so if you're a fan of undersea exploration, it's definitely worth a visit.
• If you love the outdoors, you shouldn't miss Sideman. This area is like an emerald jewel of rice paddies and tropical plants, and is the perfect place to hike among stunning waterfalls and epic mountain views. Leave the crowds at the beach and find some peace in the Balinese countryside.
• Explore Menjangan Island. Home to a National Marine Park, this island is full of stunning temples and gorgeous forests where you can hike, and is surrounded by rich waters ideal for snorkeling and diving. The difficulty in reaching the island means you'll be able to escape the crowds and enjoy this paradise almost by yourself.

What to do alone in Bali

Bali is a great place to visit solo. Indonesia is remarkably safe, and Bali's popularity with international tourists means you'll always be able to find someone who speaks English. Plus, if you want to meet new friends, Bali's many international travelers means you'll never be lonely. Leave your bags at a luggage locker in Bali and enjoy your solo adventure.

• Jalan Legian in Kuta is the nightlife hub of the island. You'll find an endless array of clubs, bars, live music, and just about anything else here. If you are looking to party and meet fellow travelers, there's nowhere better to do it than here.
• Indonesian cuisine is a mix of various influences from across Asia. Bali is full of magnificent restaurants where you can sample local dishes, but at Bumbu Bali, you can even learn to cook them by yourself. Make a meal in the restaurant's well-equipped kitchen and then enjoy lunch with your fellow classmates.
• Nourish your spirit in the sacred waters of Tirta Empul. Made famous by the movie Eat Pray Love, this temple complex has a number of pools regarded as sacred by Hindus. You don't have to be a believer to benefit from the temple's serene atmosphere and a dip in these refreshing waters.

The best souvenirs in Bali

As a legendary tourist destination, Bali has no shortage of souvenir shops. But if you're looking for something different, you can definitely find that here. For instance, you can decorate your home with a little piece of Bali from Kara Home Living, a home store that sells a variety of statues, rattan items, and other objects that simply scream Bali. Rattan bags are also popular, and Sukawati Art Market is a great place to pick them up. If you're more in the mood for a sweet treat, visit Pie Susu Enaaak, an establishment that's been making these famous Balinese pies since 1989. If you're a fan of bananas, Bali Banana sells banana cakes, cookies, and other items made from this tropical fruit.