Perched on a high cliff on the Southwest tip of Bali, Uluwatu Temple is one of Bali's older places of worship. Built around the 11th century, by Hindu high priest Empu Kuturan; it is inhabited by a group of sacred monkeys who guard the temple. This is one of Bali's best sunset spots.

 

Southern peninsula; Uluwatu, Gerger, Goa Suluban, Padang Padang, Nyang Nyang, Bingin, Dreamland, Nusa Dua, Jimbaran, Kedonganan. Many of the above beaches are famous surfing spots, some are difficult to access and the waves are generally for the intermediate to advanced surfer. Beware of corals and strong currents.

 

A major tourist resort on the southern most peninsula of the island. Set on about 450 hectares, this well groomed tourist enclave boasts 3.5 kilometers of white sand beaches, a number of five star hotels and one of the world's best golf courses, Bali Golf & Country Club - recently voted to be amongst the best 5 courses in the world. Convention halls, amphitheatres, shopping centers & immaculate landscaping make Nusa Dua an ideal place to stay if you wish to get away from it all.

 

Benoa Peninsula - bordering Nusa Dua to the north this peninsula offers travelers fine hotels, water sports and similar environs as Nusa Dua.

 

On the west coast of the Bukit Peninsula, near the airport, is Jimbaran Bay. It is home to some of Bali's top hotels, Four Seasons Resort, Ritz Carlton and Bali Intercontinental Resort. Guests can sail swim and even go fishing in the bay. Jimbaran village has long been one of Bali's traditional fishing villages and the traditional fish market offers delicious seafood right on the beach.

 

The area, just slightly north of the airport, known as Tuban, has long enticed tourists to her reasonably priced hotels, well-groomed beaches and organized nightlife. The Waterbom Park & Spa, go-karts and hotel sports facilities fulfill daytime pleasures; large shopping centers with many restaurants, local, international and fast food outlets stay open well into the night. Tuban is also well known for the horse drawn carts that can be seen taking visitors around the area.

 

World famous for sand, surf and shopping, this area is jam-packed with activity 24 hours a day! Kuta is a major hustling & bustling resort town, with hundreds of hotels, bars, restaurants and shops. Here, small guesthouses and large hotels jostle for positioning along the beachfront. Beach sellers endlessly offer their wares to the sun-worshipper; sarongs, jeweler, shells, massages and manicures; even bows and arrows.

 

Proclaim an interest in purchasing something and these beach marketers will crowd round the unsuspecting tourist until a sale is struck. This is part of the fun of Bali. Nightlife is a major happening in Kuta with a number of surf bars, cafes and restaurants offering videos, cheap drinks and even cheaper food.

The more upmarket restaurants are ensconced in Kuta's small narrow (gangs) alleyways. The internationally famous Poppies and a string of other hidden garden paradi offer the weary tourist a welcome respite from the haggling streets. Cold beers, exotic cocktails, delicious food all, at a fraction of the European price. If action is what is wanted then Kuta is the place to be!

 

Heading north along the main street of Kuta (Legian St) is Seminyak, the slightly more up market area of Kuta, housing the quaint local hangouts of some of the foreign Bali residents. Italian, Indian, Greek, French and many more are just a sample of not only the food on offer but also of the cosmopolitanism that Seminyak has become.

 

Fashion boutiques, interior designers, candle makers, painters and many more are the chosen careers of these eclectic nomads. The most famous landmarks here are Teras, Pantarei, Ryoshi, all restaurants that usually start buzzing at about 10pm. ; Café Luna, Café del Mar, the A-Bar & Liquid are the human watering holes all located on Jl. Dhyana Pura that really come alive after midnight.
Double Six (66) the only beach night-club in the area stays open until 6.00 am.

 

This roadside town produces a large part of Bali's ceramics, statues and temple accessories. The Sadat Temple in the town centre has interesting wall carvings.

 

Originally built in the 17th century, this royal family garden temple was extensively renovated in the early 1900's. Surrounded by a moat and lotus lake, the temple's inner courtyard has an impressive number of Merus - tiered shrines built for the Bali's ancestors and heroes.

 

Near the village of Sangeh, just north of Mengwi. A troupe of monkeys guard the impressive 17th century temple, which is set in the heart of a nutmeg forest. Beware of the monkeys as they have a reputation for being swift of hand and light of foot! Hold onto your cameras and bags tightly, it is best if you don't wear jewellery.