Bali what a state. What country is Bali in?

The island is washed by the Indian Ocean on the south side, and the Bali Sea on the north. The western part of the island is separated by the Bali Strait from the island of Java, the eastern side of Bali - by the Lombok Strait from the island of Lombok.

Everything you need to know about Bali

All tourists who have ever vacationed in Bali can confidently declare that the island is a fabulous place created by nature and carefully preserved by the local population in its pristine beauty.

The island does not differ in territorial expanses, but it cannot be called very small either:

• the area of ​​Bali is 5780 km²;
• its length from east to west reaches 150 km;
• and the length from north to south is 80 km.

Not everyone, going on vacation to Indonesia, knows one of the features of the island of Bali: that a mountain range with an increased zone of volcanic activity stretches across the entire island in the direction from west to east.

And some are especially surprised by the fact that there are two active volcanoes in Bali:

• Gunung Agung (3142 m);
• and Gunung Batur (1717 m).

The capital of the island is the city of Denpasar, which is also the largest city in Bali.

Everything you need to know about Bali's climate

The climate in Bali can be described as equatorial monsoon. On the island, there are not all 4 seasons of the season, to which many Russian tourists are accustomed.

IMPORTANT!
It is worth knowing that it is customary to distinguish 2 seasons in Bali:

• dry season, lasting from June to October, ideal for relaxation;
• the wet season lasting from November to March, often referred to by tourists as the "monsoon season in Bali".

The greatest amount of precipitation falls in January - February. In no case should the wet season scare away those who want to spend time on the island: thunderstorms usually take place at night and their duration is approximately 2 hours. In Bali, all seasons are good for a holiday, and perhaps a little rain during your holiday will save you from the sweltering heat. The average annual air temperature does not fall below 26ºС. The water temperature in the ocean never drops below 26ºС, the average annual water temperature fluctuates at around 28ºС.

All the most necessary information about the population of Bali

According to the 2010 census of the population of Bali, it is known that the total inhabitants of the island are 3,890,757 people. The Balinese are very proud of traditions and are immensely proud of them. The most important and revered inhabitants of the island are babies, whose souls, following the faith of the local population, are closest to heaven. Each inhabitant of the island, being born, receives a gift from the priest. The whole life of the Balinese is accompanied by certain ceremonies and rituals performed in the allotted time period of life.

The following can be said about regilia on the island of Bali:

• about 84% of the population profess Hinduism, namely its Balivian variety, called "Agama Hindu Dharma";
• about 13% of the inhabitants are Muslims;
• only about 2% of the population are Christians;
• less than 1% profess Buddhism (all Buddhists in Bali are Chinese or foreigners who come to live permanently).

The locals are always happy to have guests. The flow of tourists has been growing over the years, and the attitude of the Balinese towards visiting guests has not worsened at all.

Official language

Indonesian. The indigenous local population speaks Balinese. The Balinese, whose field of activity is related to tourism, speak English quite well, especially the younger generation.

Resort towns in Bali

All resorts in Bali are good in their own way. You can get the most plausible ideas about each of them only when you are in Bali.

Main resorts:

• Sanur is an ideal place for a family vacation;


• Nusa Dua - the most prestigious resort place in Bali, which is unanimously called the most expensive place on the island;


• Benoa is the best place to get a complete picture of Bali, looking from the windows of the properties with views of the ocean and the nearest islands;


• Jimbaran - a resort where modest bungalows side by side with luxurious 5-star hotels with ocean views;


• Kuta (Kuta) - the most popular and democratic place in terms of prices for a young audience of tourists, where a huge number of opportunities for surfing in Bali are concentrated;


• Legian (Legian) - a resort that is closely adjacent to Kuta, but is distinguished by tranquility;


• Ubud is an area that tells all about the creative life in Bali.

Currency in Bali

Indonesian rupiah (IDR).
Currency exchange rate:
1$ - 9550 rupees;
1€ - 12440 rupees.

Difference in time

Difference in time:

• between Bali and Novosibirsk is - 1 hour (in favor of Bali);
• between Bali and Moscow - 4 hours (in favor of Bali).

Visa to enter Bali

All citizens of Russia who dream of a trip to the island should know if a visa is required for Bali upon arrival at the airport. When entering the country, an individual stamp is affixed to the tourist's passport.

The visa is valid for 30 days. The visa fee is $25.

Bali is a unique island where you need to be personally at least once in your life.

It has everything for a comfortable stay: the beautiful beaches of Bali, the beauty of which is not forgotten and

Distant Indonesia is considered the world's largest archipelago state. It consists of almost 18 thousand islands of various sizes, and only a third of them will welcome travelers, because the rest are completely uninhabited.

In Indonesia, located far from civilization, megacities coexist peacefully with tiny villages, and green jungles and active volcanoes, unusually clear water and stunning beaches have long attracted tourists from all over the globe.

Heaven on earth

The island of Bali, the most popular and visited, seems to have embodied the dream of every person about heaven on earth. An ideal resort and a real center of all kinds of entertainment has long been considered one of the best vacation spots. An amazing combination of picturesque nature, original culture, mysterious historical monuments attracts tourists to enjoy the unique landscapes.

Fantastically beautiful (Indonesia), detailed information about which will help all travelers who are going to visit a picturesque place for the first time, is a long-developed tourist area.

Located south of the equator, it is recognized as the most beautiful place in the world. The "Island of the Gods", always flooded with sunlight, welcomes tourists all year round.

Where is Bali located: a map of Indonesia

The symbol of Indonesia, located between Australia and India, is washed (from the north) and the Indian Ocean (from the south). An evergreen natural masterpiece, formed as a result of volcanic activity, is adjacent to two islands of a huge archipelago - Java and Lombok.

A tourist pearl with Hindu traditions and rituals, which stands out against the backdrop of Muslim Indonesia, surprises with a memorable fairy-tale atmosphere.

The capital of Bali: what is the name? Jakarta and Denpasar

In the south of the tropical island is the cultural and political center - the city of Denpasar, which has been the capital since 1958 and is an incredible mix of European, Chinese and Javanese culture. Unfortunately, it does not belong to the most popular tourist spots.

Perhaps that is why it is often confused with the capital of Indonesia - the most populous city in Southeast Asia. Located a few kilometers from the exotic Bali, the capital Jakarta, which many mistakenly consider the administrative center of the popular resort, is located on the neighboring island of Java. The largest with a population of ten million is officially a province with the status of a capital.

So, cozy and small Denpasar is the center of Bali. The capital of which country is the city of Jakarta, we figured it out, and now there will be no confusion.

Modern airport

Denpasar is a lively city that is listed as of little tourist interest in many guidebooks. However, it is not. And I want to tell you more about the friendly administrative center of the "island of a thousand temples."

Where does the trip to a wonderful place begin, where the capital Ngurah Rai is located, located 13 kilometers from Denpasar, meets all the foreigners who have arrived. It is known for a very developed infrastructure, because the tourist flow to the pearl of Indonesia depends on this. The air harbor bears the name of the national Indonesian hero who died in the struggle for the independence of the country.

The airport, through the terminals of which more than six million people pass annually, has expanded several times, increasing the length of the runways.

City underestimated by tourists

The capital of Bali is the largest city of the island, underestimated by travelers. For local residents, this place evokes special memories of the events that took place in 1906, when the Dutch captured the city.

In order not to be captured, the supreme ruler, his entire family and even servants committed suicide, and now Denpasar is a real cult place for all Balinese who remember their history. A monument has been erected on the main square of Puputan, which commemorates this tragic event and personifies the rebelliousness of the ancestors to the conquerors.

It is surprising that the small town does not have clear boundaries, and sometimes tourists do not understand where the capital of Bali begins and ends.

Organization of an attractive route for tourists

The city administration, concerned about the unattractiveness of Denpasar for tourists, began work on organizing a new route that could open up all the unknown sights of the capital. The main city of the green island has luxury hotels and inexpensive hostels that allow travelers of any income to relax.

Tourists who spend most of their holidays on snow-white beaches, unfortunately, are not interested in the historical and cultural monuments of Denpasar. Many luxurious royal palaces, which not only foreigners, but also Indonesians would like to see, are privately owned, and negotiations are still underway with their owners to this day.

Problems of an original city

In translation, the name of the capital means “near the market”, and it perfectly reflects the realities of the original city. Only here there is a huge number of large and not so markets, souvenir shops and shopping centers offering a wide variety of goods, from jewelry to cars and building materials.

The capital of the island of Bali, despite the active development that has begun, is still a provincial town in which there are not enough parking spaces, and tourist buses cannot pass through its narrow streets. In addition, the lack of sidewalks jeopardizes safe movement from one attraction to another, so the administration recommends using mopeds or cars.

The bustling city with chaotic traffic is only trying to take a leading position among the tourist spots, but even now it boasts unusual sights.

Museum of Bali

At the previously mentioned Puputan Square - the historical center of the capital - there is an interesting Bali Museum, built by the Dutch so that not a single relic is stolen or forgotten. Consisting of four pavilions reflecting the national architecture, it demonstrates ancient artifacts to visitors, telling about the ancient history and culture of the colorful island.

Here you can admire the beauty of the funerary sarcophagi, learn a lot about religious rites and see the unique collections of antiquities that the capital of Bali is famous for. Indonesia is proud of historical rarities that tell about the life of the indigenous population and are of great interest not only for tourists, but also for local residents who honor traditions and remember the difficult history of their native island.

Temple complexes

The main temple of the capital, Jagatnata, adjoining the museum complex, was erected in 1953. In a building made of white coral, open to the public for the visit of representatives of all religious denominations, memorable ceremonies dedicated to the main god of the island are held. In the architecture of the temple, visible from afar, the builders used mythological images from the Ramayana, and the state building itself rests on a giant sculpture of a turtle, reflecting the religious beliefs of the islanders.

The Maospahit temple, whose name comes from the name of a powerful Balinese deity, did not reach the descendants in its original form due to an earthquake that occurred at the beginning of the last century. Built of red brick, the religious building is the oldest historical monument of its kind. The rest of the ancient temple can be admired from the outside because it is closed to visitors.

Church of Saint Joseph

Good-natured Balinese, respectful of other religions, helped build a Catholic church. The complex, built near Denpasar, belongs to the parish of St. Joseph. The external decoration of the beautiful building is covered with palm branches, and angels hovering in the air froze above the powerful door of the temple.

Cultural capital of Bali

Speaking of the heart of the picturesque island, one cannot fail to mention Ubud - a serene city famous for its concentration of art museums and art galleries. The main abode of creative people is ideal for those who seek solitude and dream of combining a relaxing holiday with the study of cultural attractions.

Located far from the ocean and called the cultural capital, it is of no interest to all adherents of a beach holiday. People come here to take a break from noisy megacities in order to feel unity with the amazing nature of Bali.

Treatment of body and soul

The cultural capital of Bali, famous for its wellness procedures, not only restores the body, but also heals the soul. Energy practices are held here, for the sake of visiting which thousands of those in need rush here. Yoga, meditation, tantric systems of self-improvement create a special atmosphere that calms the mind.

People come to Ubud for treatment to local healers - healers. Predicting fate along the lines on the hand and working with the human body, getting rid of diseases at the energy level, they affect the chakras and aura. Everyone who has been abandoned by traditional medicine, and those who are curious about such practices, come to them.

nature reserve

It is impossible to be in Ubud and not visit the Monkey Sanctuary. Adults and children rush to Monkey Forest to feed playful monkeys in a natural environment, without cages. More than three hundred well-feeling monkeys live in a spacious forest with centuries-old trees, which are not always friendly to visitors.

On a walk, you need to be attentive to things, because mischievous wild animals love to snatch handbags and cameras from visitors at an opportunity.

City heritage

The friendly and hospitable city of Denpasar is waiting for inquisitive tourists who will not be indifferent to local attractions. The capital of Bali is distinguished by excellent service with low prices for services, unique cuisine, equipped beaches located near the hotels.

The legacy of a city with a difficult fate deserves to be known to as many tourists as possible.

A fashionable tourist area in the Nusa Dua area is an enclave of tropical gardens, pristine beaches and well-trained staff. The resort has mainly 4 * and 5 * hotels operating on an all-inclusive basis and offering a full range of services. Nusa Dua has a surf center and an 18-hole golf center.

Between sunbathing and dinner at a traditional restaurant, vacationers can visit the wonderful spa centers, or rent a bike and ride through the picturesque surroundings. It is most convenient to buy souvenirs in the huge Galleria shopping center, where there are numerous cafes and boutiques.

Once a small fishing village 2 km north of Nusa Dua - Benoa - is now the island's newest resort and water entertainment center. The most popular activities are banana rides, diving, fishing, jet skis, windsurfing, parasailing over the sea surface, etc.

Benoa hotels are represented by both high-class hotel complexes and modest budget hostels.

It is interesting that in the resort at a distance of 100 m from each other there are a Muslim mosque, Hindu and Chinese temples. This allows you to get acquainted with different worldviews and philosophies, but you should first familiarize yourself with the rules of behavior and appearance for entering each of the sanctuaries.

A serene vacation on white sand surrounded by lush greenery on one of Bali's elite beaches is accommodation at the Jimbaran resort. There are only five hotels directly on the coast (Jimbaran Puri Bali Resort 5*, Ayana Resort and Spa 5*, Keraton Jimbaran Resort & Spa 4*, Inter Continental Bali Resort 5* and Four Seasons Jimbaran Bali 5*). The rest are located within walking distance from the sea. Among them there are both inexpensive guest houses and luxurious villas that provide an unforgettable vacation.

In the morning, holidaymakers can go to the exotic Jimbaran market, which sells the freshest, only caught fish, local fruits and vegetables. But tourists prefer to meet the sunset in fish restaurants located on the seashore.

Without a doubt, the most crowded, noisy and colorful resort of Bali is Kuta Beach. There are many restaurants, cafes, discos, water sports. In any season, there are the most surfers who come to conquer the wave from all over the world. A huge number of bars are focused on Australian tourists, of which there are a great many in Kuta.

The hotel base in Kuta is represented mainly by cozy 3-star hotels, about 15 4-star hotels and several upscale 5-star hotels. As with any beach on the island, luxury villas can be rented at this resort. The beach is carefully cleaned, but the surf brings some garbage and empty bottles every morning.

After beach relaxation and dinner at a fish restaurant, you can go to the Kuta Theater (www.kuta-theater.com), where a magic show with national dances, music, special effects and fire takes place for an hour.

Bordering Kuta, the Legian resort has the same developed infrastructure, but a more relaxed atmosphere. Surfing and evening entertainment are also popular here. You can relax in one of the luxurious Legian spas. There are about 100 hotels in the village, some of them are located right on the seashore.

The unique atmosphere of the center of the spiritual and cultural life of Bali penetrates into every cell of the body of travelers who come to Ubud. The area, which consists of 14 villages, is famous for its art galleries and traditional craft centers. The resort is located at an altitude of 400 m above sea level, so it is cooler here than in other parts of the island. Emerald rice terraces, hiking trails in the mountains, the Ayung River flowing nearby, numerous museums and temple complexes attract true connoisseurs of beauty.

Not the most popular resort among tourists, Lovina is located in the north of the island, and is significantly different from the crowded southern beaches. Yes, and hotels here once or twice and miscalculated. The sand is of volcanic origin, dark gray, sometimes small debris is thrown ashore by the water. Lovina is worth a visit to see numerous flocks of dolphins at dawn, swim in the hot springs of Banjar and get into the largest Buddhist temple of the island - Brahma Vihara Arama.

In the southwest of the Bukit peninsula is the town of Uluwatu, primarily known for its 11th-century temple complex, standing on a rock. During the tour, travelers see only the temple, and do not know that the beaches of Uluwatu are one of the most beautiful and secluded in Bali. And for professional surfers, higher waves than here simply cannot be found. You can stay both in luxurious villas and luxury hotels, as well as in economical hotels of 2-3 * level. When visiting the temple complex, tourists should carefully monitor their personal belongings, as the numerous macaques that live here take away glasses, shoes, and even photographic equipment from vacationers. You can have a bite to eat and refresh yourself with a beautiful view of the azure waves and slightly pinkish sand in numerous cafes. Most often, they order king prawns, oysters, mussels and other grilled seafood.

Candidasa (Candi Dasa)

The small cozy town of Chandidasa, located between the mountain range and the beach, is distinguished by lush vegetation and a beautiful coral reef. The beach has black volcanic sand, at high tide there are quite dangerous waves that even experienced surfers are afraid to ride, as the bottom is uneven in some places, with boulders and coral formations. Despite the sparseness of the resort, Chandidas has a large number of hotels and restaurants for every taste and budget.

Not far from the city is the authentic village of Tenganan artisans, as well as the beautiful Tirta Gangga Palace, on the territory of which there are many beautiful fountains, lakes and pools.

In the Tanah Lot area (22 km from Kuta), tourist life is centered around the Hindu temple of the same name on the water. You can approach it only by a narrow bridge that appears on the surface only at low tide. On the territory of the temple, built in the form of a pagoda, there are interesting sculptures from different eras, but the entrance to the sanctuary itself is available only to believers. The cost of visiting Tanah Lot is $2.2 for an adult and $1.1 for a child. There are several quite good hotels near the temple: Villa Sunset Golf 3*, Natya Hotel Tanah Lot 3* and Dewi Sinta Hotel and Restaurant 2*.

Bali is often called the island of the Gods. This island is unique, unlike any other island in the world. It has its own culture, its own religion, its own style of dress, its own traditions, its own language. Over the past decades, the island has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, but despite the huge number of tourists, the Balinese remain the same as they have been for centuries and millennia - friendly, smiling, religious and honoring traditions.

Every morning the Balinese feed their gods. Photo credit: Peter Hunziker, Flickr

Bali has a huge number of cultural and natural attractions. In order to get acquainted with at least the main ones, you need to spend at least a week on the island. Be sure to visit the most beautiful temples in Bali - Besakin, Tahan Lot, Ulu Watu and the temple on Lake Bratan. Magnificent rice terraces around the cultural center of the island - a charming city, are also included in the list of the main attractions of the island.

Balinese women head to the temple. Photo credit:made yudistira, Flickr

Traditional ceremony on the ocean. Photo credit: made yudistira, Flickr

Of the water activities in Bali, surfing reigns. The island has excellent opportunities for learning to surf and many exciting surf spots located mainly along the southwest coast of the island. At the same time, the northern and southeastern coasts are great places for diving.

And, of course, the island of Bali will especially delight lovers of beautiful beaches and bays, charming villas, traditional massage, SPA procedures, delicious food and other hedonistic pleasures.

But when planning a trip to Bali, you should understand the most important thing: Bali is not a beach holiday, Bali is a lot of attractions, adventures, cultural experiences, beautiful pictures, a pleasant atmosphere, delicious food and surf diving.

where to go

The main tourist regions and beaches of Bali

Travelers usually differ in the formats of travel/holiday in Bali. Some travel around the island, stopping for a day or two in different places in order to immerse themselves in the culture and atmosphere of Bali as much as possible, others live in one place, making “outings” from time to time to the sights of the island, others come just to surf, dive, hang out or relax, the fourth combine stops in several places and different formats of recreation.

The capital of Bali is the city of Denpasar, the administrative heart of the island, from here all trips around the island begin. A cheerful pleasant atmosphere, an art center and museums, a huge number of shops and a colorful market are the main attractions of the city.

The southwestern coast of the island is washed by the Indian Ocean, there are always big waves and, accordingly, excellent conditions for surfing, the main infrastructure is concentrated in the very south of the coast. The east and west coasts are washed by the straits that separate Bali from neighboring islands and there are no big waves here, but strong currents.

The northern part of the coast is washed by the seas, there is a very calm, quiet and warm sea. The north and east coasts are great places for those who are fond of diving and snorkeling.

White sand beaches can only be found on the Bukit Peninsula - the southernmost "patch" of Bali and on neighboring small islands that do not have volcanoes. On the southwestern and southeastern coasts - the sand is already more gray than white, eastern and northern - beaches with black volcanic sand.

The atmospheric town of Ubud is the best place for those travelers who want to get closer to the unique culture and lifestyle of Bali, indulge in traditional food and spa. Fans of calm relaxation and yoga should also pay attention to regions such as Tabanan, Canggu and Candidasa (see more details below), you can choose and book a yoga retreat.

Southwest coast of Bali

Kuta is the largest and most popular resort town and beach in Bali among surfers and young people, in fact, the continuation of Kuta are the resort villages of Legian and Seminyak - with calmer and more respectable surf beaches and a developed entertainment infrastructure.

Further west are the much less touristy surf regions of Canggu and Tanah Lot, with small surf beaches and great surf spots, rice terraces and fishing villages. Already quite far from Kuta on the west coast is Medewi Beach.

South of Kuta is Jimbaran, a large white sand beach and fishing village that separates the main coast from the tiny peninsula of Bukit, the southernmost part of Bali. The west coast of the Bukit Peninsula from Jimbaran to Uluwatu is incredibly picturesque, with tiny coves along the rocky coastline, tiny white sand beaches, and challenging surf spots.

Kuta

Kuta is the largest and most famous resort town of Bali, a cult place for fans of surfing and active night parties. Kuta Beach is huge and wide, but absolutely not suitable for a beach holiday in the classical sense. But Kuta is a great place to learn to surf, as there are no dangerous rocks here, the bottom is sandy, the waves break near the shore and roll foam, on which, in fact, beginners learn.

Kuta is the place where you should look for budget accommodation and surf schools, there is also a huge number of democratic in spirit and prices bars, restaurants and nightclubs. In the evening, when the water recedes, cheerful companies gather on the beaches of Kuta to watch the magnificent sunset.

How to get there: by bemo (minibuses) from Denpasar, by tourist shuttles from the airport, Ubud, Sanur, Candidasi, Padang Bai, Amed, Lovina, Kintamani and Bedugul, by boat plus shuttle from the islands of Lembongan, Lombok and Gili.

Surfing in Kuta. Photo credit: LauriusLM, Flickr

Sunset in Kuta. Photo credit: I Nyoman Butur Suantara, Flickr

Legian

Legian - is actually a continuation of Kuta, its more relaxed version. The beach here is almost the same as in Kuta, in the water - mostly beginner surfers. Unlike Kuta, you can find sunbeds and umbrellas on Legian. The main format of housing in the village is mid-range hotels and guest houses. There are also enough restaurants-cafes-bars in Legian, although in general, the atmosphere is much calmer.

How to get there: by taxi or hotel transfer from the airport, by taxi, motorbike or on foot from Kuta or Seminyak.

Legian. Photo credit: sethgoh, Flickr

Seminyak

Next to Legian, Seminyak is a trendy and expensive resort village. The format of housing here is hotels and villas with a stylish design, well-groomed areas and swimming pools. The trendiest boutiques-spas-restaurants-cafes-bars-nightclubs are also to be found in Seminyak. On the beach - umbrellas, surf rentals, beach restaurants.

How to get there: by taxi or hotel transfer from the airport, by taxi or motorbike from Kuta.

The resort village of Seminyak. Photo credit: Brenda Gill, Flickr

Sunset at Tanahlot Temple. Photo credit: Gareth Lyons, Flickr

Jimbaran

Jimbaran is once a small fishing village, which, thanks to tourism, has turned into a rather large sleepy village, located in the bay of the same name on a wide isthmus that separates the main part of the island from the tiny one.

Jimbaran Bay and Beach are idyllic, with white sands, relatively calm oceans and gorgeous sunsets. Hotels and restaurants line the beach. In the evenings, the beach turns into a large, romantic and expensive food zone, with tables right on the beach and the opportunity to choose fresh fish from large boats next to your favorite restaurant.

Jimbaran Village is home to Bali's largest morning fish market with a huge selection of fresh fish and seafood. Here, a little further from the beach, you can find good options for budget housing.

Jimbaran beach. Photo credit: Anise Lin, Flickr

How to get there: by taxi or own transport (rent a motorbike, car, car with a driver, etc.)

Nusa Dua beach. Photo credit: ssalis, Flickr

Sanur

Sanur is a more democratic alternative to Nusa Dua. The resort village borders Denpasar (the capital of Bali) and stretches along the southeast coast, just north of Nusa Dua. The location of Sanur is ideal, from here you can go to the center, to the east, to the south. The beaches here are wide, with still light sand. Good, relatively inexpensive hotels stretch along the beach; in the village itself, a little further from the beach, you can find good options for budget housing.

From Sanur begins the dive coast of the island, in the village there are several tour operators and dive schools. In general, Sanur is loved by fans of a relaxing beach holiday, families with children and travelers who do not lie on the beach much and travel a lot around the island.

To search for accommodation on Sanur Beach: Hotels, villas, hotels and guest houses

How to get there: by bemo (minibuses) from Denpasar, by tourist shuttles from the airport, Ubud, Kuta, Kandidasa, Padang Bai, Amed, Lovina, Kintamani and Bedugul, by boat from Lembongan Island, by boat plus shuttle from Lombok and Gili Islands.

Sanur beach. Photo credit: Bali Home Villa Jimbaran, Flickr

Located off the southeast coast of Bali, the small island of Lembongan (Nusa Lembongan) is a great place if you suddenly want to escape from the noisy and crowded southern beaches of Bali. The beaches here are white, the water is emerald, the atmosphere is lazy and very authentic. Lembongan is deservedly considered one of the best diving spots in Indonesia, in addition, there are several surf spots on the island. There are two more islands near Lembongan - the tiny Nusa Ceningan, connected to Lembongan by a bridge, and the large non-tourist Nusa Penida, which can be reached by regular boats.

The main format of housing on the island is bungalows of different levels of comfort and prices, and the so-called beach huts - beach houses.

To search for accommodation on the island of Lembongan: Bungalows and beach houses

How to get there: by boat from Sanur, shuttle plus boat from Kuta and Ubud.

Lembongan Island (Nusa Lembongan). Photo credit: Peter Saputra, Flickr

Ubud and downtown Bali

Undoubtedly, the cultural center of the island is Ubud - a quiet little cozy city in the mountains in the center of the island. Most travelers choose Ubud as their main stop to explore the sights of Bali's central region. But, stopping for a couple of days in small villages far from the city is a very unbanal and interesting way to get to know the real non-tourist Bali closer.

In order to feel the atmosphere and learn more about the culture and traditions of Bali, you need to live at least a few days. The suburbs of Ubud are villages of craftsmen, each of which has its own “specialization”. Artists live in one village, woodcarvers live in another, and batik painters live in a third.

Small cozy hotels and bungalows, SPA salons, a huge number of shops, Balinese restaurants, rice terraces, monkeys walking around the streets of the city, communication with local residents - all this makes your stay in Ubud unforgettable.

Traditional architecture in Ubud. Photo credit:Jean-Jacques Halans, Flickr

Rice terraces in Tegallalang, Ubud. Photo credit: I Sing Cheu Leng, Flickr

Typical Ubud housing format). Photo credit: Jorge de la Torriente, Flickr

How to get there: by bemo (minibuses) from Denpasar, by tourist shuttles from, Kuta and Sanur.

View of the lake and volcano Batur, Kintamani. Photo credit: rona_rodriguez, Flickr

Amed and East Bali

Agugng Volcano dominates the eastern part of the island, on the slopes of which the Besakih Temple, the main temple of the island, is picturesquely located. Dark gray, almost black sandy beaches stretch along the coast and a lazy relaxed atmosphere reigns.

Amed

Amed - This rather remote beach in eastern Bali is a favorite spot for divers and backpackers. The eastern coast of Bali is washed by the sea, there are no huge waves and the undercurrents are not as strong as in the southern part of the island, washed by the waves of the ocean.

Black sand, a picturesque view of the formidable Agugng volcano, a magnificent underwater world, excellent infrastructure for diving and snorkeling, a large selection of accommodation and, most importantly, a special relaxing atmosphere distinguish Amed from the noisy party southern beaches of the southwestern part of Bali.

To search for accommodation on Amed beach: dive hotels, villas, hotels and guest houses

How to get there: by tourist shuttles from the airport, Ubud, Sanur, Candidasa, Padang Bai and Lovina.

Amed is a remote beach in eastern Bali. Photo credit: Paul Hagon, Flickr

Candidasa

Candidasa (or Candidasa) is a sleepy little town often chosen by travelers as the main base for exploring eastern Bali and diving enthusiasts. Candidasa boasts good value for money and luxury hotels and villas along the coast, many of which are located right on the water's edge with magical sea views.

The beaches here are narrow, with black sand, the sea is relatively calm. The atmosphere in Candidasa is pure relaxation) so it is not surprising that yoga schools and yoga retreats are densely settled here.

How to get there: by tourist shuttles from the airport, Ubud, Kuta, Sanur, Padang Bai, Amed, Titra Ganji and Lovina.

A typical Candidasa villa overlooking the ocean. Photo credit: Bali Home Villa Jimbaran, Flickr

Padang Bai

Padang Bai is a tiny, pleasant port town on the east coast, connecting Bali with Lombok and the Gili Islands. Most travelers just pass through Padang Bai, missing out on spending a couple of days in the charming village and exploring the small temples and tiny picturesque beaches in the area.

To search for accommodation in Padang Bay: hotels and guesthouses

How to get there: by tourist shuttles from the airport, Ubud, Kuta, Sanur, Candidasa, Amed and Lovina, by boat from the islands of Lombok and Gili.

Weekdays at Padang Bai. Photo credit: dicky_noorkalam, Flickr

Tirta Gangga is a small village in the eastern part of the island, picturesquely located among the rice terraces - a great place to stop for a day or two. The main attraction of these places is the eponymous palace on the water. Trekking in the surroundings with visits to small temples and local villages is a must for adventure seekers.

To search for accommodation in Tirta Ganja: eco-lodges and homestays

How to get there: by tourist shuttle from Candidasa, by taxi or rented transport.

Palace on the water in Tirta Ganja. Photo credit: HOBOS.at, Flickr

Geography

Map of Bali island

The area of ​​the island is 5780 km², the length is 150 km from east to west and 80 km from north to south. The so-called Wallace Line, stretching eastward from Bali and Lombok, serves as the boundary between the flora and fauna of tropical Asia and the natural zones of Australia and New Guinea.

Relief

Bali Island is the extreme point of the Sunda Islands in front of the Small Sunda and Nusa Tenggara Islands. A mountain range stretches from west to east of Bali - a zone of high volcanic activity. Two large active volcanoes Gunung Agung (3142 m) and Gunung Batur (1717 m) are located in the northeastern part of the island. Volcanic activity causes high soil fertility and affects the development of culture. The major eruptions of Gunung Batur and Gunung Agung in 1963, which resulted in numerous casualties, devastated the eastern regions of the country, forcing many Balinese to emigrate.

Among other mountain peaks, the highest are Batukau (2278 m) and Abang (2152 m). This mountain range with a limestone plateau located in the south, which is called "bukit" - hills, divides the territory of the island into two completely different regions. Northern, rises quite sharply from a narrow coastline to the mountain slopes. The climate here is relatively dry, favoring coffee cultivation. In this part of Bali there are two rivers that irrigate the rice fields around Singaraja and Seririt. The southern region is a terrace stretching from north to south, on which rice is grown. Numerous rivers flow through gorges with lush vegetation. The southwest is small, well-irrigated tracts of land and arid lands of coconut palm plantations.

Climate

Flora and fauna

4 types of forests grow in Bali: humid evergreen tropical in the west, deciduous in the northwest in remote areas, savanna forests and mountain forests. Moist evergreen forests are represented in Bali Barat Park (translated as "Western Bali"). Here you can find rare species of plants, huge centuries-old trees that are under protection. Many plants of the ficus family, fig and banana groves. Deciduous forests grow in the northwestern part of Bali. They change their foliage with the seasons, and this flora is dominated by sapote trees. Mountain vegetation is rarely located above 1500 m above sea level, these are mainly casuarina and filaos. Banana palms in Bali are sacred, they grow very well, propagated by roots, and feed many animals: monkeys, squirrels, bats.

Palm trees are especially well represented in Bali. The leaves of borass palms, dried and pressed, are used to make “lontars”, on which sacred texts are written. Sugar palm leaves are used to make bouquets that are brought to temples as ritual offerings. There are other types of trees, such as ebony, or ebony, as well as balsa wood, extremely light - a convenient material for traditional masks. There are many bamboo trees, some species of which reach 30-40 cm in diameter. They can be found almost throughout the island, and bamboo is also a versatile building material for the Balinese.

Landscape architecture has become a real industry. The abundance of labor and fertile soil, on which everything that is planted easily takes root, contributes to the development of horticulture, especially in the south of the island and in the Bedugul region. Red, pink and white hibiscus, jasmine, bougainvillea, white and pink laurels, water lilies, lotuses and rather exotic plants such as angsoka, chempaca (yellow magnolia), manori and orchids.

Population

A total of 3,890,757 people live on the island (2010).

Bali is a Hindu society living on the territory of a Muslim country and constantly in contact with foreigners. All this only fuels interest in local customs. The Balinese themselves are quite proud of their traditions and usually strictly follow a code of conduct. Tourists visiting the island should take this for granted and adapt to local customs.

Balinese people are quite friendly towards tourists, but not towards Indonesians from other islands. Despite the abundance of tourists, the attitude towards them does not deteriorate significantly, unlike most popular resorts.

Cities

• Denpasar is the capital and largest city of the island.
• Singaraja is an industrial city in the north of the island.
• Kuta is a resort town.
• Ubud is the center of Balinese artistic life.

Administrative division

Together with the adjacent islands, Bali forms the province of the same name in Indonesia, which is part of the administrative region of the Lesser Sunda Islands. The province of Bali is divided into 8 districts (kabupaten) and one urban municipality (kota):

Religion

Hindu temple in Bali

The majority of Balinese (93.93% of the population) practice a form of Hinduism called "Agama Hindu Dharma". About 5% of the population are Muslims. They reside mainly in Denpasar, Singaraja and small coastal towns. There are few Christians and Buddhists - these are the Chinese, the indigenous population, as well as foreigners living on the island (English, Australians, Dutch, French, Italians, Russians and others).

In total, there are about 20 thousand temples in Bali.

Terrorist activity

Transport

The central and most important transportation hub on the island is Ngurah Rai Airport. This is a modern and well-equipped airport located near Denpasar, 3 km from Kuta, 15 km from Nusa Dua and 12 km from Sanur. It is served by a large number of taxis available day and night.

The most inexpensive form of transport is large modern buses (less than $ 1), which appeared just recently, in 2011. There are still very few lines, but now work is underway to expand the transport base and build stops. In fact, only one Nusa Dua line (a well-known tourist place) is functioning - Batubulyan (a city in the center of the island, not far from the zoo, a bird and reptile park, a center for the production and sale of batik)

The most common transport among the local population is a moped or scooter. There are a great many of them, they drive from young to old (from 10 years old). Local police respond only to 2 terrible offenses: driving without a helmet and driving over the stop line. Everything else (driving in the opposite direction, driving without a license, high speed) they ignore.

Cars in Bali are super slow. everywhere there is an economical small-capacity engine. And they themselves are usually large, roomy (microbuses), because families usually have many children and it is less convenient to carry them in a regular sedan.

Numerous agencies are available for tourists and guests of the island, where you can rent cars, motorcycles and move around the island on your own. However, not everyone will decide to take this step, because. traffic is left-handed and is now quite active. Automatic transmission is very rare. So hiring a driver is a perfectly reasonable decision. Moreover, the cost of this service is low, from $30 to $50 per day.

Tourism

After the recognition of independence, tourism was rather poorly developed, and the infrastructure was in its infancy. Even in the days of hippies who flocked here from all over the world, there were only small bungalows without electricity on the beaches of Kuta, cheap rooms without amenities and seafood dishes for a few cents. However, in Sanur, tour operators have already mastered tourism for the rich. The government of Indonesia, whose economy was very dependent on oil exports, needed to find other sources of income, and it greatly contributed to the development of the tourism industry.

At first, these efforts were aimed at changing in the eyes of the entire world community the unsightly image that had taken hold of the Indonesian ruling elite after the military coup.

A professional analysis of the situation in Bali and a plan for the development of tourism was made in 1969. The project was financed by the UN under the guarantee of the World Bank. Particular emphasis was placed on the Bukit-Badung area. In 1978, Balinese Governor Ida Bagus Mantra invited interested parties to pay attention to the rich culture of the island. Since that time, music, dance, religious festivals, sculpture and painting have played the same role in the tourism business, as well as the constant improvement of infrastructure. The airport is being reconstructed, luxury hotels and modest budget hotels are being built to cover the entire social spectrum of travel enthusiasts. Rice fields are being drained and aqueducts are being built in the most arid regions. Inexpensive has been replaced by elite tourism. Now world-famous stars come to Sanur for their wedding ceremonies, and European ministers spend their holidays at the “Mediterranean Club” in Nusa Dua.

From 2001 to 2008, the annual women's tennis tournament Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic was held in Bali, in 2009 it received the status of the Tournament of Champions and became known as the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions.

On October 18 - 26, 2008, Bali was the venue for the 1st Asian Beach Games, which took place on the beaches of Kuta, Nusa Dua, Sanur and Mertasari, and Serangan Island became the venue for sailing competitions.

In 2009 Bali hosted the 16th Asian Archery Championship.

There are several golf courses in Bali. In 1994, Bali Golf and Country Club's golf course was selected to host the Alfred Dunhill Masters.

Bali is a real surfer mecca, where there are good waves almost all year round. In the summer (May-September), east winds prevail, so surf spots on the western side of the island, such as Batubalong, Kuta, Balangan, Padang Padang, work well. In winter (November-March), due to southwesterly winds, spots from the southeast side, such as Serangan, Nusa Dua, Geger and Greenball, begin to work well. Bali often hosts world-class surfing competitions such as the Padang Padang RipCurl Cup. There are Russian and international surf schools and camps.

Attractions

• Pura Besakih is the largest and most important Hindu temple in Bali.
• Taman Ayun is the main temple of the Mengwi kingdom.
• Botanical garden in the crater of the volcano.
• Ulun Danu Temple on Lake Bratan.
• Uluwatu Temple, where the kechak dance performance takes place.
• Temple of Tanah Lot.
• Royal graves.
• Waterfall Git-Git
• Gunung Kawi
• Goa Gaja - temple in the jaws of a demon
• Tirtagangga

Notes

1. Indonesian Central Statistical Agency official website
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia . - Soviet encyclopedia. - T. 2. - S. 572.
3. Ageenko F. L. Proper names in Russian: Dictionary of stresses. - M .: Publishing house of NTs ENAS, 2001. - S. 35. - 376 p. - ISBN 5-93196-107-0
4. Encyclopedic dictionary of geographical names / Kalesnik, Stanislav Vikentievich. - M .: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1973. - 808 p.
5. Abramenko V. G. Southeast Asia (reference book). M.: Crystal, 1996. - 168 p.
6. Orlinkov A.F. Geography of Asia. M.: Nauka, 1994. - 296 p.
7. Petrov S.S., Petrova I.G. A large reference book of Asian countries. M.: Thought, 1997. - 134 p.
8. Volodin A.A., Mikhalev P.I. Balinese Hinduism. St. Petersburg: Iris, 2001 - 98 p.
9. "Bali death toll set at 202". BBC News
10. CNN report
11. Golovina E. I. Bali. M.: Le Petit Fute, 2001. - 192 p.
12. Tales of Bali. Arranged by J. Hoijkas-van Leeuwen Bomkamp. Per. with him. Z. A. Mirkina. M.: "Nauka", 1983. 272 ​​p.
13. Indonesian Sailing Federation.
14. "The Road to Bali Begins" - article on the official website of the Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions (English).
15. Bali Golf and Country Club - description at allbalitours.com (eng.).

Literature

• Demin L. M. Bali Island / USSR Academy of Sciences, Institute of the Peoples of Asia .. - M .: Nauka, Head. ed. east lit., 1964. - 304 p.(reg.)