Bali, a tropical island in the Indonesian
archipelago, is so picturesque and immaculate it
could almost be a painted backdrop. It has rice
paddies tripping down hillsides like giant steps,
volcanoes soaring up through the clouds, dense tropical
jungle, long sandy beaches, warm blue water, crashing
surf and friendly people who don't just have a culture
but actually live it. In Bali spirits come out to
play in the moonlight, every night is a festival
and even a funeral is an opportunity to have a good
time.
Bali Island, the perfect
holiday destination for all ages offers something
for everyone. This tropical paradise has a unique
blend of modern tourist facilities combined with
wonderful shopping and a rich past and heritage.
The Balinese people are proud of having preserved
their unique Hindu culture against the advance
of Islam, the dominant religion throughout Indonesia.
This is still reflected in day to day life and
can be seen in the numerous ceremonies, Balinese
festivals and magnificent temples and palaces.
Some of the best surfing beaches in the world
can be found on the western side of the island
whilst conversely the eastern side is a wonderful
haven for families, with beautiful white sand
beaches and gentle seas.
Bali Island is a shopper's paradise
particularly for casual and tailored clothing,
locally made jewellery, handicrafts, antiques
and artifacts. Leather ware is one of the unexpected
local bargains with everything from handbags through
to tailor made leather jackets and coats, all
at unbelievable prices. In fact, prices are so
inexpensive, you're sure to need more room in
your suitcase! Try bargaining at the street markets
of Kuta, Sanur of Nusa Dua or fixed price shopping
at a Denpasar department store. Bali has it all.
Kuta Area Map The beach of Kuta
was one of the first beaches discovered by tourists
and to this day retains its popularity. It is a
very short drive from the airport, and transportation
is readily available to take you to and from Kuta
to any other destination in Bali. Kuta is well known
as the centre of night life activities in Southern
Bali and a shopping mecca, with its lines of shops,
boutiques, and galleries... (
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Seminyak Area Map Some of the best
restaurants and most popular nightspots are here,
but you don't want to walk around looking a cheap
place to stay. There is some goods mid-range accommodation.
There are also houses and bungalows to rent by the
week or month. (
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detail ...)
Tanjung Benoa Area Map Strecthing northward
from Nusa Dua is Tanjung Benoa, a promontory with
an excellent beach. A few restaurants and four-star
hotels are found here, and the sea is suitable for
all kinds of water sports. ( more
detail ...)
Legian Area Map Legian beach has
been called the United Nations of beaches where
locals, expatriates and tourists mingle, bargain,
play football, indulge in a massage, catch up on
reading, meditate or exercise. Sunset at Legian
is when the beach bars fill up, the football field
is at busiest and the locals finish their work and
wade fully clothed, skirts swirling, into the waves. (
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Tuban Area Map Tuban is just
a short walk south of Kuta and offers a far quieter
location yet you still have easy walking access
to the thriving area of Kuta. The wide selection
of quality hotels offer great value and give this
region real appeal. An increasingly busy area with
many hotels right on or near the beach and numerous
restaurants of all categories, located between the
center of Kuta and Bali's international airport. ( more
detail ...)
Sanur Area Map The village of
Sanur, Bali's largest traditional village, located
on the eastern coast of Bali is the ideal beach
for snorkelling as it is protected by a coral reef.
Sanur beach is easily reachable from Denpasar, about
a 5 to 10 minute drive only. Many restaurants and
shopping art centers along the street. Sanur Beach
and Sindhu Beach are also available with its white
and fresh sands along the beach side. ( more
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Nusa Dua Area Map Nusa Dua was designed
for the luxury conscious with a heavy concentration
of big name hotels lining the beautiful white sand
beach. Some of the resorts have private beaches
but most areas are accessible. Crystal clear water
provides excellent Snorkelling and Diving site,
and the waves on the northern and the southern part
of Nusa Dua allow for great surfing opportunity. (more
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Amed and Tulamben Area Map Amed and Tulamben
are alternative destinations in east Bali. Amed
is a quiet resort town which offers a couple of
small hotels and good snorkeling. Tulamben is even
quieter and popular with local divers. A shipwreck
and a drop-off accessible from the beach offer easy
access to a colourful underwater world. Diving courses
are also available. ( more
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Candi Dasa Area Map This is the gateway
to eastern Bali and is developing as a popular tourist
destination. The beach had once been washed away
due to coral picking but this has now stopped, and
the coral is returning.
This peaceful tourist village has plenty of accommodation
and entertainment although all diving is from boats
based in Padang Bai, 30 mins south. The diving here
is drift-diving and, due to the sometimes fierce
currents, is for advanced divers. All the reefs
are extremely healthy with great diversity of invertebrate
and fish life. Tepekong's Canyon has dramatic underwater
structure and is usually full of fish; Mimpang is
the best place in Bali to see shark and Biaha has
rich wall and slope dives. ( more
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Lovina Area Map Between Singaraja
and Seririt on Bali's wild north coast is a busy
strecth of hotels, and the low sea makes this area
by far from the most inspiring beach in Bali. The
coastline has a number of tranquil coves, Lovina
being on of them. Early morning dolphin watching
tours are a popular option, and hikes in the mountains
to the south reveal some of Bali's finest scenery
and waterfall. ( more
detail ...)