Mature travellers will delight in the relaxed seaside ambience of Candi Dasa, located at the edge of a freshwater lagoon in eastern Bali. A popular tourist spot since the ‘70s, this seaside town is renowned for its laid-back atmosphere, and superb snorkelling and diving conditions. The most impressive dive sites are around the rocky islets of Gili Selang, Gili Biaha, Gili Mimpang and Gili Tepekong, where divers can see exquisite coral gardens, several species of sharks and, between August and October, enormous oceanic sunfish, which grow up to six feet. A visit to Pura Candi Dasa, twin temples devoted to Shiva and Hariti, set atop the hillside overlooking the lagoon, proves a fascinating expedition.
Resting about 5 kilometres west of Singaraja on Bali’s northern coast, the tranquil beach town of Lovina beckons with its gorgeous black-sand shores, sea-facing bars, and idyllic hot springs. This is also prime dolphin-spotting territory, and there are numerous boat tours on offer to watch the Bottlenose at play. Other activities include diving, snorkelling, night-time volleyball, and visits to the enthralling neighbouring islands. The soft-sanded beaches are lapped by stunning waters which are perfect for swimming, and several luxe spas complete the package.
The small, simple village of Munduk is an appealing mountain retreat deep in the highlands of Central Bali. Often overlooked by tourists, Munduk's cooler climate comes to many as a welcome break from the coastal humidity. The main attractions here are the countless trekking trails which wind their way through forested hills to hidden villages, secret waterfalls, and endless coffee and cocoa plantations. Visitors can look forward to discovering the village’s lovely Dutch colonial buildings many of which have been converted into charming guesthouses. Other popular visitor highlights include: Tanah Barak, Melanting and Golden Valley waterfalls; and the nearby Tamblingan Nature Recreation Park, which features the magnificent Lake Tamblingan surrounded by lush green expanses of forest.
Field upon field of verdant green rice paddies meet the vibrant blue sky in scenic Tabanan, the regency found in central and western Bali. Recent infrastructure developments have made this previously remote part of the island easier to reach. Tourists can now take in the magnitude of Mount Batukaru, the second-highest mountain peak on the island at 2 276 metres, or absorb some culture at temple complexes like Taman Ayun, Ulun Danu Bratan or Pura Luhur Batukaru. Other sites of interest include NungNung waterfall and the Angseri Hot Springs.
As previously described
Far from the boisterous beach party scene of Kuta, in the central region of this remarkable little island, lies Ubud - the cultural centre of Bali. Surrounded by lush, terraced rice paddies, and exquisite temples, Ubud is jam-packed with tourist attractions. Its busy town centre is lined with a slew of art galleries, cafes, craft shops, and spas. One of the town’s most visited sites is the Sacred Forest Monkey Sanctuary, home to hundreds of wild monkeys as well as three Hindi temples. Spend your days strolling around the lively streets of central Ubud or get away from the hustle and bustle by cycling along ricefield-lined rivers where traditional village life carries on relatively undisturbed. Nights can be spent enjoying live music concerts, or one of the nightly Kecak Fire and Dance or shadow puppet performances.
