If you find Kuta too wild and Nusa Dua too placid, Sanur might be the strip of Balibeachfront resort you’re looking for. Combining great eating spots and bars withfamily-friendly beaches, Sanur has a balanced, energetic, yet chilled ambiance. EveryJuly Sanur hosts the International Kite Festival, and the brilliant blue skies are filledwith colourful kites of all shapes and sizes. Le Mayeur Museum, the former home ofthe eponymous artist, is a worthwhile visit, as is a trek through the incumbentmangrove forest or a session at the Turtle Conservation Centre.
Set on the northwestern tip of Bali, West Bali National Park is a conservation area covering over 19000 hectares (including the Prapat Agung Peninsula and the surrounding coastal waters). The landscapes are characterised by lush rainforest, open savannahs, rugged mountains, photogenic mangrove swamps, ethereal seaweed meadows, and brightly coloured coral reefs. Visitors should also make sure to visit a little reserve of Menjangan Island, home to the native barking deer and dotted with ancient Hindu temples. The park is also inhabited by one of the world's rarest birds, the Bali starling, which is endemic to the area.
Divers from around the world come to explore the wreck of the US cargo ship Liberty, which was torpedoed just off the coast of this Balinese fishing village during WWII. The wealth of marine life that has grown around the wreck and its ease of access make it one of the most popular diving spots on the island.
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.
