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.
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.
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.
Licin is a small town situated between the stunning coastal town of Banyuwangi and the famous Ijen Crater, in the East Java Province of Indonesia. The rural and picturesque settlement provides enough services, restaurants, and shops for a comfortable stay, and makes the perfect base from which to explore both of the two nearby destinations. The jaw-dropping sight of the crater’s bright turquoise waters, clouds of sulphur smoke and most significantly, the enthralling electric blue fire and light, make the challenging hike up to the rim worth all the effort. The town of Banyuwangi provides magnificent beaches, glorious volcanoes, and an incredible lineup of amazing cultural festivals. Other attractions nearby include the Jagir Waterfall Kendung Angin Waterfall and numerous beautiful temples.
This upmarket Balinese village is characterised by mostly luxury accommodation, high-end spas, fashionable restaurants and bars and some lovely little boutiques. The atmosphere is much more sophisticated than the raucous party town of Kuta. During the day Seminyak's Petitenget Beach offers a peaceful retreat away from the hordes of tourists common on other parts of this lovely little island. However, after sunset a livelier nightlife scene takes over with premier dining and entertainment venues such as Ku De Ta and the Potato Head Beach Club, all garnering international recognition. Seminyak has somehow managed to achieve that much desired balance between tranquility and a vibey atmosphere. If you are looking for a more elegant and laid-back alternative to Kuta and Legian, Seminyak is just the destination for you.
