As the capital of Bali, Denpasar (set at the south of the island) is known as the gateway to the island. Vibey and bustling, this city has it all – postcard-perfect beaches and a wealth of watersports, hot and happening nightspots, world-renowned spas, and some fascinating historical and cultural attractions. The Museum Negeri Propinsi Bali is the foremost museum in the country and will give you wonderful insight into Balinese culture – past and present - while the atmospheric Pura Jagatnatha Hindu Temple and Goa Gajah are further unmissable attractions for those wanting to understand local heritage. The city’s array of restaurants offers plenty of tasty and authentic dishes, while the local food markets provide as many opportunities for people-watching as for sampling traditional fare.
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.
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.
