Bali is a secret paradise, unlike anything else in the world. It is the most popular spot in Indonesia, and for good reason. Traveling to Bali, you'll find lush rainforests, beautiful beaches, fascinating cultures, and amazing weather year-round. Adding Bali to your must-see list is the undeniable choice, and these are our top five spots for any first time visit to Bali.
Gunung Kawi
This site is one of Bali's oldest monuments. A complex of ten monuments in the river valley is said to be a memorial to each member of 11th-century Balinese royalty. These stunning sights are said to have been carved out of the rock by hand. The monuments sit at the bottom of a 250 step staircase, so bring your walking shoes.
Pura Besakih
Much like Gunung Kawi in the clustering of sites, Pura Besakih is Bali's most important temple. It encompasses 23 temples. The most famous and stunning is Pura Penataran Agung. This temple is built on six terraces and is still a practicing temple, which means tourists are only allowed to visit the exterior of the complex. It is still home to many ceremonies. The temples are over two thousand years old and have been used as a temple of worship by the first Javanese conquerors. There is a dress code at the temples, and you are required to wear sarongs and sashes. They have these for rent, or you can bring your own to be respectful of the culture and religion.
Sekumpul Waterfall
This beautiful remote jungle waterfall is over 10 mi past Singaraja, which you can incorporate into a full day of water. Getting to this location is part of the fun. Once you leave the parking lot, you'll trek through the quaint Sekumpul village, where trees of clove, cacao, and jackfruit lead the way to steep stairs that wind all the way down to the river. After you cross the river, the fruits of your labor will be waiting for you to take in the otherworldly beauty. If you do not take a guide to the falls, be weary of stalls marked 'Registration Station' in the Sekumpul village. These are scams and are not official entrances with the falls. You'll find the official entrance hut past homes and small shops at the very end of the path.
Agung Rai Museum of Art
The museum to beat all museums in Bali. The collection was built by an art dealer that specialized in Balinese artwork to foreign collectors. This has created a haven for local artists, traditional Balinese artwork and local modern art. The museum's compound is made up of two buildings that house the permanent collections. This museum aims to develop and preserve the art of painting, dance, music, and other cultural art forms.
Ubud Monkey Forest
This unique temple ground houses three temples and is a sanctuary to over six hundred grey monkeys. The temples that make up the grounds are Beji, Dalem, and Prajapati temples. In addition to these temples, there is a cremation temple that is part of a more significant cremation ceremony that takes place every five years. These grounds are adorned with beautifully carved sculptures. While exploring the forest, you might find six colonies of monkeys. It is best to keep as much distance between you and them as possible and to avoid eating while they are around.
What's stopping you from going to dive headfirst into this culturally diverse and historical country? No matter what it is, we can work through the logistics together. Schedule a consultation with me today to learn more about the top five destinations and everything else that Bali has to offer to plan your amazing vacation.