Bali is a big island to explore, and finding hidden stunning areas and spots such as blue pristine water in a secluded beach area are among the most fun part to discover this island of paradise.
More visitors or even local residents like me prefer avoiding touristy areas such as Kuta Beach (and Kuta Square), Dreamland Beach-who is now known as New Kuta Beach full of Jakarta and Surabaya local tourists! (how on earth those investors from Jakarta dare to change a beach name found once by a surfer in 70’s!), and would rather explore West,North,and East part of Bali.
Here are 5 Tips to enjoy Bali and its nature beauty not as a tourist :
1. Avoid South of Bali such as : Kuta,Nusa Dua,Jimbaran,Sanur – specially Kuta that is already packed with tourists from all over the world specially those shopping mania local tourists from Java. Explore more : West of Bali (Menjangan Island,Pemuteran,Bali National Parc,Medewi Beach), North (Singaraja, Gitgit Waterfall, Munduk Village), and the East where I went to recently (Taman Ujung/Water Palace, Amed, Candi Dasa)
2. Hire motorbike instead of car, as you would find yourself in a small narrow road when you are exploring a beautiful village, don’t forget to waive and smile to the school kids who are happy to see you visiting their place (pic below).
3. Go on a non public holiday/weekend/christmas and new year/Idul Fitri period. Because even some tranquil and peaceful beach could be packed with local tourist in their big buses (with a tour guide accompanied them!) and rented cars as they also try to avoid “fellow” tourists and with balinese friend or tour guide they have, some non-touristy spots could be revealed! Oh how I hate when it happened to Dreamland/New Kuta Beach!
4. Although supporting local vendors around beach areas usually called ‘Warung’ is great to have them recognize your face on the next visit and make friends, buying small beer ‘Bintang’ at 25K when you could get it half price for the big bottle is only making the food & beverage ‘market price’ there unaffordable for us,local residents who also want to enjoy Bali in a non expensive way. Bring your own small cooler box contains water bottles,orange juice,beers,and if you still want make friends with the beach street vendors you could ask one of the ‘Ibu’ gives you a nice massage at 20K for 30 minutes or so. Hhmmm..
5. Do not tell anyone about the tranquil non touristy spot you just found. Less tourists know this place, the better for enjoying the beauty of that Bali nature. Take some great shots of it and share it on your blog or Facebook, make a title :”Hidden Beach I won’t tell you where“….(see pic below)
Enjoy the Sea,Sun,Surf,Sand of Bali!…..
Hi there, juts visiting from ProBlogger. I’ve always wanted to go to Bali, but never had the chance. Well, when I finally get to go I will for sure come by here and get some tips! Great list!
Charmaine’s last blog post..Favorite Things: Children’s Books
Thanks Charmaine! Yes,Bali is beautiful and waiting for you to explore. I also would love to visit Iowa one day,
and I will nominate you for “Mother of all Bloggers” !
And hey! I’ve followed you on Twitter too!
gabybali’s last blog post..5 TIPS TO ENJOY BALI NOT AS A TOURIST
Hello,
I’ve been to Bali several times and I really love the island. It’s a pity that most tourists only stay in the Kuta area while there’s so much more to see and do in Bali. Hopefully, after reading your handy article, they’ll think twice and maybe venture outside the Kuta area! 🙂 By the way, do you have any good hotel recommendations for the Seminyak/Legian area? I might be going in August with my family.
Thanks!
Kind regards,
Keith (aka ‘velvetescape’)
Keith Jenkins’s last blog post..velvet escape’s ‘Stayed There’ feature: Robinson Crusoe Inn, Valparaiso
Hi Keith,thanks for stopping by! I would recommend SOFITEL Seminyak http://www.sofitel.com/gb/hotel-5551-sofitel-seminyak-bali/index.shtml on or BALI NIKSOMA (http://www.baliniksoma.com/), both are great and situated on the beach!
But I pesonally would try to book through a whole sale agent at your city, because they usually have a good contract rate that must be much cheaper than the publish rates on the web.
Online direct booking sometimes are more expensive. Try Asia Hotels.com…
Let me know if you still need some recommendation of other hotels with more affordable rates. Cheers!
Hi Gaby,
Thanks for the tips. Yes, I was looking at the Sofitel as other friends had recommended it as well but the rates I saw (EUR 150+ a night & higher) are a bit over my budget. Will see if I can get it cheaper somewhere else. I’ll also have a look at Bali Niksoma.
Thanks!
Cheers,
Keith
Keith Jenkins’s last blog post..Interview with Splendia
Hi Gabby,
Love to read your post. Dreamland is also my favorite spot to surfing and sometimes i just went there to quit from stressful situation.
.-= Kirstin´s last blog ..Villa Senang / 3 Bedroom Deluxe =-.
Hi Kirstin, love reading your comment too! I used to lovvve Dreamland, but I’m sure you know what happened http://www.risanto.com/beeamazing/reasons-why-i-dislike-dreamland-beach-in-bali/
But some friends told me we can still enjoy Dreamland without passing through klapa club (and skip the Rp 15,000 parking fee!!), will check it out next year,hopefully
thanks!!
5 Tips yang bagus sekali, saya setuju sekali Bali bukan hanya ada di Bali bagian selatan, sayang sekali sejauh ini saya pergi ke bali dengan keluarga atau dengan rombongan dari kampus jadi kadang kalau mau blusukan jadi lebih susah. Jadi pengen backpaker kalau gini.
Tip #2, sangat setuju sekali. Ketika bepergian jalan-jalan di bali ada banyak hal yang bisa dilihat di jalan, kalau naek mobil lebih sering “pemandangan” lewat begitu saja. Lebih mudah naek motor bisa stop dimana saja. Btw 2008 lalu kami bertiga “melarikan diri” dari rombongan selama seharian, dan jalan-jalan dengan sewa motor, its a wow experience!
Tip #3 Pengalaman bonek ke Bali pas peak season waktu lebaran, wadoh susah banget nyari hotel dan biasanya jadi lebih mahal. Soal turis lokal saya kadang males dengan mereka, soalnya suka berkelakuan malu-2in 😉 termasuk buang sampah sembarangan. Sangat, sangat, sangat menyebalkan liat tempat yang indah dikotori sampah.
Tip # 5 Ya, jangan bilang-2 ya, tapi ssttt . . . jangan keras-2 ya, but tell me where is it and i wont tell other 😉
.-= roland´s last blog ..Peristiwa Hantu Kaleng =-.
Hi Gabby,
interesting tips, but i don’t agree to renting a motorcycle rather than a car. They are dangerous – you have no protection – and there’s nowhere to put your stuff. And it’s hot!
In a car, go to somewhere interesting, then park it, get out and walk!
Cheers…
Ah, thanks for the nice tips. Didn’t know that there is so much to see besides the usual tourist spots. Bookmarked!
Tipsnya bagus, mba Bee.
Saya terakhir ke Bali tahun 1997…wakakakaka…..dan katanya Bali sekarang udah enggak kayak dulu lagi.
Since I am a mom of a lovely little girl, mungkin bisa di-share tempat liburan di Bali yang cocok buat keluarga muda, terutama yang enggak terlalu berbau ‘turis’
Hi Gabby,
I plan to visit Bali next month and enjoyed all your tips, thank you for sharing! Like you, i find pleasure in the not-so-touristy beaches like the one in your picture. I have to admit, I am very curious as to where it is, this hidden gem. Are you willing to share it? It looks beautiful and would love to experience being there in tranquility.
I once asked my driver to take me down a road I saw wheile driving to the mountians. “Oh, its only a fishing village” he said.
A FISHING VILLAGE !!!! Thats what I wanted to see, something untouched. I may have been the first white face there is years by the stares I got. There was a boy herding ducks in the rice paddies, a stony black sand beach, a ssmall river, a wooden lookout tower, prahus everywhere, and ladies mending nets. I was magical. I had found the real Bali!
I think it’s now developed as there was a good surf break there.
Or go on one of these experiences where you won't meet a single tourist for the day! All our customers returned with raving reviews of how they couldn't believe they did not see a single tourist on their trip! indiescapes.com/experiences/ancient-kingdom-of-bali-experience
This is my 4th time going to Bali on upcoming April, i usually going for diving, but this time i need to explore more on west Bali if got a chance i want to meet Mola Mola there if i got lucky, feel free email me the best beach in the west.
Hi Jack! Despite living in the island of Bali with many diving destinations, Diving is not our cup of tea, haha..But really glad to hear you will come back to Bali for more adventures! Because we have now a 21 months old baby boy, we haven’t got the chance to explore more beautiful beaches, and have no idea when is our next trip to West of Bali. Our last road trip to Java was in 2009 where our first stop was at Bali Barat, enjoying the ferry trip from Gilimanuk Harbour to Ketapang Harbour (read the post here : http://www.risanto.com/beeamazing/java-road-trip-24-27-oct09-part-1/ ) in East Java. Please stay tuned on this blog for more exciting findings of Bali’s stunning spots! Cheers!
Hi,
I am heading to bali in september and would love to visit a beach with crystal clear calm waters as well as some snorkelling in clear waters where i can actually see what i am looking at, I have asked many where is the beach place to go but haven’t been able to get a straight answer or exact names… would you be able to recommend a place to do these ? Preferrably not too far away just somewhere for a day trip as we will be staying in seminyak..
Your help would be greatly appreciated !
Thanks 🙂
Hi Zoe, I’m not really loving snorkeling, but lots of my friends went to Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan for amazing underwater view, but if you’re just looking for a short trip from Seminyak then head to Tanjung Benoa in Nusa Dua, only 30 min from Seminyak, there are a lot of water sports companies offering various trips. Hope you enjoy your holiday!
Thanks for finally writing about >5 TIPS TO ENJOY BALI NOT AS A TOURIST | BeeAmazing <Loved it!