Bali

Bali is an island in Indonesia, popular with visitors for its lush, green, forested landscape, rice paddies and volcanic mountains, as well as for its stunning coastline and coral reefs. Just south of the equator, you can enjoy a pleasant temperature all year round, which is why it’s a haven for beach lovers who flock to the resorts dotted along the southern coasts such as Kuta, Legian and Seminyak, surrounding the capital Denpasar. Here you’ll find the majority of the island’s hotels, with all the top restaurants and big town nightlife.

Things to do

A largely Hindu nation, Bali is the place to go if you’re seeking peace and serenity. It’s considered by many to be the yoga and meditation centre of the southern hemisphere, with retreats dotted around the island, both inland and on the coast.

If you’re interested in Bali’s spiritual side , make a beeline for some (or all) of its six temples. These popular religious sites include the stunning cliff top Uluwatu Temple on the island’s southern tip, and the beachside Tanah Lot. Both will give you magnificent views of the ocean.

Love waterfalls? You could easily spend an entire holiday searching for its many plunge pools. Head to the central region for the most spectacular ones, including the famous Gitgit Waterfall at 35m high, or Sekumpul, which is actually seven different falls set in one leafy valley.

Adventure seekers are in luck too. Bali is a place to get your adrenaline pumping, be it on land, on water, or under it. It’s a magne for dive enthusiasts, who head here for the wealth of marine life that call these coral rich seas home. To date, 500 reef building coral species have been identified in the seas of this area, which experts call the Coral Triangle.

The rivers of Bali are a water sports playground, with white water rafting and tubing among your options. Can you think of a better way to see the mighty Ayung and Telaga Waja rivers? Over in Bali’s mountainous central, you can hike up sky high peaks towering at 2000m elevations, including Mounts Batur and Agung, which are still active volcanoes. However you see this Indonesian island, you’ll be sure to leave with lasting memories.