In the age of social media, it feels like everyone just goes to the same tourist attractions, but Bali has so much to offer that you can actually explore the real Balinese culture and way of life of the Balinese people without visiting any of the touristy spots.
These 50+ unique experiences and fun activities in Bali are some of the most amazing things you can do on your Bali trip to be able to say – “I saw the real Bali!”
Our Top List Of Bali Unique Experiences To Add To Your Bucket List
This list won’t suggest the same tourist traps, like jungle swings or overcrowded and overpriced temples, where you need to wait in line to get a photo.
This is the real list of unique experiences Bali has to offer! Some of these activities are not listed anywhere on the Internet.
Walk Astungkara Trails To Explore Real Balinese Villages
Astungkara Way is a project started by people who wanted to support remote Balinese villages and traditional Balinese farming and introduce foreigners to it. They are pioneers of regenerative tourism and agriculture in Bali!
You can join a 4 to 10-day trek where you will see hidden gems in the North of Bali: waterfalls, farms, rural areas with no tourist impact, eat home-cooked Indonesian food, forage, farm, and so much more!
Online: Astungkara Way
Purify Your Mind, Body, and Soul With Water – Melukat Ceremony
As tourists, we are blessed with the opportunity to explore Balinese culture by practising it. While not all ceremonies are offered as a tour, the most amazing one is the melukat – water purification ceremony that you can do.
It is perfect for starting fresh, healing, and getting rid of all the negativity and stress. However, you should carefully pick where you do it. The most crowded and expensive place to do it is the Tirta Empul temple, but the experience is often ruined by the number of people and how long you have to wait.
Better places to do melukat that are unique:
- Luxury resorts can organise a melukat for you privately, such as Ayodya Resort, Bulgari Resort, and many others.
- Hidden waterfalls like Tukad Cepung Waterfall, Taman Beji Griya Waterfall, and Yeh Mampeh Waterfall, among others.
- Smaller temples like Pesiraman Sebatu Temple, Mengening Temple, or Goa Giri Putri Temple in Nusa Penida
- Certain healers offer a package of reading and melukat ceremony, for ex., Bali Wellness Retreat & Yoga Travel
Try Fire Purification Ceremonies
If you believe in the power of fire more than in the power of water, you can try one of the two fire purifications ceremonies- Agnihotra or Havanam.
It is a shared experience with other people and a Balinese priest, lots of mantras, offerings, and it aims to release all the negative thoughts and energy. The whole process is simply mesmerising!
The teams at Bali Wellness Retreat, Fivelements Retreat Bal, and Bali Silent Retreat, as well as local healers and ashrams (ex., Anand Ashram Ubud), can organise such a ritual for you.
Glass Blowing At Horizon Glassworks Bali
There are tons of painting, silvermaking and pottery workshops in Bali, but what about something truly unique? We found something fun and exciting to share – you can imagine yourself being a glassblower!
The workshop can be private or for the whole family, and you will make your own souvenir to take home: a vase, a bowl, or a home decor item.
Where Is It? Parking 1 NUANU CITY, Jl Galiran, Bangar, Beraban, Kec. Kediri, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82121
Try Your Hand At Traditional Balinese Kamasan Painting
Kamasan is the art legacy of Bali, traditional paintings illustrating the most influential Hindu epics using only natural pigments and bamboo sticks.
You can see remains of the ancient Kamasan paintings in Klunkgung Palace, but also try to recreate it!
Bulgari Resort and local artists in Kamasan village are happy to teach you.
Kamandalu Hotel Lunch On The Boat
This luxury resort in Ubud has a very cool offer – you can enjoy a meal with sparkling wine and then get a photoshoot on a boat ride in a pond full of colourful koi fish.
A memorable experience for honeymoons and couples in Bali that is way more unique than a floating breakfast.
The menu has a mix of Western and local food, desserts, and vegetarian options.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Andong, Banjar Nagi, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Horse Riding On The Beach (Salty Cowboy)
If you love horses but want to support sustainable business, check out Salty Cowboy Stables. The owner, a former professional equestrian athlete, has rescued horses from Bali and all over Indonesia to give them a new home.
Out of 15+ horses the stables have, only 4 enjoy riding with people, so tourists can only go on a beach ride with them.
The best time for this activity is sunset – the beach they will take you is much less crowded than most of South Bali’s beaches and has its charm and natural beauty.
Where Is It? Jl. Pantai Kedungu Kedungu No.3495, Belalang, Kec. Kediri, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82121
Hidden Canyon Beji Guwang
Near Sukawati Village, there is a cool spot for nature lovers and outdoorsy people. Baju Guwang is a thousand-year-old formation that the Oos River has carved diligently.
This 3.5-km canyon trek is a beginner-friendly route you take with a local guide through a picturesque canyon maze, walking through a river, dipping in refreshing waters, taking photos, and strolling through rice paddies.
If you’re lucky, you will see some wildlife! Visiting during the wet season, make sure it is safe to pass through the canyon before buying tickets.
Where Is It? 97QQ+XMM, Jl. Sahadewa, Banjar Wangbung, Guwang, Kec. Sukawati, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80582
Book A Woodcarving Workshop
Visiting traditional Balinese houses and temples, you will notice how impressive the carving techniques of local artisans are, and imagine making all of it with just minimal tools!
Bintang Wood Carving Class in Ubud is one of the best on the market, and you will be impressed by what you can do just by following the techniques Balinese craftsmen have used for centuries. You will take your souvenirs home, what a unique gift, right?
Where Is It? Jl. Cemp. No.1, Mas, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Kite Making Workshop
If you come to Bali during dry season, especially June to August, you will see how excited all local kids are – the wind has picked up, and it means it’s time to dust off the kites!
There is even a big kite festival sometimes around July or August, where locals bring the most intricate and largest kites to fly. Usually, it happens around 21 July at Padanggalak Beach in Sanur.
But! No matter when you visit Bali, you can make your own kite and see if it flies.
Bali Purma Art & Workshop and The Bali Purnati Centre for the Arts in Ubud have this workshop to offer.
Learn How To Make Ancient Healing Drink Jamu
While attending a Balinese cooking class is something we recommend doing, if you want something more unique, find a class to learn how to make Jamu.
The ancient wisdom that goes into this drink is powerful – Indonesian people and healers have been using this potion long before “doctors” existed.
One of the best spots to attend a workshop is the Tugu Hotel in Canggu. It is an antique sanctuary, and the chef who will teach you has cooked for Indonesian Presidents for years in the past.
Where Is It? Pantai Jl. Pantai Batu Bolong No.117x, Canggu, Kuta Utara, Badung Regency, Bali 80361
Stay At The Les Village & Restore Corals
If you want your Bali Trip to be like no other, explore off the beaten path – Les village is a perfect spot up in the North to experience local life as it is.
It was actually awarded a prize as the best tourist village in 2024, but we bet most people still never heard of it!
Imagine waking up to stroll down a deserted beach, meet some stray puppies, dip in calm waters and then join a community volunteer program.
That’s right, Sea Community offers a legal way for foreigners to volunteer in Bali and help with coral or mangrove forest restoration.
Online: Sea Communities
Try Kite Surfing Instead Of Surfing
While Bali has one of the world’s best waves for surfing, taking a surfing lesson is not that unique (although a must). Something very few people do in Bali is kite surfing, but it is oh so fun!
Bali Kitesurfing School in Sanur will hook you up with rental equipment and teach you a few tricks. The adrenaline is so worth it!
Where Is It? Jl. Kusuma Sari, Sanur, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80227
Wine Tasting & Winery Tour
While Bali wine is far from French or Italian, we are sure wine lovers will be curious to learn all about it.
There are a few wine productions on the island, with most of the wineries set up in the North, but one in particular we recommend as it has the most amazing tours and packages – Sababay Winery in East Bali.
There, you can not only get a tour of the winery that sells more than 100,000 bottles per year, but also taste any wine they produce and have a romantic picnic in the garden or an Indonesian lunch.
Where Is It? Jalan Professor Doktor Ida Bagus Mantra No.333X Keramas, Medahan, Kec. Blahbatuh, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80581
Stay In A Tree House in Balian Beach
One of the most beautiful areas in West Bali, Balian Beach, is remote enough to disconnect from the world and enjoy the slow life of a Balinese village.
The area has a few cafes and even a massage salon, and the Balian Tree House is one of the best Airbnbs in the whole of Bali! It is steps away from the beach and is surrounded by a lush garden.
Where Is It? Jl. Pantai Balian No.60, Lalanglinggah, Kec. Selemadeg Bar., Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82162
Hop On A Helicopter Tour
Fancy a unique perspective of the island? Fly Bali will show you Bali from a bird’s eye view: you can fly over the famous beaches, Mount Agung, temples, and rice paddies.
But also…you could organise a picnic at a spot only reachable with a helicopter, a romantic proposal, or even fly to iconic spots in Indonesia like Labuan Bajo or Sumba. Incredible time is guaranteed!
Online: Fly Bali
Bunut Bolong
Bunut Bolong is a half-natural half man-made attraction mostly known to locals – it is a huge ancient tree that has a road passing through its trunk! Today, it is a sacred tree in Balinese culture.
A great photo stop on your way to West National Park or North Bali.
Where Is It? JV7C+7F, Desa Manggisari, Manggissari, Kec. Pekutatan, Kabupaten Jembrana, Bali 82262
Symon’s Art Zoo
A unique and very creative stop near Singaraja in North Bali. Once an oceanfront villa of an artist, today it is a museum and an art gallery showcasing his art and quirky taste in interiors.
If you love art, this place is a hidden gem that very few people know about!
It is free to explore, and if you are lucky enough to see someone from the staff, make sure to ask about the incredible story of Symon’s life.
Where Is It? W767+JMP, Jl. Airsanih – Tejakula, Pacung, Buleleng, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81173
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Park
While the park itself may not be as exciting as you expect, the statue is worth seeing simply because it is the tallest statue in Indonesia (122 m) and the tallest statue of a Hindu Deity in the world.
It is also a place to see first hand famous fire dancing show – Kecak fire dance. You can also see it at Uluwatu temple with amazing sunset views, but Uluwatu temple is also where everyone goes, so GWK park is a great alternative to avoid crowded locations.
Apart from Kecak dance, there are 15 more traditional performances on the weekly schedule and a panoramic restaurant to enjoy lunch or dinner.
Where Is It? Uluwatu St, Ungasan, South Kuta, Badung Regency, Bali 80364
Try Spear Fishing
A very niche outdoor activity, but nevertheless unique. The Bali sea has diverse marine life and amazing spearfishing spots in North and East Bali, where you can fish up to 20 meters deep.
Indonesian Spearfishing Tour takes intermediate divers and professionals to the best spots. If you’re a beginner and want to try it, not to worry, there are a few easy sites around South, too, where you can catch tuna, rainbow runner, and bass.
If you’d rather not dive to fish, we have a great alternative for you – how does lobster fishing sound? You can book a tour even from Canggu with Bali Outdoor Sustainable Tours.
Online: Indonesia Spearfishing
Indulge In A Sunset Cruise & Dinner
For couples and newlyweds on a honeymoon, there is something special we suggest doing while in Bali – a sunset cruise and dinner.
Sunsets around South Bali are iconic, and no better place to enjoy them than out in the ocean. There are different ships available, from pirate ships to modern yachts, and the experience often comes with live music or some sort of entertainment.
Sri Tanjung Cruises and Pirate Dinner Cruise offer both sunset and dinner, while The Shivanna is more of a party cruise.
Visit Menjangan Island & Bali National Park
Menjangan is a small village in North West Bali, close to the port connecting Java and Bali. The area is known for amazing snorkelling, kayaking, peaceful resorts with hot springs (Mimpi Resort), and Bali’s only National Park.
Menjangan Island has a beautiful temple with a big statue of Lord Ganesha, lots of marine life around it, and it is just a short boat ride from the shore.
You can also see rare birds, deer, and monkeys that only live on this island!
Become A Certified Yoga Teacher
You don’t have to be an experienced yogi to get the first level of certification, and you can do it in just 3 weeks!
You will get a solid knowledge base for your own healthy practice and the opportunity to teach yoga worldwide and even online. How cool is that?
Plus, you will be learning in one of the world’s leading yoga hubs. Some training programs even invite yoga gurus from India.
Jump Into Aling-Aling Waterfall At Sabangan Village
Aling Aling is a total of 4 stunning waterfalls in North Bali with natural pools, slides and spots to jump into the refreshing waters from up to 15 meters high!
Absolutely amazing spot with no crowds and plenty of trekking options. You can even explore further into the village to try local food, walk through Cengana Rice Terrace, observe the everyday life of Balinese people and try chatting with them.
Where Is It? Sambangan, Kec. Sukasada, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81161
Goa Gong Temple
Unfairly overlooked Hindu temple in Jimbaran, Goa Gong Temple is a beautiful temple in a natural cave with panoramic views that usually only locals visit.
It is also believed that this is one of the oldest Hindu-Buddhist temples in Bali.
The only downside – to reach it you will need to get up lots of stairs.
Where Is It? No.,, Jl. Goa Gong No.1, Jimbaran, Kec. Kuta Sel., Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80361
Visit Ujung Water Palace
Tirta Ganga Water Palace is a very popular tourist attraction and rightfully so. But it quickly became overcrowded.
There is an alternative in East Bali – Ujung Water Palace. It is a stunning palace built at the beginning of the 20th century for Balinese royalty. The scale of it is impressive – it looks like a Versailles of Bali with manicured lawns, pools, pavilions, fountains, and paths.
You can also see Mount Agung and the ocean. And the best part? No crowds.
Where Is It? Ujung Water Palace, Tumbu, Karangasem, Karangasem Regency, Bali 80811
Night Diving With Sharks
Bali and Nusa Penida are popular dive sites, and many foreigners come to get their divemaster certification here, but night diving is still heavily overlooked.
However, it is probably one of the most unique experiences in Bali as it is the perfect time to explore tiny islands in East Bali with caves – lots of docile sharks live there!
Apart from sharks, the whole underwater world just looks very different at night, and you can also explore shipwrecks and ancient temple ruins.
Taste Cruelty-Free Luwak Coffee
In the Kintamani area of Bali, you can visit coffee plantations started during colonial rule, learn about local coffee plants and roasting process, and try Balinese specialty coffee – luwak coffee that is made with the help of little civets who eat and digest the coffee beans so they acquire a unique taste.
Once one of the most expensive coffee beans in the world, coffee luwak is a bit controversial now, as it is hard to find a cage-free farm.
However, one of the oldest coffee plantation – Bali Beans or Munduk Moding Plantation, still only make wild luwak coffee when available. They offer a plantation tour with degustation every day.
Pick Your Own Strawberries In Bedugul
Bedugul is located in the north and has cooler weather and more rainfall, so strawberries grow so well here!
There are literally dozens of strawberry farms; you will see signs everywhere. Pick one and go in. Usually, they charge you per basket (about 60,000 IDR or 6 AUD) and you can pick as many fresh berries as you want!
All the cafes and restaurants in Bali source strawberries from Bedugul!
Visit The Ogoh Ogoh Museum
Deeply rooted in Balinese mythology, Ogoh Ogoh are handmade moving statues that local artisans make every year for the big parade before Niyepi, aka Silent Day and the Balinese version of the New Year.
As the Ogoh Ogoh parade only happens once a year, not everyone has a chance to see it, so the museum was established to showcase some of the best mythical monsters. You will be impressed by how intricate they are!
Where Is It? JI.Ayodya No.1 Taman Ayun., Desa Mengwi, Mengwi, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351
Usaba Sambah Festival At Tenganan Village
Tenganan Pegringsingan is one of the villages in East Bali that still preserves many of the ancient traditions of double ikat textile weaving and old ceremonies.
One of the rarest is the Usaba Sambah Festival, held every year to celebrate the indigenous Bali Aga people. You will see a war performance (Mekare-kare), hear lots of traditional gamelan music, women weaving, ladies riding a unique circular swing, and many offerings and dances.
Usually happens mid-June.
Sangeh Monkey Forest
If you want real interaction with wild monkeys, skip Ubud Monkey Forest and come to Sangeh. It is just a short drive from Ubud, but there are fewer people here!
The ticket includes a bag of peanuts for monkeys and a bottle of water for you. The forest is not as big as Ubud Monkey Forest, but it has a stunning 17th-century temple in its centre and lots of funny monkeys and squirrels.
Where Is It? Jl. Brahmana, Sangeh, Kec. Abiansemal, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80353
Blanco Renaissance Museum
For all art lovers, the Blanco Museum is a must. It was a famous Dali from Bali, a very extravagant artist with lots of beautiful paintings of Balinese women and everyday objects.
The whole property is nothing like you’ve seen before, with his own designs, sculptures, parrots, his art studio and even a hologram you can interact with using your phone.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Campuhan, Sayan, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Step Into The Fireflies’ Garden At Taro Village
Once upon a time, fireflies were everywhere in Bali, it was truly magical! While development pushed natural habitats, there are still secret spots where you can co-exist with wildlife.
At The Fireflies Garden, you can book a night visit, a farm-to-table dinner with a view of rice paddies in the dark illuminated by hundreds of fireflies! A perfect idea for a date!
If you have time before dinner, explore the Taro Village, too. It is one of the oldest villages and they tackle the waste problem Bali is facing now, handling almost all of their waste without any government support.
Where Is It? J77H+22C, Jl. Raya Taro Kaja, Taro, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561
Book A Birdwatching Tour
If you love wildlife, consider booking a day trip to see tropical birds, including the endangered Bali Myna.
It is a very unique thing to do in Bali, and not many people know that there are more than 400 species, and some of them are so colourful and stunning!
Skip the Bird Park as it has some non native birds, and go with the Bali Birding Tour. Their local guides know the best places from the National park to bus stops, to watch birds.
Attend A Batik Workshop
While there are many batik workshops in Ubud, one studio stands out. The Threads Of Life brings to Bali hand-woven textiles from all over Indonesia, supporting female communities who make them. The items at their shop are one-of-a-kind.
Plus, they regularly host half-day or multi-day classes to learn the dyeing process, like batik and try to make something with your own hands and traditional tools. It is an exciting and very meditative experience in Bali.
Where Is It? Jl. Kajeng No.24, Ubud, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571
Explore Penglipuran Village
South of Bali is great for a vacation, but to understand the true way a Balinese village lives, you need to venture further inland.
Penglipuran Village is considered the most beautiful traditional village in Bali with lined-up streets, Balinese houses, and abundant crafts.
Here, Balinese people open their houses for tourists to visitand you can also buy art they make.
Where Is It? Jl. Penglipuran, Kubu, Kec. Bangli, Kabupaten Bangli, Bali 80611
Play Golf In North Bali
If you love outdoor activities, you may notice that it is quite hot to enjoy them in South Bali.
Come to Handara Gold Resort up in the northern part – it has cooler weather, an amazing golf course, a great restaurant, and the views around it are incredible: from famous Handara Gates to hills and lakes around.
Where Is It? Q535+6P, Desa Singaraja-Denpasar Pancasari Sukasada, Desa Jl. Raya Singaraja-Denpasar, Pancasari, Kec. Buleleng, Kabupaten Buleleng, Bali 81161
Become A Certified Scuba Diver
Amed is the perfect place in Bali to get certified for diving, and the certificate will work anywhere in the world!
Plus, you will be able to explore all the dive sites around Amed and Candidasa from muck diving sites to shipwrecks, drop-offs, reefs, and so much more! The Bali Sea has a truly magnificent underwater world, and you have to see it!
Climb An Active Volcano For Sunrise
Mount Batur is one of the active volcanoes in Bali, and it is the best place to watch the sunrise, period. You can either hike all the way up or book a 4×4 tour.
Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking offers both options and more hiking routes in Bali, including rafting.
Note that these tours start super early (like at night!), so you will have enough time to make it to a viewpoint just in time for sunrise and breakfast.
Treat Yourself To Flower Bath & Cream Bath
Flower bath may be a very Instagrammable thing to do, but it is also really romantic and adds a luxury touch to your spa treatment.
Cream bath, on the other hand, is a hair treatment Balinese women have done for years, and if you’ve ever seen a Balinese woman, their hair looks strong, soft, and shiny.
Cream baths are available in every local beauty salon, but a flower bath is a fancier service, and spas like Bodyworks offer it in a spa package.
Go To Public Hot Springs Like Locals Do
Balinese people love hot springs, and thanks to volcanoes, central and North Bali have plenty!
Banjar hot springs, Air Panas Piling Kawan, and Air Panas Angseri are the most popular ones. You usually pay a small fee to enter and can spend as much time as you want there. Air Panas Angseri is probably the nicest one!
There is also a cool hot spring on Lake Batur – Bali Volcano Hot Spring, it has gorgeous views of the mountain and the valley.
Some hot springs offer private pools at extra cost.
Pura Dalem Jaga Raga
A temple like no other in Bali. While it may look similar at first sight, as soon as you come close and inspect the carvings, you will notice that some have nothing to do with Hinduism.
This Hindu temple was initially built in the 19th century and dedicated to Shiva, then destroyed and rebuilt during Dutch colonial rule, when it acquired some curious elements like a car or a plane.
A beautiful temple to visit, and very few tourists ever make their way here.
Where Is It? Jagaraga, Sawan, Buleleng Regency, Bali 81171
Trunyan Cemetery Island (Kuburan Terunyan)
While not technically an island, but a lakeside village, Trunyan cemetery is a unique place you can only access by boat.
This village and the indigenous Bali Aga people honour ancient burial rituals, and you can see lots of skulls, photos of deceased, offerings, and a temple there. According to their traditions, bodies aren’t buried, but left to decompose in bamboo coffins.
Insider tip: find a local guide to take you there beforehand, villagers sometimes get too excited and ask 120AUD for a 5-minute boat ride.
Taman Festival Park (Bali’s Abandoned Theme Park)
Taman Festival Park has a creepy story and is a long-abandoned theme park that has now become a tourist attraction that looks a little bit like Jurassic Park. The legend says it was closed down because one day, a few crocodiles escaped the crocodile pit…
As it has been abandoned for more than 30 years, the jungle and local artists did their job: you will see nature taking over and amazing murals.
Although it is abandoned, there is an entrance fee to pay (around 2 AUD plus a parking fee).
Where Is It? Jl. Padang Galak No.3, Kesiman, Kec. Denpasar Tim., Kota Denpasar, Bali
Learn Traditional Basket Weaving
Balinese women hone the craft of using bamboo leaves (lontar) to make baskets for household use and ceremonies.
There are a few classes in Ubud, where during 3 hours you can make one or two small baskets, learning about the significance of patterns and techniques along the way. You don’t need to have any weaving experience to join!
WS Art Studio Balinese Handicrafts, and ARMA Museum offer such a workshop.
Visit Yeh Pulu Temple
Yeh Pulu is a little-known Balinese temple in Ubud with impressive stone carvings surrounded by rice paddies. It is one of the most ancient temples in Bali, built in the 14th century.
The temple is rather small but shaded, which is perfect on a hot day. There are caves, natural springs, and even a little waterfall nearby.
Where Is It? Jalan Yeh Pulu Blahbatuh, Bedulu, Kec. Gianyar, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80581
Join Traditional Balinese Dance Class
If, after you’ve seen the Kecak fire dance show, you want to try it yourself, you are more than welcome to join locals!
Their dance movements are so different from how we used to dance, so it will be a fun and enriching experience.
Dedari Balinese Dance is a great place to learn for both adults and kids. A big plus is that it is a private class, so you will get to ask as many questions as you want.
Visit The Biggest & Hidden Waterfalls In Bali
You probably don’t want to skip the tallest waterfall, Sekumpul, when you visit Bali, but besides it, avoid popular waterfalls and chase the real hidden gems – there will be no soul but you, stunning scenery, and amazing tropical forests.
Some secret waterfalls are only known by locals, but here are a few that we know are not crowded yet spectacular, surrounded by jungles and towering trees:
- Munduk Waterfall
- Colek Pamor Waterfall
- Aan Secret Waterfall
- Hidden Pangkung Benkel Waterfall
- Ulu Petanu Waterfall
- Manuaba Waterfall
- Bangkiang Waterfall
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Skip Tegallalang rice terraces (it is overcrowded) and go straight to the biggest, UNESCO-protected rice paddies in Bali – Jatiluwih, 600 hectares of natural beauty.
It is an incredible spot for jogging, walking or cycling while soaking in beautiful views. You can also buy Jatiluwih rice here, snacks made from bananas, and freshly harvested and dried vanilla beans.
Make sure to stop by one of the cafes with a view to grab Indonesia’s famous nasi goreng and iced tea.
Where Is It? Jl. Jatiluwih Kawan, Jatiluwih, Kec. Penebel, Kabupaten Tabanan, Bali 82152
Island Hopping (Nusa & Gili Islands)
Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, and Nusa Ceningan are the closest islands to Bali, and they are mostly known for diving to see manta rays and Mola Mola, and a laid-back lifestyle. Lembongan is also a big seaweed supplier and has great waves for surfing.
Gili Islands, on the other hand, are a bit further away. Gili Trawangan is the go-to party island with no vehicles allowed and lots of horses and dive sites. You can also snorkel to see sea turtles and tropical fish.
Neighbours, Gili Air and Gili Meno, will be perfect for couples and honeymooners – super relaxed, very quiet, and exactly what a remote island should feel like.
If you want to splurge a bit more, we highly recommend getting a catamaran to Nusa Lembongan instead of a public fast boat. It is a much more relaxed and private experience at the sea.
Wild Experiences Bali
If you’ve had enough of cultural experiences and are looking to have some fun with friends or family, Wild Experiences Bali is an entertainment centre with two different zones, for families with kids and adults.
The adult section has 5 different wild experiences, from a maze to a unique cocktail lab. They take the fun and party scene to a whole different level! You are sure to leave this place with lots of positive energy.
Where Is It? Jl. Munduk Tengah, Pererenan, Kec. Mengwi, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80351
Fun Things To Do That Are Not Unique But Still Worth It
Campuhan Ridge Walk
A very popular walking trail in Ubud for a morning or afternoon stroll alongside rice paddies.
There are also beautiful temples at the beginning and the end of the trail, and a restaurant at the end to grab a snack before heading back.
White Water Rafting
Bali is not a famous rafting destination, but it has so many rivers that some of them are incredible spots for a beginner-friendly white water rafting experience, while others are more suitable for tubing.
Loads of tours, note that the most popular (meaning crowded) river to go on rafting tours is the Ayung River.
Tanah Lot Water Temple
A must-visit in Bali, but usually very crowded as both domestic and foreign tourists know about this place.
It is one of the oldest Hindu temples, built in the 11th century and dedicated to sea worship and protection. During low tide, you can get a blessing and drink holy water, and even meet the guardian snakes of the temple.
Balinese Cooking Class
For about 40 AUD, you will learn to make staple Balinese and Indonesian food, from main dishes to desserts.
Most resorts offer this activity, and there are also a lot of amazing cooking classes led by Balinese women in Ubud. They all are genuinely great, and sharing a meal you cooked afterwards just adds a honey touch.
Insider tip: pick a morning class with a market tour to really dive into the local lifestyle.
Goa Lawah Temple
One of our favourite temples in East Bali, it is a cool spot to visit because it is the only bat temple. Yep, you heard it right – the temple is built in front of a natural cave where more than a thousand bats live.
Why didn’t this temple make the list? Well, it is very touristy, and it is small. It only works as an additional stop when you go to Amed or have an East Bali day trip.
Goa Gala Gala, Nusa Lembongan
The 500-meter tunnels that a local man dug out with just a hammer (took him 15 years) to live in are now a local attraction inhabited by lizards and bats.
It is fun for those into caves and tunnels, and kids, but as it is completely man-made, it has no historical or religious value. But it makes you feel a bit like Indiana Jones!
Final Thoughts on Unique Experiences, Bali
Whether you’re a family on vacation, a digital nomad, or a couple on honeymoon, you will find creative and unique things to do and see in Bali to avoid tourists – there are almost endless options to explore the Island of Gods the way you like it.
After a full day living your best life in Bali and doing the coolest things the island has to offer, don’t forget to chill and sip cocktails in an infinity pool at the FINNS Beach club. After all, it is the world’s best beach club!