Bali is a small island although first time visitors are often surprised at how big it is and how long it takes to get from A to B. Ubud is 12 nautical miles from Kuta, but if you can get there in under an hour you’re doing well.
Traffic starts up in the Kuta / Seminyak area around 6.30am, weekdays being super busy. Leading up to 5pm traffic will increase and stay busy for over an hour. When exploring Bali with Kuta / Seminyak as your starting point, expect heavy traffic for the first hour of your trip and also the last hour, if you are returning the same day. Sunday is the quietest day for traffic in Bali as many people have the day off and spend it with family.
Here is a quick and handy guide to some of the highlights you might include on your Bali adventure.
•Quiet Beach Resorts:
East Bali: Amed (black sand beach)
North Bali: Pemuteran (volcanic grey sand)
South Bali: Sanur (yellow sand), Nusa Lembongan (white sand beach)
•Diving & Snorkeling:
East Bali: Amed, Tulamben, Padangbai, Candi Dasa
North Bali: Pemuteran, Menjangan island
South Bali: Nusa Lembongan, Nusa Penida
•Surfing:
East Bali: Nusa Lembongan, Ketewel, Keramas, Jasri
West Bali: Medewi, Balian,
South Bali: Kuta, Legian, Canggu, Bukit peninsula
•Great Ocean Views:
East Bali: SW coast of Nusa Penida
West Bali: Lalanglinggah
South Bali: Bukit peninsula
•Mountain hide-aways:
East Bali: Sideman
West Bali: Batukaru, Sanda
North Bali: Munduk
•Rice field views:
East Bali: Sideman
West Bali: Jatiluwih
North Bali: Munduk area
South Bali: Pantai Seseh Canggu
Central Bali: Ubud area
•Mountain Hikes:
East Bali: Gunung Agung
West Bali: Gunung Batukaru
North Bali: Gunung Batur
Central Bali: Gunung Catur
•Walking & Trekking:
East Bali: Sideman, Iseh
West Bali: West Bali National Park,
North Bali: Munduk
Central Bali: Ubud, Campuhan ridgeline trek.
•Culture, temples & history:
East Bali: Kerta Gosa , Tirtaganga, Pura Kehen (Bangli)
West Bali: Pura Rambut Siwi (Medewi area), mekepung buffalo races (Negara, Perancak)
North Bali: Pura Ulun Danu Batur (Kintamani area)
South Bali: Bali Museum (Denpasar), Pura Uluwatu, Pura Tanah Lot
Central Bali: ARMA museum, NEKA museum (Ubud)
•Shopping & partying:
East Bali: Vincent’s restaurant Candi Dasa
North Bali: Volcano bar Lovina
South Bali: Tuban, Kuta, Legian, Seminyak.
Central Bali: Sanggingan – Onzigo Bar nightspot
•Yoga, Spas, healing centers:
West Bali: Batukaru Eco Lodge, Batukaru Mountain Retreat
West Bali: Gawana Novus Resort Menjangan Island.
South Bali: Bodyworks, Prana Spa (Seminyak)
Central Bali: Ubud Spas.
