Must do’s

Catch the incredible Indo wave! Bali has several beach breaks and is the perfect place to learn how to surf. For the intermediate and advanced surfers there are many different surf spots to choose from.
Treat yourself to a Balinese massage. They are excellent value for money!
Visit Canggu beach, a quiet black sand beach with a relaxed atmosphere and a few nice restaurants from where you can check the excellent surf.
Have a fish BBQ right on the beach at Jimbaran, as fresh as you can get, straight from the ocean. The fish market is also a highlight, smelly (not a good idea early in the morning) but very lively.
Stretch yourself and join one of the many yoga classes Bali has to offer, perfect before or after a surf session.
In the rainy season go rafting! There are class III rapids on the Telaga river and the scenery is beautiful.
Stroll around Pasar Badung in Denpasar, the biggest food market of Bali, and taste all the different tropical fruits and delicious snacks. Also good for buying cheap spices.
Diving or snorkeling the WWII shipwreck of Tulamben.
Check out the most famous surf break at Ulu Watu, which combines seven different breaks you access through a cave. Nonsurfers find little beaches at the base of the huge cliffs. Another option; watch the world class surf (and monkeys!) on top of the cliffs while having a cold Bintang beer.
Visit the Seminyak area; a slightly upmarket part of Kuta where you can find the best (designer) shops, vibrant beach life (near Double six beach) with some trendy beach cafes with live music in the evening.
Join a cooking course and learn how to cook a delicious Balinese meal and impress your friends back home afterwards.
Explore the surroundings of Ubud on a bicycle or by foot and pass little villages, beautiful rice paddies and coconut plantations.
Experience a Hindu ceremony. There are many ceremonies everyday around Bali. The Balinese are very inviting and if you politely ask if you can join them, you often can. But don’t forget to wear a sarong and don’t make pictures of people praying.
Balangan beach is not to be missed. A beautiful bounty like white sand beach protected by a coral reef and with simple but nice warungs to chill and have a cold Bintang.
Snorkel at world’s biggest artificial reef at the laidback fishing village of Pemuteran. Here in the north western part of Bali you can see many colorful fish just in front of the beach. And don’t miss Menjangan island for excellent diving and snorkeling, as it is close by.
Relax at Nusa Lembongan island. Quiet white sand beaches, simple rooms right at the beach, incredible sunsets. Easy going village life, no cars allowed. Watch the sea weed farming activities and if you want to actually do something, you can snorkel or surf.
Visit Amed. Not only for the excellent snorkeling and diving, but also for the beautiful scenery. Follow the coastal road from Amed to the south to Amlapura and pass little fishing villages with their colorful jukung boats, rice terraces and water palaces.
Visit the Jatiluweh ricefields, which are oldest of Bali. These terraces are nominated for Unesco status and you’ll soon see why once you follow the twisting 18 km road up into them. Don’t miss the organic farms for a cup of the famous Bali Luwak coffee and other local spices.
Don’t miss the cool and misty mountain area of Munduk, set among lush hillsides with jungle, fruit trees and waterfalls. Ideal for bird watchers and hikers.
Lunch at a warung. There’s one of these traditional roadside eateries every few meters in most towns. They serve ridiculously cheap fresh local food.
Visit the most spiritual temple (and not visited by busses full of tourists) on Bali; Pura Luhur Batukau. This jungle book like temple is surrounded by forest and often shrouded by mist as it is a mountain temple. Combine your visit with the Jatiluweh ricefields
Catch a traditional dance performance. When there’s a festival or celebration you’ll often find a dance performance, but there are performances held every night at the temple of Ulu Watu or in several places in Ubud.
Take the Sideman road in the east part of Bali. Winding its way through paddy fields and along beautiful river valleys, with extraordinary views over Mount Agung (clouds permitting), the Sideman road gets more popular every year. Combine this with a visit to Amed/Tulamben.