Tegalalang Rice Terrace

This is the place where you can take your perfect Balinese photos for Instagram, surrounded by the rice field, preferably in a swing. All jokes aside, the view and the place are so spectacular, that they have been cited as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is opened daily from 7 AM to 6 PM and you just can go there and take your pictures, or you can wonder through the rice fields and connect further with the place.

Because it is a terrace site, it’s elevation is 600m above sea level. At the very top you will find the famous rice field swing and the big bird nests. Those are situated in some specific spots for the best view, for you and also in picture.

If you are staying in Ubud Area, you are really close to them. It is located in a village near Ubud, in the northern part. They are also known as “Ubud Rice Fields”

When I follow my heart, I wake up in Bali.

Kopi Luwak Coffee

At the very top of the rice fields, in a village nearby, you will find a lot of coffee shops and restaurants that will provide you the worlds most expensive coffee. It is the poop coffee. Literary it is the excrements of the Luwak that you will roast, then boil and drink. The animal, a civet, looks like a cat, with a racoon face and monkey tail. It will feed himself with coffee beans. In the digestive process, most of the caffeine is extracted and the coffee bean will get out almost intact.

After the “escape”, the farmers will collect the poo-poo and wash it, then roast it, grind it and then boil it.

The Kopi Luwak is a very little caffeinated or sometimes decaf type of coffee. It has a little tingly taste (from the digestive acid) and honestly not that wow.

It was quite an experience being in one of the specialty coffee shops. They have the animals there, for people to see who is responsible of their coffee. You can also be involved in the process of roasting and brewing it.

At the coffee tasting experience, besides Kopi Luwak, you will be served several other types of coffee (normal not “evicted”) with different flavors. After you are caffeinated enough, you can go and make some more picture with the rice terraces behind you or you can go to their gift show and buy some Kopi Luwak for home.

Tegenungan Waterfall

It is one of the few Balinese waterfalls, that are not located in the mountain side, instead it is very close to Ubud, the culture capital of Bali.

The clarity of the water depends on the amount of rainfall, but it is a picturesque scenery for sure. It is surrounded by a lush forest and rice fields. The best time to visit is in early morning, because the most of the tourist will still be at breakfast.

Monkey Forest

It is a huge forest, that is the home of the long-tailed Balinese macaque. So, you are basically visiting the monkeys in their home.

This is one of the island’s must-see spots and even it is heavily visited by tourists, their impact of the forest is barely noticed. The monkey home is very beautiful and impressive. It has over 12 hectares, a temple, nice walking paths and some water fountains.

Like going to someone’s house, you have to respect their rules. It is best not to smile at them, to provoke them or to touch them. Also, it is wise not to bring gifts like food or your sunglasses on the top of your head, because the little friends have eager hands. They are big thieves and will try to steal everything that is shiny and pretty.

Remember: no jewelry, no sunglasses, no food and no smiling and looking in their eyes. (Also, no wigs, I saw a video with a monkey stealing a woman’s wig)

If you respect their rules, you will have a wonderful day walking near them, taking pictures and wonder at the tropical creepers.

The city of Ubud

It was named as Bali’s cultural capital.

Wandering through the streets of Ubud, it is how you really feel Bali. You will be surrounded by restaurants or warungs (Balinese traditional restaurants), coffee shops and digital nomads working at tables, museums and shops. Ubud is really one of the places to stay in Bali.

Just by walking, you can admire each temple at the entrance of each house, smell the frangipani and their daily-offerings.

Uluwatu Temple and Kekak Dance

The temple is built at the top of a cliff, seaside, providing the most amazing views. It is one on Bali’s most emblematic and traditional temples, also it is very old.

Visiting this temple, you will have the opportunity to witness Balinese people in their most sacred spaces, purifying and praying.

You won’t be alone, you will be surrounded by furry little friends, the brothers of those staying int the Monkey Forest. Again, beware with the bling-bling.

At 6 PM, every night, you can see the Kekak Dance show. It is a traditional Balinese dance show, performed in the main part of the cliff. Being that late in the day, you will have the chance to witness one of the most spectaculars sunsets that you have ever seen. So, it is really worth it.

Tanah Lot Temple

It is probably the temple that you have seen in every picture taken in Bali. Tanah Lot is an emblematic temple of the island. If you translate word by word, you will get “Land Sea”, because it is a rock formation in the sea, near the shore.

Tanah lot is a Hindu pilgrimage temple and it is only accessible by feet. You will have to go in the morning or early afternoon, when the water is low, to be able to get to the temple.

It is so sacred, that you cannot enter it, you will only cross the water to be near it and to take some pictures. Don’t worry, you cannot enter, but you will be blessed by Hindu monks. It is a very special and deep moment, that you will probably not forget.

Bali Safari and Marine Park

The Balinese Zoo and aquarium combined. It is a great place to spend the day, have fun with animals and integrate in their world. Even though the animals live in captivity, they are not held in cages, they are almost in their natural habitat. The park is located on more than 40 hectares of land and gives you one of the best wildlife encounters. You will really go on safari.

Besides safari, there are also a lot of show presented to the public, dining options and animal meetings. You can shake hands and take pictures with orangutans, take a ride through the forest with an elephant or befriend some dolphins. This is paradise for children, but also the adults have a lot of fun.

Elephant Cave Temple

It is one of the oldest sanctuaries in Bali. A very big and historical rich site of worship for the Balinese people, that was built in the 9^th century. The “elephant cave” name was given in regard of the elephants that are carved in the stone.

Being one of their most beloved temples, you will have to act decent, wear one of their sarongs and do not show off in public. Here people come for praying, purification and for being thankful.

Water Adventures in Bali

Being surrounded by the beautiful Ocean, you cannot miss some water fun in Bali. You can try every aqua sport, from surf (Bali is a surf paradise) to parasailing or even ocean walking. The options are limitless and it is also very budget friendly. So, go and enjoy some time in the water.

For a more in-depth story about the water sports in Bali, click down below.

Seeing 10 different places on this list, doesn’t mean that it will take you 10 days just for checking them. A lot of them are nearby each other and you can visit several in the same day.

In conclusion, if you are planning to visit this paradise on earth, don’t worry about being bored or by having nothing to do or see. Bali will surprise you at every step and will provide you a lot of amazing memories.

Bali is so…

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