Travel Guide to Bali, Indonesia

Why Adventurers Love Bali

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Bali packs an extraordinary density of adventure into a small island. The southern coast from Canggu to Uluwatu serves up world-class waves for every level, from mellow longboard rollers to heavy reef breaks. The interior rises to active volcanoes — Mount Batur and Mount Agung — with sunrise treks that reward with views across the entire island. The east coast around Amed and Tulamben offers some of the best scuba diving in Southeast Asia, including the famous USAT Liberty shipwreck. Between the surf and the summits, you will find cliff jumping spots, white-water rafting on the Ayung River, canyoning in hidden waterfalls, and mountain biking through terraced rice paddies. All of this comes at prices that make Bali one of the best adventure-per-dollar destinations on earth.

Top Activities

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• Surf Uluwatu, Padang Padang, and Canggu — World-class reef and beach breaks for all levels, boards for rent everywhere
• Sunrise trek on Mount Batur — Active volcano hike departing at 2am with views over Lake Batur and Mount Agung
• Scuba dive the USAT Liberty wreck — Walk-in shore dive on a WWII shipwreck covered in coral at Tulamben
• Cliff jump at Nusa Ceningan — The famous Blue Lagoon cliff jump on the island just off Nusa Lembongan
• White-water raft the Ayung River — Class II-III rapids through a lush river gorge near Ubud

Where to Stay

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Bali offers accommodation for every budget across distinct regions. Surfers should base in Canggu (Echo Beach/Batu Bolong area) or Uluwatu (Bingin/Padang Padang). Budget travelers will find hostel dorms for $8-12/night and guesthouses for $15-25/night across the island. Mid-range options include private villas with pools for $30-60/night, especially good value in Canggu and Ubud. For diving, stay in Amed or Tulamben on the east coast. Ubud is the cultural heart with rice terraces and yoga — good for a change of pace between adventures. Rent a scooter ($4-5/day) for maximum flexibility.

Getting to the Adventure Spots

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A scooter is essential — Bali traffic is chaotic but a scooter is the only practical way to get between breaks, trailheads, and dive sites. For volcano treks, your guide arranges transport (usually 2am pickup). The Nusa islands (Lembongan, Ceningan, Penida) are reached by fast boat from Sanur (30 minutes, $15-20 return). Bali’s Ngurah Rai airport is in the south near Kuta. Grab (ride-hailing app) works for longer trips. For day trips to waterfalls in the north, hire a driver for $35-50.

Budget Tips

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Eat at local warungs (family restaurants) for $2-3 per meal instead of tourist cafes. Buy a used surfboard from departing travelers on Facebook groups ($80-150) and resell when you leave. Negotiate monthly rates on accommodation for 30-50% off daily rates. Get a local SIM card at the airport for $5. Avoid the rainy season (November-March) when waves are smaller on the south coast and trails become muddy and dangerous. Drink bottled or filtered water only — never tap water.