Southern Bali...

The South

The south of Bali offers many places of interest no mater what your taste.

Surfing

Bali is world famous for its spectacular surfing beaches and golden sunsets.

The reefbreaks at Uluwatu, Padang-Padang, Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur offer some of the very best waves in the world, with long tuberides breaking over pristine coral reefs. You're virtually guaranteed to get the best barrels of your life!

For those less experienced, or who just want to try learning to surf in Bali, there are many safe beachbreaks and fun intermediate breaks scattered all around the island (many in the south). No matter what time of year you come, there is always good surf with off-shore winds. Bali really is "a surfer's paradise".

For full details on all 27 Bali surfbreaks, plus the many other breaks in the other Indonesian islands, check out Peter Neely's "Indo Surf & Lingo" website. The site tells you how you can get over $70 worth of Free Bali Discount Vouchers for restaurants, shops, tours and hotels.

Batu Bulan

On the road to Ubud, just out of Denpasar is Batu Bulan, the small village where all kinds of stone statues of hideous fanged creatures, brave warriors and animals rest beneath shady trees. This is a village of stone carvers, where you can watch the artists at work. The stone sculptures known as paras are carved from soft volcanic rock and are used to adorn temples and palaces. They are now sold for export as well, and tourists can order practically anything from a Garuda to a medievel dragon or a lifesized lion or horse.

There are also many antique shops along the main road, selling items from all over the Indonesia. Discerning buyers will almost certainly find a bargain.

The village is also acknowledged for its Barong dance troupes, and several dance performances are held here each week.

Benoa

Located near to the airport, Benoa is one of Bali's major seaports. It is also becoming a centre for leisure and sporting activities, catering for tourists who wish to try parasailing and windsurfing etc. Most of the accommodation is medium priced, but significantly lower than nearby Nusa Dua.

Above: Kids playing near the jetty. Unfortunate sea-turtles, destined for the dinner table are kept in the cages that are visible in the background. Please do not contribute to their extinction!

Bukit Badung

Until recently, this was a wild, rocky, almost unknown place where traditional farming and cattle raising were the chief industries. Bukit Badung has now been "discovered" by developers, and its rural atmosphere is rapidly changing into a complex of paved roads, hotels and golf courses overlooking the sea, perched atop of 50 meter high cliffs.

Cangu

North of Seminyak, which itself is just to the north of Legian and Kuta, this area is being developed by large hotel owners as a new resort area. A bit too far from the nightlife scene for anyone wanting to party, and as it is yet to develop significantly outside of the hotel complexes, it may best suit those who wish to spend their days by the pool or on the quiet beach.

Denpasar

Despite the noise, bustle, traffic jams, and smog, Bali's capital, with its 400,000 inhabitants does have some interesting tourist options. One of the most popular is the central market--Bali's largest. Activity in and around this three-storey building peaks well before dawn, so go early to see everything.

It is well worth taking a stroll around Denpasar if you decide to venture into the capital. Anyone who hasn't seen an Asian city will be a little shocked at the smoke and dust, and the general living and shopping conditions that will be observed, but none-the-less it is an experience that will be remembered long after the suntan has faded.

Denpasar was rebuilt after the Puputan massacre of 1906, when the royal family committed suicide rather than surrender to the invading Dutch army. Today, the public Puputan Square in the centre of town commemorates the tragedy of that event.

Cross Jln. Surapati from Puputan Square to see the Bali Museum and Art Centre, which houses many artefacts of Bali's ethnic history. Destroyed by an earthquake in 1917 when Mt. Batur erupted, the museum was rebuilt during the 1920's, and its collections were once more protected from the ravages of nature and souvenir hunters. Dress respectfully to enter the museum (long pants or modest dresses must be worn).

The Denpasar tourist office is within a short walk of the square and the museum, as is Pura Jaganatha. Afternoon prayer times at this temple are very busy, and so long as visitors are dressed modestly, they will be welcomed.

Another significant Art Centre is located further east, just off Jln. Sanur (an extension of Jln. Gajahmada) toward Sanur.

The central market, Pasar Badung trades in the morning (starts very early, but is still operating during the mid-morning). It is located in Jln. Sulawesi, only about 200 meters from Suci bus station. Anyone who takes a bus to Denpasar could catch a local bemo to Suci, although those who arrive at Tegal bus station (the one that services the south of the island) will find themselves quite easily able to walk the 600 or 700 meters to the market. Alternatively, the short bemo ride is only about Rp.500-800.

If you arrive by car, ask to stop along Jalan Gajahmada (the main road), near to the river. This will place you very close to the centre of things--the major shopping area and its department stores, the market, the banks, Asian movie houses etc.

The markets are fascinating with spices, meat, dried fish, traditionally woven cloth, gold and silver craftwares all traded from stalls within the shaddows of the modern department stores, banks, restaurants and apartment buildings. Always bargain for goods in the markets.

Most shopping complexes, supermarkets and department stores have fixed prices, and shopping hours are usually between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. with shorter hours on Sundays.

A large cinema complex is located a few hundred meters to the west of the market, just off Jln. Gajahmada to the left. Here they show Asian movies, kung-fu, police drama, romance, kung-fu, monsters, martial arts and kung-fu! Anyone keen on Asian cinema would be well advised to pay a visit.

Accommodations and restaurants are available in all ranges, including a very good night market (malam pasar), so those wishing to experience life in a large Asian city could easily spend a couple of days here. Truly a different Bali experience!

Places such as the Puri Bunga Cottages offer  good A/C rooms for around Rp.150,000 (Phone 730939). Small hotels such as this will generally be able to arrange a car with driver to tour the island if you wish.

Denpasar also has some larger hotels but most of the islands resort style hotels are located elsewhere.

Denpasar Central General Hospital ("Rumah Sakit Umum Sanglah Denpasar") is the island's main hospital. Some staff speak English.

Address:

Jl. Kesehatan
Denpasar
Telephone: 0361 227 911

Protestant churches are located in Jalan Surapati and Jalan Kresna (Pentacostal), and a Catholic church is located in Jalan Kepundung. A Mosque is located in Jalan Hasanudin.

The city is the central transportation hub of the island, so most tourists only enter Denpasar to change busses at one of the many bus stations whilst en-route to somewhere else. View our Denpasar public bus terminal information, distances and travel times between various centres around Bali.

Gulingan

Located in the Balinese countryside, this small rural village is often visited by tour groups to gain an insight into the Balinese traditional lifestyle. The people here are farmers, but even working the land has become an artform in Bali. Enjoy the fantastic scenery created by the ricefields set on hillsides surrounded by tropical fruit trees and palms. Try your hand at fishing in the well stocked ponds (you can arrange to hire equipment in the village).

Jatiluwih

Set amongst the foothills of Gunung Batukaru, where the highly fertile volcanic soils have been cultivated for centuries by farmers who have worked a masterpiece into the landscape, Jatiluwih is often visited for its sheer beauty. This small village is located about 20 kilometers from Tabanan (850 meters above sea level).

Lush rice terraces follow the contours of the hillsides as far as the eye can see, carving intricate patterns of green through the shimmering water, broken only by the abundant tropical fruit trees and palms. Images like these will stay with you long after you leave Bali. Perfect photo opportunities from the roadside.

Jimbaran Bay

A small fishing village located within a beautiful sandy bay on the southern Bukit peninsula. The few accommodations here range from basic losmen to world class luxury hotels.

The pristine white sand beach is protected by a reef and has few waves, making it ideal for families with young children. A significant part of the beach is lined with restaurants offering the day's catch at reasonable prices--fresh from the fishing fleet of nearby Kedonganan. Many day-trippers choose to make this the final stop of their journey in order to enjoy Bali's best seafood assortment while lapping up another spectacular sunset.

The "must do" is to get to Jimbaran Bay by about 4:30pm to pick a seaside cafe (some bargaining is allowed) and watch the sunset while your seafood is being BBQ'ed. Take your camera. Enjoy!

Kerobokan

Just south of Cangu, and to the north of Seminyak, this is another area being developed by resort companies to attract visitors from the overflowing Kuta / Legian strip. Like Cangu, it's a bit too far from the nightlife scene but would suit those who wish to spend some quiet days relaxing by the pool or on the beach.

Kuta

Bali's most well-known village, as famous for its parties and nightlife as its sunset and wide white sandy beach. Tourists from around the world flock to Kuta. It is the centre for family and young adult travel.

Visit Kuta with our travel guide.

Kuta has everything a tourist needs, hotels, restaurants, shops, money changers, banks, travel agents and fun parks.

Surprisingly, Kuta is not devoid of Balinese culture - although it hides itself here more than most other places. Listen for the gamelan orchestra music as you walk around the streets. Gaze into temple grounds, or just watch for the tiny offerings placed on the ground each morning for a reality check.

Tip
	Most travel agents sell package tours, but independent travellers often choose the alternative of finding their own accommodation once they arrive at their destination. Kuta is "the" place to find a low cost hotel or budget homestay. If you've never travelled independently, Bali is a great place to start. A great idea is to book a short package holiday with accommodation included, but arrange the return leg of your airfare so that you have some free days to do your own thing the independent way.

Legian

Once the quiet village adjoining Kuta, the Legian of today is virtually indistinguishable from its more well known neighbour. The many larger international hotels of the area paint a more upmarket image, however this is not sustained beyond their walls.

Jalan Legian (the main road to Kuta) is literally full of restaurants, shops and in the myriad of lanes, low cost places to stay. The Jalan Melasti and the areas to the north offer more upmarket accommodations, and there are no shortage of good places to shop and eat!

Legian now extends northwards into Seminyak. The boundary is indistinguishable. Markets, restaurants, hotels and shops line every street. Roads and footpaths in this newer area are better than elsewhere in the Kuta / Legian area, making walks and shopping far less irritating. Parents, especially those with small children prefer the Legian area, largely for this reason.

A Protestant church is located in Gang Menuh, off Jalan Legian on the way to Kuta.

Medical facilities (dokter) and pharmacies (apotik) are readily available in the area.

Visit Kuta with our travel guide for more information.

Above: An artist at work.

Nusa Dua

Only a short distance to the south of Bali's international and domestic airport, Nusa Dua offers some of Bali's finest hotels and resorts, which provide excelent service combined with first class facilities. The idealic tropical garden settings of Nusa Dua set the perfect mood for a relaxed holiday stay.

Add to the excitement of your visit with parasailing, jet-skiing, windsurfing, snorkelling or diving. These are just some of the waterborne attractions available. Golf, tennis and beautiful palm shaded beaches of the usually mirror smooth sea add to the Nusa Dua's first class tourist attractions. The famous Nusa Dua reef, located several hundred meters off-shore offers some of the best surfing to be found on the Island.

Shopping for artworks, local crafts and clothing, as well as for top international brands is well catered for in the galleries and boutiques that are set in and around the hotels. A white sandy beach area with a enclave of international hotels. This resort area is well insulated from the day to day experiences of Bali. Only for the well heeled who want tropical paradise in blissful ignorance of tropical realities.

Well heeled tourists may experience one of Bali's largest shopping and entertainment complexes, as part of the benefits of a modern well planned resort development.

Some of the international hotels in Nusa Dua conduct church services.

Sanur

Located on the opposite side of Bali's southern peninsular from Kuta, Sanur offers a palm fringed white sandy beach and many fine hotels set around a pretty fishing village. Many regular visitors to Bali choose this location away from the hectic pace that surrounds Kuta, yet nearby to the facilities and attractions of the beautiful southern region.

There are a wide choice of fine restaurants offering selections ranging from traditional Balinese, Indonesian, Asian and Western cuisines.

Watersports, including snorkelling, surfing, windsurfing and swimming in Sanur's quiet waters are a specialty of this area. Many of the islands dive shops and tour groups also opperate here, allowing the visitor to take the opportunity to mix fun and excitement, with some excursions to explore the scenic beauty that Bali is famous for.

Sanur is one of the main tourist resorts with International hotels. White sandy beaches and village shops, but lacking some of the feel that is experienced in other parts of Bali.

It is an ideal place to shop because afterwards you can cool off by taking a a swim and even get a first class relaxing massage at the open air massage centre right on the edge of the sands. Charming masseurs and very good value.

Some local noise and color may be exprienced in the evenings as the local gamelan (gong) orchestras practice, and the fishermen bring in their brightly painted outrigger canoes. Remarkably, Sanur is famous in Bali for its white and black magic. Several shamen and traditional practitioners live here.

Seminyak

Just to the north of Legian, and joined by the uninterupted beach that stretches from as far as Tubann and Kuta, Seminyak remains within easy reach of the action and attractions of its famous neigbours, but offers a quieter alternative and typically upmarket standards of accommodation and restaurants.

Many of the hotels here are true resort complexes, extending the boundaries of luxury so that the visitor need never even venture outside. Some do of course, and usually complimentary busses run to the nearby Legian area and beyond to all of the great shopping that the galleries, boutiques, craft shops and markets have to offer.

Beaches in this area are generally quiet and are far less crowded than its neigbours, Kuta and Legian, with smaller waves and fewer hawkers.

Visit Kuta with our travel guide for more information.

Tanah Lot

The famous scenic temple of thousands of postcards and set on a tiny rocky isle, Pura Tanah Lot is known as the best place for watching the Bali sunset. Situated to the west of Denpasar, the Pura is one of the most important temples to be found in Bali. The temple, built on a small islet, is accessible only at low tide - below the waterline, the legends tell of giant serpents that guard this famous temple. Many day-trippers also visit the monkey forest while en-route.

Is this the only guide to Bali without a picture of Tanah Lot?

Tuban

Located just south of Kuta, Tuban is a within easy reach of the busy cosmopolitan resort and shopping areas, but offers a distinct change of pace for those seeking a relaxed get-away. There are many new hotels and restaurants, mostly of a high standard, and the area is well suited to families.

The shopping area of Tuban features a fine selection of boutiques gift and souvenir shops and an excellent art market. Kuta and its popular market area is also within walking distance, either by road or along the beach.

Beaches in this area are generally quiet and are far less crowded than its famous near-neigbour, and have fewer hawkers and stalls to detract from the scenery.

An added attraction is Waterbom Waterslide Park, which features giant waterslides and other aquatic adventures. This is of course a major attraction for children and the young at heart.

The international and domestic airports are also close by.

Visit Kuta with our travel guide for more information.

Ulu Watu

Perched majestically on the edge of a steep cliff high above the famous surf breaks of Southern Bali is the important and most spectacular temple, Pura Luhur Ulu Watu. The temple itself is a simple construction, but its position provides some of the best photo opportunities available on the island. Pura Ulu Watu is the guardian of the southwest - dedicated to the spirit of the sea. Its festivals and ceremonies are generally open to visitors, and details can be found in tourist offices in the major centres. Monkeys roam freely in the temple grounds and along the tree lined pathway leading up to it, so hold tight to your personal belongings, and don't carry food or water bottles in the open.

Above: The viewing point at the very tip of Ulu Watu temple.

Accommodation is comparatively scarce in this area, except for a few basic homestays catering to surfing enthusiasts who come here to ride some of the world's most consistantly perfect waves. Most people choose to stay in nearby Kuta, or Jimbaran Bay, where there are plenty of places to sleep and eat.

Near Ulu Watu are some of Bali's top surfing beaches, where waves sometimes reach up to seven or eight meters. Conditions are suitable for surfing between May and September, the remainder of the year being subjected to strong  spoiling winds.

The surf beach (Sulubun) is reached via a walking track that begins about 200 meters from the Ulu Watu carpark. A sign points the way. Budding young Balinese surfers will help carry boards and gear down the narrow 2Km track for Rp.1,000 or 2,000, and they'll also lead the way to nearby "secret" surf-spots when "Ulu" isn't pumping or is too crowded.

The few warung in the area serve meals, and can provide basic rooms with limited facilities.

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© 1994-2000 Wayne Reid. Bali: The Online Travel Guide

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Disclaimer: All of the information available within this site is believed to be correct, however the author accepts no responsibility or liability for any outcomes that may result in using this site's contents.