My fascination with Bali began six years ago, when we first decided to visit the island on a whim.
Of course, what was supposed to be a one time visit turned into a lifetime love affair and I now consider Bali as my second home.
There is a certain magic about Bali, a quiet rhythm that hums. And if you are receptive, you will feel this wonderful energy the moment you set foot on the island.
While Bali can feel a lot like the Philippines in the sense that it is also a tropical island, it is also totally different in more ways than one.
I could easily name a hundred reasons to visit or things to do, but below are my top 7 epic things to do if you are a first-timer in Bali:
1. Stay at Munduk Moding Plantation
I had to start with this one because Munduk Moding Plantation started it all for me in Bali.
Munduk Moding Plantation was the very first resort hotel we stayed at and pretty much responsible for my undying devotion to Bali.
High up in the north at an altitude of about 1000 meters above sea level, being in the area can feel surreal as you are surrounded by lush rainforest, coffee plantations, numerous waterfalls and a much cooler climate compared to most parts of Bali.
A lot can be said about Munduk Moding Plantation, but the most famous and iconic part of the resort are the two phenomenal infinity pools overlooking the stunning landscape which are literally hanging in the clouds.
2. Have a floating breakfast.
Bali is full of many beautiful experiences and having a floating breakfast can easily be one of the things you can tick off your bucket list.
If you’re from the western parts of the world, floating breakfasts are often seen as a luxury amenity in a resort hotel.
Lucky for us, Bali offers this experience at a more affordable price. You do not have to spend an arm and a leg to enjoy one and they are practically offered everywhere on the island.
There is a lot of debate about whether it’s worth it and if you can even enjoy your breakfast at all while standing in the pool with your food in a floating basket tray. And I say if you’re a first-timer in Bali, do it because it is worth it.
You will look back at your photos one day and thank yourself for having a floating breakfast at least once in your life.
3. Have a flower bath.
Initially, this can feel like one of those Instagram things that you do for photos.
But trust me, the Balinese take pride in these experiences and you will find that the preparation for the bath alone is a ritual in itself.
The flowers for the bath are carefully handpicked and artfully arranged in a pattern. Hints of Ylang-ylang, Jasmine, Frangipani, Lotus flowers, Marigold, Hibiscus and Orchids fill the air with their delicate scent as you immerse in a bath that was once reserved for royalty.
Bathing in the energy of flowers, according to tradition, literally fosters the blossoming and flourishing of life, grounding, and realigning with what's important.
4. Feed the elephants at Bali Safari Marine Park
I’m a bit partial when it comes to animals, because I care for all sizes and species. Yet, an encounter with an elephant is extra special.
It was my first time in Bali when my tour guide and friend Yande took us to Bali Safari Marine Park (now Taman Safari Bali).
Carrying a basket of fruit we had bought from the park attendant, we stood in awe in front of a towering elephant who seemed too beautiful to be real. And just like a pet dog, he immediately became excited at the sight of all the food and started touching our faces with his trunk.
I froze while he kept sniffing with his long snout, and it was one of the most memorable experiences of my life.
If you want to get up close and personal with this beautiful giant, then head to Taman Safari Bali.
5. Visit a waterfall.
The Balinese have traditionally been careful stewards of their water, with a network of temples and irrigation canals connected physically and spiritually to guard the passage and use of fresh water across the island.
Waterfalls are especially revered in Bali because Balinese believe that they are inhabited by spirits and deities.
Many purification rituals and water blessings are done in the waterfalls’ sacred grounds to keep the body, mind and heart free from negative energy and open to receive divine blessings.
Many of the most beautiful waterfalls that I’ve been to in Bali are in remote areas, with steep and irregular paths, and will require some effort. But I think the challenge only adds to the charm and mystery.
My top picks are Banyumala waterfalls and Leke Leke waterfalls.
With a bit of preparation and some good comfortable shoes, I would say that visiting a waterfall in Bali is something that every first-timer should do when visiting the island.
6. Visit Wanagiri Hidden Hill and Wanagiri Swing
Wanagiri Hidden Hill overlooks the brilliant blue of Lake Buyan and Lake Tamblingan far below. The area is surrounded by trees and lush greenery and these spots give you an amazing view over the water and it is the perfect backdrop to your photos.
I’m all about breathtaking views from soaring heights and so Wanagiri is one of my top spots to visit in Bali.
It all started from the famous Bali Swing in Ubud. Built in the garden of an AirBnB host, the view and swing made for the perfect Bali Instagram spot. The locals in Wanagiri took to their own resources to create exactly what tourists were looking for, a way to capture that fairytale image at a fraction of the Ubud price.
7. Visit “The Gates of Heaven” or Lempuyang Temple
There are over 10,000 temples in Bali but Lempuyang Temple is probably the most famous of them all. It is also the most revered as it is considered as the protector of Bali.
The stunning “gates of heaven” perfectly frame the looming Mount Agung in what is one of the most atmospheric spots on the whole island.
This temple used to be unheard of back in 2018, at least from influencers. We went around noon six years ago, and we were the only ones there.
Fast forward to 2024 and the place is literally packed with tourists regardless of the time you arrive. People will line up almost half a day to get their chance at a photo by the Lempuyang gates.
But, don’t let this dampen your spirits. After all, you did not visit the temple for the photo alone. A hike to the temple is a genuine spiritual experience and I recommend that you tread mindfully and bask in the experience.
In conclusion, a visit to Bali can be a journey of self-discovery and realignment to oneself.
Bali is often described as a place for healing, and once you visit it, you’ll understand why.
There is a magical energy enveloping Bali that I haven’t found anywhere else and I can’t always find words to describe.
To me, Bali is not about a place, food, or person. It's about a feeling.
Maybe it's the scent of Ylang-ylang or fragrant offerings of incense and flowers at temples. At other times, it’s the quiet and gentle nature of the Balinese people, tirelessly preparing offerings to the gods.
It’s the tranquillity of doing yoga over a verdant rice paddy with the trickling sounds of a small river or the rush of bathing underneath a gushing waterfall.
People who keep coming back to Bali do so because it's so hard to duplicate these feelings anywhere else in the world.
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