Bali Island

As Indonesia’s only predominantly Hindu island, Bali’s thousands of temples and unique ceremonial practices have ensured that this single island—one of some 17,000 across Indonesia’s archipelago—is globally revered.  Balinese Hinduism combines Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese, and ancient indigenous beliefs. Balinese culture was strongly influenced by Indian, Chinese, and particularly Hindu culture and local beliefs, beginning around the 1st century AD. Some religious and cultural traditions still practised today can be traced to this period. During this time the people developed their complex irrigation system Subak to grow rice in wet field cultivation. This makes Bali the home of the Subak Irrigation system, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bali is a tropical paradise, renowned for its highly developed arts, including traditional and modern dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking, and music. 

The first and most obvious reason why tourists love Bali so much is that the island is a true Garden of Eden. However you picture a dreamy exotic island in your mind, Bali is exactly that.

Bali has an area of 2,230 square miles (5,780 sq km). Bali is 95 miles (153 km) from east to west and 69 miles (112 km) north to south. It is considered one of the safest places in the world with beautiful nature and cheap living costs. So Bali attracts digital nomads all around the world. Its people are super friendly and everyone smiles at each other in greeting. When you wear an open, friendly smile on your face, it will be both appreciated and returned in kind.  Walking at night in well-lit areas is generally safe in Bali, but it’s always wise to travel in groups and stay aware of your surroundings.

The Indonesian International Film Festival is held every year in Bali. Other international events that have been held in Bali include Miss World 2013, the 2018 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group and the 2022 G20 Summit. In March 2017, TripAdvisor named Bali as the world’s destination in its Traveller’s Choice award, which it also earned in January 2021.

Bali is part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species. in the Coral Triangle, especially fish and turtles. In this area alone, over 500 reef-building coral species can be found. For comparison, this is about seven times as many as in the entire Caribbean. 

A week-long trip allows for experiencing many of Bali’s highlights. Focus on key areas like Ubud and its surroundings, including the Tegalalang Rice Terraces and Tirta Empul Temple. For those looking for the best beach clubs and lively nightlife, Seminyak and Kuta are the places to be on the weekend.