Above is a good map of Bali, provided by Lonely Planet. Bali is easy to navigate but larger than many people expect. Because its attractions are dispersed across the island, Bali is a destination that should be explored with the help of a good map.

Google maps are great online resources that allow visitors to plot their course while in Bali. The huge amount of internet cafes and high broadband speeds available in these places mean that getting lost is not really possible in Bali since Google maps are comprehensive and continuously updated, and offer a handy service of directions to and from where ever a person is currently located.

All guide books, naturally, will have updated maps and these are a great resource that many visitors bring to Bali with them. The best thing about guide book maps is that they split maps up into areas and sections and offer close up maps of areas like Kuta and Ubud that contain detail like street names, locations of hotels and resorts, museums and restaurants.

All tourist centres in Denpasar, Kuta, Ubud and Nusa Dua will be able to give visitors fold out maps of Bali and these are usually very current and comprehensive also. There are special maps for art and museum tours that are held in the front desks of most galleries and art shops in Ubud and these can be used to plot good walking tours.

Denpasar, the capital city of Bali, houses most of the main municipal museums. These include the excellent Bali Museum on Jalan Letkol Wisnu, and the Museum of Archaeology, on the same road. At Kuta, the Randelli Gallery showcases modern and pop art by young local artists and is the focus of art culture in the Kuta, Legian and Seminyak area.

However, it’s in Ubud where the art and museum culture of Bali makes its main home. The range of galleries and museums here is large and wide, and everything from working artisans who specialise in ancient traditions right up to young artists from Bali and all over the world work and show in Ubud.

The Agung Rai Museum of Art is open every day of the year except for public holidays, and it has a fine and comprehensive collection. All of Bali’s celebrated artists are showcased here including Spies, Affandi and Hofker and the museum makes for a great tour through the centuries of visual art history in Bali.

The Antonio Blanco Renaissance Museum on Jalan Raya Campuhan celebrates the life and work of Bali’s most famous artist, Antonio Bianco. The museum is set in parks and gardens and includes the Bianco family temple.

The Blue Moon Gallery is near the associated Studio Blue Moon and is on the main road of Ubud at Jalan Tirta Tawar. Work created by young artists at the studio is then presented and sold at the gallery. Some of Bali’s up and coming artists are represented at Blue Moon, so collectors may want to get in quick.

The Gaya Fusion of Senses is a major new space that houses large installations and sculptures as well as regular exhibitions from local and international artists. The Komaneka Gallery is close to the Monkey Forest and presents the work of well known Balinese artists who presently work and sell in other countries.

The Seniwati Gallery of Art by Women does just what its name suggests – presents a showcase of art created by Balinese women. The gallery subsidises funding and training of female Balinese painters and sculptors. The nearby Sika Contemporary Art Gallery always buzzes with opening nights and exhibitions from emerging local artists.

Every visitor to the Hindu island of Bali lists their own special highlights. People come here for all kinds of reasons and have unique experiences, so a prescriptive list of highlights can only be a suggestive guide to what’s on offer in Bali.

Most people, though, would be very impressed with the legendary sunsets of Kuta beach. When the sun begins to set, people gather to take in the sea breeze and slightly cooler weather, and also drink a few beers – Bintang is the local brand – that are served ice cold from beach vendors while they leisurely watch the sky turn shades of red and orange.

Since Bali is so easy to get around, catching the sunset at Kuta is something that visitors based anywhere in Bali can do with a quick motorcycle or taxi trip. While in Kuta, people may like to try out some of the swinging local bars, pubs and restaurants – the backpacker scene in Kuta is particularly legendary.

Turning away from the beach for a second, a visit to the hill town of Ubud has to be on the must-do list for pretty much every visitor to Bali. The Monkey Forest is at the entrance to Ubud, and beyond that are quiet streets filled with bars and art galleries. Regular exhibitions are held and artists from all over the world work in Ubud.

Ubud is the cultural heart of Bali and price gouging and fake goods are thin on the ground here. Instead, fine jewelry and wood work as well as paintings and sculpture are sold in shops that are usually out front of working artist studios. Ubud’s surfeit of laidback bars and restaurants mean that half day trips here usually spread out to become entire days, and even evenings. Indeed, many return visitors to Bali stay in Ubud and base their entire stay in the town.

Mount Agung is the largest mountain in Bali and it is considered a holy site that symoblises the health and power of the island. It is an active volcano and at its base it the Mother Temple, the largest and oldest temple and shrine complex in all of Bali.

Bali has a surfeit of attractions – it hasn’t been one of the world’s top tourist destinations for decades for no reason. People visit Bali for the beach, primarily, but must-see attractions include Ubud, Kuta, Nusa Dua, Tanah Lot, Batubulan, Ginyar, Pura Besakih, the terraced rice paddies, Pura Kehen and Gunung Batar.

The hill town of Ubud is the Balinese centre of art, craft and music. Many galleries and museums here house collections dating back many centuries while modern artists from all over the world, including Balinese modern artists, showcase their work in a variety of modern galleries. Kuta is the party and surf central station of Bali, and while the beach here is the main drawcard with its laidback vibe and unbeatable sunsets, the surrounding markets and streets and lanes bustle with eye popping activity day and night.

Nusa Dua is Bali’s most upscale resort town. It is located on the southern coast and a string of unbelievably luxurious – and expensive – resorts are located here. The sea temple of Tanah Lot sits on top of a gigantic rock and is surrounded by a holy lake. Tanah Lot was built in the 16th century and dusk views of the temple are particularly beautiful.

The town of Batulban is famous for its stone figures and carvings. All kinds of Hindu demons and deities are available for sale or just for a photo stop. Nearby Gianyar is the centre of Balinese weaving and textile work. There are numerous outlets here showcasing the work of Balinese textile artisans and great value wall hangings and rugs are for sale.

Pura Besakih is also known as the Mother Temple. It is nestled at the base of Mount Agung and is the largest and most sacred temple in Bali. The temple is around a thousand years old and many annual festivals and pilgrimages are held here throughout the year. Around Cadidasa and Amlapura are the wonderful sights of the terraced rice paddies which are an important part of Balinese agriculture and economy as well as being a great photo opportunity.

Pura Kehen is one of Bali’s holy Hindu temples. It is alos one of the largest and dates from the 11th century. Gunung Batar is an active volcano held in high reverence by the Balinese. It is the second highest mountain on the island – Gunung Agung is bigger – and Gunung Batur is seen as the female counterpart to the male mountain of Agung.

Bali can be navigated on two or four wheels, while other visitors explore the island by boat, stopping at various ports on the east, north and west coasts. The urban areas of Bali are easy to explore, and even quiet Ubud is laid out in a rough grid pattern of dusty streets. Since all roads lead either to Denpasar or Kuta, it’s impossible to get too lost for too long.

A lot of visitors arrange a driver for the duration of their stay in Bali. This can be an air-conditioned car or small mini bus for a group, or a motor cycle with friendly driver and battered helmet. Though accidents are unpredictable and possible, and though the Bali road traffic may intimidate new arrivals with its ad-hoc approach to road rules and white-knuckle speeds, the local drivers seem to have a knack of safely navigating the streets.

The normal procedure, if booking after arrival, is to negotiate a price that is satisfactory for all parties, and agree on terms such as length of service and availability of driver – will they wait by the vehicle, or return to collect passengers at pre-arranged times, for example. Also, it is generally expected that regardless of the price, a tip will be given at the completion of the contract.

More intrepid visitors hire or bring their own mountain bikes and set off into the magical rice fields and terraces that make up the curving topography of the island. Bali is an excellent place for bicycle touring since the quieter rural roads, away from the hustle and bustle of the main tourist centres, are free of heavy traffic. Strategically-placed villages mean that a good day’s riding can be broken up with breaks for lunch and accommodation overnight is easy to find before setting off for another day of pedal power.

Bali is not really suited for exploring on foot since it is too large for walking between urban centres to be practical or comfortable. The walk for Kuta up the steep hill to Ubud, for example, would take even an experienced walker about five hours. However, walking and trekking tours from base camps and villages are great ideas and trekkers can set off on their own following well-trodden paths through leafy foliage and into misty mountains.

Touring Bali by boat is increasingly popular and there are a number of operators who have restored traditional Balinese boats and refitted them with luxury cabins and the latest navigation technologies. Other visitors arrive in Bali on their own yachts, on sailing tours around the region. At the other end of the scale, kayaks can be rented for one or two person paddle journeys from place to place.

Bali’s multiple attractions can be daunting for many visitors. Tours are a good way to get a good overview of what’s on the island and they can save time and money too, since everything is pre-booked and hassles with hawkers and touts are generally avoided.

There are all kinds of Bali tours available including golf tours, hiking & trekking tours, marine tours, surfing tours and diving tours. There are shopping and art tours, too, as well as mountain tours that take in several of Bali’s most dramatic peaks.

General one-day tours of Bali can take several forms. Travel agencies in Denpasar and Kuta can offer mini-bus tours that take in Kuta, Ubud, Mount Agung and the Mother Temple, as well as Nusa Dua or Jimbaran Bay before dropping guests back at their hotels before dinner. Alternatively, motor cycle drivers can be hired for very cheap rates. They will take solo visitors around the island a lot quicker, and diversions and spur-of-the-moment diversions are easy to arrange.

Volcano tours are best left to the professionals, however, since the mountains of Bali tend to be spread out and some of the climbs are hazardous. There are plenty of tour agencies with shop fronts in Kuta and Denpasar or with websites where prices and booking arrangements can be found. Depending on the mountain, tours may depart before dawn or late at night to catch dramatic sunsets.

Tours of Bali’s traditional villages are often best handled by the experts too, since motor cycle taxis will often speed past some of the best destinations. Also, it’s good to have a guide who can explain the various points of significance of some of the places hidden away in Bali. Most village tours take in the town of Batulban with its famous Barong dancers, and also Celuk, where gold and silver smiths work traditionally.

The ubiquitous Southeast Asian elephant ride tours operate in Bali, and the two main places are the Elephant Safari Park at Taro and the Bali Elephant Camp. Taro is said to be the world’s best elephant park and visitors can ride elephants in teak chair-saddles and enjoy swimming with elephants and their babies in cool jungle streams. The Bali Elephant Camp is less flashy, but the standard rides take in a good swathe of the nearby jungle.

Cycling tours through Bali’s rice paddies and breezy jungles is a real adventure. There are numerous outfits with modern and new mountain bikes that run group tours daily, and some tours last for several days with all camping gear or village accommodations factored into the tour cost. Alternatively, second hand bikes can be rented by the hour or by the day and many hotels, even the cheaper ones, have bicycles for complimentary guest use. Visitors should be aware of unpredictable road traffic in Bali, and grab a map and head instead for the rice paddy areas where heavy traffic is absent.

Visitors come to Bali for all kinds of reasons and the purpose of the visit will usually inform each person’s itinerary. Backpackers generally come to see Kuta and Legian, while golf tourists are here strictly for the greens. Other visitors make a pilgrimage to the fabled hill town of Ubud and its incredible art galleries, while others enjoy seeing Bali’s many Hindu temples. The natural attractions of Bali are innumerable, and there are dozens of volcanic mountains and foaming rivers to explore.

Kuta is Bali’s backpacker/tourist central – think Bangkok’s Kho Sanh Road, but bigger and by the beach. Endless hawker stalls selling sizzling snacks and fake DVDs line every nook and cranny of this bustling area and there are some large outfits like the Hark Rock Cafe and other mega nightclubs located here in Kuta. The vibe here is noisy, busy and runs long into the night. Mornings are quiet.

In the hills above Kuta, Ubud has grown into the second tourist centre of Bali, but has none of the frantic pace and craziness of Kuta. Ubud is famously a sleepy town famed for its art and crafts. International writing workshops are held here, and most of the resorts and hotels in Ubud cascade down the mountainside and offer breathtaking views and lovely morning mists.

The Monkey Forest is near Ubud and is an evergreen must-see for all visitors to Bali. Though the thousands of monkeys that live here are left to their own devices and live, technically, in the wild, they are so used to crowds of banana-wielding tourists that they will have no hesitation in approaching all and sundry and even going through bags and trouser pockets.

There are nine major Hindu temples in Bali, but literally thousands more smaller and personal temples scattered about the island. By far the most important temple in Bali in the Mother Temple which is located at the base of Mount Agung near the village of Besakih. This is a particularly massive temple and half day tours are the norm. Elsewhere, the temple Uluwatu at Pura Luhur Uluwatu is accessed by a popular dirt road and attracts a lot of visitors who have rented motor cycles for their visit to Bali.

Mount Agung is the biggest mountain in Bali and takes about three hours to ascend. It is an active volcano and the caldera and crater lake are very impressive. Guided tours operate around the clock but intrepid travellers can follow well-trodden paths to the summit.

Bali’s legendary beaches reach a peak at Jimbaran Bay on the north side of the island. The waters here are especially clear and generally safe for swimming at all times of the year. The beaches at Kuta and Legian are hectic and the water may seem dirty – it is clean, but the darker colour of Bali’s volcanic sand makes the water appear less clear.

Visitors with an interest in Bali’s turbulent recent past may want to visit the Bali Bomb Memorial in Kuta, on Jalan Legian. This memorial commemorates the 202 people who lost their lives in October 2002 when terrorists detonated two large bombs at popular Bali nightclubs which were packed with holiday makers at the time.

Because Bali is a religious Island and because the main religion is Hinduism, visitors may mistake being here for spending time in India. Like the subcontinent, there is rarely a time when some form of festival is not taking place and these festivals invariably involve some form of coloured face make up, gigantic icon statues and puppets, and all kind of music, incense, colour and movement.

Balinese celebrate festivals together, or individually, when families celebrate and worship their personal house deities, for example.

Religious festivals in Bali include odalan, a festival that mark’s the anniversary of a temple’s opening and this festival can run for an entire week and are signified by flowers, flags and lots and lots of music and noise.

Another common religious festival is melasti. This is a festival of purification and many will dress up in their very best clothes and head towards the waters edge where they will bathe and play music. After this festival, a period of silence or at least general quiet, follows.

Nyepi is the festival that follows melasti and it falls at the beginning of the new lunar year which tends to occur each Spring in early April. Even holiday makers are expected to observe the calm and peace that is called for on this day and most businesses including hotels will be closed or at least, non-staffed.

Galungan is observed over the eleventh week of the Balinese calendar and marks creation of everything visible in the natural world. This is a family oriented festival and is marked by feasting and drinking (not alcohol, necessarily).

This major festival is followed by Kuningan which marks the end of the festive period. Water temples and most expecially the water temples of Ubud are centres of this very popular festival.

Many other Bali festivals have nothing whatsoever to do with religion. The Negara bull races take place between July and October and feature decorated bulls harnessed in chariots ridden by festive local jockeys. Watch out if a couple come barreling around a street corner in your direction.

The rice harvest festival is marked with dolls made from rice and a general sense of happiness and feasting, and Indonesian Independence Day is marked in Bali, naturally.

Balinese welcome foreigners into their festivals. The more the merrier, but be sure to dress appropriately – there is no need to dress up or follow festive costume, but flip flops and beach attire would be considered inappropriate.

The Balinese capital of Denpasar is not the world’s most exhilarating city. It doesn’t really hold up to other Southeast Asian capitals like Jakarta or Bangkok and this is perfectly understandable considering that it isn’t a national capital and also that it has a very small population of just under half a million people. Those expecting something along the lines of Manila or even Pnomh Penh may be disappointed in the relatively underwhelming surrounds of Denpasar. Not that many take time to notice considering that the only reason many visitors to Bali even pass through Denpasar at all is to come in or out of the island’s international airport. This isn’t to say, however, that Denpasar is without attractions at all.

The main international airport of Bali is here at Denpasar and this airport is called Ngurah Rai airport. Kuta and Legian are just a little over ten minutes drive from the terminals.

Denpasar was, historically, the ancient capital of Badung until it was taken over by the Portuguese triggering what is called in Bali a puputang which is a mass suicide to avoid being captured or killed by an invading enemy. Today a plaza stands on the site of the former royal palace and a statue commemorating the puputang is right there in the centre of this plaza.

Denpasar’s central market thrives in the morning. Follow the crowds to grab fresh produce, silks and arts and crafts. The locals of Denpasar are known for their friendliness. For a more formal shopping experience try the Duta Silk store which is known throughout Indonesia for its extremely competitive prices.

The Bali Museum is an outstanding collection of Hindu and Balinese history, art and culture. All visitors to Bali should take some time to see this great museum. Temples of note include Pasar Badang, Pur Maospahit and the steel towers of Pura Jagatnata. Try also the palaces of Pemekutan and Satria.

Bali isn’t known as a scuba diving paradise. The choppy surf waters mean that the island is much better known for surf breaks and surfing competitions rather than snorkelling and off shore scuba diving. However, since Bali is smack in the middle of the Indonesian archipelago marine life abounds. Those interested in seeing certain species while in Bali may like to look out for the following creatures.

Sharks | Catfishes | Eels | Skates and Rays | Exotic Fish | Fish to Eat

Though there are no man eating sharks in the waters off Bali, there are plenty of inquisitive reef sharks that will interact with you, but probably never harm you. These include the Blacktip Reef Shark, and its cousin the Whitetip Reef Shark. Plenty of other similar shark species are in the water.

The Spotted Eagle Ray and the Bluespotted Stingray are just some of the species of skates and rays that swim in the waters off Bali. In fact, many swimmers have reported seeing giant manta rays. As always, exercise caution with all wild creatures but look out for the beautiful Bluespotted Ribbontail Ray especially if you have an underwater camera.

Snowflake Moray eels slither around in the waters off Bali as do the timid but pretty Zebra Moray family and the Giant Moray which really does have very sharp teeth. Less dangerous and certainly never aggressive is the Spotted Garden Eel and the Banded Snake Eel. The Many-eyed Snake Eel is just that.

Striped eel catfish share the waters off Bali with other members of the catfish family which includes the Crocodile Longtom, Houndfish, Needlefish and the Soldierfish. The Chinese Trumpetfish is never too far away just like its partner in crime the Cornetfish.

Coral Razorfish and Radial Firefish dive in the corals and weeds and reefs off the shores of Bali along with glorious Tassled Scorpionfish and the ever-hungry Redmouth Grouper and its cousin the Blacktip Grouper. Honeycomb Groupers are rarer and as always, keep a respectful distance from tropical fish and remember that most species are endangered.

Mangrove Red Snapper, Blacktail Snapper, Midnight Snapper and many species of bream mean that most of the fresh fish you eat while in Bali is super fresh, having come from the local waters that very day.