Welcome to Bali, Indonesia - a true paradise on earth. As magical destinations go, Bali is at the top of our list. Our trip to Bali was one of the best trips of our lives, and it completely changed us. It’s the trip that started my love of travel photography. Bali is also a place we constantly dream of returning to visit.

For the longest time, I've wanted to share our Bali adventure with you. However, a setback delayed this blog-I had misplaced an SD Card containing all the photos from Bali, captured on an old Canon point-and-shoot camera. Thank God I found the SD card with my photos, and thanks to my daily diary practice, I'm finally ready to tell our story.

Bali is often referred to as the island of Gods for good reason. It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful destinations in the world. You will see incredible landscapes, sunsets, wildlife, and stunning temples throughout the country. Add to that endless gorgeous beaches and incredible terraced green rice paddies. Oh, and the food was so fresh and delicious!

Yet, the most beautiful thing in Bali is the Balinese people, who must be one of the kindest people in the world. I think it is due to their practice of canang sari or “daily gratitude”. Canang Sari is a daily offering of thanks and peace to the Hindu gods (85% of Balinese people are Balinese Hindus). The practice is part of a daily expression of gratitude not only for what they have but also for what they want. You will see this everywhere in Bali.

So, each morning, I would witness a local Hindu priest's daily ritual on the beach in front of our hotel. He would carry a round metal tray carrying burning incense and little palm leaf boats filled with colorful flowers, rice, crackers, and candies. He would make his way to a tiny temple, where he would carefully place these items. He then dipped a frangipani flower in water and sprinkled the flower water around the offering. It was a beautiful experience to witness.

In this Photography & Travel guide, I will provide my recommendations for hotels, restaurants, and, of course, photography.

Entry Visa for Bali / Indonesia

Starting in March 2022, foreigners are required to pay for a visa in order to enter Bali. However, you can apply for a Visa on arrival online before you actually arrive. Indonesia e-VOA

Overview of Places to Stay in Bali

Bali is a huge island, so there are many areas you should consider staying in before selecting your hotel. Here is some information on each area:

Seminyak

This is Bali's busiest beach area and the “party area” of the island. There are tons of places to shop, eat, and drink. We definitely enjoyed having dinner and drinks in Seminyak, but it’s more catered to those looking for bars and nightclubs.

Canggu

Canggu, located half an hour north of Seminyak, is currently the trendiest area in Bali. Canggu is popular with surfers, and you see lots of super hip shops, chic restaurants, and new hotels.

Ubud

Ubud is located in the mountainous region of Bali. It is here that the vegan and raw dining culture was born. Ubud is known as the cultural hub of Bali, with temples, holistic centers, yoga studios, and local markets on every corner. You can expect a quieter and slower life here and many more cultural and natural activities. We absolutely loved it!

Uluwatu

This is another area that is very popular with surfers. It is where you will find Pura Uluwatu, an incredible temple on a clifftop where you can see the Kecak Dance and experience beautiful sunsets. We loved our visit to this area at sunset.

NUSA DUA

Nusa Dua is an area of Bali with luxury resorts on white sandy beaches. The hotels and restaurants in this area are phenomenal, and it is very close to the airport. This is the area we stayed in.

Where to Stay

My recommendation is to experience two areas of Bali. I recommend staying in both Nusa Dua and Ubud.

Luxury Hotels

The St. Regis Bali Resort is a beautiful hotel located on a white sandy beach. The rooms are spacious, and they have a massive meandering lagoon pool. This is where we stayed, and we loved it!

The beachside Kayuputi restaurant is easily one of the island’s best restaurants and we really enjoyed all our meals overlooking the water.

Four Seasons Resort Bali at Jimbaran Bay - One of Bali’s most beautiful 5-Star all-villa retreats. This is one of the first luxury hotels in Bali, with beautiful views and restaurants. We drove to have lunch at the hotel and its’s a stunning property.

Alila Seminyak - Eco-friendly elegance meets contemporary luxury with stunning ocean views and top-notch amenities.

Capella Ubud - Voted one of the best resorts in Indonesia. Its 22 one-bedroom tented and batik-draped retreats, hand-painted Mads Lange restaurant, and even saltwater pool all float over the jungle floor.

COMO Shambhala Estate is an incredibly peaceful resort on 23 acres located on the hilltops above the Ayung River. It is a place of serenity and spirituality.

We drove to the resort and had an amazing lunch.

Bulgari Resort Bali, Uluwatu - Teetering on a cliff on Bali's rugged southern tip, Bulgari Bali is as splendid as you could expect. The hotel has 59 villas, each with a plunge pool and gardens. After visiting Uluwatu, we had dinner at the resort, which is a gorgeous property.

Mid-Level Hotels

1. Hotel Indigo Bali Seminyak Beach - A stylish option with vibrant decor, multiple pools, and direct beach access.

2. Courtyard by Marriott Bali Seminyak Resort - Offers modern comfort, a great location, and excellent service.

3. Amadea Resort & Villas - A tranquil oasis in the heart of Seminyak, perfect for relaxation and exploration.

How Long to Stay

To truly experience Bali's magic, plan to stay for at least a week. This allows ample time to explore the island's diverse attractions, from its vibrant cultural sites to its serene natural beauty.

Best Time to Visit

Bali is great to visit all year round. The best time to visit Bali is during the dry season, which runs from April to October. This period offers sunny days, clear skies, and ideal conditions for photography and outdoor activities.

The monsoon season (mid-December to March) brings rain, but isn’t too severe – the rain comes only a few hours during the day. After the rain, it’s more pleasant to wander around since the temperature would have been cooled down.

Getting Around

Getting around Bali is relatively easy, with various transportation options available. While Uber and Bolt are not widely used, you can rely on local ride-hailing services like Go-Jek and Grab. You can rent a scooter, which is a popular and convenient way to explore the island, but always make sure you have the proper license and wear a helmet.

We found that the easiest way to get around was to hire a driver through our hotel. It was reasonably priced.

Where to Eat

Bali is a food lover's paradise. Food is a big part of Balinese culture. The main ingredients of Balinese cuisine are spices and herbs such as ginger, galangal, turmeric, lemongrass, limes, coriander seeds, and—of course—chili.

A typical meal in Bali involves four or five dishes arranged around a bowl or mound of rice and a side of sambal. The dishes often include a serving of pork or chicken, fish, tofu or tempeh, egg, various vegetable dishes, and crunchy krupuk (rice crackers). Since the population is predominantly Hindu, cows are considered sacred, so you probably won’t see much beef on the menu.

Make sure to try one of the dishes below:

Nasi Goreng or Mie Goreng—This is Indonesia’s favorite fried rice (nasi) or fried noodles dish (mie). Usually, it is mixed with vegetables and chicken, but you can always have a vegetarian option. It is served with one sunny-side-up egg.

Gado-gado - Gado gado is essentially an Indonesian-style salad, and after eating it, you’ll never want your basic iceberg, tomato, and cucumber salad again. It’s made with a range of cooked and/or raw vegetables – usually cabbage, green beans, bean sprouts, carrots, and Asian greens –  topped with fried tempeh, tofu, boiled eggs, and a delicious satay sauce. Gado-gado is the perfect dish to eat for lunch.

Satay or Sate – Grilled meat skewers served with peanut sauce. Usually, pork or chicken is used.

Sambal - Sambal is a spicy condiment commonly found in Southeast Asian cuisine, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore. It's typically made from chili peppers, shrimp paste, fish sauce, garlic, ginger, shallots, and lime juice or vinegar. There are many variations of sambal, ranging from mild to extremely spicy, and it's often used as a flavorful accompaniment to dishes like rice, noodles, meats, and seafood.

Here are some picks:

1. Locavore - An award-winning restaurant in Ubud known for its innovative, locally sourced menu.

2. Mamasan - A trendy spot in Seminyak serving delicious Asian-inspired cuisine.

3. Revolver Espresso - A must-visit coffee shop in Seminyak known for its excellent brews and cool vibe.

4. Zest - located in Ubud, is a mecca for vegans.

5. Kayuputi - is located in the St. Regis Hotel and is beachfront restaurant. . It is a five-time winner of the Wine Spectator Award. The location and food were amazing.

6. Il Ristorante is located in the Bulgari Hotel. It is set in a beautiful location, and the food is incredible.

7. Sundara is a phenomenal restaurant at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jimbaran Bay. It has a beautiful setting overlooking the bay.

Photography Gear to Bring

When packing your photography gear for Bali, consider the following:

• Camera: A DSLR or mirrorless camera such as the Canon EOS R5 or Sony A7 IV.

• Lenses: A versatile zoom lens (24-70mm) for general photography, a wide-angle lens (16-35mm) for landscapes, and a prime lens (50mm or 85mm) for portraits.

• Drone: Bring a drone like the DJI Mavic Air Mini Pro 3 to capture Bali's stunning aerial views.

• Tripod: For stable shots, especially during sunrise and sunset photography.

Best Photography Locations

Bali is a photographer's dream, with countless picturesque spots. Here are some of my favorites. I definitely need to go back and photograph more of the island.

Tegallalang Rice Terraces—

Tegalalang Rice Terrace is located about 20 minutes north of Ubud. It is undoubtedly one of Bali’s most photogenic and most visited destinations. Famous for their stunning, terraced landscapes, these rice terraces include cascading rice fields. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the area is popular during sunrise and sunset.

Uluwatu Temple -

Perched on a cliff with dramatic ocean views. Uluwatu Temple Sunset and Kecak Fire Dance. The temple, locally known as Pura Luhur Uluwatu, is one of the most popular spots in Bali for good reason.

It’s renowned for its magnificent location. Perched atop a steep cliff approximately 70 meters above the crashing ocean below, it makes for the most beautiful backdrop at sunset.

Balinese Kecak and fire dance performances are held every evening at an amphitheater nearby. A group of around 75 male dancers descends onto the stage with extended arms and shaking hands, chanting a ‘chak!’ chorus repeatedly.

Kecak is a traditional Balinese dance involving fire and the Hindu Ramayana story. I would recommend reading the story ahead of time as the entire story portion of the dance is performed in Balinese.

It was really a fantastic experience to visit Uluwatu at sunset. I would not miss it.

Silver Making in Prapen

On the way to Ubud, we stopped to visit a local jeweler called Prapen. They will give you a tour of the jewelry-making process. They have a large selection of silver jewelry. It is touristy but fun and the staff were not pushy in trying to sell you things.

Ubud Monkey Forest -

Hundreds of Balinese long-tailed monkeys live in the Ubud Monkey Forest. The forest canopy also provides cool temperatures and shade from the sun. There are no restrictions, barriers, or fences; the monkeys happily live here by choice. So you can get very close to monkeys. We were advised to tuck any shiny jewelry away as the Monkeys might try to grab it.

The Ubud Monkey Forest is huge, covering an area of about 30.8 acres. Wandering around the monkey forest takes about 2 hours.

With approximately 700 monkeys, this is an essential sanctuary for wildlife.

Pura Puseh Desa Batuan

Batuan Temple, also known as Pura Desa Adat Batuan, is an ancient Hindu temple located in the village of Batuan, Ubud. It is one of Bali’s oldest temples, dating back to the 11th century.

The temple features stunning traditional Balinese architecture, intricate carvings and stunning ornaments. The temple’s main attraction is its three courtyards, each dedicated to a different deity.

The temple is one of the three major temples in the village— the temples are divided into three to honor the gods of creation, preservation, and destruction. Pura Puseh is dedicated to the god Vishnu, the Preserver, and it's a place where local heritage and the timeless tradition of Balinese architectural elegance intertwine.

Tirta Empul Temple –

Ubud is known for its natural hot springs. Balinese believe the water in this temple holds a holy power. I think you should visit it while you are in Ubud.

One of the most fascinating aspects of Tirta Empul Temple is the belief in the healing power of its water. Locals told us that the Balinese come here if they have bad dreams or feel depressed. It is believed the water is purifying.

Beaches

Bali’s best beaches speak for themselves. In Nusa Dua, the white sand beaches are stunning. I also loved that you could walk for miles on the beach.

Between the soft white sand and the intoxicating blue-green colors of the water, you will be in heaven.

Our hotel in Nusa Dua was located right on the beach. We loved walking along the beach collecting seashells.

Place to Photograph on our Next Trip

Handara Gate - An Instagram-famous gate with a stunning backdrop.

The Handara Gate is in north-central Bali near the Munduk region. It is located on the main road in the area, Jl Raya Singaraja-Denpasar, in front of the Handara Golf Resort. While it’s a 1.5 to 2 hour drive from Ubud, it’s a quick 30 minutes from Munduk center.

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces - A UNESCO World Heritage site known for its expansive rice fields.

Pura Lempuyang - Pura Lempuyang, also known as Heaven’s Gate, is no doubt one of the most Instagrammable places in Bali. The iconic photos of its sacred entrance gate are all over the internet.

Kelingking Beach Cliff: Kelingking Beach is located on Nusa Penida Island, in the Klungkung Regency, Bali, Indonesia.

Festivals and Holidays

Bali's cultural richness is highlighted by its numerous festivals. One of the most significant is Nyepi (Day of Silence), usually in March, a unique Balinese Hindu celebration where the entire island shuts down for 24 hours of silence and meditation. Another vibrant festival is Galungan, which occurs every 210 days, celebrating the victory of good over evil with elaborate ceremonies and traditional dances.

Wrapping Up

We have dreamed about going back to it since we left.

Don't forget to subscribe to my newsletter for more travel tips, photography insights, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox! Happy travels and happy shooting!

If you enjoyed this guide to Bali, you can check out my other Photography and travel Guides at this link.