Bali Holidays – 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit the Island of Gods and Demons

Women in colorful make-up, men with their heads covered with fancy caps, children in ornate costumes – these images probably bring to mind Bali. No wonder – Bali is color. Evergreen rice fields mix here with the view of raw and dark volcanic mountains, but they do not contrast with each other – because Bali is also harmony. Hindu religious ceremonies harmonize with the traditional cult of nature, frequent and boisterous celebrations attract everyone: residents and tourists. The cult of ancestors, the presence of demons, personified nature – all this is part of the life of the Balinese. Here, the sacred mixes with the profane, two seemingly contradictory realities merge into each other without unnecessary clash.

There’s so much to do in such a small area. If you want, trek to Mount Batur, learn to surf, eat spicy Balinese food, shop at the colorful Ubud market, celebrate, live in the countryside surrounded by green rice fields or get lost in the urban jungle of Seminyak. Do all this and more – holidays in Bali it's an ocean of possibilities.

Bali – color and mysticism

When to go on holiday to Bali?

Bali's humid equatorial climate means that most of the year it is hot, and the temperature remains almost the same throughout the year. There are two seasons - dry and rainy. The dry season, which lasts from May to September, attracts those who enjoy beach relaxation and water activities. Dry and hot days (approx. 32°C), warm nights and lower air humidity encourage tourists to explore the central part of the island. You can also go on a vacation to Bali at the beginning or end of the rainy season, i.e. in April and October, when rainfall is not excessively burdensome and the temperature drops slightly.

Bali Holidays with Planet Escape

The motto of our office is "tailor-made holidays”. What does this mean in practice? Your trip will be planned to suit your individual requirements, interests and budget. You don't have to stick to a pre-written plan, because you are the creator of your own vacation. Do you want to experience village life while living among the local community, participate in sacred ceremonies by ritually washing in the sacred waters of Tirta Empul, or maybe you prefer to relax in a five-star hotel right by the beach? If you wish, we can help you combine your Bali vacation with discovering other corners of Indonesia: explore the nearby Lombok, walk among the volcanoes on Java, meet dragons in Komodo National Park or find the unknown on the unspoiled mass tourism island of Sandalwood – Sumba. Planet Escape will help you organize the vacation of a lifetime!

Bali and the pristine Sumba

INDONESIA – Ubud, Sumba, Nusa Dua
The island of gods and demons, a thousand temples, tropical beaches, smoking volcanoes, picturesque rice fields and culinary delights, where life is subordinated to religion, the phases of the moon and ancient traditions. Bali is an island unique in many ways!

10 Reasons to Go on Vacation to Bali

See traditional Balinese dance in Ubud

Ubud is considered the cultural capital of the island. Filled with small art galleries, workshops and atmospheric cafes, the town amazes with its atmosphere. Art is everywhere here, although native Balinese would probably not call the city the "artistic cradle of the island". In the Balinese language, there is no word "artist" - a painter is simply someone who makes paintings, and a dancer is referred to as the name of his dance. Here, the activity intertwines with the performer, and life naturally connects with art. An expression of this art is, for example, traditional dance, which is easiest to see in Ubud. Word dance does not fully capture what this type of movement is, which engages not only the performer but also the recipient. The performer becomes the hero of the story, and the recipient becomes its peculiar witness. Stories can be different and the names of performances are also different – Kacak is the Balinese version of the Hindu epic Ramayana, Barong & Rangda shows a personified story of the fight between good and evil, and Legong in the convention of a mirror image, it tells the story of a king who starts a war and dies in it himself. With a demiurgic gesture, the artists bring their own deities to life and become guardians of the still living ancient epics. They consciously use every, even the smallest part of their body – from the characteristic posture, through precise wrist movements, to the gaze and facial expressions. History written with the body, myths told without words – all this is part of a holiday in Bali.

The number of holidays and celebrations in Bali is impressive!

Mystical Bali and the dragons of Komodo

INDONESIA – Ubud, Flores, Komodo, Sanur
We invite you on an extraordinary journey to the most interesting places in Indonesia! In addition to Bali, where in the harmony of fabulous rice fields, beaches, mountains and volcanoes, you will meet the mystical culture of its inhabitants, we will take you to an amazing place - on a cruise through the Komodo National Park.

Live in the Balinese countryside

The life of the Balinese is connected with art, and art expresses tradition. Tourists see this connection everywhere – visiting numerous temples, watching dance performances, looking at colorful costumes or walking around artistic Ubud. However, tradition is cultivated nowhere more than in the comfort of your home. In the family circle, there is a whole host of rituals and ceremonies combined with everyday activities. If you want to see what the real life of the Balinese looks like, live with them! You will not experience luxury here, but you will remember the hospitality of the locals, their sincerity and kindness for a long time. If you are one of those travelers who seek not only commercial attractions, but truth and authenticity, this option is for you. You will participate in offerings to the deities, learn how to make coconut oil and walk around the area with the best possible guide – a Balinese who has lived here his whole life.

The idyllic landscape of a Balinese village

Balinese treasures and Lombok's pristine beaches

INDONESIA – Seminyak, Ubud, Sidemen, Lombok
We invite you to Bali, where in the natural harmony of rice fields, exceptional beaches and lofty mountains you will discover the ancient culture of the Balinese, we will take you to the island of Lombok and to the cultural capital of Bali, Ubud. Discover Indonesia with us - an endless mosaic of colors and flavors.

Bali Tour by Convertible

If you like to explore the unknown, admire beautiful views and previously undiscovered areas, a car safari may be a good solution. A ride in a VW convertible will take you not only to the most interesting places on the island. The landscapes in Bali are amazingly diverse - evergreen rice terraces turn into bamboo forests, and a dark volcano contrasts with a blue lake. VW Safari Tour it is not only about admiring the views. It is also a chance to see the life of the villagers, visit historic Hindu temples and relax. The Balinese believe that the world is constructed on the principle of opposites. No wonder, since their island consists of so many seemingly contradictory contrasts. These contrasts can be seen from the car.

VW Safari is a great way to discover the lesser-known corners of Bali

A bike tour through the Balinese countryside

The island is not only visible from the car windows. If you like active leisure, choose a bike ride. After all, holidays do not have to be associated only with lying on the beach and visiting nearby tourist attractions - there are many more possibilities in Bali. One of them is exploring, for example, the area Sidemen with the help of a bike. Why the eastern part of the island? Because there is no shortage of extraordinary places here - within a dozen or so kilometers there are several temples, beautiful nature is stunning with views, and intensely green rice fields encourage you to relax. Take a bike trip to the nearby market or simply explore the area and enjoy the Balinese landscapes!

Balinese rice terraces

See one of Bali's greatest attractions - Tanah Lot Temple

Tanah Lot – located on a rock that turns into an island during high tide – belongs to a complex of seven sea temples, which are supposed to protect Bali from the evil forces of the sea. According to Balinese legend, this one is closely guarded by sea snakes. The temple impresses with its unusual location. Although tourists cannot visit the building inside, this place is very popular due to the beautiful view. The ocean mixes with the blackness of the rock here, and when the sun hides behind the horizon, all these colors change quickly and go from bright yellow, to navy blue, to purple. It is not without reason that the Tanah Lot temple is at the top of the ranking of the most photographed places in the whole of Indonesia – photos from holidays in Bali often show this peculiar combination of colors.

A Trip to the Mysterious Sulawesi

INDONESIA – Makassar, Tanah Toraja, Tanjung Bira
The 11th largest island in the world will delight you with the most fascinating culture in Indonesia. The busy port of Makassar, the cool green of rice fields, beautiful landscapes, extraordinary architecture and the intriguing customs of Tanah Toraja are the main attractions of Sulawesi. And after an exciting journey through the mysterious corners of the island, you can indulge in a lazy rest under the tropical sun of Tanjong Bira beach, whose warm, clear waters create excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling.

Discover the treasures of the underwater world in Amed

The Amed region, which was discovered by tourists quite recently, deserves special attention – you can still find peaceful beaches, quiet corners and less frequented roads here. The beaches have a rather dark, volcanic color, but the water hides many treasures. There is a famous diving site off the coast of Tulamben – the wreck of the Liberty ship. The ship is about 100 meters long, but the sea has preserved it well, you can even swim inside. Liberty is quite a popular attraction, so if you prefer to visit less frequented places, choose diving near the Japanese wreck. The ship is overgrown with corals and beautiful sea plants, and colorful fish swim around. If you don't dive, it is worth entering the water with a mask and snorkel, e.g. in the area of ​​Kembali Beach Bungalows and Jemeluk Bay. The coral reef is located close to the shore, and sea fish are happy to swim among people.

Amed is a great place for diving and snorkeling

Balinese cuisine

There is nothing better than getting to know the local culture through local food. The taste, colour, texture and way of serving the prepared meals depend not only on the availability of products, but above all on the imagination of the cook. Sweet and salty, mild and spicy, bitter and sour - in each culture the senses mix differently, the final taste effect is different and as a result the culinary tastes in different communities are shaped differently. What are the tastes of the Balinese? It is not hard to guess that they are particularly fond of rice - after all, they live on an island famous for growing this grain - served traditionally on a banana leaf, fried or boiled until soft. In addition to rice, a lot of vegetables are eaten here, so Bali can be a paradise for vegetarians. If you prefer dishes with meat, do not be surprised by the fact that pork is a popular ingredient in dishes. Although it is avoided in all of Indonesia for religious reasons, in Bali these restrictions do not apply. The island has preserved Indonesian customs in the use of spices – they use a lot of them and in different ways. The dishes prepared are often aromatic, with the addition of spicy flavors and often spicy. In a restaurant, it is better to inform the staff about the expected level of spiciness of the dish you are ordering. If you want to participate in the authentic process of preparing Balinese meals, sign up for a cooking lesson with one of the Balinese families. We especially recommend the house of our friend Kadek, where you can spend the night, participate in home life and experience an authentic holiday in Bali.

Temples and Volcanoes of Java with Undiscovered Bali

INDONESIA – Java, Bali
Java - mystical temples and hot volcanoes. Bali - green interior and beaches. Discover Indonesia with us - an endless mosaic of colors and flavors.

Holidays in Indonesia – Gili Islands and Lombok

If you want to get to know Indonesia better, there is nothing left for you to do but visit the surrounding islands. Bali delights, attracts and enchants. But you will never know whether the rest of Indonesia will delight, attract and enchant you in the same way if you never go there. We especially recommend, apart from Bali, of course, two places: an archipelago of three small islands called Gili and a larger island – Lombok. The Gili archipelago is a great place to relax – the sandy coast and warm water provide an almost ideal beach experience, and those who like to spend their time actively can try diving, kitesurfing or snorkeling. Snorkeling is extremely interesting thanks to the coral reef located close to the shore, full of magical starfish and sea turtles.

If you’re a beach vacationer, head to Lombok. The west coast has more volcanic beaches, but it’s home to some of our favorite hotels, including: Qunci Villas Katamaran. In the south, there are ideal surfing conditions, and the beaches are sandy and wide. The so-called Pink Beach, located in the difficult-to-access, south-eastern part of the island, certainly makes an impression. If during holidays in Lombok If you manage to get there, you certainly won't regret it! If you don't feel like sunbathing, a great option might be to hike through the rainforest to the top of Mount Rinjani (only for the sporty!) or visit the Sasak villages specializing in local crafts.

Lombok – Pink Beach. Doesn't it look tempting?

Experience Balinese rituals at Tirta Empul Temple

The Temple of the Holy Water attracts both followers of Balinese Hinduism and tourists curious about unusual rituals. And these rituals are indeed interesting: long lines of people standing in tanks full of water and waiting to immerse their heads under the tap move slowly. They reach the second tap, cleanse themselves as before, step under the third tap, then another and another – until they reach the last, thirtieth stream. Then they go in silence to Jeroanem, a place of concentration, humble bowing of the head while offering gifts to the deities and meditation in the fumes of incense. Why all this? The Balinese believe that two powerful gods – Indra and Maydanowa – clashed in this place. Defeated Indra pierced the earth and to save himself released the source of immortality. The Balinese touch eternity by cleansing themselves in the holy water, and cleansing is always a new beginning.

Bali – Tirta Empul

Sumatra and Pulau Weh

INDONESIA – Medan, Bukit Lawang, Berastagi, Lake Toba, Pulau Weh
Elephants, orangutans, jungle, mystical Batak people and coral islands far from the crowds - all in one place, in Sumatra. Lovers of views can watch the sunrise from the volcano, those thirsty for rest can forget about the hustle and bustle on a beach untouched by modernity and wildlife lovers can admire elephants and orangutans in their natural environment.

Discover the secrets of Balinese beliefs

The people of Bali live suspended between the divine and human order: the living resurrect their dead, honoring their memory, the gods accept gifts offered several times a day, and evil spirits flee the island, chased away by processions organized by the inhabitants. Here, life is not opposed to death. There are holy days, during which the spirits of ancestors descend to earth - during the Galungan ceremony, guests from the afterlife are solemnly welcomed, and after ten days of communion with the peculiar guests, they are bid farewell for another year. The most important day on the island is the Nyepi holiday, or Day of Silence. According to our calendar, it takes place in March, but the Balinese celebrate New Year then. Europeans associate the beginning of the year with loud parties and loud music, but here everything happens differently. The island is plunged into silence, the streets are empty, and no electricity or other sources of light are used. Everything stops for a reason. The locals believe that evil spirits prowl the earth at this time. To convince the demons that the island is empty, you simply have to pretend that no one is there. The seriousness of the holiday is evidenced by the fact that the ban on going out and using electricity also applies to tourists - no one can encourage evil spirits to settle on the island for good. Three days before the New Year, a purification day called Melasti is celebrated, during which residents enter the water (the sea or lake) to perform a ritual purification. This time is special, because it is not often that the Balinese bathe in the sea. No wonder, though - they believe that the great water is a habitat of evil, where demons live. The islanders turn their eyes to the land, and especially to the volcanoes, where the gods live. The Balinese see the opposition in the earthly order - water and land, but do not distinguish between the cosmic reality - divine and human. The gods live among their subjects, and the ancestors descend from the afterlife. A holiday in Bali is an experience of two worlds - earth and sky.