Uncover | Bali, Indonesia
Oh boy. Where to begin with Bali? Everyone has heard of it. Some people think it is a separate country from Indonesia—not one of the estimated 17,508 islands. After looking quite a bit of Ecosia-ing, here is a crazy statistic.
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It is estimated that 80-95% of foreign tourists stay in the Badung, Denpasar, and Gianyar regencies - about 1hr (no traffic) driving circumference from the airport. You might not recognise these areas but you will recognise these tourist towns: Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Sanur, Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, Nusa Penida and Ubud. These are hubs for villas, partying, DJs and clubs, many self-proclaimed cafes with “the best avocado on toast”, surf camps, wedding venues, luxury hotels and yoga studios.
I am not here to tell you what to do—I am here to inform you that Bali has so much more to offer.
Our version of Bali is “what Bali used to be 10/15/20 years ago”.
Our version of Bali is away from mass tourism.
Our version of Bali is what I believe drew the first adventurers to Bali in the first place.
Real nature. The peace and philosophy of Balinese Hinduism. And the Balinese people themselves.
So my advice is to bookend your holiday in one of these tourist hubs to enjoy the creature comforts and the warm hospitality of Indonesians but spend most of your time exploring and enjoying the rest of Bali. The parts of Bali free of unpredictable bumper to bumper traffic. The parts of Bali where there are more local warungs, homestays, and Indonesian owned hotels. The parts of Bali that leave you with in awe.
The Foothills of Mt. Agung
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If you’re looking for an ideal place to learn how to scuba dive or freedive, this is it. The waters are warm, the currents gentle, and the marine life abundant. With sandy bottoms and clear conditions, it’s beginner friendly yet endlessly rewarding. End you day with yoga and watch the sky fade behind the silhouette of Bali’s most scared mountain.
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This quiet village can be compared to “Ubud before Ubud got busy.” It’s the perfect place to slow down and reset, with half day options that immerse you in local life—cooking classes, weaving sarongs, or making your own silver jewellery. Wander through the rice terraces, visit Bali’s largest temple (Bersakih) or trek Mt. Agung via an offbeat trail most travellers miss.
The Heart of Bali
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Lemukih Village is the quiet starting point for treks to the now-famous Fiji and Sekumpul Waterfalls. While most travellers only pass through on a day trip, we think its 1000% worth slowing down. Spend a night or two here with one of our favourite guides to learn more about Bali Hinduism and visit two of Bali’s lesser-known ancient temples.
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Follow a downhill jungle trail to Tamblingan Lake to experience the rich, symbiotic relationship between Bali’s rainforests and its spiritual heritage. Along the way, you’ll find photogenic temples with no tourists in sight. Munduk is also home to hidden waterfalls with swimming holes—perfect for a refreshing afternoon plunge.
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Walk through Jati Luwih Rice Terrace, an UNESCO world heritage site—and learn about the ingenious Subak irrigation system that sustains these iconic landscapes. Take a cooking class directly at the farm and end the day soaking in a natural hot spring.
Best Coast West Coast
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Whether you’re just learning to surf or chasing mellow, consistent waves, Medewi is the perfect place. The pace is slow, the lineup is friendly, and you’re not jostling for space with hundreds of others. Medewi offers the rare chance to focus on your surf skills while soaking in a relaxed village vibe. A great place to learn, improve and just enjoy the ride.
When the swell is down, head out to secrets spot or East Java with the guides for a day trip.
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Still in its early days of tourism, Sumbul Surf Village is a glimpse inito Bali’s past, with fewer people and more heart. It’s a peaceful corner with a laid-back cafe scene, kind guesthouse hosts and just enough Wi-Fi to get your remote work done. Come here to slow down.
Nusa Penida (done the right way)
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Like Amed, Nusa Penida is easy to reach and an excellent place to level up your scuba and freediving skills. The ocean conditions are a bit more advanced—strong currents and deeper drop offs—but that’s what makes it special. During the right seasons, this is one of the best place to spot majestic manta rays and elusive sunfish (mola mola).
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To truly experience Penida, stay overnight for at least 2 nights and rent a scooter. Day-trippers miss the magic. By planning around the daily ferry schedule from Bali, you can time your visits to iconic sites when they’re nearly empty. Most day tours stick to a tight schedule around the island’s southwest corner but the true gems are in the east. Penida is best done slow , on your own terms.
Travel and logistics Need to Know:
When it comes to a destination like Bali, location is the most important things. The last thing you want happening is getting stuck in traffic for hours for a <5km drive—I have heard horror stories of sitting in a car or worse, on a motorcycle, for 4 hours.
Choosing an ideal accommodation where walking is less than 10mins away is key.
And when you travel with us, we turn travel days into tour days. Yes, where we prefer to travel might be 3-4 hours from the more popular destinations, but we stop along the way in lesser known temples, forests, restaurants, and more.
We are currently working on infographics for each of our Uncover posts, please come back soon for more information.
