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Bali travel guide

• When is the best time to visit Bali?

  Bali's climate is warm and tropical due to its proximity to the equator. Temperatures average 24-30°C all year round. Humidity is high between October and April, known as the Wet Season. The Dry Season is from May to September and humidity during this period is low.

  The Wet Season brings rain and overcast days. The highest rainfall is from December to February. There is occasionally rain during the dry season but it usually comes at night or very early in the morning, so it won't affect your day. From June to August a refreshing cool breeze blows during the day. Mountainous central Bali is usually cooler than the coastal areas, particularly at night.

• Bali attractions

  Almost every one of the major islands making up Indonesia has its own culture, based on religious and also secular divisions, and the 27 areas of the country all celebrate different events and festivals throughout the year. The Nyepi festival on Bali is so widely observed that visitors cannot arrive, as the whole island takes a day off in contemplation.

  Bali's traditional crafts of woodcarving, stone sculpture, and silversmithing are still a big part of Balinese culture and are showcased in the numerous galleries dotted around the island. However, it is Bali's dramatic dances that are at the heart of Balinese culture. Classical dancing in Bali is comparable to ballet. Each dance tells a story through music, movement and song.

  Bali is also home to a number of Hindu temples, the most important of which is the Besakih Complex, or Bali's "Mother Temple", high up on the side of Mount Agung volcano. The Goa Lawah Bat Cave temple on the east coast is often used as a site for funerals thanks to its connection to the afterlife, while a popular temple from which to experience beautiful sunsets is Tanah Lot.

  An excellent way to see Bali is on a guided tour. These can be booked at your hotel, or you can even arrange a tour with one of the many guides who stroll up and down Bali's beaches looking for business.

• Top 5 things to do in Bali

  You gotta ride the wave!

  With some of the best surfing in the world, and so many places to rent a board, get out and feel the rush! Kuta Beach is one of the best places to go.

  Do go chasing waterfalls

  Being a volcanic island, you’re gonna find a waterfall or two. Perfect for pictures, Tegenungan Waterfall is a popular place, close to Ubud, or Nungnung Waterfall will knock your socks off, for a start it’s an unspolit gorge accessible via a thousand steps. Cool eh?!

  See a sea temple

  You may have a temple of two on your list to visit, but trust us, you’re gonna wanna see a sea temple. Head over to Uluwatu Temple, its stunning clifftop location will have you swooning.

  Nusa Penida

  Take a day trip to Nusa Penida for one of the most spectacular sights you’ll see. Kelingking beach is an absolute jaw dropper… trust us.

  Sacred Monkey Forest

  Home to over 1,200 monkeys, get up close and personal with these cheeky chappys in Bali’s lush, peaceful forests.

• Bali sports

  There are several rivers on the island which offer good white water rafting during the wetter parts of the year - it could make a nice change if you get a bit bored of lying around and fancy doing something active instead.

  Two of Bali's major attractions are diving and snorkelling. Scuba diving around the coast of Bali affords the opportunity to swim amongst colorful tropical fish and breathtaking coral reefs. The best time to dive in Bali is during the dry season (from April to October), when warmer temperatures make the swim more pleasant, invite more fish and the visibility is at its best.

  Bali is especially well known for its surfing. Surfing in Bali can be done everyday. Surfing was introduced to Bali by Australian surfers at the end of the 1960's, and since then, Bali has become a surfers' paradise thanks to its numerous and varied beaches and breaks. There's always a perfect wave somewhere in Bali. Kuta and Ulawatu are the most popular surfing spots, famous for their magnificent surfing waves.

• Bali shopping

  Denpasar is the capital of Bali and the central market district for local people. Kumbasari is the largest traditional market and gives an excellent insight into Balinese daily shopping, with meat, fruit and vegetables, spices and dried foods, clothes and household wares spread over three floors. On Gajahmada Street, traditional handicrafts are complemented by traditional cuisine from local restaurants. If you're searching for fabrics and textiles, Sulawesi in the east is the place to go, while Hasanudin in the south is full of jewellery shops, where tourists are welcome to buy - but remember to bargain!
  
  Kuta caters mainly for tourists, with counterfeit clothing, jewellery, sunglasses, accessories and multimedia lining the narrow streets that run off the main beach road. The quality of the goods can sometimes be questionable, but you can pick up some excellent bargains - just don't look too closely! If you have no intention of buying, don't look at the products on offer, or you risk being followed and pestered until you do.
  
  Also in Kuta you'll find shops which cater for the masses of surfers who flock to Bali for its waves and beach culture. All the top surf brands are represented, particularly in the newer and larger shops. Find clothing and equipment from such names as Quicksilver, Billabong, Volcom, Stüssy and Rip Curl.

  More fabulous shopping opportunities can be found around the island. Haggle for antiques, pottery, stone and wood carvings, sculptures, jewellery, arts and fabric in Celuk, Sukawati, Ubud, Tegalalang, Kamasan and Bono.

• Bali events - what's on when?

  January - Chinese New Year

  The Chinese immigrant population will be holding 10 days of customary behaviour plus a lantern festival complete with a giant paper dragon.

  February - Galungan

  This 10 day feast honours the universe's creator and the victory of good over evil. Food and flowers are offered to ancestral spirits to earn their protection.

  March - BaliSpirit Festival

  A dynamic and spirtual dance, music and yoga festival located in the Purnati Centre for the Arts in Batuan that is dedicated to positive vibes.

  April - Saraswati

  A religious festival day when the Wedas and books or mauscripts containing knowledge are blessed in the name of the goddess Dewi Saraswati.

  May - National Awakening Day

  Known locally as Hari Kebangkitan Nasional and a public holiday when the civil service and education systems host events to celebrate state philosophy.

  June - Bali Kite Festival

  Three days of real fun as kites of all colours, designs and sizes are flown within the spacious area around Sanur Beach.

  July - Negara Bull Races

  Bulls are cleaned and then dressed in finery before being tethered to chariots and raced by jockeys.

  August - Indonesian National Day

  Processions, music, dancing, traditional music and plenty of bunting in Bali and beyond to celebrate 'Hari Proklamasi Kemerdekaan'.

  September - Temple Celebrations

  All Bali temples are busy with celebrations throughout September, based on the belief that the gods descend into them during this time.

  October - Ubud Writers and Readers Festival

  For five days, scores of writers from around the globe attend to debate and celebrate with stories and ideas across various venues.

  November - Pagerwesi

  For five days, scores of writers from around the globe attend to debate and celebrate with stories and ideas across various venues.

  December - New Year's Eve

  Bali is a wonderful place to celebrate NYE, with special dinners, parties, music, dancing and a countdown to a fireworks display in the main resort areas.