Bali. The name alone conjures images of emerald rice terraces, incense-scented temples, and golden sunsets over the Indian Ocean. It is, without question, one of the most beautiful islands on earth. But it is also one of the most visited — and that means the real Bali can be elusive if you don't know where to look.
After years of working with travellers visiting this extraordinary island, we at Diza Tours have put together the guide we wish existed when we first set foot here. This is not the Bali of Instagram crowds at Tanah Lot or overpriced cocktails in Seminyak. This is the Bali that takes your breath away — quietly, personally, and authentically.
When to Visit Bali
Bali has two seasons: dry (April to October) and wet (November to March). The dry season is peak time, and for good reason — blue skies, calm seas, and lush landscapes. But don't dismiss the wet season. Afternoons bring short, dramatic downpours that clear the roads of day-trippers. Mornings are stunning, accommodation prices drop significantly, and the island feels genuinely alive.
Our recommendation: visit in May, June, or early September. The dry season crowds haven't fully arrived (or have thinned out), the weather is excellent, and you'll find it far easier to connect with the island at its own pace.
North Bali: The Bali Most Visitors Miss
Almost every first-time visitor to Bali stays in the south — Seminyak, Canggu, Ubud, Kuta. These are all worthwhile, but the north of the island is where Bali reveals its quieter, more authentic self.
Munduk and Its Hidden Waterfalls
Perched at 1,000 metres above sea level, the village of Munduk is surrounded by clove and coffee plantations, and laced with trails that lead to some of Bali's most spectacular waterfalls. Munduk Waterfall and Git Git Waterfall are the most visited, but the real gem is Melanting Waterfall — a 15-minute hike from the road through jungle that most tourists never bother with. You'll often have it entirely to yourself.
Stay at least one night in Munduk. The mountain air is cool and clear, the homestays are excellent value, and watching the mist roll in over the valleys at dawn is one of those travel moments that stays with you for life.
Lovina and the Dolphins
On Bali's northern coast, the small resort town of Lovina is famous for its dolphin-watching sunrise trips. Yes, it's a tourist activity — but done right, it's genuinely magical. Go with a local fisherman rather than a package boat, leave by 5:30am, and position yourselves at the edge of the pod rather than charging through the middle. Wild dolphins, surfacing in golden morning light, against a backdrop of volcanic mountains. It's hard to beat.
The Temples of Bali: Beyond Tanah Lot
Tanah Lot is magnificent, but its car park holds 2,000 vehicles and its sunset viewpoint holds approximately all of them. Here are the temples that reward the effort of getting there.
Pura Besakih — Mother Temple of Bali
Set on the slopes of Mount Agung — Bali's highest and most sacred volcano — Pura Besakih is the holiest temple on the island. It consists of 23 separate temples spread across a complex that dates back to the 11th century. Arrive early (before 8am if possible), hire a certified local guide (not one who approaches you at the gate), and wear a sarong with genuine respect. This is a living place of worship, not a backdrop for photographs.
The views of Agung from the upper terraces, with clouds drifting below the summit, are among the most spectacular in Southeast Asia.
Pura Luhur Batukaru
Deep in the jungle on the slopes of Mount Batukaru, this ancient temple is surrounded by a forest so thick it can feel like the island's very heartbeat. The path is steep, the air is cool and damp, and the silence — broken only by birdsong and distant offerings bells — is profound. This is Bali at its most spiritual.
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces: The UNESCO Wonder
If you've seen a photo of Bali's iconic rice terraces, it was probably taken at Tegallalang, near Ubud. Tegallalang is beautiful, but it is also very small, very crowded, and very photogenic in a manufactured way. The terraces of Jatiluwih, a UNESCO World Heritage site in central Bali, are something else entirely.
Stretching for hundreds of hectares across the hillside, Jatiluwih's terraces follow the ancient subak irrigation system — a 1,000-year-old cooperative water management tradition that is as much a social philosophy as an agricultural technique. Walk the trails between the paddies in the early morning, when the fields catch the light and the farmers are already at work. There are no swing selfie platforms here. Just rice, water, and centuries of cultivated beauty.
Where to Stay in Bali
Bali's accommodation spans hostel dormitories at $8 a night to private villa compounds at $1,500 a night. Here are our honest recommendations by area:
- Ubud — Best for cultural immersion and jungle retreats. Stay at a villa with a rice terrace view if budget allows. The walking distance to galleries, yoga studios, and excellent restaurants makes this the most rewarding base.
- Canggu — Best for surf, cafes, and a lively social scene without the full chaos of Seminyak. Digital nomad culture has taken root here; the coffee is outstanding.
- Amed — Best for diving and snorkelling on the quieter east coast. Accommodation is simple but the underwater life — including the famous USS Liberty shipwreck at Tulamben — is extraordinary.
- Munduk / Bedugul — Best for highlands, cool air, and genuine escape. If you've been to Bali before and want to see it differently, this is where to go.
What to Eat in Bali
Bali's food scene is one of the best in Southeast Asia. Don't eat at the tourist strip restaurants. Eat here:
- Babi guling (suckling pig) at Ibu Oka in Ubud — a Balinese institution since 1959, and worth every minute of the queue.
- Nasi campur (mixed rice plate) at any warung with plastic chairs and a busy lunch crowd. The fancier the venue, the worse the nasi campur.
- Fresh seafood on Jimbaran Beach at sunset — grilled to order, eaten at low tables in the sand, with a cold Bintang. Simple and perfect.
- Lawar — a Balinese ceremonial salad of vegetables, coconut, and minced pork or chicken. Ask for the traditional version at a local warung rather than the sanitised tourist version.
How to Get Around
Bali's roads are not made for the faint-hearted. Traffic in the south can be genuinely brutal during peak hours. Our advice:
- For short distances, use Gojek or Grab (the Indonesian equivalents of Uber). They're cheap, reliable, and available everywhere.
- For day trips and longer journeys, hire a private driver for the day. Rates are around $35-50 for 8-10 hours. Your hotel can arrange one, or we can through Diza's partner network.
- Renting a scooter is perfectly doable if you're experienced. If you're not, don't. The combination of left-hand drive, potholes, and aggressive traffic is not the place to learn.
Plan Your Bali Trip With Diza
The Bali described in this guide takes planning. Getting to Munduk at dawn, booking the right guide at Besakih, knowing which driver will actually take you off the beaten track rather than to their cousin's jewellery shop — these things require local knowledge and real relationships.
That's what we offer at Diza Tours. Whether you want a 7-night package, a tailor-made two-week adventure, or simply a pre-planned day trip from your own hotel, we'll handle every detail. Contact us and tell us what kind of Bali experience you're looking for. We'll take it from there.