Where to Stay in Bali & Where To Avoid
While Bali in Indonesia recently tends to be described as overrun and touristy, fear not – I don’t doubt that you can have a blast in Bali! With rice-terraces cascading down verdant volcanic slopes, stunning purple sunsets, excellent surf waves, unique culture, and delicious cuisine, Bali can be a true paradise if you wisely pick your place to stay.
You can still find local spots and untouched nature in many places, so whether you’re coming to relax, honeymoon, for the yoga, or nightlife Bali has something to offer everyone.
After my three trips to Bali and checking out the best hotels in Bali, I’m confident I can give you good tips on the best areas to stay. Here’s a guide on where to stay in Bali depending on your expectations and which areas in Bali to avoid.
Where is Bali?
Indonesia is made up of over 18,000 islands and Bali is probably the most famous of them because of the huge influx of foreign visitors in recent years.
It has been featured in many modern movies and books such as Liz Gilbert’s famous Eat, Pray Love, as well as the growth of the internet’s digital nomad community that have come to call Bali their base.
Located in the Indian Ocean, the island of Bali approximately 600 miles east of Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia. The island itself is 95 miles wide with a population of over 141 million people.
Best Places to Stay in Bali:
Best Luxury Hotels in Bali
Hanging Gardens • Ayana Resort and Spa • W Seminyak
Best Villas in Bali
Adiwana Arkara Villa • Adila Bali
Best Cheap Hotels in Bali
Villa Sonia Ubud • Karisa Pods
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- Where to Stay in Seminyak
- Where to Stay in Ubud
- Where to Stay in Nusa Dua
- Where to Stay in Jimbaran Bay
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Where to Stay in Bali for…
- Yoga Enthusiasts: Ubud
- Nightlife: Seminyak or Kuta
- Outdoor Activities: Northern Bali or Ubud
- Families: Nusa Dua
- Beaches: Uluwatu
- Honeymoon: Ubud or Jimbaran
- Digital Nomads: Canggu
- Foodies: Seminyak
- Budget Travelers: Sanur
- Off the Path: Northern Bali
When To Go to Bali
The climate in Bali is warm and humid all year round because of its tropical location about 8 degrees south of the equator. This means that in terms of the weather, there’s never really a bad time to visit Bali! Almost…
The country experiences two monsoons when the wind changes direction. The wet season in October to April and the dry season from May to September. I visited Bali once during the wet season and while you can get lucky and get no rain, I’d probably recommend going during the dry season especially if it’s your first time.
You’ll quickly realize that people come to Bali all year every day as soon as you see the line to immigration at the airport. These lines are enormous, so prepare for at least an hour or two of waiting.
Where to Avoid in Bali?
Although a lot of Bali is wonderful to explore, there are a few places that you would want to avoid or that might not be suited for the activity or type of holiday you’re looking for.
While Bali really has no-go zones, if you’re going for a honeymoon you’ll be unhappy in Kuta. If you want good nightlife, you might not want to book a hotel up north.
Personally, I wasn’t a fan of Sanur at all and that’s why I didn’t even include it here. Unless you’re on a very strict budget, I wouldn’t recommend it.
Also, don’t be fool by a fact that since Bali is an island it will be easy to get around. While you can go wherever you want without any problems by taxi or scooter, keep in mind that due to small streets and traffic it takes forever to get anywhere. For instance, it might be about 1,5-2h from Canggu to Uluwatu, even though it’s just 37 km.
Where to Stay in Seminyak
Seminyak is the up and coming beach resort located at the southern end of the island of Bali. It’s popular for its luxury hotels, spas and villas as well as its high-end shopping centers and restaurants.
The well known Seminyak beach has got a hyped atmosphere that attracts lots of younger visitors with its beach bars and clubs, colorful umbrellas, bean bag loungers on the beach and extensive cocktails menu, facing the ocean and the stunning Balinese sunsets. Basically, it’s an Instagram heaven.
The party nightlife is also thriving, not to forget this area is home to the ‘eat street’ that makes Seminyak the hub for Balinese food culture with some of the most world-renown atmospheres.
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[su_box title=”Luxury:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]W Seminyak
Beautiful hotel from the moment you step foot in their green welcome tunnel. Gorgeous swimming pool and tasty breakfast.
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[su_box title=”Boutique:” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=””]Anantara Seminyak
Excellent beachfront hotel with spa and choice of water activities. Very close to shops and restaurant. Fantastic breakfast on the rooftop terrace.
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Where to Stay in Ubud
Home to one of the oldest royal families in Bali, Ubud is most often called the cultural heart of the island with its famous Lotus Temple, popular Monkey Forest, lush Tegalalang Rice terraces, cascading waterfalls and much sought after Bali swings.
Ubud also has lots of boutique stores specializing in various local crafts as well as cute cafes and restaurants that serve both international and Balinese cuisine.
Take a yoga class, get an incredible Balinese massage, learn how to cook or rent a bike to tour all of the historical and cultural sites of Ubud, these are just a few of the many things to do here and in the nearby surrounding area.