Why go to Bali? The 10 good reasons to go Bali
Traditional dances
Let yourself be enchanted by traditional dances full of meaning.
Peacefulness and balance
Let yourself be carried away by the serene atmosphere of the Balinese people.
A living tradition
Temples and daily offerings bear witness to the bond between the Balinese and the gods.
The water sports paradise
Surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling... You won't know where to turn!
Landscapes on show
With its shimmering natural beauty and warm, humid climate, it's known as the island blessed by the gods.
A tasty gastronomy
A must-taste! Delicious dishes full of flavour and spice await you...
Handicrafts on the surface of the skin
Bali is known the world over for its unique and delicate handicrafts.
Wellness holidays
Between wild nature and heavenly beaches, Bali invites you to relax and unwind.
The omnipresent sea
With its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, it's waiting to welcome you...
The diversity of nature
A flora and fauna that will never cease to amaze you with its unrivalled diversity.
What to visit Bali?
Interview: My Bali
With Marie-Charlotte Amblard
Marie-Charlotte has been travelling to various countries for several years now for the Petit Futé. In Bali, she likes to discover the seabed by snorkeling or scuba diving, to walk in the rice fields, to take a yoga class with a view on the valley, to learn how to cook or to enjoy the nightlife of some of the tourist spots of the island.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Bali
Timetable
As for opening hours, most temples are open every day, with times that are roughly between 7am and 6pm - i.e. sunrise and sunset.
To be booked
For excursions such as walks, guided tours or sports excursions, we recommend booking a few days in advance. For the rest, it's not necessarily necessary.
Main events
The Indonesian calendar, like ours, has many festivals.
While Bali is a predominantly Hindu island, Indonesia remains the world's largest Muslim country. As such, the rhythm of the country is somewhat affected during the month of Ramadan.
Beware: in Bali, on the day of " nyepi " ("the day of silence"), in March, everything is closed. This is a Hindu festival (New Year) during which no one works. Even the airport is closed on this day, in total respect for the holiest of days. There's no electricity, and you can't leave your house. It's a day of prayer. The Indonesian word for New Year is " Tahun Baru ". It's also a public holiday.
Religious events are countless and often magnificent. For the exact dates of local events, pick up the Calendar of Events, available from all tourist offices and the Indonesian Embassy in Paris, or consult the Jakarta Post, Bali Post or Hello Bali. Here are a few festivities:
- april: Easter Friday and Sunday; anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed.
- may: anniversary of the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha.
- august 17: Independence Day.
and also: Christmas Day and New Year's Day (January1 ) are public holidays, as are August 15 (Sainte-Marie, Assomption).
Smokers
Smoking is forbidden in most public places, and should be avoided in temples.
Tourist traps
All the coffee monkeys, the Kopi luwak, are in captivity. You won't be able to see them in the wild.
What's very local
The sarong is worn in temples. This garment is the centerpiece of traditional Balinese dress. It's a rectangular piece of cloth, at least a metre wide, worn around the waist, and you'll need it to visit the temples.
