Best Things To Do in Bali 2025 Guide

Bali is not just an island, it’s a whole universe squeezed into one piece of paradise. You got beaches, temples, volcanoes, yoga, monkeys stealing your snacks, smoothie bowls, crazy scooters traffic, and sunsets that look like they been photoshopped.

If you are coming in 2025 and wondering what should I do in Bali? then welcome, you just open the right guide. Below I share the best things to do in Bali – classic stuff, hidden gems, adventure, chill, party, and wellness.

Watch Sunrise at Mount Batur Volcano in Bali

One of the most popular things is to climb Mount Batur for sunrise. Yes it means waking up at 2am and hiking in dark, but when you see the sun come up behind the volcano with clouds floating under your feet, trust me, worth it.

• Location: North Bali (near Kintamani).
• Time: Hike starts around 3 A.M., sunrise at 6 A.M.
• Price: Tours start at $30–50 (many include breakfast cooked on the volcano steam, eggs taste extra smokey).

Tip: Wear jacket, it gets cold. Don’t wear flip-flops.

Visit the Sacred Monkey Forest in Ubud Bali

Monkeys are cheeky. They will grab your phone, sunglasses, even your coconut. But still the Ubud Monkey Forest is one of Bali’s classic spots.

• Over 1200 monkeys live there.
• Entry fee about $5.
• Monkeys will jump on you, don’t freak out.
• Hide your snacks, or they gone forever.

Some people love it, some hate it, but you can’t say you really visit Ubud if you skip this jungle full of monkeys.

Explore Bali’s Temples

Bali is called the Island of the Gods for reason. Temples are everywhere, some big, some small, some inside rice fields. The most famous ones:

• Tanah Lot – sunset temple on rock in the ocean.
• Uluwatu Temple – cliffside views + fire dance show.
• Besakih Temple – mother temple at the base of Mount Agung.
• Tirta Empul – holy spring water, you can bathe here for purification.

Respect the dress code. Sarong is required (you can rent cheap at entrance). Don’t try to climb temples for Instagram pic, it’s disrespectful.

Relax in Ubud Bali – Yoga, Rice Fields & Cafés

Ubud is like the soul of Bali. Surrounded by jungle, rice fields, waterfalls – and also many yoga studios, wellness retreats, healthy cafés.

Things to do:

• Yoga class at Yoga Barn or Radiantly Alive.
• Walk the Campuhan Ridge Walk at sunrise.
• Visit Tegalalang Rice Terrace – very instagrammable.
• Try smoothie bowls (seriously, it’s like religion in Ubud).

Wellness businesses in Ubud often pay for sponsored posts, so this is good niche for monetization.

Chill at Bali’s Best Beaches

Bali beaches are different depending where you go:

• Uluwatu → best surfing & cliff views (Padang Padang, Bingin, Dreamland).
• Seminyak → sunset beach clubs (Potato Head, Ku De Ta).
• Canggu → trendy surfer vibe, hipster cafés, digital nomads.
• Nusa Dua → calm waters, luxury resorts.

Pro tip: Don’t expect white sand everywhere. Some beaches volcanic black sand. But sunsets? Always wow.

Island Hopping – Nusa Penida, Nusa Lembongan, Gili Islands

From Bali you can hop on speedboats and explore nearby islands:

• Nusa Penida → Famous for Kelingking Beach (the dinosaur-shaped cliff). Instagram paradise but stairs are death trap.
• Nusa Lembongan → Chill, small island, great for diving/snorkeling.
• Gili Islands (Lombok) → No cars, just bicycles + horses. Party in Gili T, chill in Gili Air.

Day trips are possible but better stay 1–2 nights.

Snorkeling & Diving with Manta Rays

One of the coolest things you can do is swim with giant manta rays in Nusa Penida. Don’t worry, they harmless, just big.

Other dive spots:

• Tulamben (shipwreck dive).
• Menjangan Island (North Bali, super clear).
• Amed (laidback diving village).

Ride a Scooter

Bali is scooter island. Everyone rides one. It’s cheap and fastest way to move. But… traffic is crazy, and accidents happen daily.

• Rent price: $5–7 per day.
• Wear helmet, pls.
• Don’t drink and drive (sounds obvious but many tourists ignore).

Even if scary first, riding scooter through rice fields at sunset is one of best feelings in Bali.

Chase Waterfalls

Bali got so many waterfalls, especially in the north and central highlands.

• Tegenungan – easy access, popular.
• Sekumpul – most beautiful, tall, multiple falls.
• Gitgit – classic stop on road trips.
• Leke Leke – photogenic, narrow stream.

Many waterfalls need entrance fee ($1–3). Some hikes are slippery, wear shoes.

Eat Local Food

Don’t just eat avocado toast in Canggu. Try real Balinese food:

• Nasi Campur – mixed rice with different toppings.
• Babi Guling – roasted suckling pig (famous in Ubud).
• Satay Lilit – Balinese satay on lemongrass stick.
• Nasi Goreng / Mie Goreng – fried rice/noodles, simple but perfect.

Food is cheap. $2–3 for meal at local warung.

Experience Bali Nightlife

If you like to party, Bali won’t disappoint.

• Canggu → trendy bars, beach parties.
• Seminyak → upscale clubs, cocktails.
• Uluwatu → cliff clubs like Omnia/Savaya.
• Kuta → backpacker crazy nights (if you like chaos).

Join a Yoga or Meditation Retreat

If you want more than vacation, join a retreat. Ubud is full of them.

• Yoga retreats (1 week or more).
• Meditation, sound healing, even silent retreats.
• Detox programs (juice cleanse, fasting, etc).

Take a Bali Road Trip

Hire driver and go explore beyond touristy spots. Visit North Bali (Lovina, Singaraja), West Bali (national park), East Bali (Tirta Gangga Water Palace, Sidemen rice fields).

Many tourists only see South Bali, but the magic is also outside.

Shopping & Balinese Handicrafts

Bali is great for souvenirs:

• Ubud Market → art, crafts, jewelry.
• Seminyak Boutiques → designer & boho clothes.
• Canggu → hipster surf wear.
• Local villages → wood carvings, silver jewelry (Celuk), batik.

Try Adventure Sports

If you want adrenaline:

• White water rafting in Ubud.
• Paragliding in Uluwatu.
• ATV rides through jungle.
• Surfing lessons in Kuta or Canggu.

Final Tips for 2025 Travelers

• Cash is King → Many places still prefer cash.
• Respect culture → Dress properly at temples, don’t step on offerings (canang sari) on the ground.
• Internet is good → Bali has coworking spaces, so many digital nomads live here.
• Be flexible → Things change, traffic happens, ceremonies block roads – just smile and wait.

Conclusion

Bali in 2025 is still magical, still chaotic, still the island of gods. Whether you want to party in Canggu, meditate in Ubud, surf in Uluwatu, or eat satay in a small warung, Bali has something for everyone.

Make your own journey, don’t try to do everything in one week, and remember the best moments often happen when you least expect.