Almost everyone has heard of an Island called Bali, it is an extremely popular vacation destination, but many people have no idea where the island is located. If you are considering going to Bali, let’s at least cover the bases and tell you where it’s at if you didn’t already know. It is one of the thousands of islands located in the Indonesian archipelago or cluster of islands located in Indonesia.

Indonesia is the fourth most populous country in the world. The only countries with populations that surpass Indonesia are China, India and the United States. It is also a very religiously diverse country. Indonesia has the largest Islamic population and there are Hindus, Christians and other people with other practicing religions as well, but it has not come without conflict. There is a lot to know about Indonesia, but we are going to focus on Bali and how much fun you can have there.

Great Beaches

Indonesia is an island nation after all, so it is bound to have great beaches. Bali is known for its beaches and there is a good chance that you will be spending a lot of time on the beach if you plan to visit Bali. There are all kinds of beaches in Bali. There are white sandy secluded beaches like Balangan Beach and there are the more popular beaches like Kuta Beach. You are bound to find the perfect beach for you.

Surfing

Bali is also a surfing paradise. There are small waves for the beginners and huge barrel waves for the serious surfers. You will need to pay attention to the characteristics of the waves to find a surfing spot that is suitable for your skill level. You don’t want to end up in some waves you can’t handle.

Kuta beach is a recommended surfing spot for beginners. Canggu beach is 30 minutes away from Kuta beach and is a popular surfing spot suitable for beginners and intermediate surfers. The Padang-Padang beach is the perfect place for experienced surfers. This is where professional surfing competitions are held. This surfing spot can be fun, but dangerous with waves reaching heights of 4-12 feet. You will need to watch out for the shallow water as well and know that this beach gets very crowded.

Snorkeling

Yes, another aquatic activity. It is an island nation. If you’ve been to an aquarium or seen underwater environments on TV, then you are in for an amazing experience. A good snorkel guide will make sure that you are safe and your equipment is fitted properly. You also do not need to be the best swimmer. There are life jackets, floats and wetsuits to help you out. It can be very kid friendly and fun for the whole family as well. There are also multiple snorkeling environments for you to enjoy everything from coral reefs to shipwrecks.

Visit the Temples

Bali has plenty of temples to visit, but many are actually shrines. There are estimated to be over 10,000 religious compounds in total. They have a number of breathtaking locations that range from mountains and hilltops to coastal areas. The temples are usually very quiet, but they can become more lively during festivals.

The Elephant Cave or Goa Gajah

The name may be a little misleading. It is not a cave full of elephants, but it is still a beautiful site to see. This place was built in the 11th century, so it is about 1,000 years old. There are a few stories that explain how the Goa Gajah cave got its name. Some sources say that the cave received its name from the stone figure of Ganesh that rests inside the cave. Ganesh is a Hindu lord, who is represented by an elephant’s head. The entrance of the cave depicts a giant face with an open mouth. That face was considered to be the face of an elephant.

Mountains

On the island of Bali, there are also numerous mountains. The highest mountain in Bali is named Mount Agung. This mountain is over 3,000 meters tall. This mountain is actually an active stratovolcano that has had eruptions in previous times. However, the last eruption has not happened since 1963, so the volcano is said to be sleeping now. Mount Agung is a very sacred mountain in Bali that is also home to the largest temple in Bali, Besakih Temple.

There are plenty of reasons to make Bali your next vacation destination, have fun!