Destination Bali: Paradise on Earth

Flights from Singapore to Ngurah Rai International Airport in Bali are easy to find. The airport is located just outside Denpasar, which is the main city on Bali. From there, travelers can find transportation to other parts of the island. Singapore passport holders are allowed to enter Indonesia visa-free for stays up to 30 days. This includes leisure travel. Travelers must carry proof they have completed a full vaccination regimen using a COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization. At the time of writing, a negative COVID-19 test result is not required. Upon arrival, travelers will need to undergo a basic temperature screening. If your temperature appears elevated or if you are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19, you will need to undergo an RT-PCR test. Unvaccinated travelers who are permitted to enter Indonesia must undergo a 5-day quarantine. Otherwise quarantine is not required and travelers can move about freely after clearing customs and exiting their arrival port.

Bali is an oblong island with a teardrop shaped peninsula in the south. The major population centers of Denpasar and Ubud are located in this southern area. The central and northern portions of Bali are dominated by volcanoes and mountain ranges. Hotels and resorts are plentiful all over the island so determining where to stay is more a matter of personal preference and budget. If you want to enjoy lively beach parties with lots of fellow travelers, look for accommodations in the south. If you’re more set on tropical seclusion, get away from Denpasar and into the highlights or to other areas along the coast. With Bali’s status as a premier international travel destination, hotels and resorts on the island come in all flavors from super-exclusive to 5-star accommodations to backpacker hotels for budget travelers. Spend some time looking around and find a place that’s right for your needs.

Bali is filled with amazing sights. From pristine tropical beaches to ancient temples, there is no shortage of amazing things to see. The list below highlights a few places that you won’t want to miss next time you’re visiting paradise.

Tanah Lot Temple is Bali’s famous seaside temple. Perched above the crashing waves below, the temple was constructed on a rocky outcropping connected by a narrow land bridge. At high-tide, the temple is cutoff and isolated, making for a truly spectacular scene, especially during sunset. As one of Bali’s most important and recognizable attractions, Tanah Lot attracts a lot of visitors eager to snap memorable photos. Find yourself a decent location where you can get a nice panoramic shot that better captures the scenic beauty. Tanah Lot is located along Bali’s southern coastline roughly 20 kilometers from central Denpasar. You can look for tours heading out from the city if that’s where you’re staying, or take transportation along Jl. By Pass Tanah Lot once you get outside the city.

Jimbaran Beach ranks among the world’s top stretches of sand. Locals and visitors will tell you that the sunsets off Jimbaran are some of the most beautiful anywhere in the world. The long narrow beach is located just south of the airport and is easily accessible if you’re staying anywhere in or around Denpasar. There are numerous small shops and craft stalls scattered around the area near Jimbaran, making this a great place to go hunting for a local souvenir. Another popular thing to do is to find yourself a table at one of the many beachside restaurants and enjoy a delicious seafood meal while you luxuriate in the ambiance of a Balinese sunset. Jimbaran is roughly 15 minutes by car from Ngurah Rai International Airport and about 20 minutes from Legian, Seminyak, and Sanur.

Kuta Beach is another legendary Bali beach that’s normally jam-packed with revelers. Known for its good surf, Kuta is known as a place for surfers and paddle-boarders. Beginners can rent a board from one of the beach-side vendors and try to hone their skills in the water. Waves tend to be strong towards the middle sections so beginners might want to stay towards either end of the beach. At night, Kuta is also known as a place where you can enjoy a meal and great conversation as the cool sea breezes waft overhead. Given its proximity to many resorts and high-end hotels, Kuta Beach tends to attract large crowds of tourists looking to enjoy the nightlife along the sands. Bars and other restaurants usually feature live music and dancing until late into the night.

At the confluence of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the waters surrounding Bali are home to some of the most diverse marine life on the planet. These shallow seas receive lots of sunlight, allowing complex reef ecosystems to flourish. Lembongan Island, located just off Bali is a stunning destination popular for, among other things, snorkeling and scuba diving. Visitors can easily find dive operators with lots of experience who can help guide you in exploring the area. Spend a bit of time finding a tour operator that’s right for you based on your skill level and desired experiences. In addition to the attractions under the waves, Lembongan also features some picturesque scenic views and makes for a good day trip.

Tirta Empul Temple is a well-known temple located in the Balinese highlands near the town of Tampaksiring. Locals consider the temple’s natural spring a source of holy water. Bathing in the waters is thought to have mystical cleansing powers. The spring pool is ringed with numerous outlets that are reputed to each impart a different effect. Tirta Empul Temple is one of the most-visited water temples in all Indonesia. Visitors should be mindful that the local Balinese Hindu community considers the temple a sacred location. Always make sure to conduct yourself in an appropriate manner and follow the rules regarding picture-taking. Visitors are allowed to participate in temple ceremonies. You can inquire more when you arrive if you feel so inclined. Tirta Empul temple is located roughly 14 km northeast of Ubud and transportation time is around 30 minutes.

In January 1942, the United States Army cargo ship USAT Liberty was torpedoed and left stranded off the coast of Bali. Tidal currents and a volcanic eruption in 1963 eventually pushed the wreck out to sea. Today it is a popular dive location. The ship’s carcass is now heavily covered in corals and home to a breathtaking range of creatures. The shallow waters and close proximity to the main attractions on Bali make it an easily accessible dive site, great for beginners. Brushing up on the history of the Liberty and how it came to be marooned in this location adds to the experience. Clear waters and warm currents make for a pleasant experience and a great place to snap some memorable selfies with a piece of history. The wreck sight is also a good excursion to Bali’s less-frequented northern coast. It’s a good place if you want to get away from all the commotion in the south.

The Devil’s Tears is a prominent scenic spot located on Sunset on Lembongan Island. The area is known for spectacular sunsets, pristine tide pools, and spine-tingling cliff jumps. If you’re already planning on adding a visit to Lembongan to your Bali adventure, make a point to visit the Devil’s Tears while you’re there. It’s easy to book a day tour from Bali. Check with your hotel to see what options they recommend. Many tour operations will include hotel pick-up and drop-off and boat transfers. If you’d prefer to just go on your own, you can look for ferries departing from Sanur. Once you’re on the island, consider renting a scooter to get around. These are a popular mode of transportation and are easy to find. The Devil’s Tears is located along the far southwestern portion of Lembongan Island.

As its name suggests, Tegalalang is home to a famed set of rice terraces. Cut into the local hillsides, these stunning terraces make use of a traditional Balinese irrigation method to create a series of beautifully layered green paddies. The area is also popular for its lush jungle scenery and picturesque ridge trails. Tegalalang Rice Terraces is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is easily accessible from Ubud. Taxis and motorcycles are popular means of getting here, or you can opt for a more scenic adventure and traverse the distance on foot. Hiking takes about 2 hours, but it’s well worth the extra effort as you’ll find plenty of places along the way to experience the full tranquility of the Balinese countryside.

A true influencer’s delight, the Bali Swing has become one of those iconic internet famous locations. Visitors wait their turn to recreate stunning photographs as they appear to soar high above the treetops. Even if you’re not much for posing, the Bali Swing offers the chance to return to that old playground magic from when we were kids. Who doesn’t remember the fun of trying to arch higher and higher with each pass. It was almost as if the swing were a rocket readying to launch us toward our dreams. There are several locations where you can enjoy a swing in Bali. If you’re looking for the original, however, that is about 20 minutes from central Ubud or about 1.5 hours from Kuta Beach. There are several swings available at differing heights. As one of the iconic images of Bali, the Bali Swing is one of those things on just about everyone’s to do list.

Rounding out our top-10 is another Instagram famous location. Lempuyang Temple is a gorgeous Balinese Hindu temple complex located on Mount Lempuyang in Eastern Bali. It is one of Bali’s oldest temples and is well-known for its beautiful scenery and architecture. In recent years, the temple’s main attraction has become the famed Sky Gate of Heaven. When photographed from the right angle, the temple’s outer gate with its twin pillars seems to float gracefully among tropical mists. Visitors who position themselves at the gate can likewise appear as if they’re about to step out onto a bed of clouds. Though certainly internet famous, you should be aware that many of the images you find are carefully crafted to enhance the visual effect. The real location, though no doubt beautiful, is a bit different in reality. Good to keep that in mind for when you visit so you can manage expectations.

Bali is no doubt one of the world’s premiere tropical resort islands. It's a place that offers a variety of different experiences. Whether you’re looking for steamy nightlife, beautiful natural scenery, or just a truly relaxing vacation experience, Bali offers it all and more. Now that transportation links have largely been restored between Singapore and Indonesia and COVID-19 restrictions have essentially been eliminated for fully vaccinated travelers, there’s no reason not to opt to getaway to Bali this year. Come discover Bali, the closest thing to paradise on Earth.