Bali & Lombok

When you fly to Bali or Lombok, the best airport to get to is in Denpasar on Bali, right next to Kuta Bali. That is also why these two towns are great spots to start and/or finish your time in Bali and Lombok. Denpasar is the capital of Bali and it is also the largest city on the Island. In Kuta Bali, on the other hand, you will find a large party scene and good beginner surf waves.

Local tip: Kuta Bali and Denpasar are pretty busy cities. If you are looking to stay somewhere close to the airport but in a smaller, more local town, we would recommend staying in Jimbaran. You will be at the airport by taxi in no time, but you will be able to spend your last night on Bali sitting at a calm beach, watching locals play soccer or fly kites, and eating freshly made corn on the cob while watching the sunset.

Uluwatu really has something to offer for everyone but first and foremost it is known for potentially having the best surf breaks in Bali. No matter if you are looking to go on scenic sunset walks along various beaches, seeing world-class DJs perform, or perfecting your surf skills, Uluwatu has got it all.
When you are in Uluwatu, you will want to make sure to head to the famous Bingin Beach, also called Pantai Bingin. The best way to get to Bingin Beach from Uluwatu is to rent a scooter for the short drive. Nevertheless, be aware that it is a steep flight of stairs you will have to overcome from the top of the cliffs to get down to the Beach but believe us when we say that it will be worth it. Bingin Beach is known for its challenging reef breaks with people coming from all over the world to put their surfing skills to the test. At the same time, if you stroll along the beach, you will come across smaller secluded beaches which will let you feel like you have just arrived in a place you would normally only see on postcards.
Local tip: What is important to know is that Grab and Gojek are currently banned in Uluwatu so the best way to get around here is by foot or renting a scooter. Another option is to get a couple people together from your hostel and rent a private driver for the day who will show you the hotspots in and around Uluwatu.

Some of the most known and, therefore, touristy spots on Bali are Seminyak and Canggu. But there are several reasons why these are so popular. What you will find here is a hipster scene filled with trendy and organic cafés and bars on every corner. If you are a beginner surfer, Canggu also has some great spots to catch a wave for the first time. Next, you will find some of the best beach clubs in both Seminyak and Canggu. Imagine yourself sitting on a black sand beach, watching the sunset with your new friends from your hostel and then heading all together to an epic beach club to have an incredible party.
Rumor is one of our own team members stayed in Canggu and came back from a hostel night out with a new tattoo. Why? Simply because she and her friends found a deal on offer where you could get a cocktail + a tattoo for IDR 200.000 (around AUD 20). So, get ready for some extraordinary night outs.

Are you looking to learn more about the spiritual side of Bali? Then you will want to head to Ubud, the spiritual center of Bali. Lots of travelers come to Ubud to visit the many temples and take part in a purification ceremony. You can also go for dips in the waterfalls surrounding Ubud, walk between seemingly endless rice paddies, and stop at local warungs to enjoy mouthwatering, freshly cooked food. Many people also come to Ubud to get their yoga teacher certification or simply try out a new meditation or yoga technique – why not give it a try yourself?
Local tip: From Ubud, you can sign up to go on a sunrise hike up the active volcano Mt. Batur or, if you dare, the even higher volcano, Mt. Agung. Many hostels offer these trips themselves, otherwise, your hostel will definitely be able to help you sign up for a good trip. Both are strenuous hikes but the views you will get from the peaks are something you won’t stop talking about for a very long time.

Hidden beaches, countless waterfalls, and epic hikes are awaiting you on Lombok. You can easily get there by speedboat/ferry. Lombok has become an increasingly popular destination as it is, as of right now, less touristy than Bali and has a more laid-back vibe to it. It also has epic surf breaks for both beginners and experienced surfers. On top of that, if you are on Lombok between approximately April – January, you have the chance to go on a 3-day trek up Mount Rinjani. Be aware that this trek definitely requires you to be in good physical condition as it is full of long and difficult hikes but if you do it, you will find yourself potentially camping right at the crater’s edge watching the sunrise, looking at Mt. Agung in Bali.
Only approximately a 30 minute ferry ride from Lombok, you will find its world-famous Gili Islands. The Gili Islands consists of three islands, Gili Trawangan, Gili Air, and Gili Meno. Gili Meno is the quietest of them all and, therefore, known as a popular honeymoon spot. If you are rather looking for some adventure, Gili Air is your best bet as it is known to have some of the most remarkable diving and snorkeling sites. If you are looking for the ultimate party experience, Gili Trawangan, also referred to as Gili T, should be on your bucket list. Here you are pretty much guaranteed to have some memorable night outs partying with countless fellow backpackers.

The three famous Nusa Islands – surely, you have heard of them. If not, as soon as you arrive on Bali or Lombok you are guaranteed to hear a fellow traveler talk about their stunning time on the Nusa Islands. The three Nusa Islands consist of Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan, and Penida. Nusa Penida is the most famous of the three islands, known for its impressive cliff drops and countless spots for the perfect Instagram picture. Nusa Lembongan is the more relaxed version of Nusa Penida. Of course, Nusa Lembongan also does not fail to offer impressive views, sugar-white beaches, and unforgettable sunsets. On top of that, this island is also known for its incredible surfing spots. Last but not least, Nusa Ceningan is the smallest of the three islands but also the most relaxed. Because it is the smallest island, you can perfectly do a day trip here from Nusa Lembongan to see the possibly clearest, most turquoise water you have ever seen. If you dare, Nusa Ceningan has a handful of very popular cliff jumping spots.

Keep in mind that the taxi operators like Grab or Gojek do not operate on the islands and driving a scooter is fairly difficult here due to the rocky terrain, often you won’t even have the chance to drive on a paved road.

Local tip: If you are looking to go snorkelling with Manta Rays between impressive coral, this is the spot. Snorkel trips to the well-known Manta Bay depart from both Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan nearly on a daily basis. The best part is that if you do not see Mantas you will instead have a very high chance of seeing dolphins!