Other Bali Areas Guide

Just outside of Canggu and the main tourist area in the south is Tanah Lot, Bali's most important coastal temple. This is a very quiet and cultural area, although you will find a number of souvenir stalls along the path leading down to the temple.

This is an isolated beach area near the junction of one of the roads that leads up to Papuan in the mountains. This is a renowned surfing area, but not like Kuta. The beach here is unusual for the south, in that it is black sand.

Up in the mountains between Seririt on the north coast and Medewi Beach on the south coast, approximately 2 hours out of Kuta, is the sleepy village of Papuan. The views up here amongst the coffee plantations are superb, and the air decidedly cooler. Papuan makes a nice retreat for a few days from the coastal tourist areas, especially if you are raveling south to north (or visa versa). But there is very, very little up here tourist resource wise. Going north past Papuan at the summit of the mountains, you eventually lead onto Seririt which is covered in the Lovina / Pemuteran Guide

Munduk is just over the northern side of these mountains, and is known as the clove and coffee center of Bali. With superb mountain walks, free from the often oppressive heat of Bali's coastal areas. Munduk is a very picturesque place indeed. Be warned though, the road that runs through this area is very narrow and especially steep in places. This means, if you are using a rental car, you need one in tip top condition, especially engine power, strong brakes and good tyre / tire tread. This is even more so during the wet season. Munduk makes a lovely break from the beach, with mists rolling off the hills and spectacular views to the Java Sea on clear days.

About half way between Singaraja and Tulamben on the north coast is the small village of Sambirenteng, just a few kilometers from Les and Bali's tallest waterfall. This once prosperous orange growing area now is very sleepy and has no oranges (a blight killed them all many years ago). Fishing and farming are now the main industries. Although the area is particularly remote, the road along the north coast is very well made and particularly scenic with many palm trees. The sea water here is exceptionally clean / clear, with a living coral reef right off the beach. A number of hotels, bungalows and villas have appeared in recent years, and Sambirenteng makes a worthwhile base for divers who wish to visit Tulamben, 45 minutes away. But want a little less commercialism / tranquility, as this area is lush and free from beach hawkers.

This is the home of the water palace rajah, who built two palaces surrounded by water. Tirtagangga is by far the better kept area of the two. Not far our of Amed, past some of the best picture postcard rice terrace views on the island. Tirtagangga is a very surreal, beautiful place. Many of the pools in the former palace grounds are still operating, and used extensively by locals, especially the children. Located fairly centrally for this area, Tirtagannga makes a great base for people who want to day trip to Amlapura, Amed, Sideman and Candi Dasa.

Poor Candi Dasa, it has become the beach joke of Bali (there is none). Not far east along the coast from Candi Dasa is a petroleum sea terminal. So, of course they needed a lot of concrete to build it. So they destroyed and used the coral reef off Candi Dasa. Once the reef went, so did the beach protection. And the once fine beach at Candi Dasa was literally washed away. Unfortunately and also, the main and busy road goes right through the town and very close to the sea. These two things combined has gone to make this area very grey and very sorry looking.

One of the most beautiful areas of Bali, and home to some of the best Songket fabric production. Sideman sits in a lush river valley, with cool breezes and phenomenal views. There are a small number of accommodations here (including the Sideman Homestay, worth visiting as they also produce exceptionally fine Songket around the back of the premises). Sideman is also fairly close to Pura Besakih, the mother temple of Bali (the most important temple). As Besakih becomes a "zoo" after 9:00am (with hoards of fellow visitors and aggressive hawkers). A 7:00am start is not too early and will allow you to enjoy the magnificence of Besakih before the hoards arrive.

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