Bali is one of more than 17 000 islands in the Indonesian archipelago. But most international visitors choose this island as the top tourist attraction in Indonesia. And there is a reason why. Bali offers much more than just another beach holiday.
Nature
![Rice terraces in a morning light, Tegallalang, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Rice terraces in a morning light, Tegallalang, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1555-HDR-1024x682.jpg)
Bali is a tropical island with volcanic nature that lies just 8 degrees south of the equator. Warm temperature all year round and fertile soils contribute high biodiversity and lush picturesque landscape framed with volcano peaks.
![A rice field in Ubud with a volcano peak in the distance, Bali, Indonesia A rice field in Ubud with a volcano peak in the distance, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0788-2-HDR-1024x682.jpg)
![Pura Tanah Lot temple washed by the Ocean waves, Bali, Indonesia Pura Tanah Lot temple washed by the Ocean waves, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_4506-HDR-1024x682.jpg)
Scenic beaches, rocky cliffs, verdant rice paddies, stunning waterfalls, mountain lakes, and infinite ocean create the attractive scenery of Bali.
![Lush jungles at the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Lush jungles at the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1415-ed-682x1024.jpg)
![The Dragon Bridge at the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia The Dragon Bridge at the Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1289-HDR-682x1024.jpg)
![A Balinese long-tailed monkey at a temple, Ubud A Balinese long-tailed monkey at a temple, Ubud](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1238-1024x682.jpg)
Ocean
![The Pura Batu Bolong temple on the beautiful rock, Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia The Pura Batu Bolong temple on the beautiful rock, Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_4553-1024x682.jpg)
As a part of the Coral Triangle, the area with the highest biodiversity of marine species, Bali offers excellent diving and snorkeling opportunities. On the shore, ocean creates some of the world best surf spots for professionals and newbies alike.
![Novice surfers are going to catch the wave at the Kuta beach, Bali, Indonesia Novice surfers are going to catch the wave at the Kuta beach, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_2666-ed-1024x682.jpg)
![The idyllic beach at the Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia The idyllic beach at the Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_9456-1024x682.jpg)
![Sunset at the golden-sanded Jimbaran beach, Bali, Indonesia Sunset at the golden-sanded Jimbaran beach, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_8406-1024x682.jpg)
Arts and crafts
![Rangda the demon queen statue in the Ubud Palace, Bali, Indonesia Rangda the demon queen statue in the Ubud Palace, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0077-2-HDR-1024x682.jpg)
Bali is renowned for its diverse arts scene. Sophisticated painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handcrafts, music, performing arts show the natural artistic talent of Balinese people. Religious and ritual origins of Balinese art have formed the distinctive style.
![Traditional Balinese percussive music instruments, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Traditional Balinese percussive music instruments, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia.](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0336-1024x682.jpg)
![Traditional Balinese percussive music instruments decorated with carvings, Ubud, Bali Traditional Balinese percussive music instruments decorated with carvings, Ubud, Bali](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0238-1024x682.jpg)
![The exceptional wood carving, Bali, Indonesia The exceptional wood carving, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_9174-682x1024.jpg)
![The religious sculpture, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia The religious sculpture, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_0019-682x1024.jpg)
Culture
![The Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, one of the holiest temples in Bali, Bedugul, Indonesia. Pura Ulun Danu Bratan, one of the holiest temples in Bali, Bedugul, Indonesia.](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_2678-HDR-1024x682.jpg)
Bali has the unique deeply spiritual culture. The majority of the population of Bali practice a distinct form of Hinduism incorporating local animism, ancestor worship, and reverence for Buddhist saints. Religious beliefs have a huge influence on the life of Balinese from daily offerings to big festivals and life events celebrations.
![Balinese people pray in the temple during religious ceremony, Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia Balinese people pray in the temple during religious ceremony, Tanah Lot, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_3847-1024x682.jpg)
![The religious procession during Balinese New Year (Nyepi) celebrations, Tanah Lot, Bali The religious procession during Balinese New Year (Nyepi) celebrations, Tanah Lot, Bali](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_4331-1024x705.jpg)
![The "Ogoh-Ogoh" statue being prepared for the parade during Balinese New Year celebrations, Kuta, Bali The "Ogoh-Ogoh" statue being prepared for the parade during Balinese New Year celebrations](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_4579-1024x682.jpg)
Both the culture and the arts make Bali much more than just a tropical resort.
![The Balinese woman carries ceremonial offerings on her head The Balinese woman carries ceremonial offerings on her head, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1786-682x1024.jpg)
![The statue of Ganesha, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia The statue of Ganesha, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20160302-IMG_9940-Edit-682x1024.jpg)
![The box with daily offerings or Canang sari, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia The Box with daily offerings or Canang sari, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_9999-698x1024.jpg)
People
![The Balinese field worker, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia The Balinese field worker, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_9002-2-1024x682.jpg)
Balinese people are friendly, hospitable and tolerant. You will meet with a smile anywhere you go. Most Balinese live in strong community relationships banded by the awareness of their culture.
![The Balinese woman with offerings at the temple, Ubud, Bali The Balinese woman with offerings at the temple, Ubud, Bali](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1660-682x1024.jpg)
![The young Balinese woman with a basket for offerings, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia The young Balinese woman with a basket for offerings, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20160302-IMG_0177-Edit-1-682x1024.jpg)
![Balinese women at the temple, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia Balinese women at the temple, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1750-682x1024.jpg)
![The senior Balinese woman in the field, Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/IMG_1034-682x1024.jpg)
How to get there: There is an international airport in Denpasar. It is the most convenient way to get in. There are also direct bus services to Bali from all major cities on Java and Lombok. A number of ferries operate between Bali and the neighboring islands.
![The Balinese family at the temple in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia The Balinese family at the temple in Ubud, Bali, Indonesia](http://travelust.me/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/20160302-IMG_2237-1024x682.jpg)
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