The Island of Gods has never gotten off the throne of the top travel destination, staying strong with millions of tourists annually. It never runs out of adventures that will satisfy every wanderlust who visits. From the roaring waves on the coast of Uluwatu to the verdant carpets of paddies in Ubud, Bali calls for a wholesome voyage. Then, do you need an alternative to flee from Kuta or Canggu’s massive crowds? We have a list of unusual things to do in Bali, compiled by our travel writer who has chosen Bali as her favorite destination in the country.
1. Get in Touch with the Locals at Penglipuran Village
Bali is proud of the traditional culture it has nurtured for centuries. The culture stays alive and vibrant despite the thriving modern lifestyle the island has adopted. Then, Penglipuran Village in the highlands of Eastern Bali showcases the culture beautifully. It is a peaceful village with traditional Balinese houses and three stunning temples. Moreover, Penglipuran Village was awarded as one of the cleanest villages in the world.
I stopped by Penglipuran Village during my second trip to Bali. The village offers a heartwarming atmosphere and a beautiful setting. Warm smiles can be seen on the locals’ faces. Furthermore, my guide from Bali told me about the traditional customs Penglipuran villages live by. They focus on nurturing Mother Nature and build loyal relationships with each other.
2. Visit Agung Rai Museum of Arts
While you do not need to visit a museum to marvel at Balinese visual arts, the Agung Rai Museum of Arts (ARMA) offers a deeper understanding of the pieces. It sits in the artsy Ubud, staying as a hidden gem. ARMA features a collection of contemporary and traditional paintings mostly from Bali and other regions in Indonesia. Aside from paintings, the museum is home to traditional dance performances like legong dance. Additionally, you can sign up for workshops like wood carvings, batik, and cooking.
3. Craft Personalized Jewelry in Balinese Silversmith
Ubud is not only about rice fields and yoga but also craftsmanship. It is home to skillful silversmiths, crafting products from necklaces to life-sized sculptures. A lot of silversmiths in Ubud provide jewelry-making workshops for tourists. You can get a personalized carving on your bracelet or necklace with your initials in these workshops. Some of them work independently, while others build an established business. Then, we recommend visiting the Celuk Village, a community of silversmiths who had served the royal family of Bali.
4. Walk Through a Local Coffee Journey
The tropical climate and fertile soil of Bali make it ideal for coffee plantations. Bali produces specialty Arabica coffee, as well as the unique civet coffee (kopi luwak). Walking through the coffee journey is one of the unusual things to do in Bali. Different cafes and plantations in Bali, especially the Ubud and Kintamani areas, offer guided plantation tours. You can see the farm-to-table process of coffee production and sample different varieties of coffee. Moreover, you can learn about the production of kopi luwak, which is produced by a civet’s digestion system.
Where to go:
- Bali Pulina Plantation
- Cretya Ubud
5. Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in a Chocolate Factory
Besides coffee, Bali produces high-quality cocoa beans. Therefore, local chocolate factories can be found in some areas of the island. One of the famous ones – and the one I have visited – is JungleGold Bali, sitting in the west of Ubud. It features a chocolate shop and a small factory that provides a chocolate-making tour. You can sign up for the factory tour and learn how chocolate is made. Interestingly, after ending the tour, you get to sample different kinds of chocolates the company crafted. It is one of the unusual things to do in Bali that should be on your bucket list.
6. Do a Traditional Cleansing Ritual
Bali is known as a wellness destination, offering a wide range of healing ceremonies and rituals. Travelers from around the world sign up for palm readings, energy healing, and purification rituals. One of the most popular rituals is melukat or water purification. The ceremony is believed to purify your mind and soul by bathing in a blessed body of water. Get a taste of Balinese traditional healing by signing up for a melukat ceremony, which you can find in Tirta Empul Temple or Griya Beji Temple.
7. Greet the Dead in Trunyan Village
Visiting Trunyan Village allows you to see a unique custom that will send chills down your spine. Located on the slopes of Mount Abang, Trunyan Village is a centuries-old village famous for its cemeteries. Rather than burying the bodies, locals in Trunyan create open-air cages for their deceased loved ones. The cemeteries are surrounded by a dense jungle where flowers and aromatic plants grow. The thick fragrance is believed to cover the aroma of decomposition, which is seen as good luck for the soul’s departure from the physical world. Therefore, it is one of the unusual things to do in Bali.