Leisure in Bali

Things to do alone in Bali

Bali is quite supportive of those who travel or live alone. The whole atmosphere is laid-back, and people are generally used to seeing solo travelers, both male and female. There is a certain freedom that you can feel in Bali. This island provides its inhabitants with the liberty to be who they really are. Indeed, Bali is renowned as a spiritual place for soul-searching.

If being in solitude is your idea of relaxation, Bali has plenty of scenic beaches where you can do so. Beach lounging is the favorite activity in Bali for a very obvious reason. There are a myriad of beaches in Bali to suit every need. For a quiet walk or a comfortable reading session by the beach, you can opt for Sanur Beach or Jimbaran Beach, both located close to the main road for easy access. For joggers, Nusa Dua beach offers a paved track for some serious running. Families or groups of friends who want to have a private picnic by the beach can opt to go to a more secluded beach like Geger Beach in Nusa Dua.

For a solo expat, there are also plenty of opportunities to join a variety of interest groups and make friends along the way. It is also a good way to explore different interests or develop expertise in the area that you are interested in. Be it culture, tech, social, or environmental groups, there are different kinds of groups to cater to every interest in Bali.

The best way to find out about these kinds of activities is by joining a creative hub or coworking space. Places like Kembali innovation hub on Sunset Road, Legian, or Genesis Creative Center in Canggu operate beyond common coworking spaces to creative hubs where different communities gather together. These communities often hold workshops or seminars on certain topics. Whether your interest is to learn coding for beginners or to get your hands busy with a candle-making class, you could find classes on this. Often, the classes are free or donation-based.

If you are still unsure of where to start, it is also worth joining groups of common interests on social media like Facebook. As a melting pot, Bali attracts people from all over the world. Informal classes are frequently organized by community groups, ranging from a free impromptu yoga class to a trip to climb Mount Batur, explore the waterfalls, or visit temples together. Some tourists passing by Bali would also often seek travel mates to visit certain tourist destinations. This is an excellent way to cut costs and get a travel buddy to explore other parts of Bali that you have never seen.

As a start, you can try joining FB groups for the local community where you live, such as Canggu Community, Sanur Community, Jimbaran Community, and Uluwatu Community. These community groups share a lot of useful information, from activities and things to do in your area to deals and promotions, and buying and selling ads for various items, including second-hand furniture and motorbikes, to help you start your life in Bali.

Things to do in Bali with your family

Expats coming with families would have no shortage of activities to do in Bali. The Balinese are very family-oriented and have a strong fondness for kids. When dining out with your family, a kind Balinese waitress often offers to hold your kids so you can fully enjoy your meal. There are also plenty of activities for kids. Bali Zoo in Gianyar is one of the crowds' favourites. For more educational activities, Pondok Pekak Library and Learning Center in Ubud offers artistic activities for kids to try. In this center, kids can learn to paint, try their hands at Balinese Dance, play Gamelan (traditional Balinese instrument), learn wood carving, fruit carving, Balinese offering making, and making silver jewelry.

Things to do in Bali with your partner

As for the lovebirds, the list of activities is endless. Adventurists can choose from countless options, from mountain climbing (the most favorite mountains to climb are Batur, Agung and Abang) or doing rafting in the gushing stream of Ayung River. For both activities, there are plenty of tour operators offering attractive packages, so you don't have to worry about safety and practicality.

Another way for couples to explore while making friends is by joining a sports club like Bali Hash House Harriers. Primarily a running club, Bali Hash House Harriers meet monthly at a pre-determined location in the Bali countryside for cross-country exploration through the villages, terraces, and jungle ravines of beautiful Bali. It provides a great way to stay fit while also exploring the different areas of Bali that you have never been to.

For more laid-back options, couples can also join a cooking class together. If you love Balinese food and would like to make it yourself at home with your partner, Bali Asli is a place to learn the craft of traditional Balinese cooking. Located in the northeast village of Gelumpang, about 30 minutes from Amed, Bali Asli provides a culinary experience of “A day in the life of a Balinese lady” that encompasses going to the market in the early morning, flower offerings and preparation, and a cooking session.

If doing all these activities sounds so exhaustive and defies the meaning of living a relaxing life in Bali, you can always opt to make a road trip in Bali. This is the best way to explore hidden areas in Bali. Grab a scooter or car and drive along the road, basking your mind, body and soul in the scenic view of Bali countryside and the innocent charms of its people.

Things to do on weekdays

Beaches, clubs and eating out in Bali

Depending on your preferences, there are plenty of places to do so to match different budgets. If you wish for a laid-back, toes-in-the-sand place for a sunset session, consider going to Double Six beach at the heart of Seminyak. On one side of the beach is the famous street food – Bakso Gerobak Biru (Meatballs sold in Blue Cart). This Bakso has a cult following, with people coming all the way to the beach just to have the meal. Several makeshift tables and chairs are being set up in front of the cart, where people can order Bakso (self-service, no waitperson) and enjoy it in the open air, seated and facing the stunning Bali sunset. Double Six is also a dog-friendly beach, so you can bring your dogs along to this sunset session.

For more upscale options, you can go further south along the Seminyak beach strip to find different kinds of beach clubs. Instafamous for its colorful beanbags and umbrella, La Plancha offers a variety of cocktails and nibbles to accompany your sunset time. For a more posh option, Sundara by Four Seasons in Jimbaran Bay provides a more luxurious setting and excellent cocktails overlooking the scenic view of the fisherman village of Jimbaran. Bonus point: you can continue your leisurely activities with a seafood dinner at Jimbaran Bay, as Sundara is located next door to the famous eatery.

Movies in Bali

Another favorite pastime on office days is watching a movie at the cinema. Bali is home to many cinemas that are scattered all around its shopping malls. There are two kinds of cinemas in Bali, which are XXI and Cinemaxx. Ticket prices are relatively low for both, ranging from USD 3 to USD 5, with Cinemaxx's tickets slightly higher. Ticket prices are also lower during the weekdays, which is why many people like to watch movies during workdays. Another good thing about watching a movie in Bali is that Blockbuster movies often have an earlier premiere in Asia than in Western countries.

As most of the cinemas are located in a mall, movie time often turns into a friends/company gathering on its own. Typical of Indonesia, the shopping mall goes beyond a commercial complex; it is more of a fully integrated entertainment complex. You can practically find everything to entertain people of all ages in Bali's shopping malls. A simple outing to the cinema could stretch into a full night, from dinner to a shopping session, then to movie time, and later to clubbing. Unlike in most Western countries, the mall opens until late to 10 pm. There is also an option for a midnight movie that starts at 11 pm. Beachwalk Shopping Mall, which is located right in front of Pantai Kuta, is the latest and most sophisticated shopping mall in Bali. It hosts many international brands from MANGO, Victoria's Secret, Lego, and Fossil, as well as a variety of restaurants and cinema complexes.

Nightlife in Bali

Bali's nightlife is alive every day and not reserved for weekends only. After all, tourists come to Bali regardless of the day. This is good news for those who like to go out and enjoy the nightlife during weekdays. Most of the clubs open seven days a week. People in Bali often forget what day it is, the weekend, as there is always an event happening somewhere. Motel Mexicola, La Favela, Mirrors & Jenja are great places to party in Seminyak. It is always worth checking each social media platform for the event schedule. People usually also do club-hopping, as all these places are located close to each other. If you want a guaranteed crowd, Sky Garden in Kuta is the most famous party place that never sleeps. This place will guarantee a wild night, which may not be for everybody.

Fitness centers in Bali

Many of the long-term expats in Bali are pretty health-conscious. So it is no surprise that going to the gym is on the list of weekday activities. Gyms in Bali are open until late (some until 11 pm). And as many working expats finish work at 5 pm, gyms start to get busy during this time. There are also plenty of sports classes that start after working hours to accommodate people's working schedules. Many classes begin at 6 pm, so expats could still maintain their vitality while working in Bali.