Bali Butterfly Park
Taman Kupu Kupu, Jl. Batukaru, Sandan Wanasari, Tabanan Regency, 7 km from Tabanan on the way to Panebel, you will find the largest Butterfly Park in Asia. A wonderful place to relax with the whole family, you can see the famous Bird Wing Butterflies, various kinds of endemic species from all over Indonesia. You can also
learn about the effort to conserve them and before leaving call in to the very special souvenir shop. Recently opened, Indonesia's only butterfly park is helping to study, breed and preserve many species of butterflies.
Bali Botanical Gardens
A ride to to Bedugal can take a pleasant side track in Candi Kuning. The Bali Botanical Gardens are located to the west of the main road, and are accessed by turning left at the corn knob statue, and heading down a small side road, just south of the market area. The Bali Botanical Gardens, also known as Kebun Raya Eka
Karya Bali, and covers 154 hectares. The gardens, or more accurately, forest, contain 1,753 plant species.
Arriving at the park entrance, you will find parking for cars and motorbikes, with a nominal parking fee. Entry to the park is permitted for cars but not motorbikes. On weekends the park gets busy with Balinese locals, but during the week, makes a relaxing place for a picnic or just to stretch out. The Bali Botanical
Gardens is owned by the Forestry Deparrment and is run by the Institute of Sciences. On the site of the park are 3 temples, Pura Teratai Bang, Pura Giri Putri and Pura Batumeringgit. There is also a library and herbarium for studying the plants of the area.
A guide booklet is sold at the entrance to the park for $3. It contains details of 6 guided walks you can take. There is guide information about the 100 bird species here and walking around with a Balinese guide, you will learn about the plants used in traditional Balinese rituals and ceremonies. Bali Botanical
Gardens is open daily from 8am-4pm
Bali Reptile Park
Bali Reptile & Crocodile Park is located in Werdhi Bhuana, near Mengwi. Step out of time into the fantastic world that awaits you at the Bali Reptile Park. Enter the dawn of time when Dinosaurs ruled the earth, Komodo Dragons stalked their prey and Crocodiles emerged from the swamps. The Bali Reptile Park can't give you
Dinosaurs, but they do have the Komodo Dragons and Crocodiles, all part of Asia's most comprehensive collection of reptiles. The park houses not only four of the famous Komodo Dragons but also a large collection of crocodiles, lizards and snakes within large tropical gardens. "Feeding Time", a snake and magic show and even
crocodile wrestling go to make this an unforgettable experience in Bali.
Bali Sangeh Monkey Forest
Near the village of Sangeh, this forest, of approximately 6 hectares, is filled with giant nutmeg trees that can grow up to 40m high. The main attraction here are the hordes of Balinese monkeys that inhabit both the trees and the temple, Pura Bukit Sari, located in the heart of the forest. Visitors should be aware that
these monkeys are attracted to shiny objects, so cameras and jewelry should be left behind or well hidden under clothes or in a bag before setting off to explore Sangeh.
Ubud Monkey Forest
This forest is smaller than the one at Sangeh but the monkeys are just as wild. One of the greener places in the city of Ubud and located at the south of Monkey Forest Road, this small beautiful forest is inhabited by a band of irascible grey monkeys. There is no statistic available on the number of monkeys in this forest.
A path beside a great banyan tree leads down to the bathing place inside a remnant of the dipterocarp forest that once covered all of Bali. We suggest that, especially for those who may be a little bit paranoid with this kind of animal, that you should have a guide to accompany you when entering the forest. The monkeys are
rather sensitive to any fear and often will take advantage of it as a game to be enjoyed. Blahmantung Waterfall
Near Pupuan in West Bali and dropping over 100m, this waterfall is spectacular, especially during the rainy season. Be prepared for a bit of a trek up a steep, and a times rough, track to get there.
Gitgit Waterfall
10km south of Singaraja and not far from the main road, Gitgit is an impressive 40m waterfall that gushes into a deep pool. A swim here can be very refreshing although local legend has it that couples bathing here together will eventually separate.
Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
Bali, as an island, is surrounded by sea. All year-long, sunshine gives you a chance to enjoy many offshore attractions.
Diving and snorkeling are among major attractions in Bali. Divers can view various marine creatures, such as colorful tropical fish and coral reefs. The best time for diving here is in the dry season that lasts from April to October, when warmer temperatures invite more fish and the objects can be clearly viewed.
Bali offers a lot of sites for beginners and professional divers, with some of them adjacent to the shore with abundant colorful hard and soft corals. Once you start diving, a wide variety of marine life, such as dolphins, rays, turtle, sea snakes and moray eels will greet you.
The locations for diving and snorkeling in Bali spread out along Bali's sea. The popular sites are located on the southern part: Sanur and Nusa Island (Lembongan and Nusa Penida); in the western part are Labuan Lalang, Menjangan Island, an uninhabited island with some of the best diving in Bali; in the north of the island
is Lovina that will undoubtedly satisfy your diving needs. On the east coast are Amed where virgin nature can be enjoyed, Tulamben, Candidasa and Padangbai also. Read more....
Surfing
Surfing can be done everyday in Bali. Bali's magnificent surfing was introduced by Australian surfers at the end of 60's, and since then, Bali has become a paradise for surfers. Not just because of various choices for beaches and breaks, but surfing in Bali can be done everyday! Perfect wave to ride on are always available
somewhere on this island. Kuta and Ulawatu are recognized for their magnificent surfing waves.
Out-standing reef breaks are found in Kuta and Sanur. Sanur reef is a real pleasure because, here you will find a tube-forming wave that will carry you back to the seashore and in this way, it is unnecessary for you to paddle like a madman. Other popular surf breaks are Padang Padang, Dreamland, Bingin, Bilangun,
Nusa Dua, Green Balls and Keramas. Read more..... Bullock Races - Negara
A good distance from Tabanan stands Negara, the capital of Jembrana regency, a rugged strip of land partitioning the southwest coast of Bali. From Gilimanuk, the harbor at the western most tip of the island, ferries ply the narrow strait to East Java, the route by which most of Bali's import needs, and such exports as
copra and coffee, are transported.
The most exciting event in Negara is the bull races, a secular entertainment that began less than a century ago. Possibly it developed from the custom of carrying home the harvested rice by bullock cart, or it may have been introduced from Java or Madura where the sport is strong. Bulls are carefully selected for strength
and color, looked after and pampered, and never used for plowing the fields.
Dressed up in silk banners with painted horns and enormous wooden bells (now usually replaced with metal bells), they parade before the crowd of spectators. The course is a 2-kilometer stretch of road, and the teams are judged for speed and style. It is remarkable to see such ordinarily docile creatures thunder down to the
finishing line at speeds up to 50 kilometers an hour.
The agile charioteers often drive standing up and twist the bulls' tails to give them spunk. For the fans, this regional sport of Jembrana is a great opportunity for gambling. A family that owns a winning bull gains much prestige, and the price will double. A little magic is believed to help. If you are fortunate enough to
be in Bali during the bull racing season, usually between July and October, do not miss seeing them. Negara in in the North-West of Bali and the road from Denpasar to Negara continues around the island to Singaraja, through lonely regions of the northwest. The journey takes a full day, on the seldom-used roads. From
Negara, your may continue through to Gilimanuk and then travel by ferry to East Java, where more breathtaking scenery awaits you. About Ubud
: About Kuta
: About Legian : About Tuban : About Sanur :
About Seminyak : About Nusa Dua & Tanjung Benoa : About Jimbaran :
About East Bali
: About West Bali :
About Indonesia : Travel Routes North - South Bali : |
