Outdoors · Bali · Indonesia
7 best outdoor things to do in Bali
Parks, viewpoints and open-air sights for the dry, bright days.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Bair175, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Mount Batur sunrise trek. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 16–22 hours across 5 areas; 1 is free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 1
- Time to see them all
- 16–22 hours
- Areas
- Ubud, Kintamani and Tabanan
Outdoors in Bali
Nature · Ubud
1.Tegallalang Rice Terraces
Go at 7–8am for soft light and few people; the terraces are greenest a few weeks before harvest.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Nature
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Nature · Ubud
2.Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary
Bring no food or loose items, avoid eye contact with the monkeys and keep children close; seek medical advice after any bite or scratch.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Nature
- Iconic
- Photo spot
Nature · Kintamani
3.Mount Batur sunrise trek
Wear proper shoes and bring a warm layer; it is cold at the top before sunrise.
- Time needed
- 6–8 hours including transfers
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Views
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
Nature · Tabanan
4.Jatiluwih rice terraces
Combine it with Ulun Danu Beratan in the highlands; it is larger and calmer than Tegallalang.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- Off the beaten path
- Active
Nature · Ubud
5.Campuhan Ridge Walk
Walk it at sunrise or late afternoon; there is little shade at midday.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Couples
- Active
Nature · Gianyar
6.Tegenungan Waterfall
Check conditions before swimming; the current is strong after heavy rain in the wet season.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Outdoors
Experience · Tulamben
7.USAT Liberty wreck, Tulamben
Dive at dawn before the day-trip groups arrive from the south.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Active
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Ubud | Tegallalang Rice Terraces, Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary and Campuhan Ridge Walk | 1–2 hours + 1–1.5 hours + 1.5–2 hours |
| Kintamani | Mount Batur sunrise trek | 6–8 hours including transfers |
| Tabanan | Jatiluwih rice terraces | 2–3 hours |
| Gianyar | Tegenungan Waterfall | 1–1.5 hours |
| Tulamben | USAT Liberty wreck, Tulamben | Half a day |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 1 free, 4 low cost, 2 mid-priced. Book ahead for Mount Batur sunrise trek. The longest visit is Mount Batur sunrise trek; group the rest by area to save travel time.
- Mount Batur sunrise trek: Book through a reputable operator that includes the local guide association fee.
How to fit them into 4 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Ubud): Tegallalang Rice Terraces → Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary → Campuhan Ridge Walk, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Kintamani): Mount Batur sunrise trek, at least 6 hours.
- Half-day 3 (Tabanan and Gianyar): Jatiluwih rice terraces → Tegenungan Waterfall, at least 3 hours.
- Half-day 4 (Tulamben): USAT Liberty wreck, Tulamben, at least 3 hours.
The best months to be outside
- August: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 3 rainy days, very busy crowds. The driest month and the busiest; book accommodation and drivers well ahead.
- July: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 4 rainy days, very busy crowds. Peak season with dry, breezy days, European and Australian school holidays and the highest villa prices.
- September: highs of 31°C (88°F), about 4 rainy days, busy crowds. Still dry and sunny with crowds thinning after the summer holidays — an excellent month.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Ubud — Hill town of dance, crafts, yoga and rice terraces
More of Bali
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Bali?
Tegallalang Rice Terraces. About 20 minutes north of Ubud, Tegallalang's terraces step down a palm-fringed valley.
+Which of these are free in Bali?
Campuhan Ridge Walk.