Indonesia

An island within an archipelago

Indonesia spans thousands of islands, and for most travellers the natural starting point is Bali, a relatively small island with an outsized range of landscapes packed into it. Bali mixes rice terraces and temple ceremonies inland with surf breaks and beach clubs along its coastline.

Inland calm, coastal energy

Ubud, in the island's interior, has become known for its wellness retreats, yoga studios and art scene, set among terraced rice paddies; our Bali Wellness itinerary is centred here before moving to the coast. The southern beaches around Seminyak, Canggu and Uluwatu offer a livelier pace, with surf breaks, beach clubs and clifftop temples such as Uluwatu's, perched dramatically above the ocean. Balinese Hindu culture, distinct from the rest of Indonesia's Muslim-majority population, shapes daily life on the island through temple ceremonies, offerings placed outside homes and shops, and a calendar of festivals worth building a trip around if timing allows. Beyond Bali, neighbouring islands such as Lombok and the Gili Islands are reachable by boat for travellers wanting quieter beaches with fewer crowds.

Weather and timing

Bali's dry season runs roughly from April to October, with May through September generally the most reliable stretch of sunshine and lower humidity. The wet season, from November to March, brings heavier and more frequent rain, though showers are often short and the island remains warm year-round given its position near the equator. Travellers with more time sometimes extend a Bali trip with a few days in Lombok or the Gili Islands for a quieter, less developed stretch of coastline nearby.