For an unforgettable vacation in Bali, make sure to incorporate these unique Bali experiences into your itinerary.

Whether you’re craving nature, culture, or relaxation, below you’ll discover plenty of extraordinary options.

Nature Experiences

1. Snorkel with the Manta Rays

You can experience snorkeling with Manta Rays at Manta Bay, reachable from Nusa Penida or Nusa Lembongan, just a short boat ride away from Bali. You have the option to join a boat tour or hire a private boat guide to take you to Manta Bay and other locations where these majestic creatures are often spotted.

Note: Sightings are not guaranteed, although tour guides do their utmost to locate them for you.

Witnessing these sea creatures up close as they gracefully swim and twirl in the ocean is a truly amazing experience. Sometimes they swim close to the surface, making it possible to see them from the boat. The cost of snorkelling with Manta Rays is surprisingly affordable, making it a must-do activity on your Bali itinerary.

2. Feed Meerkats

For an unforgettable experience with cute and curious creatures, head to the Meerkat Exhibit at Bali Safari & Marine Park. Here, you can feed the meerkats and get up close and personal with these animals. The meerkat keeper will guide you inside the exhibit where you can sit, touch and interact with the meerkats. To make it even more exciting, you may even get to touch a baby meerkat – an experience that is simply adorable!

The keeper will give you a wooden cylinder filled with worms and crickets. As you sit inside the exhibit, the meerkats will excitedly scratch at the cylinder, causing the insects to fall out of the holes.

Book your Bali Safari & Marine Park tickets through Klook for a better price.

3. Swing over the Rice Terraces

Bali is famous for its many picturesque swings, and they can be found all over the island. For a truly unique Bali experience, head to Alas Harum in Ubud and swing over the breathtaking rice terraces.

Alas Harum offers several swings at varying heights, ranging from 15 to 25 meters. For the ultimate thrill and stunning views, try the Super Extreme Swing, which is the highest swing at Alas Harum.

4. Elephant Mud Fun

Embark on an Elephant Mud Fun adventure at Bali Zoo, where you can engage in ethical, half-day encounters with endangered Sumatran Elephants, getting up close and personal with these majestic creatures. Skilled Mahout handlers provide insight into the elephant’s behaviours, daily diet, and care requirements. Did you know that elephants don’t have sweat glands and rely on mud to protect themselves from the sun’s heat?

The adventure begins with a welcome tea or coffee and a snack, followed by a trip to the change rooms where you can change into your swimwear and secure your belongings. Prepare meals for the elephants by chopping up fruits and vegetables, and then feed them before heading to the mud pool.

The Mahout handler will invite you to join in the fun by covering the elephant in mud, while a professional photographer captures the moment. Once the elephant is fully covered in mud, the Mahout handler will guide you in scrubbing the mud off the elephant using a brush under a massive rain shower. After that, you can enter a pool of water to wash the elephant and take more photos.

After the mud fun experience, you can freshen up with a shower in the changing rooms before heading to the restaurant for a delicious lunch, which is included in the package.

Note: You won’t be able to bring your phone or camera during the mud fun experience, but the Mahout trainer will store it in a sealed container for you. Although a zoo photographer will take photos of you throughout the experience, it can be costly to purchase them. The most affordable package includes a USB with all the photos, which costs 1,500,000 IDR. However, you can still take photos with the elephants at the beginning and end of the experience using your own phone.

Cultural Experiences

Bali is not just about its lush rice terraces, towering waterfalls and tropical beaches—it’s also rich in culture and history. 

From the famous temples to their traditional dances, there are many things that you should try when visiting Bali.

5. Take a Balinese Cooking Class

Most Balinese cooking classes start by taking guests to a traditional market where you learn about Balinese spices, herbs, and traditional foods. Then you will be taken to a rice field where you learn the rice harvesting process. 

The best cooking classes are held at a traditional Balinese compound where you learn more about how the locals live. You will learn to make delicious Balinese dishes and also how they create Balinese traditional medicine from herbs and spices. 

For the ultimate Balinese cooking experience, book a class with Ubad Ubud.

6. Participate in a Holy Purification Ritual 

Hinduism is the most dominant religion in Bali and the holy purification ritual has an important significance in Balinese Hindu culture.  

Water temples are where the locals come to purify themselves by means of ritual bathing. The water in the holy springs is believed to have magical powers and any who bathe in it will be purified.  

The holy springs have several water spouts. At the holy springs, everyone lines up and waits their turn. At the water spout, a prayer is made, the face is washed three times and the head is submerged in the holy spring water three times also. The ritual starts on the first water spout on the left side. This process is continued under each water spout.  

There are many water temples in Bali but Tirta Empul Temple in Ubud is the most popular and busiest one amongst tourists. 

Tourists are welcome to participate in the water cleansing ritual. Modest clothing is required to enter the temple (knees and shoulder should be covered). If you do not have suitable clothes, you can rent sarongs for a small donation. 

Traditional green robes can be hired for the ritual. There are change rooms and lockers where it’s safe to leave your belongings.  

Participating in the holy purification ritual is the most cultural experience you can have in Bali! 

7. Watch the Kecak Dance Performance

Traditional dancing is not only an expression of art but it’s a Hindu act to connect with gods.  

Kecak Dance Performance is set in the most incredible location, on top of a cliff with a view of the ocean. The sun sets right behind the performance creating an epic backdrop! 

The dance performance is held every day around sunset between 6 – 7 pm at Uluwatu Temple. It’s best to book your tickets on Klook in advance, especially in the busier months.   

What can you expect from the Kecak Dance Performance? A musical drama, famous Balinese story, traditional dance, fire, beautiful costumes and lots of chanting!  

8. Visit Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park

The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue is 122 meters tall and is the third largest statue in the world. The statue is of the Hindu god Wisnu sitting on the Garuda a mythical bird creature. 

At GWK Park you will learn about Balinese heritage, arts and legendary tales. Apart from the GWK statue, there are other statues, restaurants, gift shops, and art exhibitions. 

Book tickets on Klook in advance! It’s slightly cheaper on this website than purchasing at the venue. The admission fee does not include entering the GWK statute; this is an additional cost.  

9. Find Candi Gunung Kawi – Bali’s Hidden Gem 

Located deep in the forest is a collection of ancient shrines surrounded by water fountains. 

Aside from Candi Gunung Kawi being an important sacred place for the locals, it’s one of the most unique archaeological sites. There are ten 7-meter funeral shrines carved into the cliff face and It’s one of the oldest ancient landmarks in Bali! 

These funeral monuments are thought to be dedicated to King Anak Wings of the Udayana dynasty and his favourite queens. 

Modest clothing is required to enter the sacred grounds. Sarongs are available for rental at the ticket purchase booth before descending down the stairs through the river valley. 

For more hidden gems in Bali check out my blog post: 12 Hidden Gems in Bali

Relaxing Experiences

10. Soak in Natural Hot Springs

Angseri Natural Hot Springs is a hidden gem among Bali’s natural hot springs, where you can soak in peaceful tranquillity. Unlike other popular hot springs, it was once exclusive to the locals but has recently opened up to tourists.

The hot springs offer 10 different pools to choose from, including a large public pool and 9 private natural springs. To ensure you get a private pool, you must make a reservation ahead of time.

With lush gardens, a small waterfall, and a pond, the hot springs provide a serene environment for relaxation.

11. Indulge in a Luxury Spa Treatment & Flower Bath

One of the best things about Bali is the availability of spa treatments at a fraction of the cost compared to other destinations!

The Spa at Maya Ubud is a slice of paradise, and its location is what sets it apart. Nestled amidst the lush jungles of Ubud, the spa overlooks the River Petanu.

There’s nothing quite like indulging in a massage in an open-air hut, surrounded by the symphony of nature and feeling the gentle breeze on your skin.

The Spa at Maya Ubud boasts a stunning flower bath, complete with a variety of fragrant frangipanis and breathtaking views of the surrounding rainforest valley and river below.

Book your spa treatment in advance here.

For affordable spa options in Bali see my blog post: Top 5 Spas in Bali

12. Floating Breakfast

There’s no shortage of hotels and villas in Bali that offer the popular floating breakfast experience. Imagine starting your day with breakfast served on a tray that floats right beside you in the pool!

This trendy and unique experience has become a popular feature on Instagram, and Eco Six is the perfect spot to try it out. Their rooftop pool provides breathtaking views of Mount Agung on a clear day, making it an unforgettable location for your floating breakfast. You can read more about Eco Six in my blog post: 5 Unique Places to Stay in Ubud.

The above unique experiences in Bali will undoubtedly leave you with cherished memories and a deeper appreciation for the beauty and diversity of this enchanting island. From snorkeling with Manta Rays to indulging in Elephant Mud Fun, Balinese cooking classes, and beyond, each encounter offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of Bali’s culture, nature, and adventure.

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