Bali Travel information -- West Bali Sights

Check our Bali Travel Information on the least visited region of Bali

For travelers who arrive by ferry from Java the first Balinese port of entry is Gilimanuk. Here you continue your journey to the beaches of Lovina in the north or to Denpasar and Kuta in the south.

The influence of Java is recognizable in the villages along the west coast with mosques and stalls with Javanese food. This area is the less populated area on Bali and most of its inhabitants are either fishermen or farmers.

 

The 134 km road from Gilimanuk to Denpasar is a busy one because Indonesians who travel in Bali take this route in the weekends and many trucks with products also use this road to find their way to the south.

If you are planning to have lunch on this route I would go to Tom's Garden Cafe at Balian beach. There is no Bali travel information on this area so when you arrive at Lalang Linggah village keep your eyes open for the 'Gajah Minah Beach resort' sign. Next to the sign you find a narrow road that takes you to the beach.

 

Characteristic scenes of West Bali

 

If you are traveling with an organized tour the driver will likely stop at Soka beach for lunch. Try to avoid this because this huge restaurant isn’t spectacular and bus loads of Indonesian tourists stop here as well.

Anyway it is worth driving along the route to the south where you'll also see coconut plantations, astonishing sea views and beautiful rice fields with the mountains in the background.

Bali travel information on this part of the island is often kept to a minimum, however we have seen a number of interesting sights that are worth visiting.

 

Pura Agung Pelaka temple:
This sixteenth century temple complex is located just west of Pemuturan. It's built along and within the mountain cliffs making it quite beautiful to see.

It isn't the most visited temple in Bali but if you happen to be in Pemuturan for the best snorkeling or scuba diving in Bali then it's nice to drop by to have a look.

Bali Travel Informatin for Taman Nasional Bali Barat (National Park):
This park consists of virgin forest on the slopes of the mountain, mangroves and coral reefs at the north-western coast.

It is considered the most important conservation area in Bali. 

You can do 1-2 hours or 7- hours hikes however you are not allowed to enter the park without a guide. To get more Bali travel information on hiking in the park go to the park’s headquarters in Cekik or Labuhanlalang from where you can visit one of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Bali, Menjangan island.

Balian beach village:
If you want to enjoy West Bali to the fullest than a great place to stay is at Balian. This charming beach village is mostly popular among surfers, but there is enough choice of accommodation for any type of traveller.

From Balian you can do great day trips along Antrosari and Jatiluwih ricefields. And if you lucky there might be even bull races.

Bunut Bolong Tree:
Bolong means 'hole' and when you see this magnificent Banyan tree you can immediately see why...

The tree is grown in a way that the Balinese have managed to build a road right through it.

It's more a local sight, but if you want to see it look for the signs along the main road between Medewi and Balian Beach at Pekutatan.

Bali Travel information on Buffalo races in Perancak and Negara:
At these places you have the opportunity to see the buffalo races along a 4km long race track.

It takes place after the rice harvest, which is every second and third Sunday in September and October. The race is always between two clubs and is organized by the local government.

The races start early in the morning at 6am before the buffalos get lazy from the heat of the sun. Only the best and most beautiful bulls are allowed to participate in the contest.

First there’s a parade for spectators where the bulls and their jockeys show their colorful decorations and outfits. After this the bull’s decorations are removed and the jockey brings his two bulls into position.

Every pair of bulls pulls a two-wheeled cart on which the jockey has to find his balance.

To gain speed he twists the buffalo’s tail and hits him with a small whip. The huge and often relaxed looking bulls can accelerate up to 80 km/hour during this race. They are judged by a panel on their beauty, style, color, power and of course speed.

Bali Travel information for Pura Gede Perancak:
Perancak is also home to the small white temple, Pura Gede Perancak located at a lagoon and made out of coral.

The temple is dedicated to the priest Nirartha, who fled Java after the fall of the Majapahit empire. He is responsible for introducing Hinduism rituals and events and makes Bali the religious mixture what it is today with their belief in Hindu gods and animistic spirits.

Bali Travel information for Rambut Siwi:
Traveling further to the south you find the most important temple of the area, Rambut Siwi near Yeh Embang village.

Rambut Siwi means ‘holy hair’ and the Balinese claim that the priest Nirartha cut his hair here and left it in a shrine in 1546.
From the temple you have a nice view on the black volcanic sand and the ocean.

Tanah Lot:
The sea temple of Tanah Lot is one of the most famous temples on the island and also one of the busiest.

We have visited this sight a couple of times and even though there are bus loads of tourists there’s something magical about the place.

Not surprising considering the perfect location with stunning sunsets in the background...

Bali Travel information for Tabanan:
Along the main road you'll see a lot of signs indicating Tabanan. This is the capital of the district with the same name.

The last king of this small city lived in the Puri Tabanan until 1906 when the Dutch removed the kingdom and took colonial power over Bali.

Today you can still see the ruins of this former palace. Across from the palace there’s the Gedung Kesenian I Ketut Maria, which is an arts complex named after the famous Balinese dancer I Ketut Maria. 

Tabanan is rich in dance and art traditions and there are even classical poetry clubs. Every June an art festival is organized here.

In the western part of town you can find the Subak Museum. This museum shows how Balinese irrigation systems work and also the various stages and tools used in the cultivation of rice.