If you are thinking Bali is categorized as an expensive destination for a holiday, well you are completely wrong on this one! You can enjoy Bali to the fullest without having to spend a penny! Here are the things you can do even when you left your wallet at home.
Are you travelling to Bali on a budget or as a backpacker, or are you just looking for some free things to do to keep costs down on your holiday?
Then you have come to the right place!
There are many free things to do on the island which are fun, interesting and beautiful, and we are here to tell you all about our favourites….
Live music
If you have been to Bali before and have strolled down a busy street of cafes and restaurants, you might have noticed the good tunes and vibes, and wondered where they came from. Many places in Bali offer free live music and here are a few of them:
- Sand Bar (Canggu)
- XBar (Canggu)
- Old Man’s (Canggu)
- The Lawn (Canggu)
- Casablanca (Sanur)
- Moonlite Kitchen and Bar (Seminyak)
- The Orchard Bar and Restaurant (Seminyak)
- Single Fin (Uluwatu)
- Laughing Buddha Bar (Ubud)
- Hard Rock Cafe (Kuta)
- Romeos Bar and Grillery (Legian)
And many, many more! Most of these venues don’t charge any cover charge, so you only pay for what you eat and drink. Make sure to read more about Bali’s best nightlife here and find the perfect place for you to enjoy a fun night out.
Beaches
Bali has some of the most beautiful beaches, and they are, with a few exceptions, completely free! Though Bali is a small island, the diversity of the beaches in the different areas of Bali is big and they all have different things to offer.
Uluwatu beaches are beautiful, white sand beaches with turquoise water! Also, they are clean and have good surfing for both beginners and experienced surfers.
*note: there can be a lot of stairs to reach some of these beaches though
Canggu beaches have black sand and really good waves for surfers at any level! They also have beautiful sunsets and beach parties as well.
Amed beaches have some of the most beautiful views of Mount Agung along with incredible underwater nature! On the beaches in Amed, you can experience snorkelling and scuba-diving among breathtaking coral reefs.
Sanur beaches have beautiful landscapes and white sand. A trip to the beach in Sanur can be combined with shopping, water activities, swimming or just relaxing! Sanur beaches are also famous for catching a gorgeous Bali sunrise.
These beach areas are just a glimpse into the many amazing free beaches in Bali. Go see it for yourself! And read more about the best beaches in Bali here.
Temples
Bali’s population consists of roughly 80% of the population are Hindu, resulting in an unbelievable amount of beautiful temples located all over Bali! The temples are important since they keep the island safe from evil spirits. Therefore, as a visitor, you must always be aware of temple etiquette. We advise you to bring a sarong to cover up before entering. Sarongs can be bought for a very small price all over the island. If you don’t want to carry your own, you can borrow or rent a sarong at many of the temples. We hope you feel inspired to visit the beautiful temples and experience the culture up close for yourself!
Visiting at least one temple while in Bali is a must, and you can find our take on the 20 best temples to visit here.
*some of the more well-known temples will charge an entrance fee or donation upon visiting
Waterfalls
Who doesn’t love a beautiful waterfall for a little swim, breathtaking views and a cute photo for Instagram? Bali has tons of them! Many of them are easily accessible and some require a little hike, which is a chance for you to burn off some calories while enjoying the beautiful nature of Bali – a win-win! And though many of the waterfalls are free to visit, some of them do ask for a small entrance fee or donation.
Before visiting one or several of the island’s many beautiful waterfalls, remember to pack a swimsuit and a towel, so that you can take a swim and see the waterfalls up close! Other good things to pack are sunblock, mosquito repellent, water, snacks and of course a camera for you to capture and remember this experience.
We have created a list of the 25 best waterfalls in Bali for you to pick the ones you want to see for yourself!
Rice Terraces
Another breathtaking thing to explore in Bali is the rice terraces. The Balinese people have been growing rice for thousands of years and it has strong ties to their culture. So visiting some of the most beautiful rice terraces should be on your itinerary!
If you plan on visiting Ubud, Sidemen or Gianyar you are close to many rice fields, and it can easily be combined with other activities along the way, like visiting beautiful waterfalls, to make for a full day of adventures and exploring.
There are a few tips to know before visiting rice fields. You should wear good shoes for walking and exploring and bring lots of water since there might not be an opportunity to buy water at the location. We also advise you to go early in the morning or the afternoon, to beat the other tourists, the heavy traffic and the high temperatures during the middle of the day.
Top Rice Terraces to visit:
- Tegalalang Rice Terraces
- Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
- Sidemen Valley’s Rice Fields
- Tirta Gangga Rice Fields
… and many more!
Local Markets
There are plenty of local markets around the island and it is always a big experience to wander around and see all the beautiful local craftsmanship that goes into creating unique Bali pieces. At the markets, you can find an abundance of beautiful clothes, wooden interior items, fun souvenirs, jewellery and much more. It is worth your time visiting one of these markets! See our list of the best markets in Bali here.
There are also local night markets where you can find an abundance of Balinese street food, desserts, snacks, drinks etc., and it is delicious! By visiting one of these markets you can really blend in with the locals and see for yourself what they eat and what their food culture is like. The food markets are often crowded with locals and the food is made continuously or upon order so it’s fresh and safe for you to eat. Why not swap out dinner at a restaurant with a visit to a night market and you will have one more amazing experience from your vacation in Bali!
Find the night market that you want to experience for yourself here.
Free entrance to beach clubs
Bali has some of the best, if not the very best beach clubs in the world! And despite what you might think, it is not only for the big spenders. Many of these luxury beach clubs have free entrance and no minimum spend. You can also check if the beach clubs have a happy hour where you can get yourself a good deal on drinks! You can learn more about Bali’s best beach clubs here.
Final Words
We hope that you are inspired to add some of these activities to your Bali itinerary. And remember, that even though this is an article about free things to do in Bali, please keep the hard-working locals in mind, the people that make Bali special. A small purchase or donation when visiting these places will make a big difference to them, and you will get a lot of good karma in return! We hope you can use these tips, and enjoy some free activities and adventures during your time in Bali.
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