Postcard from Bali

We say that someone from the Local Foreigner team is always on the road, visiting destinations across the globe - but we really mean always. Our monthly Postcard takes you along for the ride, and this month, we're just back from Bali.

Known the world over for its ethereal beauty and mystical sense of spiritualism, Bali is the kind of place where honeymooners rub elbows with yoga-mat-toting surfers in a kind of alternate universe too beautiful to be real. Far from one dimensional, the tiny island -- a mere 50 miles tall by 90 miles wide -- packs a powerful punch. The staggering cliffs of Uluwatu give way to the hip surf towns of Canggu, while the terraced rice fields of Ubud frame the secluded shores of East Bali. No matter where you base your trip, beware of the Bali bug: an incurable urge to stay forever.

The tropical island of Bali abounds with terraced rice paddies, magnificent volcanoes, lush forests, and beaches lapped by the warm waters of the Indian ocean. The island is just over 2,000 square miles with a population of just over 3 million, 90% of whom are Balinese Hindu. Locals coexist with surfers, yogis, expats, and an international party crowd, depending on your location.

But Bali is just the beginning of an epic Indonesia trip, whether your ideal day includes marveling at the wild horses in Sumba, diving in Raja Ampat, or chartering a phinisi in Komodo National Park. With 17,000 islands in the archipelago, there's an Indonesian itinerary for every traveler.

Broadly, the best time to visit Indonesia is when it's summer in the US - it's the dry season and humidity is at its lowest. For surfers, the waves are pumping year-round - on the west coast from May to September and on the east coast from November to March.

Mandapa, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve

Arguably the most polished property in Ubud, Mandapa is tucked into the lush valley of the Ayung River. Surrounded by jungle and rice paddies, this tranquil retreat offers rambling villas and suites with private pools, built from dark local woods and draped with colorful textiles. Families are especially well catered to here, with butler service holding your hand from arrival to departure. | View the hotel

Bvlgari Resort Bali

Built 150 meters above the Indian Ocean, the Bulgari Resort combines the breathtaking beauty of its natural surroundings with the sophisticated, contemporary design that has made the Italian jewelry house synonymous with luxury. Designed by Antonio Citterio, the resort stands atop a cliff like a medieval fortress town. Each villa has its own garden, pool, and outdoor living room, and the interiors are hewn from volcanic stones, Javanese mahogany, and refined, locally-woven fabrics. There are two restaurants, a bar, and an incredible spa, making the remote location feel perfectly equipped. | View the hotel

Four Seasons Resort Bali At Sayan

In Eat, Pray, Love, the house that Julia Roberts' character Elizabeth Gilbert stays in was an Ubud Airbnb dressed up by set designers; the actress herself posted up at the Four Seasons Sayan. The eye-catching rooftop lotus pond is meant to evoke a rice bowl, and it floats above the open-air lobby and Ayung River gorge beyond. The blurring of indoor and outdoor continues in the suites and villas, teak takes on Four Seasons' signature style, and the lengthy spa menu goes well beyond your typical massages and facials. | View the hotel

Capella Ubud

The story of a 19th century expedition camp is told with Bill Bensley flamboyance at Capella Ubud in Bali’s rural Keliki Valley. Between bouncing suspension bridges, 23 tents are splayed across the hilly jungle property, where the pitter patter of monkey feet and the buzz of local insects prompt the gifting of “survival kits” to every new arrival. Guests will discover a pandora’s box of neat details, from antique traveler’s trunks to stag’s head taxidermy to copper bathtubs and toilets fashioned into actual thrones. Whether you choose to spend your days jungle trekking, mountain cycling, or chakra balancing, you’ll return to your tent feeling like an intrepid explorer…a very well pampered one. | View the hotel

Soori Bali

Gracefully planted on Bali's southwest coast, just a few kilometers from the Tanah Lot Temple, one of Bali's most sacred, Soori Bali boasts an idyllic destination. Located within the picturesque, fertile Tabanan Regency, the landscape surrounding the hotel ranges from volcanic mountains to lush, green rice terraces and soft, volcanic-sand beaches that lead into the endless expanse of the Indian Ocean. | View the hotel

Flower Gebogan Making

More than just a floral arrangement, the Gebogan is a towering, intricate display of devotion deeply rooted in Balinese Hindu traditions. Often seen during religious ceremonies, temple festivals, and family rituals, the Gebogan serves as a symbolic offering to the gods, embodying gratitude, balance, and harmony with the natural world. Using locally sourced fresh flowers, colorful tropical fruits, and elegantly folded coconut leaves, you will construct this exquisite vertical arrangement atop a traditional Balinese wooden plate called a "Dulang". The process of assembling a Gebogan is both meditative and creative, involving precision, symmetry, and an appreciation for natural beauty. Each layer and component carries spiritual meaning, representing different realms of existence and elements of nature.

Private South Coast Surfing Lesson

Surfing is not just a sport but also an opportunity to connect with nature and immerse yourself in the ocean's energy. This private surf lesson offers a personalized and focused approach, allowing you to fully embrace the experience and make significant progress in your surfing abilities. Over the course of 1.5 hours, you will have the chance to acquire and refine your surfing skills in the beautiful surf areas surrounding Sanur or Legian. These breaks are perfect for beginners, with gentle waves and sandy seabeds. Your experienced instructor will impart surfing wisdom, covering topics such as proper positioning, paddling techniques, and effective wave-catching and riding.

Adventure Day in Tegalalang

Embark on an unforgettable adventure in Tegalalang, starting with an e-bike ride through lush rice fields, a visit to a traditional Balinese home, and a peek into local art and farming life. Next, rev up your adrenaline with an ATV ride through jungle trails, rivers, and caves. Enjoy a locally sourced lunch at a tranquil bamboo restaurant before visiting the iconic rice terraces for stunning views. End the day with a refreshing swim at Ulu Petanu Waterfall, a hidden gem just a short forest walk away. This immersive journey blends culture, nature, and adventure into a perfect Balinese experience.

Fresh produce and big flavors are easy to come by in Bali, but dining experiences off-property can come with logistical considerations (read: traffic). Should you decide you're up for a culinary adventure, here are a few favorites.

Nusantara by Locavore

A spin-off from acclaimed Locavore NXT, Nusantara - which means "archipelago" in Javanese - draws on the expertise of its kitchen staff to represent the diverse dishes of Indonesia's 17,000 islands. From Kupang-style smoked pork belly to West Bali’s spiced octopus, the restaurant showcases regional flavors (and you'll find each dish's home region noted within the menu). Go for the set menu and let Balinese Chef Putu and his sous chefs from West Java, Medan, and North Sumatra take you on a tour of the islands.

The Sayan House Restaurant

On a verdant hillside neighboring the Four Seasons Sayan, the Sayan House is pure Bali - where else are you going to find a stylish treehouse serving Japanese Latin fusion? There are floating wicker lanterns, vibrant cocktails, and innovative sushi rolls courtesy of Chef Yuki Tagami, but the epic view over the Ayung River gorge and surrounding jungle is the biggest star here.

Begawan Biji

Farm-to-table looks a little different in Bali. 20 minutes outside of Ubud, on the edge of regenerative rice fields you'll find Begawan Biji. Architect Conchita Blanco has created her version of a traditional Balinese wantilan, or open-air pavilion; in the kitchen, Chef Andrew Eko Fahludza is cooking up Indonesian and Asian dishes inspired by his mother’s cooking and refined through global techniques. Ingredients are locally and naturally grown, many sourced from Begawan’s own farm, and dishes are meant to be shared family style.

Kubu

Kubu is rooted in sustainability and local tradition. Every ingredient is sourced within a 100-kilometer radius, supporting nearby organic farmers and fishermen, and the open kitchen embraces zero-waste practices, sous-viding, pickling, and fermenting every part of each ingredient and composting what remains. The seasonal tasting menu that reflects Bali’s varied microclimates, alongside cocktails and house-made infusions.

Island Hopper

After an Indonesian introduction in Bali, continue to the surfer's paradise of Nihi Sumba, board Rascal for time among the giants in Komodo National Park, and end with temples and serenity at Amanjiwo.

Good for the Seoul

Indonesia has been on the luxury traveler's radar for eons; South Korea is just taking the stage. Pair the Balinese jungle with the urban jungle for an itinerary of Asian extremes.

The Land Down Under

While you're on the other side of the world, add another continent - it's less than five hours' flight from the rice paddies of Ubud to Cairns, and the best time to dive the Great Barrier Reef lines up with peak season in Bali.