Heading to Bali and want to learn a little about it’s people, culture, practices and history? Know before you go! Of course, the people and the deep rooted culture of Bali cannot be fully explained in one blog post, but understanding a few things will show respect and let you experience the island’s magic on a deeper level. So here’s a quick history lesson on Bali:
Introduction to Bali
First off, a little about the location of this very popular island.
Where is Bali?
Bali is a small island centrally located in the country of Indonesia, on the continent of Asia. It’s in the sub continent category of South-East Asia and borders Malaysia & Papua New Guinea as well as Singapore, Thailand and Philippines by sea. Just south of the equator, this island is blessed with a warm, tropical climate all year round.
Tropical climates bring only two seasons – wet and dry. From May to September you can expect clear skies, a bit of a breeze and less rain. October to April is wet season which brings more frequent downpours, thunderstorms and more humidity. Although the weather seems to be getting more unpredictable due to climate change. For example the really wet weather in 2023/24 didn’t really start until late January and it was still pretty rainy into June/July.
What is the population of Bali?
There are 4.4 million people living in Bali (as of 2023) on an island measuring only 153km across and 112km north to south.
How did Bali become a popular tourist destination?
Due to its close proximity to Darwin and Perth, Bali became a popular stop on the hippie trail of backpackers traveling from Australia to India. With it’s friendly locals and generous hospitality, it started to gain a lot of attention as a safe travel destination in it’s own right. Just decades later it was thriving to now emerge as one of the world’s top tourist destinations.
Despite the influx of visitors, Balinese communities strive to preserve their traditional way of life, although unfortunately more and more land is being taken up by modern villas, restaurants and beach clubs. There is good and bad to this though. Blending cultural heritage with the economic benefits of tourism has create a unique balance and many opportunity for local communities.
What language do they speak in Bali?
Three languages are widely spoken on the island; Indonesian (Bahasa Indonesian) is the national language of Indonesia whilst Balinese is the native tongue of the local communities. There are also varying dialects of Balinese between each community. Locals that you’re most likely to encounter on your trip that work within the tourism industry will also speak English.
Whilst you can speak to locals in any of the above languages, it’s always respectful to learn a few words in their local tongue. A lot of Indonesians travel to Bali for work opportunities, so it is common to use the Indonesian language in busy tourist areas although if you speak in Balinese they will understand too. However, when in more rural areas and lesser known tourist spots then they greatly appreciate using the Balinese language.
Some basic words to learn before traveling to Bali:
| ENGLISH | BAHASA INDONESIAN | BALINESE |
| Hello | Salam or Halo | Om Suwastiastu (polite) or Halo |
| Welcome | Salamat datang | Sugeng rawuh |
| Good Morning | Salamat pagi (pagi for short) | Rahajeng semeng |
| Good Afternoon | Salamat siang | Rahajeng tengai |
| Good Evening | Salamat malam | Rahajeng peteng |
| Thank you | Terima kasih (Makasih for short) | Suksma (sook-sma) |
| You’re welcome | Sama-sama | Suksma mewali (or just mewali) |
| How are you? | Apa kabar? | Punapi gatra? |
| Fine | Baik-baik saja | Melah |
| Good | Bagus | Becik |
| Delicious | Enak | Jaen |
| Where is… | Dimana | Dija |
| How much is it? | Berapa harganya? | Aji kuda harga ne? |
| Expensive | Mahal | Mahal |
| Cheap | Murah | Mudah |
| Excuse me | Permisi | Permisi |
| My name is | Nama saya | Adan tiang |
| I am from | Saya dari | Tiyang uling |
Culture, religion & tradition in Bali
What religion do the Balinese practice?
Hinduism is the main religion in Bali with around 87% of the population identifying at Hindu. They practice Balinese Hinduism which combines some Hindu, Buddhist, Javanese and indigenous cultural practices. Over the centuries, Bali has been influenced by a number of different cultures, including Indian, Chinese, and Javanese. In the 14th century Bali came under the rule of the Majapahit Empire, a powerful Javanese kingdom that brought Hindu & Buddhist practices to the island.
But Bali is an island of Hinduism in a sea of Islam. Indonesia has the largest Muslim population in the world with 87% of its 270 million people practicing the religion. Islam began slowly taking over many of the Indonesian islands from the 13th century onwards but Bali stood strong in their Hindu ties and became a refuge for Hindu communities.
Despite the Hindu population in Bali, the religion only accounts for 1.7% of the population nationally. Some 6.4% of the population identify as Christians and 3.1% as Catholics. Indonesia is very religion friendly, with six official religions and widespread acceptance of religious diversity.
What are some common Balinese traditions?
There are many cultural celebrations, customs and performances unique to Bali. Here are the main ones to remember:
Daily offerings
One thing you’ll notice almost instantly are the small, intricate offerings called canang sari, placed everywhere—on sidewalks, in temples, and in shops. These are daily gifts to the gods made of flowers, rice, incense, food and sometimes even money created to bring balance and peace. When I first moved to Bali I was so careful not to stand on them, playing a very hard game of dodge-the-offerings. But I was constantly told by locals that as long as the incense is not still burning then the offering has already been made and it’s ok. I still like to avoid it though as it just feels wrong.
Nyepi
Nyepi, also known as the Balinese Day of Silence, is a unique Hindu holiday that marks the Balinese New Year with a full day of quiet reflection. Celebrated in March (the date varies with the lunar calendar), Nyepi is a day dedicated to introspection, cleansing, and restoring balance between humans, nature, and spirits.
On this day, the entire island shuts down from 6am to 6am the following day. No travel is allowed so no flights will be scheduled on the day and the streets will be empty of vehicles and people. No lights or electricity is to be used, there is to be no working, no drinking, no entertainment and no noise at all. Cellular services and national TV is often suspended for the day. It truly is a time to stay indoors, reflect and observe silence.
Although a lot of tourist hotels, resorts and villas will be less restrictive, you will still be asked to remain in your respective rooms/residence and won’t be allowed out in public places. Tourists who violate the rules could face deportation so this is definitely something to consider when planning your trip.
Leading up to Nyepi, you’ll see lively ogoh-ogoh parades featuring large, colourful demon effigies symbolising negative spirits, which are carried through the streets and then burned to drive away evil. For Balinese people, Nyepi is a time to purify, reset, and start the new year with a clean slate, while the enforced quiet across the island creates a rare, serene atmosphere that lets nature fully take over for a day.
Galungan and Kuningan
Gulungan and Kuningan are two important celebrations within the Balinese Hindu holiday cycle. They are part of the Galungan festival, which is one of Bali’s most significant religious events. Galungan symbolizes the victory of dharma (good) over adharma (evil) and honors the ancestral spirits of deceased relatives that visit Earth during this time.
- Gulungan marks the start of the Galungan festival and is celebrated with ceremonies and offerings to invite ancestral spirits back to earth. Balinese people create beautiful penjor, which are tall, decorated bamboo poles placed in front of homes and temples. These symbolize gratitude and abundance and give Bali a festive, adorned look.
- Kuningan occurs ten days after Galungan and marks the end of the festival. It is believed that on Kuningan, the ancestors return to the heavens. The day is filled with offerings made from yellow rice (hence the name “Kuningan,” as “kuning” means yellow in Indonesian) and special ceremonies to bid farewell to the spirits and thank them for their guidance and blessings.
Together, Gulungan and Kuningan embody gratitude, family unity, and the Balinese connection with both ancestors and the spiritual world.
As the celebration happens every 210 days – according to the Balinese Pawukon calendar – you can experience this celebration twice a year in Bali. It’s a beautiful time to visit as the penjors line the roads and add another layer of beauty to the local villages.
The best cultural experiences to try in Bali
There are many other experiences linked to Balinese culture and traditions that I highly recommend trying. These are my favourites:
Kecak Fire Dance
A traditional dance and rhythmic chant that tells the story of a battle between the god Rama and the demonic King Ravana with the help of the monkey god Hanuman.
The most famous performance is at Uluwatu Temple where they have two shows a night. I highly recommend getting the sunset timeslot as it’s a great view of the sunset as well while the show is on.
Tanah Lot is another temple closer to Canggu that has a smaller Kecak Dance performance.
Holy water purification ritual
Balinese Hindus perform purification rituals known as “melukat” in the holy water temples all across the island. This ceremony helps to cleanse their body, mind, and soul and you can participate in one yourself. It’s a practice deeply ingrained in Balinese culture and spirituality. I personally felt super uplifted and amazing after mine.
There are many places to do this, but the best are:
- Pura Tirta Empul – one of the largest and most popular.
- Taman Beji Griya Waterfall – one of the more expensive options but a beautiful setting.
- Pura Mangening – a smaller, more intimate and quiet area with a waterfall.
- Pura Taman Pecampuhan Sala – a smaller and much more quiet option.
Why not try the Eat Pray Love tour which includes a water purification ritual at Pura Mangening, a chakra and palm reading with a Balinese guru and a visit to the rice terraces? This was such an invigorating and wholesome experience, I loved it. Use code WANDERLUSTKLOOK for 10% off this tour.
GWK Cultural Park
You will notice the giant statue of Garuda Wisnu from all across Uluwatu and across the bay from Kuta, Seminyak or Canggu. Here, see this alongside other important sculptures and surrounding gardens. You can also watch traditional Balinese dances and performances. Get tickets to the park.
Balinese Cooking Class
Experience the Balinese culture through food! A cooking class is a fun and delicious way to learn about unique cooking methods, use fresh local produce/ingredients and enjoy the local cuisine.
Here are some areas you can try a cooking class:
Things to be aware of that may be offensive in Balinese culture
Whilst the Balinese and Indonesian people are very accommodating and aware that tourists don’t always understand their own customs and traditions, it can be a nice way to show your respect. Try to remember not to:
- cross your arms or stand with hands on your hips (seen as aggressive)
- point at anyone
- touch peoples heads as they are sacred to the soul
- wear shoes indoors especially inside homes
- lose your temper
- be overly affectionate in public
Please also remember:
- wear a sarong with a sash in temples and sacred places that covers your knees
- women cannot enter temples or sacred places whilst menstruating
- do not comment on politics as locals can get in trouble for this
- placing your palms together in front of your chest and giving a slight bow is very common and respectful
General health and safety tips for visiting Bali
Finally, you want to make sure you stay safe and healthy on your holiday to Bali. Here are some tips:
Don’t drink the tap water
Balinese tap water is not safe to drink but filtered water is very accessible. Bring a reusable water bottle to fill up whenever you need at your accommodation or at cafes/venues. In all the tourist areas, the ice used in drinks at restaurants, cafes and bars is purchased ice (not from tap water) and salads are washed with filtered water. You will be safe in any of these establishments, but when visiting more rural areas and local communities be vigilant of this. If in doubt, make sure to order food that needs to be cooked which should kill bacteria.
Watch out for Bali Belly
Digestive issues can arise from the tap water, unfamiliar foods or hygiene standards. Choose reputable eateries and consider carrying activated charcoal or probiotics to help with stomach upsets. Bali Belly causes discomfort but usually goes away on its own within a few days.
Check your immunisations before traveling
You may require a yellow fever certificate if traveling from a country with high transmission risk. Hepatitis A, typhoid and tetanus vaccines are often recommended. You may also want to look into malaria tablets, though Bali falls into the “low to no risk” category. Dengue fever is another common disease spread by mosquitos so make sure to protect yourself and bring repellent with DEET (not commonly found in Bali).
Rabies remains a problem in Indonesia and it may be worth looking into the rabies vaccination. It’s best to discuss your options and concerns with your doctor.
Stay away from stray animals
Speaking of rabies, stray dogs and monkeys can carry this and other diseases. As tempting as it may be to befriend all the local street dogs and monkeys, be cautious and avoid close contact in case they attack or bite you.
Always wear a helmet when on a scooter
Riding a scooter is the cheapest and most convenient way to get around, especially as they can weave through the dreaded Bali traffic. Wearing a helmet is the easiest and best way to protect yourself in case of an accident. If using transport ride apps like Grab or Gojek, always ask them for a helmet as they legally are required to carry one for passengers.
Make sure to get travel insurance
In case any of the above accidents or illnesses do happen, make sure you are covered. Travel insurance is essential for covering medical costs and emergencies. It’s affordable and could save you a lot of money and stress. Check out my favourite travel insurance.
