The Bali Sun

Culture and nature are at the core of Bali’s tourism offering. One very special place perhaps better blends the incredible Balinese culture and the wonders of the natural landscape. We are, of course, talking about the UNESCO World Heritage Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Tabanan Regency. The Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are not only one of the …

Aside from the topics of waste management and tourism, the hottest topic in Bali’s hitlist is transportation. As the island’s road infrastructure continues to struggle under the pressure of tourism and development, leaders are on a mission to improve public transport links to benefit local people and ease traffic congestion for tourists. It is almost …

From ridge to reef, water is life in Bali. While the Island of the Gods may be best known to many as a saltwater paradise, there are, in fact, some beautiful bodies of fresh water that must not be overlooked. Chasing waterfalls is one thing, and embarking on a melukat traditional water cleansing ceremony is another, …

Bali’s leaders are on a mission to ensure that all international tourists pay their Bali Tourism Tax Levy fee before departing the island. The tax was introduced in February 2024, and data collected from the first year of the policy shows that as few as 35% of tourists made the mandatory IDR 150,000 payment. Bali’s …

Bali has just celebrated Galungan Day. With Thursday, April 24th, observed as Umanis Galungan, Balinese families are honoring one of the most holy times of the year on the island. As the holy days are also a time of family gathering and community celebration, there is a lot more movement of people around the island …

Search and Rescue teams in Bali have been ordered to extend their search mission to locate a missing Russian tourist. The Russian Embassy has requested that Bali’s Search and Rescue teams, known locally as Basarnas, extend the search for three more days after a 36-year-old Russian national went on a mission for the coast of …

Bali Governor Wayan Koster has requested that the Buleleng Regency Government implement new regulations to ensure that the landscape around the new Turyapada Tower remains a green haven for nature. The Turyapada Tower is a transmitter tower that will allow for digital television broadcasts, telecommunications, internet, and radio communications across Bali and will also serve …

The rainy season is officially over in Bali. As the island celebrates Galungan Day, the rainclouds have officially been sent on their way for another year, and sunshine will prevail…in theory! As the dry season kicks off in Bali, the island is also gearing up for the high season for tourism. This monsoon season has …

Bali’s neighboring island of Lombok will soon welcome a huge new luxury hotel. The Indonesian state-owned enterprise ITDC, which is also in charge of the Bali-based resort of Nusa Dua, has just signed a multi-trillion rupiah contract to develop the Mandalika Special Economic Zone in Lombok. Mandalika in Lombok is one of Indonesia’s super-priority destinations. …

One of Bali’s most controversial development projects has been officially completed. The Uluwatu Sea Wall Project was put in place to handle cracks in the cliff face beneath Pura Luhur Uluwatu Temple. The project received a huge amount of criticism from local residents and Bali lovers after concerns were raised about the environmental impact of …

One of Bali’s most spiritually significant temples will be closed to tourists for the next five days. Pura Luhur Lempuyang Temple, also known as the Gates of Heaven Temple in Bali’s Karangasem Regency, will be closed from the 23rd – the 27th of April for religious ceremonies. While many of Bali’s temples are world-famous, and …

No sooner has Nyepi Day passed is there another reason for celebration in Bali. Tourists in Bali right now will not be able to help but notice a lightness in the air and the magnificent penjor structures lining every street on the island. This is because the holy Balinese festivals of Galungan and Kuningan are …

Officials in East Nusa Tenggara have confirmed that Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki erupted twice on the evening of Sunday, 20th April 2025. The volcano has been erupting regularly for the last six months and has previously impacted flights in and out of Bali due to volcanic ash entering airspace around the Indonesian archipelago. Lewotobi Laki Laki …