North Bali Proves To Be The Destination Of Choice For Tourists This New Year

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If you’re a regular reader of The Bali Sun, you’ll know all too well how much we love North Bali over here. If you’re new around here, firstly, welcome!

Secondly, you need to get up to speed with all things North Bali. This stunning region of Bali Province is quickly becoming one of the hottest destinations around, and it’s easy to see why. 

North Bali is the destination of choice right now. The region is bucking seasonal travel trends and welcoming an increase in domestic tourists, and is seeing an increasing number of international visitors too.

From Lovina to Munduk, Pemuteran to Singaraja, this is not a destination to overlook in 2026. 

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Even at this time of year, when Bali is being hit with extreme weather during the height of the rainy season, North Bali is seeing markedly more sunshine and warmer days, with less rain and heavy winds.

Speaking to reporters this week, Dewa Ketut Suardipa, the Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) for Buleleng Regency, shared,  “While South Bali is impacted by weather and flooding, North, East, and West Bali are still highly desirable destinations. This is an opportunity we must all take advantage of.”

He noted how North Bali can boast both black and white sandy beaches, as well as being home to some of the province’s most pristine jungle landscapes. 

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Travel data for North Bali speaks for itself. Suardipa told reporters that hotel occupancy rates in Buleleng are generally averaging 75 percent. In West Buleleng specifically, close to the West Bali National Park, hotel occupancy averages nearly 100 percent.

The Lovina area in Central Buleleng is sitting in the 70–80 percent range. However, down in South and East Buleleng Regency, occupancy rates remain below 50 percent; this is likely due to there being fewer established destinations in these areas. 

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The  Head of the Buleleng Tourism Office, I Gede Dody Sukma Oktiva Askara, reported that visits to tourist attractions in Buleleng during the Christmas and New Year holidays increased by 20–30 percent compared to a typical weekend.

Attractions like  Wanagiri, Pancasari, Banjar Hot Springs, Banjar Temple, Lovina, and Air Sanih, Aling-Aling Waterfall have all seen an increase in visitors, both domestic and international. 

Askara shared, “For this year’s Christmas and New Year holidays, domestic tourists from Java are down around 20 percent compared to last year. However, international tourists are up around 3-5 percent.”

He even acknowledged that there was a spate of cancellations in early December when Indonesia was hit by cyclones. Yet, bookings quickly bounced back, and tourists are confidently organising more travel in the North Bali region. 

One of the top activities for tourists visiting North Bali is sunrise dolphin watching. The waters off the coast of Lovina Beach are home to pods of spinner dolphins, and it is an increasingly popular excursion for tourists to head out at sunrise to see the wild dolphins.

The tour is super popular at this time of year, and is available from eight departure points around Lovina and Pemuteran. Tourists are encouraged to do their research before booking their sunrise dolphin tour at Lovina and find a reputable provider who supports ethical wildlife tourism practices.

The beauty of North Bali as a destination lies in its versatility. While the coastline is stunning and offers plenty of opportunities for adventure, so too do the inland regions. Munduk, for example, is a destination in increasing demand with international tourists. Home to some of Bali’s most impressive waterfalls, Munduk is the perfect secluded jungle escape for holidaymakers in Bali who are looking for a crowd-free getaway.

There are plenty of accommodation options in Munduk, even though the area is still considered an emerging destination. Munduk Sari Resort is a prime example of a 3-star stay that offers a 5-star Balinese welcome to all who cross the threshold, with rooms starting as little as USD 30 a night.