As a tourist destination, the list of things do in Bali is endless. Bali pretty much has everything from natural wonders like idyllic beaches and lush mountainous range to human-made entertainment centres.
The work-life balance in Bali
The good thing about Bali is that it provides opportunities for a good work-life balance. The overall vibe of the island is also quite laid back. As such, the work environment is less stressful than in metropolitan cities. In Bali, even if you work diligently in your job, you would still have time to enjoy life and experience everything that Bali has to offer.
Working hours usually last from 8 am to 5 pm, which gives ample time to head to the nearest beach for a sunset session. Some company works from 9 am – 6 pm, which also provides plenty of time for working moms and dads to prepare their kids for school. For singletons, this gives time to sleep in and recover after a night out.
The most favourite leisure activity during the daytime is, for sure, having a well-deserved sunset time. In an island that is surrounded by scenic beaches, catching a glorious sunset is a moment not to be missed. Friends usually make an appointment to gather over sunset during the workdays.
Beaches, clubs and eating out in Bali
Depending on your preferences, there are plenty of places to do so to match different budgets. If you wish for a laid-back, toes in the sand place for a sunset session, consider going to Double Six beach at the heart of Seminyak. On one side of the beach is the famous street food – Bakso Gerobak Biru (Meatballs sold in Blue Cart). This Bakso has a cult following, with people coming all the way to the beach just to have the meal. Several makeshift table and chairs are being placed in front of the cart, where people would order the Bakso (self-serviced and no waiter) and enjoy it in the open-air, seat facing the stunning Bali sunset. Double six is also a dog-friendly beach, so you can bring your dogs along to this sunset session.
For more upscale options, you can go further to the south along the Seminyak beach strip to find different kinds of beach clubs. Instafamous for its colourful beanbags and umbrella is La Plancha that offers a variety of cocktails and nibbles to accompany your sunset time. For a more posh option, Sundara by Four Season in Jimbaran Bay provides a more luxurious setting and excellent cocktails overlooking the scenic view of the fisherman village of Jimbaran. Bonus point, you can continue your leisurely activities to a seafood dinner at Jimbaran Bay as Sundara is located next door to the famous eatery.
Movies in Bali
Another favourite past time for office days is watching a movie at the cinema. Bali is home to many world-class cinemas that are scattered all around its shopping malls. There are two kinds of cinemas in Bali, which are XXI and Cinemaxx. Ticket prices are relatively low for both ranging from $3-5 with Cinemaxx's ticket price to be slightly higher. Ticket price is also lower during the weekdays, which is why many people like to watch movies during workdays. Another good thing about watching a movie in Bali is that Blockbuster movies often have an earlier premier in Asia than in western countries.
As most of the cinemas are located in a mall, movie time often turns into friends/company gathering on its own. Typical to Indonesia, the shopping mall goes beyond a commercial complex; it is more a fully integrated entertainment complex. You practically can find everything to entertain people of all ages in Bali's shopping malls. A simple outing to the cinema could stretch to a full-night event from dinner, or from a shopping session to movie time and later clubbing. Unlike in most Western countries, the mall opens until late to 10 pm. There is also an option for a midnight movie that starts at 11 pm. Beachwalk Shopping Mall, which is located right in front of Pantai Kuta, is the latest and most sophisticated shopping mall in Bali. It hosts many international brands from MANGO, Victoria's Secret, Lego, and Fossil, as well as a variety of restaurants and cinema complex.
Nightlife in Bali
Bali's nightlife is alive every day and not reserved to weekends only. After all, tourists come to Bali regardless of the day. This is good news for those who like to go out and enjoy the nightlife during weekdays. Most of the clubs open seven days a week. People in Bali often forget when is the weekend as there is always an event happening somewhere. Motel Mexicola, La Favela, Mirrors & Jenja are great places to party in Seminyak. It is always worth checking each social media to check on the event schedule. People usually also do club-hopping, as all these places are located close to each other. If you want a guaranteed crowd, Sky Garden in Kuta is the most famous party place that never sleeps. This place will guarantee a wild night, which may be not for everybody.
Fitness centres in Bali
Many of the long-term expats in Bali are pretty health-conscious. So it is not a surprise that going to the gym is on the list for weekday activities. Gyms in Bali are open until late (some until 11 pm). And as many working expats finish work at 5 pm, gyms start to get busy during this time. There are also plenty of sports classes that start after working hours to accommodate people working schedule. Many classes begin at 6 pm so expats could still maintain their vitality while working in Bali.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
