Bali is more than just stunning sunsets and world-famous beach clubs. This little paradise is filled with fascinating culture, deep-rooted traditions, and incredible natural wonders.
Did you know Bali has its own calendar system? Or that Bali celebrates an entire day of silence without electricity or internet? These are just a few amazing Bali facts that make the island so special.
Let’s explore the most surprising facts about Bali that will give you a deeper appreciation for its history, culture, and traditions. Get ready to truly discover what makes Bali unique.
1. Is Bali a Country?
If you’re not a geography expert, this Bali fact will surprise you. Bali is not a country. It is a province in the Republic of Indonesia. It is governed by Indonesian laws (with a few exceptions).
Tourists commonly mistakenly believe that Bali is a separate country due to its unique culture and religion. It’s also due to the fact that Bali is way more recognized internationally than other islands in Indonesia.
2. Bali is predominantly Hindu
This is one of the more obvious Bali facts. The uniqueness of Bali (in comparison to the rest of Indonesia) is a result of the island being predominantly Hindu, with a whopping 87% of Bali’s population that practices Balinese Hinduism.
Hinduism in Bali is one of the more interesting Bali facts since it’s a province within Indonesia – the largest Muslim population in the world and home to 13% of the world’s Muslims.
3. What does Bali mean?
Many believe the name came from the Sanskrit word “Bali” which translates to something along the lines of sacrifice, offering, or tribute. This fits perfectly with Balinese Hinduism, especially with their daily offerings made to the gods, ancestors, and spirits.
Another folklore is that Bali was named after King Mahabali who was a powerful but generous ruler. According to scriptures, it was the Hindu god, Vishnu, who named him Mahabali.
4. The Island of the Gods
Bali facts that you probably already know: Bali is often called the “Island of the Gods.” You can even find it on the Instagram location tag.
This is due to the island’s deep spiritual significance and its strong connection to Hinduism. In short, the slogan reflects Bali’s rich religious traditions and sacred areas. The Balinese people are also very devoted to their religion, with daily offerings multiple times per day.
5. And A Thousand Temples
This is one of the Bali facts you’ll notice the moment you exit Bali Airport. Bali Temples are everywhere you go!
Bali is sometimes referred to as “The Island of a Thousand Temples” due to the fact that there are over 10,000 temples on this small island – so, much more than a thousand. Some sources say over 20,000 temples.
This number includes the large popular Bali temples you likely will visit during your holiday, village temples, sacred sites, and family temples.
Here are the most popular Bali Temple tours:
5. Balinese Day of Silence
The one day of the year when everything shuts down in Bali is called Nyepi – the Day of Silence. For 24 hours, all activities stop, Bali Airport is closed, businesses are closed, lights are off, and even the internet is off in some places.
Nyepi is famous for it’s Ogoh-Ogoh parades, where the Balinese carry giant demon effigies through the streets and then burned at the end of the night. This is meant to ward off the evil spirits.
Personally, I look forward to Nyepi every year. It’s the one time of year when you can enjoy true piece and quiet, and enjoy the company of your friends and family without any phones or social media.
6. The Eat, Pray, Love effect
The 2010 hit film “Eat Pray Love” with Julia Roberts had a massive impact on tourism in Bali – particularly in Ubud. The movie played a huge role in transforming Ubud into a global hub for spirituality and wellness.
The film gave a perspective of Ubud as being a spiritual escape on a journey to find yourself, to heal from the past and to discover the meaning of your existence. To this day, spiritual acitivies are among the many iconic things to do in Ubud.
However, prior to the movie’s release, Ubud was already known to tourists as the place to be for breathtaking landscapes, arts, and culture. Since 2011, flocks of tourists travel to Ubud in search of yoga, meditation, and wellness guidance.
Here are some other movies that were filmed in Bali or about Bali:
- Toute La Beauté Du Monde (2006)
- The Fall (2006)
- Alex Cross (2012)
- Ticket to Paradise (2022)
7. Denpasar is the Capital City
No, it’s not Kuta. Denpasar is the capital city of Bali. It is Bali’s only major city – other populated parts of Bali are actually towns and large villages, including Ubud.
Even though Denpasar is quite populated (700,000 people), it’s not known to be a tourist hotspot. However, you’ll find a ton of hidden gems here – temples, parks, traditional markets, local food, and community events.
8. The Original Capital City
Among the Bali facts, many know Denpasar as Bali’s capital city – but this isn’t the original. It’s the sequel!
The original capital of Bali was Singaraja, in the Buleleng Regency of North Bali. This was actually the colonial capital during the Dutch reign since 1849, being home to their government offices. You can find many of these buildings still in place.
The capital was moved to Denpasar in 1958 after Bali officially became province of Indonesia. You can choose to visit Singaraja during a 12-hour North Bali Day Tour.
9. Bali was once a Dutch Colony
As you may have already learned from the Bali facts above, the island was once a dutch colony.
The Dutch arrived in 1597 but didn’t gain control over Bali just yet. They focused on unethically stealing spices from Java instead, then slowly expanded their colony to Bali. During this time, the Dutch East India Company was established.
It was part of the Dutch East Indies until Indonesia gained independence in 1945. During the Dutch reign, the Balinese kingdoms were fierce and and refused to allow the Dutch the gain control without a fight.
10. Japanese Occupation of Bali
One of the lesser known Bali facts. During the second World War, the Japanese briefly took control of the Dutch East Indies in an attempt to expand its empire. The Japanese Imperial Army defeated the Dutch and occupied Bali relatively quickly.
The Japanese Army was equally as brutal as the Dutch (if not more). Balinese people were forced into difficult working conditions and suffered from food shortages.
11. Balinese have their own language
Although Indonesia has their own nation-wide tongue, Bahasa Indonesia, Bali has it’s own unique language – Basa Bali or Balinese.
It’s quite different from the Indonesian language, which in my experience was much easier to grasp. Learning the Balinese language offered a new layer of difficulties for me – the distinct intonations and enunciations. But it’s quite fun to learn.
The Balinese language itself has 3 different levels of speech – sort of a hierarchical system. Once is used in casual chats with friends, one is neutral, and one is for more formal conversations with elders or religious leaders.
12. Some Balinese are Trilingual
This is one of the more impressive Bali facts. Did you know some Balinese can speak 3 languages?
The average Balinese person can speak both Balinese and Indonesian, with a decent chunk of the population who caters to tourists having the ability to also speak English.
During your time in Bali, you can easily have English conversations with your driver or staff at restaurants. Don’t expect proper grammar – hey, it’s not easy learning a 3rd language!
13. Balinese Sanskrit
Often referred to as Balinese Sanskrit, the Balinese written language is actually called Aksara Bali. It’s a complex script and very difficult to grasp. Over my decade of living in Bali, I’ve only learned to identify a few characters.
This is a traditional form of writing and not commonly used in everyday text conversations. Most Balinese people will text each other with words using the latin alphabet instead.
14. Tourism is 80% of Bali’s economy
A majority of Bali’s economy revolves around tourism, with tourist-related activities contributing up to 80% to the economy.
The island’s reliance on tourism was evident especially during the pandemic, I can tell you for a fact that some parts of Bali looked like ghost towns. A short drive through Kuta seemed like an abandoned village.
However, this doesn’t apply to all parts of Bali. Many areas, like Denpasar, cater to locals. Other villages out west and north still function without visitors.
15. Bali Belly isn’t exclusive to Bali
Stop relying on social media as a source of information and repeat after me: Bali Belly is just another name for traveller’s diarrhea. It’s not exclusive to Bali.
But due to the name, people seem to think that Bali Belly is a phenomenon that’s somehow only exclusive to Bali. The fact is, you can catch this stomach bug in any destination where there’s a significant change in your diet.
I highly recommend reading my guide on Bali Belly, which includes tips to avoid getting it, how to treat it, and what to do if you get it.
16. Canggu wasn’t always cafes and villas
Although Canggu is now known to be the hotspot for young tourists and digital nomads, it was actually once a quiet little village full of little rice fields.
The growth in popularity actually started in the early 2000s, with surfers looking to enjoy uncrowded waves like Echo Beach and Batu Bolong. During this era, Kuta was already known as the crowded, touristic town.
Canggu is now home to hundreds of trendy Instagrammable cafes, luxury villas, and massive beach clubs, with very little nature in sight. There are still many fun things to do in Canggu.
17. Bali’s signature dish
Here are some food facts about Bali. The famous Babi Guling is considered by locals as being the national food of Bali.
Babi Guling is traditional roasted suckling pig and has been a part of the Balinese culture for ages. Since Bali is predominantly Hindu, pork is widely consumed (where it is forbidden in other parts of Indonesia due to Islam).
If you’re allowed to eat pork, I highly recommend eating Babi Guling at some point during your Bali trip. If you can’t handle spicy, try it anyway and suffer the consequences later.
Here are some other Indonesian foods that are native to Bali:
- Serombotan – One of my favourite healthy local foods to find in Bali. It’s fully vegetarian – steamed veggies topped with grated coconut sauce and nuts.
- Ayam Betutu – a Balinese-style chicken that’s rich with spices and herbs. A duck alternative is Bebek Betutu.
- Lawar – shreded or minced meat (usually pork) with grated coconut and spices. Sometimes mixed with fresh animal blood (Lawar Merah).
- Sate Babi – absolutely delicious pork skewers marinated then grilled over charcoal.
18. One of 17,000 islands
Now you’re aware of the Bali fact that it’s indeed not a country. But did you know Bali is among 17,508 islands in the Indonesian Archipelago?
It’s neighbours – Java and Lombok – are much bigger in size. And while Bali is quite tiny, it is far from being the smallest island in Indonesia. If you’re looking for a tiny island to escape to, I recommend Gili Trawangan.
19. Many Balinese have the same names
Many Balinese names are based on the order of birth. So, the first-born child of a family will very likely have the same name as another family’s first-born child.
- Wayan, Putu, or Gede – firstborn
- Made, Kadek, Nengah – secondborn
- Nyoman, Komang – thirdborn
- Ketut – fourthborn
If a family has more than four kids, the naming cycle will circle back to the beginning. So the fifth child might also be named Wayan, Putu, or Gede
There’s also a slightly differentiation in genders. For example, a male child will be officially named I Wayan, and the female child will be named Ni Wayan. Normally, these prefixes aren’t mentioned during introductions.
If you’ve booked a private car and driver with us, you will notice many of our drivers have names among those mentioned above.
20. There are 5 more islands
Another one of the lesser known geographical Bali facts. While Bali is the main island, there are several other smaller islands off the coast.
While there are over 30 smaller, uninhabited islands, here are 5 of the most popular ones that make for an awesome trip:
- Nusa Penida – The largest island off the coast of Bali. Nusa Penida is great for a snorkeling trip or to enjoy beaches. Consider booking a Nusa Penida Day Tour for a full day of exploring Penida.
- Nusa Lembongan – an awesome little island for diving, surfing, or just laying back and enjoying the sun.
- Nusa Ceningan – the smallest of the Nusa Islands and can be access from Nusa Lembongan by the famous yellow bridge.
- Menjangan Island – off the coast of northwest Bali and part of the West Bali National Park. It’s a famous spot to encounter wild deer on the beach.
- Serangan Island – off the coast of south Denpasar and can be access by a bridge.
21. More than just Balinese
Another of the Bali facts that most don’t know. Bali isn’t just populated by Balinese – although they do dominate the population demographics.
A non-surprising 90% of Bali’s population is Balinese, while 5% are Javanese, 3% are Eastern Indonesians, and the remaining 2% is others.
You will encounter many Muslim residents from other islands during your time in Bali. These are people (or children of the people) who have moved from Java to Bali in search of better career opportunities or to work in the tourism industry.
22. Australians love Bali
Okay, this fact about Bali you may already know. Australians take first place on the list of most tourists to Bali.
This is obviously due to Australia being close in proximity. In 2024, they outnumbered second place (India) by more than triple with 1.5 million tourists
Here are the top 5 countries that brought the most tourists to Bali in 2024:
- Australia – 1,500,000 visitors
- India – 550,000 visitors
- Singapore – 219,000 visitors
- China – 448,000 visitors
- South Korea – 294,000 visitors
23. Largest dog population in Indonesia
Bali facts for dog lovers: This is a dog lover’s paradise, being home an estimated 500,000 to 800,000 dogs. In fact, it’s one of the largest free-roaming dog populations in the world.
Bali dogs have always played a small part in Bali’s culture, but unlike Western pet cultures, local dog owners have a more loose ownership of their pets, allowing them to roam freely around the village.
This, statistically, leads to uncontrolled breeding and lack of population control. There is also no widespread sterilization so dogs are having the time of their lives like the Ancient Greeks.
24. The Original Balinese People
The Bali Aga (or Bali Mula) are Bali’s indigenous people. They have been here long before Hindiusm arrived from Java through the Majapahit Empire.
The Bali Aga have a tiny population in Bali and mainly reside in 2 villages – Tenangan, a village in East Bali close to Candidasa, and Trunyan, near Lake Batur.
Instead of practicing Hinduism like the rest of the population, the Bali Aga worship their ancestors and spirits, very similar to Native Americans.
Edit: I have learned that the term “Bali Aga” is considered offensive by the indigenous peoples and they prefer the term “Bali Mula.”
25. Above-ground burials
There is a mysterious fun fact about Bali that seems to be circulating the internet: that Balinese bury their dead above ground on an island. This is mostly untrue.
However, the myth is based on the Bali Aga in the Trunyan Village, which is on the eastern shores of Lake Batur in Kintamani. They have a unique tradition of laying their dead to rest under a sacred banyan tree, Taru Menyan.
You can only access Trunyan Village via boat across Lake Batur. It is open for visitors to observe their burial sites and rituals. Just remember to be respectful and minimize the amount of photos taken.
26. The extinct Bali Tiger
An animal fun fact about Bali: it was once home to the Bali Tiger, a unique subspecies of tiger that’s native to the island. It is now extinct and the last sighting was sometime in the 1930s.
The Bali Tiger was relatively smaller than other tigers, weighing at around 65 – 100kg. It also had a darker shade of orange fur with fewer stripes.
It unfortunately went extinct due to being hunted by the Dutch colonialists who considered it a trophy animal. With Bali being a small island, they had nowhere else to escape to.
27. Bali only has 2 Seasons
That’s right! No need for extra seasons. Bali has 2 main seasons: wet season, and dry season.
Dry Season generally runs from April until October, and Wet Season (sometimes called Rainy Season) runs from November until March.
Bali’s weather on the north side of the island tends to vary due to being at a higher elevation, with some places experiencing rainfall at least once a day all year round.
28. Bali has a National Park
One of the Bali facts for nature enthusiasts. In the northwest corner of Bali you can find the West Bali National Park, or Taman Nasional Bali Barat. It’s a diverse mix of landscapes filled with rich wildlife.
Expect to encounter wild creatures like deer, monkeys, exotic birds, and reptiles – all in their natural habitats. You can also go for some hiking and trekking, or head to Menjangan Island for some diving.
29. David Bowie’s ashes
Perhaps a lesser known fact about Bali but a common knowledge among die-hard David Bowie fans.
David Bowie, who had a deep rooted love for Bali and its culture, requested in his will that he wished to be cremated and his ashes to be scattered in Bali.
He was privately cremated in New York, and had his ashes escorted to a private location to be scattered.
31. The Most Controversial Coffee
Bali facts regarding cat poop – that’s not a category on this list, thankfully.
The globally famous “cat poop coffee,” otherwise known as Civet Coffee, but officially known as Kopi Luwak, is widely produced in Bali.
It is one of the most expensive coffees in the world, and definitely one of the most unique ones. The coffee beans are eaten by the Civets, digested, and then pooped out – which apparently enhances the coffee flavour and makes it less acidic during fermentation in the stomach.
Here are the best places to try Kopi Luwak in Bali:
- Hidden Garden Agriculture (near Jatiluwih)
- Lumbung Sari House of Luwak Coffee (Ubud)
- Munduk Moding Plantation (Munduk)
- Wanagiri Coffee Plantation (Wanagiri)
32. Largest statue in Indonesia
Bali is home to the Garuda Wisnu Kencana (GWK) statue, the largest statue in Indonesia and currently one of the tallest statues in the world at 122 meters in height, weighing 4,000 tons,
The statue depicts Lord Vishu riding the mythical Garuda bird. The project was designed by Balinese sculpter I Nyoman Nuarta and took almost 28 years to complete (due to financial and technial reasons).
You can visit the Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue during my Uluwatu Day Tour, which includes a stop for the famous Sunset Kecak Dance at Uluwatu Temple.
33. Bali’s Unique Calendar Systems
One of the Bali facts that might confuse you a bit: Bali has 2 traditional calendars that’s different from the Gregorian calendar (the calendar you and I use everyday.)
The Pawukon Calendar is based on a 210-day cycle. There’s no months and years, and the weeks range through different lenths from 1 to 10 days per week. Like I said, it might confuse you.
The second traditional calendar is the Saka Calendar. This is based on the lunar system and follows a similar 12-month system like India’s Hindu calendar. Months generally start with a new moon, and Nyepi is the Balinese New Year.
34. The cleanest village in the world
Bali is home to one of the cleanest villages in the world – a cool fact about Bali that most don’t know!
Located in Bangli, Penglipuran Village is internationally recognized for it’s immaculate streets, well-kept traditional Balinese architecture, and strong cultural preservation.
There is a zero-littering policy in the village, no motorized vehicles are allowed inside (which further reduces pollution), and local community work together to keep the village perfectly clean on a daily basis.
Book an East Bali Day Tour to visit Penglipuran Village (customizable itinerary)
35. Bali has Strict Drug Laws
Along with the rest of Indonesia, drug laws in Bali has some of the strictest drug laws in the world! If you’re just coming to Bali from Thailand, this may turn you off a bit.
If you’re caught with illegal substances, you can face severe penalties like high fines, long prison sentences or even life imprisonment. Even small amounts of illegal stuff can take you straight to a prison cell.
Don’t question it. Don’t risk it. Make it a drug-free holiday. Better to be safe than to end up in an extra long-term, not-so-comfy hotel.
36. There are 4 lakes
Even though Bali is a small island, it is home to a handful of the most beautiful lakes. Many of these lakes were former by craters from volcanic activity.
Here are the 4 lakes of Bali:
- Lake Batur – located in Kintamani at the base of Mount Batur. It’s the biggest lake in Bali.
- Lake Beratan – home to the iconic Ulun Danu Beratan Temple, one of the first images you’ll see when googling Bali.
- Lake Buyan – the largest of the twin lakes in North Bali and not too far from Lake Beratan.
- Lake Tamblingan – the smallest of the twin lakes, surrounded by several ancient Bali temples.
37. The 1000 year old temple
Pura Besakih, or simply Besakih Temple, is believe to be over 1,000 years old. According to historical records, it was established in the 8th century by a Javanese Hindu safe. It was upgraded throughout the centuries with newer structires.
Besakih Temple has miraculously survived numerous disasters, like Mount Agung’s eruption in 1963 which demolished everything in its surroundings except the Besakih Temple. It’s remains a spiritual place of worship to this day.
38. Bali has active volcanos
Speaking of volcanos, did you know that Bali has 2 active volcanos?
Gunung Agung (Mount Agung) stands over 3,000 meters high. It has had multiple eruptions throughout history with it’s last spew into the sky being in 2019.
Gunung Batur (Mount Batur) stands at 1,717 meters high. Its last eruption was back in 2000. Batur is popular sunrise treks, sunset treks, and jeep tours to the peak and through the black lava fields.
Popular day tours to Mount Batur:
39. The Banjar System
The Banjar is a traditional village organization that plays a leading role in community life all around Bali. Each desa (village) is divided into several Banjar who essentially function as administrative units.
The members of each Banjar are not government officials but are actually a part of the community that they oversee. Every area (with the handful of exceptions) has their own Banjar – even the touristic areas.
40. Over 100 waterfalls
Another of the Bali facts you might not know: There are over 100 waterfalls in Bali. These include the famous tourist spots, hiddem gems concealed in the jungle, and seasonal ones that only appear during the rainy season.
Some of the best waterfalls in Bali include Sekumpul Waterfall, Aling-Aling Waterfall, Gitgit Waterfall, and Kanto Lampo Waterfall – just to name a handful.
Here are the most popular waterfall tours:
41. Religious Offerings 3 times a day
Balinese Hindus make offerings (called Canang Sari), at least 3 times a day. It’s different with each family and household and the exact offering will depend on the religious occasion.
Offerings in the mornings are placed at family shrines inside and outside of the home, at entrances, and even business establishments to seek blessing during the day.
The midday offerings are usually made right at noon to reinforce gratitude.
The evening offerings are just before sunset and are given to honor the gods and ancestors to provide protection through the night.
42. Balinese Babies don’t touch ground
In Balinese Hinduism, it is a tradition that newborn babies to not the ground for the first 105 days of life. This is part of the belief system that infants are pure little creatures that are still connected to the spiritual world.
On the 105th day (at around 3 months old), the family hosts a special ceremony to mark the first time they will touch the ground. This signifies the baby’s acceptance into the human world as well as introducing them to their ancestors.
43. Bali has Underwater temples
Bali facts that you most likely didn’t know – divers will love this one! Among the thousands of temples in Bali, some of the hidden gems are actually underwater.
In Pemuteran in North Bali, there’s a spot called Temple Reef, or Underwater Temple Garden. However, it is not an ancient temple. It was built as part of a coral restoration project in 2005 to help corals flourish.
44. Balinese Purification Ritual
The sacred Balinese Hindu purification ritual is called Melukat, and is quite sought-after by those looking for a spiritual experience in Bali. The ceremony involves cleansing yourself in holy waters to remove negative karma or to heal oneself.
The most popular temple to experience the Melukat is Pura Tirta Empul, a sacred water temple. It’s located just east of Ubud in Gianyar and it’s wonderful destination to explore.
Here are a few tours which include a stop at Tirta Empul:
45. Petrol in Vodka Bottles
If you’re renting a scooter in Bali, at some point you’ll need to refill your petrol. In some areas where there are no gas stations (Pertamina) nearby, you will need need to get petrol from a local stall on the side of the road.
These are usually stored and displayed in see-through Absolut Vodka bottles and you’ll can easily spot the bottles of green liquid outside. Ask for “Bensin” (petrol) if you need. They’re usually pre-portioned into IDR 10k – 15k amounts.
46. Tooth Filing Ceremony
The Balinese have a traditional tooth filing ceremony called Metatah, or Potong Gigi. It’s a sacred ritual that’s usually performed during the ages of 14 – 18, but sometimes older.
Although the name might sound a bit gruesome, it’s actually a very light and quick tooth filing done by the Balinese priest while reciting prayers. It signifies the removal of negative human traits and prepares the teen for a balanced life ahead.
Here are some other useful resources for your Bali trip:
- Book a private car and driver
- Bali Scooter Rental
- Get a WISE debit card for Bali
- Bali Airport Transfer
Bali facts: My final thoughts
I hope you learned a lot from these Bali facts. Of course, there are hundreds of other fun facts about Bali that you can discover while you’re here. Even if you memorized this entire page, you’ll still face some culture shock, especially if you’ve never travelled to Southeast Asia before.
Bali is a truly unique destination, rich in culture, spirituality, and nature beauty. Don’t let the negative videos on social media stop you from visiting. This island has so much more to offer than just the “crowded places” and Instagrammable spots.
Yes, sometimes it can be a frustrating visit. Yes, there is traffic in some places. It’s not perfect. But whether you’re exploring hidden waterfalls, visiting temples, partying at a beach club, or tasting Balinese food, every moment in Bali feels like an adventure.
Neil
I’ve been in Bali for so long I’ve grown roots (literally and metaphorically). For the past 10 years, I’ve experienced Bali from every angle. I’ve explored the temples, I’ve tried all the food, and I’m proudly fluent in the Indonesian language. I hope our website helps you get an authentic experience for your holiday in Bali, whether you’re here to enjoy the finer things in life, or to learn more about this Bali’s rich culture.
