Bali is a world away from the rest of Indonesia, and it's a longstanding favorite with independent travelers. Itinerant surfers started coming as early as the 1930s, but it wasn't until the 1960s that surfing holidays in Bali became fashionable.

Today, the island legacy continues, and Bali sees as many bohemian surfers as it does affluent resort tourists. With miles of luxurious coastline and a range of accommodation in Bali, this small island has room enough for everyone.

Indonesia may have the world's largest Muslim population, but Bali fosters its own distinct culture. Hinduism has flourished here for nearly 2,000 years.

Away from the beaches are fascinating Hindu temples, cultural exhibitions, terraced rice fields and colorful festivals all worthy of a visit – any many photos.

Kuta is the busiest resort district in Bali, with a few of the top luxury hotels in Bali. Behind the main waterfront is a spread of budget guesthouses that are still within easy walking distance of the beach.

From here it's a short trip by taxi or rented motorbike to Uluwatu, a massive limestone peninsula jutting out in the sea. Tourists visit Uluwatu to see the temple, go surfing or watch the sun set over the majestic cliffs.

Nusa Dua/Benoa is another major tourist area, with scores of high-end, big name hotels.

images: PlanetWare

Legian is another must-see. This relaxed beach boasts excellent surf and a strip of restaurants and bars near the onsite hotels. Life in Legian begins and ends on the beach. Surf shops give lessons by day, and then give way to lively bars and live music venues after sunset.

Kuta Beach is also legendary and offers up a smorgasbord of luxury beachfront resorts.

Further south is Denpasar's Ngurah Rai Airport, one of Indonesia's busiest travel hubs. Flights connect to prominent cities across southern Asia, and most of the major hotels in Bali offer free transfers from the airport. For those not staying in a hotel near Bali airport, metered taxis and rental cars are easily arranged around the Arrivals Hall.

Online Hotel Reservation

Source: Agoda

Books about Bali..

	Lonely Planet Indonesia (Country Travel Guide) List Price: $31.99 Sale Price: $20.19
	With a Lonely Planet guidebook you'll get the best out of your Indonesian trip. Our 9th edition of Indonesia will take you to the best beaches and bars in Bali, through lush paddy fields in Sumatra, diving with turtles off the Gilis in Lombok and to a traditional dance in Ubud...

	Lonely Planet Southeast Asia: On a Shoestring (Shoestring Travel Guide) List Price: $26.99 Sale Price: $17.09
	For 35 years Lonely Planet's Southeast Asia on a Shoestring has been the backpacker's bible. Discover Cambodia's ancient temples, Thailand's island paradises and the best pho in Vietnam. We help you stay longer and spend less...

	Lonely Planet Bali & Lombok (Regional Travel Guide) List Price: $23.99 Sale Price: $14.96
	“The mere mention of ‘Bali’ evokes thoughts of a paradise. It’s more than a place; it’s a mood, an aspiration, a tropical state of mind.” – Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Lonely Planet WriterOur PromiseYou can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition...

Yoga Bitch: One Woman's Quest to Conquer Skepticism, Cynicism, and Cigarettes on the Path to Enlightenment List Price: $15.00 Sale Price: $8.90

What happens when a coffee-drinking, cigarette-smoking, steak-eating twenty-five-year-old atheist decides it is time to get in touch with her spiritual side? Not what you’d expect…   When Suzanne Morrison decides to travel to Bali for a two-month yoga retreat, she wants nothing more than to be transformed from a twenty-five-year-old with a crippling fear of death into her enchanting yoga teacher, Indra—a woman who seems to have found it all: love, self, and God...

	Travel Bali, Indonesia 2012 - Illustrated guide with 20+ Maps. Includes Seminyak, Ubud, Nusa Dua, West Bali National Park, Candidasa, Denpasar and much more (Mobi Travel) List Price: $4.99
	This guide is designed for optimal navigation on eReaders, smartphones, and other mobile electronic devices. It is indexed alphabetically and by category, making it easier to access individual articles...