Benoa

If you're feeling bold enough to brave Bali's monkey mafia and dizzying cliff edges, Uluwatu Temple awaits-an ancient beacon teetering dramatically over the crashing Indian Ocean, seemingly placed there by a deity with flair for the theater. Come close to sunset, when sky and sea smear into a molten painting, and the temple silhouette strikes a suitably cinematic pose. The Kecak fire dance, performed here nightly, is the crowning jewel-part spiritual tradition, part synchronized yelling match, all captivating chaos. Secure your seat early (think at least an hour ahead), budget about $7 to $10 USD for entry and dance tickets, and stash your sunglasses and snacks securely unless you're in the mood to negotiate their ransom with the resident simian pickpockets. Bring along a temple-appropriate sarong (unless you're eager to rent a suspiciously fragrant one at the gate), and don't underestimate the monkeys' dexterity. Sure, it's touristy and crowded, but where else can you say you watched shirtless men chant around flames atop a jagged cliff while monkeys plotted your downfall against a backdrop ripped straight from a postcard?

On the rugged northwest edge of Bali-far removed from the endless yoga studios and smoothie bowls of Ubud-lies Menjangan Island, a scrappy little isle whose coral reefs and kaleidoscopic marine life laugh in the face of the overrated postcard beaches further south. Named after the timid native deer ("Menjangan" literally means "deer" in Balinese), you won't see these antlered creatures doing the backstroke, but beneath the surface, you'll find an aquatic circus teeming with parrotfish that could double as Vegas performers, turtles gliding like dignified old gentlemen, and neon-hued nudibranchs oddly reminiscent of psychedelic gummy candies. Arrive absurdly early-before the dive boats crowd in-to watch the morning light play hypnotically across pristine coral towers, and don't even think about showing up without reef-safe sunscreen or you'll earn some well-deserved side-eye from the eco-conscious guides. Plan at least a week ahead for the best boat operators, budget about 500,000 rupiah ($35 USD) for boat fee and permits, and pack snacks because restaurant options on the island are nonexistent (unless you count accidentally swallowing salt water). Is snorkeling at Menjangan Island life-changing? Maybe not-but swimming through a living, breathing aquarium while a deer gazes judgmentally from the shoreline is a story worth telling long after you've rinsed the sand from your swimsuit.

In the steamy, vibrant heart of Ubud lies the Monkey Forest Sacred Sanctuary-a deceptively quaint-sounding jungle enclave home to feisty Balinese macaques who seem blissfully unaware of their sacred status (or perhaps painfully aware, given their royal sense of entitlement). Picture this: you're strolling innocently beneath tangled branches and ancient temples, marveling at moss-covered statues that appear straight from Indiana Jones's prop department, when suddenly a monkey gangster confidently swipes your sunglasses, camera, or-heaven forbid-your carefully hidden snack, and eyes you smugly from atop a stone deity older than your ancestors. Embark early, ideally around opening time, when monkeys haven't had a full day to perfect their mugging techniques and crowds are thin enough to enjoy the lush foliage and fantastical, centuries-old architecture minus selfie-stick-wielding hordes. A morning visit also grants you softer sunlight for those obligatory National Geographic-inspired monkey portraits. Budget about 80,000 IDR (around $5-$6 USD) for the entry and another few dollars equivalent tucked away in your pocket for bananas or peanuts at local stalls-your monkey tax, so to speak, to ensure safe passage. Pack light, secure valuables (lest your sunglasses wind up as an offering at a monkey shrine), and maybe bring a sense of humor, because you will be laughing nervously when faced with a macaque's unblinking, mafia-like stare. Even with the mild threat of primate thievery, the Monkey Forest is uniquely unforgettable-because where else can you walk through a sacred Hindu site while engaged in a standoff with a furry, four-legged godfather?

Ah, Nusa Penida-a rebellious island cousin that makes Bali look like the polished, Instagram-hungry sibling it secretly resents. A quick (yet stomach-churning) fast boat ride away-take one early if you enjoy your cliffs with a sunrise glow (and fewer selfie sticks)-this rugged gem delivers dramatic cliffscapes so sharply defined you'll suspect nature hired an architect with anger issues. Historically overshadowed by its hippie-chic neighbor, Nusa Penida spent generations as Bali's black sheep, a mysterious place of banishment, exile, and spiritual solitude; nowadays, it's more about tourists exiling themselves from Wi-Fi and artisanal smoothie bowls. Pack a sturdy pair of shoes, sunscreen, and motion-sickness tablets worthy of Hannibal crossing the Alps. Budget $40-$80 to cover the boat, a scooter rental (helmets encouraged, humility mandatory), plus lunch by the beach shack-where your grilled fish will have been swimming mere hours earlier. Sure, your Instagram feed will sparkle, but that one ridiculous tale you'll bring home-maybe about nearly toppling off a steep descent to Kelingking Beach, or bargaining fiercely with a coconut vendor-is what makes the adventure worth every rupiah.