The Regency is just west of Badung, stretching from the coastline of massive black rocks up to the central mountains. Tabanan is an unspoilt of Bali which is also richly fertile, containing the best agricultute and a place to give peace and prosperity to their villagers. The main place to stay in Tabanan is the mountain resort of Bedugul, famed for its cool climate and spectacular lakes, mountains and rice fields. Penebel offers hot springs with modern facilities. Krambitan is the place for an unusual stay in a royal palace, living the mystic life. Tabanan's west coast is being developed as Bali's newest beach resort-with miles of deserted black sand and a pounding surf.

A range of water sports are available next to the Ulun Danu temple and at the lakeside hotels such as Bedugul and Lila Graha.
Motorboat Covered Boat. Water cycle Rowboa

The white sands of Kuta are still arguably the best beachfront on Bali. The beach is much cleaner than just a few years ago, although the vendors remain annoying. Kuta is not the fishing village it once was: it is now a booming Pacific resort and its streets are clogged with tourists and traffic during peak seasons. Legian is a bit quieter, less crowded, and more suitable for longer stays, although in many ways it has become an extension of Kuta. Further north, Seminyak, Petitenget and Canggu offer more tranquility.

Bali - Kuta and Tuban

Kuta proper is the area delineated by JI. Legian, JI. Pantai Kuta, JI. Melasti, the beach front drive and the lanes in between, especially Gang Poppies I and 11. JI. Legian is the commercial hub of Kuta and the stage of many of its restaurants and nightlife. Most of Kuta's big beachfront hotels are in southern Kuta.

Bali - Legian and Seminyak

Legian and Seminyak are northern extensions of Kuta proper along JI. Legian to JI. Basangkasa. Somewhat quieter with cottage-style accommodations, this is where many of the ex-pat designers and long-stay tourists live.There are three ways to reach Legian and Seminyak: through Kuta and JI ' Melasti, then north; from JI. Imam Bonjol, turn west on to A Patih Jelantik at the Pertamina gas station; or from the north via JI. Kerobokan.

Nusa Dua and Tanjung Benoa are Bali's modern tourist resorts - a government-run dreamland of coconut palms, white sand beaches and pristine waters located near the island's southernmost tip. Geologically, the area is quite different from the rest of Bali, and even from the rest of the Bukit peninsula upon which it rests.

Instead of rice fields or limestone cliffs, there is sandy soil reaching down to a long, sandy beach protected by a reef. Coconut trees are everywhere - Nusa Dua was once a huge coconut plantation. The climate here is also drier than the rest of Bali, freshened by a mild ocean breeze.

Nusa Dua's hotels are geared to tourist groups, beach fanatics and international conferences. Each hotel has its own combination of first-class business and resort facilities. Located in a large, landscaped park, the complex also comprises an international convention center, a championship 18-hole golf course, a luxury shopping center, a medical clinic, and an amphitheater for music and dance. More facilities are located in the village of Bualu, just outside the resort. A strip of hotels, restaurants and watersports operators is located along the narrow cape north of Nusa Dua, Tanjung Benoa. And a new area is being developed at Pecatu or South Nusa Dua, south of Nusa Dua proper, anchored by the Nikko Hotel.

Located on the isthmus south of Ngurah Rai airport and a continuation of the white sands of Kuta Beach, Jimbaran bay is one of Bali's most recently developed resort area. Tranquil compared to Kuta, it retains much of its fishing village charm. With its shallow water and lack of sharp corals, Jimbaran is ideal for families. The area also remains free from aggressive vendors.
Nearby and stretching right along Jimbaran beach is a succession of simple beachside seafood restaurants. Coming alive after sunset, the restaurants grill the choicest prawns, squid, snapper, and lobster over coconut husk fires. The setting is unbeatable with the tables right on the water's edge. Choose your fish from the ice boxes, pick a table and enjoy. This is definitely a must-do while in Bali.

Sanur is where Bali's first luxury beach hotel was built over 30 years ago, and has since been the spot for luxurious seaside accommodation. Conveniently located near Denpasar on the main road leading to the east, Sanur is not nearly as frenetic as Kuta, nor as well-mannered as Nusa Dua. Many foreigners have built lavish villas and bungalows here and this is the preferred place for up-market, long-term stays on the island, especially in the BatuJimbar and Belanjong areas.
The main attraction here is the white sand beach bordering a reef-sheltered lagoon. The beach stretches south from the The Grand Bali Beach Hotel and ends up in the mangrove marshes opposite Serangan Island. Due to the protection of the lagoon, this beach is one of the safest on the island, and thus perfect for families. There is no surf apart from out on the reef, and one cannot swim at low tide, but at other times this is the best place in Bali for windsurfing and sailing.

Biking around Sanur is also fun. in Semawang, you can rent a bike for Rp15,000/ day; try bargaining. The bicycles aren't the greatest. It may be wise to pay more by renting through your hotel.

Sanur is an ideal base for trips to Bali's rice growing heartland and the mountain areas. Rent a self-drive car or a minibus with driver on a daily basis. There are car rental companies on JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai and on JI. Danau Tamblingan. Cars and minibuses for hire are found outside all major hotels, or go through one of many car rental companies.

The most reputable self-drive rental agencies are Avis, which has desks at Jimbaran, in the Nusa Dua Beach Hotel and the Sheraton Lagoon Nusa Dua; Bali Car Rental on JI. Bypass Ngurah Rai; and Toyota Rent a Car at the airport, Jimbaran, on JI. Raya Airport 99X, in the Bali Padma Hotel in Legian, and Kartika Plaza Hotel in Tuban.

It has been the stamping ground of Bali's earliest dynasties in recorded history. It is here that the first great lines of Hindu Zed Kings established themselves. Pejeng was the center of power until the early 14th century , when the last line of Warmadewa was defeated by Majapahit Empire, Under Gajah Mada , in 1343. The two rivers, Petanu and Pakerisan , have been storing series of ancient historical remains along the banks, such as temples, meditation cells , baths and other monuments

Karangasem, Bali's easternmost regency, is also its most beautiful. It has a wide variety of resorts, some of them little-known. Padangbai, where the ferries depart to Lombok; Candidasa on the southern coast; Tulamben and Amed, the divers' hide-outs on the north coast; Tirtagangga, near the cultural heart of the eastern coastal plain, and the more remote areas of Sidemen and Putung. Karangasem is a great area to base yourself for several days of exploration.

Karangasem Area Hotels
Candidasa Amed and Tulamben

This Regency sprawls over the full length of Bali's north coast. It is hot, dry and fringed with black sand beaches and coconut palms. It meet Karangasem in the northeast coast into the untouched jungle territory of Bali's National Park, on the west end of the island. The Regency has been more exposed to foreign influences in the recent past. Buleleng was a port for traiding boats coming east on the route to Spice Island and where Chinese, Arabic, European , and Bugis merchant came to exchange opium, arms , and "kepeng " for Balinese rice, fruits, cattle , and slaves. In 1882, the Dutch made Bali and Lombok into a combined Residency and singaraja became the capital city.