Bali

The Muslim Travel Guide

If you are looking for a relaxing, luxury and affordable vacation near Southeast Asia, then look no further than Bali. I don’t really have words to describe how incredibly beautiful Bali is, how genuinely kind the Balinese people are and how wonderfully cheap everything is. Halal food in Bali is easy to come by, the scenery is like no other and the weather is perfect.

Bali gets a lot of hype on social media. Every other traveler has lots of great content talking about how Bali is an excellent vacation spot. There are many things Muslims can do and enjoy on this beautiful island. Halal food in Bali is a lot more accessible than one would think making Bali an ideal vacation and honeymoon spot for Muslims

Things To Do and See

Explore Ubud

If you want to experience natural beauty that will make you reflect on Allah’s beautiful creation, then as soon as you land in Bali, head straight to Ubud. Ubud is a northern town in Bali that is surrounded by natural beauty. Taking early morning walks on a rice terrace, getting up close to waterfalls or going to quite spot to experience sunrise are just some of the many things you can do. My personal favourite option in Ubud was to find a good hotel to stay in for a few days located in the middle of natural beauty and just lay back and relax. If you happen to stay in the more touristy and busier parts of Bali like Kuta or Semyniak you will really appreciate the tranquility and quiet of Ubud. A few other activities to do in Ubud you can do is visit a Monkey Sanctuary where you walk amongst monkeys that roam freely.

Beaches

Bali is an island, which means there is absolutely no shortage of beaches. Kuta, Seminyak, Ulluwat and Nusa Dua are parts of Bali that are close to the water and that is where you will find beaches. 

Bali Swing

If you’ve done any kind of research on Bali you must have come across the iconic Bali Swings. There are many swing places Aloha Ubud Swing located in Ubud. The staff were friendly and it was not as busy as other swing parks.

Tea Plantations

Bali is known for its tea plantation. Many of plantations offer free tasting and tours of their facility.

Visit a Masjid

Check out the Where to Pray Section below. 

Where to Eat

Halal food in Bali is not commonly advertised everywhere, however if you look and ask around there are some options.

  1. All large fast food chains offer halal food. McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, etc. They also have Halal certificates on display. 
  2. Many Hotels offer Halal meals. Ask them before booking. If you’ve already made a booking, ask them once you are there.
  3. Kuta, Seminyak and Ubud downtown areas do have Halal restaurants. My personal method is to Google “Halal Restaurant”, go through the results and verify verbally once there or over phone.
  4. There are many vegetarian and seafood options available. 

Halal Restaurants near Kuta and Seminyak

  • Warung Makan Nikmat halal (traditional Indonesian food)

  • Deliziosa Coffee Pizza & Pasta

  • Al Diwan Lebanese Cuisine & Shisha Lounge

Halal Restaurants in Ubud

  • Halal Ubud Burger

  • Warung Ijo Ubud (traditional Indonesian food)

Where to Pray

Despite Bali being majority hindu, it is an island located in the country with the most Muslims in the world – Indonesia. This means, there is a small Muslim population that calls Bali their home and because of this, you will find many Masjids in Bali. It’s always nice to pray alongside your fellow Muslims especially when they are a minority in a region. Find which Masjid you are closest to you and pray there. My go to method for finding Masjids is to open up Google Maps and search “Masjid” or “Mosque”. 

Masjids in Bali

  • Ar-Rahmat Masjid in Kuta
  • Masjid Agung Ibnu Batutah in Nusa Dua
  • Masjid Nurul Huda Gelgel in Klungkung 
  • Masjid At Taqwa in Denpasar (pictured above)

Where to Stay

Bali is known for its affordable and luxurious accommodations. You can find a place to stay that fits any budget. More over, you will find the same top notch Balinese hospitality anywhere you decide you stay. 

For me personally, I tried to find the most luxurious places at decently affordable places. Here are three hotels I personally stayed at and recommend. Do you research to find the best rates but from personal experience, Agoda has always been my go to booking website for hotels. They have usually offered the best deals when compared to other websites and run promotions often. 

Amnaya Resort Kuta 

Amnaya Resort has to be my one of my best hotel experience to date. The hotel is hidden away in the heart of Kuta, close to all amenities. The rooms are sparkling clean and the hospitality is top notch. The highlight of this hotel has to be the delicious breakfast and the complimentary afternoon tea and snacks. 

Dedary Kriyamaha Ubud by Pramana 

If you’re looking for a quite and private villa in Ubud, look no further than Dedary Kriyamaha. The villas come with their own private pool. The breakfast is delicious and is delivered to your villa so you can enjoy your meal in the privacy of your villa. 

SereS Springs Resort & Spa

SereS Springs Resort & Spa is a large resort that offers rooms for all budgets. You can get a room in the hotel building or your private villa with a swimming pool that offers stunning views. The breakfast buffet is good and the hotel service and staff are great. 

How to Get Around

There are many ways to get around Bali. It depends on where you are staying, who you are travelling with and activities you want to do. 

Grab

Grab is the equivalent to Uber and Lyft in Southeast Asia. It is a safe and affordable way to get around. 

If you are staying around the more populated areas of Kuta and Seminyak then Grab is your best option. You will have grab rides easily available and they will be affordable as well. 

Private Driver

If you plan to explore more remote areas of Bali, have children and want a more relaxing way of travelling, your best option is to hire a private driver for the day. This option is bit more expensive but gives you a lot more flexibility. Since Bali can get really hot, having your own private car is invaluable when you want to rest before going on your next adventure. Having a car also means you don’t have to carry your bags and luggage around everywhere. 

If you are looking for a driver in Bali, contact Komang Rai. He and his father have a Taxi business and are incredibly nice people. I would hight recommend their services. You can read a bit more about my experience on @MuslimHopper Instagram page. 

Motorcycle

If you’re travelling solo or with one other person, renting a motorcycle is a more adventurous option. Just keep in mind that traffic can be really bad. Furthermore, driving in Bali is quite aggressive and sometimes even dangerous. Be mindful of this before you chose this option. I would not recommend getting a motorcycle if you are travelling with family and children. 

How to Stay Safe

Bali is a Muslim friendly travel destination. I travelled all around Bali with my wife and son and had a wonderful time.

Take normal safety precautions as you would anywhere else. 

General Tips

  • Bali is predominantly Hindu. Be respectful of their beliefs, culture and way of life.
  • Traffic is a bit of a nightmare at times. Give yourself lots of time when travelling especially if you have a flight to catch.
  • Bali is HOT. Stay hydrated and try to do outdoor activities either early morning and later on in the day.
  • Due to the hot temperatures, expect to see all sorts of lizards. 🙂
  • Bali airport is called Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS) and located in the area of Denpasar(near Kuta). There is a dedicated prayer room available at the airport. 
  • Ngurah Rai International Airport has multiple premium lounges available.

Fun Facts

  • Indonesia is home to 225 million Muslims, more than any country in the world. However, 87% of Bali is Hindu.  
  • 10% of Bali’s population is Muslim.
  • Kopi Luwak, the worlds most expensive coffee is made in Bali from civet droppings(poop). 
  • Tourism makes up almost 80% of Bali’s economy