AROUND THIS BEAUTIFUL PLANET are plenty of tropical beach destinations where a traveler wouldn’t dream of arriving sans swimsuit. Then there’s Bali, a destination that takes swimsuit wearing to the next level. It’s somehow justified on an island where so much time is spent outside and, overwhelmingly, around and in water.
While the beach is the first thing that comes to mind when doing the mental arithmetic of Bali + swimsuit, there are plenty more activities on the island that warrant a Lycra-related costume change. Here are 10 things to do in Bali in a swimsuit, away from the beach.
1. Waterfalls
We all know better than to follow TLC’s advice, “don’t go chasing waterfalls,” because even a minimal amount of chasing can produce epic results. By some accounts Bali has more than 100 waterfalls, and they’re as photogenic as they are powerful (and cold!). Don a resilient swimsuit to seek out favorites including Tibumana, Gitgit and Kanto Lampo. Getting to the island’s air terjun, as they’re called in Bahasa Indonesia, often requires a picturesque walk or trek down into a gorge or river valley, so grippy shoes are a good idea. Not all the waterfalls are swimmable, but even without getting soaked, the photo ops are well worth it.
Donation entry fee.
2. Waterfall temple
What’s better than a waterfall? A waterfall temple or water temple. These are where Balinese Hindus come to pray, meditate or do melukat purification ceremonies, which involve getting quite wet. To assist travelers, there are local guides on hand at the intricately carved water-spouting pools of Pura Tirta Empul and also Pura Taman Pecampuhan Sala, where you’ll see multiple gorgeous waterfalls during the spiritual journey. Wear your bathing suit under a sarong (available to rent at the temple) when embarking on these singular experiences.
Donation entry fee
3. Fitness class
Yes, you can wear activewear and athleisure wear to one of the island’s many workout classes, from HIIT to Pilates to yoga, but it’s perfectly acceptable to show up in a bikini top. (And many guys wear their swim trunks as a default anyway.) Not only is it accepted, it’s kind of the norm, especially in beach towns such as Canggu and Uluwatu. In the latter, for example, you can cool off by going straight to the beach—or into the waves—from one of Studio FONDUE’s booty-burning, leg-shaking Pilates sessions, without even pausing to change.
studio-fondue.com; 220,000 IDR
4. Contrast therapy
As Bali’s wellness movement has evolved beyond Ubud’s yoga scene, there has been an increase in spas offering recovery methods such as contrast therapy, as in saunas and steam rooms plus hot and ice-cold plunges. It’s not just good for your bod, it’s quite a scene. It only makes sense, then, that devotees turn up in their best swim attire, ready to get their sweat—then chill—on. AMO and Power + Revive in Canggu plus The Istana and Santai Recovery Spa in the Uluwatu area are a few of the most popular destinations. For the opposite vibe, a totally private infrared sauna and saltwater ice bath plunge, try Sundaymood in Pererenan.
5. Hotel pools
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Courtesy of Bulgari Resort Bali
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Courtesy of Capella Ubud
It’s well known that Bali is home to an absurdly incredible array of hotels and resorts, all equipped with sparkling swimming pools that are basically irresistible. A few particularly stunning ones to seek out in your swimsuit include the jungle-view ones at Capella Ubud, Bambu Indah and Hanging Gardens of Bali, and the infinity-edge options that meld into the ocean at Bulgari Resort Bali, Alila Villas Uluwatu, Amankila and Umana Bali, LXR Hotels & Resorts.
BOOK YOUR STAY AT BULGARI RESORT BALI VIA BOOKING.COM
BOOK YOUR STAY AT CAPELLA UBUD VIA BOOKING.COM
6. Water park
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Courtesy of Waterbom Bali
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Courtesy of Waterbom Bali
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Courtesy of Waterbom Bali
There’s perhaps no better place to get in touch with your inner child than at the ultimate—and sustainable!—Waterbom Bali! The structural integrity of your swimwear is going to get a good workout in this 38,000-square-meter park with more than a dozen water slides—some simply speedy and others borderline extreme—plus a lazy river, pools, water games and other attractions. There’s dining and drinking, including two swim-up bars, too. The bottom line: sun and fun await.
waterbom-bali.com; from 365,500 IDR
7. Thalassotherapy
In addition to oodles of unique swimming pools, AYANA Estate—comprising four different hotels—boasts a massive spa with a giant Thalassotherapy pool that overlooks the Indian Ocean. Filled with mineral-rich sea water, it’s the place to try guided aqua exercise, water massage and Aquatonic Therapy. The latter is a therapeutic self-guided circuit through a warm labyrinth of hydromassage stations that emit everything from microbubbles to powerful geysers, all in the name of blood circulation stimulation and supreme relaxation.
ayana.com; from 540,000 IDR
BOOK YOUR STAY AT AYANA RESORT BALI VIA BOOKING.COM
8. Whitewater rafting
Believe it or not, Bali has landlocked aquatic activities, too. One of these is whitewater rafting, which is typically available year-round but arguably hits peak excitement—and rapids—with more water moving during rainy season (November to March). Bali has many rivers, but the Ayung hosts the most rafting exploits, and sometimes you can hop out of the inflatable and float serenely with the current. The Four Seasons Bali at Sayan resort even offers a rafting transfer and arrival for the more adventurous guests.
BOOK YOUR STAY AT FOUR SEASONS RESORT BALI AT SAYAN VIA BOOKING.COM
9. Hot springs
Another surprise: Bali has hot springs! They’re courtesy of the active volcanoes dotted around the island and, while it may seem counterintuitive to hop in a hot pool when the air temperature is so steamy, up in the mountainous areas where they sit it feels oh-so good. Lakeside Toya Devasya has the best views of Mt. Batur, while Batur Natural Hot Spring has hotter water (up to 104 F/40 degrees Celsius). The Espa Hot Spring Resort & Spa is a bit further off the beaten track, beside a cold river in Tabanan.
10. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, coffee, drinks!
If you’ve ever wanted to go out to dinner in a bathing suit, Bali is the place where you can do that. Ditto with coffee, lunch or even breakfast. Hit up a bar or club in a bikini or board shorts and you probably won’t be the only one. Across Bali, and particularly in the coastal towns, no one bats an eyelash when diners show up for a meal in swimwear. This is perhaps especially true at Gooseberry, a chic Bingin restaurant that has a pool onsite as well as a lingerie and swimwear boutique, in case you want to upgrade your ’fit.
Lede and hero image by Yaorusheng©GettyImages.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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Written By
Kathryn Romeyn
Kathryn Romeyn is an American writer, editor and podcast host based in Bali, Indonesia. A travel journalist ..Read More
