While South Bali gets crowded, North Bali remains one of the island’s bestkept secrets — wild dolphins, natural hot springs, Buddhist temples, and black sand beaches with almost no tourists. Here’s your guide to discovering it.
Introduction
Here is something that most Bali visitors never discover: the island has a north coast.
While Seminyak fills with beach clubs, Ubud fills with wellness retreats, and Canggu fills with co-working spaces, North Bali sits quietly on the other side of the mountains — calm, authentic,and almost entirely overlooked. The roads are better now than they’ve ever been. The experiences are extraordinary. And the crowds? Almost nonexistent.
In 2026, as Bali tourism hits record numbers and certain coastal areas feel genuinely overcrowded, North Bali has quietly become the island’s most compelling alternative.
Lovina Beach — Bali’s Other Coast
Forget white sand and pounding surf. Lovina’s beaches are black volcanic sand, the sea is almost perfectly flat, and the atmosphere is the Bali of 20 years ago — local fishing boats pulled up on the shore, simple warungs, cats sleeping in the sun.
It is quiet in the way that Bali used to be quiet. And every morning, wild spinner dolphins put on
a sunrise show just offshore.
Brahma Vihara Arama — Bali’s Buddhist Monastery
This surprises many visitors: Bali has a significant Buddhist community, and their main monastery — Brahma Vihara Arama — sits in the hills above Lovina. It is Bali’s largest Buddhist temple, ornately decorated with golden Buddhas, colorful murals, and manicured gardens overlooking the northern coast.
The contrast with Bali’s ubiquitous Hindu temples is striking. The atmosphere is one of profound
peace. Entry is by donation, and sarongs are provided.
Banjar Hot Springs — Nature’s Jacuzzi
A short drive from Lovina, the Banjar Hot Springs are a series of naturally heated mineral pools
carved from stone and set in a jungle garden. The water temperature hovers around 38°C —
warm enough to relax completely, cool enough to stay in for an hour. Surrounded by frangipani
and flowing carved spouts, the pools are beautiful in a genuinely natural way.
This is not a resort spa. This is volcanic water emerging from the earth into stone pools built by
the community. It costs a few dollars to enter and is one of the most quietly wonderful
experiences on the island.
Gitgit Waterfall — North Bali’s Finest
The Gitgit Waterfall near Singaraja is a classic — a powerful 40-metre cascade tumbling through
bamboo forest and rice paddy scenery. The 20-minute jungle walk to reach it passes through
scenery that would be a major attraction in almost any other country. At Gitgit, it’s just the walk
to the waterfall.
The Drive Itself
The road from South Bali to the north passes over the volcanic spine of the island through some
of Bali’s most dramatic scenery — mountain passes, temple-lined roads, cloud forest. The drive to
Lovina via Bedugul takes you through the highlands, past crater lakes and coffee plantations,
before descending to the coast.
It is, genuinely, one of the great drives in Southeast Asia.
How to Do North Bali Properly
North Bali is best done as a full-day private tour from South Bali, departing early (before 700
AM) to make the most of the day. Our Wild North Bali Expedition covers all the highlights —
Lovina, Brahma Vihara Arama, Banjar Hot Springs, and Gitgit Waterfall — in one seamless 12-
hour private journey.
