Hidden Gems in Bali: A Local’s Guide Beyond the Tourist Trail

While many visitors to Bali head to Seminyak and Ubud, if you're looking to escape the crowds and get off the beaten path, it's entirely possible to do so. In fact, if you're up for a little bit of adventure, you're going to love seeking out the many hidden gems in Bali. 

Head to the village of Munduk in North Bali and you'll find secret waterfalls and swimming holes. After that, make your way over to the town of Sideman in East Bali to glimpse rice terraces and Insta-worthy viewpoints without contending with crowds. Or, if it's non-touristy beaches you're after, seek out Nyang Nyang Beach in South Bali, where you can always find a secluded spot on the sand. 

If you're on a quest to find the best non-touristy places in Bali, stick to this list and you're bound to have an incredible time exploring a more authentic side of the "Island of the Gods".

You'll find some of the best hidden gems in Bali clustered around the northern part of the island. This includes the Blue Lagoon at Sambangan Secret Garden.

While you can hire a guide to take you to this secret swimming hole, you can easily reach it on your own by driving to Warung D’Jurang in the town of Ambengan and following the signs to the Blue Lagoon. After a short downhill walk, you'll be greeted by the impossibly blue and clear waters of Blue Lagoon perfectly framed by the plant- and vine-clad canyon walls.

This is a truly magical swimming spot and the chilly water offers the perfect reprieve from the tropical heat. There is a small entry fee to access Sambangan's Blue Lagoon. While there are no real facilities, there is a small WC.

North Bali is home to some of the most beautiful waterfalls on the island. One of the best places to see multiple waterfalls in one day is in the Munduk area. While some of these cascades are popular, they are all well off South Bali's well-trodden tourist track.

Munduk's most famous waterfall is Aling-Aling. This is one for adventure junkies who will love jumping off the multiple cliff diving spots and sliding down the natural waterslides. Next up is the gorgeous Gitgit Twin Waterfall. Not only is this natural wonder picture-perfect, but you can take a dip in the blue waters to cool off.

If you don't mind a slightly strenuous 45-minute hike, it's well worth trekking to Sekumpul Waterfall. This 80-metre-tall twin waterfall is the tallest in Bali. Another option is to tackle the Munduk Waterfall trail, which will lead you through the rainforest to Golden Valley, Munduk, and Melanting waterfalls.

Do note that all of these waterfalls require a small entry fee. 

Located in the very heart of the island, Jatiluwih Rice Terraces offer a less-touristy alternative to Ubud's famous Tegallalang Rice Terrace. Located 90 minutes from Ubud, the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces' massive size and rural location mean you'll have to contend with far fewer crowds. In fact, you may not even see many tourists during your visit.

What makes this one of the coolest hidden gems in Bali is that the Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famed for their incredible ancient irrigation system. Spanning nearly 600 hectares, you'll have the chance to wander around the emerald green terraces either on foot or on a bike.

As with all of Bali's beautiful rice terraces, it's best to go during sunrise to see them in their best light and to avoid the midday heat. 

If you're searching for non-touristy places in Bali, do yourself a favour and drive up to the rural village of Sidemen in East Bali. This is where you'll find some of the most incredible natural attractions on the island, but without the crowds you'll experience in hubs like Ubud and Canggu. 

You can spend your time here meandering around the many verdant rice terraces and paddies, swimming in the natural infinity pool at Gembleng Waterfall, getting panoramic views of Mount Agung (the largest volcano in Bali) from the Bukit Cinta Viewpoint or the Lahangan Sweet Volcano Viewpoint, and enjoying a peaceful riverside picnic next to the Telaga Waja River.

And these are just some of the many hidden gems you'll find in Sidemen.

West Bali National Park was tailor-made for anyone who's really looking to get off the beaten path in Bali. This remote national park is located at the northernmost tip of West Bali. The 190-square-kilometre park spans the entire Prapat Agung Peninsula and is home to some of the most incredible natural attractions in Bali.

Due to the local infrastructure and remote setting, the easiest and safest option is to arrange to have a guide show you around or sign up for a guided tour for any activities that appeal to you. West Bali Adventures and West Bali National Park Tour are both great options for guided tours.

One of the coolest things to do in West Bali National Park is to go diving or snorkelling around Menjangan Island. From turtles to reef sharks, the marine life here is spectacular. This island is also worth visiting to explore the mangroves and see the packs of resident deer. 

Other popular activities in West Bali National Park are going bird-watching, embarking on jungle treks, seeing the nearly endangered Bali starlings in the wild or at the Bali Starling Breeding Centre, and so much more. 

It's no secret that the beaches in South Bali can get packed with tourists. If you're looking for secluded beaches, then you'll want to rent a scooter and go beach hopping around Uluwatu. 

To truly escape the crowds, Nyang Nyang Beach is your best bet. The west entrance is accessible by motorbike via a newly paved road. On this part of the beach, you'll find basic amenities, including a few small warungs (restaurants) and loungers for rent. 

The east side of Nyang Nyang Beach is far more remote. Because it's only accessible via a steep 500-step staircase, most visitors avoid it. The climb back up is quite gruelling but worth it if you want to have a beach (almost) all to yourself.

Nunggalan Beach is right next door to Nyang Nyang Beach and is another secluded spot. This place never gets crowded but don't be surprised if you see a few adventurous travellers taking photos at the Insta-famous "Broken Ship," a shipwreck that street artists have painted over. 

When it comes to diving sites, Nusa Penida is one of the most unique hidden gems in Bali. The waters surrounding this rugged island are home to enormous manta rays, which can be spotted all year long. 

The best place to view these magnificent creatures is in the waters below Manta Point, a viewpoint on the mainland of Nusa Penida. It's possible to join diving and snorkelling tours that will take you to Manta Point. Sanctum Dive and Legend Diving Nusa Penida are both reputable companies. 

Swimming with manta rays is never guaranteed, but the chances are good. Either way, the coral reefs in this area are home to spectacular sea life, from bamboo sharks to blue-spotted stingrays and even Mola mola. 

The laid-back beach town of Sanur offers an excellent alternative to Kuta and Seminyak, without being too far removed from all the action. Mercure Resort Sanur is all about offering a local and authentic experience with a dash of luxury. You can expect Balinese-style rooms spread across expansive tropical gardens. Other perks at this Sanur resort include two pools, a private beach, and a spa. 

Located in South Bali, Sanur is a convenient home base for exploring some of the best hidden gems in Bali. From the secluded beaches of Uluwatu to the coral reefs of Nusa Penida, many of the less-visited spots on this list are just a short distance away from Sanur. 

Some hidden gems worth visiting in Bali are the less-touristy Jatiluwih Rice Terraces in Jatiluwih, the viewpoints overlooking Mount Agung in Sidemen, the many remote waterfalls and swimming holes in Munduk, and the diving and snorkelling spots in West Bali National Park and Nusa Penida.

The best non-touristy things to do in Bali depend on what your interests are. Beach lovers will find plenty of secluded beaches scattered around the island, while nature enthusiasts will find non-touristy waterfalls and rice terraces in more remote destinations in North and East Bali.

Some lesser-known beaches in Bali are Uluwatu's Nyang Nyang and Green Bowl beaches in South Bali, Amed's black sand Jemeluk and Lipah beaches in North Bali, and Nusa Penida's wild and remote Atuh and Diamond beaches off the coast of South Bali. 

If you're wondering where to go to avoid crowds in Bali, you could opt to visit beach towns in North Bali, including Amed and Lovina. If you want to be near all of the hidden gems in South Bali, the seaside town of Sanur is an excellent option.