Bali at Jimbaran Bay

Bali is a tropical paradise with a population of approximately three million people. The vast majority of Balinese are Hindu and assume a spiritual approach to life. (The island has nearly 20,000 temples.).

Known for its lush landscapes and relaxed pace, Bali is also famous for its artistic traditions--including dance, sculpture, painting, leather, metalworking and music. Our guests immerse themselves in the local culture by visiting nearby attractions such as the Uluwatu Temple  or the early 18th century Puru Ulun Siwi temple, at Jimbarans’ main village crossroad. Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park is nearby as is Museum Pasifika Art Gallery featuring more than 600 artworks in 11 separate galleries. Turtle Island is where Bali’s Green Turtle population is being conserved through hatcheries, and Devdan ‘Treasures of the Archipelago’ show features a fusion of traditional Indonesian dances from Bali to Borneo.

Note: To enter Indonesia, you will need to furnish a passport that remains valid at least six months after your date of arrival and has a minumum of 2 blank consecutive pages available when entering. Check with your local Indonesian government representative for visa requirements.

Bali celebrates all Hindu, Islamic, Christian, and national holiday -- but since the majority of Balinese follow a special version of Hinduism, the religious highlights of the island are unique. At Four Seasons, we abide by many of these religious guidelines.

Galungan is celebrated every 210 days to commemorate the triumph of good over evil, and also to be thankful for prosperity. The holiday lasts for 10 days and includes ritualistic dances and offerings at temples. On the last day of the holiday--known as Kuningan day--villagers dress in traditional clothes and carry offerings of fruits, flowers, leaves, and food on their heads to the temples.

Nyepi is celebrated during either March or April, depending on the lunar calendar. Nyepi is the Hindu New Year in Bali and the community conducts its ceremonies a day beforehand to drive out evil spirits. Rituals include firecrackers, drums, and traditional music--along with a parade in which symbolic images of evildoers are burnt at midnight. On Nyepi day, no cars are allowed on the roads, and no lights or noise are permitted in the community.

Other holidays honour knowledge (Saraswati), metal implements (Pagerwesi), and the full moon (Purnama).