Northern Bali is the quiet side of Bali — less developed than the south, less busy than Ubud, and the closest thing you’ll find to what Bali used to be like.
If you’re after the glitz, world class restaurants and expensive villas stay in the south (and see the travel entry for South Bali’s Beach Clubs, Restaurants and Chic).
If you want full jungle and yoga vibe go for Ubud (see Bali in and around Ubud).
If you want tranquil hill retreats, typically a longer dry season and to get a bit more of that “what Bali used to be” vibe, give the north a go and I’ve listed tips below.
In a nutshell:
- Much quieter and less developed than the south or Ubud
- Best for hill retreats, waterfalls, diving and relaxing
- Not ideal if you want beaches, restaurants or nightlife
- You’ll need a few days because distances are quite big
- Best areas are Pemuteran (west) and Lovina (central)
- Works best as part of a wider Bali trip, not as a standalone destination