Only a twenty-minute drive from Ngurah Rai International Airport can bring you to the best of Bali – Jimbaran. The Bukit area is full of ancient traditional temples, surrounded by white sandy beaches, home to of some of Bali’s best restaurants and beach clubs and offers the most spectacular views the island has to offer. It’s no wonder that many of the best luxury hotels are situated here.
The Longhouse – Jimbaran, Bali
But there is another way to enjoy the charms of Jimbaran and the surrounding area. The private villa experience is a more warm and personal way to immerse yourself in Bali life. The Longhouse, located in Jimbaran, has been welcoming guests for 11 years now who enjoy not only the spectacular view, but the excellent service and food and of course the villa – which is a destination in itself.
Each room is full of art and artifacts and themed after a different Indonesian Island. The staff, most of whom are from the local village, love to share their Balinese culture and traditions with guests. Optional in-house activities including cooking classes, tea at a local village house, a water blessing ceremony and much more.
Things to Do
Once in Jimbaran, there are many places of interest nearby. Take a stroll through the local village to experience everyday life. Go to nearby Jimbaran beach after sunrise to see the fishing boats come in or take a stroll there in the late afternoon to see one of the most beautiful sunsets on the island.
The seafood restaurants here are famous and you can wiggle your toes in the sand while munching on your grilled seafood dinner. But Jimbaran Beach is not the only beautiful beach nearby! You can go to a different beach every day of the week and still have plenty more to explore. Beach activities such as paddle boats at Pandawa, Paragliding from the cliffs at Melasti, taking a cruise on a fishing boat from Jimbaran and going surfing are only some of the activities beach lovers can enjoy nearby.
Restaurants and Clubs Abound Around Jimbaran.
For those looking for the finest dining that Bali has to offer, Try trendy El Kabron with exquisite Spanish and fusion food with a Latin vibe and a view to die for. Cuca Restaurant in Jimbaran is a haven for foodies with molecular gastronomy “tapas” for a dinner to share with the whole table. Cafes and Restaurants can be found up and down Jalan Uluwatu and in hidden corners and it almost seems like a new one opens daily in the Uluwatu area. Omnia and Ulu Cliffhouse, as well as the Rock Bar, are just a few of the famous places to visit for night life in the area. Specialty restaurants for vegetarians and menus with vegan options are easy to find.
Finding Your Inner Zen
Yoga is available both at The Longhouse and in the surrounding areas with opportunities to visit outside yoga classes at places such as the well-known Mu in Uluwatu and Yoga Rescue right here in Jimbaran. But the beautiful yoga pavilion at The Longhouse with its peaceful view is our choice! Sports activities abound on The Bukit… Go-cart racing, the Water Park, horse riding and even camel riding are all possibilities.
Cultural Immersion
We suggest making a visit Uluwatu Temple where the Kecak Dance is a dramatic cliff-side spectacle being performed at sunset every night. Here sarongs and sashes are provided for visitors. If you decide to explore some of the many less visited temples on The Bukit, do bring your own sarong and sash which is required for a respectful dress code. GWK Cultural Centre is notable for its 131-metre statue of Vishnu riding the Garuda which can be seen for miles around. The park has many daily dances and activities. Ceremonies pop up when you are not expecting them, so there is no need to leave The Bukit to stumble on a wedding, cremation ceremony or one of the other beautiful and colourful ceremonies that Bali is known for.
Image credit: GWK Cultural Park
Shop ’til You Drop
Jenggala Ceramics is a must do in Jimbaran with lovely local ceramic collections and other local handicrafts. Whilst you browse the factory and shop, the children can ‘Paint a Pot’ to learn the art of ceramics. The famous Paul Ropp and many little shops dot the road in Jimbaran. For hardcore shoppers, we suggest planning a half-day trip to go to nearby Seminyak which is wall to wall shops and restaurants.
Image credit: Jenggala Ceramics
Jimbaran offers a convenient position on the island of Bali – close to the airport, beautiful beaches, and boasting Uluwatu, Nusa Dua, Seminyak and Canggu all within a 30-minute radius. If you want to know more about The Longhouse, you can reach out by filling out the form below.
