Where: Tegal Mengkeb, Tabanan
Distance from Anima Retreat: 2 km - 5 minutes by motorbike or car
Highlights: it is quite a scenic beach with a unique stone formation and a “cast away” feeling. It gives its best at sunrise or sunset. There is a small warung on site that offers a limited choice of drinks

 Sing Sing Angin waterfall and Sacred Valley

Batu Sanghyan waterfall

Tibu Sampi waterfall

 

Where: Tabanan area
Distance from Anima Retreat: 15 km - 20 km / 30 minutes by motorbike or car
Highlight: people coming to Bali are often surprised by the beauty of its waterfalls; they are usually hidden in jungle or near sacred temples and provide a blissful experience for those nature-lovers and hikers. These 3 we mentioned are easily reachable but a good fitness level is always required as sometimes we need to walk on impervious paths, climb broken stairs or moderate slopes in order to reach them.

❗When participating in these activities, please bring mosquito repellent, enclosed shoes and swim suit.
Be aware of changing weather conditions and check with locals if water flow is enough to visit.

Where: Kediri, Tabanan
Distance from Anima Retreat: 18 km -  40 minutes by motorbike or car
Highlight:  Situated on a rock in the middle of the sea, this is arguably Bali’s most famous temple and although overcrowded with tourists during the whole year, Balinese Hindus still use it for important ceremonies and gatherings.
It is best enjoyed at Sunset as it can be extremely hot during the day, but bear in mind this will also be the most crowded time of the day. Alternative is to go earlier in the morning.
Be prepared for an endless queue of stands and shops that will try to sell you Balinese handicrafts and souvenirs for crazy prices.

Where: Baturiti, Tabanan
Distance from Anima Retreat: 45 km -  1 hour and 30 minutes by motorbike or car
Highlight:  This is another very famous temple in Bali; situated on the Vulcano Bratan, is surrounded by misty mountains,  lush vegetation and a very calm lake.  The road to reach it is particularly scenic and goes by the name of “Pupuan”. It is usually cooler here and a very unusual landscape for Bali.
Nearby attractions include the village of Bedugul known for fresh strawberries and the Botanical Gardens. 

Where: Tibubiyu, Tabanan
Distance from Anima Retreat: 5 km - 10 minutes by motorbike or car
Highlight: this is a popular beach among the locals but except on Sunday you will find very few people. It’s a perfect beach for walking or running as it is so long that you could literally wander for kilometers no stop. There is also an instagrammable (although very simple) swing hidden in the palm trees. 

Where: Jatiluwih, Tabanan
Distance from Anima Retreat: 30 km -  1 hour by motorbike or car  (half day excursion)
Highlight: these rice fields are one of Bali’s most famous and well kept. 
Situated on the hillside of Volcano Batukaru at about 800 mt above sea level, Jatiluwih literally means ”really beautiful”, a perfect name to describe the view of unbelievable terraced rice paddies, undulating hills and valleys, farm houses surrounded by the unforgettable green color. The area is one of the greenest of all Bali as the Volcano and the cool climate create the perfect environment for tropical fruits, all kind of vegetables, strawberry and coffee plantations.
 

❗Before going, make sure it is the right time to see rice fields at their fullest splendor: sometimes farmers harvest the rice and burn the little plants in order to revive the land so during this time you will not see the terraced paddies.
Wear sturdy shoes, expect to find mud and mosquitos. Snake sightings are very rare. 

Where: Tabanan
Distance from Anima Retreat: 16 km -  30 minutes by motorbike or car
Highlight: Puri Anom is the royal palace of the city and district of Tabanan, once inahibted by the royale balinese family and today still managed by their heirs. Tours are available inside and sometimes even exhibitions.  It is an interesting way to dive into balinese culture and better understand Bali’s customs and traditions. 

Where: Berembeng, Selemadeg, Tabanan
Distance from Anima Retreat: 2 km -  6 minutes by motorbike or car
Highlight:  A small traditional temple very loved by the locals and used every day for ceremonies and rituals; set among lush vegetation and near the beach, it offers a wonderful opportunity to discover local customs and art.