Bali is a paradise island! Not only do young active surfers, party-goers and spiritual seekers flock to Bali for all of the obvious reasons, but Bali also attracts seniors and 50+ travellers.
The island of Bali is a wonderful travel destination, offering a mix of cultural experiences, natural beauty, and relaxation. The humid tropical climate, the friendly local people, amazing food and modern conveniences make Bali an attractive place to reside for short time and longer periods. It comes as no surprise that many retirees choose to live in Bali or escape the winter for a couple of months a year. The island is not too big nor too small. It’s easy to get around and you have access to modern healthcare facilities and grocery stores when residing in the main tourist towns. This is our guide to travel to Bali with seniors and 50+ers.
Holiday to Bali with seniors and 50+
Enjoy the exotic lifestyle and unique cultural traditions around you while staying on the island. Bali is a unique place. It’s the only Hindu island in all of Indonesia. When holidaying in Bali, you will witness how the local people live with the many Hindu Gods everyday, honouring them with ceremonies, prayers, chanting and street offerings. All Balinese houses have little shrines outside with handmade offering baskets and incense burning. You will also spot these handmade street offerings on the beaches in Bali. Indeed, the island of Bali has a very special atmosphere. It’s a unique place unlike anywhere else on Earth and you will feel it!
Is Bali suitable for older people?
The climate, beautiful beaches, sunsets, temples, spas and modern facilities make Bali a perfect holiday destination for seniors and elderly people. Many retirees choose to move to Bali and live a comfortable expat life here on the island. The local people are very friendly and welcoming and most people speak some English in the tourist towns.
You can lounge at your private villa or on the beach all day or you can go on cultural day tours across the island with a private driver. Places like Seminyak, Canggu, Sanur and Ubud have many modern restaurants with exquisite food from all over the world brought to you by famous chefs. There are contemporary air-conditioned shopping malls with branded stores and cinemas and there are lots of interesting places to see and things to do. Whatever you are looking for this upcoming holiday, you will find it in Bali.
Where to stay in Bali for senior travellers
The island is home to many homestays, hotels, resorts and private villas. If you want a real ‘home away from home’, you get it with a stay in a private villa. You can choose between modern homes with state-of-the-art facilities and sleek designs or you can stay in a rustic villa with a traditional style, exuding the soul of Bali (while adjusted to meet modern comforts). There are also special wheelchair-friendly villas for rent.
Getting around
Although most roads in Bali are not necessarily pedestrian-friendly (let alone wheelchair-friendly), getting around in Bali is easy. If you’re staying in the centre of a tourist town, you could easily get around on foot or you can make use of the local Bluebird Taxis, Go-jek, Uber and Grab. You can also hire a private driver to get you around. It’s super convenient and surprisingly affordable.
Tourist towns such as Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud are busy and you can get stuck in traffic. Sometimes a motorbike taxi is a lot faster. In places like Sanur, you could rent a bicycle to get yourself around. Sanur is popular among retirees and elderly people as well as families because of the calm atmosphere and friendly roads for those who like to walk and cycle.
Is Bali wheelchair-friendly?
While there are perfect wheelchair-friendly villas to stay at in Bali, most roads are not very wheelchair– or pedestrian-friendly. However, you can easily get around with a private car and driver or make use of local taxi services.
Things to do in Bali for seniors and 50+ travellers
The beautiful surroundings of rice paddies, volcanoes and river valleys are enough to fill your being with happiness and inspiration but there are also many things to do on the island. Let’s take a closer look:
1. See the beautiful, mystic temples of Bali
Bali is also called ‘the island of a thousand temples’ so don’t get the illusion you can see all of the island’s temples – there are just too many of them. However, there are more than a handful of important Balinese temples you should not miss out on while holidaying in Bali. These are the most impressive temples to see when you are in Bali:
Pura Tanah Lot: an important and very famous sea temple located just north of Canggu. You will see this temple on the cover of many travel magazines and postcards.
Pura Luhur Uluwatu: the Uluwatu Temple is another important sea temple that protects the island from evil sea spirits. This temple sits on top of a cliff with amazing ocean views.
Pura Ulun Danu Beratan: This is a gorgeous lake temple located in the town of Bedugul in the highlands of central Bali. When the water rises, the temple appears to be floating on the water. The whole environment is tranquil and beautiful to the backdrop of mountains.
Pura Tirta Empul: The most important water temple in Bali is Pura Tirta Empul. It’s where many big ceremonies and rituals take place. Tourists can go for a ritual bathing in the holy spring water to purify the body and soul.
Pura Besakih: also known as the mother temple of Bali, Pura Besakih is the largest and holiest temple complex in Bali with magnificent views of the sacred Mount Agung.
Lempuyang Temple: This temple rises 1175 meters above sea level, making it the highest temple in Bali with the most incredible view (and an amazing spot to take photos!). It’s also known as the “gate of heaven” but to get to the peak you need to climb 1700 steps so be prepared!
2. Endless Spa time
One of the biggest benefits of a holiday to Bali is the amazing spa culture. It is no luxury to get pampered every day with massages and beauty treatments. Nothing exclusive or expensive, going to the spa is something part of daily life. Get a full-body traditional Balinese massage (at the villa or a spa), enjoy manicures and pedicures, body scrubs, facials, you name it. It’s pure bliss.
3. Visit museums
Indonesia is known for its rich cultural heritage. The island has a vibrant art scene going on from amazing wall art that you can spot in Canggu to the art galleries in Seminyak and the cultural museums in Ubud. Puri Lukisan is the oldest museum in Bali. It has a collection of beautiful Balinese paintings as well as traditional wood carvings and artefacts. Agung Rai Museum of Art (ARMA) showcases a mix of traditional and contemporary art by local artists. They also host cultural events and workshops. Neka Art Museum, also located in Ubud, shows a collection of artwork by Indonesian and foreign artists who were inspired by the natural beauty, life and culture of Bali. Also really worth a visit! If you want to see traditional masks and puppets not only from Bali but from across the archipelago and other places in the world, visit Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets in Ubud. In Sanur, you can visit the former home of Brussel-born artist Adrien-Jean Le Mayeur and in Seminyak, Nyaman Art Gallery is interesting to see.
4. Gunung Kawi
This ancient temple complex, also known as The Valley of the Kings, dates back to the 11th century. Surrounded by lush green rice paddies by the side of a river, the area is extremely beautiful and inspiring. It does take quite a walk to get down to the riverbank where this ancient monument is located. There are ten 7-metre-tall statues carved onto the face of a cliff and they are truly impressive to see. Gunung Kawi is located 30 minutes from Ubud. You can best combine it with a visit to the holy water temple Tirta Empul.
5. Visit local handicraft markets
Bali has the most beautiful handicrafts and souvenirs that you can buy at colourful markets and street stalls. Around Ubud, there are many artisan towns where you can buy handmade goods directly from the artists. Think silver jewellery, paintings, woodcarvings, Batik and more. You can see all these villages on a day trip. In Seminyak, Sanur and Ubud, there are handicraft markets where you can practice your bargaining skills.
6. Do a workshop
From pottery to a cooking class, silver jewellery making to coffee tasting, there are many fun workshops you can do in Bali. You will find cooking classes everywhere, learning about local spices and how to bring the delicious Indonesian flavours home to your kitchen. You will never buy sambal from a jar again! It’s often combined with a trip to a local market. You can also visit a coffee plantation and taste the traditional Luwak Coffee, one of the most expensive coffees in the world. You can see how chocolate is made from Pod to Bar or do an art class like drawing or Batik making.
7. Spend time on the beach
The beach and those mesmerizing sunsets – it’s another reason why we fall in love with Bali. Beaches in the south of Bali have white sand and waves, ideal for swimming and surfing. Uluwatu is a beach paradise with coves, amazing surf spots and secret swimming spots beneath towering clifftops. Seminyak has a wide stretch of sunset beach with charming beach bars and famous clubs. Sanur is great for the early birds who like to see the island’s magical sunrise. The rest of the island has volcanic black sand beaches and clear waters ideal for snorkelling and diving.
8. Go diving and snorkelling
Exploring the underwater world is an amazing, unforgettable experience. Perhaps you have been diving all your life or you like to relax in the water with your snorkelling gear on. You will see fish, sea creatures and coral with bright colours and unique shapes. Let the current take you around Menjangan Island in the west of Bali or go see a WOII shipwreck in Tulameben, East Bali. Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan are also great for beaches, snorkelling and diving. You can see the magical mantas rays with their big wing-like pectoral wings as if flying underwater.
9. Eat out
In Bali, you can eat out every day and it doesn’t have to break the bank. At local street stalls and warungs, you can get a real authentic taste of the delicious Indonesian kitchen and it’s plain cheap. Then, there are the amazing restaurants in Seminyak, Canggu and Ubud. Michelin-worthy restaurants, vegan dining spots, raw food, you name it. Bali is pretty much a food paradise, too.
10. Relax at your private villa in Bali
How wonderful is it to just laze and relax by the poolside in the garden of your own holiday home? All the villas in Bali come with a private swimming pool, living room, kitchen and bedroom(s). You can choose a villa with a traditional design or a sleek contemporary style. Either way, you get to enjoy privacy, tranquillity and comfort. Friendly Balinese staff is there to keep your villa spic and span and pamper you with food and drinks throughout the day (if you wish). You can even get a private chef to prepare meals and a driver to take you around on the island. It’s a wonderful experience.
Planning a holiday to Bali? Contact our reservation staff if you like to stay in a private villa or get more information on holidaying in Bali.
