Hindu temples, coral reefs, crashing surf, rice terraces, volcanic mountains, lush forests and luxury tourist resorts have ensured Bali is Indonesia's prime tourist destination.

Located in the Lesser Sunda chain of islands between Java and Lombok, this island paradise combines natural beauty with a unique local culture, deeply embedded with music, dance and art.

Bali's secret was leaked long ago and decades of mass tourism have left an infrastructure of mega-resorts and hedonism. Bali's main tourist centres are Kuta (famous for its surfing and night-life), laid-back Sanur, culturally-rich Ubud and the luxury resort hub of Nusa Dua.

But for the intrepid, even tiny Bali retains secluded beaches and quiet towns hardly tainted by the tourist brush.

Everyone who goes to Bali comes away with a different highlight. Surfers recall the peaceful calm of a sunset session with left-handers rolling off the reef. Culture vultures will wax lyrical about the dances, puppet shows and gamelan orchestras of Ubud. Adventures may prefer the thrill of climbing Gunung Agung. No matter what your preference, Bali will not leave you unmoved.

Start off with a ride on a motorbike around the island to get a feel for the culture and scenery. Stop in at Tanah Lot, a magnificent Hindu temple perched over the sea that looks simply sublime at sunset.

Up north, break up your journey with a scuba dive at Tulamben, the last resting place of a US cargo ship, sunk here in 1963. When you've had enough sight-seeing, chill out in homey Ubud, where you can shop 'til you drop for batiks, paintings and wood carvings and indulge in the sweetest fruit you've ever tasted.

If the crowds on Bali seem a little much to handle, hop on a Pelni boat and travel east to Nusa Tenggara, a string of islands that run from Lombok to Timor.

Survival guide 

Popular tourist haunts in Bali were hit by terrorist bombings in 2002 and again in 2005. Visitors should check embassy or travel advisories before booking a holiday.

The dry season (April to November) is the best time to visit Bali. The high season for tourists is late December, when Australians on holiday flock to Bali for some R&R. This is a good time to avoid the island as hotel rooms are in short supply and costs rise for goods and services.

Local transport runs all over Bali, but for more independence, the best way around is on a hired moped or hired car. These are pretty cheap; a car costs under US$20 per day while a moped costs as little as US$5 per day.

As for accommodation, there are some great deals to be had in Bali. In the swanky area of Nusa Dua you can check into a five-star resort for under US$200 a night. Kuta beach offers a hodgepodge of low-rent hotels, stumbling distance to the beach or nearest bar. If all that touristy kitsch starts to overwhelm you, head for the low-key Ubud, where the sounds of gamelan will put you to sleep.

Bali is serviced by numerous international airlines which land at Ngurah Rai airport, situated just south of Kuta beach. The main languages are Balinese and Bahasa Indonesian although English is also widely spoken.