10 Things to Do in Bali in December

In December, the tide of tourists on the island rises, as many people choose this destination to end the year. Although it is the month with the heaviest rains, temperatures remain pleasant and range between 24° and 30°. In fact, there are many alternative plans to make the most of your stay, such as visiting the best local temples, strolling through the iconic rice terraces and learning how to make silver jewelry.

This month also sees religious celebrations, New Year rituals and Christmas dinners that combine Hindu and Christian traditions. In addition, you can take advantage of the Denpasar Festival and the Terracotta Festival in a picturesque little village. At this time you will be able to see Christmas decorations with the Balinese seal, as well as to take advantage of the season of tropical fruits to participate in a class of fruit carving. Undoubtedly you cannot lose the best things to do in Bali in December. I leave you all the available options!

In December the rains are coming to an end in Bali, so the rice fields are at their best, and their colors make them worthy of postcard photographs. In addition after the precipitations the pools of water can be appreciated that create mirrors by all the island. They are usually more crowded, but the island is full of options. The most famous are the Jatiluwih rice terraces, which can be explored on foot, by motorcycle or electric bicycle.

The biking experience is unparalleled, as it can be done with a professional guide who knows the rice fields, so he can give you interesting information. Anyone taller than 1.40 centimeters can participate, except pregnant women or those with health problems. Keep in mind that the stretch is long, since it has around 600 hectares. Generally, the best tours of Bali offer this experience from 71 euros and you can take advantage of visiting the Forest of the Monkeys and the near villages, as well as to sign up for gastronomic tastings.

To visit the island of the gods in December, can be an ideal experience to enjoy the tropical festivities and to coexist with a completely different culture. Keep in mind that the Balinese practice Hinduism and do not celebrate Christmas properly, although there is an ample community of Christians and Muslims that yes it does it. In Bali mostly the Ngejot is celebrated, which consists of sharing a dinner or lunch with friends. In addition, the pines are replaced by bamboo Christmas trees.

If you are looking for things to do in Bali in Christmas, definitely you have to take advantage of the Christmas dinner that usually is accompanied by spectacles of Polynesian dance. In the festive season you will find many buffets in luxurious restaurants, street stalls or beach clubs. Prices tend to go up at this time of year, so these paradisiacal experiences can be a bit pricey. Some of the ideal places to spend Christmas Eve are:

• Sundays Beach Club: it is a beach club that offers Christmas lunches and dinners in front of the sea, with a variety of tastings. In addition, it is characterized by its bonfires at sunset, movies under the stars and different water sports options. It's an evening with sparkling glasses of traditional beverages, children's areas and a possible visit from Santa.
• The Westin Resort: to enjoy a gastronomic Christmas scene in one of the best beaches of Bali, I suggest you to go to Nusa Dua to spend Christmas Eve in this resort. It offers an evening accompanied by tastings, carols, visits of Santa and indoor or outdoor environments.
• Dinner cruise: another option is to enjoy the best cruises of Bali that usually offer parties or dinners in the festive season with live music, tastings of your preference and cocktails to spend Christmas Eve in great. Generally, this type of experiences go from 79 euros and have an approximate duration of four hours.

During December the Christmas parties and New Year rituals take place, surely you want to look dazzling or give details to your loved ones. Nothing better than to make them yourself, after attending a silver jewelry making class. They are very popular activities and are among the best things to do in Bali. You can learn about the importance of jewelry on the island, the history of Balinese handicrafts and create your own piece of jewelry.

It is an economical plan compared to other activities, with options from 36 euros. You will be able to learn goldsmithing techniques with a master craftsman and accompany the evening with traditional snacks. It has an approximate duration of three hours and you can find classes in different zones of Bali. For example, in Ubud you have the advantage that it is a central destination, surrounded by other attractions. On the other hand, Celuk is considered the town of the goldsmiths, while Sanur is the ideal location to enjoy a class in front of the sea.

In Bali the Hinduism is practiced, for that reason there are as many temples as inhabitants. In fact, you can find more than 10,000 throughout the island. You can identify them because all are named with the word "Pura" and they are hidden in fascinating locations like forests, gardens, lakes, springs, mountains, volcanoes, among others. In December rainy days predominate, so I recommend you to look for plans in roofed places and visit the most iconic temples such as:

• Pura Tirta Empul: is a water temple known for its large spring, as well as purification rituals and traditional dance performances.
• Temple Ulun Danu Beratan: it is the most photographable in Bali, where many people are agglomerated to see the sunset.
• Temple mother of Besakih: it is a complex that lodges around 23 temples, whose structure is surrounded of important volcanos. It is not possible to access the interior, as it is reserved for Hindus, but the panoramic views from the side terraces are breathtaking. If by chance you are looking for things to do in Bali in November, you can take advantage of the rituals of the tenth moon of the year. In addition, you can combine it with a visit to the Pura Lempuyang Luhur temple and marvel at the Sky Gates which are a local icon.

Keep in mind that December still tends to be rainy, which I suggest you consider before visiting Tanah Lot. It is one of the best local temples, dedicated to the gods of the sea, but its location in the middle of the ocean is not very flattering when rainfall intensifies. As general recommendations, be sure to bring a scarf for your knees, reserve Indonesian rupiah in cash to pay for entrance fees, and keep a respectful attitude.

It is one of the most important celebrations of the island, since it marks the beginning of the majority of religious rituals and commemorates the ancestors of Bali. Generally, the locals take out their typical suits of gala and visit the best local temples to take offerings and prayers. The exact date can vary according to the Balinese calendar, it usually takes place every six months and you will be able to identify that its arrival is approaching because the Balinese hang penjor and other bamboo decorations on the roads.

Generally, the Hindu culture replaces Christmas in Bali with this celebration. It is a different way to spend the holidays, which involves ancestral traditions. You can take offerings of bubur (mush) of different colors to the plants, to celebrate Tumpek Wariga. You can also participate in Penyajaan cooking workshops, ideal for learning how to prepare rice cakes. Children can sign up for a tradition called ngelawang, where they can practice barong dancing.

To receive New Year in Bali is a relaxing plan with many options of entertainment, which involve its traditions, food and paradisiac beaches. Most people opt for escapades to Kuta, where the nocturnal life is unequaled and the vibrant parties take possession of the last instants of the year. Keep in mind that if you are looking for things to do in Bali in January you can take advantage of the Balinese Lunar New Year, or wait until February for the Chinese New Year.

In general, some plans that you cannot lose you in Bali during New Year's Eve are:

• Watch the fireworks show from the best beaches in Bali, while enjoying the euphoria of the countdown. There are private beach clubs that provide an exotic experience, but you can also take advantage of the free bays.
• To enjoy a private party of New Year's Eve in the most luxurious hotels, although I anticipate to you that they are not at all cheap. They start at 80 euros, but they are a good way to close the year with a flourish. Generally, you can enjoy all the food you want from a banquet, dance until dawn and take advantage of live entertainment.
• Attend an electronica party near the beach, with a spectacular energy that offers music till you drop.
• Hop on a local motorcycle to ride around downtown Ubud with motorcyclists honking their horns to welcome the New Year at 00:00 hrs.
• Togo out of drinks to explore the most interesting bars of the island, an ideal plan if you are looking for things to do in Bali at night.

The Festival of Denpasar is an annual event that takes place in the capital of the island. It begins a couple of days before New Year's Eve, to create a fun prelude with creative exhibitions, outdoor concerts, traditional dances and food tastings. You can find activities in different tourist sites around the island, including purification rituals in the best local temples.

In addition, you will find a craft market, painting workshops, souvenir stands, craft beer stands, yoga classes and massage areas. You can even ask for a Balinese makeover, to take advantage of the photo booths where they rent costumes, accessories and backgrounds. The entrance fee starts at 2 euros and is ideal for families, and includes most activities, except for body treatments, makeovers and access to contests.

In December, exotic fruits native to the island are harvested, so a tour of the avocado, persimmon, custard apple, guava, durian, mangosteen, kiwi and lemon plantations is worthwhile. Mostly these experiences take place in the high mountainous areas of the north and west of Bali, where the climatic conditions are ideal for the soil. It is also possible that you pass by the local markets to taste the Balinese flavors. Sometimes, this pleasant activity is combined with chocolate and coffee tours.

Another fun option is to sign up for a fruit carving class, where you can make the figure of your choice and turn this art meal into an unforgettable family sharing. It is ideal for all ages, especially for children from four years old. The experience can be found from 35 euros, sometimes they usually offer a snack to accompany the evening. As a general consideration, durian is a seasonal fruit with a particular smell, but with a taste worth experiencing.

The Safari Park is a local zoo, where you can have a great time. It is one of the best things to do in Bali, especially if you go with children. It offers activities out doors and has more than 100 species that include rhinoceroses, zebras, elephants and tigers. What makes it special in December are the particular Balinese-style Christmas decorations, which fill the enclosure with life.

You can see lights lit at night, bamboo Christmas trees, advent wreaths, workshops allusive to the season and Christmas shows. Undoubtedly, it is one of the few things that to make in Bali in Christmas, so you cannot lose it to you. During the whole year you can enjoy amusing activities like strolls in jeep, aquatic zones and nights of safari.

In the island of the gods the crafts and crafts are very important, in fact there is an artisan town dedicated to the elaboration of red tiles. It is known as the village of terracotta of Pejatan, located in the west zone. If you plan to be at least 5 days in Bali, you have to take advantage of this experience to know the process of production of the red terracotta tiles. You do not need to pay a guide, since it is quite small and easy to know by own account, in addition the entrance is free.

In this artistic village you will be delighted with a different facet of the island of the gods, surrounded by traditional houses, green roads and pottery workshops. Occasionally the Terracotta Festival is held, which usually coincides with December. This is an artisan event that brings the village to life with exhibitions, craft classes and demonstrations. Another reason to visit it in this month, is that it is usually less crowded and it is easier to move by its small streets.

During December also you can find spiritual rituals characteristic of the culture of Bali, which usually vary according to the calendar Pakwon. For example, in occasions the ceremonies of Melasti are celebrated, a ritual of purification that is carried out before the Balinese New Year. It is celebrated every 210 days, so it is probable that every so often it coincides with the activities of the last month of the year. If you have the opportunity to live this experience, you cannot waste it since they reveal secrets of the local culture.