Jimbaran was originally a small fishing village that has become a tourist hotspot. Fortunately, it has retained its original charm and is only supplemented by a few upscale hotels and 5-star resorts. The place invites with its many small streets and alleys to stroll and the staff of the many stores and cafes welcome tourists with a smile. But where exactly is Jimbaran and what else can you experience there?
Where is Jimbaran located?
Jimbaran is located in the southwest of the Indonesian island of Bali on the Bukit Peninsula. The international airport is just a stone’s throw away and you can reach it within 15 minutes by car or scooter. Kuta, popular with tourists, is also just 20 minutes from Jimbaran. Uluwatu and Sanur are about 30 minutes away and Canggu about an hour. To Ubud you should plan about one and a half hours.
Activities in Jimbaran
Traditional market
In the morning at 6 o’clock the so-called “Pasar Desat Adat Jimbaran” opens its stalls. At the traditional market you can find everything from fresh food to household utensils to clothing, which the Balinese need in their daily lives. There are also stalls that sell delicious Balinese food and drinks.
Jimbaran fish market
Jimbaran is famous for its fish market, which is located directly on the beach in Jimbaran Bay. Here you can buy freshly caught fish and seafood and have it prepared directly in the surrounding warungs for a fee. In addition, one then gets rice, water spinach and sauces served.
Alternatively, you can visit one of the many somewhat fancier fish restaurants on the beach.
Here, too, you can bring the fish you bought at the market or simply choose
from the menu.
Around sunset, the otherwise quiet beach of Jimbaran turns into the culinary hotspot of the region. Both tourists and Balinese like to spend their evenings in one of the numerous restaurants on the beach.
Beaches
The most famous beach (“Pantai”) in Jimbaran is the very long, white sandy beach which stretches from the airport to the Pantai Muaya section in the south. It is perfect for long walks on the beach or admiring the beautiful sunset. The beach is also ideal for swimming, as there are rarely strong waves here. In addition, the substrate here is sand and not, as in many other beaches of the Bukit Peninsula, sharp coral reef.
But there are also a few hidden coves that can be found by simply following the small dirt paths that lead towards the sea. Here the adventurer awaits deserted, lonely beaches with cliffs from which to jump and reef pools in which to swim.
The “Pantai Tegalwangi” is especially popular with bridal couples who like to come here to take wedding photos in front of the great scenery of the beach.
Surfing in Jimbaran
When the swell is very strong, waves also break in Jimbaran Bay. There are a few surf spots here that are especially popular with novice surfers, as the waves break more gently and smaller here than on the rest of the Bukit Peninsula. Also due to the sandy bottom, the waves in Jimbaran are a bit more beginner friendly, as this makes them less dangerous. Some of the surf spots can be reached easily from the beach, for others you have to take a boat that takes you to the breaking waves and picks you up again at the agreed time.
Pirate boat
From Pantai Kelan you can set sail with the pirate sailboat “Black Pearl” around afternoon and sail comfortably towards the sunset. Music and drinks on the boat are provided on request and afterwards you can enjoy a fish barbecue at the Black Pearl Bar on the beach of Kelan. As you head out towards Uluwatu, you’ll discover many hidden beaches and bays, and you can watch surfers thrashing in the surf. Alternatively, you can also go on a fishing trip with the Black Pearl.
Shopping
In addition to the mentioned market, there are several boutiques, traditional Balinese stores and souvenir stores in Jimbaran. To find a vacation souvenir should not be a problem here.
Spas
Those who like to relax and be pampered from head to toe can do so in one of the numerous spas that have settled here.
Paintball
If you are more in the mood for action and adrenaline, you can let off steam at the “Jimbaran Hill Paintball” facility.
Sights in and around Jimbaran
Jenggala Gallery Jimbaran
The “Jenggala Gallery” in Jimbaran exhibits in its showroom typical Balinese ceramic pieces as well as artworks by local artists. After the gallery visit, you can strengthen yourself in the local café.
Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park
The cultural park that houses Bali’s largest statue is located just fifteen minutes from Jimbaran, in neighboring Ungasan. The Garuda Wisnu Kencana statue shows the Hindu god Wisnu (also “Vishnu”) riding on Garuda. In Hindu mythology, Vishnu is considered the protector of the universe, while his companion, the powerful eagle-like bird “Garuda” represents loyalty and selfless devotion. Kencana means gold, and both are adorned with crowns of gold mosaic. Garuda is also the national emblem of Indonesia and stands for freedom.
Designed by the renowned Balinese artist Nyoman Nuarta, the statue is made of copper and brass and is a whopping 120 meters high, making it one of the largest statues in the world. It is even higher than the Statue of Liberty in New York or the Christ figure in Rio de Janeiro. From here you have a magnificent panoramic view over Jimbaran, the Bukit Peninsula and you can even see the distant Sanur.
In the surrounding 60-hectare park there are also souvenir stores, restaurants, function rooms, an amphitheater and a cinema. Various traditional performances, dances and concerts are held here. Among others, the famous Kecak Dance, in which the performance is accompanied by the male dancers onomatopoeic with “Keh-tschak” sounds, or the typical Balinese dance, which is characterized mainly by the finger gestures and facial expressions of the dancers, as well as the “Barong Keris Dance”, which is a drama about the king Dasapati.
Temple in Uluwatu
Half an hour from Jimbaran, on the western side of the Bukit Peninsula, lies the “Pura Luhur Uluwatu“. It counts like the temple “Tanah Lot” to the seven sea temples of the southwest coast of Bali and is one of the six most important temples of the island. The so-called Uluwatu temple honors the sea goddess Dewi and protects the southern peninsula of Bali from demons.
But not only the temple itself is impressive, but especially its location. It was built on a 70 meter high cliff, directly above the roaring waves. Along the edge of the cliff a path leads around the temple and allows both a magnificent view over the sea and the horizon as well as the temple. This view is especially beautiful at sunset, when the sun falls into the sea. Another special feature is the number of monkeys that live here and do their mischief. They like to steal tourists everything that is not nailed down.
After the temple visit, it is a good idea to watch a performance of the traditional Kecak dance in the neighboring open-air theater. The special thing about this performance is that it takes place in time for sunset. The sun then sinks into the sea at the horizon, which gives the Kecak in Uluwatu a very extraordinary atmosphere.
Culinary
There are all kinds of restaurants in Jimbaran. The aforementioned seafood restaurants on the beach are probably the most popular in the area, but there are also some local warungs and cookshops as well as western restaurants and of course the haute cuisine of the local luxury resorts.
Conclusion – For whom is a visit to Jimbaran worthwhile?
If you are looking for a relaxing beach or resort vacation, Jimbaran is the place to be. On the other hand, if you are looking for bars, parties and an exciting nightlife, the neighboring Kuta or Seminyak is better. The fishing village rather offers rest and relaxation and is ideal for those seeking peace and quiet, couples and families. Due to the excursion possibilities in the region, Jimbaran is also worth a visit for those interested in culture.
