The northern city of Bedugul - where to escape when you want coolness

Bedugul is more often visited by tourists on their way to the northern resort of Bali - the Lovina village. However, Bedugul itself is interesting enough to visit.

Thanks to the mountains in Bedugul, there is a mild climate and picturesque landscapes. It is a wonderful place for a peaceful vacation. At night, the air temperature here can drop to 17°C.

You can reach Bedugul by taxi since there is no public transportation in this region.

The best way to get around is:

a) Renting a car with a driver

b) Renting a car and driving yourself

c) Renting a bike and exploring the North on it.

However, if you're unfamiliar with Bali or have little driving experience, it's better to rent a car with a driver. This option costs around $30 - $37 USD per day (if you're traveling in a group of four, such transportation will only cost you $10 per day!).

Bedugul is famous for its picturesque landscapes. A trip to this area will fill you with a sense of tranquility and serenity.

This is a luxurious hotel complex that, for unknown reasons, was never put into operation. Initially, the construction project was initiated by the son of the second president of Indonesia, Suharto. However, after the terrorist attacks in 2002, the project was frozen. For the past 14 years, the half-built hotel has been slowly deteriorating. Even now, no one can say for sure why the hotel never opened, as the Taman Rekreasi Bedugul Hotel was almost ready for operation. Plumbing was already installed, rooms were ready to accommodate guests, and an elegant reception area was prepared to welcome visitors. However, not a single tourist ever checked in, and the hotel was dubbed the "Ghost Palace."

Recently, plans for the reconstruction of the hotel have been disclosed. As a result, a fence has been erected at the entrance, and visitors are officially not allowed inside. However, tourists report that they can "negotiate" with the guards for a certain fee.

Undoubtedly, Bali offers much more than just beautiful beaches and the ocean. The mountainous regions of the island are renowned for a significant number of attractions that simply cannot be missed.

For example, on a huge strawberry farm, you can pick strawberries right in the field to take home with you.

If you have a sweet tooth, be sure to visit the restaurant where they serve desserts made from strawberries, such as strawberry milkshakes, strawberry ice cream, and cakes. Additionally, you can indulge in such unusual dishes as strawberry pizza.

In our list, it's worth mentioning another natural attraction of Bali – the twin lakes: Tamblingan and Buyan, famous for their calm, mystical nature. These are two crater lakes separated by a 1km wide stretch of forest.

The lakes are a source of life for the surrounding settlements. You can see local residents paddling traditional canoe boats on the waters.

To view both lakes at once, you need to climb to the observation platform on the top of the hill in the village of Asah Gobleg.

The forest surrounding the lakes is untouched by humans, a pristine wilderness and habitat for monkeys, squirrels, and numerous birds.

How to get there: Several tour companies specializing in northern Bali offer day trips. The drive from Kuta by car takes approximately 2 hours.

The observation platform is located here

It is dedicated to Dewi Dan, the goddess of lake and river, and plays an important role in Balinese culture.

In the Balinese concept of "Rwa Bhineda," which is based on the idea of balancing two opposites (or what may seem like the Balinese version of Yin and Yang), the Pura Ulun Danu Beratan temple represents the feminine principle, while the Pura Besakih temple represents the masculine.

This is one of the most enjoyable family attractions on the island, where you can have a great time with your whole family and "fly" through the trees. In this wonderful corner of the island, you can explore the jungle from a completely new and unusual perspective.

At the adventure park, there are 7 routes of varying difficulty where you can improve your tree climbing skills.

The beginner level starts at 2 meters, and gradually you can progress to higher levels, up to the highest one at 20 meters.

Everything is safe. Each participant is attached to an individual safety rope.

Both children and adults are usually thrilled with this attraction.

First, it's definitely worth trying betutu (a Balinese dish: roasted chicken or duck with spices) or grilled chicken, and then you can take a stroll around the restaurant/hotel complex.

At Warung Rekreasi, you can not only eat but also enjoy the picturesque view and engage in something interesting.

There is a playground for children and an orchid garden, an organic farm, a coffee plantation, and even a bamboo forest where you will undoubtedly take wonderful photos.

Here you can enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with a view of the lake, indulge in chocolate fondue with strawberries, and purchase locally produced chocolate. There is also a children's corner.

Strawberry Hill Hotel

Strawberry Hill is a cozy and secluded hotel that remains consistently popular among foreigners. It's very quiet, small, and comfortable. There are 17 rooms here, all equipped with modern amenities.

At the Strawberry Hill Hotel restaurant, Indonesian cuisine dishes, soups, and other specialties are served.

Guests can spend their time in the library, play billiards/darts, or take a stroll around the area where they can pick strawberries and raspberries.

Strawberry Hill is simplicity at its best. Here, you have everything you need to make the most of your time spent in Bedugul.

For those tired of the southern heat, we recommend staying at this picturesque resort for at least one night. It's a fantastic change of scenery and weather. Don't forget warm clothes! In the mountains, the air temperature drops below 20 degrees. One golf lesson is included in the accommodation cost at the golf resort. On weekends, BBQs are organized here (250k per person), and bonfires are lit.

For those who love solitude, you can spend a very cozy evening on the porch of your chalet, wrapped in a blanket and sipping hot tea.

You can also rent bicycles and ride around the vast hotel grounds. For children, there is a playground and an open children's area with slides and swings. There are also rabbits that you can feed.