Wellness Activities in Bali: 6 Incredible Experiences You Have to Try

It's no secret that Bali is one of the top wellness destinations in the world.

Visitors flock to this tropical island paradise year-round to recharge at wellness retreats, practice yoga surrounded by rice paddies, and search for spirituality with local healers. When it comes to self-care, a trip to Bali is tough to beat.

You can easily design a whole trip around wellness if you feel so inclined. From doing yoga and meditation in Ubud to visiting cool day spas in Seminyak to staying in 5-star spa resorts in Jimbaran, there are wellness activities on offer in Bali to suit every type of traveller, no matter what your budget or your interests.

If you're unsure where to begin, this guide highlights some of the most quintessential wellness activities in Bali, so you end your trip feeling refreshed and recharged.

Ubud is the spiritual centre of Bali, so it makes sense that it's bursting with wellness attractions and activities. However, when it comes to a one-stop shop, Hesa Wellness Spa has everything you could possibly want from a day spa.

This full-service spa offers a curated list of treatments inspired by cultures and customs from around the world. This makes it easy to while away the hours getting pampered with massages, facials, reflexology, and more.

Spend a day at this Ubud institution and you can detox in a Turkish hammam, get exfoliated with a Korean-style scrub, shock your system with hot and cold outdoor plunge pools, and sweat it out in a steam room, all while relaxing in a lush tropical setting. Of course, there are traditional Balinese treatments too, with the full-body Balinese massage and spice-infused Boreh scrub being must-tries.

If you're in need of a luxurious, wellness-focused holiday in Bali, Peppers Seminyak might be just what you're looking for. From posh villas with private gardens and pools to a world-class day spa and a restaurant serving locally sourced dishes, you'll have everything you need for a pampering getaway at this 5-star property.

When it comes to the spa, you can book a full-day package or choose from popular treatments like the Chocolate Fondue Balinese Body Massage, Sun-Soothing Facial, or Holistic Awakening Body Ritual, to name just a few tempting options. You can even make it a family affair by booking your little ones the Mum and Me body massage and mini-facial.

Or if you're flying solo, treat yourself to a few private wellness sessions, from yoga and breathwork to sound healing and meditation, the options here are all led by experts. However you decide to spend your holiday at Peppers Seminyak, you're going to walk away feeling like a whole new you.

Participating in a traditional Melukat ceremony is easily one of the most unique spiritual healing activities in Bali. The word "melukat" translates to "cleanse," which is why Balinese priests perform this ritual at sacred sites, such as water temples, waterfalls, and rivers. It is believed that the Melukat ceremony washes away bad and negative energy, as well as stress and trauma.

Foreigners are more than welcome to participate in the ceremony. The most popular and touristy place to experience this ritual is at the Tirta Empul Temple in Ubud. However, it's possible to get a bit more off the tourist track with ceremonies all around Bali.

The easiest way to participate in a Melukat ritual is to make reservations for a private or group tour. This way, you'll have a guide arrange everything, from your traditional Balinese outfit to your priest, for you. There are loads of options on websites like Get Your Guide and Viator. However, to make things easy, the local company Bali With Flow offers a "secret" Melukat experience that allows you to escape the crowds.

If you'd prefer to join a ceremony independently, it's worth asking at the reception desk of your Bali hotel about nearby Melukat ceremony sites. Chances are, they'll know how to steer you in the right direction.

Mövenpick Resort & Spa Jimbaran Bali is a luxury wellness resort that's just perfect for a pampering getaway. This place is home to the world-class Arkipela Spa & Wellness, which will lavish you with everything you need to feel totally relaxed and rejuvenated by the end of your trip.

During your wellness weekend, you can reinvigorate your senses in the ice baths and soaking tubs, get cleansed with the unique Vichy shower experience, and take a detoxifying steam in the sauna.

In addition to natural facials, body renewal treatments, and healing sessions, they have some unique treatments that are well worth trying. The Signature Treatment uses techniques from Balinese massage and yoga to remove blockages and to promote the flow of energy, while the Urut Jawa Javanese Massage relieves muscle and joint pain, and the Kerokan Jahe Massage uses ginger to boost the immune system.

Combine your spa days with all of the VIP amenities and incredible restaurants at this 5-star resort, and you'll never want to leave.

One of the most stunning yoga studios in Bali is located in a magazine-worthy shala in the middle of a rice paddy in Canggu. If you're in the area and looking for drop-in yoga classes, The Practice - Canggu has got you covered every day of the week.

Choose a class on their schedule and you can practice the long, slow-paced holds during the Yin Yoga class, experience the meditative "yogic sleep" in the Yoga Nidra class, chant with your fellow yogis in the Kirtan class, perfect martial arts movements in the Kung Fu class, or learn the basics in the Beginner Hatha Yoga class.

Whether you're a yoga teacher or a complete novice, you'll find a class and a knowledgeable instructor to help you up your yoga game.

When it comes to nature-filled wellness experiences in Bali, spending some time surrounded by nature at Batur Natural Hot Spring tops the list. With its picturesque setting at the base of the sacred Mount Batur volcano and on the shores of Lake Batur, the setting is simply magical.

This is a wonderful place to soak in the mineral-rich geothermal waters that are heated from the active Mount Batur. This is especially true after an invigorating sunrise hike up to the summit of the volcano, which is one of the most popular activities in Bali.

Each of the pools here has a different depth and temperature, but they all offer panoramic lake and volcano views to enjoy while you rest and relax.

The types of wellness activities available in Bali run the gamut. From sound healing, meditation, and every type of yoga imaginable to fitness, body treatments, and spiritual healing, you'll find wellness activities in Bali to suit every need and budget.

Yes, Bali wellness experiences are safe and suitable for beginners. From yoga to surfing, you'll find instructors all around the island who will cater to complete novices.

The best time of year to go to Bali for a wellness holiday depends on what you're interested in doing. If you'll be spending most of your time inside yoga studios and spas, Bali is a wonderful destination year-round. However, if you plan to do a lot of outdoor wellness activities, you may want to avoid the wet season, which typically runs from October to February.

When it comes to traditional Balinese healing practices that you can participate in when visiting Bali, there are quite a few options. You can get cleansed in a Hindu Melukat ceremony, relax with a Balinese massage, get exfoliated with local spices during a Boreh scrub, observe the Day of Silence (Nyepi), or even visit a traditional healer (Balian).

Yes, wellness experiences in Bali are accessible on a budget. Things like yoga classes, massages, meditation sessions, Melukat ceremonies, and even some day spas can all be enjoyed without breaking the bank.

If you're wondering where to practice yoga and meditation in Bali, your best bet is Ubud. As the spiritual centre of Bali, you'll find many popular yoga and meditation studios here, with The Yoga Barn and Radiantly Alive being popular options. However, you will find yoga and meditation studios and classes all around Bali.

The best day spas in Bali are located in tourist hubs like Seminyak, Canggu, Uluwatu, Sanur, and Ubud. However, you'll find budget-friendly and 5-star day spas scattered across the entire island.