Thinking about a cycling trip in Bali? Then, you’re in the right place, we’ve got a great guide to the best cycling destinations, tips to make your trip safer and all the info you need to get a bike or arrange guided tours.
Where To Cycle In Bali: 12 Fantastic Destinations
Bali Bike Park
This is the perfect place to get started with riding on the island. It’s a fully purpose-built cycling arena near the village of Pancasari in Northern Bali.
It has several graded mountain bike trails including those with obstacle courses.
The park is suited to any level of cyclist and it’s very popular with families trying to master the sport together.
It also offers an excellent cross-country cycling area with marked routes where you can speed through the rainforest without a care in the world.
Mount Batur & The Kintamani Highlands
Mount Batur is great for road cycling and mountain biking as it has some excellent paved roads and wonderful off-road opportunities on the lave flats with their gravelled surface.
This is a much less challenging area to cycle in than Mount Agung, the island’s other active volcano.
One of the most popular routes in the area is to kick off at Lake Batur (the caldera lake) and head to Ubud through the rice fields and plantations and past temples and villages. It’s beautiful.
Ubud
Ubud is a great place for cycling in the rice fields and it offers a wide variety of terrains for cyclists to test their mettle on.
Given the number of hills in the area, this is an area that’s best suited to intermediate to experienced cyclists, it’s not a great place to learn the sport.
One nice thing about Ubud as a cycling destination is that most hotels will be happy to lend you a bicycle for free!
Jatiluwih Rice Terraces
Source: media.nomadicmatt.com
The most beautiful rice paddies in the land can be found at Jatiluwih Green Land and it’s a fabulous area for cycling too.
We recommend joining a tour of this area as there are no marked paths and it’s kind of easy to get lost.
Cyclists are very welcome in this part of the island and it’s a wonderful place to interact with locals and find out more about the agricultural side of Balinese life.
Putung Village
If you want spectacular scenery in the East of Bali then you might want to consider cycling around Putung Village.
The terrain is quite rugged but there are several downhill trails that provide rides through the rice terraces, past traditional village housing and offering amazing views of the Indian Ocean.
Most of the the trails here finish at Pantai Perasi (Perasi Beach) which is a hidden gem of a beach on the Karangasem Regency shoreline.
Sidemen Village
Source: thehoneycombers.com
We’re big fans of Sidemen Village which reminds us of Ubud before all the tourists arrived. Cyclists are going to love going on rides through the valley below the village.
The views of Mount Agung here are awe-inspiring. If you join one of the tours in the area, you’ll find that they take about 9 hours and take you to some of the least visited parts of the country.
If discovering the snakeskin fruit and clove tree plantations and meeting some of the most authentic Balinese people appeals, you’re going to love Sidemen.
Carangsari Village
This is a nice village outside of Ubud that has some excellent paved trails that make it very easy to cycle around.
If you’re a beginner seeking your first route in Bali, this is a good place to start.
The big win here is the local architecture which can be found in the housing and temples in the neighborhood.
Most trips out of this village will end up in Ubud and stop at the best local landmarks along the way.
Bongkasa Village
This is another great venue for beginners and the terrain here is flat and easy (though you will want a mountain bike, rather than a road bike) to tackle.
We’d recommend joining one of the local tours as the guides can offer real insight into the local farming practices, architecture and history.
The village itself is very popular not just for cycling but also for walking tours and even ATV trips!
Mengwi Village
Mengwi is a great place to go if you want to enjoy a bit of cycling before heading to the airport as it’s very close to Denpasar. (We’ve got a full guide to Mengwi).
We’d recommend that your route passes by the inspiring Pura Taman Ayun which draws on Chinese architecture to deliver a unique look for a Balinese temple.
This area is mainly flat and paved, which means it’s suitable for pretty much every cyclist.
Candidasa And Taman Ujung Water Palace
As with Ubud, most hotels in Candidasa provide free bikes to borrow and the local flat roads are easier to tackle than Ubud’s hills.
Many hotels can also hook you up with a local guide that can take you around the area’s highlights including the Taman Ujung Water Palace.
This is one place that we absolutely love to cycle by the beach because it’s often super quiet on the sand.
Sanur Beach
The boardwalk at Sanur Beach makes it a fabulous place for a cycling trip and nearly every local roadside stall can rent you a bike here.
However, make sure to choose a bike that measures up to your height and that is in good condition, there are no quality control checks at many of the stalls.
The view of the sea is lovely and the cycling is very easy, indeed, it’s perfect for a short family ride.
Mount Agung
Perhaps the toughest place to go cycling in Bali is Mount Agung the island’s biggest active volcano.
Even a highly experienced cyclist might want to consider the use of a support team when tackling the roads here.
Expect very steep gradients and incredible views. This may be much more work than cycling at Mount Batur but it’s worth the effort if you’re exceptionally physically fit.
Top Tips For Cycling In Bali
Cycling can be a brilliant way of getting off the beaten track and experiencing local Balinese culture and the Balinese countryside but if you want to have the best time, before you start cycling through the local rice paddies, we recommend you take on board these simple tips:
- Use lots of sunscreen – you need to make sure that the backs of your hands, arms and your thighs are properly protected. These are the parts of you that will be most exposed to the sun when you’re on the bike and burns can be very unpleasant. Make sure to stop and reapply sunscreen on a regular basis.
- Consider padded cycling shorts – you don’t have to be powering through rice paddies to be bouncing up and down a lot in Bali, even road cycling can make life uncomfortable after a bit, so unless you’re looking at a single very short journey, you’re going to appreciate some padding as you enjoy winding through tiny villages learning about local life
- Consider cycling gloves – not only can they help with the feel of vibrations through the handlebars but if you get sweaty, they can also help with grip. Gloves aren’t mandatory but we’ve always found it useful to have a pair on us in case we need them.
- Get out early in the day – there’s less traffic and it’s cooler, which makes a long cycle ride much easier
- Don’t worry too much about the traffic – while Balinese traffic can be a total nightmare in the beach towns, you’ll find that once you get out into the real Bali it’s no longer such an issue. The roads don’t get any better though.
- Don’t worry too much about the heat – while it definitely does get hot in Bali, when you’re cycling, you create your own breeze and you tend to feel much cooler than you would when on the beach, also many of the best cycling routes are in the highlands where it’s cooler anyway
- Make sure you get a helmet – you can buy a helmet or if you’re renting a bike, they should provide you with a helmet for free. Accidents do happen and it’s best to prepare for the worst.
- Check your brakes and gears before you set off – it’s fair to say that you’re going to tackle plenty of hills, etc. on most routes and it just makes sense to ensure that your bike is in perfect working order
- Carry a backpack – this way you can store some water or energy drinks, snacks and your phone
Bicycle Rental In Bali
It’s very easy to rent a bike in Bali (just ask where to rent a “push bike” or people will think you’re trying to rent a motorcycle or scooter) and many hotels and resorts offer this service.
You can also leave a rental bike in the hotel lobby in most places if you ask nicely.
However, if you’re going to rent a bike, it’s on you to check it’s in decent condition before you wheel it out of the shop.
You may also find that in some parts of the country, there’s not a huge amount of choice of bikes to rent but you will certainly find bikes that are suited to the local terrain.
Bringing A Bike To Bali
It is, of course, possible to bring a bike to Bali. You need to check with your airline about how it should be transported (most airlines require you to provide your own cycle box but some provide these) and how much it will cost.
You may be required to declare the bike at Bali customs on the way in and you will be expected to take it out of the country when you leave if you want to avoid paying tax on it.
The 12 Best Bike Shops In Bali (Where To Get Everything You Need For Cycling In Bali)
While cycling may not form a huge part of the local culture just yet, there are plenty of places for you to buy a bike and most cyclists will be able to find a bike that suits their needs in one of the shops below.
The Bike Shop Bali
This shop is a specialist outfit that has a huge range of bikes and parts and can help with anything from frame orders to bike repairs.
Our experiences here are all positive and they will be happy to provide same-day turnaround on most jobs.
Where Is It? Ikat Plaza, Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.505x, Pemogan, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80221, Indonesia
Build A Bike Bali (Denpasar)
As the name suggests this is a great place to build a custom bike and they have a huge range of parts in stock to help with that task.
The mechanics do speak some English which can really help when you’re trying to explain what you need done.
Where Is It? Jl. Bypass Ngurah Rai No.653, Pemogan, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80221, Indonesia
Toko Sepeda Bina Jaya Bicycle Store
This store is super organized and they can help you select the right bike for your needs whether you’re a beginner or a highly experienced cyclist.
Our only complaint here is that there’s not much in the way of local parking, so you may need to push the bike a way back to your car.
Where Is It? Jalan P Diponegoro No.7-9 Dauh Puri Klod, Dauh Puri Kangin, Denpasar Barat, Denpasar City, Bali 80112, Indonesia
The Wheel Co. Bicycle Shop
If you’re looking for a low-cost model to get started with some cycling in Bali, then this is a great place to go.
You won’t find any top-of-the-range or highly customizable options but they have a decent range of off-the-shelf models to meet most needs.
Where Is It? Jl. Raya Sesetan No.101, Sesetan, Denpasar Selatan, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80114, Indonesia
KOKA Bike Shop
This is a really large cycling shop with a huge range of kit in stock and you will find that the staff are very knowledgeable about the things they sell.
The only downside is that they close on Sundays, so make sure to go on another day.
Where Is It? Jl. gatot subroto Barat tonja No.80, Dangin Puri Kaja, Denpasar Utara, Denpasar City, Bali 80239, Indonesia
Rodalink Denpasar
This is a pleasant local bike store that can help you out with a new bike or even a bike box.
They stocks several brand name ranges and have a decent selection of spare parts too.
Where Is It? Jl. Teuku Umar No.202, Dauh Puri Kauh, Kec. Denpasar Bar., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80114, Indonesia
Specialized Bike Store Dewata Bali
As you’d expect from the name, this store is all about the Specialized brand of bicycle, so if you’re looking for another brand, don’t go here.
However, if you are a Specialized fan, this is the best place to go in Bali with a very helpful team that really knows their stuff.
Where Is It? Jl. Gatot Subroto Tengah No.100x, Dangin Puri Kaja, Kec. Denpasar Utara, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80234, Indonesia
Kayumas Bike
If you’re looking for a basic bike for a fair price, then Kayumas is a decent place to go.
They can also handle basic repair jobs and have a small selection of common parts in stock to help with this.
Where Is It? Jl. Surapati No.35, Dangin Puri, Kec. Denpasar Tim., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80232, Indonesia
Jayakarta
This is a great little store that has a decent range of bikes and is only too happy to order a model in a different size or specification for you.
The staff are very helpful and can help you work out what you need without too much fuss. However, there’s no local parking.
Where Is It? Jl. Diponegoro No.34, Dauh Puri Kangin, Kec. Denpasar Bar., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80232, Indonesia
Semadhi Bike
If you’re looking for a cycling shop to carry out repairs in a hurry, Semadhi has a great reputation for delivering good results.
They also offer bicycle servicing which can help prevent the need for repairs in the first place.
Where Is It? Badung, Jl. Raya Sangeh, Blahkiuh, Kec. Abiansemal, Kabupaten Badung, Bali 80352, Indonesia
Pienar Bike
This is a great store with a huge range of bikes including folding bikes for those hoping to save on luggage space on their return trip home.
We’ve also found that their service staff are first rate and can repair most problems on the spot.
Where Is It? Jl. Gatot Subroto Tengah No.49i, Tonja, Kec. Denpasar Utara, Kota Denpasar, Bali 80233, Indonesia
Anugerah Bike
They have an excellent range of affordable bikes in this store and their staff are friendly and attentive.
While they don’t carry the biggest range in Bali, they do offer some of the best prices we’ve seen in a retail outlet here.
Where Is It? Banjar Suci, Jl. Hasanuddin No.44, Dauh Puri Kangin, Kec. Denpasar Bar., Kota Denpasar, Bali 80112, Indonesia
FAQs
Is Bali Good For Cycling?
Some parts of Bali are excellent for cycling. Some not so much. We wouldn’t fancy road cycling through Canggu or Seminyak in rush hour because the volumes of traffic are too high and it wouldn’t be safe.
But if you join one of the many organized cycling tours of the highlands you will find that exploring the rice terraces and learning about Balinese culture is an absolute joy.
You can discover ancient temples, enjoy local delicacies, cruise through rice fields and coffee plantations, get off the beaten path and find out what rural life in the beautiful countryside of Bali is really like.
Is It Safe To Ride A Bike In Bali?
Yes, if you stick to places where you can avoid traffic (or at least, avoid heavy traffic) you shouldn’t find it particularly dangerous to cycle here on the island.
If you’re in doubt, join a guided tour and they will take you on the best route through an area where they’ve already assessed it to be safe for cycling.
Can You Bike In Ubud? Where Can I Bike In Ubud?
Yes, technically, you can cycle anywhere in Bali that you can find a road, however, we’d avoid the main roads on most of the island because the traffic can get very hectic.
However, Ubud tends to be a bit more relaxed than the beach towns of the South and that means you should be fine cycling in Ubud.
Just make sure to pay attention to the road and what’s going on around you.
One place we enjoyed cycling in Ubud was the road up to the Monkey Forest and its cheeky monkeys and ancient temples.
How Much Is A Cycling Tour Of Ubud?
It very much depends on which cycling tour you join, but if you’re talking about basic cycling tours from your accommodation that just explore the local area around Ubud, a single day will cost 500,000 IDR or a bit more.
The fee will usually include bike rental, helmet rental, a tour guide and a few other facilities (and sometimes breakfast and lunch too).
Where To Book A Cycling Tour Of Bali?
Whether you want a simple cycling trip with informative guides or a full support crew to tackle the toughest rides in Bali, we recommend you contact the Bali Res Centre.
They are a locally owned and operated travel service that focuses on Balinese travel. They can get you competitive pricing and ensure that your riding experience is world-class.
They can also arrange your flights, hotel, and other travel needs as required.
Final Thoughts On Cycling Tours Of Bali
There’s nothing quite like exploring the beautiful countryside of Bali on a bike. Zipping through rice paddies and seeing local traditions in the “real world” is a real privilege.
Cycling is a new sport on the island but many are taking to it very enthusiastically and there are plenty of places to rent or buy a bike too.
Once you’ve seen the beautiful temples and roads of Bali, we hope you’ll head to Canggu to do some relaxing at FINNS, the best beach club in the world. See you soon.
<Meta> Thinking about cycling in Bali? Then read our guide to the best places to cycle, where to get a bike and much more!
