Bali is an island in Indonesia that is known for being absolutely beautiful. Chances are, you know someone who has gone there recently and come back sharing that it was a wonderful experience. As of 2012, there was a population of 4.22 million, and it's the best place to go when you want the beach but also want a magical place with tons of nature.

Before hopping on a plane and getting your trip started, it helps to plan ahead in terms of the best time of year to head over there, what to do, and where to eat. Here is a travel guide to Bali: 11 things to know while planning your trip.

Visit Some Temples, Make Sure To See The Mountains, And Do Yoga

According to Trip Savvy, there are some temples that are must-visits when you're in Bali. There is Goa Gajah which is from the 11th century and is called the "Elephant Cave." You can also visit Pura Besakih ("Mother Temple") which is from the 10th century and is located in East Bali.

There are many gorgeous mountains in Bali, so going hiking is another activity to add to your list. Hand Luggage Only recommends that you hike Mount Batur which is 1,717 meters above sea level. You can also see the Sekumpul Waterfalls, and it's said to be a good idea because there are signs everywhere. The Points Guy also mentions taking a yoga class at The Yoga Barn, which would be awesome.

Travel To Bali Between The Months Of April And October

According to Travel.usnews.com, you want to go to Bali between the months of April and October. This is the "dry season" and otherwise, you'll be there during the "rainy season" which wouldn't be ideal.

The website mentions that because the weather is nice during the summer, hotels will cost quite a lot, so planning ahead will get you the most affordable rates.

Stay At The Hard Rock Hotel Or The Westin Resort and Spa

According to someone who lives in Bali who posted on Reddit, The Hard Rock Hotel would be a good place to stay. The reviews on Trip Advisor are overwhelmingly positive, with people noting that kids love this place. It has a convenient location in Kuta and is close to restaurants and even a movie theater.

Another good hotel is The Westin Resort and Spa in Ubud. You're right on the boardwalk and you'll have a spa and two restaurants to choose from.

Base Yourself In Kuta Or Ubud

Before planning your trip to Bali, you'll want to decide if you want to stay in one of two well-known towns: Kuta or Ubud.

Trip Savvy says that Ubud is very peaceful and there is a lot of art there, which is cool. The Crazy Tourist calls Kuta "the most famous part of Bali." The best part about Kuta is that you literally have everything that you could want. You can go to the mall, find some markets, or go to cafes.

Enjoy Delicious Breakfasts At Livingstone Cafe & Bakery, Plus Local Fare At Warong Legong

Livingstone Cafe & Bakery is the place to go for breakfast in Bali. You can get smoothie bowls, croissants that are made each day, and a dish called "Rise And Shine" which is avocado toast plus parmesan cheese, roasted cherry tomato, scrambled egg, and watercress.

Warong Legong is another amazing restaurant. Some favorite dishes mentioned in Trip Advisor reviews include chicken curry, prawns, and fish soup.

You Can Take Taxis Or Ubers, But Be Aware

The Points Guy shares some helpful information about Ubers in Bali: he writes, "Though Uber is legal in Indonesia, you’ll see many signs throughout the island indicating it isn’t." He says that you can definitely take Ubers but don't be too obvious about it as there is tension between taxi and Uber drivers. The website also recommends Bluebird Taxis as long as you ensure that the meter is on and working properly.

Many people enjoy getting around Bali by bike, and you can definitely see a lot of the island this way, so that's another option.

Ubud Monkey Forest Is A Must, Along With Pura Tanah Lot

Planetware suggests visiting Ubud Monkey Forest and explains, "The forest is intended to represent the harmonious coexistence between humans and animals." You can walk through it and you'll see many beautiful statues. It'll only take ten minutes to get there on foot from Ubud town center.

You also want to see Pura Tanah Lot. You won't be allowed to tour the interior of this incredibly famous temple but there are restaurants nearby so that will be a great way to spend your time here. Planetware explains, "it is one of the most sacred of all the island's sea temples."

Some Things To Know About Using ATMs In Bali

Trip Savvy explains that the currency to use in Bali is the Indonesian rupia. The website cautions that while many people get money from ATMs while traveling through Bali, there could be "card-skimming devices" which will steal your information. To prevent that, make sure the ATM is attached to a bank and there is a ton of light because that will make it tough to put those devices there.

Not every restaurant will allow you to pay via credit card so that's something to keep in mind. It seems that having the local currency is the best way to go. A Travellers Footsteps says that while you don't have to leave a tip when dining out in Bali, it's nice to leave 2 to 5 percent of the cheque as a tip.

The Best Time For Flight Deals

Cheap Flights recommends that you book a flight to Bali in November and that if you want to go another time of the year, make sure that you're buying your plane tickets two months ahead of time to get the most affordable price. Sundays are also said to be the best day of the week for a flight.

A Bit More About Local Life In Bali

The Huffington Post UK writes that people living in Bali aren't typically early or even on time for appointments as they live a very relaxed lifestyle.

They also travel by motorcycle and have several ceremonies to mark various occasions. People wear "batiks" to these ceremonies which The Huffington Post UK describes as "high-quality cloths specially designed, stamped, waxed, and dyed to create brilliant patterns."

Definitely Don't Miss Kuta Beach

When you're in Bali, you can't possibly not go to Kuta Beach, which is the most popular one. As you can see from one of these photos, the sunsets are absolutely incredible.

Santoni Dave explains that you might not want to swim here as it's mostly for people who love to surf, but there are many chairs to relax on and it seems like it will be a great experience.

Sources: Tripsavvy.com, Handluggageonly.co.uk, Reddit.com, Thepointsguy.com, Thecrazytourist.com, Planetware.com, Huffingtonpost.co.uk, Travel.us.news.com, Santorinidave.com, Cheapflights.ca, Atravelersfootsteps.com