Bali is said to be one of the top couples travel destinations year after year. With views of sparkling seasides, lush forests, towering volcanoes, pretty temples and countless holiday resorts at affordable prices, it’s no wonder this Indonesian island is the most popular choice for love birds. Search “#balitravel” on Instagram, and you will have an image overload of blue and green images filled with girls in their windblown summer dresses or couples in loved-up poses. Scenery aside, one most common view I found on my Bali trip is of a fully dressed up girl directing their hard-working half on where to take their next Instagram shot. If you want to test out your boyfriend of Instagram’s skills, or simply force him/her to upskill, here are the most popular spots to do so in Bali.
What is a “Boyfriend of Instagram” ?
While the term contains the word “boyfriend”, this unpaid career position is for anyone willing to go all out to get the perfect Instagram shot for the person posing and posting. This trending career position can include but are not limited to; being dragged around to all the hottest Instagram spots, lying down on dirt floors, hanging off railings, being a human selfie stick and squatting in awkward places and positions. The side effects may include sore backs, sore limbs, getting stared at with pity from passers-by, getting sunburnt or rained on and accidentally featuring on “Boyfriends_of_Insta” account. There’s no specified age, gender or relationship status requirement for this role, it could be your significant other, or if you are a perpetual lone wolf like me, it could be your snap-happy mother or travel buddy.
On this Bali trip, and for many of my other trips, my best friend and I were each other’s bf (aka best friends) of Instagram. We discovered from our observations at each Instagram Bali spots (I’m not usually an explore-popular-tourist-spots kind of gal but hey, once in a while I get curious about what everyone is fussing about. I’m just glad my best friend is still taking to me after making her visit these places) that there are some super committed and well-trained Boyfriends of Instagrams out there. From almost taking a swim in a fountain to squat balancing on sharp rocks to battling the scorching sun while being attacked by mosquitoes, these hard-working almost-always-significant-others are everywhere the eye can see. In the cases of true boyfriends/fiances/husbands, they are not only the cameramen but also the pack mule too (aka. real modern-day knights in sweaty armours). I’m a believer of learning from example, so if you want your significant other to upgrade their boyfriend of Instagram skills, these places will provide plenty of teaching models.
Tirta Gangga Water Palace
What better place to take photos than at a former royal palace? Now transformed into a beautiful garden, this popular spot gets its name from scared ‘water from the Ganges’ in Hinduism. Scattered around in this complex are many pools, ponds and fountains with ornate Balinese statues and stepping stones. There are two top pick Instagram spots here; one is the largest pond located near the entrance with a central fountain surrounded by a winding path made of round stepping stones and figurine statues. Visitors are welcome to explore this pond with these stepping stones. You can either get your boyfriend of Instagram to take the stepping stones with you and get the photos on the pond or get him to take your shot at the edge of the pond while you are on the stepping stones.
The second most popular Instagram spot is at the foot of the tallest tower fountain in the garden. This fountain is right next to the stepping stone pond. If you take the stepping stones to the very end (the stepping stones are one way only) and keep going straight, you should arrive at the bottom of this towering fountain with its circular pond and small, flat concrete bridging path. If you would like to cool down after fighting for your Instagram spot in the sticky Bali heat, you can cool off in one of the swimming stone pools in the garden. Although it may not be the most trending spot in the garden, the swimming pools and their statues make some beautiful shots (the classic water hair flip shot anyone?).
Opening Hours: 7 Days 7:00 – 18:00.
Price: There is an entrance fee of IDR 40,000 and IDR 20,000 additional for the swimming pools. Car park will charge around IDR 2,000 per car. Fish food can be purchased for around IDR 5,000 per bag if you want to feed them.
Address: Jalan Raya Abang Desa Adat, Ababi, Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852, Indonesia
Tip: With the growing Instagram popularity, this place gets pretty packed. I would recommend getting here when it first opens to get more people free spots. If you want to jazz up your shots, get a bag of fish food and scatter them to attract the fish before you take the shot.
Penataran Lempuyang
This sacred Hindu temple is said to be one of the earliest of its kind built in Bali. Located on Mount Lempuyang (hence the name) in East Bali, the full temple complex spreads throughout the mountain. The views of Mount Agung Volcano is truly majestic the higher you climb. For avid hikers who are game enough to fight the incline and heat, the full climb is approximately two hours. All travellers who enter these temple grounds are required to wear a sarong to cover their legs and have clothing which covers your shoulders. For my fellow female travellers, if you are on your period, please do not enter as this is bad juju for you and the temple (the restrictions also applies to a bleeding man, someone that has recently had a family member passing or if you are about to die). If you are just after your Instagram photo, then you can stop at Pura Penataran Agung Temple at the foot of the mountain.
Suppose you are familiar with Fortune magazine editor Polina Marinova’s viral tweet about her shattered hopes and dreams regarding Bali’s most Instagrammed temple gates. Then you will have heard of Penataran Lempuyang Temple. That disappointed look she would have had when she found out there was no “water” at the famous Bali Gate of Heavens will be very commonly seen here. Not only is the popular Bali Instagram shot faked by a using a mirror with an iPhone to create the so-called “water reflection”, but you and your boyfriend of Instagram will also need to have the patience of a saint to wait for your sixty-seconds turn. I am not a fan of waiting hours in the sticky heat for a photo that everyone has, so we just took some shots with the other statues and staircases which is just as pretty.
Opening Hours: 7 Days 7:00 – 17:00.
Price: Parking is IDR 5,000. There is no entrance fee for this temple, however, locals will collect a small entrance donation to help maintain the area. The recommended donation price is around IDR 20,000 as normal temple entrance fees are approximately IDR 10,000 – IDR 30,000. If you forget your sarong or scarf, you can rent one for IDR 10,000 next to the entrance.
Address: Jl. Pura Telaga Mas Lempuyang, Tri Buana, Abang, Kabupaten Karangasem, Bali 80852, Indonesia
Tip: Get here as early as you can to get a relatively people free shot and shorten your waiting time. After you finish your golden shot at the top of the gates, they will direct you to leave via a set of stairs, These stairs make a great photo too. Visitors normally are not allowed to directly approach here to take photos. All visitors must take a lining up token for the gates if you want a shot.
Tegallalang Rice Terrace
It’s the classic shot of a girl on a swing with her long dress trailing after her. All we see is her long hair flowing in the wind while she faces a seemingly endless field of rice terraces with sporadic coconut and banana trees popping up here or there. These different shades of lush green scenery have most likely passed by everyone’s Instagram home feed at some point. The reality of this place is, as always, a little bit different. To this Asian who has travelled many parts of Asia, this is just like any other Asian rice field. It has rice; the rice grows on hilly terraces; there are lots of mud and mossy stuff (hence the green); there may be a tree or two or more than three around; oh, and did I mention mosquitos love water? But that’s it. As dull as that sounds (because it is!), you are paying to see just precisely that in the sticky humid heat under the possibly scorching sun all the while trying to capture a tourist-free shot. If you want to put your relationship to the test, this could be it.
If all of the above doesn’t stop you from wanting the perfect Instagram rice terrace shot, then here are a few spots that will give you the prettiest angle. First is, of course, on one of the two giant swings set up at the terrace. One is a single seat swing while the other is a double swing. My best friend and I are both not fans of massive swings, so we happily gave that a miss. The second is a full view of the rice field. You can do this by standing at one of the higher tiers looking down. This shot is best captured on the side with the giant swings as if you take it from the opposite side you will get the swings and the people lining up for swings. If you want to increase the chance of getting a closer people-free shot (and you don’t want an early wake up) I would recommend walking down to the bottom of the field and crossing over to the other side. Just remember to bring along insect repellant, hats and a big bottle of water as there is no shade here.
Opening Hours: Official opening hours are 7 Days 7:00 – 18:00. If you are game, you can arrive before sunrise and sneak in by climbing the fence, just don’t get caught (I do not recommend this).
Price: Entrance is IDR 10,000 at the top of the entrance gates but they will also ask for a “donation” (approximately IDR 5,000) before you enter the actual terrace area. For the swings, a single person swing starts around IDR 30,000 but depending on your group size you can try to bargain. There may be farmers who are carrying traditional rice baskets, just be aware that if you get a photo with or of them you will have to pay. Parking is IDR 5,000
Address: Jl. Raya Tegallalang, Tegallalang, Kec. Tegallalang, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80561, Indonesia
Tip: These are actual rice fields so the crops do change colour and texture (aka. height and density) depending on the time of year. For the greenest crops, your best bet will be visiting during March, April or October when the rice is closest to harvest.
Mount Batur Volcano
It’s the perfect proposal place and an iconic shot of a sunrise with Bali’s Mount Agung Volcano as a backdrop. This sunrise shot will take more than a bit of effort and is a bit of a gamble. Those who are after this shot will first need to make the slippery hike up the sides of active volcano Mount Batur. Only those who reach its peak on a clear night and morning will get this magnificent view. Prepare to be freezing, then too hot, and then exhausted. But out of all these Instagram locations, this is one that I would highly recommend. Just keep in mind that drones are not allowed here. The view is truly worth the climb, and you will see some furry locals come out to say hello when the sun has climbed. It’s the one activity that does not involve being baked in the sticky heat and scorching sun. It’s a different kind of hiking with volcanic soil so I would recommend giving my Mount Batur Hiking Guide a read before you make the call on whether to do the trek or not.
Opening Hours: The mountain is open 24 hours. If you want to make the hike, you will need a trained guide for safety and regulation reasons. Hiking for the sunrise is the best time to do it.
Price: We paid IDR 500,000 per person for our driver to take us from the hotel to the starting point and a private guide to take two of us to the peak and back down.
Address: Jl. Pendakian Gn. Batur, Batur Tengah, Kec. Kintamani, Kabupaten Bangli, Bali 80652, Indonesia (start of trekking point)
Tip: The hike is not your usual one and will take many by surprise. I’ve written a Mount Batur Sunrise Trekking Guide with everything you need to know. See the full guide here.
Mandala Suci Wenara Wana
Also known as Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary or Ubud Monkey Forest, this conservation area is a home to over a thousand Balinese long-tailed Monkeys. There are three Hindu temples inside of this complex with some pretty impressive Banyan trees. Of course, the stars of the show here are the cheeky, long-tailed locals. Travellers will find them everywhere and on every possible pathway here. The local carers keep them relatively well-fed, and visitors are recommended not to feed them (even though you can buy bananas to give to them) as they are still wild animals. If you don’t want expensive medical bills or rabies do not pat, grab or hug them! While these little guys make for a great photo but please do be respectful of their personal space and don’t shove your camera in their faces.
That super popular shot of the monkey taking a group selfie with visitors is shot by the keepers here. There will be keepers who are on super friendly terms with one or two monkeys; if you give your phone camera to them, they will be able to bribe the monkeys into doing this selfie for you. The second shot you see is of people with monkeys on their shoulders and arms. While it’s cute, and some keepers will ask if you want to have this shot done, I do not recommend it as these monkeys are still unpredictable. Do not attempt any of these shot yourself! Always ask a keeper to assist you.
While these shots aren’t as viral as the monkey ones on Instagram, there are some beautiful shots you will be able to get at the Holy Spring Temple section. There is an ornate stone bride here with overhanging Bayan Tree Roots which makes for a stunning shot. The Holy Spring just next to the bridge is also a beautiful place to capture your Insta-worthy snap. Just make sure to keep an eye out for any monkeys before you sit or lean on things.
Opening Hours: 7 Days 9:00 – 16:00.
Price: Entrance fee is IDR 80,000 for adults and IDR 60,000 for children. Occasionally you can buy bananas for IDR 45,000 a bundle but I don’t recommend feeding the monkeys. Parking fee is IDR 5,000.
Address: Jl. Monkey Forest, Ubud, Kecamatan Ubud, Kabupaten Gianyar, Bali 80571, Indonesia
Tip: If you have any loose, swinging, shiny or plushy items on your person or bags I advise you to remove all of these and keep them securely zipped inside your bags before you enter this place. The monkeys will snatch and fight you for your earrings, ear pods, earphones, cute keyrings (especially plushy toy ones) and anything interesting that grabs their attention. The amount of times we saw monkeys running by with these items is a little concerning. My best friend had to fight one of the baby monkeys who jumped on her backpack in an attempt to steal her rainbow unicorn plushy keyring (we laughed about this afterwards but that was a scare. No, the monkey was not hurt, just upset).
