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Buleleng vs Jembrana
Choose Buleleng for calm water and diving; choose Jembrana for surfing and quiet.
Buleleng
North Bali's serene coastline. Best for: Nature lovers & those avoiding crowds.
Choose Buleleng for calm water, diving.
- Beach: Calm black-sand beaches along the north coast.
- Nightlife: Very little outside a few Lovina bars.
- Prices: $ · Budget. Inexpensive: food, stays and drivers cost less than in the south.
- To the airport: 85 km · 2½–3 h
- Climate: Hot & humid · coast
- 10 resorts on Balisama, from about $45 a night
Jembrana
Wild West Bali. Best for: Surfers, road-trippers & nature lovers.
Choose Jembrana for surfing, quiet.
- Beach: Rocky black-sand beaches with strong surf; not for swimming.
- Nightlife: None.
- Prices: $ · Budget. Cheap: surf camps and simple guesthouses.
- To the airport: 75 km · 2½–3 h
- Climate: Hot & humid · coast
- 2 resorts on Balisama, from about $100 a night
Buleleng and Jembrana are about 46 km apart.
Ratings
- Beaches: Buleleng Good (3/5), Jembrana Fair (2/5)
- Calm-water swimming: Buleleng Very good (4/5), Jembrana Poor (1/5)
- Surfing: Buleleng None (0/5), Jembrana Very good (4/5)
- Diving & snorkeling: Buleleng Good (3/5), Jembrana Poor (1/5)
- Sunsets: Buleleng Good (3/5), Jembrana Very good (4/5)
- Nightlife: Buleleng Poor (1/5), Jembrana None (0/5)
- Restaurants & cafés: Buleleng Fair (2/5), Jembrana Poor (1/5)
- Culture & temples: Buleleng Good (3/5), Jembrana Good (3/5)
- Nature & landscapes: Buleleng Excellent (5/5), Jembrana Very good (4/5)
- Yoga & wellness: Buleleng Fair (2/5), Jembrana Poor (1/5)
- Family-friendly: Buleleng Good (3/5), Jembrana Fair (2/5)
- Peace & quiet: Buleleng Very good (4/5), Jembrana Excellent (5/5)
- Remote work: Buleleng Poor (1/5), Jembrana None (0/5)
- Walkability: Buleleng Poor (1/5), Jembrana None (0/5)
Our ratings, from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compare Bali's areas with each other.