Balisama: luxury resorts and villas in Bali

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Buleleng vs Tabanan

Choose Buleleng for calm water, diving and lower prices; choose Tabanan for a shorter airport transfer, surfing and sunsets.

Buleleng

North Bali's serene coastline. Best for: Nature lovers & those avoiding crowds.

Choose Buleleng for calm water, diving, lower prices.

  • 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

Tabanan

UNESCO rice terraces & hidden temples. Best for: Culture seekers & eco-travelers.

Choose Tabanan for a shorter airport transfer, surfing, sunsets.

  • Beach: Wild black-sand beaches (Kedungu, Balian, Pasut) with big surf; rarely safe for swimming.
  • Nightlife: Almost none.
  • Prices: $$ · Moderate. Low everyday prices, with a few very high-end resorts on the coast.
  • To the airport: 30 km · 50–75 min
  • Climate: Warm & humid · 150 m
  • 5 resorts on Balisama, from about $150 a night

Buleleng and Tabanan are about 48 km apart.

Ratings

  • Beaches: Buleleng Good (3/5), Tabanan Fair (2/5)
  • Calm-water swimming: Buleleng Very good (4/5), Tabanan Poor (1/5)
  • Surfing: Buleleng None (0/5), Tabanan Good (3/5)
  • Diving & snorkeling: Buleleng Good (3/5), Tabanan None (0/5)
  • Sunsets: Buleleng Good (3/5), Tabanan Excellent (5/5)
  • Nightlife: Buleleng Poor (1/5), Tabanan None (0/5)
  • Restaurants & cafés: Buleleng Fair (2/5), Tabanan Fair (2/5)
  • Culture & temples: Buleleng Good (3/5), Tabanan Very good (4/5)
  • Nature & landscapes: Buleleng Excellent (5/5), Tabanan Excellent (5/5)
  • Yoga & wellness: Buleleng Fair (2/5), Tabanan Good (3/5)
  • Family-friendly: Buleleng Good (3/5), Tabanan Good (3/5)
  • Peace & quiet: Buleleng Very good (4/5), Tabanan Excellent (5/5)
  • Remote work: Buleleng Poor (1/5), Tabanan Poor (1/5)
  • Walkability: Buleleng Poor (1/5), Tabanan None (0/5)

Our ratings, from 0 (none) to 5 (excellent), compare Bali's areas with each other.