Just south of Kuta on
Bali's west coast sits Jimbaran Bay, where five-star resorts blend seamlessly with the easy-going atmosphere of the local community. It's famous for its fantastic beach – a postcard-come-to-life affair with an amazingly smooth, flat sweep of sand fringed with a score of grilled seafood restaurants - a tribute to the tiny fishing village of old. It's the done thing in Jimbaran Bay to select your pick of the day's catch and dine right on the sand, with the waves at your feet.
Slightly more inland, you'll find a maze of streets and alleyways, fresh produce stalls, and a bustling fish market to the north. Eighteenth-century Pura Ulun Siwi is one of the area's most significant temples, soaring out of the water in black stone. A real insight into Balinese religious culture, the temple hums with activity on holy days as incense is lit and traditional ceremonies are performed.
