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Look up tropical paradise online and the name Jimbaran is sure to pop up. This idyllic fishing village and resort in the southern part of Bali is a haven for beach bums, surfers, water sports enthusiasts and anyone looking to kick back, relax and watch the waves gently lap its golden sands. What started off as a quiet, traditional Balinese backwater with a tiny fishing village and fish markets, Jimbaran, has now expanded to a swanky, ultra-chill resort town boasting of the best Bali has to offer. Whether you want to catch some waves on a surfboard, or the sunset while lounging on a recliner with a drink in your hand or some fish for your dinner, Jimbaran lets you do it all while having a great time. Sunny, bright Jimbaran and its beautiful beaches will put you in the mood to lay back and take a breather with its inviting vibe and friendly people that is what makes Jimbaran tourism special. Here’s a Jimbaran travel guide to help you plan your beachside escapade to Jimbaran.
You can’t not mention Jimbaran and the beach in the same breath. It is after all part of the Bukit Peninsula and has some of the best beaches in Bali. Some of the beaches in Jimbaran are Jimbaran beach, Suluban, Padang Padang, Pandawa, Dreamland, Balanagan and Bingin. Of these Suluban, Padang Padang and Dreamland are known for their reef breaks, which means some pretty epic waves for surfing.
30 minutes away from Jimbaran, Pandawa beach is famous for its inaccessibility making it famous as the ’hidden beach’ due to its location among sheer limestone bluffs. Another fun fact about Pandawa beach is its name, which comes from the five Pandavas from the Mahabharata. Their statues can be found adorning stone arches in nearby Kutuh village.
Jimbaran however isn’t just a beach town with nothing else to do. It is culturally significant as it has a number of temples and historical sites from Indonesia’s past. Garuda Wisnu Kencana is one such place. A cultural park in Ungasan, a few minutes’ drive from Jimbaran’s centre, all 250 hectares of this park are postcard worthy vistas. The name is derived from a large statue of Lord Vishnu, seated on a majestic garud. The Balinese connection to Hinduism is very strong and goes back to the roots of its foundation. Also called GWK, this park has many stages where you can catch local Balinese folk dances, traditional theatre and music performances.
Uluwatu temple overlooks the sea from its vantage point on a craggy limestone bluff. Located just outside Jimbaran and surrounded by a tropical forest, the approach to Uluwatu is guarded by mischievous macaques, who won’t hesitate to steal your stuff unless you pacify them with some fruit.
Your Jimbaran tour Bali must include Nusa Dua, with its beautifully designed luxury resorts where you can grab a drink while floating in one of the many private pools attached to one of the many resorts or beach clubs. Just 17 mins away from Jimbaran, this is a one-day trip you cannot miss.
The closest airport to Jimbaran is Bali’s Ngurah Rai International airport, which is 15-20 mins away from Jimbaran. It is serviced by all major airlines with flights to and from every major country. Airport pickups are provided by every hotel, thanks to the proximity of the airport to Jimbaran, so make sure to confirm this while booking your stay.
Jimbaran is a 15-minute drive from the airport should you choose to rent a car or a bike. The fastest way to get around is on a bike, which you can rent for a daily fee. Jimbaran is also well connected by buses that run from all over Bali to Jimbaran, Uluwatu and Nusa Dua.
Since it used to be a fishing village, fish is a staple here. Seafood restaurants line the beach and main avenues. These have large tanks where the seafood is kept alive until a diner orders it to be prepared. Some of the restaurants are:
Radja Seafood Cafe serves up some of Jimbaran’s freshest catch. Order the catch of the day grilled over charcoal and served with a variety of dipping sauces.
Warung Mami Ikan Bakar is a pocket friendly seafood cafe in Jimbaran that serves a variety of seafood prepared the traditional Balinese way and must be a part of your tourism itinerary.
Carnivores rejoice for Wahaha pays homage to every part the humble pig in a myriad of ways. From fire-grilled chops, sticky ribs and spicy skewers, Wahaha in Jimbaran will leave you delighted with its sheer variety and electric ambience.
For a meal by the sea, stop at Jimbaran Beach cafe where you can sample a variety of cuisines ranging from Balinese to Indonesian to Asian fusion and more. If seafood isn’t your thing, Jimbaran Beach cafe has you covered thanks to its vastly inclusive menu.
Indulging in some retail therapy between dips in the sea is the perfect way to make the most of your Jimbaran trip. For starters, you could visit the famous Paul Ropp Shop selling beautiful silk and cotton textiles in a variety of modern and traditional Indonesian prints. A visit here is a must for you to stay trendy and comfortable in Jimbaran’s hot and humid climate. If you’ve packed enough clothes you might want to check out the Jimbaran Corner Shopping Centre, a collection of shops ranging from trendy, high fashion to traditional. Must visits here include Atlas South Sea Pearls for authentic pearls, and BIN for traditional Batik printed textiles. Jenggala Gallery is a gallery and pottery store where you can buy artisanal ceramic products. Finally, hit up one of Jimbaran’s many coffeeshops to pick up some kopi luwak or traditional Indonesian civet coffee, which makes the perfect gift for those back home.
Nightlife in Jimbaran is eclectic with many bars and clubs around town. Some of these are built directly into the limestone cliffs above the Indian Ocean.
Rock Bar is one of Jimbaran’s most famous spots with a fantastic bar and great music that requires you to take a funicular ride down the sheer limestone cliffs to get to the bar at the bottom.
Jimbaran Beach Club is synonymous with sundowners, where you can chill and watch dusk descend over the horizon from the comfort of white pergolas and discreet gazebos, placed on the beach.
You’ve heard of nightclubs, but have you ever heard of a day club? Omnia Dayclub in Uluwatu, 34 mins from Jimbaran, is a novel concept where you can party all day with fabulous cocktails and a private pool. Getting there is easy as Omnia has busses to ferry you to and from the club starting from Jimbaran.
There are many other options to choose from as even the restaurants and tiny bars at Jimbaran's many beaches offer you a range of entertainment options from DJs to live music and even traditional Balinese bamboo orchestras along with offers on food and beverages.
Can you swim in Jimbaran Bay?
Yes you can. Thanks to Jimbaran bay’s long, wide, crescent shaped beach, the waves are moderate and the sea is calm.
What is there to do in Jimbaran at night?
Nightlife in Jimbaran is eclectic with many bars and clubs around town. Some of these are built directly into the limestone cliffs above the Indian Ocean. You can dance to electronic music or catch a live gig at bars such as Rock Bar. Whatever you do, don’t forget to start the evening by watching the sunset.
How far is Jimbaran Bay from Seminyak?
The distance from Jimbaran Bay to Seminyak is about 14.8 km which takes 39 mins to cover by road.
What can you do in Jimbaran?
Jimbaran is a popular spot for surfing enthusiasts thanks to its many beaches. Besides this it is known for its many bars and clubs built directly into limestone cliffs overlooking the Indian ocean. Apart from these, Jimbaran is also home to botanical gardens and temples which offer a glimpse into Balinese culture.
How far is Jimbaran from Legian?
Jimbaran is 13.7 km away from Legian. The distance takes 34 mins to cover.
How far is Jimbaran from Uluwatu?
Jimbaran is 13.7 km away from Uluwatu by road. The distance takes approximately 34 mins to cover.
How far is Jimbaran from Denpasar airport?
Denpasar airport is 9.5 km away. The distance takes 34 mins to cover.Jimbaran isn’t just a run of the mill tropical paradise, it is rich in its culture, people and natural beauty. With so much to do and so much to see, planning your Jimbaran trip can get confusing. Thankfully, you can visit the SOTC website and check out our Bali tour packages and other international tour packages, or simply drop in to your nearest office where we can curate the Bali itinerary for your dream Bali holiday.
