Why Bali
Bali offers an accessible, international yoga scene with world-class studios, healthy food and easy travel. It suits practitioners who want a strong practice alongside a relaxed tropical setting and a built-in wellness community.
Where to practise
- Ubud — jungle studios, healing arts and the island's spiritual centre.
- Canggu — a younger, beach-and-cafe scene with plenty of Vinyasa.
- Uluwatu — clifftop calm and ocean views.
Styles you'll find
Vinyasa and Hatha dominate, with strong offerings in Yin, restorative and meditation. Bali is also a popular place for teacher training in a comfortable, English-friendly environment.
Best time to visit
The dry season, roughly April–October, is ideal, with sunny days and lower humidity. The wet season (November–March) is greener and quieter but expect afternoon downpours.
A typical day in Bali
Bali retreats tend to be a little more relaxed than India's. A morning Vinyasa or Hatha flow opens the day, often outdoors surrounded by jungle or rice paddies, followed by a healthy breakfast — Bali is famous for its smoothie bowls and plant-based cafes. Afternoons are usually free for the beach, a spa treatment, a temple visit or a cooking class, with an optional gentler practice or sound healing before dinner. It's a format that blends genuine practice with holiday.
Beyond yoga
Part of Bali's appeal is everything around the mat. You can pair your practice with surfing in Canggu, snorkelling and diving off the coast, scooter trips through the rice terraces, waterfalls and temples inland, and a thriving wellness scene of healers, breathwork facilitators and ecstatic-dance nights. It suits travellers who want their yoga woven into a broader, sociable adventure rather than a monastic retreat.
Practical tips
Most visitors get a visa on arrival or an e-visa — check the latest rules for your nationality. Rent a scooter only if you're confident, as Bali traffic is busy; many retreats arrange transfers and bikes. Bring reef-safe sunscreen and mosquito repellent, stick to filtered or bottled water, and book popular Ubud and Canggu retreats ahead in the July–August and December peak periods.
Teacher training in Bali
Bali is one of the world's most popular places to do a Yoga Teacher Training, and it's easy to see why: a beautiful setting, an international cohort, comfortable accommodation and a deep bench of experienced teachers. Trainings here tend to cost more than India but offer a gentler landing for first-time travellers to Asia, with English widely spoken and Western comforts close at hand. Ubud is the usual base, surrounded by the nature and wellness community that makes the immersion feel complete.
Is Bali right for you?
Bali is ideal if you want your practice woven into a wider experience — nature, beaches, great food, a sociable scene and plenty to do beyond the mat. It suits beginners and intermediate practitioners especially well, and anyone who wants comfort alongside their yoga. If your priority is the most traditional, austere or budget experience, India may serve you better; but for a balance of genuine practice and tropical wellbeing, Bali is hard to beat.
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Browse retreats →Frequently asked questions
Is Ubud or Canggu better for yoga?
Ubud suits those wanting a deeper, spiritual practice in nature; Canggu suits a livelier beach scene with lots of Vinyasa and cafes. Many visitors split time between both.
When is the best time to visit Bali for yoga?
The dry season (April–October) offers the most reliable weather, though the island's studios run year-round.
Do I need to speak Indonesian?
No — Bali's yoga scene is highly international and classes are widely taught in English.