10 Things to Do in Bali in December

In December, the tide of tourists on the island rises as many people choose this destination to end the year. Although this is the month with the heaviest rainfall, temperatures remain pleasant and range between 24° and 30°. In fact, there are many alternative plans to make the most of your stay such as visiting the best local temples, strolling through the iconic rice terraces and learning how to make silver jewellery.

This month also sees religious celebrations, New Year rituals and Christmas dinners that combine Hindu and Christian traditions. You can also take advantage of the Denpasar Festival and the Terracotta Festival in a picturesque village. At this time of year you can see Balinese Christmas decorations and take advantage of the tropical fruit season to participate in a fruit carving class. You can't miss out on the best things to do in Bali in December - here are all the options available!

In December the rains are coming to an end in Bali, so the rice fields are at their best, and their colours make them worthy of postcard photographs. In addition, after the rains you can see the pools of water that create mirrors all over the island. They tend to be more crowded, but the island is full of options. The most famous are the Jatiluwih rice terraces, which can be explored on foot, motorbike or electric bicycle.

The cycling experience is unbeatable, as you can do it with a professional guide who knows the rice paddies and can give you interesting information. Anyone taller than 1.40 centimetres can participate, except pregnant women or those with health problems. Be aware that the stretch is long, covering around 600 hectares. Generally, the best tours in Bali offer this experience from 71 euros and you can take advantage of visiting the Monkey Forest and nearby villages, as well as signing up for food tastings.

Visiting the island of the gods in December can be an ideal experience to enjoy the tropical festivities and experience a completely different culture. Keep in mind that the Balinese practice Hinduism and don't celebrate Christmas as such, although there is a large community of Christians and Muslims who do. Bali mostly celebrates Ngejot, which involves sharing dinner or lunch with friends. In addition, the pine trees are replaced by bamboo Christmas trees.

If you're looking for things to do in Bali at Christmas, you should definitely take advantage of the Christmas dinner which is often accompanied by Polynesian dance performances. During the festive season you'll find plenty of buffets at fancy restaurants, street stalls or beach clubs. Prices tend to go up at this time of year, so these paradisiacal experiences can be a bit pricey. Some of the best places to spend Christmas Eve are:

• Sundays Beach Club: it is a beach club that offers Christmas lunches and dinners in front of the sea, with a variety of tastings. It is also characterised by its bonfires at sunset, cinema under the stars and different water sports options. It's an evening with sparkling glasses of traditional beverages, children's areas and a possible visit from Santa.
• The Westin Resort: For a Christmas dining scene on one of Bali's best beaches, I suggest heading to Nusa Dua for Christmas Eve at this resort. It offers an evening accompanied by tastings, carol singing, visits from Santa and indoor or outdoor settings.
• Dinner cruise: Another option is to enjoy Bali' s best cruise ships that usually offer parties or dinners during the festive season with live music, tastings of your choice and cocktails to spend Christmas Eve in style. These types of experiences usually start at 79 euros and last approximately four hours.

During December's Christmas and New Year's rituals, you'll want to look dazzling or give gifts to your loved ones. There is nothing better than making them yourself, after attending a silver jewellery making class. These are very popular activities and are among the best things to do in Bali. You can learn about the importance of jewellery on the island, the history of Balinese handicrafts and create your own piece of jewellery.

It's an inexpensive plan compared to other activities, with options starting from €36. You can learn goldsmithing techniques from a master craftsman and accompany the evening with traditional snacks. It lasts approximately three hours and you can find classes in different areas of Bali. For example, in Ubud you have the advantage of being centrally located, surrounded by other attractions. Celuk is considered the town of goldsmiths, while Sanur is the ideal location to enjoy a class by the sea.

Hinduism is practised in Bali, so there are as many temples as there are inhabitants. In fact, you can find more than 10,000 throughout the island. You can identify them because they are all named with the word 'Pura' and are hidden in fascinating locations such as forests, gardens, lakes, springs, mountains, volcanoes and more. In December rainy days predominate, so I recommend you to look for indoor plans and visit the most iconic temples such as:

• Pura Tirta Empul: is a water temple known for its large spring, as well as purification rituals and traditional dance performances.
• Ulun Danu Beratan Temple: this is the most photographable temple in Bali, where many people crowd to watch the sunset.
• Besakih Mother Temple: is a complex that houses around 23 temples, whose structure is surrounded by important volcanoes. The interior is not accessible as it is reserved for Hindus, but the panoramic views from the side terraces are breathtaking. If you happen to be looking for things to do in Bali in November, you can take advantage of the rituals of the tenth moon of the year. You can also combine it with a visit to the Pura Lempuyang Luhur temple and marvel at the locally iconic Sky Gates.

Keep in mind that December still tends to be rainy, which I suggest you consider before visiting Tanah Lot. It is one of the best local temples, dedicated to the gods of the sea, but its location in the middle of the ocean is not very favourable when rainfall intensifies. As general recommendations, be sure to bring a scarf for your knees, reserve Indonesian rupiah in cash to pay for entrance fees and keep a respectful attitude.

One of the most important celebrations on the island, it marks the beginning of most religious rituals and commemorates Bali's ancestors. Generally, locals wear their traditional costumes and visit the best local temples to bring offerings and prayers. The exact date may vary according to the Balinese calendar, but it's usually held every six months and you can tell it's coming because the Balinese hang penjor and other bamboo decorations along the roads.

Generally, Hindu culture replaces Christmas in Bali with this celebration. It's a different way to spend the holidays, which involves ancient traditions. You can bring offerings of different coloured bubur (porridge) to plants to celebrate Tumpek Wariga. You can also take part in Penyajaan cooking workshops, ideal for learning how to make rice cakes. Children can join a tradition called ngelawang, where they can practice barong dancing.

Welcoming in the New Year in Bali is a relaxing plan with plenty of entertainment options, which involve its traditions, food and paradise beaches. Most people opt for getaways to Kuta, where the nightlife is second to none and vibrant parties take over the last few moments of the year. Note that if you're looking for things to do in Bali in January you can take advantage of the Balinese Lunar New Year, or wait until February for Chinese New Year.

In general, some not-to-be-missed plans in Bali on New Year's Eve are:

• Watch the fireworks display from Bali's best beaches as you enjoy the euphoria of the countdown. There are private beach clubs that provide an exotic experience, but you can also take advantage of the free bays.
• Enjoy a private New Year's Eve party at the most luxurious hotels, although I'll warn you, they don't come cheap. They start at 80 euros, but are a great way to end the year on a high note. Generally, you can enjoy all the food you want from a banquet, dance until dawn and take advantage of the live entertainment.
• Attend an electronica party near the beach, with spectacular energy and music until you can't get enough.
• Hop on a local motorbike to ride around downtown Ubud with motorcyclists honking their horns to welcome in the New Year at 00:00 hrs.
• Go out for drinks to explore the island's most interesting bars, an ideal plan if you're looking for things to do in Bali at night.

The Denpasar Festival is an annual event held in the island's capital. It starts a couple of days before New Year's Eve to create a fun prelude with creative exhibitions, open-air concerts, traditional dances and food tastings. You'll find activities at various tourist sites around the island, including purification rituals at the best local temples.

In addition, you'll find a craft market, painting workshops, souvenir stalls, craft beer stands, yoga classes and massage areas. You can even ask for a Balinese makeover, to take advantage of the photo booths where they rent out costumes, props and backdrops. Admission starts at 2 euros and is ideal for families, and includes most activities except body treatments, makeovers and access to competitions.

December sees the harvesting of the island's own exotic fruits, so a tour of the avocado, persimmon, custard apple, guava, durian, mangosteen, kiwi and lemon plantations is well worthwhile. Mostly these experiences take place in the high mountainous areas of northern and western Bali, where the climatic conditions are ideal for the soil. You may also stop by local markets to sample Balinese flavours. Sometimes this enjoyable activity is combined with chocolate and coffee tours.

Another fun option is to sign up for a fruit carving class, where you can carve the shape of your choice and turn this artful meal into an unforgettable family affair. It is ideal for all ages, especially for children from four years old. The experience can be found from 35 euros, sometimes they offer a snack to accompany the evening. As a general consideration, durian is a seasonal fruit with a particular smell, but with a flavour worth experiencing.

The Safari Park is a local zoo, where you can have a great time. It's one of the best things to do in Bali, especially if you're with children. It offers outdoor activities and has over 100 species including rhinos, zebras, elephants and tigers. What makes it special in December are the unique Balinese-style Christmas decorations, which bring the grounds to life.

You can see lights being switched on at night, bamboo Christmas trees, advent wreaths, seasonal workshops and Christmas shows. It's definitely one of the few things to do in Bali at Christmas, so don't miss it. All year round you can enjoy fun activities such as jeep rides, water zones and safari nights.

On the island of the gods arts and crafts are very important, in fact there is an artisan village dedicated to the making of red tiles. It's known as the terracotta village of Pejatan, located in the western part of the island. If you plan to spend at least 5 days in Bali, you must take advantage of this experience to learn about the production process of red terracotta tiles. You don't need to pay a guide as it is quite small and easy to explore on your own, and admission is free.

This artistic village offers a different side to the island of the gods, surrounded by traditional houses, green lanes and pottery workshops. Occasionally the Terracotta Festival is held here, usually in December. This is an artisan event that brings the village to life with exhibitions, craft classes and demonstrations. Another reason to visit during this month is that it's usually less crowded and easier to get around.

During December you can also find spiritual rituals typical of Balinese culture, which vary according to the Pakwon calendar. For example, there are sometimes Melasti ceremonies, a purification ritual that takes place before the Balinese New Year. It is held every 210 days, so it is likely to coincide with the activities of the last month of the year from time to time. If you get the chance to experience this, you can't miss it as it unravels secrets of the local culture.