Ten kilometres north of Ubud, the Tegallalang terraces are one of the most recognisable images in Asia. Staircases of paddy fields descend from the roadside into a green amphitheatre, built patiently over centuries thanks to the traditional Balinese irrigation system known as subak, UNESCO-listed since 2012.

The main viewpoint is mobbed by 9 a.m. Walk down any of the side trails into the valley. You'll find farmers working, goats tethered, and angles that don't exist on Instagram. A 70–200mm telephoto compresses the layers and isolates details like canang sari offering flowers among the plants.

Seventy metres of vertical cliff over the Indian Ocean, a Hindu temple on the edge, and the kecak fire dance every evening at 6 p.m. The kecak is a 70-man chant with no instruments — only voices — performed as the sun sets. Worth the €8 ticket. Mind the monkeys: they steal sunglasses, cameras, hats. Don't underestimate them.

The Barong and Rangda dance enacts the eternal conflict between good (Barong) and evil (Rangda). It isn't a performance for tourists — it's an active religious ritual that Balinese still hold to keep cosmic balance. You can watch a tourist-context version in Ubud each morning (entry ticket). With more patience and respect, attend a temple odalan (temple anniversary) ceremony: these are public, free, and require you to wear a sarong and behave respectfully.

• Visa: visa on arrival, US$35
• Best light: 6–8 a.m. and 5–6:30 p.m. Tropical midday is photographically useless.
• Rain season: November–March. Dramatic light, fewer tourists, greenest rice.
• Transport: scooter rental €5/day or hire a driver for €30–50/day

Original in Spanish: Bali guía fotográfica. For 6-day fast version see Bali in 6 days.