Bali is known worldwide for its spa massages. We think it is a must ‘thing to do’ when visiting Bali. Besides being very affordable, the traditional Bali massage feels heavenly.
So what exactly is a traditional Balinese massage? The Bali massage aims at relaxation and healing. Gentle strokes together with pressure points and stretching result in the soothing of the mind and body. Natural oils and scrubs are used to relax muscles and improve skin conditions or to make them smooth and soft.
Not only is a massage a perfect way to treat sore muscles, but it is also a moment to step out of the rush of sightseeing and to experience a moment of doing nothing. However, after many spa experiences in Bali, we now know what to expect and how to choose the right place.
What kind of traditional Bali massages are there?
As soon as you enter a spa building you will have the possibility to choose which treatment you want. Usually, there is a long list of treatments together with an explanation of its purposes such as releasing toxins, creating energy, or relaxation.
Here are the most common traditional massages they offer at the spa’s in Bali:
| Type of Massage | How long? | Purpose |
| Bali Relaxing Spa (full body) | 1 hour or 1,5 hour | improvement of blood circulation, tension and stress reductions. |
| Back Massage | 30 minutes | relieves muscles in the back, neck, and shoulders |
| Body scrubs | 1,5 hours | full body massage to improve blood circulation and reduce tension, followed by a scrub to clear skin followed a body mask and a flower or lotion bath. |
| Warm Stone Massage | 1,5 hours | stimulates deeper muscle relaxation |
| Aromatherapy Massage | 1,5 hours | combination of Balinese and Swedish massage relieves tiredness, aroma rejuvenates mind and body |
| Foot Reflexology | 30 minutes | overall circulation increase and restoring the natural balance of your body. |
| Hair Treatment (known as ‘creambaths’) | 1 hour | hair mask including the scalp and shoulder massage |
| Hand and/or Feet Manicure | 1 hour or 1,5 hours | relaxing hand or foot massage followed by nail polish. |
What can you expect when you go for a Balinese massage?
Once you decide which Bali spa massage you want, the spa therapists will take you to the treatment room. She/he will then leave you alone to get ready for the massage.
This is the only moment I always feel rushed, as the therapists usually return after two minutes. Understandably as every minute counts.
Usually, it is pretty clear what is expected, but many times the therapists left us in the room without explaining exactly what we had to do.
By now we know that you have to get fully undressed except for your underwear. Women have to take off their bra. Then wrap the sarong (large cloth) that is on the massage table around you and wait till the spa therapists return.
The traditional Bali massage is a relaxing massage and should not be painful. During the massage, you will mainly feel long strokes and some stretching to enhance relaxation.
The massage usually starts with the back and the legs. Then the therapists will ask you to turn around.
While facing up the therapists continue with the feet moving towards the head. The arms and hands are next while the massage ends with a head massage.
From our experience, the main focus is the back. I guess this is where most people have soar muscles. Sometimes the stomach area is also included in the full body massage.
We have never experienced a massage at the chest/breast area. But perhaps this is included as well. But if so, the spa therapists should ask you first if you want that area to be massaged.
There are many types of oils and scrubs you can choose from, each with a positive effect on your health and beauty.
We recommend going for the real thing: a Balinese traditional massage followed by a scrub. Choose the Balinese Body Lulur, a scrub made out of rice, herbs, roots, spices, and flowers that will have your skin feeling smooth as silk. It is said that the royalty of Bali and Java use this scrub too.
Another traditional treatment is the Balinese Boreh. Originally created by rice farmers, this paste consists of a combination of roots, herbs, and spices. It’s hot but it relieves aching joints, muscles, and headaches and increases blood circulation. You will feel relaxed in no time.
If you requested a scrub after the massage, the spa therapists will start putting the scrub all over the massaged area (except face and hair).
Otherwise… it is time to get up.
Once the paste is taken off you can choose to soak in a flower petal bath or milk bath. But if you prefer to hit the shower, you can skip this part. All spa treatments end with a warm cup of ginger tea.
Somehow I have a hard time to get up and seem to be stuck at the table. If the massage was good I could just lie there motionless for another hour. But time is money, also in Bali. Luckily a refreshing shower and the warm ginger tea is a wonderful end to a massage.
If you want a real spa experience go for a spa package. You will be there for at least 3 hours enjoying a head massage, a full body massage, a facial treatment, manicure and/or pedicure.
At an upscale spa, you can expect posh products and amazing services such as showers before the massage, foot baths, bathrobes, lunch, etc. These massages usually have more choice in other types of massages, such as Ayurveda, ‘four hands massage’, hot stone massage, Thai massage, etc.
Many spas (cheap or expensive) do pick up service too. So if the spa is located in the middle of nowhere, you still have easy access to relaxation.
Where to get the best Bali spa massages?
You can get a traditional Balinese massage anywhere on the island. Almost every hotel offers spa services. It is also common to see ladies giving massages right on the beach and of course, there are spa salons everywhere in every town.
So with so much choice, where to get the best Bali spa massages? The quality of the massage depends on the therapists. However, we realized that a good spa experience also depends on the rooms, the oil used, and the atmosphere of the whole salon.
So while you can get a good cheap massage in Bali, for a wonderful experience you should pay a bit more to fully enjoy your time there. Don’t just look at the price but check around first before deciding on getting a massage.
After having lots of massages in Bali we have created a list that can help you out on deciding which spa is for you so you feel more comfortable going in.
1. The Spa is a real Salon
First of all, we want to get one point clear: in Bali, a spa treatment is a spa treatment. That’s it. There is nothing sexual about it. Most spa therapists are women and are professionally trained. So if you have other intentions you will need to go somewhere else.
That said, in Bali, many people seem to think that running a spa only involves a spa table and so some spas look dubious. For instance, hairdressers also offer spa treatments. It might sound nice and it is very cheap but don’t go there.
These salons don’t have a private massage room and you are very likely to end up on a table behind a yellow silk curtain. Believe me, we’ve seen it and it is definitely not a great way to fully appreciate the spa experience.
2. Location of the Spa
When it comes to a spa then the location is one of the most important things for choosing a good one. We try to find a spa with semi-open treatment rooms just outside the town center. We think this adds to the experience.
It doesn’t mean you have to have to pay much for a great spa location. Right at the beach is nice too. But even then there are differences. Either lie on the sand which is a bit uncomfortable or choose a massage table. For instance, at Sanur and Geger beach there are ladies with massage tables where you can lie down in the shade without feeling the sand all over your body.
But in town, there are many beautiful spas too that have focused on decoration, style and are often surrounded by gardens.
We avoid the spas that look like a shop and where the curtains are drawn so you can’t see anything from the outside. Also, we never go to one where all the spa therapists are sitting outside. Why? Somehow it looks very unprofessional plus we once heard them laughing and chatting throughout our spa treatment.
Ubud is a popular spa destination and has many cheap spas located along a river gorge or rice fields.
Resorts often have amazing spa locations as well, overlooking the ocean, garden or even beach. As expected you do pay more due to the location, the selection of massage treatments or the extra luxury. However, the traditional Bali massage could be just as good at a less attractive spa.
It is up to you if you want to pay the extra money for the additional experience or not.
3. Spa treatment rooms
If you walk into a spa and are not 100% sure this is the place for you, ask to see the rooms. Often if the reception area looks nice, and the areas where they do manicure and pedicure looks good then the rooms often are of the same standard.
But it is always good to check if the room is clean, especially the sheets. Make sure that there is at least a window or some kind of ventilation system. We usually just go for semi-open treatment rooms which are surrounded by a garden, are located near a river or nearby rice fields. It’s always nice to feel a breeze rather than air conditioning during a massage.
The best time to go to the spa is after a day of walking or touring. So you can imagine that it is a pleasant thought to be able to take a shower first before being covered in massage oil. If the spa therapists say it is not necessary, at least make sure you can take a shower after the treatment.
At many spas, you don’t take a shower before however at many spas the therapists do prepare a foot bath so your feet are clean when they start.
4. Natural oils and products used in the Balinese Spa
To keep it all ‘green’ and eco-friendly check if the spa uses 100% natural products. Usually, the spa promotes their products, especially if they are homemade. They use local natural ingredients such as herbs, flowers, fruit, spices, etc.
5. English speaking spa therapists in Bali
Don’t expect to have long conversations during your spa treatments. However, it is always comforting to know what they are asking and for you to let them know if they are applying too much pressure. Communication is also very important if you have an injury or anything else that might make the massage unpleasant.
6. Disposable underwear
A small yet important detail. If you keep your underwear on it will be covered in oil at the end of the treatment. It’s fine when you have a spare one with you. But if you don’t, ask for a disposable one. Even when it is not provided they are supposed to have them.
How much should I pay for a Bali massage?
Generally, it is safe to say that the spas in Bali which offer full body massage treatments for 20 USD to 150 USD offer the best experience. These spas have nicely designed rooms, there are all sorts of treatments to choose from and the entire atmosphere feels comfortable.
So you can imagine that this is the ideal place to really pamper yourself. Luxury resorts and fancy independent spas are usually the best places to go to if you don’t mind spending a bit more money.
If you don’t need a luxurious feeling and just want a good massage then you can easily find a good cheap spa in Bali. These spas are found all around the island of which some are owned by mid-range accommodations.
Expect to pay around USD 50 or much less for a 90-minute full-body massage. Cantika (20USD) is a cheap spa located in the rice fields of Ubud, just as Bliss Ubud Spa (20USD). Other great spas are Pertenin Spa in Ubud (20USD), Bali Botanica Spa Ubud (20USD), the Nest Beachside spa Sanur (20USD) and Jamu Wellness Sanur (30USD).
Examples of upscale Bali spas are the Maya Ubud Spa Ubud (70USD) which offers a beautiful setting along the river gorge, while the Beach Spa at the Belmond Jimbaran (90USD) is right at the beach.
If you want to avoid all that hassle of going to the spa you can also just lie on the beach and wait until a Balinese lady will ask you if you need a massage. It might not be the ultimate experience but in the end, you can just doze off or jump in the water straight after.
How much do you tip spa therapists in Bali?
A tip is a great way to show your appreciation towards the spa therapists. Remember that their salary is very low and a full body massage is hard work.
We never have a fixed amount of tips when we go to the spa. And we can’t really suggest how much you should tip a therapist. We just know that any amount will make him/her very happy.
Generally, if we have had an Rph 150.000 full body massage we give Rp. 50.000. We do make sure we give it to the spa therapist directly. We try to do this soon after the massage is finished. But usually, this is not possible because you are lying half-naked on the massage table with no access to your wallet.
So at least we try to give the tip when we pay. However, if he/she isn’t there we ask if the therapist is still available so we can give the tip ourselves.
It can happen that the therapist has a massage directly after and can not come to accept the tip. If this happens we give the tip to the colleague and hope she will give it to her.