Bali Silent Retreat

Spent 4 days at BSR and it was a beautiful spiritual experience and an opportunity for deeper inner connectedness. Appreciated the yoga and meditation sessions. Grateful for the kind staff and the food is some of the best you’ll ever eat.

I stayed here for 1 week in a bungalow
Positive things:
- The nice and smiley stuff
- the very tasty food
- The amazing view
- the yoga and meditation sessions (i wish there were more variety though)

Negative things:
-sleepless nights.the nature outside was loud, which i am ok with, but also geckos (type of lizard) “inside the cottage” was making very loud sound each 30minute the whole night every night.i understand it s nature, but maybe if the cottage was not open, from the ceiling and next to the bed we could avoid the geckos or the frog i found inside.
- the opening in the wall next to the bed was making me feel i have no privacy.as i could be seen from outside.

At the end, i left the place feeling physically tired from the lack of sleep, but mentally refreshed.

Gorgeous spaces and property overall, ammmmazing food. Peaceful. Kind and gentle staff and guests. I hope to someday go back again.

Spent 5 days at Bali Silent Retreat and it was a nourishing experience for both the mind and body.
The guided yoga & meditation, farm-to-table plant based diet, the mini library, the space for reflection, the cultural experiences all contributed to it. I would also recommend attending the living pharmacy workshop as it was really insightful.
All in all, it was a holiday that left me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I also took home the habit of meditation, something that i am really grateful for.

For light sleepers: the nights can be a little noisy.so do take note~

Loved loved loved my 3 nights here. I came with my husband and as a real talker I must admit I was nervous.

It was everything I needed and more.

So peaceful, calm, beautiful scenery, amazing staff, tasty food, a lovely bungalow and the chance to actually switch off.

Sleep, move, breathe, eat, read, sleep, repeat.

Enjoy silence and beauty nature. The grounds and mountains views are peaceful and sublime.
Lots to learn about modern and green ways of living, such as natural ways of mosquito prevention and energy conservation. The food medicine talk was eye opening.

Loved the yoga - so fun and relaxing. The meditation was powerful though an absolute beginner may want to consult some material on what to do during the period as it’s usually just silence. Thich Nhat Hanh has many instructions on this referencing the classic Buddhist Anapanasati sutra.

The food. High quality, local, nutritious. Breakfast and dinner were sumptuous with numerous cooked meals to choose from. I’ll be in the lookout for these foods from now on. I felt lunch was a bit lean as it was just salad but it didn’t matter. The snack and herbal tea tables were so good.

The library area is wonderful for a bookworm and an absolutely peaceful atmosphere to read or even nap in.

Finally the live gamelan in the evening was beautiful and Wayan even taught me a few songs. What a beautiful experience of mindfulness and it connected me back to my musicality and creativity.

There is a lot more going on but these were the highlights. You won’t be bored and get to see things in a different way if you’re open to it. I did stay outside at Mongan Homestay via airbnb for a more budget experience.

My mom and I did a 4-day, 3-night retreat at Bali Silent Retreat in July 2023. It proved to be a truly wonderful and memorable experience, marking our first-ever mother-daughter trip. Our primary goal for this journey was to unwind without any fixed agenda.

Here are the top five aspects we thoroughly enjoyed:

1. Registration and Getting There: The registration process was effortless, thanks to the highly responsive and helpful Office Angels. After reviewing the calendar on their website to explore available rooms, we completed the form. The Office Angels promptly responded with our booking confirmation and payment instructions.

2. Getting There: Bali Silent Retreat is situated approximately 2 hours away from the airport. They have a dedicated team of drivers to facilitate airport transfers during check-in and check-out. Both our drivers, Eka and Eba, were punctual, accommodating, and attentive to our needs. A word of advice for international travelers: plan to arrive in Bali before noon to allow ample time for the fairly distant drive to the retreat, considering the possibility of heavy traffic. The earlier you reach the retreat, the more time you can spend enjoying the serene ambiance.

3. The Environment: After a full day of travel, we found ourselves immersed in the tranquil countryside of Penatahan. The retreat is nestled amidst picturesque paddy fields, organic gardens, and an overall setting that promotes mindfulness and disconnection from the outside world. It was precisely what we were seeking. It gets dark by 7pm here. We visited during the new moon, offering us an opportunity to witness the enchanting beauty of the night sky. For stargazers, BSR offers a captivating night viewing experience. I also loved the nightly orchestra of the living nature once night begins. You will never feel alone. The sunrise and the sunset is also remarkable.

4. Daily Agenda: BSR offers daily activities such as morning and evening yoga, guided meditation, and Shavasana, all conducted by knowledgeable teachers. Additionally, there is a shuttle service to the nearby hot springs, perfect for those wanting a brief escape from the retreat.
There is also a nightly gamelan performance at the registration office that take place during sunset. The gamelan sound, and the sunset is just captivating. It serves as a compelling reminder to pause, embrace the moment, and fully appreciate the present. I also had the privilege of learning to play the gamelan from Wayan who was so patient and gracious.

5. Organic, Vegetarian Food: The food at Bali Silent Retreat was simply exceptional. It was a delightful spread of home-grown, delicious, and nutritious dishes. With a daily-changing menu of wholesome, real foods, we were thoroughly impressed.
Should BSR ever publish their cookbook, we would undoubtedly be among the first to order it. We regretted not having sufficient notice to visit the kitchen, but we were informed that interested guests can arrange a kitchen tour through the Office Angels (Reception). Additionally, BSR organizes other food-related activities on a weekly basis, so do check their agenda.

Others:
• The staff were exceptionally attentive and supportive, contributing to the overall greatness of our experience.
• We specifically planned our visit to coincide with the new moon to participate in the Agnihotra ceremony during sunset. We highly recommend this unique experience. The Agnihotra takes place twice a month, during the new and full moon phases.
• Guests come from all corners of the world. While you will likely not make new friends because its a silent retreat, the people are all respectful, and a pleasure to be around.

In conclusion, our time at Bali Silent Retreat was truly amazing.

We were truly able to embrace "la dolce far niente" where we granted ourselves the freedom to do as we pleased, free from goals and expectations.

We will be back.

Bali Silent Retreat is a paradise on earth. Set between the rice fields and lush jungle the surrounding scenery is breathtaking. Love, care and commitment in running and maintaining this place is evident, from the simple but charming accommodation through to the exquisite, fresh food, the immaculate gardens and landscape to the super friendly and helpful team. There's plenty to do if you're feeling active, from yoga/meditation classes, hot spring trips, garden tour etc.or blissful spots around the buildings and gardens for relaxing, reading or just sitting quietly. We went with no intentions other than to switch off from the hustle and bustle of normal life and prepare for our holiday, and it was the perfect getaway.

Thank you BSR team for creating this little slice of heaven.

Food is nice but reception is rude and arrogant. We will not be coming back to this place. Avoid!

The rude staff at booking and reception kills the entire experience. We have cancelled our stay and moved to another rertreat where we were greeted in a much more welcoming way. Dont visit Bali Silent retreat. The arrogance of their reception is second to none. They claim they never have complaints. Look at all the bad reviews about their reception staff arrogance. Disgraceful!

A very peaceful and very down to earth place, a gem serving amazing food from the back garden! I felt deply connected to earth while being there. It was truly a live experience that I aim to repeat

I stayed at Bali Silent for the whole month of October 2022. The energy of this place is very potent and I had many realizations and shifts of consciousness.
I am beyond grateful to the owners for creating a place like this - no waste, every detail is attended to, incredibly knowledgeable staff, fresh, nourishing and healthy food. These people to me are real spiritual practitioners and not trying to make money on you.
The food. It seemed like my body didn't use much energy to digest the food I was eating and yet, I never felt hungry or "not enough".
Yoga and meditation.is taught by people who are very practiced and high level of consciousness.
Hot Springs.are very nurturing and sometimes, I simply meditated in a pool of hot mineral water for 20 or more minutes. I came to Bali to recover after a burn out. Hot Springs are one of the best ways to do that.
New and Full moon ceremonies were magical. Whatever I didn't need, was taken away from me.
Medicinal Plants workshop was incredibly illuminating and I am looking forward to applying my knowledge when I get home to better my health.
Silence helped to track my own thought process and be more aware of my realizations.
Accommodation.can be better in terms of cleanliness and humidity. I've made suggestions to the management.
Highly recommend. Enjoy!

I traveled solo to Bali and came across this place as a wellness recommendation from a women's FB page I follow. You can come for 1 day, 1 night, 1 week or 1 month, whatever you like. That flexibility allowed me to choose since I had planned excursions already. I came during rainy season though it rained alot at night and mostly sunny and hot during the day. The experience was one of a kind, I've never done before but I found peace in the surroundings, my walks, holy water bath, fire ceremony and especially meditation in the Bale. The food was outstanding and I'm not vegetarian. It was plentiful all day long. I want the recipe for that green juice for bkfst. I stayed for 2 days and will return for longer. There were 20+ guests when I went, everyone was mindful and respectful. We came as strangers, we never spoke but I felt we were somehow united in mind and heart when I left.

One of the most peaceful beautiful spots I have ever visited. Amazing food, almost entirely grown on-site

I have very little negative to say about BSR on its own, but I do want to give others some perspective I did not have in coming to BSR.

I am not a seasoned solo traveler, but am an intermediate yogi and getting into light meditation. I expected more yoga-centric practice and instead classes were maybe 20 minutes of light beginners yoga and 60+ minutes of unguided meditation. Nothing wrong with this, just not the practice I was expecting or enjoy.

The thing I did not expect was the intense homesickness and isolation I experienced. And not in a good, growing way, but in a laying on the concrete floor multiple times a day sobbing and wishing I could talk to my loved ones (or literally anyone) kind of way. I had already been away from home for over a week and was a little homesick, so I believe the increased isolation at BSR just made this feeling much more intense. I started spiraling down in a way I have not in years.

Had I had the option of social outings maybe this would have been better, but they were unfortunately canceled or cautioned against with a concurrent Indonesian holiday. I truly felt like I was in a prison without the ability to connect with anyone. After about 48 hours I arranged transport to leave and found my way back home.

The office angels were very helpful and kind in helping me arrange my return. Again, nothing negative about the place itself, it just wasn’t supportive to my mental health and I wish I had this perspective before I went.

A heads up on the privacy element - if you stay in the upper dorm it is open air between the rooms under a canopy (see photos). You can hear each other using the bathroom in a fairly loud echoey way. The listing does mention less privacy but I didn’t expect quite that little privacy. The lower dorms looked more enclosed and are labeled as having “more privacy” online.

Loved the experience. The food was a standout, as was the sound bath and for my partner, the jungle path. Wonderful staff, great way to take a break from technology. Watch out for the mosquitoes though!

Beautiful place to come and relax and meditate. It's very different to a Vispassana or other silent meditation retreats I have attended. You can relax on the couch all day if that is your desire. Or you can join in the yoga and meditation in the morning and afternoon. My favourite things were outside of the retreat. The rice fields walk was sensational first thing in the morning. Also the hotsprings were a great way to break up the day. They have a large cold pool, which was a relief from the heat.
The retreat setting is stunning. Rice fields, jungle, and volcano's in the distance. The area is UNESCO listed.
Most days / evenings they have a different activity. I enjoyed the fire ceremony, Balinese herbal garden talk and the Canang Sari making and blessing. Also watching the sunset while listening to the local musicians was a real highlight.
Food was delicious and it's impossible to go hungry here.
The biggest shout out goes to the Balinese staff. They were tremendous. Very helpful and friendly. Customer service is the most important aspect of any business. Some of the non Balinese staff / trainers didn't make an effort to make you feel welcome. Quite dour in fact. They should just employ Balinese staff only.

My favorite place on earth.a safe space; one of a kind, unique.amazing food

amazing environment, in nature

What a lovely experience!
The staff is nice, the food is good, the rooms are cute and the place is awesome!

A pristine all natural space for anyone who'd like to practice meditation, reflect, contemplate, reset, renew, recharge or simply connect with mama Gaia, and oneself ️ A library full of books, 100% organic home grown vegetables (I could taste the intense freshness and love), a hot spring nearby, daily yoga, meditation, and so much more

A must visit! I spent a week there, but could have stayed longer. If you want some piece and quiet with the most amazing energy and food.what are you waiting for?

Authentic.
Nature's magic is integrated into every aspect.
The organic food is harvested daily (from their 15 acres of chemical free gardens) so the food is Fresh.
The Medicine Garden explains what herbs are used for various conditions.
There's a vibration of love and care and spiritual reality.
Sustainable Living is a basic philosophy. (They're off-the-grid.)

I stayed here for 4 nights. I would've stayed longer but I also wanted to see the rest of Bali. The food- I'm not vegan but I was nearly converted it was that yum! The activities- I was never bored, the yoga and meditation was easy enough for me to follow as a beginner but still challenging enough at times. I actually felt better within myself. The location- stunning! I'm coming back on my next holiday for sure! Also Krishna at reception is just hilarious! She taught us how to make the offerings and she's just a ray of sunshine! Carla the instructor also made the classes really personal and I loved how she made me understand meditation through her teaching.

Fantastic experience- spent two nights here as a couple. Was so peaceful with the most amazing scenery. Took part in the meditation and yoga which was very accessible for beginners. Food was absolutely delicious! Highly recommend as a way to experience the Balinese countryside while giving time to dextox from devices

Incredibly beautiful place in the rice fields, very quiet and slow. Beautiful rooms. Real organic food, very authentic (not importet)

Only for those who can handle the quiet and simplicity

Really love it here. I wish to stay longer. It's very simple and peaceful. The vegan food and snacks here is the best I've ever had. I got to recharge both the body and soul. Thank you!

For me this is the most amazing place on the whole island (and I travelled a lot). If you are looking for a place to be offline and relax, sit and listen to your thoughts, enjoy nature, do Yoga and Meditation and eat the best food, Bali Silent Retreat is the place to go. I had a guided rice field walk on my last day, that was awesome. The guide named every plant and explained what it is good for. The whole place is full of love in every little detail. I spent five days there and could have stayed longer.

Best life experience, I managed a full 10 days. Beautiful clean venue in the jungle and the food is out of this world!

If you want to try out a silent retreat for the first time, then go to Bali Silent Retreat. It’s the perfect introduction. The staff are amazing, the food healthy and delicious and the surroundings just breathtaking. Bali Slient Retreat makes the experience/learn how to sit in silence and meditation easy. You can read, write, walk around in the beautiful and well thought out areas. (little private spaces if you need that, or communal areas if we need some silent human contact). The room I had was the private ground floor.bringing you back to basics and reminds you that we don’t need all the things we have in our every day life. I would go back again and I’ve already recommend and managed to get others to go and experience sitting in silence, get back to nature, remove yourself from the digital hectic world we live in. Thank you Bali Silent retreat team for creating and sharing your amazing space and experience! See you again soon.

You may feel intimadated at first to come to silent retreat. I was! But I am SO GLAD I got the courage just to go!

This center makes diving into silence a feeling of luxury.the space, views, amenities, library, activities, and food all support you in going deep and feeling safe to do so.

It is rustic but feels luxurious! The dorms are great because everyone is silent! The experience of being in community and also being silent is a surprisingly healing one.

Highly recommend.you will leave a different person.with more peace, connection, and nourishment. Enjoy the silence, you will not regret it.

I had such an amazing experience here! Wonderful incredibly kind staff, super delicious nutritious food and a beautiful setting. You really see all the love and care they put into this place. Highly recommend!

Excellent for relaxing, disconnecting, being present. I read 3-4 books and did almost every meditation class. They are all appropriate for beginners, so if you’re looking for something intense, this probably isn’t it. A good first silent retreat experience. Folks raved about the food, and that was actually one of the least exciting parts for me. There was food aplenty, but it lacked a bit in variety. Lots to do on the grounds, lots of walking, meditation spots. The walk to the creek was gorgeous, and I appreciated the place to be super secluded with the water.

You have to experience it to know it. Will definitely come again for a longer stay! I'm not and have never been vegan but this place has totally changed my perspective of vegan food. It's really REALLY good. Views of seemingly endless rice fields in every direction and also a backdrop of mount Batukaru in the distance.

Could be reviewing for the wrong reason. For me, the highlight was the food. Absolutely heavenly.

Akses kesana gampang. Tinggal pesan taxi online. Tapi balik ke kotanya ga ada taxi online yg nyantol. Pemandangannya bagus banget. Langsung ada gunung. Belum tau kl yoga disana enak ga. Tapi bintang 5 buat alamnya

I was one of the first to go here just after it opened. Went again with my Jack Russell, a year later and he, like me soaked in the amazing energy within the surrounding environment. Incredible reset place for experienced silent retreat lovers. The food was excellent too. Highly recommended for short breaks.

For escape from the strees mind and body you can find a peaceful and happy with nature and silent

Beautiful place, nice organic food, ok classes, stunning views and gardens, paradise for plant lovers, but I really think it is overpriced: the modest rustic conditions, the self service and the rigidity at the reception are similar to Vipassana (which is free of charge) yet the price of a bungalow is the same as a really nice b&b in Ubud. I would have happily put 5 stars if the price reflected the service as it is a mini paradise. Yoga is very basic but that is ok - it is a place for introspection, not exercise. Guided meditations are lovely and suited for beginners. The other activities were less enjoyable as it was quite hard to understand the English they speak and I would have preferred more meditation, less talking.