If you are planning on visiting a spa in Bali, be prepared to see Balinese Boreh treatment all over the place. But what is the ritual and what is it for?
About the Balinese Boreh
Balinese Boreh was created centuries ago, and it basically started with the Balinese rice farmers. After a day of working in the rice fields, these farmers made a mix known as boreh using cinnamon, cloves, ginger, rice powder, and other spices, forming an aromatic paste to pass on the head and abdomen to stimulate blood circulation and warm tired muscles after a long workday. Boreh was used by them at night to ward off chills and colds, as well as to provide relief from muscle and joint pain and to prepare them for a new day.
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Ginger is believed to increase blood circulation and relieve muscle congestion, as well as assist the body in detoxification by stimulating digestion. In addition, cloves are an excellent natural disinfectant and cinnamon naturally warms the body from the inside out, helping to increase blood circulation. With this, Balinese Boreh is suitable for those with arthritis, tired back, to improve blood circulation, and anything that causes the body to need warmth. Some say that Balinese Boreh also helps travelers by alleviating the effects of jet lag – a perfect Balinese treatment for long-haul travelers.
Today, the most famous Balinese treatment is being used to clean pores, promote the release of toxins and provide a deep sense of relaxation, resulting in deliciously fresh, smooth, and refined skin, as well as providing greater energy, clarity, and well-being.
Where to try the Balinese Boreh in Bali
Balinese Boreh can be found in many spas, but here is a selection of some good establishments on the island:
- Kaveri Spa at The Udaya Resort and Spa – starting at 200,000 IDR for 30 min
- Fivelements – around 2,000,000 IDR for 120 min
- Escape Spa Bali – nearly 445,000 IDR for 120 min
- Como Uma Canggu – starting at 1,300,000 IDR for 120 min
- Karsa Spa – approximately 400,000 IDR for 120 min
Pro tip: visit any of the spas above, request a Balinese massage followed by the Balinese Boreh, and finish with a flowered bath.
And if you like the Balinese Boreh, be sure to try the Javanese Lulur, another Indonesian spa treatment.
Tips for visiting Bali:
- The best time to visit Bali is from April to October.
- Always carry some cash with you, as some places do not accept credit cards.
- In Canggu, you can get Grab and Go-Jek (apps that work like Uber). In Ubud and Uluwatu, the apps don’t work (because of local disputes), so you’ll have two options: rent a motorcycle, or negotiate with taxi drivers to take you to the places you want to go. There is also the option of booking a car with a driver at the hotel, but it can end up being the most expensive option if you don’t plan to travel a lot.
- Travel Insurance: I recommend purchasing travel insurance for every international trip, and the same applies to Bali. My recommended and used travel insurance tool is SquareMouth, a platform for searching for the best option amongst travel insurance companies. It allows travelers to instantly purchase a travel insurance policy from every major provider in the US and it also makes clear each policy’s COVID-related coverage.
Best tours in Bali
- Sunrise Mount Batur Hike with Breakfast: have an early start to your day on this tour to watch the sunrise from above the clouds at Mount Batur’s summit.
- Monkey Forest, Rice Terrace & Tanah Lot Private Tour: this is one of the best tours to take in Ubud because you’ll see the Tegallalang Rice Terrace, visit the Sacred Monkey Forest, learn about Luwak coffee, and catch the sunset at Tanah Lot Temple.
- Best of Nusa Penida Tour by Fast Boat: on this full-day tour from Bali you’ll go to the heavenly Nusa Penida to see some of the main attractions of the island – the gorgeous Kelingking Beach and Broken Beach.
- Instagram Highlights Tour: visit the most Instagrammable places in Bali near Ubud. It includes Lempuyang Temple, Tegallalang, and Tirta Gangga.
Top spa treatments in Bali
BALI PACKING TIPS
Do you want me to plan your trip to Bali? Get in touch with me!
Read other posts to help you plan your trip to Bali:
- Where to stay in Bali
- One-week itinerary to Bali
- Things to do in Bali on a rainy day
- Places to shop in Bali
- The Complete Ubud Travel Guide
