Negara: The largest town in west Bali

Negara is the largest town in west Bali. Located on the south west coast it is about 3 hours from Kuta. Being a coastal town with a close proximity to Java it has a high percentage of Muslims. Negara has straight wide streets and not much nightlife.

Negara is the capitol of Jembrana district and used to be the home of the Jembrana royal family. Close to Negara is Perancak, home to the mekepung (buffalo) races that occur in August and again in September and November. I spent a night in a guesthouse in downtown Negara once and can't say I'd go back for any special reason. The buffalo races are worth it though and are a combination of sport and comedy. They are free and are mostly tourist-free, taking place on Sundays. Negara was populated by Javanese and Madurese from East Java, who brought the mekepung tradition with them.

Other reasons for coming to Negara are Medewi, the surf spot in West Bali and the Bali Barat Nasional Park. The park hasn't been developed very much and there are a couple of short hiking routes in the far NW corner, about an hour west of Negara.