Do I recommend Bali? My surprising perspective

I spent 3 weeks in Bali in June 2023. I split my time between Ubud, Uluwatu, and Canggu. Many of my days were filled with one in a lifetime experiences. Other days, I was working out of a trendy cafe and living a “normal” life. I came home from Bali with incredible memories, amazing new friends, and a vibrant camera roll. You could only imagine that I would recommend that anyone travel to Bali with no hesitations!

But that’s not what I do. It’s not what I’m going to do here.

I LOVED my time in Bali, but that doesn’t mean it was a perfect experience. Actually, I had many frustrations while there and made some not-so-pleasant observations.

My stance on Bali and whether people should visit is very complicated. I typically say, “yes, but…” or “eh, maybe not” depending on the person and what type of traveler I know them to be. I never have a clear yes or no answer.

Instead of trying to steer you into a particular direction, I’m going to share my honest pros/cons of Bali so you can make a decision for yourself. I love Bali and would absolutely return, but it is never the top place I recommend to anyone and I have good reasons for that. But again, decide for yourself if Bali is right for the type of traveler you are.

Bali is full of expats

If you’re looking for a rich cultural experience, you can absolutely find that in Bali… but it’s gotten gradually harder to find. Depending on where you stay on the island, there are plenty of Balinese people, but just as many expats. Bali is the digital nomad capital of the world. Many westerners live in Bali, especially in Canggu, Seminyak, and Uluwatu. You’ll find Hindu temples, followed by overpriced cafes and beach clubs.

Keep in mind, I’m not necessarily saying this is a terrible thing. I just want you to know what to expect. If you like to really experience the local culture, there are parts of Bali that you should avoid.

If you want a more laidback, residential experience, there are plenty of other islands in Indonesia that are better options for you.

Over-tourism has greatly impacted the island

The main reason why I’m hesitant to recommend Bali is the same reason why I tell people to avoid Paris and Rome in the summer: Over-tourism is extremely noticeable. Tourism is important- it’s how places make money. But for destinations like Bali, tourism has an adverse effect: pollution, water scarcity, rising prices, and crowds.

Bali doesn’t need more tourists. Does that mean I’ll judge you if you visit or visiting is automatically unethical, no. Because again, tourism does still help Bali in many ways…. I just feel that unless Bali is #1 on your bucket list, there are likely better places to visit. Places that are less crowded, more affordable, and filled with locals who will be more appreciative of your visit.

Traffic in Bali is horrendous

Speaking of over-tourism and over-development, the traffic in Bali really sucks. The infrastructure simply can’t handle how many people are on the island. Most roads are very narrow, so traffic is inevitable.

You can get by on a motorbike (use Grab or Gojek for a ride if you’re not comfortable with riding your own- I only recommend renting a motorbike in Bali if you’re experienced), but if you need to be in a car at any point, you’ll be sitting in that car for a long time. It’s not unusual for a 10 mile drive to take an hour 1/2. While in Bali, you’ll absolutely want to explore the island. Again, that’s going to require sitting in a car for a long time. This isn’t to discourage you… I was in Bali for 3 weeks so I didn’t really mind. But if you are only going for a week long vacation, you may be upset if you want to visit a few different places and car rides take up the bulk of your trip.

Bali is getting more expensive

Southeast Asia is associated with affordability for its western visitors. Does this apply to Bali? Sorta. What I observed in Bali is that the prices range significantly depending on where you are and what you’re doing. If you’re at one of their fancy beach clubs, prepare to pay Western prices (maybe slightly less). A trendy brunch cafe is going to have a similar price tag to that of America, whereas a meal at a warung (local food spot) will be very affordable. Accommodation can range from luxury to a VERY affordable hostel. I paid about $10-20/night at each hostel I stayed at.

Bali can be expensive if you want it to be, but it doesn’t have to break the bank. Compared to the rest of Southeast Asia, I will still say Bali is more expensive than average. I feel for the local people who are navigating the increased cost of living.

The locals are very kind

Speaking of locals, the Balinese are some of the warmest, kindest, hardest working people I’ve come across. Honestly, they SHOULD be hostile, but I didn’t sense bad vibes from them, at least not often. A few Balinese would complain about traffic (fair enough), but the vast majority were very considerate, happy, and funny! Despite the influx of westerners, the Balinese are still the heart and soul of the island.

There are endless things to do

If I have one reason to recommend Bali, it’s that there is SO much packed into a not-so-big island. Trekking the Sekumpul Waterfalls, Hiking Mt Batur to watch the sunrise, and beach hopping in Uluwatu are some of my favorite travel experiences.

Whether you’re into lush nature, beautiful beaches, surfing, cafe culture, excellent fitness centers, or Hindu ceremonies, you’ll find all of this in Bali.

I can’t blame people for being drawn to Bali! I was for years, and that’s why I planned a 3-week stay. Even then, I didn’t have time for everything.

Bali can be an excellent place to travel

But it really depends on your travel style, how much time you can spend there, and your capacity for traffic/crowds.

It’ll be a long drive from the airport to your accommodation. There are photo spots that have hour-long queues. You won’t have many well-known spots to yourself unless you get there early. Bali’s popularity is easily the most frustrating part of visiting.

Bali is also gorgeous, filled with friendly people, and can be great for both resort vacations and backpacking.

I recommend visiting Bali if any of these apply to you:

• It’s a dream destination of yours
• You have enough time for a longer stay (MINIMUM 10 days, but.2 weeks or longer is MUCH better)
• You don’t mind long car rides
• You’re willing to find ways to support the local people

I loved my time in Bali & I still think it’s a wonderful place to visit, but the over-tourism and how it’s impacting the island is a valid concern. I can’t whole-heartedly recommend a destination that’s struggling to keep up with the demand. Like I said before, that doesn’t mean I judge people for visiting (after all, I did… no hypocrisy here) and that also doesn’t mean I think it’s downright wrong to visit. All I will say is that if you’re torn between visiting Bali or somewhere else, maybe choose the latter right now.

If Bali is your dream destination and visiting would mean the world to you, by all means, go! Enjoy everything the island has to offer! Just be kind and patient. You should be both of those things no matter where you go, but be extra considerate in Bali.