Bali seems to be a paradise for almost every travel taste. Sun worshippers long for idyllic white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. Divers can hardly wait to see the exotic underwater world. Explorers want to discover volcanoes, jungles and Hindu temples. Gourmets can let local dishes and delicacies melt in their mouths. Yoga fans can find themselves and recharge their batteries. Will Bali be your next travel destination? Better not! Read the following article to find out why you should look for a different location for your vacation.
Ute from bravebird.de has also written about this in her blog.
https://www.bravebird.de/blog/7-gute-gruende-nicht-nach-bali-zu-reisen/
The deceptive dream backdrop of Bali
Almost everyone has heard of Bali. But where exactly is this popular island? A look at the map shows: Bali is located in the Indian Ocean and is one of the small Sunda Islands in south-western Indonesia. This part of the world has a tropical climate with a pleasant average annual temperature of 30 degrees Celsius. It only rains more during the monsoon from November to March. Otherwise, summer clothes are the order of the day for the rest of the year.
Everyday interaction with tourists makes the Balinese open and tolerant - even with regard to Western clothing styles. Although the main religion in Indonesia is Islam, most people on Bali are Hindus. Therefore, in addition to lively markets, tropical nature and the best surf spots, the sights also include religious sites and ceremonies.
While life in the interior of the island is still very much back to basics, the touristy south is bustling with activity. The small island is already densely populated: The Balinese population is currently around 4.5 million people. That is 750 people per square kilometer.
By comparison, Germany has an average of around 230 people per square kilometer. The streets are particularly busy in the popular vacation resorts of Kuta, Denpasar, Ubud and Jimbaran. There, tourists from all over the world meet Balinese people going about their daily business.
Tourists can stay in Bali for 30 days without a visa and explore the country. Eventful days are followed by dancing the night away at the popular beach parties. Those who prefer to keep things civilized can relax in infinity pools or comfortable hotel beds with a view of the sea.
For many, Bali is one of the most interesting and beautiful places in the world.
But the interested traveler dares to take a look behind the scenes.
Bali is getting more and more crowded
The densely populated island receives more visitors every year. In 2017, 5.6 million guests from all over the world came to the island. That is more than the entire population. Compared to the previous year, there were around 17 % more tourists - a huge increase. What's more, the crowds are not evenly distributed across the land area. The tourist centers in the south, especially Kuta, are jammed with visitors, newcomers and locals. The large number of people in a confined space has consequences for the environment, the landscape and the population.
Bali has a major waste problem - a little more with every tourist
Other popular vacation resorts are already taking drastic measures to ensure that the Flora and fauna can recover. In Thailand and the Philippines, for example, the authorities close popular beaches for regeneration purposes. Bali is also suffering the same fate. At the moment, garbage is piling up in many places - no wonder given the many millions of people on the relatively small island. The waste disposal infrastructure is groaning under the tons of waste and can no longer keep up with the clean-up. The consequences are dirty beaches, plastic pollution in the oceans and coking landfills. But the dirt in the sea doesn't just spoil your personal bathing pleasure. The plastic particles in the sea also end up in the food chain of marine animals over time. Be aware of this when you eat local fish, for example.
Burning the waste releases toxic gases that are harmful to health. In the few days that we tourists are there, we don't notice much of this. The people who live there are exposed to the pollutants on a daily basis. The Indonesian government's ecological measures are not yet sufficiently effective. Private initiatives are raising awareness, but they often lack the financial resources. In February this year, the "One Island One Voice" initiative collected 30 tons of garbage from Bali's beaches in a single day. Food packaging, plastic cups and plastic bags - leftovers that beachgoers simply leave lying around - made up the largest proportion of the garbage pile. There is a great danger that the masses of waste will change life on Bali in the long term.
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You are rarely alone in Bali
No, this is not meant romantically. Nor is it a threat. But it is a fact: you will have to make a great effort in Bali to enjoy a moment to yourself. If you follow the "Best things to do in Bali", you will always have company. It won't be easy to take a vacation photo without other people in it. The sights are full of people. Relaxed island flair? Sleepy fishing villages? Lonely beaches? A romantic sunset for two? Unfortunately, you'll have to search a little longer for romantic and deserted places.
Mass processing instead of individuality
To cope with the crowds, the Balinese have to change the way they work in the tourism industry. Individual discovery tours and exclusive points of contact with locals have become rare. Instead, Bali travelers are increasingly being dispatched in large groups. The schedules for boat tours, dives and excursions to the sights are tightly timed. The more tours there are in a day, the higher the return. During the tours, the guides rewind the tried and tested program over and over again. Unfortunately, passion and enthusiasm often fall by the wayside during these presentations. If you are really interested in the country and its people, the lack of authenticity will bother you.
Rising prices in Bali
At peak travel times, many accommodations are fully booked and overpriced. With regard to the price-performance ratio of guided tours, you also have to consider that you are sharing the "exclusive experience" with many people. For example, imagine you want to visit the Gili Islands. For many Bali travelers, this is a fixed point in their excursion program. In the high season, tour operators load their boats with vacationers. The boatload is carted to snorkeling spots and popular beaches. If you manage to get a clear view of the underwater world, you will be one of the lucky few. Try to find a spot for your own beach towel after the dive - it will be a challenge.
Of course - Bali is financed by tourism. The income means something good for the population. You have to remember: jobs in the tourism industry are a way for many locals to support their families. Where they used to have to go abroad to work, they can now live with their families. The local institutions also use the income to improve infrastructure and the like. Surely we all have nothing against our vacation spending benefiting local people. However, prices for accommodation and activities are also rising for another reason: because tourists are paying for them - over and over again. Many people want to tap into this seemingly "inexhaustible source of money". That's human nature: everyone wants a piece of the pie.
Water is running out
Tourism is a water-intensive industry. A good 65 % of the available water in Bali is consumed by the tourism industry - and it continues to grow by leaps and bounds. In the 1980s, there were around 5,000 accommodations on Bali. In 2012, there were already 90,000. Hotels and vacation accommodations are springing up like mushrooms. New ones are added every month - mostly without regulation or structured development plans. The disproportionate growth is having an impact on the region's water resources. As a tourist, of course, you don't realize that water is becoming increasingly scarce. The shower in the hotel room usually works reliably. But while we enjoy the cool water, the local farmers in the countryside lack water. The water shortage is making it increasingly difficult for them to cultivate their fields. Their income and thus their livelihood is under threat. More and more locals are therefore selling their land to investors. These are building more hotel bunkers on the former rice fields - a cycle with a downward trend. Even today, a good quarter of Bali's inhabitants have no comparable access to clean water. Aware of this fact, a dip in the hotel complex's infinity pool is hardly fun.
Ballermann feeling in Bali
If you turn up your nose at the usual "fully touristy" destinations, let me tell you something. Bali is beautiful, but absolutely touristy. You buy here what many others buy. You are doing something that countless travelers have done before you. Some places like Kuta in the south have a real "Ballermann feeling". Halligalli at night, hangover mood on the beach during the day. It's not for nothing that Bali is called the "Mallorca of the Australians". The parties on the beach have ugly side effects. Alcohol consumption and drug dealing have become the norm. Indonesia is one of the countries with the strictest drug laws in the world. Careless revelers are also easy victims for theft. Even if there is not a danger lurking around every corner, Kuta and the other tourist centers in the south of Bali show the same symptoms as Mallorca, Lloret de Mar and the like.
A trip to Bali is one of the most climate-damaging trips ever
Many providers entice you with relatively cheap offers. Just 10 days for "sun, beach and sea" in Bali? Better not! A flight to Bali boosts your carbon footprint just as much as driving a car for a year (mid-range vehicle, 12,000 km). However, the climate-friendly annual budget for a person is 2,300 kg of CO2 emissions. The climate impact of air travel alone is more than three times as high (approx. 8,500 kg). In addition to this XXL ecological footprint, there is your regular consumption at home for heating and the like.
Another climate-relevant aspect is that everything that the millions of people on Bali need every day is imported. Every day, ships and airplanes transport consumer goods and food to the island. Only a relatively small proportion are essential imported goods for the Balinese. They manage well with what is grown and produced on Bali. Instead, hotel operators import canned baked beans in order to serve their vacation guests a genuine English breakfast. Incidentally, a large proportion of the imported goods are alcoholic drinks for bars and restaurants.
Questionable Instagram world of make-believe
The hype surrounding the island shows no signs of abating. Enthusiasts flood social media with beautiful pictures. Lifestyle bloggers and yogis tell their followers about the "ultimate way of life" on their "channels". More and more digital nomads are working online and living in paradise. The phenomena of our "social media" society are giving resourceful entrepreneurs ideas. Some are already offering their own "Instagram tours". If you book this tour, you will get to all the relevant "Instagram-worthy" places on the island.
Even more important than food and drink on this tour is the Cameraor the smartphone. The tour guide is also the photographer for the snapshots. These can then be briefly run through the filter and posted directly. What is described here ironically is by no means a harmless pleasure. It's not just about sharing vacation photos with friends and family. What many people don't think about when they rave about Bali online: They are multipliers. They draw attention to Bali as a dream destination. In doing so, they awaken the desire in others to travel to Bali themselves. In this way, they reinforce the negative consequences for nature and people globally.
Fortunately, there are more and more voices drawing attention to Bali's excessive demands. Videos about plastic in the sea or littered beaches are increasingly appearing online. One example is the photos posted by American travel blogger Amelia Whelan. She posted shocking pictures of littered beaches.
Reports like these show: Bali belongs off the bucket list.
Welcome to the fairytale land of influencers
Ah, Instagram, you infinite showcase of vanity, where every salad becomes a masterpiece of haute cuisine and every humble backyard corner the ultimate travel destination. Welcome to the fairytale land of self-proclaimed influencers, where everyone with a Camera and a plane ticket to be crowned ambassador of the remotest corners of the earth. Here, in this
Pay attention to the health risks
The tropical temperatures and the vacation feeling can quickly make you careless. Nobody wants to constantly rub themselves with smelly anti-buzz or wear long clothes. And yet: the risk of malaria and dengue infections is present in Bali. The most effective prevention is to get as few mosquito bites as possible. Travelers with small children need to be particularly careful, as mosquitoes love to bite the little ones.
In these Regions the earth, travelers are also exposed to pathogens for Rabieshepatitis A and B, typhoid and Japanese encephalitis. Further travel vaccinations are therefore necessary in addition to the normal vaccinations.
For those at risk of infection, HIV is an issue in Bali. In some places, for example, you can get a cheap tattoo. You can also become infected with the AIDS virus through a tattoo needle.
Stepping into a rice field for a great vacation picture is not a good idea: stagnant water can harbor parasites that are dangerous to humans. Dogs, cats and monkeys can also transmit pathogens. These are also often found in drinking water. Tap water in Bali is not drinkable and can cause diarrhea. Without spreading panic here: Anyone planning a trip to Bali must be aware of the health risks.
The exotic animal world suffers from the masses of tourists
What Bali was once famous for has suffered greatly from reckless tourists and water pollution. Many coral reefs have already been destroyed. Birds, fish and other marine animals are also dying from the garbage on beaches and in the sea. But it is not only the tourists themselves who leave devastating traces in nature. Unfortunately, the "fast money" tempts fishermen and other entrepreneurs to create bizarre tourist attractions. Before you try shark fin soup, for example, you should know the following: For this "delicacy", the fishermen catch the Animals, cut off the fins and throw them back into the sea.
Another example: on coffee tours, tourists can meet the "producers" of the most expensive coffee in the world: The sneaky cats eat coffee cherries and then excrete them half-digested. The so-called "Kopi Luwak" is obtained from this. However, the animals are kept in small cages for their entire lives and have to "produce" vast quantities of coffee. Who wants to try the drink?
Exotic animals are kept in many wildlife parks - but often under unworthy conditions. So is a visit a chance to see elephants and co. up close or rather support animal cruelty? Everyone has to decide for themselves.
The many animals that "accidentally" appear during sightseeing or diving tours are also artificially lured in with unsuitable food. For example, fish are given toast during dives and monkeys are sometimes given sweets such as cookies or chocolate. These foods are already conditionally suitable for us humans. And we can at least make a conscious decision as to whether we eat them.
Also be careful with the popular fish pedicure in the fish spas. The salons promise: Soft feet - immediately after the treatment. Of course, that makes sense on a summer vacation - right? Not if you're thinking of the poor animals. During the treatment, you hold your feet in a tank with the nibbling fish. The animals then eat the old skin scales. This is not only mean, but also dangerous: there are lots of bacteria and pathogens swimming in the tanks. The fish like to bite the crusts of small injuries. This is how they can transmit diseases to us.
Our comfort means less quality of life for the Balinese
While holidaymakers are living it up on the islands without restraint, the locals are trying to cope with their often tough everyday lives. The opening hours of supermarkets, restaurants and bars are adapted to the needs of tourists. In their limited free time, the Balinese then have to cope with garbage, crowds of people and construction noise. While they have to cope with less and less living space, luxurious accommodation for foreign guests continues to increase. Their quality of life is also restricted by the fact that free access to the beach is gradually being lost. Hotels near the beach like to offer their guests exclusive sections of beach. These are then properly maintained and equipped with sun loungers. However, the Balinese have none of this. They are left with a few littered areas.
In addition to nature and common property, Bali's culture is also being lost. Rewarding incomes tempt the locals to present their unique culture as a "generally pleasing standardized package". Typical dances or religious ceremonies are standardized and misappropriated for this purpose. This results in beautiful vacation photos, but the true meaning becomes increasingly blurred.
Nevertheless, many Balinese do not regard tourism as an enemy. They are optimistic that they will soon be able to steer growth in an orderly fashion. Those responsible want to use the income from tourism more for environmental protection projects and infrastructure development in future. However, it is questionable whether these good intentions will be able to halt the negative trend.
And if it has to be Bali: Tips and tricks for sustainable travel
Ok, let's be honest: if you have wanderlust in your heart, you won't be satisfied with a balcony. But what can each individual do to relieve places like Bali?
1. dare to do something new
There are many places on our planet that are not yet as touristy as Bali, Thailand and the like. Isn't that actually much more individual? More exciting? So why not try something new! In less touristy areas, you can have completely different experiences. Getting to know people who have not yet hosted millions of guests in their home country is much more authentic. You also help these places to generate income through tourism. The local communities can use this to improve their infrastructure or renovate schools. Therefore, it is better to follow in your own footsteps instead of following others.
2. stay longer
You simply have to fly to many destinations. So if you have to: At least try to stay longer in this place. A short trip to the other side of the world is really over the top.
3. respect, respect, respect
Respectful behavior towards nature, people, customs and traditions is mandatory. After all, you are a guest. No one expects you to adapt to the foreign culture flawlessly. But smiling in a friendly manner, learning to say "please" and "thank you" in the local language, praising the food ... it's not difficult.
4. behave in an environmentally conscious manner
The situation in Bali shows drastically: leaving garbage lying around is out of the question. Always dispose of your garbage in garbage cans and separate the garbage at your vacation destination. If you want to do more, you can also take part in voluntary clean-up campaigns. Here you work shoulder to shoulder with the locals. A really good opportunity to meet cool people. When you buy local produce, your money really goes to the community. As these leftovers often cause the most waste, avoid plastic bags and packaging altogether when shopping.
A globally balanced distribution of tourists would help places like Bali a lot. Each individual can make a decision here. Would I rather choose a different vacation destination? Or can I at least behave responsibly when I am there?
Where is Bali?
The Indonesian vacation island is part of the Indonesian archipelago and is located in the Java Sea. An archipelago is a region consisting of a group of islands and the waters between the islands.
To the west of Bali lies the larger island of Java with the capital Jakarta. To the east of Bali lies the island of Lombok.
Have you ever been to Bali?
Let us know in the comments
English
Thanks for mentioning it! Bali is sooo overrated...
Wow, I didn't realize that about Bali. Of course, there are other destinations where it's no different. But you're right, you should consider whether it has to be Bali or Asia at all. There are also beautiful places in Europe. In any case, a cool post!
In the meantime, it's packed everywhere in Europe at peak travel times. Thousands of cruise ship travelers stop off on the islands in the Mediterranean to see the sights. Every second person from our small Bavarian town goes to Croatia. Meeting your neighbors on vacation is also kind of a no-go.
A pretty detailed description, which has also long applied to other 'exotic' travel dreams. Tourists' ideas about 'tropical destinations' have been successfully adopted from advertising. The behavior of most Germans abroad towards their hosts leaves a lot to be desired ... And there is no 'monsoon' in Bali. It just rains, it has nothing to do with monsoon
MONSUN means you can hum in church
that was necessary now. Really German, that kind of thing
I read similar articles before my trip to Bali in late summer 2022, but none summarizes it as well as this one. I have never experienced such a high discrepancy between the photographic world and the real world, not even in other countries in Southeast Asia. Any attempt to live sustainably and experience authenticity (apart from the flight) soon fails in Bali. There was even more to discover in the developing country of Cambodia.
Thank you for this contribution!
I can only agree, social media suggests a false idyll that does not exist....Mount Batur is perhaps the only part of Nusa Penida that is not yet fully commercialized....The advertised friendliness of the Balinese is artificial and only serves to pull as much money as possible out of the tourists' pockets, the infrastructure has not improved since 1999, on the contrary, everything is built up...
Sardinia and Corsica are more original.... Bali isn't cheap either...unless it's sponsored for the Instagrammers....
I spent a wonderful vacation in Bali with my wife, which brought more unforgettable experiences than expected. Now we are waiting at the airport for our flight home. By the way, we reached the airport in the time we had planned, there is a very good highway there. In Germany I never know how long it takes to get to the airport, whether by train or car. I think the article is unfounded in this form. It's not wrong, but the problems now exist all over the world. Our planet is hopelessly overpopulated and where you can find... Read more "
Reference is made to areas with little tourist development as destinations. Which ones, for example?
Lombok, e.g.
In the 1990s, thousands of tourists visited Bali every year. Today there are 5-6 million. Our hotel was on Batubelig Beach in the middle of nowhere. Today, the area is paved with hotels, bars and stores. We took the bus to Kuta when we wanted to go out. And the hustle and bustle was annoying at times. Back then, the former paradise still had a chance. After the attacks in 2002, things seem to have really escalated.
What nonsense! What nonsense, the "garbage issue" alone,'which is made by Germany.... Whoever wrote this doesn't know the Balinese or hasn't even been to the island!
Dear Britta, why don't you go to Bali in December-February and go for a walk on the beach in the morning, for example in Jimbaran, then you'll know what plastic waste is !!!!
...and when you're standing up to your ankles in plastic waste, send a photo with: "What a load of nonsense! "
But you already know that most of the plastic waste is washed up from the surrounding islands during the monsoon season
26.4.2024 Dear Britta, this post is not nonsense at all but rather an understatement. We are flying back to Europe tomorrow after 14 days in Bali and can strongly advise everyone not to go on vacation to this big dump. I am shocked, deeply saddened, angry and so disappointed by what I have seen here. It is simply an unbelievable tragedy, how could people, the tourists as well as the locals themselves, disfigure this beautiful island in just over 50 years. Garbage everywhere, even in the deepest jungle and on the rice fields... We spent most of the days driving around the island by scooter.... Read more "
Hi Margit, may I ask where you have been in Bali? I only know the north, for example, as we were there for diving in 2014 and are planning to go again. The garbage problem also exists in the north, but there it is homemade garbage. It was a fantastic 15 days for us.
Only the Maldives and Curacao have doped this vacation. But they cost at least twice as much.
ÄÄÄhmmm....I was in the Maldives a few years ago. Accommodation for 20 dollars with breakfast and drinks all day. Eating out for about 4 dollars. You don't have to go to an all inclusive resort. There are lots of islands with hardly any tourists and they are dirt cheap. The return flight from Sri Lanka cost me 100 euros.
What is nonsense about that? It doesn't say "Balinese litter their island". It says that there is a lot of garbage. Where there are lots of tourists, there is lots of garbage. You should always avoid long flights and you don't have to fly to the other side of the world on vacation. I think those days are over and every halfway thinking person knows why. There is no human right to travel by air and it would be common sense to stop mass tourism by not taking part in it ourselves.
I would ban you from flying immediately. Sorry, but that's not on, we don't need education and we certainly don't need paternalism. Everyone can fly wherever they want, you just don't have to clutter everything up for the sake of the environment. These times of long flights are not over, except perhaps in your bubble.
Exactly Britta. We spent several weeks a year in Indonesia for 20 years. Visited Bali and various islands from there. There is so much misinformation in this article. It starts with visa-free - visa requirement from the first day - and ends with the artificial friendliness of the Balinese - they are extremely friendly and courteous! There are exceptions everywhere. We have completed our long-term stays and terminated our house rental contract as of 2022. The island has simply become too crowded for us. The tourists have changed. They are predominantly abhakers with zero interest in the culture and the people. The main thing is the usual photos... Read more "
Are here in Ubud right now!
They're turning it into a Ballermann!
Guys, save your money!
True
I'm in Bali at the moment. And what I'm experiencing has absolutely nothing to do with what you describe. We were in Ubud and are now on the beach in Sanur. It's clear that a lot of garbage accumulates where many people are on vacation. That's the case everywhere. Everything is very clean in Bali, I didn't see any garbage in the jungle or by the sea (last year it was different in Crete). And I don't see any mass tourism either. Quiet everywhere, space and no strange tourist activities and super relaxed. This article here is bad and maybe based on your own ideas... Read more "
I am currently (22.08.24) also in Sanur. The beach in front of the hotel and the water are quite clean. Yesterday I went on a tour inland and my God, you drive through slums, there is garbage everywhere, even in the jungle. It smells really unpleasant in many settlements, even incense sticks don't help. The garbage comes from tourism, but the locals simply burn grass and leaf waste on the streets, for example, which takes away the air we breathe; so much for nature conservation. Balinese culture is sold to tourists in a tailor-made way and everything else revolves around giving tourists as much as they want.... Read more "
are you sure you mean the same Bali? or is there something wrong with your eyes? It can't be that you don't realize that. Unless you've only been in one place the whole time
I spent mid-2019 to early 2020 with a friend in Nusa Dua, surrounded by very poor Balinese people. My friend is Swiss and doesn't really have a house there, because non-Balinese are not allowed to buy property there. He is very committed to the people he knows and supports them. I have experienced family celebrations, friendliness on both sides and, of course, their manners. That's why I'll take the liberty of commenting here. 1. the garbage problem exists. A Balinese or Javanese knows an inexpensive way of disposing of waste, despite affordable waste collection. It is the disposal directly outside his refuge.... Read more "
Bali.... I have now lived here for almost 13 years and have probably experienced almost everything you can on the island. I can only partially agree with the article. Yes, there are tourists, which enables people to survive. This has not been the case in recent years and quite a few people have lost their cars, mopeds or even houses and their livelihoods. Garbage - there is no doubt that this also exists, but this is more due to a lack of education, because if you throw your garbage into dry riverbeds during the dry season then it is no wonder that it ends up on the beach during the rainy season when... Read more "
I lived in Bali for 12 years I will never come back the pollution is extreme maybe you should open your eyes that could help people are jealous as hell of us westerners of what we have created I will now choose another domicile as long as I rest in Germany and the office pays however all the best in Bali
Thank you very much for the instructions.
...on the way to Bali. Second time this year 😉
We are currently at the airport waiting for our flight back to Germany. For a long time during our 16-day stay, the question of why Bali is so popular circled around in my head, so I found this article. Opinion: Bali is NOT a paradise! The beaches are mostly stupid, you really do sweat all the time and it's not cheap either, or probably not any more. We saw Sukawati, Ubud, Kuta (day trip), Gili Air and Sanur. Sukawati and Sanur are the best, but you don't have to see any of them. And - don't go to Gili Air! It is so often praised by some wannabe bloggers and... Read more "
Hello everyone, we were in Bali for the first time in 2011, in Sanur to be precise. We had a nice accommodation and a relaxing time. However, we were a bit disappointed with the city and the beaches. Now, in 2023, we wanted to visit Bali again in combination with Singapore. This time we planned the trip personally according to our own wishes. Our first trip was through a travel agency. In any case, the south was no longer an option for us. Also because of what is written in the blog above! We were in Lovina in the north of the island. It was a... Read more "
Hello everyone, we are currently (mid to end of March) on a round trip to Bali. The plants and flowers are beautiful here, never seen such beautiful flowers anywhere else. Unfortunately, there is garbage on the beach if nobody takes care of it. Otherwise there are beautiful beaches and very few tourists at this time of year. We had very nice weather except for one day (rain) during our 14-day vacation. Most of the locals are very friendly, but sometimes you still feel harassed by the vendors so that you want to leave immediately. The prices for the same goods can vary greatly 😁 from... Read more "
I have never seen such littered beaches and such chaotic traffic conditions anywhere in the world and have been stuck in traffic jams for hours on excursions. anyone who feels comfortable on this island has either never seen anything of this world or has absolute brain damage.
We have just come back and it was really nice and we felt very comfortable. I've actually been to beaches that weren't littered - I know it's very different from Tunisia. The traffic is crazy, I agree, but you really don't have to be in Canggu. The island certainly used to be much more relaxed, but it's still beautiful in the right place with an open attitude towards the people there
Bali.... Well, if you like mountains of garbage, cutthroats, Muslim prayers via loudspeaker (Nusa Penida) and fake hospitality, you're in the right place. No matter how many YouTube wannabe expats talk up the island and sell their oh-so-great travel guides to survive here. Just stay away from this island. A third world country that is supposed to withstand the mass tourism of western civilization ... Not a chance. Even local cab drivers and tour guides are convinced that things are getting worse. As soon as some tourist or a so-called influencer discovers a place in Bali for themselves and a few weeks later... Read more "
I was in Indonesia for the first time in 1985 on Bali, Lombok, Java, Sulawesi and the Gilis. It has left its mark on me forever, I have the fondest memories of it and it has always been a wish of mine to travel there again. But after everything I've read, I think I'd rather remember Indonesia as it was back then. I had studied Indonesian, the people were very nice, and of course there were tuk-tuk drivers who wanted to make money from you, but it certainly wasn't on the scale that it is now.... Read more "
I spent several weeks in Bali 25 years ago to learn to surf, among other things, and I still have fond memories of it today. Back then, Kuta was already lively like Australia, but not overcrowded. The beaches were clean and there were no hotel and club complexes (the biggest one was the Hard Rock Hotel). We were told by Balinese at the time that tourists often confuse Javanese with Balinese, who enter the country themselves to do their (sometimes illegal) business on the island. I can imagine that this may still be the case. We didn't encounter any artificial friendliness. The island seemed relaxed, the people - mostly surfers - were partying, but... Read more "
Hi Sandra, I can confirm exactly what you wrote. I posted it in the comment above because I couldn't find anyone who was there that long ago. Now I'm posting it again for you. Great for both of us that we were able to experience the island as it was back then. I was in Indonesia for the first time in 1985 on Bali, Lombok, Java, Sulawesi and the Gilis. It left its mark on me forever, I have the fondest memories of it and it was always a wish of mine to go there again.... Read more "
I can hardly find Bali in Bali anymore. I settled there 10 years ago and have been more and more shocked by the development there every year since then. This year I finally pulled up stakes there and am now selling my villa. So many negative things are happening there and yes, it's all about consumption... It's crazy 🤯
I was in Bali in early 2024 and was absolutely horrified. Garbage, an unbelievable number of tourists, traffic gridlock and everything in the article was true. Definitely not a place of longing, but one that needs help!
The same applies to the neighboring islands.
Who cares about your CO2 nonsense. Bali is awesome, just like the whole of Southeast Asia. I fly there 4-5 times a year.
I agree.
I would also like to say thank you for your honest contribution about Bali. There are now many videos on YT that show the downsides.
But still Bali is presented as a paradise, with endless (professional) opportunities to earn easy money (few hours/week), perfect food, with absolutely nice/friendly people, cost of living is low, transportation is great and of course the yoga mecca for all!
Why don't we all emigrate, is often the message.
In my many trips around the world, I've only really been disappointed once so far - and that was in Bali in 1997. Even then it was overcrowded, with booze tourism in Kuta, but what bothered me most was the dirt everywhere. And I didn't find the beaches paradisiacal at all. It's true, the landscape is beautiful inside, the culture interesting... and yet... I advise everyone against it.
If I had this experience back in 1997, I don't even want to imagine what it's like there now...
In the mid-eighties, Bali was still a small paradise. At that time, of course, it was already overrun by many tourists, but they were well spread out over the whole island, and tradition could and was still lived and practiced in many areas of Balinese culture. At the beginning of the 2000s, the island was already littered and mass tourism was the order of the day. To this day, everything revolves around coal and merciless marketing. The beaches, once relatively clean, are now a picture of horror, depending on the current. Fortunately, some young Balinese are slowly becoming aware of this and are genuinely concerned about the future of their island.... Read more "
Completely exaggerated 😂 go to Bali, get a picture and don't read that bullshit beforehand
We are currently on Bali 11.24 and are really shocked at what this island has become.... Garbage, Instagram, overtourism.... Corrupt government.... Instead of going on vacation, we feed street dogs and try to behave inconspicuously. .... The last time we were here was 23 years ago - honeymoon. It's five past twelve - get up and do something !!!!
I would be interested to know when this article was written so that I can understand the timeline and development. I was in Bali just this November (2024) and had exactly this experience. I can confirm everything 100 % - it's even worse in parts. I wasn't in Canggu all the time, but most of the time.
Hello Sabine, thank you for your comment. The article was written in September 2019.
Of course Bali can be very nice as a tourist I can't recommend emigrating there but that is my personal view of things because I lived there for twelve years and I have no idea why but that would go beyond the scope here I would like to live in Asia maybe the Philippines because they are not jealous of us. This jealousy is boundless and I can't and couldn't live with it, even if you are constantly presented with it and they let you know. And this unspeakable pollution as a cyclist I have suffered from this extreme air pollution in Ubud z... Read more "
I was in Bali in 1989, when I was 27, and even then the tourists were already out of control. However, there were only the small beach regions and Ubud was a tiny village where the sannyasins meditated. The rest was jungle and I would never, ever go there again. There are so many beautiful places nearby, Lombok, for example. If you are reasonably well informed and still want to go to Bali is, in my opinion, not quite dense. Just like the people who go to Ballermann.
Very informative, respectful and close to nature. Many thanks for the honest openness
Yes, Bali used to be nice and quiet with a lot of tradition. When I traveled to Bali for the first time in 1997, it was a dream. then I was there 18 more times, and the penultimate time in 2015, and now the last time in 2024, 30 days in October, and it was enough for me !!!! I was shocked by the garbage (piles of garbage in Serangan), the traffic, the disrespectful tourists, the luxurious opulence, such as the new ICON shopping center in Sanur. And more and more luxury hotels. I deliberately avoided ICON, this is no longer Bali as I loved it. It was now the last time!... Read more "