How Touristy is Bali?

Nothing More Than Beaches and Booze?

Regardless if you are a well-seasoned traveler or someone who has barely made it off of their couch cushions, Bali is a place which we have all heard of. The white-sand beaches, luxurious spas, and tranquil turquoise waters are more than enough to have weekend-warrior tourists pack up their cabana wear, slide on their flip-flops, and board the next flight taking them to a vacation within the confines of a 5-star resort.

The beaches of Bali also attract another breed of tourist: club dwelling drunkards looking for any excuse to get trashed on the streets of Kuta. In the eyes of these travelers, Bali might as well be nothing more than Sodom and Gomorrah. Unleashing pent up urges which they have bottled up in their home countries, these swaggering hoards of backpackers can be found at nearly any street corner in Bali.

The mega malls catering to paunchy tourists and nightclubs indulging backpackers with streams of alcohol is more than enough to strike Bali off of the list of potential travel destinations. Is the notoriety surrounding this tropical Indonesian island fair or is there something more to traveling to one of the most touristy places on the planet?

Looking to travel to Java? Check out Ijen Crater here!

Escaping the Crowds

In the urban centers lined with lewd souvenir shops and hole-in-the-wall bars, one will either find themselves giggling at such novelties or squinching in disgust. The areas surrounding Kuta and the greater area of Denpasar are loaded with such oddities which speak to the most primal natures in people.

While you can escape such a low brow environment by heading out to the towns of Ubud or Canggu, places like Kuta typically get an undeserved bad rap. It is true that Kuta is a cesspool of sin which capitalizes on man’s most innate desires, but the culture of the people is something that can be found at every corner of the island.

Bali is a place which transcends the seedy clubs and two-bit knick-knack shops. The people of Bali embody a culture which has withstood the tide of tourists and foreign influence for centuries. Experiencing their culture first hand if more than enough to break people out of their drunken daze with the sheer authenticity and vibrancy of their traditions.

You can read more about the neighborhoods around Bali here!

What Are You Here For?

Like many places in the world, a traveler will see what they want to see. The same rule could apply to cities such as Bangkok, Angeles, or Goa. If you are searching for sex, drugs, and dodgy clubs you will find them in abundance. The authentic and cultural side of these cities is always there. It is the people and traditions that truly leave an impression on you as a person. The true soul of Bali is always waiting off of the pub streets and night markets.

Bali is unique in the fact that the culture is so rich that even if you have arrived on the island for reasons other than exploring the traditions and getting to know the people, the daily worships and processions will have you dropping your beer bottle and staring in wonderment.

To truly experience Balinese culture you will have to attend a wedding. You can read more about this experience here!

A Maze of Temples

For anyone trying to immerse themselves in traditional Balinese culture, the first stop on their list will be one of the mystical temples which dot the island. No one place has more of this fantasy-like shrines and elaborate architecture than Ubud. One of the obvious concerns will be, “Will I be fending off lines of flag following tour groups?” The answer is not a clear cut yes or no.

There will be loads of tourists who pile out of the tour buses to explore some of the most breathtaking temples on the island, but it seems that the invasion of matching hat-wearing sheep never lasts too long. A temple as famous as Tirta Empul will see its fair share of solo travelers and tour groups alike. As massive and stunning as these temples are you will seldom have a moment where you are rolling your eyes as a family retakes their Christmas card off their selfie-stick for the tenth time.

The one thing that travelers should be aware of is that outside of many of these temples, such as the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, will often have people outside corraling unaware tourists to go on special scam Luwak Coffee Tours. You may be paying for inferior products or be flat out forced to pay for unwanted goods. Be sure to travel to reputable plantations if you are looking to taste the most expensive coffee in the world.

You can also find more temples on Java such as Borobudur!

Culture Is Never Far Away

The only way to truly experience Bali properly is on the back of a motorbike (rented for around 50,000 IDR a day). While whizzing down the highway from town to town in search of temples on mountain peaks and shrines hidden in dense jungles, you will find yourself wanting to pull over nearly every 5-minutes to explore destinations which are well of your average tourist’s map.

Religion is not something that people practice once a week in Bali. Every day you can stumble upon a festival or worship being held at even the most remote places on the island. Many travelers will shell out extra money for the chance to view one of the traditional Balinese dance performances. In reality, dances such as the Legong happen in the largest cities to the smallest villages, all you have to do is go off the beaten path.

Looking to truly get off the beaten path in Indonesia? Check out Kupang in Western Timor!

Dreaming of Bali

To answer the question, “How touristy is Bali?”, one could simply reply: very. Mega malls, overpriced souvenirs, pushy shop keepers, and massive tour groups are no stranger to this Indonesian island. Even with an incredibly touristy and commercial atmosphere in some places, this does not mean that Bali should be shunned as a destination full of tacky stores and unruly tourists.

Bali has one of the most vibrant and authentic cultures one has ever seen. No number of hippies, surfers, or sunscreen smeared tourists could uproot such a long rich culture. Even in the belly of the beast, amongst the most cringe-worthy storefronts and snot-nosed kids on holiday, the true beauty of Bali shines through the muck.

Coming in with little expectations, Bali is a touristy island for a good reason. Bali is a place where traditional culture and nature fit seamlessly with each other. The festivals which occur daily further amply the identity of the Balinese people and shine like a beacon in the midst of many countries which sacrifice tradition for westernization.

To sum it up in a few words, if you are ever contemplating a trip to Bali, do it.

Looking for something truly different to do in Bali? Check out the Ghost Palace!