The things you did not know about travelling to Bali
Bali – the Indonesian Island might have become one of the most popular travel destinations worldwide. Everybody is talking about going to Bali and those who come back seem to be even more in love with the place. And yet, on the other side, Bali suffers from the huge amount of tourism. The plastic pollution is becoming a nearly unbearable problem for the small island and some places are overcrowded with tourists. The popular hotspots can be found in seconds on Instagram and Co., but reality seems to be different. This guide will tell you about the things you did not know about travelling to Bali, as well as tips to enjoy the island despite the mass tourism.
Because Bali is really a paradise to travel to, if you just know how and where. But see for yourself:
You ´ ll mostly meet “digital nomads”
Going to Bali for a true local experience and getting to know the culture and the lifestyle of the Balinese people better? Seems to be a good start, but once you arrive in Bali, you will quickly notice that it´s not the locals who cross your way most of time, but rather the so-called digital nomads. Bali has a huge expat community and especially people from Australia live on the island and made Bali their second home. Of course, this has upsides and downsides. But by staying in the main tourist areas, you might not meet many locals. Shops, boutiques and salons are owned by expats and the bars are filled with them.
If you aim to get closer to the locals, chose to stay in a more remote area in distance to the tourist towns of Seminyak and Canggu.
Despite the mass tourism, Bali can still be discovered in a unique way
Don´t let the argument “Bali is full of tourists” get a wrong image into your head. Yes, Bali may be a hotspot for travellers from all around the world. And yes, there are places and regions in Bali that are not as beautiful anymore as they used to be. And yes, on the typical Instagram spots you are often disappointed.
But you know what? Bali is much more than that and the island can still be explored in a unique way. If you avoid the main areas and distance yourself from the tourists spots and the most popular waterfalls and viewpoints, you will get the chance to see Bali with different eyes. The very South of the island, Uluwatu, the Eastern coast along Amed Beach and the very North of Bali are areas that will show you what Bali really is about.
Taxis are more expensive than in other countries in South East Asia
South East Asia is a true backpackers paradise. A paradise for those travelling on a budget and trying to save money while making experiences all around the world. While the rest of Indonesia fits into that system, Bali can be a lot more expensive. Especially taxis are far away from cheap. If you are used to paying just 2 euros for your grab or uber from the airport in other countries, than get prepared for some higher prices in Bali. The official drivers as well as the grab (which is not allowed at the airport and forbidden in some tourist areas) will charge you far more than you might expect from South East Asia.
Many of the Instagram spots are fake
Have you seen the popular image of the “Gate of heaven”? The temple that seems to be located next to a lake reflecting the volcano in the distance?
Spoiler alert: it´s fake. There is no lake. And neither an idyllic atmosphere with a peaceful view on the volcano. There is a crowd of people standing in line and waiting for their turn to take a picture. And there is a mirror which can be mistaken as a calm lake with a beautiful reflection. This is only one example of the famous Instagram spots on Bali that attract all tourists from around the world. You need to queue for taking a bath under the waterfall.
Therefore, one of the most important things to know before travelling to Bali is not to get distracted from the pictures on social media. Discover the beauty of Bali on your own, distant from the well-known waterfalls. You´ll be surprised that Bali is much more than what you see on Social Media.
Bali has the most beautiful sunsets in the world
A beautiful thing you did not know about travelling to Bali? You will be able to witness the most beautiful sunsets in the world. And this is not an overestimation. Bali surprises with an insane show on the sky. From Uluwatu, from Canggu and Seminyak, you will have an amazing view over the ocean. Grab yourself a Bintang (the number one drink in Bali) and enjoy the show of mother nature.
You can experience some of the best sunsets from Uluwatu. Check out The 6 outstanding beaches in Uluwatu.
The only way to truly experience Bali is to rent a scooter
One of the first things you will notice after leaving the airport in Bali are the millions and millions of scooters. Basically, everybody is driving around on the two-wheelers. From locals to tourists and expats. And yes, in order to truly experience Bali and to be free in your adventure, a scooter is total must. Of course, a more comfortable option is to hire a driver for the days of exploring the areas, but nothing will beat the feeling of driving a scooter through the Balinese landscape. You will be able to stop at the beautiful rice fields, make your own route and live the freedom of driving in Bali.
For sure, it might take some courage and, as well, some training to drive safely, but it is all worth it! A scooter is the way of life in Bali. Make it a priority to hire a scooter shortly after you arrive at your accommodation. Most stays have scooters available or a contact of a good rental. And then off you go!
Bali has much more delicious foods than what the hipster restaurants and cafés offer
And the last point on the list of things you did not know about travelling to Bali is the food. Bali is popular for being the absolute paradise for foodies. Especially the vegan community can choose between countless restaurants and delicious dishes. Pictures of fancy smoothie bowls, avocado toasts and pancakes seem to characterize the cuisine of Bali.
But behind the popular restaurants and cafés (which are absolutely worth a visit and hideously delicious) you´ll find the true culinary side of Bali: the local warung. Warung is the name for a traditional Indonesian restaurant which invites you to a typical meal. Rice, noodles and much more is on the menu. You can find most of these warungs a little outside of the main areas, in more quiet streets. They offer basically anything you can crave and the best advantage – the cheap price.
Enjoy a dinner from the buffet for just 3 euros. Enjoy some delicious fried rice for 2 euros and a tempé burger for about 4 euros. Ideal for any traveller on a budget and every tourist who loves to get to know the culinary side of a country.
For sure, you should try the fancy restaurants and breakfast places as they are a part of the destination. But still, eating in a local warung will not only be beneficial for your wallet, but as well for your gut!
There is more to see than just Bali
A trip to Bali doesn´t need to be limited to the island itself. Bali is the ideal starting point for unforgettable trips to the neighbor islands. Especially if you are staying for two weeks or even longer, it is an absolute must-do to book a boat ticket to Nusa Penida, the Gili Islands or Lombok. While Bali itself is incredibly beautiful, there is much more to see of Indonesia. Get to know the islands around Bali and fall deeper in love with the locals and the Indonesian way of life.
Even though Bali is widely present on social media and on countless travel blogs, there are still things that you did not know about travelling to Bali. Now you do and can prepare yourself for a trip to one of the best destinations in South East Asia – because as we know now, it is truly worth a visit!
