Is Bali Worth Visiting? Or Is It Overrated? [Our Experience]

Bali is one of the top trending travel destinations in the world right now, drawing in millions of visitors each year. And while the majority of people rave about this paradise island, others hold different opinions.

Due to its sudden increase in popularity, some criticize Bali for being overcrowded, over-commercialized, and struggling with infrastructure challenges.

So, is Bali still worth visiting?

Given that we’ve created an entire blog about the island and have spent over 2 years exploring its many wonders, our answer won't be a surprise - it’s a big yes!

But in this article, we’re going to be completely honest about the pros and cons of visiting Bali so you can make up your own mind. We’ll also clear up a few common myths about Bali at the end.

Pros of Visiting Bali

1. Balinese people and their culture

Known as the “island of the Gods,” Bali has a deep-rooted Hindu culture that influences all aspects of life on the island. It's unlike any other destination we've visited and we can count over 60 countries between us.

From the homemade offerings placed outside of homes and businesses every morning to the vibrant ceremonies that take over beaches streets, or entire towns the local culture is our favourite reason for returning to Bali year after year.

Spread across the island are thousands of temples that vary in significance, from small village shrines to larger complexes such as Ulun Danu Beratan which appears to float on the surface of a lake.

Uluwatu Temple, perched on the cliff edge, offers breathtaking views and a chance to watch the famous Kecak dance and fire show at sunset.

Balinese people are known for their warm and welcoming nature. They value and respect their island and are always excited to share their traditions with visitors.

For example, we participated in a Melukat water purification ceremony at Tirta Empul, learned how to write our names on traditional lontar manuscripts in East Bali, joined a workshop to make the daily offerings, and even attended a local Balinese wedding.

2. Stunning landscapes and nature

If you enjoy being surrounded by beautiful nature, Bali’s picturesque scenery offers the perfect escape, from the pristine beaches around the coast to the jungle-covered landscapes of the highlands.

Bali’s iconic rice terraces cascade down the rolling hills, creating an unusual sense of symmetry among nature. They retain their vibrant green colour year-round thanks to the island’s unique UNESCO-recgonised subak irrigation system.

While you can see rice terraces across many parts of the island, Jatiluwih, Sidemen, and Tegallang are the best-known among tourists and benefit from walking trails through the paddies and cute cafes overlooking them.

The north of the island is particularly beautiful, dominated by two towering volcanos, Mount Batur and Mount Agung. The rugged landscape is home to lush jungles, immense waterfalls, and a handful of scenic lakes.

There are so many incredible ways to experience Bali’s beautiful landscapes, from sitting in cafes and pool clubs overlooking the terraces to riding ATVs through the lush jungle, or taking a sunrise jeep tour to the top of Mount Batur.

3. Bali is very affordable

One thing that makes Bali such an appealing destination is that you can spend as little (or as much) as you like.

You can visit Bali on a budget by eating at warungs (local restaurants), staying in homestays (local guesthouses), using a scooter to get around and visiting cheaper attractions such as beaches, waterfalls, and temples.

By doing all these things, it’s possible for two people to spend a week in Bali for under 10,000,000 IDR ⓘ (excluding flights and pre-trip expenses).

It's by no means as cheap as the rest of Indonesia, but it still rivals most Southeast Asia hotspots for affordability.

At the other end of the scale, Bali has countless incredible luxury resorts, many fine dining options, world-class golf courses, and high-end experiences such as helicopter rides.

Most people will sit somewhere in the middle, looking for affordable luxury and enjoying a mix of free and paid activities.

We typically recommend budgeting 500,000 IDR ⓘ – 1,500,000 IDR ⓘ for daily spending per person (excluding hotels).

4. Activities and attractions for every interest

It may sound cliché, but Bali really does offer something for everyone. Beyond the classic photo spots that dominate Instagram feeds, there are hundreds of attractions and activities catering to all interests.

Here are a few examples:

5. It’s a year-round destination

Bali is a year-round destination, meaning there are no “bad” times to visit. Attractions and activities stay open throughout the year, and you can get some great deals on flights and hotels during the wet season.

If you’re flexible on dates, we’d recommend visiting in the dry season, which usually falls between May and October. But if that’s not an option, you can still enjoy Bali during the wet season as we have for the past few years.

6. Bali is very tourist-friendly

While Bali’s culture and infrastructure might look very different to your home country, the island is very easy to navigate as a tourist. Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or taking your first overseas trip, Bali offers a welcoming experience for all visitors.

Here are some of the reasons that make travelling around Bali so simple:

• Most locals speak a good level of English.

• There’s a wide variety of accommodation choices from local guest houses and luxury resorts to apartments and villas which can all be booked easily online.

• It’s easy to meet people as a solo traveller or digital nomad through hostels, group tours, and communities such as Nomeo.

• Online taxi apps such as Grab and Gojek make it very easy and affordable to get around in Bali.

• Bali is very safe with low crime rates.

• Card payments are widely accepted for larger payments (although cash is still required for smaller purchases).

7. Incredible food

One thing that cannot be overlooked in Bali is the incredible food scene. Both the local and international cuisine are fantastic, making it a great choice for foodies.

The local food in Bali is a rich blend of vibrant flavours and aromatic spices, with influences from across Indonesia.

Our favourite dish is Nasi Campur which is a generous scoop of rice accompanied by small portions of other dishes such as meats, fish, vegetables, and sides. It’s often served buffet-style so you can pick exactly what you want from the counter.

Bali also has a great reputation for international food, largely due to the fact that many world-class chefs call the island home. We’ve enjoyed almost every cuisine from well-known favourites such as Italian and Mexican to the more unique choices such as Georgian and Korean.

Canggu is the ultimate brunch spot with dozens of cute cafes serving indulgent avocado toast and smoothie bowls (see our favourites here). Meanwhile, Ubud is a hotspot for health-conscious eaters with an abundance of vegan and veggie restaurants.

Eating the food might be the best part, but we also enjoyed learning to cook it ourselves at some of the island's excellent cooking classes. Our favourite was Bali Farm Cooking School in Ubud, where we could pick fresh herbs and vegetables from their garden to use in our dishes.

Cons of Visiting Bali

1. Tourist hotspots can get very busy

Over recent years, Bali has seen record visitor numbers. Unfortunately, most visitors have similar itineraries and visit the same attractions which can cause these spots to get extremely busy.

The iconic Gates of Heaven at Lempuyang Temple, the T-rex-shaped headland at Kelingking Beach (pictured below), and Padang Padang Beach of Eat Pray Love fame are all victims of their own success.

But escaping the crowds in Bali is much easier than you think. Most tourists stay within an hour's drive of the airport, so if you venture to the north, east, or west of the island, you'll discover serene, rural landscapes away from the hustle and bustle of the south.

The busier areas have their own charm, so we typically recommend itineraries with a mix of livelier tourist towns and picturesque rural regions to take advantage of the variety Bali offers.

2. Traffic jams are common in some areas

Bali’s roads were designed for scooters and motorbikes; but as more locals and tourists turn to cars, some parts of the island are facing significant congestion.

From our experience travelling around the island, the main areas with traffic problems are Canggu, Seminyak, Denpasar, Central Ubud, and the main roads leading to Uluwatu (although it’s usually fine once you arrive).

Here are some tips for coping with the traffic in these areas:

3. Plastic waste is a problem

Being a small island that attracts many visitors, Bali is dealing with a growing waste management problem.

While tourists won’t usually see the effects of this issue, it’s important to be mindful of your impact on the environment. You can help by minimising your use of single-use bags, water bottles, and other plastic waste, and supporting sustainable businesses such as eco-resorts.

During the wet season, this problem can become more visible as plastic waste can wash up on the shores of popular tourist beaches following heavy storms.

4. Unethical animal attractions

Some of Bali’s most sought-after wildlife experiences include the night safari at Bali Safari & Marine Park and breakfast with orangutans at Bali Zoo.

Unfortunately, these attractions, along with several other wildlife entertainment venues across Bali, were highlighted in a recent report by World Animal Protection as offering “inadequate conditions,” with some “[not even meeting] the most basic need of captive wild animals” (source).

We recommend avoiding all attractions with captive animals in Bali. But that doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the wildlife altogether. There are plenty of opportunities to see local species in the wild all across the island such as West Bali National Park.

Our Verdict: Is Bali Worth Visiting?

Yes, Bali is absolutely worth visiting with its welcoming locals, deep-rooted culture and traditions, picturesque landscapes, amazing local and international food, and activities for every interest. Plus, it’s still super affordable.

But some famous attractions such as the Gates of Heaven are certainly overrated, so it’s important to do your research first and not just follow the crowds.

There’s no denying that traffic is a real issue in busier tourist hotspots, especially during peak visitor seasons. But there are ways you can minimise travel disruption as we outlined earlier.

Bali Mythbusting

Everyone has their own opinion about Bali, but here are some misconceptions that we disagree with:

Myth 1: All of Bali is overcrowded

It’s almost become trendy to say that Bali is overcrowded or overrated these days.

While there’s some truth that the tourist hotspots are getting increasingly busy, Bali is a huge island with a mix of lively and peaceful areas. Plenty of the island still remains untouched by the crowds, offering a more tranquil escape.

If you want to escape the masses, don’t book somewhere like Kuta, Seminyak, or Canggu. Instead, look for quieter areas away from the south of the island, which tends to be where the bigger crowds are.

Myth 2: There are no more hidden gems

We find hidden gems ALL THE TIME, many of which we share on this blog and our Instagram account.

Most private drivers will automatically take you to the main tourist spots. The best way to find hidden gems is by getting out on a scooter and exploring the island by yourself. Or you can do some research in advance and give your driver a pre-planned itinerary.

A few of our favourite hidden gems we've found in Bali recently are Pura Beji Amerta Gangga, Nunggalan Beach, and the Lontar Museum.

Myth 3: Bali Belly is unique to Bali

If you’re thinking about visiting Bali, you’ve probably heard stories of the dreaded Bali Belly. But most people don’t realise this is just a nickname for travellers’ diarrhoea in Bali.

Travellers’ diarrhoea is by no means unique to Bali. It’s the most common travel-related illness in the world, particularly in Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Middle East (source).

Take precautions to minimise your chances of getting it (see our Bali belly guide for tips), but don’t let the worry of Bali Belly put you off visiting this amazing island or trying the local food.

Myth 4: There are scams everywhere

Like with anywhere in the world, it's smart to be educated and aware of potential scams in Bali, particularly when exchanging money.

But as seasoned travellers ourselves, we can safely say that scams aren't any more prevalent in Bali than they are in other tourist spots in developing countries (or some cities in developed countries for that matter).

Overall, Bali is a very safe island and an inviting destination with some of the loveliest people we've met during our travels. Locals are warm, welcoming, and full of smiles which makes it easy to get to know them and their beautiful island.