What about Bali?

All too often we pick our travel destination based solely on a name. Bali is an excellent example of this.  It’s a bucket-list location for millions of people but what do you really know about it?  Is it everything it’s made out to be?  I’ll give you my take.

Let me just get this out of the way; I think Bali is largely overrated.  Keep in mind that this is just my opinion and the type of travel I enjoy.  I’ll tell you what to expect and help you to determine if it’s right for you.  As we planned our trip, we little by little trimmed Bali off our itinerary.  By the time we were done, we had less that two days there.  Just to be clear, Bali does have those beautiful beaches and Hindu temples that you have likely imagined.  They are without a doubt a pleasure to visit.  Unfortunately, there are quite a few “buts”.  I’ll begin with some criticisms.

Gunung Kawi is one of Bali’s oldest temples.

Photograph by Jeffrey Palmer

Despite the image of Bali that is portrayed in TV shows and travel magazines, it is important to remember that it is still part of a developing country.  While that isn’t a reason to avoid going, there are some considerations that come along with this.  If you spend your time in the Southeast, as the vast majority of tourists do, be warned that the beaches can be littered with trash.  You’re also going to be approached by a lot of street vendors.  While better than on other Indonesian islands, the infrastructure is still nothing like what you’ll find in the United States, Europe, etc.  Again, that’s fine, but be prepared for a lot of traffic and noisy streets.  My last critique is that Bali is crowded.  This is to be expected for anywhere with such a high level of name recognition but undesirable regardless.  I’m not trying to tell you that Bali is a bad place to visit; in fact, I enjoyed my time there.  However, my larger point is that it’s likely not going to be the experience you expect.

Now, I’ll be the first to say that the Balinese people are extremely friendly and warm-hearted.  The resorts are beautiful and their architecture is copied around the world.  You can rent a spacious villa for a fraction of what you would pay in an industrialized country.  If you plan to spend most of your time within a resort, your experience will be much like you have expected.  Make time to explore the island further though.  No, the rice fields don’t feel authentic but they are still breathtaking.  Yes, the temples are crowded but they still display the peaceful, reflective qualities that Hinduism embodies. You won’t forget what you see in Bali and the way the people live will be an inspiration to you as you travel home.

So, I do think Bali is a wonderful place and certainly worth a visit.  This article isn’t meant to discourage you from visiting in any way.  My goal is to offer a perspective that is often not shown.  The problem isn’t Bali; the problem is the unrealistic portrayals we have of our dream destinations.  Just remember this is more than a tourist destination; it’s a real place with its share of problems like anywhere else.

Finally, while Bali does have some unique aspects, the beauty of Indonesia doesn’t vanish when you leave the island.  Sure, visit the “it” place but don’t overlook what may be right next door.  There’s much more to Indonesia than Bali.  Don’t neglect to take a speedboat to Nusa Penida, a short flight to Lombok, a jungle hike in Sumatra or a boat to Komodo.  The world is an incredible place and many of the greatest adventures you can have are in places that don’t have name recognition.