Travel in Bali
Planning for Bali really comes down to what kind of experience and budget you have in mind. Once you determine that, the planning part comes easy.
Even though Bali is a small part of Indonesia and the country has a lot more to offer, this island still has more than enough food, attractions, and activities to fill an itinerary. Due to this, Bali is another one of those unique destinations that offers something for every type of traveller and can fit any type of budget.
Bali has become a lot more tourist saturated in the last few months because of all the media exposure it has been getting through influencers on Youtube and Instagram. This has led to some areas of Bali such as Ubud, becoming extremely popular. The popularity is understandable but often, due to the huge flock of tourists to certain attractions, the experience can be diminished. Crowds are always a mood kill, not to mention that the authenticity of the experience is effected. Many locations, restaurants, and activities in Ubud cater solely to tourists. For this reason, entrance, food, and shopping prices are often marked up over 300%. That said, for some travellers, this isn’t a deterrent and it shouldn’t be. I found some destinations in Ubud not worth the hype, but other spots were amazing.
The most important thing for travellers to Bali is to determine what their budget is and what kind of experience they are looking for. On that note, though Ubud is the hub of travel to Bali, there are some other great areas that everyone should try and squeeze into their itinerary. For those who enjoy the non-touristy and off-the-beaten-path options, Northern Bali is still largely untravelled. Just like other popular places in Bali, there’s still plenty to do, see, and eat there. For those seeking a halfway point between touristy and off-the-beaten-path, Southern Bali is great for the more laidback tourist. Kuta is the place to be if you enjoy surfing at beaches and the party life, and Sanur is the place for those interested in water activities or visiting the nearby small islands like Nusa Penida.
Regardless of where you end up in Bali though, do you best to link up with locals and try to arrange your tours or activities through them. Not only does it support their livelihoods but you get the best knowledge about their culture and history, as well as local recommendations from them.
Bali Blog Posts
Planning Bali took some finessing because I wanted to visit touristy Ubud and also enjoy the laidback lifestyle of Sanur. The blog posts below outline how I was able to make both destinations work.
