Bali - is all that buzz worth it?
Updated: Oct 20
I must admit I have mixed feelings about Bali. I simply found it too touristy.
In this article, you will find my honest opinion about Bali.
Don’t get me wrong, there are a lot of nice places in Bali, temples and waterfalls to visit. I still had a good time, but it just didn’t give me that amazing travel feeling I get elsewhere. I tried to visit and see some of the main parts of Bali, but the more I walked, the more tourists and the fakeness of it all got in my way, so eventually, I just gave up and ended up surfing most of the time, as waves are very good there for beginners.
So for me, as a traveller, this place didn’t even make it to my ‘top 50 places I have visited’! The beaches were not that great. Most of the beaches are black sand or just rocks. I also found the beaches quite dirty. The rubbish problem is a big problem in general in Asia, so Bali is no exception. Probably only if you stay in a fancy hotel; then the hotel cleans around it a bit.
Most of the temples are set up for tourists; they are actually not real temples, just statues for tourists. So please research the exact temples you want to visit.
Prices are higher than elsewhere in Asia. Cafes are more expensive and can reach European and Australian prices.
Despite the fact that I think Bali is totally overrated and the vibe really is not for me, the place has some amazing waterfalls and other things to do. Here are some I really enjoyed:
Learn how to surf! Bali has good waves for beginners. The best place so far – Kuta. After you have learned how to surf, you can rent the board and practice on your own, as it isn’t that dangerous.
If you are into epic views, you can do the Volcano walk early in the morning before sunrise and watch the sunrise from the top!
Check out the waterfalls! Bali is rich in them, and you can find them in the different parts of the island. There are a few in one of the most popular spots in Bali – Ubud, but the most impressive ones are up in the north.
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El Nido, a must-visit in the Philippines 🇵🇭 🥥🌴🐠
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