Is Bali Overrated? A Non-Touristy Bali Guide

You will never in your life hear that someone is going to Bali to get off the tourist trail. If they did, they would get about a dozen eye rolls from seasoned travelers. Bali has become infamous for its terraced rice fields, jaw-dropping Hindu temples in exotic backgrounds, and beautiful beaches. We have been flooded with pictures of Bali all over social media to the point of boredom. There’s no mystery. With every scroll on instagram, it seems that everyone has been there. It has become the epitome of over-tourism. But is that the end of it? Is Bali truly overrated?

Is Bali Really Overrated?

Before going to Bali I was fully prepared to have an underwhelming experience. I had already seen so much of it on social media, I felt like there was nothing left to discover.

Surely, I thought, I’d only meet other travelers, and have no connection with actual Balinese locals.

I was wrong. Bali amazed me, in ways that seeing it on instagram could not. I ate Balinese street food, and became addicted to tempeh. I made local friends, who are truly some of the most friendly people in the world. It was still possible to find experiences to immerse myself in the culture. I was thrilled that there was still authenticity to be discovered on this island!

With that said, I also visited places that have been overrun by tourism. There were days where I felt I was surrounded by only white people. I took a picture on a swing (you know the exact one). I visited things that were just so clearly tourists traps and vastly overrated.

Authenticity in Bali

After five weeks in Bali, I found joy in doing both the touristy activities, and the more authentic experiences. Depending on what type of experience you want, there will be some things you’ll want to do and some clear things to avoid.

So, is Bali overrated? It depends on how you spend your time! Here is a guide on things to do and see in Bali, and my honest experience with each one.

Southern Bali

Canggu

Canggu is one of the main hubs for tourists and the growing expat community. In this area, you will find boutique shops and acai bowl cafes, with the same prices you’d expect in a Western country.

There are bars here, that are filled to the brim each night with Aussies and other foreigners.

This is where I based myself for my trip, and while it’s not the place to immerse yourself in culture, I would recommend it for digital nomads.

I had really good wifi connection here, and despite the westernization, it still maintains some harmony with nature and Balinese culture.

Canggu is close to the beach, and among rice fields. In between the boutiques and bars, you will still see lots of temples here.

Also, you also can get some street food or local food here if you just look for it. There were streetside vendors near my home selling sticky rice that I ate at least once a week.

One of my favorite Warungs, a word that means Indonesian street restaurant, was in Canguu next to my Airbnb. It’s called Varuna Warung and can be found here.

The lady here makes the BEST tempeh, and she serves a lot of traditional Indonesian food at almost local prices.

Verdict: It’s pretty touristy, and has little to offer in terms of authentic Balinese culture. But it’s a good digital nomad base, and there is still a small balance of nature and culture, among the touristy aspects.

Uluwatu

This area is mostly full of foreign surfers. It has a lot of beautiful beaches, most of which I could not call hidden gems.

Instead, you will find most beaches in this area full of tourists. The nightlife here is supposedly good, but there isn’t that much culture to be seen.

However, I still recommend visiting if you have time. The sunsets here are amazing, and touristy or not, the beaches are beautiful.

Verdict: It’s very touristy, but if you have time, it’s worth a visit for the sunset and beaches.

Kuta

I went here once with my friends to go out, and while we had fun, it’s not the type of place you come to Bali to experience… at least I’d hope not.

The only positives I can think of, is if you are living there as a digital nomad, you might enjoy checking out Sky Bar. It’s an all you can eat and drink restaurant, that’s fun to visit with friends. There is no cultural aspect behind it, it’s just your typical western buffet, with unlimited booze.

There is also nightlife here, but again, it’s not the experience I’d recommend. Think of it as like the Soi Cowboy of Bali, or the sketchy part of Vegas.

Verdict: Avoid at all costs, unless you are just looking for a seedy night out.

Central Bali

Ubud

As touristy as Ubud is, I found it to be another good base for digital nomads or visitors. It’s centrally located, making it easy to visit all other parts of the island from.

The prices in Ubud were also much lower than the towns in the South. It’s not near any beaches, but it’s surrounded by jungles. Although its a city, it has a somewhat natural feel.

While in Ubud, you should stop by the Ubud Street Market, which is huge! Definitely the place to do some gift shopping for friends back home, or for yourself.

Verdict: After Canggu, I would consider this the best base for your time in Bali. The prices are better than the south, and there are things worth seeing while here too.

Monkey Forest

If I could give the activities on this list a star rating, this one gets one star. Why? Because I was attacked by a freaking monkey.

The monkeys of Bali are just too used to tourists. Sometimes I wonder, with their intelligence, if they’ve grown weary of us too, and in turn are total jerks as retaliation for us taking over their home.

If you spend enough time in Bali, you will see monkeys. They are everywhere. You’ll spot them on the sides of the roads, swinging from trees, and I even saw a few crossing the rice fields.

You don’t need to pay to see them, and in some ways this is the ultimate tourist trap.

But, if you want to ensure your chance to see them, and photograph them, then it might be worth a visit… but not really.

Keep in mind, these monkeys are mischievous. They stole my friends water bottle, twice! They are also known to steal food from people’s pockets or bags.

A monkey jumped on my back from a tree, and was trying to get into my backpack, yanking on my hair in the process. It was a horrific experience, honestly.

I survived the ordeal, but if given the chance, I would not visit again.

Verdict: Not worth a visit, unless you are dying to see a monkey.

Tirta Empul Temple

My Balinese friend took me here. I didn’t even look it up beforehand, I just trusted his judgement. Once I arrived, I had a very mixed feeling about it.

On one hand, it really is an amazing temple, and unique in the aspect that you get to bath in it.

On the other hand, it is totally full of tourists. My friend assured me that Indonesian people come to bath in it too. But honestly, it felt very touristy.

Verdict: It’s a unique temple because you can bathe in it and experience the customary ritual, but overall very crowded and touristy.

Tegalalang Rice Fields

This rice field is one of the most photographed places in Bali. On one hand, I can see why. It’s huge, and unlike other rice fields which are likely privately owned, this one is open for you to walk on (at a price).

Does it live up to the hype? It depends.

First, depending which season you come, you’ll either get lush green rice fields or a brown barren land. To view the rice fields in the peak of beauty, opt to come during the wet season, between October and March.

It’s also notable, that there are plenty of rice fields in Bali, and Indonesia in general. You don’t need to pay to see one, but if you want to be photographed in one, then yes, it’s worth it to pay to visit one properly.

Other rice fields you can visit in Bali are: Jatiluwih, Belimbing and Pupuan.

Verdict: This rice field is huge, and worth a visit if you want to be photographed in a rice field. Otherwise, there are others that you’ll pass in Bali for free.

Tukad Cepung Waterfall

This waterfall was highly anticipated on my long Bali bucketlist. It’s a waterfall inside a cave, that looked insanely beautiful from all the instagram photos I had seen of it.

The reality? There is a short hike to get to the falls, which I actually found enjoyable. I love hiking, and that gave some sense of adventure to visiting the falls.

Once I arrived, I realized that the cave is tiny, a lot smaller than it looks in photos.

In terms of photography, if you are hoping to take long exposure shots inside, forget it.

Unless you come really early, there will be a lot of people. I knew that even with some crafty photoshop, I would not be able to edit out all the people from the photo. It’s just so damn crowded.

Plus, the cave is very dark. The best lighting for the waterfall, would be during midday, which is when it’s most crowded.

As for the visit itself, was it worth it? It was cool. But, definitely underwhelming in comparison to the expectation I had. The cave is small, and full of people so you can’t really swim or explore. You just come, look at it, and leave.

Verdict: It’s worth a visit if you have extra time, or if it’s not out of your way. Otherwise, skip it.

Tegenungan Waterfall

The best way to describe this place is as a waterfall that they turned into a theme park of sorts.

There are bars and restaurants the entire “hike” to the falls. There are also super cheesy photo opt props along the way. The waterfall itself has been roped off like a swimming pool, to mark which areas people can swim in. For some reason, there is very loud club music playing.

But, somehow it was a fun experience. This waterfall is actually really big, and it’s amazing how they built a restaurant right over it. Funny enough, the restaurant is where the dj booth is, and the source of the EDM blasting throughout the valley.

It’s really close to Ubud, making it an ideal day trip if that’s where you’re based.

Verdict: It’s extremely touristy to the point of insanity. But it’s a fun place to visit, just don’t expect to be immersed in the tranquility of nature.

Eastern Bali

Ahmed

Ahmed is a an area along the eastern coast which is made up of several fishing villages.

This area is ideal for diving, with most of the diving opportunities on Bali around this area. You can opt to dive a ship wreck, or just go snorkeling. There is an abundance of coral reef and marine life in this area, and you could happily spend a week in the ocean here.

You also have stunning views of Mount Agung from Ahmed, with possibly the best viewpoint being at Sunset Beach.

This area is much quieter and relaxed in comparison to the rowdy party hotspots in the south.

It’s not really a place you can meet with locals, but it does offer a serene getaway, where you can be immersed in nature. Also, the sunrises are really spectacular.

Verdict: Ahmed is a gem on an island otherwise overrun by tourists. Come here to play in the ocean and have peaceful beach days away from the hustle and bustle.

Tirta Gangga

This temple is another tourist hotspot, but I admit, it has something special to it.

It’s comprised of several large ponds, that are filled with koi fish. There are large stepping stones throughout the ponds for you to walk on, and if you like, feed the fish.

I arrived a bit before 9 AM, early enough to beat the crowds. I had about 20 minutes to enjoy this temple’s beauty in peace before a lot of people arrived. For me, it was a tranquil place, well worth the visit.

Verdict: It’s worth the visit, but come early for the best experience.

Lampuyang Temple

This temple was at the top of my list of things to see. It boasts the iconic view of the Hindu temple gates with the view of Mount Agung and the clouds behind. I knew it was popular with tourists, so I went early to avoid crowds. Sounds like a solid plan, right?

Well, I arrived 1 hour before sunrise, and expected it to be mostly empty. I was so wrong. The line stretched not just all the way from the top of the temple to the street below, but it looped around. It was like visiting a Disnyeland attraction.

If it weren’t for the fact I already came all the way there (it was 2 hours from Ubud) and paid for entrance, I would have left. I stuck it out, and got my photo there.

It took 2 hours in line to reach the gate. You really only get about 30 seconds to enjoy the view and take your photo, and it’s not exactly a relaxing experiencing with about 200 + people behind you waiting for their turn.

I also assumed we would be free to explore the temple once inside, but you can’t. It’s only open to allow tourists to take a photo and leave.

The whole experience was probably one of the worst I had while in Bali, but I do have an amazing photo to show for it, so, do with that information what you will.

Verdict: Unless you are really invested in getting that picture, avoid this temple at all costs.

Mount Agung

You can enjoy the natural beauty of Bali and view one of Bali’s most remarkable natural landmarks, by exploring the rice fields surrounding Mount Agung.

Mount Agung is Bali’s most active volcano. In the time I was there, it erupted twice. That’s not to say, it can’t be admired from a distance.

Around it, are lots of farmland and rice fields. You can explore the area, and find a great viewpoint of the volcano from a safe distance.

The area I explored was around called Bukit Cinta, which can be found here. On clear days you’ll have unobstructed views of Mt. Agung.

Verdict: This area is beautiful and natural, come here to enjoy unspoiled nature without tourists.

Northern Bali

Ulun Danu Beratan Temple

This temple is another popular photo spot in Bali. What sets it apart from the others, is how it’s situated right on the lake. You can even go on a boat ride to get closer, for a fee.

If you visit early in the morning, there will be no one there and you can actually enjoy it. Seeing it against the morning light and stillness of the lake was perfect. I personally found this temple to be beautiful and worth the visit.

However, if you are tired of temples in Bali, there is no need to go out of your way to see this one. It’s small, and beside the main pagoda, there isn’t much else to see.

Verdict: Worth the visit, unless you are tired of temples or are short on time.

Handara Gate

This gate is another iconic photo spot in Bali. It’s ironically not a temple, but the entrance to a golf course.

I came here with low expectations, but was already in the area so I thought, why not?

The experience was what I expected, and the gates were even a bit smaller than I thought they would be. If you want a photo here, there will be a line.

Come very earlier in the morning for the best lighting conditions, and to avoid the line. During midday, the lighting is too harsh for a good photo.

Verdict: If you are nearby, it’s worth a quick pitstop only if you really want a photo for instagram.

Wanagiri Hidden Hills

This is 100% a tourist activity, there is no way to sugarcoat that. When I visited, I was traveling with another girl that day, and she and I thought it would be fun to take some cute photos.

There are lots of cute set ups to take some really amazing photos here. My favorite one was the swing, and I took some great photos for my friend in the bird nest.

Is it touristy? Hell yes! But, we had fun, and have beautiful photos to look back on for the rest of our lives.

Verdict: It’s a major tourist trap, but if you shamelessly want some cool photos for instagram, this is your spot.

Islands

Nusa Penida

Nusa Penida, is rugged, and not very developed. It sees the least visitors of the three islands of this area, and the ones that come usually come for a day at most. It’s probably one of the best places around Bali for a true adventure.

This island is definitely not off the tourist trail, though. It’s most famous for Dinosaur Bay that has been photographed no less than a million times.

However, this island is surprisingly calm, and not nearly as crowded with tourists as Bali. Even at the most popular site, the Dinosaur Bay (or Kelingking Bay), you will find a few people taking photos, but it’s not that bad.

I went to Diamond Beach, and it was even more sparsely crowded. There was actually a lot of space on the beach to relax. Despite the fact there is a touristy swing for photo opts here, it seems to have avoided the mass tourism on Bali.

My friends also stayed here overnight and said it was a very chilled out experience. They felt they could connect with nature and relax here, unlike back in Canggu.

Verdict: Nusa Penida is popular for tourists, but a visit here offers many opportunities to get off the tourist trail, especially if you stay a few days.

Nusa Lembongan

I ran out of time and did not go to Nusa Lembongan or Nusa Ceningan (they are connected by a bridge so are usually visited together), so I cant report on them. However, when making my choice between Nusa Penida and Nusa Lembongan, I was advised by basically everyone to go to Nusa Penida.

Nusa Lembongan is smaller, but has more tourist facilities. Because of this, it is a bit more developed, but probably more touristy.

It does have some attractions that I would have liked to see, such as The Devil’s Tear, and The Blue Lagoon on Nusa Ceningan. But, Nusa Penida had more to see, and I wanted to get away from the crowds.

With that said, if you are pressed for time, this island is smaller and closer to Bali, making it the easier option to visit.

Verdict: Touristy, but worth the visit if you don’t have time to go all the way to Nusa Penida.

So, to answer the question, “Is Bali overrated?”, I’d have to say no. Bali was an amazing place before mass tourism took over, and remains so, if you just know where to look.

What’s your opinion? Is Bali overrated? Let me know your thoughts and experience!

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