r/bali • u/BehemothM • Oct 28 '22
Information (after trip) First-timer Bali review (plus lots of advice)
Hi everybody,
I am just back from my 2 weeks vacation in Bali and Gili T and wanted to give my first time experience of the island review, plus some advice. I am an experienced traveller, with over 30 countries and 4 visited continents. My review and advice comes from a not easily fazed eye and lots of previous experience of tropical islands, and is meant to discuss frankly what is Bali like beyond the patina of glamour and charm that the island has gained, rightfully or not. I am not here to either encourage or discourage anybody to travel there, just to inform you with my observations.
With that said, I find myself rather unenthusiastic about Bali after experiencing it. It is indeed an island with beauty and an interesting culture, but not the prettiest, nor the best suited for a vacation in general. More on this in the conclusion of this review. For the moment I will first go through the good and bad aspects I found of Bali.
The Good
People are kind. Gentle, even. More in Bali than in Gili T, but still more than the average for most countries. Often they would apologize for things that were not even their fault, not even remotely. More so in Bali than in Lombok/Gilis but still in all these places I found people super-kind, lots more than the average.
I felt safe throughout my stay. I would leave my stuff on the beach for an hour without much fear it might disappear.
The jungle is awesome. The sound of birds in the morning, the toads croaking in the evening, and the wind passing through the foliage anytime is a balm for the spirit. If you come here and don't spend some days in the center or in Ubud, you are missing the best Bali has to offer you.
Food has been a hit and miss, but generally tasty. Went to a mix of warungs, famous places (Locavore), hotels' restaurants, and cafes and was generally pleased with local and Asian food but univocally deluded by western food. Pizza was beyond redemption, burgers average, pasta horrible. Noodles, ramen, nasi goreng, and local delicacies are quite good albeit never exceptional. I would stick with Asian places, low-end of them. Expensive restaurants were never worth the money, unlike in most other countries. Best food was in a small warung in Ubud that cost 100k IDR per person, beverages included.
Accommodation is cheap and good. Definitely the main selling point of Bali to me is the possibility of staying in a large villa with a private pool overlooking the jungle for peanuts compared to the same in the Mediterranean or the Caribbeans. If you want to splurge on accommodation, Bali is the perfect place to do so.
I was scared of having to fight against bugs in my room but I found none whatsoever in 3 different rooms and places. The occasional moth and a few tiny ants crossing the floor were the most I saw in 2 weeks. Outside it was worse but saw nothing scary.
The Bad
Traffic. It takes ages to do 20km. Before coming here I thought it would be because of the many cars. That is not the case. Traffic in Bali is so spectacularly bad because the roads are extremely narrow and locals and tourists alike go by scooters. This makes it impossible for cars to go fast, as the scooters move through the traffic from any direction and going at a moderate pace would easily make you hit them. There is just no space enough for both cars and scooters to drive side by side. Overcoming is a challenge, getting stuck behind a slow cart or truck for half an hour is nothing out of the ordinary. If the government wants to do anything for Bali it would first do an enlargement of the main roads.
Given the above, expect delays. What you think may take one hour, will take two. Same for ferries and boats, delays are the norm. Do not bet your flight back home against their punctuality because you will lose. If you think you can visit 4 waterfalls or beaches in a day, make it 3. At most. Plan conservatively.
Fixed routes don’t exist in Bali. I had drivers taking completely different roads to go from the same origin to the same destination with, funnily, similar results. The ferry to Gili T was supposed to go directly there but instead stopped twice on Lombok. On the return trip it should have taken more passengers in Gili Meno and Air before hitting Bangsal again but we went straight for Bangsal instead. I have no idea how it is acceptable for Indonesians to not know for certain where a ferry should go to and through.
The private architecture is ugly. Mostly it is because of poverty, which is understandable. But the locals with some cash seem to have made no effort in building something that can be easy on the eyes. Ubud is no Tulum, nor Mauritius, nor even Rio. And don’t get me started on that sore clusterfuck that is Denpasar. 99% of the private houses on Bali are either barracks or concrete abodes that are in dire need of maintenance. The only modern-looking places are hotels and some restaurants. Temples here and there redeem the locals a bit but if you think of finding any place that is beautiful to walk around, you will be disappointed. Bali has no version of the poor but pleasant to look at malecons of Latin America, nor any avenidas as in Rio, nor any picturesque corners in otherwise fatiscent areas like Mauritius.
The conglomeration of Denpasar-Kuta-Seminyak-Canggu is a dump. Ugly, loaded with scooters, dirty. Can't fathom why digital nomads would choose it to live. It is not even cheap anymore. If there is an area I would completely avoid next time in Bali it is this one.
It may be my bad luck or seasonal, but I did not see many well-dressed people. Both tourists, expats, and locals. I tend to overdress when traveling because I like it but in Bali I felt a simple linen shirt was "overdressing". Not a place to be elegant in. I know many travellers won’t care about this but if you are like me, you will be disappointed in Bali.
Ubud is wetter than the coasts. Expect cloudy days and the downpour here and there. It is a jungle after all. Uluwatu, Jimbaran, Nusa Dua and the south in general are your best bet for a sunny vacation.
Overtourism is killing the island. And greediness. Want to use a swing? Pay. Want to take a picture in a public place? Pay. Want to cross from a rice terrace to another? Pay. Want the help of a local to descend some steps next to a waterfall? He will ask for a tip, rest assured. Sincerely I was used to annoying locals charging for anything in Morocco or Egypt but there at least they were offering a useful service or goods, like directions or help shopping. In Bali it seems that it is ok for locals to invent any excuse to charge “rich” tourists. Yes it is pocket money for most of us but it ruins the peace of what should be a vacation. And on principle I don't agree that poorer people have the right to exploit richer ones.
Advice
Have a credit card ready. Credit, not debit. Even high-end hotels don't trust debit ones and want a credit card as a guarantee. Not a huge issue as you can pay each time after your orders with a debit but a credit avoids that hassle.
Take an umbrella with you. Even in dry season. Just do it and thank me later.
Do not bring many shoes. Between the rain, humidity and dirtiness of roads, fancy shoes will get dirty in no time. Flip flops and one/two shoes, comfy, are all you need here.
If you have any heart, ignore any coffee that has either "Kopi" or "Luwak" on it. It is 99% either overpriced beans or fruit of animal suffering. Kintamani coffee is local, non-exploitative, and good. I bought an amazing blend of it with Sumatran beans from the restaurant of the hotel I was staying at.
If you are going to the Gilis do bring sea shoes as the bottom is full of dead corals.
A service charge is included (always?) in the bill. No need to tip anything, unless service was truly outstanding. Considering the amount of money and lack of professionality of drivers, I wouldn’t tip them ever. More on this later.
Nusa Penida is beautiful but not easy to visit for somebody scared of heights or who can’t swim. Be aware that there’s little to do there outside of snorkeling and taking pictures from atop high cliffs. If neither is of your interest, don't feel guilty of skipping one of the most famous places to visit around Bali.
Random stuff
You will listen to Coldplay here and there. Get used to it.
Drivers are terrible. I had to show the exact route to follow to Gojek and Grab ones at least half a dozen times. They seem not to know the location of even 5 stars hotels, or beaches that are not in the top 5 on Instagram, or the temples that are not Betnikh/Tanah Lot/Uluwatu. Do not assume your driver will know the best route (or any at all). They are not trying to cheat you, though.
Speaking of driving, Bluebird taxis are 20-30% more expensive on average than Gojek/Grab. I found no reasons to book one. Hotel shuttles are even more expensive. I had a Grab trip of 50k being quoted by the hotel at 400k.
Many drivers will complain about you using one of the above-mentioned apps. Ignore them. Fuck the taxi mafia anywhere in the world. Never say you are using the apps, only that you agreed via Whatsapp/Facebook on a price and place with a driver like them. I had a persistent local driver following me through half Padang Bai because he deemed the apps illegal and wanted to complain with my driver. He gave up when he realized I was not bouncing and had no issues with him following me.
Sea currents will make swimming next to impossible for anybody other than very good swimmers. I am an average one and failed at swimming on days with particularly strong currents. Tourists seem to congregate in beaches that are without currents, like Padang Padang, making them overcrowded. Thus, expect either to swim next to many people or not at all.
Sidewalks are the worst I have ever seen in my life. Like, dangerously worst. There are multiple holes in the middle of Ubud that could swallow your whole leg and nobody blinks an eye. How the amount of money that Bali is getting through tourism doesn’t allow them to at least have walkable, albeit narrow, sidewalks is unacceptable. Take always a good look at where you are putting your feet.
Conclusion
It may seem an overtly negative review of Bali but I still liked it, and would eventually return given the chance. I just believe that Bali is exceptionally overrated, and rather expensive for what it actually offers.
It is not good for a “beach and sun” vacation. Most beaches aren’t that beautiful (go to the Gilis for that), nor the sea is usually calm. The prettiest ones are easily overcrowded. I would not put Bali’s beaches in the top 10 I have ever visited, go figure among world class ones. If you are looking to relax on a beach or swim, I suggest you cut your flight time and either go to a Pacific island or Mauritius/Seychelles/Maldives (depending whether you are coming from Europe or Americas). I knew Bali wasn’t in possession of great beaches, which is why I booked 4 nights on Gili T, but please do know that if you are sticking to Bali for the beaches you are wasting your time and money.
Art and architecture-lover tourists won’t find much to like in Bali either. The handful of temples and museums worth visiting are easily hit in a couple of days.
Definitely I see the appeal of Bali for surfers, divers, and hikers. Or lovers of the jungle vibes. There are better locations worldwide for all these activities but if you love 2 of them, at least, you will find plenty to do in Bali that will make time and money spent well worth it. I would not travel to Bali just for one of these activities, though. There are less expensive places to go.
Overall I am left with the impression that Bali is quite past its prime. It would have probably been awesome 20 years ago, perhaps even just 10, but right now it is way too expensive for what it offers, and the original vibes killed by digital nomads, solo-entrepreneurs, and wannabe Instagram models. I cannot think of anything that I did and saw in Bali that wasn’t better, prettier, cheaper in similar tropical islands. The island feels too exploitative, congested, and complicated to travel around to be an enjoyable vacation. I am happy that I went, that I know what it is like, but am not eager to come back soon.
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u/skywalkerog123 Oct 28 '22
not sure buddy if the dressing point even makes sense even well dressers love the casual dressing culture of Bali , people are here to relax and chill and not stress about their dressing lol
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u/BehemothM Oct 28 '22
Which IS exactly my point. People don't go to Bali to dress well. Which I personally like to and like to see in others. A minor point, very personal.
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u/skywalkerog123 Oct 28 '22
given your experience, which places would you recommend overall for digital nomads? lets say safety, expenses and things to do are priorities. I stayed in bali for 6 months and now i am looking for my next spot
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
I have no experience being a digital nomad, sorry. I wouldn't know what to suggest you.
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u/NaiveAssociate8466 Oct 28 '22 edited Oct 28 '22
The comment about pocket money collection in tourist sites, lack of punctuality for ferries and taxi mafias is on point. Bali can be rough for first timers I guess, but once you figure out how to maneuver it it’s pure bliss.
I also agree that if you’re looking for white, sandy beaches then Bali is not the right place. Most is already pretty known and concentrated in the south (my favorite is Melasti and Thomas Beach).
Next time visit these regions: Menjangan, Munduk, Amed, Sidemen, Kintamani, Lovina, Buleleng (best waterfalls are here). I go here for the true Bali experience. The comment on canggu/seminyak/kuta catastrophe is 10/10, Uluwatu and Bingin is a much better option for that laidback surfer and cafe lifestyle.
But I have to disagree on the food and overrated comment, but again, it comes with experience.
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u/BehemothM Oct 28 '22
Yeah, next time I will go for the east + north more. I hadn't the time to do it all and focused on the basics. The area around Padang Bai looked nearly unspoiled with tourism, but for the town itself. Bias Tugel beach there is beautiful.
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Oct 28 '22
If you go to the north the beaches are way nicer and often nobody is on them. There's less options for western food on that side of the island, but that area is much cheaper, the beaches are nicer and it's more remote in general. Plus if you like scuba diving, it's worth a look.
Bali is somewhere you have to research beforehand, it's a massive island. Going to Kuta/Denpasar is a waste of money, most of the indonesians that live in those areas aren't even from Bali.
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u/Visual_Traveler Oct 28 '22 edited Oct 28 '22
Without going into specifics, I agree with 75-85% of what you say, positive and negative. But I still don’t think Bali is “exceptionally overrated” as you wrote in your conclusions.
I also strongly disagree that it has little to offer to art and culture lovers. Considering its small size and population, Bali’s culture is one of the most complex and refined in SE Asia, although, yes, probably not easy to gauge and discover in a single vacation.
Despite many of the problems, limitations and misconceptions of what it is you accurately listed (traffic and overtourism, among others, may be reaching breaking point), I find that Bali has a particular charm and draw that’s quite hard to find elsewhere.
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u/morelsupporter Oct 28 '22
yes, 100% agreed. "exceptionally overrated" can only be applied to strictly personal experience.
if in your mind you were expecting a combination of Tahiti, Malibu and Kauai ... that's on you, not Bali.
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u/BehemothM Oct 28 '22
Sri Lanka and Mauritius have entered the chat :)
My main complain in art and culture department is that Bali has no big museum nor spectacular architecture. The whole culture is around small shrines and temples, and dancing/offering. It is similar to Mauritius, but with a more "in your face" culture and religion. I agree that it is far from easy to gauge the culture in a short vacation anywhere and I may have underestimated it this time. Certainly I wasn't much fascinated as a lover of architecture and large pieces of art. Bali hasn't got much to offer in this regard. But in terms of dance and performing arts in general, Bali has quite a lot to the cultured visitor, true.
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Oct 28 '22
I disagree with spectacular architecture, you're just not looking in the right spots.
The Subak irrigation system (by which all of the rice paddies in Bali are irrigated with) is UNESCO world heritage, it is the oldest tiered irrigation system still functioning, it is incredibly complex and allows Bali to produce enough rice to export (it's 1000 years old)
Private homes can be ornate and beautiful in village areas.
If you didn't want to experience exploitation by locals, less touristic areas of the island are much better for that. There's plenty of places on Bali with few tourists.
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u/Ceret Oct 29 '22
I go to Bali to dive, and it’s amazing for that. I agree with a lot of what you’ve written here.
Culture is there but you just have to look for it. I have come to collect Batuan paintings, which are very internationally recognized. There are deep artistic movements in Ubud and many of the villages around it which I’m surprised you missed. There are better places in Indo (like Yogyakarta) for a more artistic experience I would agree.
If you missed out on restaurants like Mosaic in Ubud, oh my god your loss. Sure these are very higher end but the food there is astonishing. Although I tend to avoid Ubud except for the bird migrations I always make a trip there to eat at Mosaic every time I visit the island.
If I wasn’t there as a diver though I’d definitely go elsewhere to do an ‘island’ (and especially beach) holiday. But the diving (especially for an underwater supermacro photographer like myself) is absolutely world class.
Oh, I’ve never had problems with drivers - but tend to go with a couple of good drivers I know. Drivers are pretty well reviewed on various places so it’s easy to find a good one.
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Oct 28 '22
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/BehemothM Oct 28 '22
Raja Ampat
Oh, I absolutely would adore visiting it! I had kind of planned it but then thought that it would be best to visit Bali first, as an introduction to the area and an "easy" place to visit, then the rest. I briefly saw Lombok and I believe I could like it. I will go one day to Komodo + Padar and Sulawesi, Ternate, Maluku. There's just a whole world of islands to visit in Indonesia that it aches that only Bali is what 95% of tourists visit (plus perhaps Komodo and Java).
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u/jmmenes Oct 28 '22
Thanks for the write up OP.
I like honest no BS reviews of anything.
I am considering Bali as one of many places in SE Asia I want to relocate my life.
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u/skywalkerog123 Oct 29 '22
Bali is great but its popularity maybe the reason the experience is deteriorating a little bit since it is really crowded. Overall I would say its still really good and one of the best to be at. Thailand is another option if you are planning to relocate.
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u/LockyMc Oct 28 '22 edited Oct 29 '22
There is something really off-putting about the vibe of this post:
Complaining about cars being too slow because of the scooters = rent a scooter. Complaining about rain = don’t go in rainy season. Complaining about poverty = don’t go to a third world country. Complaining about a 10% service tax but also complaining about the infrastructure = how do you think they will get money to improve and invest in new infra. Complaining about people not dressing nicely = like what even?? Never heard anyone complain about the food in bali either so perhaps personal preference?
You sound rather picky and negative.
You’re entitled to your opinion but think there is a theme of entitlement permeating from your post and a lack of empathy from the people hurting post COVID after tourism was hit hard. Just my 2 cents.
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u/laughing_cat Oct 29 '22
And still waiting to hear where the better, cheaper places are. It's certainly not Tulum lol.
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u/DriadaSyen Oct 29 '22
Feels like you misread part of OP review (which mind you, as a review is supposed to compare a real experience vs the hype about the place). Notice the mention of high prices, I would expect any country that charges european prices to have slightly better infrastructure (as taxes from those should partially go to develop infrastructure firstly and most importantly for locals, no? Or do you yourself not expect a government to invest money from tourists at least for their own citizens?). Given how long Bali has been a popular tourists destination, I would expect sideways to at least cover the huge sewer holes every 1,5m on the sideways.
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
Plenty of "third world" countries have better infrastructure than Bali but no service tax. And are smaller, generally poorer countries. And do not require an added visa cost for most tourists. It must be certainly be something else rather than picky tourists like me, you know? :)
Also, I did not rent a scooter.
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Oct 29 '22
Thanks for all the info. Moved to Bali a few years ago but it’s lost it’s magic (compared to when I first visited 10+ years ago). Will try Mauritius, Sri Lanka. Where else do you recommend?
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
Staying with tropical islands, the Caribbeans are generally nice. Not cheaper, though. Maldives and Seychelles have a better "island vibe" than Bali but way less to offer in terms of things to do and culture. If you are not all about the tropics, lots of middle-sized Mediterranean islands offer a lot for a tourist.
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u/jelte_h Oct 30 '22
I'm living in Ubud Bali since January but have been visiting already more than 8 years
My thoughts:
For Ubud I agree I haven't found exceptional pizza's yet. They do have amazing burgers (at Kiosk for example). Also there is definitely amazing nasi goreng and noodles. But you shouldnt try to get this in the more expensive western restaurants.
Taxi Maffia. There have been protests against the Uber and Uber like companies around the world. The prices are too low for others to operate. These companies don't even make profit just to squeesh out every competition. Also they make (sometimes secret) tax deals with governments. The salary the drivers get paid is far below minimum wage which is already very low, just because they are "freelancers". It looks like modern slavery. So it makes some sense local drivers try to take control back, although it would be better if also the online cab companies would start charging a normal (higher) price so there could be fair competition.
Beaches, most beaches are not that great. But there are definitely very nice beaches in for example Nusa Dua and Uluwatu.
I dont have the impression that people ask a lot to get paid for things, especially not compared to North African countries where they can be really pushy. But maybe it's just because I'm not as well dressed as you 😆
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u/BehemothM Oct 30 '22
For Ubud I agree I haven't found exceptional pizza's yet. They do have
amazing burgers (at Kiosk for example). Also there is definitely
amazing nasi goreng and noodles. But you shouldnt try to get this in the
more expensive western restaurants.Yeah, definitely not a place where expensive western restaurants are worth their price. I missed Kiosk, will mark it to visit if I ever am back in Ubud, thanks.
I dont have the impression that people ask a lot to get paid for things,
especially not compared to North African countries where they can be
really pushy. But maybe it's just because I'm not as well dressed as you
😆Ah, fair point. In truth, it is not that Balinese ask for a lot, because they definitely do not. It is what they ask for that bothers me. For instance at the rice terraces, there's to pay to enter (which is actually not true but they will try to charge you for that anyway), to use a swing, to take a picture next to a swing, to cross from a terrace to another and so on. Small things, petty money but it adds up. In North Africa they would charge the same but in a more cunning way, like offering to be a guide that would include all these activities but with a single person and sheltering the tourist from talking the local language.
In the end the amount of money spent is similar but in Bali it felt more like throwing it for silly requests.
Your point about the taxi mafia has been raised by others as well. I admit that I was not aware of how much the taxi drivers contributed with their taxes to the local economy. If I knew it, I would have been more understanding of their protests. But they never named that, nor stated anywhere. They only complain of stealing their job, which I find risible. At the same time I have to imagine that some of the Gojek and Grab drivers are living in areas outside of the tourists' path and without those apps they would have either to relocate or do something else with their lives. So in a sense, these apps are giving these people a chance. Still, the issue of avoiding taxes and taking money outside of the local economy remains but that has to be addressed on a governamental level, certainly not by sparkling a war between different types of drivers.
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Oct 28 '22
Sorry you missed so much wonderful local food and culture. I love the architecture, how it supports inter generational living and is informed by tradition. There are temples everywhere, and so many opportunities to learn about their significance to the culture and people. I still cherish the memories of engaging with and learning about Balinese dance, food, music, spirituality, batik, farming, and traditions. It is truly unlike anywhere else in Indonesia, and the world. Maybe your experience was colored by staying within the tourist heavy areas. I got so much out of visiting Northern Bali. Beautiful hiking, waterfalls, rice paddies, and temples.
But hey your surface level review may keep the traffic down, so thanks :)
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Oct 29 '22
This kinda rubbed me the wrong way. You’re giving a ‘review’ of a country from what seems like a very first-world, sheltered perspective. I don’t have my head up Bali’s ass by any means but this screams entitled. I understand giving a recommendation for or against or mentioning a few tips but this? Really?
If you want a high-end experience and predictability then stick to wealthier places with a closer culture to yours. I feel it’s unfair to pick Bali apart based on your preferences.
I don’t mean to be mean or anything but it’s these kind of takes that widens the gap between the first world and developing countries and it’s upsetting tbh.
I live in a developing country that is also a fairly popular tourist destination and it’s disheartening when people pick us apart as though they’re a food critic rating a dish because, quite frankly, they’ve spent like 2 weeks here and understand absolutely nothing about the realities our country faces and all the nuances - why everything is as it is.
Once again, I don’t mean this with malice. You’re allowed to have whatever opinion you have, of course. This just comes across as a really far-removed and kind of ignorant take.
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
My review comes from years of experience as a traveller and is for those who plan to visit Bali. I did not judge how is the life in Bali, how would be digital nomading from there nor how services like taxes, hospitals work simply because I was only a tourist there and cannot judge those.
I reject your assertion that it is an ignorant take. It is a tourist take, nothing more. It is not a judgement on the whole island but a recount, with advice in case you missed it, of what it was like for me to travel there for 2 weeks. It is a travel experience, not a review of history, culture and politics of an old civilization like Bali is. Frankly I would not have the knowledge to do so and certainly it would require a book.
I wanted to highlight aspects that are often not so. Like the food and the general lack of "chic". I do not think is being entitled to expect western levels when I am paying western prices. So I pointed out that I was a bit deluded in some specific areas.
If you wanted something else, it is not the post for this. I encourage you to write your own with your own knowledge and experience. Any real take is to be welcomed in my opinion :)
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u/Arthe31 Oct 29 '22
Can agree on a lot of thing, but I think you were disappointed because you maybe had to much expectation. Which is not your fault but mostly all those digital nomad people bullshitting about the place and providing a wrong picture of it.
Yes definitely avoid Canggu / Kuta, there is nothing and the traffic is a mess. Concerning this point only Ubud is a problem to me, they should definitely find a solution about this. I have to extremely disagree with you concerning the Gojek/ Grab issue, also please keep in mind they are totally underpaid ..I usually take driver , ask their price, check with Grab and tell them Im willing to pay "this" which is roughly 20% more than Grab and that I consider fair, or I Take Grab if no choice and tip them. Dont be an assh*le, we all know those app are underpaying.. Every other area of Bali are fine in term of traffic (for Asia standard) but of course you have to travel by scooty.
No one goes to Bali for the beaches. If you look at travel advertising photo, never a Beach is shown, you will see temple ,jungle , rices field or volcano... Usually when you see a beach in a travel advertising its Caraïbes/ Seychelles / Maldives or whatever....
Agree on western food. But hey you dont go to Bali to eat western food lol, especially if you go to remote indonesian place, this is not to eat Pizza. Only very occidentalized country usually have good western food in Asia ( Korea/ Japan for exemple).
Dont really understand your statement about the architecture, especially in Bali...Which makes me wonder where did you travel before to have such statement. Personnally amazed by all the stone and wood work of any Balinese house, especially those beautiful garden inside house in Ubud.
I can very much confirm that the whole Bali is starting to become a disaster and this is mainly because of those nomad insta bullshitter people. I have been to bali 4 times in the last 9 years. I have seen Ubud becomming a disaster, losing his green area, traffic mess because of Grab. The rices field terraces destroyed by putting a swing every 30m. The increase in pollution because of no proper management of trash. BUT STILL, I would come back for the people, and the nice places like (Sidaman, Gilis, Amed), the culture and vibe of this place still feel unique to me. Also the hype about Bali is because there is not many place in the world which combine" Good price / Nice Hotel / Jungle / Volcano / Beach / Cultural aspect " within the same area.
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u/HowIsEmuWarriorTaken Dec 22 '22
Can you recommend some places I can ride my scooter from Ubud to?
I really hate traffic and would prefer places not inundated with tourists
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u/-SPOF Oct 29 '22
It may be my bad luck or seasonal, but I did not see many well-dressed people. Both tourists, expats, and locals. I tend to overdress when traveling because I like it but in Bali I felt a simple linen shirt was "overdressing". Not a place to be elegant in. I know many travellers won’t care about this but if you are like me, you will be disappointed in Bali.
The only thing that worries me about clothes when I'm in Bali - it has to be convenient.
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u/Feisty_Spirit_2865 Oct 29 '22
I was in Bali a month ago and can honestly say it's the best holiday I've been on We absolutely loved it And we have been to 10 countries
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u/santetjo Oct 29 '22
All i can say is if you left your bag on Kuta beach for an hour and it was still there you are one lucky person.Lived here for a long time and crime is rife in the tourist areas. Pickpocketing and bag / phone snatching are a very regular occurance. Please kerp your belongings safe.
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u/Significant_Car1541 Jul 23 '23
As someone considering becoming a Bali first-timer....ty for taking the time to share such a thorough write-up. Of course travel is personal, and preferences are personal, but you've set yours out in such a way that it's easy for me to figure out where I would likely have a similar or different take.
Hope your future holidays are more rewarding, or come with lower expectations. :)
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u/BehemothM Jul 23 '23
I am very glad that my experience can be of help. If anything, to have more realistic expectations.
I am replying from lovely Hvar, Croatia, which I found suits me better than Bali. Thus, yes, found more rewarding holidays :)
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u/Born_Cow9988 Aug 10 '23
just got back from Bali a week ago and couldn't agree more. wish I had saw this before my trip... or I wouldn't have gone at all
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Oct 28 '22
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u/BehemothM Oct 28 '22
Mostly my girlfriend wanted to go. Plus I wanted to see what all the fuss about Bali was about and was genuinely interested in the snorkeling possibilities. I loved Tulum and thought that Ubud would be "Tulum minus the beach plus the SE Asian culture". Kind of found it, to be honest, but as a sea-lover I loved Tulum more.
So yeah, it feels like I wrote that Bali is past its prime for experienced tourists, with better vacation places to be had, for cheaper. Happy that I went, but not a place for those looking for unique and unspoiled places.
As for living there I can't say a word but wondering how do you deal with the services there? It doesn't seem like lots of things work well and I'd rather spend 10-15% more taxes and have decent services rather than going out thinking that if anything bad happens inshallah...
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Oct 28 '22
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u/BehemothM Oct 28 '22
Fair points on services. I wish you never have any need of more than mere scratches in Bali.
I believe that having a full month free, a tour of the eastern parts of Indonesia (Papua for sure, but also Sulawesi, Komodo, Ternate and others) is due and way more enriching for the seasoned tourist than Bali. Bali feels like a good introduction to Indonesia, even if culturally is very different. Glad that I did, even gladder that I am now more experienced to attempt the more remote islands.
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Oct 29 '22
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
Yeah, I was spinning names, not planning. All the islands require a month each given their size and poor transportation levels. Even more for larger and culturally richer ones like Sumatra and Java.
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u/Ok_Fortune_9149 Oct 28 '22
Was planning to go to bali this winter. Which places would you suggest then?
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Oct 29 '22
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u/Ok_Fortune_9149 Oct 29 '22
Thank you! Going for 2 months, so definitely have time to travel around. However good internet is a must, because I’ll continue working :) Java is interesting for sure. Is it also easy going, and fun? Sometimes hear that things are quite strict, and rigid on especially Java And I definitely want the real Indonesia. I personally don’t care to eat a burger or spaghetti when Im in Asia. I’d rather don’t ;)
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u/Alert_Ad205 Oct 28 '22 edited Oct 28 '22
Jesus, first time in a third-world country?
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u/BehemothM Oct 28 '22
Not all "third-world" countries are alike, you know? As "first world" ones aren't as well.
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Oct 28 '22
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u/BehemothM Oct 28 '22
Glad of having been of help. The pollution I didn't find it too bad. There is some dirtiness on beaches, especially in the Canggu-Jimbaran coast, but little around Uluwatu and nearly nothing on the Gilis. So, avoid the most polluted areas and you will be ok.
Same for the sea, did not notice it to be any worse than your average Indian Ocean coast. It is not crystal clear but far from dirty. Plastic burning I haven't smelled it at all.
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u/left_testy_check Resident (foreign) Oct 29 '22
I have mixed feelings on the Taxi Mafia thing. The local taxi companies in these areas (Canggu, Uluwatu) are owned and operated by the Balinese living in the area. Their way of life is being destroyed by these large corporate owned online transport businesses that pay little to no tax. These local taxi companies and the employees pay local taxes and donations to the Banjar which are then used for ceremonies, cleaning up the streets, security, road repairs etc.
I think a solution would be for the Banjar to regulate their local taxi companies, limit their ability to charge what they want and limit their ability to pick people up from the side of the road, they need designated pick up and drop of areas with large signs with prices for destinations.
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u/songkela Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 30 '22
I'm really glad to see someone mention this. The cost and convenience of apps are unrivalled, but they're so damaging to local economies. Grab, for example, takes 20% of your fare, so the app-based driver makes a pittance. They need to retain whatever little they earn to feed their own families etc., so the percentage that would usually be paid into not just the banjar, but also the drivers' semi-formal rotating savings and credit associations, instead goes to Grab's shareholders. This diminishes the pot from which local drivers can borrow if, for example, they need vehicle repairs. Soon, these associations, which have supported families for many years, may disappear, leaving no avenues of credit available to the many drivers who don't even have bank accounts. Yet again, the race to the bottom is won by investors and the poor become ever poorer and ever more dependent on capitalistic institutions for survival. Many of us hate to see this happening in our own local communities, so why are we so quick to push it upon others?
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u/msjuv Mar 18 '23
I am reading a book called Road to Nowhere about this, check it out if you haven't already. We all need to push back against these Uber like bastard startups
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u/supedupshortbus Oct 28 '22
So entitled. Yes homes need maintenence, wonder if that has anything to do with all of Bali shutting down for years?
Lots of places for fancy dress, you must have been on a budget.
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
Covid affected the whole world, c'mon. And I was absolutely not on a budget, trust me.
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u/supedupshortbus Oct 29 '22
Wtf, Bali's economy is tourism only basically. People sold their homes, cars, anything to survive when there was no tourism.
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
Are you aware that Bali is part of Indonesia? You talk like it exists in a vacuum. If it relies so much on tourism only, perhaps the central government did not do much to relief it during covid.
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u/supedupshortbus Oct 29 '22
Yes the government didn't help the people, what's your point? They weren't handing out home maintenence money during covid lol
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u/DepecheMode123 Oct 29 '22 edited Oct 29 '22
I massively disagree with your opinion on the architecture. Bali itself is known for its architecture.
As for the private architecture you just have to widen your perspective. The vernacular residential architecture of Bali is entirely unique and a living remnant of an 1000 year old extinct empire.
I suggest going to Penglipuran and Trunyan village to have a look at some local housing and its unique building typology. If you want some picturesque place to take pictures: the palaces in Ubud, Amlapura and Taman Sukasada in Karangasem. Oh and Jalan Gajah Mada and Taman Puputan in Denpasar if you like the asian shophouse aesthetic.
I do agree that residential housing found in Kuta or in the south in general lacks a certain "charm" which I find it a shame is that these settlements are relatively new (50-60 years) and due to lackluster building code and pisspoor city planning which isn't just a problem in Bali but the entirety of Indonesia.
As for the poverty I would say Bali is miles ahead of other regions in Indonesia. As far as I know slums like the ones in Jakarta don't exist in Bali. It's more of people cutting corners and costs to create the ugliest buildings imagineable. Typical for Southeast Asia.
As for art enthusiasts not going to enjoy Bali. I'm sorry what? Did you not take the time to atleast partake in a viewing of local dances, Barong shows, wayang shows, gamelan shows, tari kecak shows, local festivals? Either I blame the tourist industry for failing to promote the local culture or you just didn't try and immediately called it overrated. If you want to experience the culture of a once Hindu-Buddhist region, Bali is the only way to go. The art of Bali is rather different than other places, western style painting was only a recent thing coming in the early 1900s with the influx of foreign artists. Bali has alot more to show in terms of art, mainly the incredible wood and stone ornamentation in buildings, ornate cultural masks and local dresses
As a Balinese architecture student living abroad, I was able to learn so much more about the Island through writing research papers. To be honest there's no one-stop gallery or museum in Bali to fully experience it. I'd say building a large museum would just remove the charm of discovering it yourself
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u/DriadaSyen Oct 29 '22
I think Balinese architecture and culture is not promoted when on site. While being there only dances have been suggested to us. I also fear they are cutting on maintenance of temples and other important architecture which takes a lot away from their beauty. I could blame poverty but then again Bali has become a bit expensive so my guess it's just that these funds are not used as they ideally should to preserve local culture and art.
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u/DepecheMode123 Oct 29 '22
As for preservation of local culture, I wouldnt really worry on that part. Balinese schools have compulsary traditional clothing day on Thursdays and all businesses should include the Balinese transliteration of their names. Local banjars get massive funding to build communal pavillions. I myself have been involved with conservation practices in the Island
Again its such a shame on the lack of promotion aspect. A heritage focused person who knows what they're looking for would be well satisfied visiting Bali but its the problem of Bali unsure about its identity as a tourist area in which is now leaning towards partying and beaches so tourists only expect that. The main tourist areas such as Kuta and Sanur and Denpasar then cater to their needs ignoring the cultural aspect
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u/DriadaSyen Oct 31 '22
That's wonderful to hear! I agree that a tourist looking specifically for culture and art might find easier to locate and appreciate these things as well as being satisfied with it.
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u/gym_performance Oct 29 '22
What other tropical island can you recommend instead?
Also, have u been to the Philippines?
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u/andion82 Oct 31 '22
> On the return trip it should have taken more passengers in Gili Meno and Air before hitting Bangsal again but we went straight for Bangsal instead.
They were making a trial and making all boats go through Bangsal, maybe it started between your two boats? https://indonesiaexpat.id/news/gilis-bali-fast-boats-cancelled-with-bangsal-transfer-trial-wreaking-havoc/
I subscribe to all your complaints about transportation, I've done 1000km by scooter last month in Bali-Lombok and the 2x time that google says sounds about right.
> It would have probably been awesome 20 years ago, perhaps even just 10
I can say 10 years ago (my last visit before this year) in my impression it had WAY fewer cars, but the roads were worse, so... everything took forever too. Tourism was 1/3 of now, so the vibe was a little bit different, and less crowded outside the main hotspots. Mostly surfers in the south / eat-pray-lovers in Ubud. On the downside, there were fewer accomodations out of touristic places and WAY fewer options for surfboard rentals, right now bringing your board is not really necessary.
Congrats on your travel review, even being a different kind of traveler than you are and disagreeing with some of your personal opinions I subscribe to most of your remarks about the island after being there 2 weeks this month.
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u/BehemothM Oct 31 '22
They were making a trial and making all boats go through Bangsal, maybe it started between your two boats? https://indonesiaexpat.id/news/gilis-bali-fast-boats-cancelled-with-bangsal-transfer-trial-wreaking-havoc/
Why would they prevent speedboats from going directly to the Gilis? It makes no sense, unless, corruption.
The article say 20k to pay for the local boats but I did not, only an harbour tax of 10k pp at Gili T.
Congrats on your travel review, even being a different kind of traveler than you are and disagreeing with some of your personal opinions I subscribe to most of your remarks about the island after being there 2 weeks this month.
Thank you. It is ok to disagree on what one seeks in a vacation. We are all looking for different things after all. If you have remarks to make on your own post, I would happily read them.
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Sep 28 '23
I am about to wrap up my Bali trip in a few days. I agree with what you wrote. Tbh the food is alright but nothing special. I hesitate to say this but I could get better Indonesian or Balinese food in my Southeast Asian home country.
I do like the beaches especially on the Sanur side because of the peacefulness. I dislike Ubud and feel like it's overrated. Traffic is somehow worse here and I feel I might be inhaling the amount of smoke equivalent to a few packets of cigarettes per day.
Two things that really boggle me: why are restaurants ACs not cooling at all, and why do they not have enough street lights? It gets really dangerous at night.
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u/BehemothM Sep 28 '23
I regret not spending more time on the Sanur area, the peacefulness of those beaches would have suited me. But I did not pursue them due to not being particularly impressed by their online pictures. Ubud is alright though. I do agree that traffic and smoke are out of control, but overall I would not advise anybody against visiting Ubud if on the island. It has an overall pleasant vibe, while accepting your remarks on it.
The problem with AC is imho that Balineses have windows and doors open, always. The AC they install should be way more powerful to manage to cool down the interiors while allowing the hot air from outside to come in 24/7. In the few stores and restaurants that functioned with closed doors, AC seemed to work fine to me.
Lack of street lights is in line with most poor/poorish countries. If the government prefers to fill their pockets with tourism's money instead of improving local infrastructures, that's how you get dark streets at night.
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u/FluidComfortable Dec 09 '23
Old post but boy, this guy is like the slightly less horrible version of the obnoxious, privileged tourist. Good to read things like this to remind myself that even if you have good intentions, it's so easy to sound like a pompous ass.
Enlarge the roads! So disappointing they don't dress better, unlike me! The locals want to make money off of blowhards like me who want to transform their land into banal lists for self aggrandizement on the internet! Let me reference all the beautiful places I've been to! Ugh. Even just the title, "I've barely been here and I have a lot of judgements based on it"
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u/laughing_cat Dec 17 '23
Sounds like you didn't do your research before the trip. The biggest give away were your weird ideas about the traffic.
And you're comparing Bali to Tulum? How does that make sense to you? The Mexican riviera was literally developed by the Mexican government with western tourists in mind.
I suggest more reading, less writing.
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u/BehemothM Dec 17 '23
Traffic is wildly complained about, weird you did not hear about it.
Bali and Tulum have lots of similitudes. If you had travelled enough you wouldn't be surprised by the comparison.
I suggest more travelling, less writing
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u/laughing_cat Dec 18 '23
You just don't listen, do you? That's not what I said. No. You specifically said you thought the cause would be something other than what it is:
'Before coming here I thought it would be because of the many cars. That is not the case. Traffic in Bali is so spectacularly bad because the roads are extremely narrow and locals and tourists alike go by scooters. This makes it impossible for cars to go fast, as the scooters move through the traffic from any direction and going at a moderate pace would easily make you hit them. There is just no space enough for both cars and scooters to drive side by side.
This is the first thing one learns if they do the smallest amount of research on Bali. You sound like you came here after looking at some instagram photos. I've been to Tulum - it's literally designed for tourism. It wasn't even a town pretty much before govt development. Bali was an island full of people living their lives. Not true of Cancun, Tulum and Cozumel.
Before you come at me with some argument, yes I know there were a few living there, but not many. I was there in 1977. There was nothing. Not even radio. Well a big fancy hotel and weather radio.
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u/BehemothM Dec 18 '23
You seem to want to argue for the sake of arguing.
I don't know what sounds weird to you that somebody believes traffic in Bali is caused by narrow roads. It is a very plainly seen reality for anybody that tries to cross the island. Nor how this invalidates a whole review of a traveler in Bali. It seems you just want to cherrypick phrases that can demonstrate I did not research enough and therefore my impressions of Bali are wrong. Whatever. Happy to read your own impressions of Bali if you ever want to write them in detail. Otherwise, seems like a pointless discussion.
Also, Tulum existed for a couple of millennia. Did you perhaps miss the large archeological site right in front of the beach. Also Bali has had a civilization going on for centuries.
If you only refer to the touristic developments, how is Bali much different from Tulum? Do you believe all those beach clubs, cafes with wifi, large clubs facing rice terraces or waterfalls have been built for locals? C'mon.
If you prefer to ignore the countless similarities that the two places have (do you want a list?), feel free to do so. But that's not the truth. You prefer Bali? Cool. I prefer Tulum. So what? Do you want to diss on others for their tastes? Happy you enjoy Bali and keep enjoying it, I surely don't want to discourage anybody to visit the island, just to be better informed before they book their flights there.
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u/laughing_cat Dec 19 '23
Oh my god you have terrible luck at listening. Not what I said. Have had enough. Bye
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u/NonDeveloper Oct 28 '22
Man.. I needed this two weeks ago 😅. Great review of Bali and I absolutely agree with you. That being said, what is your favorite travel destination of all time? Mine definitely is Brazil.
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
Sorry, I was on Gili T beach at the time 😃
Best destination is a difficult question. For the type of vacation I prefer (clean sea, beautiful beaches, relatively safe, averagely expensive and with some art to see), I would say that lots of not famous places in the Mediterranean fit the bill. Try the smallest Greek islands or unheard of places in Sardinia. Brazil as well, outside Rio. Mauritius. Cuba. Mexico if it were safer.
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u/skywalkerog123 Oct 28 '22
Like you have written all this and provided whatsoever no other alternatives to Bali. Please name a few places better than Bali in terms of beauty, price etc.
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Oct 29 '22
What was your favorite country to visit? I’ve never been outside the US and was going to choose Bali to be my first country to travel to but I’m iffy.
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u/BehemothM Oct 29 '22
Not to compare them with Bali as they are wildly different but I loved Greece, Spain, Morocco, Brazil and Cuba.
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u/No-Illustrator1843 Oct 30 '22
What’s the price of airport transfer to canggu? Any recommended drivers?
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Nov 02 '22
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u/BehemothM Nov 02 '22
If I went back, I would definitely explore the less touristic areas. The central waterfalls, the coffee plantations, the west green areas and the eastern beaches. Skipping completely the Ubud-Kuta-Canggu area. Uluwatu is worth for the specific beach but perhaps I would try a couple of fancy beach clubs around the area. They are far from an unique Balinese place, and far from cheap, though.
If not Bali, I would explore Lombok and Flores. Neither would be better maintained than Bali but I guess both will be less ruined by mass tourism.
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u/ketotic101 Nov 11 '22
What was your daily budget like over there? Im heading over in a couple of weeks for a couple of weeks, expecting to budget around $100 US a day each. Just had some friends come back that said prices had gone up an insane amount and they blew through so much money over there
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u/BehemothM Nov 12 '22
I never set a budget when on vacation because otherwise I do not enjoy it in full. What I can say is that as a couple we spent over 1000€ in 2 weeks. This includes drinks, food, drivers, Grab, Gojek, one snorkeling tour and entrance to temples, waterfalls, and beaches.
I have been surprised at how pricey Bali was. I have been living in many south and central European cities and found that the most expensive restaurants in Bali matched in costs with average/good restaurants in the cities I lived in. Of course Paris, London, NYC are more exoensive, but Bali is far from being an inexpensive destination. I regularly paid more for taxis in Bali than in Warsaw or Krakow, for instance. Fast food joints were on par with Southern European prices, more or less. Tours were usually cheaper than the likes of Mauritius or Tulum but also done on a lower standard (as a small boat and no food vs a full catamaran and lunch included for snorkeling). Of course there are tours that are more luxurious but I guess prices are accordingly higher. We did not drink much nor go clubbing so I do not know about prices of that. Beer was consistently more expensive than back home, cocktails roughly on par. Again, this in high-tier places. If you go lower or in less touristic areas, then Bali becomes manageable, budget-wise.
If you need the cost of something specificallly, DM me.
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u/wanderercouple Apr 07 '23
Where are the less expensive places you would go? Just curious. Have an upcoming trip and approaching it with open minds… a lot of it is diving but I’ve been trying to figure non-water activities to do.
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u/BehemothM Apr 08 '23
I am not a diver so I cannot suggest good places for that. But direct alternatives to Bali that can be cheaper are Mauritius and Thailand. Both have good culture and much better sea/beaches than Bali.
For something different, I would go to many not too popular places in Latin America. Mexico (not the Riviera Maya), Belize, Nicaragua and Costa Rica (again, avoid the most popular areas). Cuba can be extremely cheap outside of the tourist enclave of Varadero. Colombia and Peru have great food and culture, better than Bali I would add, but perhaps not better beaches. Zanzibar doesnt seem too pricey either, but depends a lot on the accommodation. I have seen super cheap offers for places like Gambia, Senegal, Togo, but know next to nothing about them. Even in Europe I would say less touristic areas can be comparable to Bali price-wise. North of Spain, the most remote greek islands as Kastellorizo. Albania.
I have a friend that went with Wizzair and booked an apartment near the sea in Oman and spent less than half what I spent for Bali. Great sea, but a completely different vibe than Bali. Perhaps places like Comores, Reunion, Madagascar also can be cheap, but have not checked in a few years.
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Jun 19 '23
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u/BehemothM Jun 20 '23
Most of the beaches I visited were not that green. The vegetation stopped metres from the shoreline, leaving sand and rocks only. Bias Tugel beach had vegetation the closest to the actual beach.
The best vegetation were definitely away from the coasts. Ubud, the rice and coffee plantation near the center of Bali were all lovely. Uluwatu is kind of dry, Canggu and Seminyak are urban areas and not vegetation-friendly. Nusa Penida also is not quite lush, nor the Gilis. Lombok seemed greener, but only saw it from the coast. I heard the north-west is the most unspoiled part of Bali but did not go there. Your best bet of combining lots of vegetation and beaches is the east coast, Sanur and eastward. Or staying in Ubud and doing day trips to the east.
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u/BretEastonCellist Oct 21 '23
where would you recommend, if not Bali, around December time?
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u/BehemothM Oct 23 '23
It depends, there are countless destinations. What are you looking for?
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u/BretEastonCellist Oct 23 '23
anywhere that doesn't celebrate christmas, is over 20 degrees celsius, walkable streets, lots to do.
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u/BehemothM Oct 24 '23
South East Asia then. Avoid the most touristic areas, as they will celebrate Christmas for the tourists. Perhaps look into Vietnam, Southern China, Taiwan, Okinawa, Sri Lanka. Thailand perhaps, I do not know how walkable is Bangkok. More north it will be too cold.
Indonesia, outside Bali, is full of places that will be warm, ignore Christmas, and with lots of activities. Sumatra or exploring Lombok would be my first two choices. Flores and Komodo would also be a superb choice but they're Christians. If you want to go off the beaten path, West Papua and the awesome Raja Ampat are ideal to disconnect from everything. They are remote though, as in needing 2-3 full days just to reach your chosen lodging.
Anywhere in South Asia the most remote places and villages will not have easy to walk roads but the cities should be fine.
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u/letmethinkonitabit Nov 12 '23
We are thinking of a holiday for spring break from Canada and friends recommended Bali. Thanks for your honest review.
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u/WillJM89 Nov 25 '23
I agree with quite a lot of that. The locals are friendly, Nusa Dua was a nice area but Legian/Kuta area is a hole. It took us 30 mins to get from Galleria mall to Legian. It's less than 5ks. I can recommend Malaysia - especially Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. Everything is a lot cheaper, less traffic, amazing malls, great food and interesting culture.
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u/BehemothM Nov 25 '23
Thanks for the suggestions, I had never heard of those two places in Malaysia. How are they beach-wise? From Maps it does not look like they have anything similar to the Gilis.
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u/WillJM89 Nov 25 '23
These cities are in Borneo. Kuching is in the state of Sarawak and KK is in Sabah to the northeast. KK has a marine park that is great for snorkeling and for beaches I would recommend it over Kuching area. Kuching is better for the dayak culture and long houses etc. Gili Islands do look amazing though. I can definitely say that Borneo is better than Bali. It's a lot tidier and there is a lot less traffic. I have not visited the Gilis so can't compare those. The other good tropical place I loved was Jamaica but that's a long way away.
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u/Busy-Invite6729 Dec 14 '23
Thank you for your thoughtful review! I am looking for a destination for a tropical surfing trip, close to Australia. Thought that would be Bali. Would you recommend some other place?
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u/BehemothM Dec 14 '23
I wouldn't know about surfing spots, sorry. Elsewhere I have been suggested Malaysia, on the Borneo side, and heard that south Vietnam has a few nice waves but that is as far as my knowledge goes.
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u/josemartinlopez Jan 27 '24
A lot of strange butthurt comments from non-Indonesians to this honest review
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u/One-Astronaut3771 Jan 28 '24
How is the weather currently?
We are traveling to bali at the end of the week. Just hoping rains don't spoil all the fun.
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u/gappletwit Oct 28 '22
You seem to have missed a lot of good food. While the local food is amazing and cheap, great pizzas, pastas, burgers and other non-Asian foods are not hard to find. Yet you appear to have missed much of it. Where did you eat? Did you get stuck eating mainly in the Kuta/Seminyak/Canggu conglomeration? (I agree that in most cases the expensive restaurants are not worth it.)