Unfortunately, Bali is now overrun with tourism. But never fear, because there are still places which are less populated and with new restaurants and bars opening up constantly, each area is being constantly revived in some way.
Here is a brief rundown of where you should and shouldn’t go and what you need to know about each recommended place.
Boycott Kuta
The Kuta town is trashy, dirty and filled with young, paralytic backpackers. Even though it’s close to Seminyak and other areas, the whole Kuta vibe is very different and I feel misrepresents Bali as a whole. If you are a young backpacker looking for an area to meet people and party til dawn, then Kuta is the spot for you! For everyone else, I recommend steering clear of Kuta (not to be confused with North Kuta).
Spend less time in Seminyak
Seminyak is a must visit in Bali, but keep in mind it’s overpriced (by Bali standards), crowded and very commercialised. Although you really should head there and maybe even stay there too, as it’s home to some awesome restaurants, bars, beach bars and places to stay - both new and established.
Just wondering the streets you’ll find amazing street art, cafes, boutiques and massage parlours every few meters. There is always something to do in Seminyak and it’s good to stay here since it’s easy to get around the south of the island from here. Do be very careful as this is where most of the cashpoint and taxi scams take place. Keep your wits about you, especially if you’re a solo traveler. There are some great airbnbs around Kerobokan too - which I am tying in with Seminyak.
From Seminyak I would recommend exploring more of the south of the island as there are many quirky places to visit outside of Seminyak.
Full review of Seminyak coming soon!
Roam Canggu
Canggu has been up and coming for a couple of years now and is home to some of the best hipster eateries and boutiques (for those of you who like the Balinese fashion) and at a much cheaper price than you would find in Seminyak. It's got a very laid back feel, with many travellers roaming with wet hair fresh from the surf, falling in and out of coffee shops, sipping green smoothies and coconut lattes.
It’s an easy place to roam and there are plenty hidden gems everywhere. Canggu has an amazing food scene. My recommended places to check out in Canngu are:
The Shady Shack, Motion Cafe, The Lawn (beach bar), Love Anchor Market, Finn’s Beach Bar, Thai & Co and Cafe Organic.
Full review of Canggu coming soon!
Chill in Uluwatu
image via Pintrest
Now what I said about Bali not being good for beaches.. if you make it to Uluwatu, and the other spots along the southern coast, then you can ignore that. The beaches here are some of the best in Bali, and much cleaner than anywhere else. You’ll find 5* resorts, some great beach bars, beaches for surfing and tanning. Great for a romantic escape with some seriously instagramable shots.
Thing to do in Uluwatu: bonfire on the beach at Sunday's Beach Club, chill in an infinity pool overlooking the sea, The Cashew Tree for healthy eats, watch the sunset at The Banyan Tree (Bali's most southern tip), surf at Padang-Padang beach, get a guide to help you explore the secret beaches (some of which are stunning by the way!) and caves!
Honeymooners
Bali is a popular proposal and honeymoon destination. I would recommend Nusa Dua, Sanur or Jimbaran for a quieter Bali experience, all are potential honeymoon destinations. The hotels are beautiful and these locations are perfect for some privacy. There isn't as much nightlife in any of these places, but you can always hire taxis or drivers to take you elsewhere for day trips. I would probably include Uluwatu in this too!
Get lost in the jungle
Bali Swing - image via Pintrest
Ubud. What a magical place. Ubud is situated in the middle of green rice paddies, making it one of the greenest, developed places to visit in Bali. Come here for a true Balinese experience and explore the art and culture capital. Ubud town is small and pretty hippy. It's where all the main eateries and bars are. I would recommend staying a little away from the town where the accommodation tends to be much nicer and you can find some really breath taking views. You can grab yourself an incredible villa with a private pool, overlooking the jungles of Bali for a fraction of the price of staying in Europe.
Recommended things to do: Bali Swing (for Instagram and steemit posts alone if nothing else), Tegenungan Waterfall, take a yoga class overlooking the greenery of Bali, visit a coffee plantation, go trekking, take a bicycle and explore Ubud.
Full review of Ubud coming soon!
Hope this helps decide where you want to spend your time in Bali. If you would like me to write about in anything in particular, please just let me know in the comments below.
Reviews on where to get your vegan fix in Seminyak and Canngu coming soon along with a review of Ubud!
*photographs are mine unless otherwise stated