Well, I have been to so many places in Bali, including Ubud, Seminyak, and Jatiluwih Rice Terraces. I’ve also visited the iconic Tanah Lot Temple, Kuta Beach, and the historical cave temple of Goa Gajah. Everywhere I went, the Balinese were welcoming, warm, and friendly. 

The Balinese culture is heavily influenced by the Hindu culture. Although you will appreciate their delicious cuisine like Nasi Campur, western foods like pizza are over-running the place. The traffic congestion can also be quite annoying.

So, if you are wondering if Bali is overrated, we’ve got you covered in this article. You’ll learn the whole truth about the island of the Gods and then we’ll conclude with our verdict.

Let’s dive right into it.

Why do tourists and travelers like Bali so much?

Bali is also known as the Island of the Gods. 

While some visitors say it is overrated, others say that it is the best travel destination they’ve ever visited. We’ll return to the naysayers in the next section. 

Meanwhile, here are some of the things you’ll find interesting in Bali;

Indonesian Cuisine

I travel to discover new places, take photographs, and taste the best foods from various cultures. 

My first time to visit Bali was after the COVID19 pandemic. We arrived at Ngurah Rai International Airport in Denspasar feeling tired and hungry.

The chauffer picked us and drove us to the Ayan Resort for supper. The menu had several international cuisines, but I chose a traditional Balinese meal. 

I ordered Rendang, a beef coconut curry. 

It is cooked with coconut milk and other spices for several hours, preserving the meat’s taste and flavor. If you are traveling to Bali, you should try Rendang.

Other mouthwatering Balinese cuisines include Babi Guling, Nasi Campur, and Bebek Betutu. 

If you are a vegan, you will enjoy dishes like Tempeh Satay and Dadar Gulung.

Luxury accommodations

Bali is underrated when it comes to luxury accommodations. Some of the most affordable and luxury five-star hotels like the Ritz-Carlton, Ayan Resort, and Aman Villas are based here. 

These luxury accommodations are spread throughout Bali from Ubud to Uluwatu, and Nusa Dua. They offer top-notch amenities such as luxury beddings, bathtubs, and free internet access.

During our 3-day stay at Ayan Resort, we were treated to a spacious room that offered significant privacy and seclusion. The views of the rice paddies were spectacular.

Even if you are on a budget, you’ll still find exceptional accommodations in Bali that have pools, spa, stunning views, and personalized services that can meet your expectations.When it comes to accommodation, its best to consult a trusted tour operator.

Active beach clubs

Are you a partygoer?

Whether you are in Seminyak, Kuta, or Canggu, you can find amazing beach clubs to enjoy the nightlife. The most popular ones are Infinity Beach Club, El Kabron, and Cocoon Beach Club. 

They offer several amenities and enjoyable activities that will allow you to enjoy the ocean and the beach comfortably. You’ll enjoy crystal-clear pools, spa services, and high-quality catering. 

When choosing a beach club in Bali, consider the views of the beach, the cost, and the foods they offer. They are perfect spots for celebrating birthdays and weddings.

Sometime last year, I met my online team in Seminyak and threw a party at the Cocoon Beach Club. The ambience, customer service, and excitement at the club were remarkable.

Beautiful rice paddies

Bali is also home to beautiful rice paddies. They are part and parcel of the Balinese heritage.

You can see them in Jatiluwih, Rendang, and Tegallalang among many other places. 

Jatiluwih Rice Terraces are the most popular among them, stretching some more than 600 hectares. In 2012, UNESCO recognized it among the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. 

The rice terraces are a testament of nature and the ingenuity of the people of Bali.  They’ve created a harmonious layered pattern that is aligned with the contours of the mountains. 

The Tegallalang rice paddy is much smaller but more accessible than Jatiluwih.

To capture the breathtaking essence of the terraces, visit Bali in May through August. 

And if you want to take adorable photos along the rice terraces, the best time to do it is in the morning and late afternoon.

Balinese culture

Balinese culture was influenced by Hinduism, which explains their intimate connection with nature. Therefore, the locals are deeply spiritual, communal, and artistic. 

There are over 20,000 temples to visit in Bali. 

If you visit Tanah Lot Temple, Uluwatu Temple, or Besakih Temple, you are most likely to see the locals practicing certain rituals and making offerings.

The locals are friendly, warm, and welcoming to every visitor. This is a special trait you won’t see among the foreigners, who often go past each other like total strangers.

However, the Balinese culture has been overly monetized, that you may need to pay for even the simplest of their cultural experiences.

Reasons why Bali is overrated

Here are some of the reasons why Bali is overrated;

Whether you search on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok, the number one reason why Bali is overrated is the snowballing of global influencers.

Most influencers who visit Bali are sponsored by tour and travel companies.
These sponsorships allow them to spend several days and nights in the Island of the Gods at the expense of these agencies. In other words, they don’t spend a dime.

In return, the influencers they promote only the positives of Bali by posting amazing beach photos to endorse the companies that provided them these offers.

At the end of the day, you’ll find that the internet is filled with half-truths about Bali.

1. Heart wrenching traffic congestion

The first thing you’ll notice the moment you land in Bali is the heavy traffic congestion. 

You see, the roads in Kuta, Ubud, and Denpasar were designed to handle light traffic. But these narrow roads are now struggling to handle tourist buses, scooters, private cars, and delivery vans. 

Imagine sitting in a taxi that hasn’t moved more than 100 meters in the last 10 minutes. The drivers often get aggressive, while honking and squeezing into impossibly narrow gaps.

The gridlock worsens especially in the morning and evening hours. For instance, the 10 km distance from Ngurah Rai Airport to Kuta can take up to one and a half hours in bad traffic.The rainy season, from November to March, complicates the traffic even further. The already narrow Balinese get flooded, adding chaos to the already nerve-racking scene.

2. Incessant noise pollution

Bali is vibrant, but the constant noise can get into your nerves.

I once stayed in a beautiful villa in Canggu where the walls vibrated to the beat of a nearby club. I couldn’t relax, sleep, or even hold a conversation without raising my voice. 

The streets are also filled with constant blaring of scooters, roaring engines, and the chatter of street vendors. 

Beach bars blast live music and DJ sets can occur well past midnight.

The noise is also because the Island of the Gods is in a constant state of development. New hotels and villas pop up like mushrooms daily. The soundtrack to this construction boom is a mix of hammering, drilling, and the beeping of heavy machinery.

If you find the noise overwhelming, I’d recommend the quieter areas of Ubud or Uluwatu.

3. Untidy beaches

The photos you come across online usually promise blue waves and spotless sands in Bali. 

But that’s not often the case.

The reality can sometimes feel overrated. It is more like walking through a landfill. 

The shorelines of Bali’s famed beaches often resemble a dump, blanketed with plastic bottles, bags, straws, and food wrappers.

It gets worse when heavy rains wash more trash into the sea, especially from October to March.

For instance, we once walked about a few meters on Kuta Beach. My sandals got tangled in a fishing net so much that I couldn’t even bring myself to go in for a swim.

For more cleaner beaches, visit Nusa Dua, Uluwatu, or the Nusa Islands.

4. Congestion at top tourist spots

Bali is also overrated by tourists who visit during off-peak seasons. 

However, peak travel seasons like July, August, and December can tell a different story.

Some of the top tourist attractions in Bali that suffer from severe congestion during peak times include Kuta Beach, Ubud, Tegallalang Rice Terraces, and Tanah Lot.

For example, Ubud’s Monkey Forest may feel like a human zoo instead of a serene jungle.

Ayu, our Balinese colleague, who lives only ten kilometers away from Tanah Lot, shared that he has not visited the temple in more than three years. 

According to Ayu, the endless stream of selfie sticks and vendors have ruined the spiritual atmosphere of the Tanah Lot temple.

Even small beaches like Padang Padang are now overrun with crowds. You can hardly find any space to relax without bumping elbows with other tourists.

So, Is Bali Worth Visiting or is it Overrated?

Bali’s beauty and cultural allure are most definitely undeniable. 

But whether it’s worth visiting depends on your expectations and travel style. 

If it’s your first time in Bali, you’ll find a unique blend of lush landscapes, ancient temples, vibrant nightlife, and warm hospitality.Consider booking your trips and accommodations through reputable agencies who can assess your travel needs and organize for you a trip that is stress-free, value packed, and memorable.