I’ll tell you the truth, when I planned that 4 month trip to Asia, I had low expectations going into the Bali leg of the trip.  It’s the kind of place that looks beautiful in the photos but as a haven for foreign tourists, you wonder if it’s also lost it’s charm being over developed and overrun.  That was what was going on the back of my mind but after having spent quite some time there, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised and my fears never came to fruition.

I realized that even though it’s such a popular destination, it’s still easy to get away from the crowds if you want to and there’s way more diversity here in things to see, do and eat here that you could stay in Bali for weeks on end.  So with that, here are my top 5 reasons you too will love Bali, Indonesia.  It’s far from being a tourist trap.

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1. Photographs itself

Bali Rice Paddies

The island practically shoots itself.  Whether it was the rice paddies, Barong dances, crazy monkeys, the beach or temples like the one above, to say the landscape is stunning would be an understatement.

Just get out of the main drag and you’ll be introduced to lush green forests where many temples make their home, and layers of fields line the hillside.

2. So much culture to see

Local temple festival - one of many unexpected stops with Putu.
Local temple festival – one of many unexpected stops with Putu.

I thought Bali was all beach, surfing and partying but to my surprise, once I were whisked outside the city I were greeted with just a brilliant diversity of culture.  Ubud was where a lot of that richness was concentrated but what I loved the most was that our private driver was able to give us a glimpse of authentic local life in Bali.

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Sure the Barong dance, walking the local arts market, seeing crafts shops, and contemplating the grandeur of the temples was nice and all but to go to a real cock fight and see the locals all hyped up or saying hello to the two ladies harvesting rice or joining a local temple celebration where there was no other foreigner in sight made Bali that much more memorable and immersive.

We only saw the Barong dance but there many more types Balinese dances to see while in Bali that are sure not to miss.

3. Relaxation and luxury

2012-05-29 ConradBali-046

Going into Bali, I knew they had this one down pat.  The island is known for it’s zen, laid back vibe and of course lots of resorts.  For me, the Conrad Bali in those sweet huts and getting really cheap massages at Cozy were great on days I wanted to do a whole lot of nothing.

4.  Delicious food for cheap

At Bumbu Bali in Nusa Dua, Bali
At Bumbu Bali in Nusa Dua, Bali

Ever since going to Bali, I’ve been craving Indonesia food.  Just thinking about the nasi goreng, curries, satay, and gudeg has me salivating.  You might not know what you’re ordering but trust me, if you’re a meat lover, you’re going to love all the different dishes Bali has to offer.

The best part about Indonesian cuisine is that it’s not expensive at all.  You have to get out of the resort of course but once you do, the prices become much more affordable and incredibly authentic.  For example, we literally walked out of our resort and walked 10 minutes north of Conrad Bali to get to Bumbi Bali which was so delicious.

5.  Amazing properties to suit all budgets

Conrad Bali Main Building

Like relaxation and luxury, I knew there were some good properties in Bali.  The Conrad Bali met and exceeded our expectations.

You’re probably thinking “Duh of course, it’s a Conrad!” and yes you’re right.  What a lot of people don’t realize though is that the whole island is dotted with a variety of hotels that are also affordable for the budget conscious.

If you want a bungalow in the jungle, Bali has it.  If you want a super modern and chic hotel, Bali has it.  If you want a  private villa, yep you guessed it Bali has it as well.  You can easily stay in Bali for under $100 without breaking a sweat.

For more on my Bali adventures, don’t miss out on my 5 day itinerary.  See everything I did broken down to the last detail.

So what about you?  I know everyone has different opinions about Bali so I’d love to hear it!  Comment below :)

Travel Resources For Your Next Trip

If you’re in the process of planning your trip and putting together your itinerary, these are genuinely the best resources that the Going Awesome Places team stands by 100%.

Credit cards: Don’t get burned by hidden fees on top of terrible exchange rates. When we travel now, we use the Wise Card. Simply load it with the currency you need before you go and use it as a regular VISA or their digital wallet card. Use their free app to track how much you have and top up when you need to.

Flights: Of all the booking search engines, Skyscanner is the most helpful and easy to use thanks to their Everywhere feature. Kayak is also another that’s we will often check as well.

Car Rental: If you’re looking to save money, these car rental coupon codes will be a true game-changer. Otherwise, DiscoverCars and RentalCars are great places to start.

Rideshare: For new Lyft users, use code WILLIAM4825 to get 50% off your first 2 rides (max $10 USD per ride). Offer valid for 14 days after you take your first ride. For new Uber users, use code psuqbjg4d7rn for the same offer except it’s valid for 30 days.

Airport Parking: You’ll need a spot to leave your car at the airport so why not book a spot at a discount. Use code AWESOME7 to get at least $5 off at Airport Parking Reservations or Park Sleep Fly packages.

eSIM: Lately, we’ve really loved using eSIMs. We’ve tested several over the years and we have access to a few special promotions.

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Wifi Hotspot: We’ve been a huge fan of wifi hotspot devices such as PokeFi (use code GAP24300) because their rates are are hard to beat and it works globally. Solis is another that we recommend. Pros are that you can share the wifi with your whole group but cons are that you have to invest in a device and you have to charge it every night.

Hotels: Our go-to is Booking.com because they have the best inventory of properties including hotels and B&Bs plus they have their Genius tier discounts. Expedia is also worth using especially with their One Key rewards program which is basically like cash. The exception is Asia where Agoda always has the best prices. Always do a quick check on TripAdvisor as well.

Vacation Rentals: Your first instinct will be to check Airbnb but we always recommend checking VRBO as well if you’re looking for a vacation rental (now eligible for One Key).

Tours and Activities: When planning our trips, we always check both Viator and GetYourGuide to at least see what’s out there in the destination that we’re going to. They often have different offerings and prices so check both.

Travel Insurance: Learn how to buy the best travel insurance for you. This isn’t something you want to travel without.

  • HeyMondo – Popular insurance provider for frequent travelers and comes with great coverage and special perks. By booking through our link to get a 5% discount!
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  • InsureMyTrip – Best for seniors, families, and those with pre-existing conditions.

If you need more help planning your trip, make sure to check out our Travel Toolbox where we highlight all of the gear, resources, and tools we use when traveling.

William Tang of Going Awesome Places
About The Author

Will Tang

Will Tang, founder of Going Awesome Places, has traveled to 51 countries. He shares his insanely detailed itineraries, travel guides, and packing lists. Will’s travels have been featured on Huffington Post, Men’s Journal, and Entrepreneur.

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The Discussion

  1. Hi Will, I Just wanna say BIG THANKS to you, your article just make our business keep alive in Bali, again thanks

    Mangku

  2. I totally agree with you about Bali! Before going, I kept reading pretty deprecating stuff about how it wasn’t authentic anymore, how it had been invaded by party animals, middle-aged spinsters emulating Elizabeth Gilbert, bla bla bla… Then I got there and I realized traditional Bali is still there, pretty much as soon as you get out of Kuta! In Amed I hardly even saw another foreigner!

    1. I wish I got a chance to go up to Amed. I just love how there’s a little bit of everything in Bali. Whatever you’re into, there’s something for you!

    1. It’s a beautiful island and I will say that other parts of Indonesia are also worth visiting. Loved my trip out to Mount Bromo and Yogyakarta.