Yes, There Are Bad Things About Bali

Let me start by saying, I loved my time in Bali. The people, the culture, the temples, the rice terraces. There’s so much to appreciate. But like any destination, it’s not all picture-perfect.

So I wanted to share the things that surprised me (or just flat-out frustrated me) while I was there. Not to scare you off. Just to help you go in with your eyes open.

9 Bad Things About Bali That You Should Know About

1. Undrinkable Tap Water

One thing you can’t do in Bali is drink the tap water. Like all the tap water in Indonesia, it’s contaminated and not safe. I don’t even brush my teeth with it. Bottled or filtered water is a must.

Hotels and restaurants will usually have bottled or filtered water available so it’s not much of an issue. If you’re unsure if the water is filtered, just stick to bottled water. You don’t want to risk getting ‘Bali belly’ from drinking contaminated water and having to spend your vacation in the bathroom.

If you use ice, make sure it’s got a hole in the center. It means the ice has been factory-made and is purified.

2. Plastic Use and Environmental Pollution

Undrinkable tap water means more plastic bottles of water. While Bali has implemented some bans on plastic, the recycling infrastructure hasn’t caught up, and plastic waste can be hard to avoid.

I tried carrying a reusable bottle with me, but it was difficult to find water to refill it with when I was out and about. I ended up just buying those larger plastic bottles of water just to try and reduce the amount of plastic.

I cringe to think about the millions of plastic water bottles that are being discarded every day.

3. Trash on the Beaches

With more plastic comes more trash. But I did not expect to see sooo much trash on the beaches during my visit to Bali. What I thought I would see were beautiful, pristine shores. What I actually saw were plastic bottles, food wrappers, and other debris scattered along the sand.

The amount of trash on Bali’s beaches isn’t completely due to people littering though. It’s a combination of inadequate waste management, the heavy use of single-use plastics, and the heavy rains that wash it all up on to the shore. It’s a cycle that repeats itself…daily.

It was sad to see. Not sad in an ‘Ew, why is this so dirty?’ way. Sad in an ‘What have we humans done to this beautiful world we live in?’ kind of way. It really makes you think.

4. Lack of Public Transportation

Bali doesn’t have much of a public transportation system so, getting around the island requires a little more planning. Taxis, private drivers, and motorbikes are the main modes of transportation in Bali. Uber is not in Bali but there is Grab, which is just like Uber. So, that helps.

Grab is great for getting around locally, but if you are going a little further from town or if you will be hopping from place to place, your best bet will be to hire a private driver for the day. Private drivers are used to spending the day with travelers and will usually act as your own little tour guide. A driver can be booked through for about $45 a day.

5. Heavy Traffic and Congestion

The traffic in Bali can be intense, especially in the busy tourist areas on the southern half of the island. The roads are often narrow and packed with cars, motorbikes, and the occasional stray dog.

There don’t appear to be any road rules either. Everyone just weaves in and out of traffic with an amazing sense of trust and spatial awareness.

Just be prepared to be stuck in bumper-to-bumper traffic more often than not. Bali is a small island, but a trip that looks short on the map can take hours. Plan accordingly.

6. Stray Dogs

Jakarta has stray cats…Bali has stray dogs. Lots of them. I noticed them on beaches, around temples, and even in smaller neighborhoods.

I asked one of the shop owners about them and he said people don’t own dogs like they do in the United States. They live in harmony with the dogs because they protect their property and eat food scraps but the dogs just roam freely about. They also can’t afford to have them spayed or neutered so….

7. Aggressive Vendors

Markets, beaches, and even temple entrances in Bali will be lined with vendors. Many were friendly, but some were quite insistent, even pulling on my arm. I would politely decline several offers for souvenirs and sarongs, but some vendors would follow me for a bit, hoping to convince me. They would pull on my arm or drape clothing over my shoulders.

I get that this is a natural part of the tourism dynamic, but it can get overwhelming. It really makes it hard to even stop and look at anything because you know you’re going to get harassed nonstop.

8. Tourist Gimmicks

You’ve probably seen the ‘Bali swing’ or ‘Heaven’s gate’ pictures all over Instagram. Well, they are pretty much paid photo spots that can feel a bit forced and artificial, especially if you’re hoping for an authentic experience. And what you don’t see online are the long lines of people waiting to get that picture! No, thank you.

9. Tourists Not Respecting Where They Are

This is probably the one that gets me the most wherever I travel. I simply cannot understand the lack of respect some people have for cultures or people different from their own.

I saw people walking around temple areas in revealing clothes, climbing onto sacred statues, and even rummaging through religious offerings to see what’s in them. Come on people, really?!?!?

Balinese people are incredibly kind and open to visitors, so it was tough to see this disregard (ignorance?) from some travelers. 

I travel to genuinely experience and appreciate different ways of life, so seeing this lack of respect to the culture really bothered me. PLEASE research local customs before you travel. Don’t be ‘that’ tourist.

Is Bali Worth Visiting?

Every destination has its pros and cons, and Bali is no different. I still think it’s a beautiful place worth visiting, and I am planning to visit again.

Travel isn’t always pretty, and sometimes the less-than-perfect stuff sticks with you just as much as the highlights. If anything, I hope this helps you prepare a little better and travel a little more mindfully. And if you’ve been to Bali and had similar experiences, or totally different ones, I’d love to hear about them in the comments below.