Is Bali Worth Visiting?
Bali has long been one of Southeast Asia’s most visited destinations. Its combination of warm weather, relatively low costs, and a culture that feels distinct from elsewhere in the region has made it popular with both first-time visitors and longer-stay travellers.
That said, Bali today isn’t the version many people still picture. Tourism has reshaped parts of the island, and the experience now depends far more on where you stay, how you move around, and what you expect from the trip.
To answer whether Bali is still worth visiting, this post draws on the experience of Victoria from Guide Your Travel, who has lived in Bali for three years. Rather than a highlight reel, it looks at what Bali offers now, where it falls short, and the types of travellers it still suits best.
So, Is Bali Worth Visiting?
Yes. Bali is still worth visiting, and for many travellers it remains one of the more appealing destinations in Southeast Asia.
Some parts of the island have changed quickly, particularly in the busiest tourist areas, but Bali hasn’t lost what draws people there in the first place. You still get a mix of beaches, jungle landscapes, and a culture that feels distinct from elsewhere in the region. In places, modern tourism sits very close to everyday local life. Some travellers enjoy that contrast. Others don’t.
There has also been a shift in how tourism operates. More accommodation now leans towards sustainability and eco-focused design, reflecting a wider attempt to manage the impact of visitors. It hasn’t fixed the bigger issues, but the change is noticeable.
Bali today feels less straightforward than it once did. The experience depends far more on where you go and how you travel, but for certain types of trips, it can still be a very good choice.
Why people still go to Bali
Bali continues to attract travellers because it offers a combination that is hard to replicate elsewhere in Southeast Asia. Even as parts of the island have become busier and more developed, it still appeals to people looking for value, variety, and a comfortable base for either short trips or longer stays.
Value and infrastructure
Bali remains one of the more affordable destinations in the region, particularly when it comes to accommodation, food, and day-to-day costs. Travellers can choose between simple local places or more comfortable stays without prices climbing to Western levels.
At the same time, Bali’s tourism infrastructure makes it relatively easy to navigate once you arrive. Ride-hailing apps, organised drivers, and a well-developed hospitality industry remove much of the friction that can make travel elsewhere in Southeast Asia feel more demanding.
Even higher-end experiences tend to be more accessible here than in many comparable destinations, which is one reason Bali continues to attract such a broad mix of travellers.
Landscape variety in a small area
One of Bali’s biggest advantages is how much variety it offers within a relatively small area. Beaches, rice terraces, jungle interiors, and volcanic landscapes are all reachable without internal flights or complicated logistics, with nearby islands like Nusa Penida adding more dramatic coastal scenery without much extra effort.
That makes it easy to build a varied trip without constantly packing up and moving on, which suits travellers who want contrast without spending half their time in transit.
Food, wellness, and long-stay appeal
Bali’s food and wellness scene is another major draw. Alongside local warungs and traditional dishes, there is a well-established international food scene that caters to long-stay travellers and expats.
The island has also become a centre for yoga, wellness retreats, and health-focused travel. For people looking to combine time away with routine, fitness, or remote work, Bali offers an environment where that kind of lifestyle feels normal rather than niche.
Where Bali falls short
Bali’s popularity is obvious once you’re there. In the busiest parts of the island, tourism shapes the experience in ways that some travellers are comfortable with and others aren’t.
Crowds and traffic in popular areas
One of the most common frustrations in Bali today is congestion. Areas such as Kuta, Seminyak, Canggu, and parts of Ubud experience heavy traffic, especially during peak travel periods. Narrow roads and a growing number of vehicles mean that short distances can take far longer than expected.
Even outdoor activities can feel busier than expected, and for things like popular hikes, many travellers now rely on organised group tours to manage safety and access.
This shift is noticeable even for repeat visitors. What once felt relatively relaxed can now feel slow and crowded, particularly if you are moving around frequently or staying in central tourist hubs.
Overdevelopment in parts of the island
Rapid development has changed the character of some areas. New hotels, villas, and cafés continue to appear, often faster than local infrastructure can comfortably support them.
While this has improved access and accommodation choice, it has also reduced the sense of space in certain regions. Travellers expecting a quieter or more low-key environment may find parts of Bali feel more built up than they anticipated.
Environmental pressure from mass tourism
Tourism has placed visible pressure on Bali’s environment. Waste management, plastic pollution, and water use remain ongoing challenges, particularly in high-density areas.
There are also ethical considerations for visitors, including animal welfare concerns at certain attractions and the treatment of stray animals. For travellers who prioritise responsible tourism, these realities can be uncomfortable and require more careful choices about what to support and what to avoid.
Limited public transport and accessibility
Bali lacks a comprehensive public transport system. Most visitors rely on taxis, ride-hailing apps, or private drivers, which adds to daily costs and contributes to wider congestion.
Accessibility can also be uneven. While major hotels and the airport offer basic facilities, many streets, attractions, and accommodations are not well-suited to travellers with mobility limitations.
Who Bali is actually right for
Bali is great for certain types of travellers. It works especially well for people who value ease, comfort, and variety, rather than constant movement or rough-and-ready travel. If that sounds like you, Bali tends to be a very easy place to enjoy.
First time Southeast Asia travellers
For travellers visiting Southeast Asia for the first time, Bali is often a comfortable place to start. The island is set up in a way that removes much of the uncertainty that can come with travelling in the region. Accommodation is easy to arrange, food options are broad, and finding help or information rarely feels difficult.
It isn’t quiet or undiscovered, but for first timers, Bali tends to feel more manageable than many alternatives.
Slow travellers and digital nomads
Bali attracts people who want to stay longer than a quick stop. Day-to-day costs, reliable internet in most areas, and established remote working communities make it easy to settle into a routine.
Many travellers arrive for a few weeks and extend their stay. The mix of everyday comforts, abundant co-working spaces, and wellness-focused lifestyles makes Bali feel liveable rather than temporary.
Travellers who prefer a more comfortable pace
Bali suits travellers who prefer a degree of ease while travelling. You can stay somewhere comfortable, eat well, and get around without constant planning or frequent travel days, with quieter areas like Sanur offering more resort-style stays and luxury villas.
It’s not a destination for people chasing raw or untouched experiences, but for those who want variety without unnecessary friction, Bali often feels straightforward rather than exhausting.
Is Bali worth visiting compared to other Southeast Asia destinations?
Bali sits slightly apart from much of Southeast Asia. It offers more comfort, structure, and familiarity than many neighbouring destinations, which is exactly why some travellers choose it, and others avoid it.
Compared to Thailand
Compared to Thailand, Bali feels smaller and more concentrated. You don’t get the same range of regions or cities, but you also don’t need to move constantly to experience different landscapes and atmospheres. For travellers who prefer settling into one base rather than hopping around, that can be a positive.
Compared to Vietnam
Against Vietnam, Bali feels calmer and easier to navigate day to day, but also less raw. Vietnam often feels more energetic and unpredictable, while Bali feels more curated, particularly in popular areas.
Compared to the Philippines
When compared with the Philippines, Bali generally offers better infrastructure and ease of travel, especially for longer stays. The trade-off is that Bali feels busier and more developed in places, whereas parts of the Philippines still feel quieter and less shaped by mass tourism.
Whether Bali is the better choice comes down to what you want from the trip. If comfort, routine, and variety in a compact area matter more than constant novelty, Bali tends to make more sense. If you’re chasing something less developed or more unpredictable, other destinations may suit you better.
Wrapping up: Is Bali worth visiting
Yes, Bali is still worth visiting, but it isn’t a universal crowd pleaser anymore.
The island continues to offer strong value, varied landscapes, and a level of comfort that makes travelling easier than in many other parts of Southeast Asia. For certain travellers, particularly those who enjoy settling into one place and balancing exploration with routine, Bali can still be a very rewarding choice.
At the same time, crowds, traffic, and overdevelopment have changed how Bali feels in its busiest areas. The experience now depends heavily on where you stay and how you travel, and those factors matter more than they once did.
If you arrive expecting an untouched paradise, Bali will likely disappoint. If you arrive with a clear idea of what it offers now, and choose your base carefully, it can still deliver a trip that feels both enjoyable and worthwhile.