Every individual place you visit is go to be a learning experience .
Back in May 2022, my sister and I spent two weeks in Bali, Indonesia, in celebration of my 25th birthday, and after I came back, I was feeling very distant from theNew YorkCity streets and (still am) constantly wishing I would find myself back on the “Island of Gods.”
However, over time, I started to notice more and more videos on TikTok going around that were extremely negative about the island. I found that people were naming it a"tourist trap,“infrastructure and crimewithout any context, and even going as far as to claim that “all of the foodgives you food poisoning.” And you can see in several videos about the island, commenters were happy to chime in with their own negative stories about their visits.
I won’t sit here and act like Bali doesn’t have aspects that aren’t amazing, just like any other place, but it’s important to note that these mismatched “expectations vs. reality” likely stem from people who failed to do their research; since Indonesia isclassified as a developing country, resources and infrastructure look different from what we’re used to in the States, and that’s OK! When you hear people say the island “isn’t like it was pre-COVID,” it’s because a developing country that heavily relies on people from other places to visit had to learn how to bounce back from the effects of a global pandemic.
So, I’m here to even the playing field, share my experience, and explain why it’s important to form opinions for yourself. Bali can still be a dream vacation if you do it right.
1.People love to complain about the drinking water in Bali. And while you shouldneverdrink the tap water on the island, I never had a problem finding purified water during my trip.
2.Complaints about the infrastructure were common, but I’m sure one of the biggest concerns is transportation, and I promise there isn’t just “one road in Bali.”
3.The complaints about the safety here aren’t any more or less of a concern than your safety in any other place, just be mindful of your belongings AND your surroundings.
4.There’s a HUGE misunderstanding about a new law in Bali that has TikTokers saying they “won’t visit the island.”
5.If you don’t do your research and use your resources, you’ll miss out on some of the best activities the island has to offer (and no, none of them have to be social media spots).
6.People also loved to complain about the lack of scenery, but this is still the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen in my life.
7.I dined at some of the most gorgeous restaurants and ate some of the most beautiful dishes. I never found myself getting sick during the whole two weeks I was there.
8.The nightlife was SO abundant and there was never a dull moment. Leaving your immediate area is a must if you want to make the most of the island!
9.If you don’t do your research about the best areas to stay in that work foryouand take the time to read every single review from multiple sources, you could find yourself possibly unhappy with your surroundings.
10.Please be prepared for the large amount of wildlife. You’re staying in a tropical climate, and the wildlife will be active.
11.Engrossing yourself in the community around you is a vital part of your trip.
12.To hear someone claim that “Bali has no culture” was a shock to me and multiple other commenters. Everywhere you look, you can find incredible displays of culture.
So there you have it. A “tourist trap” is something Bali is very much not. Like any other country, they’re not perfect. But if you do your research, find activities thatyoulike, and make sure you’re checking everything’s credibility, you should never have a problem with where you stay, transportation, dining, nightlife, or activities. You just have to put yourself out there and actuallywantto learn. Never take a vacation because you want to show off or mimic what an influencer is faking on Instagram. Do it because you’ve dreamed of it and because it’s something you know in your heart you want to experience.
Life is far too short; don’t let social media decide it for you.
Every single place you visit is going to be a learning experience.
