The tropical Indonesian island of Bali, located in the heart of the Indian ocean, is a common destination for Australian holidaymakers. Ky has just returned from his third trip to the island, and a total of 4 visits between the both of us. Why do we keep coming back to Bali? Despite some reputations online, ‘the island of the gods’, has an incredibly diverse range of offerings. Read on for our thoughts on why Bali is an amazing holiday destination that just keeps us coming back for more.
WHY DO WE KEEP COMING BACK TO BALI?
The diversity of attractions and offerings in Bali
This tropical island literally has something for everyone. While it is well renowned as a ‘party island’, for both good and bad reasons, Bali has so much more substance underneath it’s party exterior. Don’t get us wrong, the beach clubs, bars, party islands, pontoon bars and overall holiday vibe makes for an awesome time. If you are looking to head to a location to party and let loose, Bali is a perfect location.
However, if this isn’t your idea of a good holiday, don’t worry, Bali has a heap more to offer. If you are an outdoors and adventure lover, Bali (and the nearby Indonesian islands), will satisfy your desires! Think volcano hikes, snorkelling and scuba diving, waterfalls, hidden beaches, clifftop views, rice terraces, jungles and uninhabited islands. There’s a lot to do and see! Additionally, you can visit theme and adventure parks if this is your vibe.
Bali also has some of the best restaurants, cafes and hospitality in any location we have visited around the world. There is a saturation of high quality restaurants with skilled chefs serving all cuisines. The café and brunch scene has exploded, and the coffee in Bali is as good as, or better, than you receive in the coffee capital of the world (Melbourne).
Finally, the accommodation offerings are diverse. We touch on this in a point below!
The affordability of Bali
This is a huge attraction of the Indonesian island. While the cost of everything in Bali has significantly increased over the past decade, it is still very affordable. We consider Bali the place where you can go and spend not much and get a moderate amount. You can spend a moderate amount and get a lot. And if you spend a little more, you can get absolute luxury. For Australians, things are roughly ‘half price’ as a general guide, with the bottom and top ends being a bit more affordable. These price points means it is a great place to get away to and enjoy the excellent hospitality, great accommodation and support the local economy.
The proximity to Australia (and Asia)
Okay, this point is definitely a plus for Australians/Asians, and doesn’t help those Europe/USA etc. For us, Bali is a short 5-6 hour flight from Melbourne, and the time zone is only a few hours difference. This makes it an extremely appealing destination for a short getaway.
The friendly locals
The Balinese are some of the most friendly people we have ever met! They are very hospitable, caring, and generally trustworthy people (despite their love of trying to bargain hard with you off at times). We have met some amazing Balinese locals, including guides, hosts and service operators. Despite many of the locals living in challenging or lower socioeconomic circumstances at times, they often have a smile on their face. We always try to support these lovely hosts and guides where we can.
The incredible accommodation options
The beachside and tropical nature of Bali leads to some incredible villas, hotels and accommodation options. Think infinity pools over rice terraces, Moroccan style riads, or beach view apartments. Due to the excellent price point of Bali, this allows some of these options to be a lot more affordable than other destinations (e.g. Europe). If you end up visiting Bali, we encourage you to consider spending at least a night or two in these amazing locations. See where we have stayed in Bali!
The ability to visit islands with a short ferry ride
Bali is itself an island, but quite a large one. Located within close proximity to Bali are numerous tropical islands that we highly recommend you consider visiting. This the relaxed Nusa Lembongan around 30minutes away, the surfy and calm Nusa Ceningan, the touristy but strikingly beautiful Nusa Penida, the ‘party island’ Gili T (note – it’s more than just a party island – see Gili T guide here), or the relaxed and beachy Gili Air or Gili Meno. Additionally, travel a little further to reach the underrated Lombok, or even further for hidden gems like Komodo Island and more.
See a few more of our Bali tips and recommendations below:
- See our Bali guide based upon our many visits to the ‘island of the gods’. See here!
- Check out some of the great islands nearby Bali: SEE ISLAND GUIDE HERE
– Gili Trawangan
– Gili Meno
– Nusa Lembongan
– Nusa Ceningan
– Nusa Penida - See some tips, recommendations and advice for Ubud!
- Where we stayed in Bali (top accommodation picks!)
- Tips for transport and getting around Bali.
- Tips to stay safe and healthy in Bali!
- The coastal Uluwatu is beautiful, see our guide here!
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Yupoo Dior
January 28, 2024 at 7:18 am
Hi there! This is my first comment here so I just wanted to give
a quick shout out and tell you I genuinely enjoy reading your
blog posts. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that
cover the same subjects? Thanks for your time!
2CupsofTravel
February 8, 2024 at 4:22 pm
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