Is Bali Still Worth Visiting in 2026? An Honest Answer From Someone Who Lives There
- Last Updated:
- By: Peter Orsel
Bali was my first destination out of Europe, the first place I ever flew to, and a place that has shaped me more than anywhere else in the world. It was also one of the first destinations to struggle with the effects of mass tourism. Is traveling to Bali still worth it in 2026? I am here to answer that question honestly.
My perspective is built on time here. Five months in 2014, a short trip in 2017, and then from 2023 until now as someone who actually lived on the island.
In This Post
The Short Answer
Yes, Bali is still worth visiting in 2026. The island offers an affordable lifestyle with world-class facilities, a wellness and fitness scene that rivals major cities, and a sense of freedom that is hard to find anywhere else. Riding a motorbike through rice fields in the late afternoon, surrounded by people from all over the world who are working hard towards something, with some of the friendliest locals you will meet anywhere. That combination is still unique to Bali.
There are downsides too, and I will get to those. But for a growing number of people, Bali is not just a holiday destination anymore. It is a place to live, work and build something.
Read on to find out if it is the right fit for you.
Who Will Love Bali? And Who Won't?
You will love Bali if you are...
The social butterfly who wants to meet new people every week. Canggu and Uluwatu have a very strong social life. Pick your interests, find your community and you’ll have a full calendar within days.
The remote worker who wants world-class coffee, fast wifi, and a gym that does not close at 6pm. Bali was made for you. The infrastructure for digital nomads here is better than almost anywhere else in the world.
The fitness person who is into healthy food, pilates, Hyrox or padel and wants to find a community around it. The wellness scene is incredible and you’ll find world class health centers especially in Canggu and Ubud.
The entrepreneur who wants to be surrounded by people building things. The concentration of ambitious people in Bali is unlike anywhere in Southeast Asia.
The traveler who wants freedom at an affordable price. You can live well here for a fraction of what it costs in Europe or Australia.
You will be disappointed if you are...
The beach purist who wants white sand and clear water. Bali is not the Maldives. The beaches in the south are crowded and the sand is dark. Go to Nusa Penida or the Gilis for that.
The person who wants a quiet, peaceful island getaway. The popular areas are not quiet. If that is what you need, go to Sidemen or Amed, not Canggu.
Someone who can’t handle poor and rich living close together. The minimum wage in Bali is around $185 USD and many locals are barely surviving on their income. You’ll notice this on the streets, Bali is not all villas and beach clubs.
The traveler who wants to feel like a discoverer. Most of Bali has been found. If your goal is to be the first somewhere, you are probably arriving ten years too late.
The couple who booked a villa in Ubud for beach days. Ubud is an hour from the coast. This happens more than you would think.
Bali in 2014 vs 2026: What Has Actually Changed
In 2014 I stayed in Kuta. It was the place to be. Parties at Sky Garden on Legian Street, everyone gathering at Kuta Beach for sunset, and Beachwalk had just opened. When we went to Uluwatu on a day trip, we had to search for somewhere to eat on the way back as there was lack of restaurants open at night. Balangan, Padang Padang and Dreamland were around, but few people were talking about the other beaches along the coast.
The transformation of Canggu is one of the most documented on social media. The photos comparing the old shortcut through rice fields to what it looks like today tell the whole story. What was once a quiet road through farmland is now one of the busiest stretches on the island.
I remember making the drive from Kuta to Deus ex Machina – Temple of Enthusiasm in Batu Bolong. It was a very long journey through dark rice fields. After Umalas, there was nothing. No one was to be found. I kept thinking to myself: why do people go all the way here?
All of that has changed.
The story of the Tegenungan Waterfall
One moment that stayed with me: in 2014 I heard about Tegenungan Waterfall in Ubud. There were no signs, no tourist boards, no tour operators pointing the way. I had to go to the Sukawati art market and ask locals how to find it. When I arrived, there were three or four photographers with tripods, all of us having found this quiet hidden spot. It was one of those moments you remember.
I went back in 2017. Tour cars. Small shops being built and a steep entry fee. When I visited again in 2025, a full beach club had been constructed at the foot of the waterfall. The same place I had essentially to myself in 2014 now has a day club with views over water that, in the process, has taken something away from the nature surrounding it.
Tourism on Bali has shifted northward along the west coast every few years. For the full breakdown of each area, check my Bali travel guide and where to stay in Bali guide.
When to Visit Bali?
Bali has two seasons. Dry from April to October, wet from November to March.
If you arrive in December expecting sunshine every day, you are going to be disappointed. December falls in the middle of wet season, and heavy afternoon rain is the norm rather than the exception.
July and August are a bit cooler, but have stronger winds as well. For the best Bali experience, I’d suggest visiting in late April, May, June or September.
For a full month-by-month breakdown of the best time to visit Bali, check my Bali travel guide.
The Reasons Bali Is Still Worth It
There are more reasons to go than most people realize.
The Community
Solo travelers will not struggle to find people. The community here is open, and within a week you will have a social circle you did not expect. Bali has become one of the most productive places in the world for entrepreneurs and digital nomads. The concentration of ambitious, skilled people is unlike almost anywhere else. Business ideas grow here in ways that are hard to explain until you experience it.
Health, Fitness and Food
If you care about your health and fitness, Bali is one of the best places in the world right now. Premium gyms, pilates studios, padel courts, and wellness facilities are everywhere. Many restaurants list macros on their menus. You can eat well, train hard, and not feel like you are compromising anything.
Indonesia grows some of the best coffee in the world, and Bali has great cafes on every corner. The restaurant culture is exceptional. Whatever you are craving, it exists somewhere on this island, including some of the best Indonesian food you will find anywhere.
Escape Is Always Close
If you want to escape the tourist bubble, you are never more than 30 minutes away from a village where you will be the only foreigner. That option still exists
A Melting Pot Unlike Anywhere Else
Bali attracts domestic migrants from every island in Indonesia. Some of the best barbers come from West Timor. Many surf instructors are from Sumatra. The Javanese food scene here is outstanding. It is a mix that most people do not expect when they arrive. You are not only meeting the Balinese, you are meeting the complete melting pot that Indonesia has to offer, all in one single island.
The religious tolerance is also something I find remarkable. Where religion creates division in many places of the world, it lives closely together here. Bali is the only Hindu island of Indonesia, but you will find many Muslims, Christians and Catholics too. All respecting each other.
The Reasons People Are Disappointed
Most people are disappointed because of wrong expectations. Bali no longer needs to be discovered, and if you find a new spot in the tourist areas, it will not be new for long. Plastic and rubbish arrive on the island constantly, and beyond the villas, you are still in a developing country. The road infrastructure was never built for the volume of traffic it now carries, and you will spend longer in traffic than you initially expect.
A more valid reason to be disappointed is watching authenticity disappear. I notice people trying to imitate Australian accents. Indonesians trying to become something else in order to attract more tourists. I understand why it happens, but I also think it misses the point entirely. The authenticity of the Balinese people is one of the things that made people fall in love with this island in the first place. The last thing a visitor wants to find is a copy of what they already have at home.
It Completely Depends on Where You Stay
This cannot be said enough. Where you stay determines your entire experience of Bali.
I built a tool specifically for this. It helps you figure out which area of Bali fits your travel style, so you arrive knowing what to expect rather than finding out the hard way. Try it here. Looking for a quick answer? Read down below:
| Area | Known For | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Canggu | Digital nomad scene, cafes, surf, padel, gyms | Remote workers, solo travelers, fitness lovers, people looking to meet others |
| Uluwatu | Best beaches in Bali, cliff views, surf, sunsets | Surfers, couples, beach lovers, photographers |
| Seminyak | Upscale beach clubs, restaurants, shopping | First-time visitors, couples, those who want comfort close to the airport |
| Ubud | Rice terraces, culture, yoga, nature | Culture seekers, yogis, couples wanting a peaceful stay |
| Nusa Dua | Luxury resorts, calm beach, family-friendly | Families, honeymooners, resort holidays |
| Sidemen | Rice fields, local culture, quiet | Travelers wanting to escape tourism completely |
| Amed | Diving, snorkeling, quiet east coast | Divers, those wanting an authentic and slow pace |
| Nusa Lembongan / Nusa Penida | Island vibes, crystal water, seaweed farms | Couples, solo travelers wanting a break from busy Bali |
Bali for Creators
Bali is where a lot of photographers and videographers end up, and it is easy to see why. The famous spots are famous for a reason. The rice fields, Mount Agung and Batur, the black sand beach with the motorbikes, and yes, the temple gate with the mirror trick. We all know that one by now.
There’s nothing wrong with shooting the popular spots, but are you really a creator if that’s what you limit yourself to? Bali has far more to offer beyond the well-known viewpoints. Grab a motorbike with no fixed plan and you will find things worth photographing that nobody has seen yet. I recently did this in Lombok and Sumbawa and ended up with so many amazing photos.
If you’re still looking for some famous spots, here are some guides:
My Honest Verdict After 10+ Years
After ten years, Bali has changed significantly. People who were here twenty years ago probably say the same thing.
Whether it is worth visiting depends entirely on what you are looking for. If you want a healthy lifestyle surrounded by entrepreneurs building interesting things, Bali is one of the best places on the planet for that right now. If you are looking for a hidden paradise that feels untouched, you are likely going to be disappointed. Most places have been found. The ones that have not been found yet were probably not found for a reason.
All in all, Bali in 2026 is still worth it. The moment I leave, I know what I will miss: riding a motorbike through rice fields in the late afternoon, access to world-class food with full nutrition information, the padel community, the affordable lifestyle, the sunsets. Bali offers something that no other place in the world does in quite the same way. That is still true today.
About Me
Peter Orsel is a Dutch travel photographer based in Bali, specialized in drone and landscape photography. He has visited over 40 countries and writes detailed, no-nonsense guides based on firsthand experience.