Bali, Indonesia's famed tropical paradise, has charmed plenty of tourists over the years. But it's also leaving a growing number disillusioned - recently among them Zoe Rae.
Since landing in Bali, something for us has just not felt quite right,” she said in a YouTube video in July, filmed in her hotel room. “We came to Bali with high expectations because we’d seen on social media everyone having such a lovely time.”
Her experience wasn’t unique. Social media posts about “expectations vs reality” in Bali abound. Diners enjoying the sunset at a beach-side restaurant might overlook the piles of rubbish along the rickety stairs to get there; the bikini-clad pose in front of a waterfall could mask the snaking line of tourists waiting their turn.
What many visitors seek in Bali—a spiritual retreat—can instead feel crowded and chaotic. Millions flock to the island each year, seeking the idyllic lifestyle depicted in the memoir and film Eat, Pray, Love, only to be greeted by construction, traffic jams, and littered beaches. The sheer volume of tourists has strained local infrastructure, leading to increasing calls for sustainable practices.
Growing discontent culminated in tragic events earlier this month as rare floods left more than a dozen dead. Officials pointed to poor waste management and unchecked urban development as contributing factors to the disaster, prompting promises from the local government to restrict new constructions—some view as too little, too late.
Amid the ongoing chaos, Bali’s once-celebrated beauty and deep cultural heritage continue to be overshadowed by a growing number of complaints about overcrowding and pollution. Tourists seeking picturesque serenity may struggle to find it amid the island's transformation into a bustling hotspot for luxury and social media trends.
Yet local voices highlight that there is much more to Bali than the surface-level glamour depicted online. Many argue that the island’s true essence remains alive and well, tucked away from the marketing images that dominate travel feeds.
The onus now lies on both tourists and locals to work towards a more sustainable future for Bali, ensuring that the island retains its charm amidst the challenges of modern tourism.
