What you need to understand is that the majority of Balinese are very poor and that $1 or one pound or one euro may feed a family for 1-3 days and buying a bracelet or something more expensive means a lot to them. Stay away from the tours if the constant selling makes you uncomfortable but it is part of the Bali experience at the same time. Visit the warungs, buy a drink and give the waitress a $1 tip or a few coins. It isn’t much to you but to them it is huge!
Tourism is Bali’s only means of income. They don’t have natural resources to sell such a timber, oil, coal or anything else. So when they are trying to sell you things, it’s because they are trying to earn a living.
Of course I agree, but these guys are earning money. They’re mass production companies shipping abroad. It’s similar to as if there’s a lot of little local coffee shops but your tour guide takes you to a Starbucks because Starbucks is paying them to do so. That’s why I’ve given alternatives at the end of the video to support local businesses. Apart from the painter, he was actually a local business and he was so kind and actually spent time with us and cared about the information he was giving us. And I have nothing against the swings and zip lines but the tour we were on was a Bali culture tour, not a Bali adventure tour, so being taken to them was very redundant. I also have an issue with people not taking no for an answer. I don’t mind trying to be sold stuff but when I say no it means no. And then when they start to get pushy after you say no and follow you around, that’s when the situations becomes uncomfortable and unbearable.
Yep, totally agree. I always choose the places I want to go then hire a driver to take me to only those places, have had some drivers who try and talk me into going to those "traps" but stay firm on visiting only the places I chose
I got a driver online before I left and I told him I didn't want to do tourist Bali and he took us to local areas. It was an incredible place . I recommend doing your own tours and research them out . Tourist areas in Bali can be a nightmare .
Tegallalang Rice fields are beautiful! There’s a really beautiful walk way through the rice fields for only 20,000 rupiah and you can walk down and through in a loop. The swing is there but it’s not the main thing here I definitely wouldn’t be deterred from visiting while in Ubud.
All of Bali is a giant tourist trap. Baffling why so many travellers go there anymore. Maybe 20-30 years ago. Indonesia has thousands of other astonishing islands where you can see local culture without the scams and traffic. Skip Bali and see the real Indonesia - Lombok, Flores, Alor, Solor, Sumba, Timor ...
@@RyanLeeBanks I'll take your word for it. Judging by the torrents of daily cost of living in Bali videos, beanbags at sunset, selfies in Ubud, 30 somethings that claim to have retired there and the clogged roads with tourists on scooters the whole scene looks completely dreadful now. Cheers, Steve
@@RyanLeeBanks Absolutely!!! Most of Bali, in my opinion, is free of masses of tourists and traffic. But if you follow the masses, you'll find masses of tourists and traffic. But do the research, engage with locals as equals, learn a word or two of Bahasa Bali, and the "right places" will become known to you. No bloody beanbags on the beach, no swings, no queues to catch a glimpse of rice padis or sunsets . . . etc. The catch? You're not allowed to post them on Instagram 🙂
I believe you can enjoy the real Bali by slow travel, but I agree it's over touristed and often leave for other islands after 10 days or so. It's worth to ask about parades and ceremonies in villages and come back for those.
With the Ubud silver courses, arrive with a basic drawing of what you want to make (a strip of paper that would wrap around your finger is fine). I made a ring with a design I borrowed from the movie LOTR and I still wear it. It cost about US $35 ten years back.
A tip for ladies. Have your nails polished before you arrive and purchase a Balinese dress off the market. They will not hassle you to paint your nails. Your dress will make them think you’ve been in Bali for a while & your not a new tourist 🤣🤣. Us Aussies take our Balinese clothes with us & change into them on the plane before it lands or just change in the ladies toilets at airport 🐨🐨🦘
@@gregmoran4555 Us Aussie’s are loved in Bali by the Balinese. We not only spend a lot whilst there. We’re BIG Tippers. We helped the Balinese get through Covid. Sending money & Food parcels. Aussies living over there would raise money from Australian’s, everyday they would drive out to remote areas & deliver rice & food to the communities. One day they found an orphanage & started raising money to help them. I personally helped a couple of families I know. A lot of the young ones had to move back to their villages. Surviving on only scraps or foraging for food. It was only a tip for First timers to Bali. It can be daunting and can easily be ripped off.
It's the same way all over the world, just make a lesson, if you can, make your own trip by using Google for any interesting tourist spots, and don't badmouth Indonesian food just because you always think negatively about Bali...it's better to just go home if you don't want to. have fun on holiday
Ryan, I so appreciate your tips and thorough walkthrough of your experience. I'm planning a trip and this is exactly what I want to avoid so thank you!. I think we book tours because we are worried about language barriers or accessibility issues but a little research and insight into the process helps immensely with planning and avoiding falling into tourist traps. We did a tour in Istanbul and though the driver and tour guides were friendly, we just hated being driven to shops for jewelry and leather - being coerced into buying or made to feel weird for staying in the bus during those shopping stops. I also think that the Instagram culture is heavy and slowly wearing off and folks genuinely want to enjoy the vibe, get some fresh air, and soak it all in without needing to spend a fortune for Instagram photos.
This is a great insight and I’m so glad you found the video useful! If you get good local tour guides you can still see awesome spots, but arranged online Bali tours like GetYourGuide will take you to the same tourist spots every time 🙃
hi...i am a balinese...these all the place you went are having a crew involved in their business so they also have to make money for living for their family. no traps in bali is all just because we have to do things for living...and all of the workers at any places you went, they make just enough money for the daily needs..so please stop doing this to tell people thats a trap...lets balinese do their part n you just enjoyed your vacation...if you dont want to come to bali you may choose somewhere else
You can want to visit a place without wanting to be bothered or spending more money than what you already plan for. Tourist traps in any country are annoying.
There is a local proverb that says: When entering someone's house, Be like a blind man who does not see what is in his house. When leaving someone's house, Be like dumb people don't talk about what's in people's houses.
Hi Ryan, was your driver Jimmy on this tour? We have used him may times and we just do our our tours and visit the places we want to do. Loved your Video
We had a really unpleasant experience at Baisakih temple. As we were walking towards the temple a group of local goons threatened us we won't be allowed beyond that point unless we take one of their guides. We were warned about such scam by our home stay owner cum the driver who drove us to the temple. We were a group of 6 women.They wanted to charge us exorbitant amount for the guide. We kept walking towards the temple but two of the gang members walked ahead of us and literally guarded the main door so we could not enter the temple. We just walked around the temple cause that is all we could do. It is so sad we were bullied even in the house of Gods. That was in 2017. I guess it hasn't changed. Why can't local Government do something to stop this bullying practise. It is harassment and paints really unpleasant picture of Bali. Here is my honest opinion.......local Government and Temple administration is hands in gloves with these extorters. I am 100 percent sure they get their cuts from these bullies. Shame on them.
That’s crazy! This happens a lot at Mt Batur as well. It’s this sort of behaviour that will gain traction on social media and people will stop visiting these places because they’re scared. It’s so sad that visitors can’t just go and enjoy these locations without being harassed by the locals 😢
Because the government is corrupt and rotten. indonesia is a third world country with little infrastructire, heaps of poverty and little impulsion for honesty or credibility. You should realise that as you go there. 3rd world country, 3rd world standards, way below ours. These places are not civilised and its a dog eat dog/evraday struggle over there. I mean I had mail from Bali where the stamp was steamed off the postcard so some impoverished corrupt post offfice employee could resell for a bag of rice or something. It is ultrapoor like 1 bang bang setang a year.
@@sophiegrisom That absolutely works. In the very unlikely case where that doesn't work (it's always worked for us, but hey, maybe not for everyone), you would say "Saya perlu polisi. (I need the police). Dimana polisi (where are the police)?" . . . or even just "dimana polisi" (where are the police?) . . . in over 40 years visiting Bali, we've only ever had to use that direct response once, and the reaction was an uncomfortable silence, quickly followed by much laughter as the two drifted off 🙂. Funnily enough, that was at the magnificent Pura Besakih, and we then continued our self-guided walk-around at our leisure . . . well, if you can have a leisurely time while negotiating all those steps that is 🙂
As you found, many Indonesians are now visiting within their own country, and youth there have taken up modern activities like bicycle touring (gowes) and eco-camping. In the 1990's when I mentioned travelling to remote areas, most would say, "Why you want to go there?", as did yokels in America decades ago. You also found that Indonesians are the largest users of Facebook, since familia and friends is everything. Many trips seem mostly to take photos for Facebook, especially for the women.
@xaviersimonsguillamon . . . Yes!! It's such a simple secret: . . . "extensive research beforehand". . . and as long as you don't use Instagram as a reliable source of accurate information, you're on your way
Been visiting off and on for 2 years now and A lot of this is very accurate. Not negative at all. This guy is preparing you by being honest. There is this sharp contrast between how beautiful everything and everyone is....to all of a sudden you're just being herded around and pressured...quite strongly sometimes....to buy. They can get quite visibly upset about it sometimes lol. That drastic change in the middle of a tour is very jarring because chances are you've been spending and tipping and being generous the entire time you've been in Bali. No need to crank the pressure up. HA!😅Anyway. Those tours definitely need a better approach. They'd probably make waaay more money in the process
I haven’t seen anything bad in that video ( except your whining) just local people trying to make a leaving. I find it so arrogant and out of place for westerners to go in those beautiful places that are cheaper and where they can have a luxury lifestyle they can only dream of in their country. And you keep complain… Terrible.
The point is they are paying money to go sightseeing..they are already helping the local people. Then just to be taken to various shops to feel pressured into buying things?
@@simjam1980 I always check where I'm being taken BEFORE I'm taken . . . doesn't everyone? And then, if I don't like where I'm going to be taken, I either change the itinerary or find another provider. I've always found this quite a simple and very very effective strategy.
@@RyanLeeBanks Well, to be fair, in your video title you call Bali a tourist trap . . . . . you don't make the distinction that there are _some_ tourist "traps", you just say . . . BALI (TOURIST TRAP). So I can see where bendjinzau2495 is coming from, no?
Yeah, pre-arranged package tours are best left to others 🙂. It is seriously not difficult researching where your interests and Bali's attractions intersect, and then finding a driver to take you there on your terms, as I know you know (but others may not). Drivers and tour organisers feed their kids with extra commissions they often get from the tourist-trap type establishments, so I have not issue with them for that . . . but I don't use them. Same as for-tourist dance performances (such as 'monkey' dance at Ulu Watu), they are often far from the vitality and naivete and honesty of local performances that are performed for local villagers. Authentic dance performances are not difficult to find usually, but you really do need to chat to locals and ask and ask and ask 🙂. And for one of the most amazing of experiences, see if you can locate a cremation! Definitely not something that's performed for the tourists :-)
This is so interesting and recommended to everyone that what to explore Bali but doesn’t want to spend their day in tourist trap. The fact is that tours picture these things as cultural experiences, which they could potentially be, but definitely not in this setting
Well, because of mass tourism even a batik company and farmer be like 'hey come here see me do this and that local things' 😂 you see true Bali on scooter; seeing rice field, a lot of temples, hidden waterfall and beautiful sunsets beach. Don't take tour packages except you decide where to go.
MMM, interesting. I have just come back home to Surabaya, Java after 3 and a half weeks away, 3 of those weeks in Bali. We went to Pemuteran and Amed, keeping away from the extreme tourist areas. Although I am not Indonesian, I guess most of the locals think "we" are almost that. I love all the arts and crafts BUT do NOT follow me around in a shop if I happen to go in to one! I hate that. I also hated the rice fields - they were beautiful without people but when we went a few years ago (were taken there by an Indonesian), we were swamped by tourists although I did quite enjoy sitting in a cafe and having something while looking out on the ricefields. We do local things and although I like to mix with tourists (of course, I am not one), I really enjoy going to people's homes and one can do that when one has local friends.
these 2 do a good job most things are to young for me but still good I'm 67. 650m from the restaurant at 10 minutes is Grand Puncak Sari Restaurant all you can eat as good as Melbourne south bank au$19 a head i paid for my driver he had to be rolled back to the car
You said "This was an organised trip related to a job for a client, not something we booked independently". You just can't said so. Experience it yourself, book it and arrange it yourself.. You guys just laid on someone's ship and dare to judge so?? Oooo my, be thankful guys. No offense, but if you don't like Bali, just go somewhere else and find some places like you guys want, or stay home and keep your savings would be a good option. Cause things like this happened all across the world.
Yes exactly, this was a paid job from a client so I had to go on this tour to earn money. That doesn’t mean it was a good tour by any means but generally down to the locations, our driver was actually great! So I wanted to bring awareness to these locations in particular so people can avoid them or change their tour itinerary if they see them on their own routes. Things like this do happen across the world, that’s well known, but that’s a good thing then if people can bring them to light so that other people can avoid them if they don’t want to participate. I left Bali 7 months ago 😁
Only in Bali. Been to Bali twice. Thought the second time would be better. It was worse! I haven't been back. Not missing it. Nor planning to visit it ever again!! 😂😂😂
This video is pretty useful after all. The temple at the start looks great. And the kecak dance reminds me the majestic setting at Uluwatu. Normally i would just hire a driver for a day and tell him where I wana go (like a free & easy). So I would avoid being on a so called prv tour & unwanted places. tks for the vid anyway.
Oh yeah for sure! The temple, the barong dance and the kecak dance are great and I’d definitely recommend people to see them but just go on a scooter or with a private driver 😁 That’s why I made this video to promote that 🙏
The reason they brought you to thise buffet restaurant cos the driver/ guide get free meals he's also get free commission for every stuff you bought on a tourist trap.
I went to Bali for the first time in 2019 and when my sister and I were at one of the waterfalls I actually found myself feeling really depressed. I was just sitting there watching instagram models posing in the waterfall for photos and then just leaving immediately afterward. They weren't there to enjoy the waterfall, they just wanted photos for their social media. I left the island feeling very disillusioned. I'm going again this year but I'm onlu staying 3 days in Ubud and then I'm going to Lombok and Gili Air, i can't deal with Bali again for any longer than a few days
We were working for a tour company to create content for them on this tour, so I didn’t want to talk badly about the tour but also have their branded t-shirt on show because at the end of the day it’s not the companies fault if the tour is bad 😊
Thanks for this video. I really hate "Tourist Traps" like this. So I am always making research to avoid them. From this video I will definitely see the Temple from the beginning by my own. I would like to try also this Rice Field Swings. Do you know any place with them that you would recommend?
Hey Darek, glad I could help you avoid some more unsavoury places! In terms of swings, they’re literally everywhere, the main ones are at Tegalalang in Ubud but most waterfalls/rice terraces have some sort of swing these days!
Ok I watched this clip before I came to Bali. Now I have been here 3 months and visited some of the places covered in this clip. Some of the cons are well justified. However in reality the experiences are much more positive then depicted in the clip. For example Tegalalang Rice tarraces i have visited 3x already being in Canggu good 1h drive away. I always go alone with my son no tours. Its a spectacullar place worth every minute.
I’ve been to Tegalalang a few times and it just depends which part you go to. On this particular tour they took us to the main tourist section which is always busy. It’s the reason why I have an alternative spot to visit :)
Try Katut at KW Tours, great drivers and service. Also he helps out with donations of rice and other things to people who are in need of a helping hand.
Im tour guide in bali, i always follow what my custemer want, i never bring my custemer to the trap place, im the one of honestes tour guide in bali, but now i work in france
Welcome to Bali. Most of the place is one big tourist trap. Can see why most people went to Canggu where there are no pavements, no walkers hence no people to harrass.
Totally disagree with your "most of the place . . . ". Most of the places the instagrammers go, absolutely, totally avoid. But do some research, talk to Balinese other than drivers, and you're on your way to discovering the beautiful, untouched Bali beloved by those of us who know 🙂. Think and act like a visitor, you'll be treated as a guest. Think and act like a tourist, you'll be treated as a tourist, and unfortunately, the majority of tourists seem to want the instagrammer's Bali . . . and believe me, places like Canggu are far, far removed from the beautiful, untouched Bali I'm hinting at.
I think anything more remote than what I've already experienced I wouldn't be interested in. I've spent a total of 4 months there. Last trip we got short-changed twice in 48 hours in the supermarkets, definitely deliberate. We slept in the dirtiest bedding I have ever experienced anywhere in the world. Everyone who loves Bali loves it for their own reasons. For me there's a lack of sincerity and care for tourists. Locals want to take your money but they don't want to work for it. For you likely you get something there you don't feel you get elsewhere, hence your support for the place. Oh and that's not mentioning the sheer number of single girls who see foreigners as moneyboxes and only offer company for money.
@@PalmBeachRider-o2x Mate, all I can say is, you've not yet been to Bali. Get away from the instagrammers and go to Bali . . . I have had more generosity from Balinese, in a whole variety of scenarios, than I've had anywhere else, with Estonia/Denmark a possible equal. Shared food, free transport, invitations to weddings, free baby-sitting (when that was appropriate to our circumstances) . . . and nary a visit to Kuta, Seminyak, Nusa Dua, Canggu, Legian, Ubud, Candi Desa. Get out and smell the coffee is my advice, and by that I don't mean in an American "coffee" shop or fancy restaurant or foreign hotel or the like . . . and no, the places we frequent are not "remote", but thank a deity they're not on the Instagrammer trail.
@@DustyDingoPhotos in general you may have a point but I think the way you're presenting it comes across as arrogant. Just because you had an experience and felt a certain way it doesn't mean another person will have that same experience and feel the same thing. There's no right or wrong really, more some things suit some people better, other people not so much. Now I'd say if you showed our conversation to a sample of people, most would say my replies would be more aligned with what Bali stands for, and that's the point. I know that underneath the Bali bullshit there is a lovely, spiritual Hindu island, but too many people on the island have jumped on the bullshit. They're going for the cash, which we would all do if our local place lit up with tourism like Bali has, but in the meantime the majority of the island has lots is meaningfulness. In my opinion. You do you and I'll do me. Nice talking with you. Enjoy Bali.
In Bali now Canggu it’s overpriced traffic on main roads is horrendous.Too many foreigners buying businesses and hiking prices up .Balinese people are lovely though .Its a shame it’s just tourist rip off place now
Yes,you can't afford that high quality batik price because it is so expensive. You can't buy it if you have a limited money. It's only for high class people.
The more organised a tour is, the more orchestrated it becomes, and with it the more shallow and pretentious the experience of the culture of the place. Never sacrifice authenticity with convenience. Best to do some research and charter your own programs.
Not all tour groups at all. There’s plenty of incredible tours out there and it’s only a small proportion that are like this. And they should be avoided
You’re in Bali and can’t get over the fact people are trying to sell you stuff while you’re on a guided tour 😂😂😂 you’re even complaining about domestic tourists taking group photos hahahaha. I don’t think Bali is the place for you guy
I don’t mind people trying to sell me things it’s just when people don’t take no for an answer 🙃 I did the tour as part of a work thing and my issues are with the tour not with Bali itself, so yeah I think Bali is the place for me 😁
@@RyanLeeBanks I once had a guy follow me all around Ubud trying to sell me tickets to some place, he was even waiting for us when I came out of a restaurant, in the end I told him very clearly to F Off lol. So yeah, they do get a little persistent at times
@@RyanLeeBanks Surely your first point on the video should have been, DO NOT GO on a tour arranged by someone else? As it is, you've basically told a lot of folk here (judging by the comments), that Bali is a rip-off and, as in the title, a 'tourist trap'. Your brief disclaimers are obviously drowned by the overall negative impression you give. Just a thought.
Sorry but this video just shows that these 2 didn’t have a clue what they were doing in Bali! This is why it is imperative that you always only use a driver that you have been recommended and can read reviews about on Trip Advisor. People who go with proper drivers plan their trip properly with their driver and go places they want to go. I am a twice a year regular to Bali from the U.K. and can assist you with the best and most honest driver who will take your proper places in Bali and not the tourist traps. I’m back to Bali in a weeks time so feel free to message me. But this video is poor! 2 people that let a driver drive them the tourist circuit. How do you know he’s a bad driver……you never see him with the clients in any attraction.
Oh catch a grip for god sake ! The places you went to are very easily found. Maybe if you did your research instead of going on a tour group then complaining people are trying to sell you things (shock horror, people trying to make a living! How dare they!) - you could just have been a man and planned it yourself for you and your partner. You also missed a lot of things due to your laziness. Hoping you found the exit out of Bali by now. If not, I can direct you considering you don’t have the ability to do things for yourself.
You sound like a very bitter man 😂 if you watched the video properly you’d know we went on this tour for a work job not by choice and I only made this video because I would want to be told not to go to these places too so I’m offering the information to other people for their travel plans. Chill out dude
@@RyanLeeBanks does it change anything? You come here belittling the people for simply trying to make a living. You: “This is a tourist trap!” Reality: friendly elderly people selling their hand crafted items for less money than your tip at an expensive restaurant. You think I’m exaggerating, sure, but it’s not you I’m venting at actually. It’s people *like you* I see every day. I hope your partner is okay. And she’s not too traumatized by a friendly and elderly Balinese person trying to sell her something. Poor girl.