What’s really happening in Bali’s tourist areas?
Ubud, Canggu, Seminyak and much more
The most popular tourist areas in Bali, like Ubud, Canggu, and Seminyak, often appear on social media as little corners of paradise. Yet they have become the symbol of Bali overtourism: poorly managed tourism that has led to profound and often negative transformations.
Behind the temples, luxury resorts, and trendy venues, these areas hide structural problems, unsustainable rents for locals, and a continuous gentrification process, especially in Canggu.
In this article about what’s really happening in Bali’s tourist areas, we’ll cover:
Canggu: from fishing village to “tropical Silicon Valley”
Canggu is perhaps the most striking example of change in Bali’s tourist areas. Once a quiet seaside village, today it’s a hub for digital nomads, startups, and coworking spaces attracting young people from all over the world. But at what cost?
Canggu gentrification: the most striking case
Gentrification in Canggu has led to the rapid replacement of traditional houses with designer villas, spas, international restaurants, and beach clubs. Locals, meanwhile, are forced to leave their spaces.
Many agricultural lands have been converted into tourist facilities, while real estate prices have skyrocketed.
Bali rental property and the real estate boom
In the past five years, rents in Bali, particularly in Canggu, have increased by up to 300%. In many cases, Balinese owners have been “pushed” to sell or rent long-term to foreign investors.
The result? Bali’s tourist areas increasingly resemble luxury Western neighborhoods, becoming less and less authentic.
Learn more about this phenomenon in Living in Bali as an Expat: Privilege or Problem?
Ubud: spirituality under siege
Ubud was once known as the spiritual and artistic capital of the island. But even here, mass tourism has left its mark.
Balinese spirituality turned into a tourist format
Sacred ceremonies are transformed into “Instagrammable experiences,” yoga and healing courses multiply, often stripped of their true cultural meaning. The very concept of “sacredness” risks becoming marketing.
What to avoid in Bali to respect Ubud
Per proteggere questo luogo così delicato, ci sono alcune cose che è bene non fare:
- Partecipare a cerimonie senza invito o rispetto
- Fotografare i locali nei templi senza permesso
- Partecipare a retreat “spirituali” senza conoscere la cultura
To protect this delicate place, there are some things you should not do:
Attend ceremonies without invitation or respect
Photograph locals in temples without permission
Join “spiritual” retreats without understanding the culture
Ubud was “home” for us for a while. Was it love at first sight? Absolutely not. But then we fell in love with it, for all its contradictions, for the fancy coworking spaces where expats from all over the world live a fake spirituality, and for the temple next door, full of offerings but also dirty and definitely less Instagrammable. We could talk for hours about this immense conflict between the two realities, but the extraordinary thing is that in Ubud (and only here) expats and locals have found a way to coexist without annihilating each other. It’s true, we don’t know how long this balance will last, most likely it’s destined to collapse, but for a while it was beautiful to live in this equilibrium, which deeply connects to the concept of Dharma in Balinese Hinduism.
If you want to experience Ubud authentically, we’ve already written many articles that can help you:
Seminyak: luxury, traffic, and loss of identity
Once more residential and quiet, today Seminyak is one of Bali’s most chaotic tourist areas. Five-star hotels, beach clubs, and shopping malls have replaced local shops. Traffic is congested, and the urban environment increasingly degraded.
Here too, the problem is the same: unchecked tourist growth has made the area less livable for both locals and visitors.
What is the real problem with Bali’s most touristy areas?
Bali’s tourist areas aren’t “evil.” The real problem is excess, concentration, and the lack of a sustainable urban plan.
Want to know the origin of the phenomenon? Read Bali overtourism: the dark side of paradise, our cornerstone article.
How to visit Bali’s tourist areas responsibly
It’s not about avoiding Bali, but about traveling more responsibly. Here are some tips:
Don’t stay only in the most famous areas
Explore northern Bali, less touristy and more authentic
Support local businesses even in central areas
Avoid “forced authentic” experiences
Need alternatives? Read 10 alternatives to Bali: authentic and lesser-known places
Continue reading our series on Bali & Overtourism
Planning a trip to Bali with kids?
From mystical temples to the rice fields of Sidemen, from local markets to beaches: Bali is a family-sized adventure waiting for you. I’ve gathered practical tips, authentic stops, and low-budget ideas to help you discover the island with curious eyes and light backpacks.
And if you want to go even deeper, to discover the Real Bali — the one you won’t find in brochures — I recommend Viaggiaibali.com: a complete guide for those who dream of truly living it, with a sustainable and respectful eye towards local communities.
Read all articles about Bali with kids →Go to Viaggiaibali.com →
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