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Every single place you visit is going to be a learning experience.
This is going to be facts for literally anywhere you go. If you're unfamiliar with a place, don't just walk into an eating establishment and assume that everything there will perfectly align with American standards. Yelp and TripAdvisor are the best ways to make sure where you're going is up to par. There are always going to be other people who have tried the place before you; make sure you read all of the reviews and check the ratings of anywhere you're unfamiliar with and want to visit. I had the most amazing food in Bali, and never once did it make me sick. The seafood is so fresh and completely out of this universe, and the coffee will actually make you realize what they're giving us in America is NOT the coffee other people are consuming in this world, and I implore you not to go somewhere that you can have back home. Also, I've heard of this thing called "Bali belly", but I didn't get sick from any of the food or drinks. As travelers, we can't live or eat exactly like the locals do because our bodies likely aren't used to many of the ingredients and spices that are customary in Balinese cuisine. But rest assured there are TONS of dining options in Bali, like Michelin-star-level ones too; you just have to find one that is popular and trustworthy.
The best thing about the nightlife in Bali is the fact that they're low-key behind on music, so they were still bumping stuff like "Born This Way" like it's 2011. If you like to enjoy a little nightlife, you'll definitely find an abundance of that. From bars to beach clubs to beer gardens, there are tons of options for you based on what you like and the aesthetic you want to give for the night. You also might find out that some pretty cool people will come perform. While I was there and even after I left, Diplo performed at two of their famous beach clubs.
And if you want to see an amazing drag show, trust that there's a space for that, too. We actually found out about the drag shows the first night we got there (and if you know me, this very much tracks). The gay bars were always packed to the brim, a complete blast, and full of new friends. There is literally something there for everyone, and as I said, people are so kind. I can't even count how many buddies I made just by going out and enjoying everything there was to offer.
Based on the research we did, we found out that Kuta was the area that tourists frequented the most, so from there we decided we wanted to stay near that area but not completely in it, and that's how we found the beautiful town of Seminyak. We knew for the first time that we wanted to stay around a main tourist area that had a lot of hustle and bustle, and the Kuta, Legian, and Seminyak areas located in South Bali were exactly that. We stayed in a beautiful Airbnb villa that was about a five-minute walk away from Seminyak Beach, which was a must for us. Take that extra time to find exactly what you're looking for, because it IS out there. Bali has a lot of different areas you can stay in. There is an abundance of villas that are rented out as Airbnbs, but there are also plenty of resorts and hotels that people will be fairly familiar with in a lot of different areas that cater to your activities and preferences (golfing, surfing, luxury, budget, etc.). It all just comes down to you being real about what works best for you, researching, and reading the reviews, which is just a rule of thumb for everything: READ THE REVIEWS!
This is the part that really got me. Whether you choose to stay in the city, in the jungle, by the rice fields, or by the cliffs, you will have wildlife. So, of course, in places like Ubud, you're in the straight-up jungle. There will be monkeys trying to steal your things; there will be ginormous spiders and probably snakes (especially in the rice fields) as well. I didn't stay there. I'm not Steve Irwin. I had enough trouble as it was with the large number of geckos that surrounded the villa. The house staff thought it was so funny when my sister and I explained that we had locked a gecko in the upstairs bathroom only to never see it again or how when we opened the cabinet under the sink, a gecko ran out. I also had the pleasure of opening my bedroom door to find one just chillin' on my wall... I was never okay with it. I ran and screamed the whole time. But I'm also a scaredy cat when it comes to reptiles; they really give me the heebs, and the geckos are completely harmless.
So, if you are, in fact, Steve Irwin reincarnated and you know you won't be bothered by the little critters, the more rural areas might be exactly where you want to go! It's all up to your personal preference and then finding the best option for you from there.
But, wherever you stay, know this: the mosquito situation is out of control. You WILL have tons of mosquito bites, to the point where you think you might scratch a whole layer of skin off. I woke up one morning with three bites to the face, and the amount of bug spray we used was probably a world record, but it's a MUST if you don't want to be miserable for the duration of your trip.
It's no secret that Bali heavily relies on the abundance of tourism for its economy to survive. When I visited back in May 2022, the staff at the first restaurant we went to was talking to us about how the island was doing after COVID, and after explaining to us how hard it was for everyone to even attempt to bounce back with the massive loss of tourism and the effects of COVID, they thanked us for coming to visit their beautiful home and bringing more awareness to the country, and I about cried right there.
Everyone is so helpful and eager to know more about you and your culture, while you're eagerly trying to learn about theirs! We traveled past schools on our ATV tour, and the kids were walking around, waving, and hopping on the ATVs to get a ride home, and they were all just the absolute sweetest. It was a beautiful moment to witness, and every time I found myself in areas where the Balinese locals resided, I always saw the most beautiful displays of community and helpfulness. It's important to immerse yourself in their culture and spend time around the people who actually live there full-time.
The island is STEEPED with culture; from gorgeous temples to the breathtaking architecture all over the island to the amazing cultural events, there are so many things that happen around the country that sometimes you don't even notice or completely take for granted, like one of my favorite things, the Canang Sari, or offerings that are left on your doorstep and all over the island every morning. We made sure to ask our villa staff any and every question that came up regarding things going on or culturally appropriate practices, and they were more than happy to teach us.
Bali has a beautiful culture that is rooted in spiritual practice (hence the daily offerings). If you don't take the time to talk to the locals about their culture, of course, it's easy to assume that there's nothing going on around you, but you're in fact just ignorant of it. Every part of the island is dripping in culture, from the tourist areas to the outskirts, the people are the culture, the spirituality is the culture, the architecture is the culture, the language is the culture, and it's important to learn about those things.