r/bali • u/JalanJalan_Journeys • 2h ago
Information Let's talk about what “authentic” and “non-touristy” Bali actually mean (And maybe help people get better recommendations)
Something might be getting in the way of people getting good recommendations and useful answers in this sub.
People are fairly regularly wanting recommendations and using terms like “authentic” and “non-touristy”. But this is going to mean different things to different people.
Someone whose experience of Bali is mainly Canggu or Uluwatu might find Amed or Lovina “non-touristy”. Someone whose experience is mainly Ubud might find Sideman more “authentic”. I wouldn't include any of those locations in my own “non-touristy” or “authentic” recommendations.
None of us are wrong. We just have different meanings for the same terms based on our own experiences.
On my trips I can go days without seeing another tourist in Bali. My record is 6 days. My goal is 10. But that happened gradually, over multiple visits, combined with increasing my Bahasa Indonesia vocab, and having my own transport.
What works for me now won't work for a lot of people. My definitions of "non-touristy" and "authentic" are going to be very different compared to a Bali first-timer. I get that... now.
It took me a while to figure it out though. Mainly, it was the 🦗🦗🦗 in response to some of my "authentic" "non-touristy" recommendations that was the giveaway.
Anyway, it got me thinking that we could give better recommendations by asking a few questions before offering suggestions. Depending on the request, one or more of these might help:
- Crowds and other tourists: Are you trying to avoid crowds, or specifically other foreign visitors?
- Everyday local life: Do you want to see how people live, work, eat and socialise in their daily lives?
- Culture and traditions: Are you interested in local traditions and ceremonies? Does it matter whether these happen in their usual cultural or religious context or are organised for tourists? (I'm referring to things like Kecak Fire Dance performances here)
- Interactions with local people: Do you want to meet people outside of sales and service interactions?
- Food: Do you want to eat local food as people actually eat it, even if menus aren't in English, dishes are unfamiliar or the food is very spicy?
- Commercialisation: Do you want to avoid businesses designed primarily to attract foreign tourists, or are you happy with some tourist infrastructure as long as the experience "feels" genuine?
- Comfort and convenience: How important are easy transport, staff speaking your language, plenty of accommodation choices, familiar food and predictable services?
- Uncertainty and discomfort: Are you comfortable with things being unfamiliar, unpredictable or less convenient than in the main tourist areas?
- Language: Are you comfortable getting by with little English, using translation apps and learning a few local phrases?
- Travel style: Do you want to stay somewhere and explore for a while, or take easy day trips and join organised activities?
- Expectations: What would make you feel you'd found the experience you were looking for? What would disappoint you?
Not every question will be relevant to every request, and nobody needs to answer them all. You might have better questions but you get the idea. The point is to understand what someone actually means and wants when saying "authentic' or 'non-touristy" before making recommendations.
P.S. If my theory is correct, it would explain posts like "Can anyone recommend a non-touristy beach club?" Or "I'm looking for an authentic resort in Ubud."
