Pantai Jemeluk — Attraction in Bali

The Decline of Bali: A Traveler’s Disillusionment

For years, Bali has been hailed as a tropical paradise, a land of pristine beaches, lush jungles, and a vibrant Hindu culture that sets it apart from the rest of Indonesia. However, the Bali of today is a far cry from the idyllic escape it once was. After seven visits over the past decade, I have witnessed firsthand the gradual yet undeniable decline of the island.

The Deterioration of Cleanliness and Beauty Bali was once known for its serene landscapes and immaculate beaches, but those days seem to be slipping away. Once-pristine locations like Amed, which previously promised a tranquil retreat from the island’s busier hubs, now resemble an open landfill. Litter is scattered across beaches and roadsides, with little to no enforcement of cleanliness regulations. Coral reefs, once teeming with marine life, are now suffering from neglect, pollution, and unregulated tourism. The lack of sustainable waste management and growing disregard for environmental conservation have turned once-breathtaking coastlines into polluted stretches of land.

The Decline of Hindu Culture Amongst the Youth Bali’s distinct Hindu culture was once one of its most captivating elements, offering visitors a deep sense of spirituality and tradition. However, amongst the younger generation, there appears to be a waning connection to their heritage. Increasing commercialization and a growing focus on tourism revenue over cultural preservation have led to a dilution of Bali’s rich traditions. Authentic religious practices now often serve as mere tourist attractions rather than deeply revered customs. While temples still stand as testaments to Bali’s heritage, the essence of devotion and tradition seems to be fading among the youth.

Overinflated Prices: Bali vs. Australia One of the biggest shifts in Bali over the past decade has been its pricing. What was once a budget-friendly paradise is now priced at nearly the same level as Australia. With the Indonesian government imposing additional levies, cleanliness charges, and a staggering 21% tax on services, a trip to Bali is no longer the affordable getaway it used to be. What’s more frustrating is that these higher prices rarely translate to better service or improved infrastructure. In places like Amed, where basic cleanliness and road maintenance should be a given, visitors are instead met with broken roads, rampant construction, and exorbitant pricing that offers little value.

Amed’s Rapid Downfall: A Lost Potential A few years ago, Amed held the promise of being a peaceful retreat away from the over-commercialized areas of Bali. With its volcanic beaches and relatively untouched charm, it attracted those looking for a quieter escape. However, in just a short time, Amed has transformed into an unregulated, chaotic mess. The once-promising snorkeling spots have been replaced with artificial attractions, while locals have effectively monopolized beach access, making it nearly impossible to find a genuinely natural experience. Despite these deteriorations, prices have skyrocketed to match European standards, with little justification. Rampant construction continues to erode the area’s ecological integrity, turning what was once a hidden gem into an environmental nightmare.

Ubud: From Cultural Haven to Urban Chaos Once the heart of Balinese culture and spirituality, Ubud now feels like a bustling metropolis, more reminiscent of New York City than a peaceful retreat. The streets are overcrowded, making walking—let alone driving—a challenge. The tranquility that once defined Ubud has been overtaken by relentless commercial expansion, traffic congestion, and an influx of tourists that the area’s infrastructure is ill-equipped to handle. The charm of the rice terraces and cultural sanctuaries is overshadowed by the stress of navigating through an...

Cool snorkeling spot starting from the Beach! Although the beach is not very fine, dark and therefore hot to walk. There are many different and also big fish, colourful coralles and you can swim to the underwater temple ca. 15m from the beach at maybe 4m depth and marked with a white stick. Also we saw only very few pieces of garbage in the water. We were here in january and the sight was circa 4 meters in water. We paid 70k for one snorkel mask and snorkel and two pair of finns. It wasn't too crowded as it was off season. A few restaurants offer beach benches if you order something there. There was one family of bracelet vendors that were annoying. The sunset point is also worthy of a stop as you can see the Agung Vulcano. But a few restaurants have taken over the public viewpoint and charge a lot for their beer -.- If you continue through Amed towards the East, maybe a 10-20 minute motorbike ride away there are more beaches that are a brighter and with nicer sand. First Lipah, then a beach where many locals live. Then come a few more luxurous hotels that look super nice. We went to the beach below the "Aquamarine Beach Villas" and the "Stairway to Heaven Hotel" because we searched for the ship wreck but couldn't find it. The beach was beautiful but with a super strong current (!!!) and, as we realized later, probably a private...

Relaxing cove close to the 2 ship wrecks in the area. Definitely not a "Kuta" experience and if you're wanting a family friendly slower beach this is the perfect place. The water is very clear and makes for a much nicer swim than most of the more southern beaches. The vendors are easy going and the chairs are cheap to rent. There is a wide range of food available, both local and western. The sand is not the best but the corals are not far from shore and make for some good snorkeling. If diving is more your thrill there are plenty of boats for hire to head to the liberty wreck and scuba. I'd advise going super early as it is the main highlight in the area and gets busy quickly. Just south of this cove is the Japanese shipwreck that's accessable by boats rented from here as well as a short drive and some luck finding it. The Japanese shipwreck is in shallow enough water that you would be happy with just a snorkel. There are a few places in the area to get a room and I'd recommend a night or two in the area if you're here as the drive back to the more touristy areas can...