Bali's Beauty vs. Reality: The Cost of Unchecked Tourism

Wed Oct 22 2025 01:36:27 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As Bali becomes a global tourism hotspot, the reality for many is far different from the idyllic paradise portrayed on social media. This article explores the disillusionment of tourists and locals alike, the environmental toll, and the urgent need for sustainable practices.

Bali, once celebrated as a paradise, is now under pressure from rampant tourism that has led to overcrowding, environmental degradation, and a disillusionment among visitors. The idealized images often shared on social media are starkly contrasted by the reality of the island's struggles, marking a critical moment for sustainable tourism practices.

Bali, Indonesia's famed tropical paradise, has charmed plenty of tourists over the years. But it's also leaving a growing number disillusioned - recently among them Zoe Rae.

Since landing in Bali, something for us has just not felt quite right, she said in a YouTube video in July, filmed in her hotel room.

We came to Bali with high expectations because we'd seen on social media everyone having such a lovely time. She added: If you took a picture of the coffee shop and zoomed out, you would see what the reality was.

Social media posts about expectations vs reality in Bali abound. Diners enjoying the sunset at a beach-side restaurant - and the piles of rubbish along the rickety stairs to get there. The bikini-clad pose in front of a waterfall, while a snaking line of tourists await their turn on slippery rocks. The alfresco smoothies with bamboo straws, right beside soot-puffing motorcycles stuck on jammed roads.

Millions flock to Bali every year in search of the spiritual Shangri-La promised in the noughties memoir and film Eat, Pray, Love. What they're greeted by instead are crowds, traffic and the cacophony of construction, which has ramped up alongside a post-pandemic boom in tourism.

More than a dozen people recently died in rare floods on the island, which were worsened by poor waste management and unchecked urban development. In response, local authorities announced they would restrict new construction, but many locals see this as a too-little, too-late intervention.

As tourism rises, locals express frustrations over the increasing crowds and disruptions. Some claim that while tourists share complaints about overcrowding, they themselves contribute to the very problem they criticize.

Despite the challenges, there is a push for sustainable practices and efforts to educate both tourists and residents on waste management and environmental care. Bali's local government has started initiatives to curb plastic use and ensure responsible tourism practices.

Ultimately, the plight of Bali serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of maintaining the balance between tourism and preserving the island's rich cultural and natural heritage.