8 Reasons Why Bali is the Perfect Destination for Solo Travelers

Solo traveling can be overwhelming, from the preparations to the arrival and even the first day of exploration in your new destination. Can you imagine the stress of getting lost in another country, with no one to help, unclear signs, and the added expense for everything? This can be daunting, especially for your first solo travel experience. I can already feel the horrible sensation creeping in. However, I have a solution for you! Consider making Bali your first solo travel destination. I have been living in Bali alone since 2021, and I can share eight compelling reasons why it is the perfect place for solo travelers, all based on my personal experiences!

1. People are nice here in Bali.

Don't be worried about local means, here in Bali people are friendly. A smile is already a natural part of their face. You will be shocked by how locals here always give warm greetings in the morning, day, afternoon, and night. A simple hello and bye that everyone never thought they needed in their life. Locals will help you with anything, so when you get lost, you will find locals who are willing to help. Don't worry about getting lost.

2. Most locals can speak English.

It's quite frustrating when you travel alone and need to ask something from locals, but they can't speak English. It creates a communication gap and can be traumatizing to visit a non-English language country. But here in Bali, most locals can speak English, even though it may be broken English, it's understandable for daily conversations. Making friends with locals can also be easy.

3. Affordable Guest House or Villa.

Traveling alone usually takes more budget because you pay for one big room for yourself, whereas you usually share the cost with your partner. In Bali, it's hard to find a hostel with bunk beds, but there's something better for you. You will find a lot of affordable accommodations such as sharing villas and cheap guesthouses. With this affordable cost, sometimes you even get a once-a-week cleaning service, water heater, and even a pool.

4. So many communities to Join.

Traveling solo and being alone can sometimes feel lonely. You might want to meet a range of people with cool backgrounds to share stories with, such as groups of people from different countries and new strangers. Welcome to Bali, where there are a lot of communities to join. If you like to do volunteering, Bali has the Plastic Free Community, which helps keep the ocean clean. And if you like surfing, you will find hundreds of communities that will be happy to have you join. There are also communities for pottery lovers and more. Traveling solo but returning home with many new friends is interesting, right?

5. Cheap and Various Local Culinary

Indonesia has a lot of spices, which makes this country home to many various and tasty foods to try. In Bali alone, you will find simple, comforting food that locals eat every day at Warungs. In these small Warungs, you can get more than 10 types of local food that will be interesting for foreigners to try. Don't worry; the spiciness levels here in Bali are already adjustable for foreigners. But if you want to level up the spiciness, you can try many types of sambal. In addition to comforting food, you will find many different food types from all over Indonesia just by visiting local famous restaurants such as Rumah Makan Padang, Rumah Makan Manado, Rumah Makan Sunda, Rumah Makan Jawa, and so many more available here in Bali. And, of course, they are all really cheap. You can have a full tummy with only $4, or even $2, and that includes Sweet Ice Tea.

6. Transportation is easy to find.

The main problem when visiting a new country is figuring out how to get to many places in a day or even how to reach your destination. In Bali, there's a local Uber called Gojek, which you can find in most touristy places. All you need to do is download the app, finish all the registration process, select the location where you want to be picked up, and then pin your destination. You can also connect it to your credit card for payment. And if you want to visit places that are too far for Gojek service to handle (since Bali is a big island), you can rent a car or motorbike to reach those places. The price depends on the type of vehicle you rent. You can find vehicle rentals everywhere, even where you are staying. The owner usually provides this information, or you can simply ask them.

7. So many places safe to visit alone.

There are so many places to visit in Bali, from beaches to mountains, Warungs to restaurants, and most of these places are safe to visit alone. Not only are they safe, but they are also enjoyable, even when you are by yourself. Just bring your beach mat, favorite books, snacks, and fruits, then visit the beach you find on Google Maps. If you want to surf, just head to a beach with good waves, find a surf instructor there, and enjoy your moments. If you want to go far north in Bali where there aren't many tourists, you can still go alone; just rent a motorbike or car, drive alone, and enjoy your trip! Enjoying life in Bali is easy.

8. How about Bali Belly? You'll be safe!

You may have heard a lot about Bali Belly, and it may sound scary, but don't worry. As long as you drink a lot of water, clean your hands before eating, and are cautious with the food you buy from Warungs, you will be fine. Most cases of Bali Belly happen to foreigners who don't know that tap water in Indonesia isn't safe to drink, so make a note that you can't drink tap water here. Bali Belly can also occur to foreigners who have never lived in a tropical country, as it can cause frequent changes in body temperature. For instance, you might be exposed to hot sun, then go inside a café with cold air conditioning to cool down, and then go outside again, causing another change in body temperature. If it's rainy season, you might get wet from the rain, and if this happens regularly, it can create health problems and affect your digestive system. Some foreigners think it's caused by food, but it's not always the case. Bali Belly can also be caused by buying food from local Warungs that aren't hygienic, so you have to check them carefully. If there are flies everywhere, you know what you are getting. I recommend you visit clean and well-organized Warungs, not random ones on the street. My personal tip is if you want to try real street food, go for the food that is prepared with hot processes, such as fried food or hot soup. Just in case, this heat will kill any 'possibility' of harmful elements in the food ingredients.

After reading all of these, will you choose Bali to be your first place to solo travel? Share your thoughts below!

Join me on my YouTube channel (Click here) as I take you on an exciting journey through my life here in beautiful Bali, where I'm embracing the solo living experience to the fullest. From exploring the lush landscapes to discovering the local culture, I'll be your virtual guide, sharing insightful tips, and of course, plenty of entertaining stories along the way. So, why not hit that subscribe button on my youtube channel? By doing so, you won't miss a single moment of this amazing solo-living odyssey.

Let's connect, share experiences, and make memories together! 🌴😊